debri85

Hi Desert Mom, I am in Saudi and just got banded a week ago. Valid concerns all and unfortunately, there is a risk. But, for me the risk was worth the possible success. And good or bad they sure move fast in this part of the world.... I know EXACTLY what you mean here, it's been the same for me except the traveling part, I still did and do that, but as my weight was going up it was getting harder....the last trip we took home I noticed that the seat belt was at the end.... Have you done a lot of research? I found this to be REALLY helpful. Please let me know if I can help you in any way.

My husband was and is very supportive, he's been through EVERY diet attempt I've done and that's a lot of attempts in 33 years. He was concerned and I'd have been upset if he hadn't been...after all, it IS surgery. I did have to recognize his concern(s) and give it the consideration it deserved afterall, when you are part of a couple, you should consider each others views. It did help to know that the mortality rate for this one is like 1 in 10,000 and the rate for the more drastic one is 1 in 200 or 300...BIG difference.

Guitarman, so glad to see you are okay....didn't feel well yesterday, so I didn't check...

I'm still so new i can't relate in relation to the band but, I've had that problem and it's my sinuses draining at night.... Do you have allergies or sinuitis by chance?

Congratulations and happy recovery, check in as soon as you can!

Tammy, Yippee for you! Hope I do as well...am dying for some REAL food already!

dallas, Jack said it all!

Just wanted to thank you for the post you provided with the food lists...it's a big help!

The weather has been strange this year. We've had an unusually mild spring. We had our first 100 degree day last week, normally, we've been in the hundreds for a month by now. Our weather is very close to Arizona except where AZ cools off considerably at night, it doesn't here. If it's 110 during the day, it's maybe 100 at night....

Just an update, I unfortunately did NOT get banded on the 5th as planned...had a low grade fever so they sent me home.... Needless to say, I was VERY depressed and frustrated about it, which is why I didn't post anything...didn't want to whine out loud. However, I am now once again psyched up and ready to rock. I am scheduled for tomorrow morning (April 17th). So please wish me luck, I'm suppose to stay in the hospital for approx 4 days (doctors requirement) so I will send an update when I get out. Thank you all for the invaluable information you've provided.

Thank you everyone...just found dylansmoms food list and printed it out..for some reason my doctor doesn't do that...not sure why...but I wasn't worried, knew I could find what I needed on this great forum. Sue, the only advice I can give you is do exactly what your doctor and nurses tell you to and don't be embarrassed to ask questions....if something doesn't feel right ask about it...I didn't know about the stomach area getting distended, it was REALLY uncomfortable, so I asked and was very relieved to find out it was normal and it has gotten better with shall I say it? Pooties! good luck hon! I'll be thinking about you!

Thank you everyone....all your good wishes and thoughts worked! it's done...I had the surgery on Sunday morning, 4/17. Everything went find according to my doctor, he was so proud he showed me pictures, yuck! I had some sort of episode with my lungs, he said I had a bronchial spasam...whatever that is so I spent the first night in ICU...the doctor here likes to keep his patients in for a couple of days so I was released yesterday afternoon. I'm home, navigating the bed and couch, feeling like a beached whale...EVERYTHING (except my eyelids) seems swollen but doing alright. You guys were right, it really isn't bad, a little tightness and pressure around the incisions but other than that, no biggie...course drugs do help. He has me on antibiotics, pain, vitamins and antacid... I don't feel depressed or regrets at all, I AM concerned about success but I'm that way with everything. Again, thank you all for your support. D

Hi Rae, Welcome! I'm pretty new myself and will be getting banded this coming Sunday. D

Lisa, I'm new and we haven't really chatted and I'm not banded yet (4-17 hopfully) but I know what you are feeling. Nighttime is difficult for me too and I am very concerned about what to do about it. I'm thinking just come home from work and got straight to bed! Whaddya think? There are a lot of good suggestions here. So I'd like to put my two cents worth in about the people talking about you....when I was younger (and skinney) I was pretty wild and reckless, so much so that I got a reputation. It wasn't deserved but it hurt me none the less. I talked to an older woman friend about it and she gave me this advice which I have lived by ever since...and it has truly made my life much simpler. She told me that if I find myself in a situation where people are talking about me negatively, first evaluate who "those" people are, if they are loved ones, dear friends or coworkers (who can have an influence over my career) find a way to address it, but if they aren't they "they" don't matter so blow them off and look at it as a personal service, if they are talking about you they are leaving some poor schmuck alone. We should never let people who don't "matter" affect us or keep us from doing things we want to do. Like I said just my two cents worth....

