LessLee

I was amazed.... Painless and quick. Dr.Bass here in SW Florida is amazing.
Talked with the nutritionist and got great encoragement....
My appetite disappeared almost instantly...
I am feeling on top of the world.!!!

Just made it home from the hospital. Feeling pretty good just some discomfort from the gas in shoulders and chest making it a little hard to get a good deep breath. Ice pack on stomach as instructed to help with swelling.

Today I took the kids to Busch Gardens (here in Tampa) as they are kicking off their summer vacation. I have not been here in about a year. The last time I was here, I no longer could fit in a rollercoaster and was mortified, appalled, and embarrassed. So were my children. This was my rock bottom! TODAY...I not only fit in the coasters....I had plenty of room to spare! We spent all day walking the park with very little effort or exhaustion. I hardly thought about food all day. I never had any anxiety about my knees hurting, my back aching, or my feet swelling up. I was having the time of my life! Last year, all I wanted to do was lose enough weight to fit in a rollercoaster...that's it...a simple request. If I go by this measure of success...I am there! I am a success story!! I still want to lose more weight....and I will set small goals along the way. But today...I am here....I am successful...and my kids think I am a rock star!!

Actually, the most probable diagnosis is what is known as "Adjustment Disorder". The adjustments we need to make in our lives, including but not limited to our relationship with food, changes in family routines as related to meals, and learning new coping mechanisms to manage life without being able to turn to food for solace.
These adjustments may lead to feelings of depression, however they usually resolve over a few weeks or months. We are all individuals, and the way we manage these adjustments will differ between us.
If these feelings of depressed mood linger on beyond 6 months, then it would be considered to be clinical depression.
It may be helpful for you to consult with a therapist if you feel that you are unable to manage from day to day.
These feelings are normal in conjunction with major life events.
It does help to speak with others, wether in a local WLS support group, a qualified therapist, or supportive friends or family.
Best wishes for a successful journey...

