racetrackweary

I was 5'5" and 220 when my lapband journey began. I had tried every diet known to man! Some were successful but I could never keep the weight off. I also have a mom who is 5'2" and weighs 100 lbs soaking wet - she is very critical. That is why I knew I couldn't tell anyone about the surgery except my husband. It has been our secret for 3 years and it's been the best thing I've ever done in my life. There will always be "nay sayers" you do what is best for you. Believe me - you will not regret it. I had the nagging thoughts as I was being wheeled into surgery - "what if this doesn't work for me", "what if I fail again", "dang - I love food too much can I handle this" - I'm just glad that I quelched those thoughts down and went through with it. Also - to those who say having the band is "the easy way". It's not. You have different issues to deal with and it is not a "miracle cure". BUT - it is a "jump start" to a brand new way of life!

Soup is a huge mainstay of my diet. I find that certain types of the month I have more restriction then others. This is the time that I head to Chili's and get an enchilada soup. Read the labels if you are eating canned soup and make sure you aren't getting too much msg - this causes bloating. (For me anyway.)

Thanks for the info everyone! Especially Hollywood96. I will be traveling with a friend on Dec. 2 to NYC and I have been stressing out about someone finding my band! I've traveled before without incident; however, I was concerned about the "new and improved" security measures. No one except my husband and I know that I have been banded. I would love to keep it that way.

I have had issues with coughing (what I call "thick" coughing) all night after having an episode where I have food stuck and had to get it out. This only seems to occur if I eat late at night and get "unstuck" late at night - just prior to going to sleep. By the morning I am better - maybe just a scratchy throat - but that's it. That's why I always try to eat no later then 6:30 p.m.

I am scheduled for surgery on October 15 to have my left ovary removed. My OB/GYN is aware that I have been banded and seems unconcerned. (He says he won't even be in the same vicinity.) My question is - what about the anesthesiologist? Also - what about the surgeon who did my lap band? Should I call him in advance to get his take on this surgery and if it will affect my band?

I have felt the same way as you. I was banded on January 2, 2008. To-date I have lost 40 pounds. It has been slow. I, like you, find myself having problems making wise food choices. I re-committed to my band August 1 and the weightloss has started again. Although it's not as fast as I thought it would come off - I am happy that it's coming off. I tell my doctor that I am losing slowly so my skin can adjust and not sag. He laughs. Stay encouraged!

I had a 24 hr. driving restriction. I had my surgery Wed. a.m. and by Friday a.m. I was out shopping. Your docs instructions (15 days) sounds very excessive!

Congratulations on being banded! If you have a heating pad use that for the gas pains. It did help me.

Lisa -I am so excited for you too!!!! Congrats on the financing!

Hey Jim - Can totally relate. Sleeping has been difficult. For the gas pains one thing that did help for me was using a heating pad. It has been 1 week today!!! And I would say the gas pain was most severe yesterday - up in my shoulder area! Ooooowwwww! I am feeling great this a.m. Hope you start feeling better soon!

Jim - So glad your surgery went well! Mine was on the 2nd and our experiences are very similar. (I did freak out as the surgery approached and I'm lying there with IV in my hand.) I am on day 6 post-op and all is well. I have weaned myself from the pain meds. I still have gas pains throughout shoulder area and I have to remind myself not to do too much. I find myself very hungry as I make meals for my son and husband - but I am making this a total "mind over matter" thing. I WILL follow the post-op eating instructions because I paid a lot of money for this - and to me its a minor price to pay to be thin and healthy in the future. Thursday I can start Full liquid Diet which includes Soup, yogurt, mashed potatoes, etc. - I CAN DO THIS! Hooray to us! Things will be great in 2008! I have not officially updated my ticker because I want to go by doctor's scale (tomorrow appt.) - but my scale says 15 lb weightloss since starting pre-op diet! Woohoo!!

Marnie - After I met with Dr. Wright I knew I wanted him to perform my surgery. He was very attentive and thorough in our first meeting. My pre-op diet was two weeks of Adkins - I lost 8 pounds! My only advise is meet with several doctors and go with the one you feel that you have a "connection" with.

Cavegirl - I had my surgery yesterday! I was at the surgery center at 6 a.m. and back at my home by 10:30 a.m. You might want to pack some non-skid slippers because they will have you up walking. I had just a touch of nausea when I woke up - I told them about it and they gave me something right away. Good luck and know that we are wishing you well!

I am definately addicted to LBT!

I didn't have to lose a specific amount of weight before surgery but my doctor did put me on the Atkins Diet two weeks prior to shrink my liver. It was a great headstart for me because I lost 8 lbs.