tskelli

Thanks for the response! I have no complaints about Dr. Antonetti and staff. I had a good experience at LMC. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made. Do you live in Columbia? Do you ever attend the support group meetings? Does Dr. Antonetti do your fills? Thanks again! Kelli

Welcome! Maybe their discouragement is coming from lack of knowledge or assumptions? I had my 18 year old daughter come to the initial seminar with me. My husband went to the surgeon's office on my first visit and got an opportunity to ask questions. I always bring home all the literature, diet information, etc. I think understanding the process and having their fears addressed makes a big difference in immediate family. It did for mine. Much success on your journey!

Just want to reiterate what everyone is else is saying. It DOES get better! I was banded 2 weeks and 4 days ago. The pain is nothing but a memory now. Hang in there!!

I've been reading posts, and it seems some February bandsters are already on mushy food. I was on clear liquids for a week, full liquids for 2 weeks (still am), and then am supposed to be on 3 weeks of mushies! Does that seem a bit extreme? I'm curious what everyone else's post-op diets consist of, if anyone cares to share.

I guess not. I just weighed and I'm down 3 more lbs. I just felt like I was stuck. I'm supposed to start mushies Tuesday. I think I'll add one or two this weekend and see how I handle it. Thanks again! Kelli

Thanks for the responses. I think my body (metabolism?) is slowing down because of not eating. I'm on full liquids still and I'm moving into week 3. I lost weight really fast the first week, then lost a little slower the 2nd week, and now I seem to be stalling out. I think if I added a little more solid food, my weight loss would pick up. Does that make sense? :confused2:

I have a confession! I was too ashamed to ask for an extender on my last trip so I tucked the end of the seat belt under my shirt and into the top of my pants so they would think it was fastened. That was a real low point for me. I'll be sooooo happy to ride on an airplane w/ no extender and not have someone look at me in dismay when they know I'm coming to sit beside them!

Guess I'll join in the fun... B - 1/4 cup grits with 1 tsp light spread L - Atkins chocolate royale shake S - 1 Soup at Hand (Cream of Broccoli) D - 1/2 cup Nacho cheese condensed soup w/fat free milk

I cheated, too. I regretted it and I was afraid I'd have to have the surgery rescheduled if my liver was enlarged. It all worked out, though. I guess the days I did stick to it paid off. The good news is, for me the cravings for all that stuff are gone. I'm sticking to the post-op diet so far and it's really not bad. I am tired of soup, but I get to eat mushies next week. Don't beat yourself up! Haven't we all done that long enough?

Hey there SC folks! I was born in Woodruff, raised in Spartanburg. I lived in Lee County for about 6 years in the 90's. I live in Lexington now, and have been in the Columbia area for the past 11 years. I was banded 2/19/08 by Dr. Antonetti of Riverside Surgical at Lexington Medical Center. :tongue:

Hey Kim!! I'm Kelli, also a grateful recovering addict. Nice to meet you! Looks like we got banded around the same time. How are you doing? Did you tell people in the fellowship you were having the surgery? (If you don't mind sharing?)

I fixed it! And added me on the 19th! achaBaby505.................Natacha.......................9 January 2008 crystalcml.......................Crystal........................28 January 2008 DxMOM...........................Jennifer........................1 Febuary 2008 CynthiaMcC ....................Cynthia........................1 February 2008 Sadie..............................Sarah..........................2 February 2008 4jin02.............................Janis............................4 February 2008 Neenco...........................Dineen..........................4 February 2008 Kittenquite.......................Ko...............................4 February 2008 slbindc............................Susanne.......................4 February 2008 Babedoe4........................Babe............................4 February 2008 Erika-PA..........................Erika............................5 February 2008 patticNJ..........................Patti............................5 February 2008 petergriffin......................Russ.............................5 February 2008 Big marathoner.................Amy.............................5 February 2008 Michelle9003....................michelle........................5 February 2008 Beachbum0519.................Alisa.............................5 February 2008 girlsmack........................Shannon........................6 February 2008 Peabody.........................Amanda.........................6 February 2008 JaxBandster.....................Karen...........................7 February 2008 EnchantedRuby................Ruby.............................7 February 2008 Shinyhappymommy...........Melissa...........................8 February 2008 TinaBobina......................Tina.............................11 February 2008 LilMissBand-Aid................Irene............................11 February 2008 Baby Ruth.......................Ruth.............................11 February 2008 MightyQ.........................Quinn............................11 February 2008 Misspeesh95621...............Alicia.............................11 February 2008 Mylindab.........................Linda............................11 February 2008 Angie4b1g......................Angie.............................12 February 2008 aveamora.......................Staci.............................12 February 2008 sharon160......................Sharon...........................12 February 2008 GmaDebi........................ Debi ............................ 13 February 2008 Finally_didit.....................Kelli.............................13 February 2008 Mac the Knife..................Mac..............................13 February 2008 travel_anna....................Anna..............................13 February 2008 Princess21......................Kimberly.........................13 February 2008 tlevengood.......................Terri...........................13 February 2008 Viridescence...................Viri................................14 February 2008 Nikki2001.......................Nicole.............................14 February 2008 taismommy.....................Tamika...........................14 February 2008 voxwatt.........................Cristina..........................14 February 2008 Glynda...........................Glynda..........................15 February 2008 St Louis Gal.....................Pat..............................15 February 2008 HappyOne.......................Lesly............................15 February 2008 Bluelion..........................O.................................18 February 2008 DancingBelly.................Sherry.............................19 February 2008 MinPinMom .................Wendy..............................19 February 2008 tskelli..........................Kelli................................19 February 2008 Jlobyxmas......................Megan.........................20 February 2008 Rhapsody♥....................Lori............................. 21 February 2008 Renaissance Man.............Bob.............................21 February 2008 Valvinnek.......................Alyssa...........................25 February 2008 Gibson...........................Christy......................... 25 February 2008 Big Unc.........................Jeff..............................25 February 2008 luv2smile........................Nicole........Windber,PA.....26 February 2008, Amieru...........................Amie.............................26 February 2008 Dana-k...........................Dana............................26 February 2008 hijabigirl1973...................Stephanie......................26 February 2008 Ms.Bee...........................Bee..............................26 February 2008 HunterCol.......................Guy..............................26 February 2008 MalisaM..........................Malisa...........................26 February 2008 Mel119...........................Melinda........................ 27 February 2008 Coolcrystal......................Crystal.........................27 February 2008 fireleo............................Jess.............................29 February 2008

