showboatgirl

Another rude question--"How much did the surgery cost?" It took me by surprise a few times, but now I am going to say, "It cost as much as a small car." People are so nosey!

My sister is 4 years younger than I am. She weighs a little more than I do. She decided to have WLS when she was diagnosed with diabetes. She already had sleep apnea, so her weight was causing her serious problems. I don't have any of these problems yet, but it was a matter of time. She was going to have gastric bypass--but I started reading about the gastric band. Her doctor recommended the band also. We began our journey in May and finally had surgery August 29th. She has lost 27 pounds and I have lost 23. We haven't had a fill yet. We did everything together--we even go into the doctor's examination room together. We are our own support group. By talking to each other, we don't bore everyone else with lapband talk. I admit that I would have been jealous if she had the band and I didn't. We like to travel together. I always said that we were "TWO TONS OF FUN." Hopefully, we will still be a lot of fun when we are normal size. As far as encouraging your twin to have surgery, I think she will see how great you are doing and will decide to do it. I personally would not tell anyone to have this surgery because it was a rough 10 days for me postop. I am starting to like my band--especially when the pounds drop off.

I know how you feel because I was banded Aug 29th. I wasn't expecting to be so depressed following the surgery. But the depression only lasted for a few days. When I left the hospital, I was allowed full liquids--broth, jello, pudding, protein shakes. The most pain that I experienced was in getting in and out of bed. By the 10th day, I started feeling like my old self. It is almost 5 weeks for me and I feel find. I have lost 23 pounds and am beginning to like my band.

I''m still working on the Ticker. Will try one more time. By the way, congratulations to all August Losers!

I am trying to get my ticker to work. I will try again.

I went to the doctor yesterday (Oct 4, 2005). I lost 21 pounds. I didn't want a fill yet because I am still losing. I will go back in a month and will probably get a fill then. Isn't it great to be losing weight? I can't say that I love my band yet--but I am starting to like it a lot. I feel great!

I paid $16,500 in West Virginia. That covered one night in the hospital. My fills are included for the first year.

I had the same type discomfort today when I went to walk at the gym. I cut my walk short--but will try again tomorrow.

My sis and I had surgery 2 weeks ago. We decided today that our faces are looking prettier--not so round and puffy. I guess my thinner face makes me feel sexy.

My prayers are with you.

Dr Nease did our surgery Aug. 29, 2005. I think he is a very good surgeon. If I ever need any kind of surgery, I will go to him. 2 weeks post-op. Lost 15 pounds so far.

My prayers are with you.

Looks like you had a lot of fun. My sister and I would like to attend the Vegas Bash next year. We just had surgery 8/29--we were a little incapacitated this year. We love Vegas--we go once a year.

Getting in and out of bed was painful for me for about 9 days after surgery. But the last 2 days have improved. By the way, Walmart has a great little blender for mixing protein shakes. It only cost about $12 and it is just right for a single shake. My sister and I think the blender is one of the handiest things that we each bought before surgery. We also bought sugar free pudding, ice pops, jello. You don't feel like going out shopping for a few days postop.

My sister and I had surgery 8/29. We asked our doctor at our 1 week post op if we could start a few mushies. He said that it would be ok if we didn't overdo it. We have had baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, pintos and cheese (Taco Bell), potato soup--everything chewed thoroughly. We haven't had any problems with these foods. But, she tried an egg today and it made her chest hurt. I agree with you that the full liquid diet is rough. I don't think I could have lasted as long as you have.

