dawnc27wa

Hello thirties...I was banded on May 9th, 2007. I am at 10 months post op and doing well. I have struggled in the last month or two with making some bad food choices which I KNOW has impacted my weight loss, but I am absolutely thrilled with what I have lost so far and how I look. I am about 1/2 of the way to where I want to be and I know that this last 1/2 is going to be WAY tougher than the first 1/2 was. I don't regret getting my band whatsoever & would totally reccommend this surgery to anyone out there who had the right "mind set" to commit to it. Way to go everyone and keep up the good work. To all those who are scheduled for surger...Good Luck and don't do any unnecessary worrying. :w00t: Surgery is, for the most part, a piece of cake. (so to speak) lol My pics are 1 month before surgery in the first one and the other one is 9 months post op @ 103 lbs. lost. (also with a new and slightly shorter hairstyle)

SeattleGirl... I also had surgery at NWWLS. I feel the same way with all the staff there. They are all completely friendly and professional. I was a self pay also and I felt the same about it being risky with some of the problems that could go wrong. But, sometimes when you gamble...you win. That's how I feel with this band. I could have never lost this much weight on my own. I talked with Dr. Montgomery for quite a while before I decided to do this surgery and afterwards I felt completely at ease. My advice...talk to your surgeon about your fears after you get the band. The only way you'll get rid of some of those jitters is by letting them roll off your tongue. :thumbup: GOOD LUCK!!! :party: Dawn

Congratulations both of you...I'm glad you're both feeling well after surgery. I went home the same day of my surgery and I felt okay until around day 3ish. But nothing major that I couldn't handle. Mostly gas pain. Get to know your band well...it can be your best friend or a bad enemy if you don't treat it right. Take care... :clap2:

I am also a self pay. My fills are free for the first year with or without fluro, and after that they are $150. (also with or without fluro)

You shouldn't have to convince your doctor that you need a fill. You're the one who decided to get the LapBand and it's your body. As long as it has been at least 6 weeks since surgery you should be due for a fill anyways. Get in there...those doctors are there for you. I was banded on May 9th and I just had my 4th fill yesterday.

Virginiann - I waited until about 3 weeks after my 1st fill to call my doctor back to make another appt. for my 2nd fill. That's why it was a full month. But as far as I know, it's totally what each person feels comfortable with. & you are having regular feelings about wondering if its yet another diet you've failed at. Me too...but this is a process that we have to work at & really pay attention to our bodies. Believe me, your body will tell you if you need another fill or if you're fine & have found the "sweet spot". My rules are that for a full day after a fill is only liquids. I can understand about wanting to get to the right fill volume just because each fill costs X amount of $$. When I was researching Band doctors & surgery centers I chose the one I went to because of experience not because of cost. I paid more for my surgery, but for the 1st year after surgery all of my after care & every fill or unfill I need is all free. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the higher cost surgery to anyone, as long as it came w/the first year of free care. That way you have no worries about racking up the fees from how many fills you just might need.

Virginiann- I was banded on May 9th and had my first fill on June 18th. I thought there was something wrong, because like you, I felt restriction for the first day or two and then nothing. I went back to eating "normal"...never had any problems with eating too fast and not chewing well enough. Plus I hear of all these people that have gotten nauseous and throw up. Not one time for me. I'm able to eat about the same amount as you (the steak and potatoes), and I am not satisfied with that. I am still losing little by little, but from the amount of what I am supposed to be able to eat to what I actually am eating is a big difference. I called to schedule another fill for July 21st and we'll see if that helps out any. Good luck to you, and you're not alone.

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? outpatient. surgery @ 7am, discharged @ 11:30am 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? no complications 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid vicadin, only took it for two days after 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? Port incision was sore and gas was not really "painful", but very annoying. 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? Right after surgery...5, but went down to a 2-3 by the second day. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr. Kevin Montgomery, Northwest Weight Loss Surgery in Wa state.