Thanks to both of yall ,but I do think your right mrsinto about the excitement and then nothing, and then not being able to use food to cope with it. That would be exactly what it feels like. So, I'll talk to my husband about that, and see what happens, he should understand.
~~~Stephanie

Stephanie - I also went through something. I don't know that it was depression, but definitely some emotional changes. It has passed now, but it was rough there for a minute.
For me, what I think it was, was a sense of mourning. Doing this surgery is a huge life changing undertaking, and we change our relationship with our one true love.....food. There is a ton of emotional baggage that goes along with that, and not being able to sit down and self medicate with food, at a time when emotions are running wild, is very hard to deal with. Also.....there is a lot of build up and excitement prior to surgery. Then....it's over. A bit like a letdown after you've been planning a big vacation....or a wedding, etc.
Steph - you are still pretty new. Allow yourself to go through the emotions that you need to go through. Honor those feelings. This is a big change, and it takes time to come to terms with a new way of living. You'll come out of it. If you find that a lot of time has passed and you're still in a funk, then it might be a good idea to talk with a therapist. Doesn't mean that you have to be in therapy forever; just to get over the hump. But honestly, it's too soon. Just allow the feelings to happen, and you'll start to notice that you're getting back to......you

Good Luck! I am the 21st.

Ok...
So I have been reading a lot of stories on this site for about four months now. I never commented one way or another about the good, bad, and the ugly of pre-op diet, the surgery, or the recovery. I wanted to get all the information I could about the procedure. All the while I have been going to appointments, preparing myself for this journey and trying to decide if this is the best thing for me.
With my insurance (BCBS-FEP) I had to do a 3 month supervised diet, pysc. evaluation, and had numerous attempts at weight loss (check, check, and check). My Dr.'s office submitted my paperwork June 6 and I got my approval June 11, 2013. Really fast huh....? I thought so, I thought it would be weeks before I heard anything but to my surprise I got a phone call today to schedule my pre-op testing, schedule the surgery (surgery date is July 1, 2013) and to start my 2 week liquid diet. (talk about the speed of light) I've been on pins and needles the last couple of days thinking I had weeks to wait but now the time is come I'm kinda freaking out. Don't get me wrong I'm excited because I have thought about having this procedure done for a while but now that it is within reach I'm questioning if I'm making the right decision.
I have not told ANYONE about what I'm doing mainly because I wasn't sure I would be approved, secondly I don't know how they are going to react (other than my mom and her worrying because it is surgery). I know that now I need to share but I'm worried about their reaction because this is a drastic step (in the right direction) but a drastic step still. I only plan on telling one person and that will be the person that has to drive me home. I just feel like this is my decision and my business, and I don't need any negative comments during this journey. After I achieve my goal of weight loss, then I will share how I achieved those goals and will be able to give first hand experience of the LapBand and maybe refer others.
I said all that to say YES I'm excited and YES I'm really nervous.

I started my 2 week liquid diet on Monday, I still have not ripped off any ones face so I think that is amazing, I have adopted a little trick for when I get hungry but it is not time for me to have another Protein Shake or snack, I purchased no calorie no fat broth in powder form and I add hot Water and take small sips it actually tricks me into feeling full and like I had a meal, other wise I drink lots of water and try to stay super busy, my nook is my best friend at night! I wish you all the best What day is your Surgery? I am June 25th

yeah!! he does not have the band... but just found out that my husband won the biggest loser competiton at his work.. 31.4 lbs lost in 10 weeks.
very proud of him and had to share.

Is my surgery date! Wish me luck guys!!!

Boy what a ride this past year has been, gallbladder surgery 6 months into it with complications, whew, glad that's over. Proud to say I'm 68 lbs lighter and never looking back. Only regret, wish I'd done this yrs ago. Wouldn't take a million bucks for how I feel now and only good things to come when I lose that much more in the coming months. Slowly but surely it's coming off.

Wow...I finally figured out how to post a picture to my profile. Gawd, that was simple and I feel kinda silly now because it took me so long to figure it out. LOL

I've had a pair of pants hanging in my closet for years that I thought, "If I could only lose enough weight to fit into those again, I'd be so happy!" Well, I just put them on... and they're TOO BIG!! And I'm not even done losing yet!! Loving my new life and my lap-band!!!!!

I'm so thrilled ! The hospital callede to get me pre registered! They verified my insurance and everything is good to go. I can't believe this is happening. After my surgery I'm goin to stay at my moms for a few days. I think it's the best so she can help nurse me back to health . I startu diet on June 25 th . I'm getting my head in the game . I'm ready for this ' ! Love this site for the support !

Hello all,
Well I'm on day 2. The surgery went very well. The Dr also corrected a hernia that I had no idea i had. I felt pretty good yesterday. The incision where the port is placed is swollen today. My dr said I can ice so that is helping a little. Ice has become my new best friend. I love chewing on ice. The cold feels good on my sore throat and it helps to keep me hydrated. As far as gas pain..both sides of my neck hurt. I'm not sure if that is normal. My upper back hurts but the dr said it would because of the hernia repair. Breathing is a little tough. That is also from the hernia. Im using a spirometer to help with that. I'm pretty sore all over. Legs, arms, neck, back and incisions. liquids are going well. I can't really have more than 3-4oz at a time but I feel very satisfied after that amount. With all this being said I am glad the surgery is over. The pain is manageable and completely worth it to me. Congrats to my fellow June bandsters and good luck to those with dates coming up!!
P.S. As for pain medicine I'm alternating taking Tylenol and Advil. I also have an anti nausea patch.

so today, after i got home from work, i did my step aerobics DVD....and it felt good......and then i went outside and chatted on the phone with amanda and hub came out to cut grass.....i hung up the phone and told hub i wanted to cut grass...so he gave me the lawn mower and up and down and up and down
i went........so yeah i was wearing blue flip flops but i spent 20 min cutting the side of our house.....while hub sat in the chair and watched
who would have thunk that a year post op that my 336 pound body would do a step aerobic class AND cut grass with lawn mower on the same day within an hour of each other..
this post is to say, the band WORKS

i am proof

LMB... we are right along on the same schedule and weight is about the same too! I am due for surgery 6/20 ... Good luck to you and maybe we can help each other along this journey!

I made it to the 40lb mark today!!! I thought I was never going to see it! The loss between 30 & 40 creeped soooo slowly. I tried keeping my head high by measuring inches. I am down 29 inches since Jan:) I am 22 lbs from my goal so I have got to kick things up a notch at the gym. I am ready to conquer this challenge & live a healthy, happy life. Next NSV....weigh less than my husband, 8 lbs from this goal. I am so glad I chose the lap band....best decision ever:)

What you are feeling is perfectly normal. Even the first week post surgery I was thinking 'what the heck have I done?" But now over a month out, the scale numbers are starting to get smaller, I am off my blood pressure medication and last night I bought a pair of pants that were 3 sizes smaller than the ones I walked into the store wearing (only reason they stayed on was due to my tightly cinched belt). It was definitely the right thing for me to do. I would never have made it to this point without the band.
The thought of surgery is scary stuff, but you I'm sure you didn't make this decision lightly. A lot of thought and consideration went into it. You've come too far to let it slip through your hands. Just keep reminding yourself why you are doing it. If you need to, write it down so you can see it as often as needed. You will do just fine. Good luck!

Thanks! Good Luck to you too!

Oh not a silly question at all! I have been thinking about the best thing to wear and was going to go out and buy some pj pants..but glad to have read about a sundress. Great idea!

Good luck and welcome!

I started my pre-op this week. It hasn't been easy, but I have already found some tips. Hot tea, herbal or Decaf if you are allowed..keeps your mouth busy and it's comforting.
Hot baths.
Reading - I read in bed, so no food.
Crafts, knitting, etc if you like that. I have recently taken up knitting scarves, I also make cards and I do not want messy fingers.
Games if you like them, I have a nintendo 3ds, it's handheld there are all sorts of games for all interests and ages. It keeps your hands busy and passes time quite well.
Walks/exercise of any kind.
This forum! It has been a huge help reading and chatting with others on here! I have also used this site to blog about my journey from the start, writing it all down helps so much. If you would rather not, maybe a private journal.
If all else fails, take a nap or go to bed early.
I am anxious also, but it is getting better the more I read how normal all my feelings are and that I am not alone!
Good luck!

Last night I went to the Oakland A's game, which my family is big fans of and.... I fit in the seats! I just sat down! I didn't even think about it until about the 4th inning and I started to realize that I wasn't nervous about which seat I would be in and would it be wide enough for me. The stadium chair wasn't digging into my thighs and rear. I just fit! Even though we tailgated before hand and I had more fritos than I have had in 6 months, I still fit . Oh, and today is my 6 month bandaversary. Down 65 lbs. Life is good. Love my band and my new life . Have a great day everyone!