BandedBrunette481

You are going to be just fine! I wasn't really that nervous until I got to the hospital, but once you're there they give you some nice medicine to help you relax so that's a plus haha! It was my first surgery ever so I was nervous about complications and such but I just kept putting it out of my head and distracting myself with other things, like how awesome it was going to be to be able to go swimsuit shopping with my new body! Getting my LapBand has been the best thing I have EVER done. I have never felt better or more in control of my life, my health, and my body. It's honestly so fantastic! And I haven't had a single complication. If you want, you can check out my blog. My whole story is on there along with progress pictures. I've been pretty successful so far and it logs everything from insurance approval to now! Best of luck to you!

Don't fret, I'm willing to bet most of us did the same thing! I know I did. My mom kept asking me why I wasn't trying to eat healthy before I had to start my pre-op diet and my response was "Because. When I have to eat that way, I will. Right now I can eat however I want so I'm going to." And I did exactly that. I ate as I pleased, not so much that I gained weight, but I maintained my weight until I had to start my pre-op diet. That was like the starting line for me. I mentally prepared myself for it to be so it's not like it was a shock when I had to start the diet. I was fully prepared for it to suck lol But making that my starting point for my new healthy lifestyle, being determined from then on has worked for me So don't beat yourself up over it! Just know that once you start the pre-op diet you MUST commit to the lifestyle change if you want the band to work for you. Would it be a good idea to start preparing and practicing the good habits now? Absolutely. It's recommended by both surgeons and nutritionists. I'm just telling you my story and letting you know it won't make you a failure if you don't get it all perfect right now. Best of luck to you!

I had my surgery through Alexian Brothers and don't have any real complaints. My surgeon is good, and I haven't had any serious issues with my care. I will say that my surgeon is personable when I see him, but I don't feel like he really knows me personally, you know what I mean? He's still just my surgeon. But he's good at the surgery part, so that's enough for me. I also like that they have many office locations to choose from and I don't have to go to the hospital for fills and follow up appointments. If you're looking for a more personal connection with your surgeon and just as adequate after care, you can try going to Central Dupage Hospital. I've had friends who have had their surgery there and they have had nothing but good things to say about their experiences. The main difference you'll find is that the requirements and "rules" for the LapBand are similar, but different for each place. Alexian Brothers moves at a faster pace after surgery, meaning you will move to a new food stage each week post op (liquid, pureed, soft, regular). You will also have a 2 week liquids only diet before surgery as well. And my surgeon allowed me to get 3 cc's put in my band at my first fill. I haven't had any complications or problems with moving along this fast, but it does make some people nervous. My surgeon also does his fills under a fluoroscope (an x-ray machine that allows him to see the port and band) which helps him know how much Fluid to put in or take out. At Central Dupage Hospital, they have their patients do a 2 week liquid diet pre-op but they are allowed to eat one small meal of just Protein and veggies with their Protein shakes. They also require their patients to stay in the pureed food stage for around 4 weeks before moving on to real food. And they are less aggressive with their fills, meaning 1cc is pretty average for a first fill there. They seem to have a more slow and steady wins the race kind of program. You also have to go to the hospital for all of your fill and follow up appointments. They also don't use the fluoroscope for fills unless they suspect a problem with the band and want to see how it looks when you swallow liquid. Not that that's a bad thing, just a difference! So it all depends on what you're looking for really! I'm sure there are other places to go in the northwest suburbs, but I thought I'd give my input on the two I am familiar with. Best of luck to you

Towards the end of my pre-op diet I was kind of in the same boat. I wasn't gaining, but I didn't lose. I didn't lose very much on my pre-op diet at all, in fact, and I wasn't even allowed to eat any food, just protein shakes. Like others mentioned it is probably just a mix of water retention and bloating from the diet adjustment. What actually helped me was increasing my water intake and going for long walks. The water helps flush your system out and the walking aides in getting your insides moving better so the bloating goes down. Best of luck to you! Hang in there

Hello all! I'm at that point in my weight loss now where I really need some guidance with my fitness routine. I'm getting bored with my self-made workout routines and I'm not savvy enough to come up with the right plan to make sure I'm exercising the right muscles and doing the right amount of cardio so I was thinking of purchasing one of those fitness programs that come on DVD like Shaun T's T25. I've heard good things about it so far. It's 25 minutes a day 5 days a week, 50 minutes on Fridays, and weekends to rest. There is also a modifier on screen who does modified workouts for when you need something easier. Has anyone used this program with success? Or can you tell me what program has worked for you? I'd love some input from my fellow bandsters! Thanks

It's pretty typical to wait 6-8 weeks after surgery for a fill so since it was your one month appointment it definitely seems normal that they said to wait. When I went in for my first and second fill my surgeon said he does look at weight loss as a factor, but he said just because I'm losing steadily doesn't mean the band is at the right fill yet. He said it can just mean I'm doing a good job restricting my calories if I'm losing steadily but can still eat more than what is expected. Just be very honest with your surgeon about what you can and can't eat and they will help you decide when the best time for a fill is. Chances are you will get one at your next visit. Good luck with everything

All of my shoulder pain was from the gas they pump into your abdomen for the surgery (it helps them see inside better). They take as much back out as they can but some stays in there. The pain has something to do with the gas pushing on a nerve near your diaphragm and the nerve pain is felt in your shoulder. But I experienced this the second I woke up from surgery all the way until a week post op. It concerns me that your pain developed suddenly after 5 days. I would consult your doctor! I called mine a few days post op and the nurse I spoke to was very helpful. I'm sure your doctor or a nurse there can give you some better advice. Good luck!