I am right along there with you. I was banded on the 9th of May and the first week after surgery I lost 10 lbs. The second and third week I stayed at the same weight. I'm going on my 4th week after surgery and I gained 3 lbs back. Needless to say this is beginning to get very frustrating. I have moved onto eating mushy foods, but I am still walking every day. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong or if this is just "normal". Is there anyone else out there who experienced the same kind of disappointment before your first fill??

PineNut, that sounds so familiar...lol. I think I went through the exact same routine one week earlier on the 9th. So....I am 2 weeks after surgery now and all of the pain has gone. Every once in a while I get a gas bubble, but usually goes away rather quickly. My incisions are healing and today I started on "mushies". The only problem....and this will need to be answered by someone who has had the band for a while....up until yesterday I wasn't having any sort of hunger pangs. I started feeling hungry and then after I ate my soup and applesauce it only took about 2 hours and I was hungry again. My mom, who has also had the banding, told me not to worry and to go ahead and eat if I was hungry but to stay within the "guidelines". I feel like I am eating too much and I'm worried about it. Plus, since my post op appointment last week I haven't lost any more weight. Dr. Montgomery told me that the weight I had already lost is above what should be expected at the beginning of all this, but I have to admit, I was doing so good and now to just stop losing is kind of a let down. Is this all normal or am I doing something wrong??

Hi everyone. I havent posted since my surgery on the 9th, but I got through it great. I am on day 11 & I still have gas pain that comes & goes. When I wake up in the morning I feel great, but after Ive been up a while & when I get something to eat it comes back. Im hoping it goes away for good soon. I have 4 more days before I can have something other than broth, thin soup & water. I look forward to having some mashed potatoes. :hungry: Anyways, congrats to all the other new bandsters. This is a beginning for all of us.

I agree w/ the others....walking, Water & kneeling on all fours on your bed as much as you can tolerate it helps tremendously. I was banded on May 9th & today is the first day I actually dont have any gas pains. So hang in there, they will go away. :clap2: Seminar - March 15, 07' Consultation - April 12, 07' Psych Eval - April 12, 07' Pre-Op - May 2, 07' Surgery @ NWWLS (self pay) - May 9, 07'

Dialit, I am also in WA state and was banded at NWWLS. My surgeon was Dr. Kevin Montgomery. My pains are finally starting to ease up today, the swelling and bloating is going down though. Although last night I got into some dust or something and had a sneezing fit which didn't feel too good. Kitty, I'm not sure about the blister, but around a couple of my incisions was really itchy too. I still have a numb spot right on the tip of my tongue though, kinda wish it would go away. Other than that things are going pretty well so far. Probably going to go back to work tomorrow and see how it goes. Hang in there girls!!! Dawn

I was also banded on the 9th of May and yes I am having some pain still. No pain in the shoulder or any nausea for that matter, but the gas pain around the port incision is terrible. So I think it's definitely normal. My mom also had this surgery done 3 years ago and she said it will pass within the first 6-7 days. After that you should be well on your way to healing. I know that walking around is hard, but it does help, so do it as much as you can stand it. And as much Water as you can stand. If you're like me then after about the first half of a bottle of water, you're wishing you had some other taste in your mouth. But, we're both on our way....this is the hardest part!! Congrats and good luck on your weight loss.

I've been reading through a lot of posts and a lot of you say that you have shoulder pain and are getting hungry right after the surgery. I am almost 3 days after surgery and I haven't had any shoulder pain at all and I haven't been hungry or nauseous. I have just been experiencing a lot of soreness and when I stand and walk because it feels like it's pulling. Does anyone think I have to worry about that.....and also the very tip of my tongue is still numb. Has anyone experienced that after surgery? And does it go away....I don't really feel like going through life with the tip of my tongue numb. lol Anyways, any feedback about these things would be appreciated. Thank you

Well I am finally banded!!! :rainbow: Yay!!! Surgery went great, I was nervous before, but everyone at Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center was very nice & made me very comfortable. Plus my mom was w/me to help me get through it. I am really sore today though...more than expected. I have liquid meds that are helping. But its hard to get up and get some walking in, when I stand it feels like everything is pulling down, & it's painful. I did lose 2 more lbs. in the last week though. That helps because it reassures me that I did the right thing. Good luck to all who are scheduled for surgery soon. It's just like they say, you take a short nap and you're all done. I shouldve listened to those that told that to me before my surgery. LOL I'll keep updating as I go on.