Well, good to know it isn't just me....senior moments can be scary! Paula, answering your question....the 17th, god willing and the creek don't rise! I have allergies and this is the WORST time of year here...I'm worried the sleeper (can't spell that other word) guy will put a nix on it if he hears me in the morning...I ALWAYs wake up congested from the drip all night...maybe I can sleep sitting up! Wish me luck!

Does anyone know if the system "does" notify of responses? I thought I selected to be notified if there were responses but haven't had one notification. I've gone back and discovered that I had some. Also, I keep getting "bumped" off for lack of a better term...I log in and go to something and find out I'm not logged in...anyone else have this problem? I've been on for about an hour and had to re-log in about five times. D

Thanks...I'll just check back when I post. It's probably my end anyway...they filter a lot here.

Kathy, Congratulations! Thank you for the pic, been dying to know what it looks like! Happy Recovery! D

Hi Everyone, I was doing a search and came across a discussion about bad breath. I didn't see where anyone brought this product up "Therabreath"......My husband does Atkins and we discovered this solution and it really does work. Anything that can handle bad breath due to ketosis is a blessing. You should also brush or scrape your tongue, my dentist showed me that 30 years ago. anyway here is the link if you are interested....www.therabreath.com Tomorrow is suppose to be the day!

Hi guys, I apologize for not responding...been a bit out of sorts since my surgery was postponed... Answering your questions, yes, I have tried it and it's great. Works like a charm. I did forget to mention that Walgreens carries it. It's a bit pricy but you don't use much, about a cap full usually does it. It tastes a bit salty, we tried some generic brand and didn't like it, it was sweet. There are other products in the line as well, have tried the toothpaste it's okay, and carry the throat spray with me for those times when my mouth just tastes bad. As I said, I discovered it when my husband was on atkins...yikes did his breath smell bad...this stuff REALLY made a difference.

Remember its IMPORTANT to do this for surgical reasons. The liquid phase is not there to see if you have control its there to make sure your LIVER shrinks enough so that the surgeon can get under it more easily & place you band. Really? We don't get any of this info over here........

Don't panic, it's going to be fine.... I haven't been banded yet, I was supposed to on the 5th but got a fever instead, so home and resheduled for the 17th. At any rate, I can't give you any information about the banding but, I know this, it is just a tool, and you will learn to work with it...or not....I believe it really is that simple...(barring complications) Jealous of your flat tummy! Here's one for you, I had a reduction three years ago....I'll need implants after this...:cross-eye Hey, at least your Mom didn't jinx you...mine told me she'd been praying I WOULDN'T have it done! I swear, that's why I got that fever! If you look dysfunctional up...our family portrait is right beside the definition! Hang in there! You can do this! D

I'm just getting my band done tomorrow, so I don't have any experience but I am a good listener if you need a shoulder.

Hi Dawn, Yippee, skippee! I too will be banded on the 5th of April (in Saudi Arabia), am 5'2", and about 225. Today is my birthday and I turn 51... As everyone says, there is so much information on this site and I found it very reassuring. PBs scare me, but I think we can live with just about anything. I really have a lot of hope regarding this procedure, and to be honest I haven't felt hopeful in a long time. It's going to be great!

Just for your info, I inquired about the Swedish version at the FDA and here is the response: This is in response to your email below to the food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting information on the "Swedish Lap Band." If a device is under the FDA's review, it would be considered confidential and we are prohibited, by law, from releasing information on it. Only once a device has final FDA approval can we release information to the public. The manufacturer, however, is at liberty to release information on a pending device, should they choose to, therefore you may want to contact them directly for information. Currently, there is not a device with the model name "Swedish Lap Band" approved by the FDA, however, in June 2001 the FDA approved the Lap Band Adjustable Gastric Banding System manufactured by Bioenterics Corporation. For all information on the approval of this device, please visit our web site at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2001/ANS01087.html http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p000008.html http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/pdf/p000008.html I hope this information is helpful. Sincerely, Bonnie J. Alderton Consumer Staff Division of Small Manufacturers, International and Consumer Assistance Center for Devices and Radiological Health bonnie.alderton@fda.hhs.gov