Hey everyone! So I have a blog that I update weekly but I recently decided to make an Instagram account that was related specifically to my weight loss. I thought maybe I'd post progress pictures, healthy food ideas, and other motivational kinds of stuff to it. I don't know if anyone else does that too, but if you do, lemme know! I want to build up a good support system. Feel free to add me!! --> BlissfullyBanded

Ha!! Too funny! When I was in my pre-op liquid diet stage, I would beg my mom to just let me smell her food. It made me feel better for some weird reason haha. So my suggestion is smell away and pretend your protein shakes and other liquids are just as good as that

Maybe I missed it somewhere but it doesn't say what surgery you're having? I have a LapBand and I can eat spicy foods no problem! It sounds like other types of weight loss surgeries make your stomach more sensitive to certain foods. I haven't noticed any food intolerances that I didn't already have before surgery. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to weight loss surgery and beyond! If you want to read more about how my experience with the LapBand is going, I chronicled everything in my blog from early on in the process of getting approved to now. The link is below in my signature.

Thanks for sharing your stories!! I thought of another one! I had a coworker tell me that I "looked like I lost 20 pounds over the weekend." She had JUST taken notice of my weight loss even though I see her daily....so I guess I didn't look any thinner the day before? Haha! Oh well

I'm at that point in my weight loss when people are really starting to notice and for whatever reason, they often feel the need to mention it. Most people stick with a simple, "you look great!", but every now and then I get an awkward comment that's supposed to be a compliment. I think people want to say something positive but they don't always know how to phrase it. The result is often hilarious! I know a lot of people get offended by others talking about their weight loss, but honestly, sometimes you just have to laugh about it!! It feels better when you do, trust me. So I want to know what's the craziest weight loss compliment you've ever received? Here's mine. Last week a coworker pulled me aside and had a very long-winded conversation with me about my weight loss and surgery. She told me that she was so happy for me because I was a beautiful girl and now I don't have to go through life with "such a burden" (meaning my excess weight). But the real kicker was when she motioned to the striped shirt I had on and said "You just look fabulous! You can wear stripes now and all kinds of other things!" Hahaha! I walked away from the exchange cracking up because sometimes I just can't believe people say the things they do! So let's hear your stories!

Isn't that great when your old clothes start fitting again? I also think it's great you got checked out at the gas station haha! Sometimes the ego boost is just really nice. I haven't been stuck on anything yet *knock on wood*, but I too experience band tightening when it's that time of the month. It's the weirdest thing. I've never had anyone explain why that happens really. Congrats on all your success so far!! Keep up the good work!

Thanks for all the input ladies! I'm going to talk to my GYN when I see her for my yearly in June about it and see what she says. I suspect she'll just give me prescription strength Tylenol, but we shall see!

So basically, I am just wondering what everyone's post op calorie intake is months after your surgery. What type of exercise do you guys do? Just wondering in general. Ths whole thing of me wanting surgery is like a huge thing with my friends. They dont want me to get it. They tell me I don't need it and that there are other and better options. What they don't know is that I've been trying this on my own with my mom for 2 weeks on monday, I see no changes in anything. I thought I would have seen at least some by now, and nothing. It's so frustrating and stressful. But yeah what is everyone's daily routine as well? You and I have basically the same starting weight and I heard the same things from lots of people. That I didn't need it and I could just do it on my own. I even had a coworker start crying and telling me not to do it when I was a week away from my surgery date. Everyone thinks they know what's best for our bodies and they don't. Only you know what's best for you. I decided to get the surgery because I wanted a long term solution to my life-long struggle. My medical problems were starting to get worse and even my doctor told me I was too young to have so many issues! So don't worry about what other people have to say. They are always going to have their opinions so just get used to letting the comments roll off you. As for your friends, I would encourage you to tell them that this is what you're doing and that you would appreciate their support, because that's what friends do. They support each other's decisions. You should know though that weight loss surgery isn't a quick fix. It's just a tool for you to use. It's still a lot of hard work on your part. You'll have to change your entire lifestyle, develop new eating and exercise habits, and stick to them. None of the weight loss surgeries work long term if you aren't committed to them. And it takes a while to reach your goal weight still. As far as my exercise routine goes, I try and do at least 30 minutes of physical activity 4 or 5 days a week. So I ride my bike, jog on the treadmill, use the elliptical machine, lift weights, swim laps, or even just go for a walk. Even walking is better than not doing anything at all. You just have to find something that works for you otherwise it's hard to stick to it. My other daily routines include drinking plenty of Water, eating mostly Protein, limiting my carb intake, and taking Vitamins. I typically eat about 1,200 calories a day. My body goes into "starvation mode" pretty quickly if I eat any less than 1,000 on a regular basis. If you want to check out my blog, I detailed exactly what having a LapBand has been like for me and you can read about more of the stuff I do. If you're looking for more insight. The link is below in my signature. Best of luck to you!