Big-D

Yeah, I remember my dog playing with the cicadas around our house. We had tons of them and their song was deafening. I haven't heard them that loud since those summers back home in Seguin.

I had to do it 3 days prior to surgery. It was the second phase of the doc's three phase diet. Basically, a Liquid Protein diet. Since I wasn't banded, I ate more than what I eat now (3 days post-op). I looked at it like a preview of coming attractions. Needless to say, it made my apprehensive about committing to WLS. At this point, I'm doing fine, so maybe this wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Thanks, it feels great to be part of a group even though I don't know you. Heck, you probably know about me than I know of you.

Did anyone see the Simpsons tonight? Homer had lap-band surgery. How he handled the excess skin after the surgery was hilarious. I'm scheduled for December 31st.

I'm an idiot. I just noticed today that you were banded earlier in December. I thought you were just going. Looks like you are off to a good start. Are you feeling positive about your lap band experience?

You're awesome!

I haven't obsessed about the pre-op phase (maybe I should have). Now I've gone and done it. My surgery was December 31st at Presby in Plano, TX. I'm on day 3 of the Phase I diet. My biggest concern is that the band will slip out of place. I hope I haven't strained the stitches just getting out of bed. I woke up this morning around 2:30 AM and I think I didn't get out of bed in the best way. Luckily, I'm not in much pain, but my abdomen is having quite a thunderstorm with lots of growls and pings and pops and whatnot. Anyone else just have the surgery?

What is that picture in your signature? Is that a Cicada poping out from its shell?

Hey I don't know you or your husband, but speaking as a husband of a wife who did a gastric bypass and now as a person who has done a lap band, I think I might understand where he's coming from. You see, this morning on the Today Show, they trumpted some success stories of a couple of women who will be featured in the latest People magazine for having lost substantial weight with diet and exercise. It is like the rest of world thinks people who do WLS are weak for going the WLS surgery route. Since I have experience, I would say the opposite. People who use WLS as a tool are just as determined as those that do it with D&E. Maybe people who use WLS are just a bit more desperate compared to those that do D&E. As for the money thing, well, all husbands and concerned about the money thing. Its the way we are, but don't think he is unsupportive. He's just not happy with the pay up front, and I can sympathize with him on that. Especially since he knows how healthcare works. As for using the Internet for support and info, I think all doctors have a problem with the Internet being used by non-doctors. There is bad information on the net, but if you are discerning, the net can be a valuable tool. I don't think doctor's like to be questioned or challenged about their analysis or diagnosis. Good luck with your surgery and I know when you reach your goal, it will be due to your efforts and will power. The band will just be a tool that will help you, just like the exercise equipment you'll use. The band alone will not be the solution. It will take all you have to achieve your goal, but you can do it. Just my 2 cents for what it is worth. All the Best, Danny

Thanks Kat for the tip.

All the best to you in your surgery. Think positive and all will go well. Don't go into this thinking that something bad will happen. Maintain a positive attitude and think about how great it will be once you lose the weight. Best of Luck! -- Danny

This is day 3 since surgery on Monday morning. Dr. Stephen Hamn did my surgery laparoscopicly. He put me on a pain pump which I carry with me, plus I'm taking Lortab. I was up walking around by Monday evening at the hospital. Before I left Tuesday afternoon, I walked around some more. For the most part, on a 10 point scale, my pain was probably a 6 at most right after surgery and that was felt around my ribs and the port. Right now, I'm probably a 0 or 1. I feel more pain from my herniated disc than from the lap band surgery. I had a dose of Lortab at noon today, so that might be helping to mask the pain, but I'm not in bed. I'm up and about the house. The gas activity in my abdominal cavity is the most annoying thing, but that has subsided after a few hours (total) in the bathroom. I'm sure everyone's mileage varies, but for me this has gone pretty well. This is my third laparoscopic surgery and all of them have gone well, so my body just may be built for such surgeries. The other two were gall bladder and appendix. Good Luck, Danny

Is that sugar free yogurt or just regular? No fruit yogurt? Thanks for the suggestions.

It looks like I'll graduate to a liquid Protein diet next.

I too had my surgery on New Year's Eve. For me the bloated feeling is almost gone. I think walking around and drinking Water has helped. Plus it helps if you're willing to let loose with the gas. Don't hold it in. Be free, free as the wind!

I think my biggest problem will be when I go back to work next week. What will I eat for lunch? In the past, I would just hit a fast food place or Subway. Now I need to plan ahead and probably bring my lunch. What do you do for lunch?

Oh don't get me wrong, I know I'm saying goodbye to a lot of foods I have loved. Maybe someday in the distant future, I'll have to band removed and I'll learn to enjoy such foods in moderation, but for now I know I can't or else there will be serious problems. Thanks for the luck. I know the first month will be the hardest. All the best to you too.

Congrats on your surgery and all the best to you. I really think the band is way better than the bypass. Hopefully I'll still feel that way a year from now.

Thanks, I just wish food ads were banned from TV. Right after my surgery, I was watching TV from the hospital bed and I repeatedly saw ads for Sonic and Dairy Queen that made my mouth Water. Even commercials for Jenny Craig and Lean Quisine show tasty food. This month could be brutal as the battle between fast food and dieting plans heats up. Thanks for the encouragement. Is it going well for you?

How goes it? Does everything taste like barf? I just got banned on Monday, so I haven't reached the barfing stage.

I had second thoughts too, especially when my doctor had my start Phase II of the diet 3 days before the surgery. This was 4 days before the surgery, so I didn't have time to have my last big meal. I had some pudding, but I also tried to get some Protein. I had a high-protein smoothie one day and I tried to eat fairly well the other two days. I know you shouldn't go into lap band surgery thinking it can be reversed, but that's what kept me motivated to do this. In my opinion, it is far better to do the band than the bypass. That is reversible is one thing, but far more important is that you can still get your nutrition whereas with the bypass it is much more difficult to get the proper nutrients. Good Luck and I hope you stick with the band. It is the healthier alternative to the bypass.

I live in Plano. Dr. Stephen Hamn did my lap band. Was New Year's Day hard for you? It was for me. My wife had her daughter, son-in-law and their new baby over. She made black-eyed peas, cabbage and cornbread. It all looked and smelled good. Before the band, I would have over eated big time on this. For desert, she made a pecan pie, plus she had some left over cake from a professional bakery. I'll be glad when Phase II is over and I can at least taste some of this.