What an inspirational post! Thanks! I'm glad to see someone else banded around the same time as me and doing so well!! Thanks for sharing and motivating others!

I live in Lexington, SC (right outside Columbia). I grew up in Spartanburg, SC and have lived in a couple of other towns in this state. I lived in California for a year when I was small and in Colorado for 2 years in my 20's. I love SC, though! I'm 1 1/2 hrs from the beach and 1 1/2 hrs from the mountains! And where else can you use your heat and a/c in the same day?

All I can do is tell you my experiences. Everyone is different, and surgeons are different. You might want to give them a call and see if they can answer your questions, but here's my 2 cents: How much pain will I be in after? I was in pain the first few days. Mostly soreness, but it wasn't terrible pain. After 3 days, I didn't take any more pain meds. Does someone need to take care of me afterwards? since I live alone!!! My surgeon said that someone needed to be with me the 1st day (I spent the night in the hospital, so technically day 2) My husband stayed with me that day. (But I really think I would have been okay alone) Will I be able to move at all on day 2 after I am released from hospital... I was home alone day 2 after being released from the hospital. I was able to get around without any problems. Will I have diarreha? after surgery? I didn't. Will I loose more weight, since she decided to use the smallest band? I don't have any experience with that. Maybe someone else can help here. Best wishes to you! I look forward to hearing about your progress!

The weight is coming off pretty quickly right now. I'm sure that will taper off some after I'm able to eat solid food. Right now, I'm still on the liquid phase. I can eat mushy food next week. I'm not hungry, though. When I do get hungry, Soup or a Protein shake do the trick.

I think we all go through some fear before surgery. At least I did. I was scared, but I was determined to go through with this life-changing process. I had to weigh the options and pros and cons, and discuss my fears honestly with my surgeon. Ultimately, the decision is yours. I was banded 2 weeks ago, and I am so glad I did it!

Best of luck to you, Gordon! I look forward to hearing how well you're doing!

I would never advise anyone to cheat, but as some of you know, I was worried pre-op because I did cheat. I made it through surgery fine, and they were able to do it without opening me up. The weekend before surgery my family and I went on a weekend mini-vacation. It was fun, and I ate some things I shouldn't have. If I had to do it all over again, I would try my best to stick to it. If nothing else, just for the peace of mind.

The process of getting all those tests can be overwhelming. I have 5 daughters and wondered some of the same things. I shared my concern with my surgeon before surgery and was reassured. My particular group of surgeons has never lost a patient on the operating table. That made me feel much better. As for the testing process, I just walked through it, even though I wasn't sure. And I told myself all the while that I can always change my mind and not have the surgery, but at least all the tests will be out of the way if I do decide to have it. I made it through, decided to have surgery (after postponing it once), and so far I have no regrets. You have to make the right decision for you. Maybe focusing on the present moment, making it through the next step, and taking it one step at a time will ease the racing thoughts.

I had to have a sleep study also. I spent the night at the hospital in a special room set up for sleep studies. They hooked me up to a lot of wires and let me watch TV or read until it was time for lights out. A nurse monitored me from another room while I slept. I was ready to go by 7 a.m. They discovered I had sleep apnea as well, so I'm on a machine, too. They told me to bring my machine when I had surgery in case I needed it. I am hopeful that losing some weight will cure the sleep apnea. Time will tell.

I just got banded 2 days ago. I was scared, too. I believe I made the right decision for me. I think at some point in life I was taught to place too much value on other people (and their opinions), and tried to please others and take care of them, sometimes at my own expense. I had to realize that this was about me. I needed to do this for ME. Fortunately, everyone has been supportive. What they said behind my back is none of my business. I heard this saying and it holds true for me: "Those that matter don't judge, and those that judge don't matter."

Hi All, My name is Kelli and I live in Lexington, SC. I am married, with 5 beautiful teenage daughters. I've been lurking for a week or two, and I've enjoyed reading your posts. I've gotten a lot of good info. I'm scheduled for lap-band surgery tomorrow morning (2/19/08). My surgeon is Dr. Antonetti from Riverside Surgical in West Columbia, SC. I am excited and nervous. My hope is that my liver is normal and they can do the surgery without opening me up. Unfortunately, I did not stick 100% to the pre-op diet. I decided to tell my co-workers, family, and friends. Everyone has been very supportive, especially my husband and children. My current weight is 319 lbs. I'm glad you all are here. I look forward to being a part of this online community.

My surgery went well on Tuesday! Just wanted to let you all know. I'm on Clear liquids for another 4 days, then I'll be able to eat mushy food. So far, I'm not hungry. I have a follow-up a week from today. Hope everyone else is doing well. Thanks again for being here! Kelli

Thanks for all the support and encouragement. It has been really hard to stick to the diet, but I'm hoping the effort I did put forth pays off. It's a small world, Skip! Do you live in this area? Have you been successful with your band so far?