My sister and I had surgery 8/29. We both have experienced discomfort especially in the port area. This morning, I had to take pain medicine after I got out of bed because of the pain. After 1 week, I lost 8 pounds and she lost 9.5 pounds. We seem to be losing every day. This is our 10th day since surgery and we are both feeling much better. I am retired, so I have really taken it easy--I want to give my body time to heal. We convinced our surgeon to let us start mushies this week. I have enjoyed baked potato, potato soup, pintos and cheese (Taco Bell). I am having trouble with chewable vitamins, calcium (tums, calcium losenges) and am just tolerating the protein shakes. I got some calcium chewing gum today that I will try. What kind of vitamins, calcium, and protein do you take? Sandy

I think this was a wonderful link. I go for my pre op surgical consult tomorrow, Aug. 26th. I am going to tell Dr. Nease about the broadcast. I think seeing the procedure has made me feel better about my surgery on Monday, Aug. 29th. I am still scared, but the surgery doesn't seem to be that complicated. Sometimes, I think that I research things too much--but this is the most informative website that I have found. Thank you for telling us about it.

I would like to chat. Name the day and time. I'll try to be there.

My pre-op visit is Friday and my surgery will be on Monday, Aug. 29th. I am so scared. My sister is also having the surgery and she is very calm about it. My son asked me if I was really going through with it. That didn't make me feel very confident. I'm a nervous wreck, but I really want to lose this weight. It is good that my little sis and I are going through this together. We encourage each other. All of us August people will be in BandLand by Sept 1.

My sister and I are getting our lap band on Monday, August 29th. I have been trying to keep busy so I won't think about it. I am worried about complications. We are both self pay and we sure don't want to fail.

I am looking forward to buying clothes in regular sizes--not the plus size tents. I am looking forward to looking in the mirror and not seeing that overweight person. I am looking forward to going to my 40th class reunion in 2006--slim and trim! August 29th--Going to BandLand (Dr. Nease, Huntington, WV)

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. Tomorrow, we have the diet class. We see Dr. Nease Aug. 25 and are banded on Aug. 29. I am not scared to have the surgery, but am nervous about the post op diet weeks and then the first fill. My sister and I are both self pay. I got a claim denial from my insurance today for the stress test that I had. Can you believe that? They denied it because of the diagnosis of obesity. I am trying to get the diagnosis changed by my primary care physician. I really hadn't counted on another $3000+ to pay. That bit of news really upset me. The lap band is going to cost us more than we expected. But, it will be worth it when we lose the weight. The before and after pictures are great. Again, thanks for your good thoughts and encouraging words.

I just found out today that my surgery is scheduled for August 29th. My sister is having her lap band surgery that day also. We take a lot of trips together. On August 29th, we are taking a trip to BandLand. The before and after pictures really encourage me.

Hi everyone, I am a 56 year old retired teacher. I have a bmi of 40 and need to lose 90 - 100 pounds. I have not been overweight my entire life--just the past 15 years. My sister and I are taking the lap band journey together. We have a diet class August 18th. They told us that we will probably be scheduled for surgery the week of August 29th. When I had a stress test, the doctor said that I am not heavy enough for surgery. The x-ray technician who did my upper GI said the same thing. I guess my 5'5" height keeps me from looking so fat (242 pounds). People saying things like that makes me nervous about the surgery. I have had friends tell me not to have the surgery because it will ruin my life. I explain to them that this is not the same as gastric bypass and it is reversible. I know that people are trying to be concerned, but it does make me nervous. The surgeon who is going to do my surgery thinks that I will do just fine. When I see myself in a mirror, I know that I need to be banded! I'll be honest--I am scared. I talked to a lady who had been banded for 2 months by my doctor. She said that it was the easiest thing she ever did. I know that I will be healthier after I lose weight. I just wish that I could fast forward my life to a day after my first fill. I just want to quit thinking about this and get it done. Did any of you bandsters have the same feelings?

It sounds like you are doing great! I am a new grandmother to a set of twins--a boy and a girl. They were 2 pound preemies, but are doing fine now--a whopping 6 and 4 pounds. They are my reason for losing weight. I want to be around to see them grow up. I am waiting for my dietary class and then a surgery date. Probably the last week in August. I am very worried about the surgery. I am a self pay and I want it to be worth all the money. My sister and I are doing this together.