I am in a hotel 8 hours from checking in for surgery....still very nervous though. I have a lot of support around me. I hope things will go smooth tomorrow. Excited about being banded & ready for my life to change. Wish me luck, I will sign back in later & let everyone know how I'm feeling. :rockon:

Pine Nut.... Your post sounds to the T what I have just recently gone through. I was also a self pay through NWWLS and had my preop on May 2nd. I took in two cashier's checks, one for $15,800 and one for $900. Although it never felt so good to hand over $16,000 to someone. My doctor is Dr. Montgomery and he wanted me to lose at least 20 lbs. before surgery coming up on Wednesday the 9th. I have been on the liquid diet since April 13th and when I weighed at the surgery center 4 days ago I was down 22 lbs.!! Yay me. So surgery is all set to go. Hang in there, just keep telling yourself how great it will be after these first couple of hard months.

You're welcome for the post, I guess I kind of needed an outlet also. Everyone's encouraging words have definitely helped me. I think I will still be nervous, but I have to work over the weekend, so that may take my mind off of it a little. Everything that you said in your post about worrying about the form you had to sign is almost exactly what has also gone through my mind this last week. So, you are absolutely not alone!! We are almost there, keep faith alive....we can do it. :flame: 3 DAYS UNTIL SURGERY!!!

Had my pre-op appt. today and I have lost 22 pounds since the start of my consultation appt. on 4/12. Surgery is on for 6 days from today!!! :biggrin1: Still a bit nervous with it being my first surgery, but a lot of support around me is helping a lot. AudreyG and Waterlily1072, I saw the doctor for both of you is Dr. Kevin Montgomery....he is mine also. He seemed extremely nice and professional when I met with him. My mom also had the Lap Banding done by him 3 years ago. Nerves will always play a part in something like this, but I think everything will be okay. Good Luck to all!!

I got back from my pre-op today and YAY!! I lost 22 pounds on my "liquid diet" that they reccommend to do before surgery. I am all set for surgery in 6 days. Still a little nervous, but a lot of encouraging words from everyone around me is helping a lot!! Also, thank you to everyone here who has answered my initial post, your words of encouragement have eased my anxieties.

I definitely appreciate the replies, the more the better!!

My consultation was on April 12th and my doctor told me I needed to lose between 20 and 30 lbs before surgery. It's been pretty rough the past two weeks, but I think I'm losing. The problem is that my scale at home doesn't go up high enough for me to know or not. They told me at the office to keep my calories under 800 and I also bought some MediFast liquid shakes from them and have been having 2-3 of those a day and 1 Healthy Choice Meal a day and a butt load of Water. I have another week before pre-op to see if I lost enough to go ahead with surgery on the 9th of May. Hang in there and you will be able to lose it. Believe me, if I can last almost 4 weeks on this "diet", anyone can.

I am 34 and live in Auburn, WA and my surgery is in 11 days at the Northwest Weight Loss Surgery Center in Everett, WA. My surgeon is Dr. Kevin Montgomery and from what I've heard of him, he's a really good one. My mom also had the banding done by him almost 3 years ago. I'm starting to get pretty nervous about going in for surgery, but I know that's because I've never had surgery before, or even a broken bone for that matter. Does anyone have any advice to try and calm my pre-op nerves??

Hello, I'm 34 years old and I am scheduled for surgery in 11 days. Just saying I'm nervous right now is a major understatement. I have never had any kind of surgery before and I'm concerned about anesthesia and the fact that I will be put to sleep with a tube down my throat and not have control over either one. Although I am excited to have the banding done, I am just worried about the surgery. My weight has grown to be out of control.....I am currently on the liquid diet to lose some weight before surgery, but when I was in the office for my first appointment I weighed in at 440 lbs with a BMI of 69. I know the band is just what I need, but I can't shake these feelings. Is there anyone out there that had the same kinds of things going through their mind before surgery??