Diamond2008

Hey Summer08 -- I also meant that your body will be tired and let you know that way that you need more protein. At least that is what I've experienced! And I really am wanting to avoid the whole hair falling out part!!!:cursing:

Summer... have you tried V8 juice? I kinda liked that during that phase. I got the low sodium kind and then just added a little seasoned salt. I also tried a bunch of different Soups and just picked out the lumps (cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, etc.). It was nice to have something that was salty and savory. The sweet got old! Just make sure you are getting your Protein in, otherwise your body will let you know! Others have used Isopure and said it's good. I have just used Sam's Club protein mix with soy milk. It's okay, but not great! Christy.... I am so excited for you!! Both on the drop in weight and that you get to go swimming!!! Yippee!!:smile: Bandgeek... there is so much to know about being banded!! I would start at the pre-surgery section of this forum and look at anything that catches your eye or that you have questions about. Then maybe read some post-surgery threads to see what folks are going through after the banding. There is some great information out there!

Hi Lolipopkid! This is a huge decision and I think that all of us go back and forth on it. I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. For the most part I am very thankful that I did it. I have gotten rid of 23 pounds since my weigh in before the surgery, and my body seems less stressed and I'm breathing easier. I know my chances of getting diabetes now are very small and I'm hopeful that my sleep apnea will go away as my weight goes down. But it is very weird not to be able to eat much. And what I do eat, I don't really enjoy like I used to... my tastes are definitely changing! But I miss the happy feeling that eating used to give me. I am missing that a lot right now. I think it will decrease over time, but I wasn't expecting to have less joy in my life because of the less food!! I ask myself if I regret getting the band, and I keep thinking, no because this way of life will actually get me to a healthy weight. And that was my most important goal at this stage in my life. I have (God willing of course) about 40 or 50 more years in this body and I better start treating it well so it will continue to walk me around this planet!! I wish you the best and I'll pray for your decision making. Unless you have pressing health issues or insurance deadlines you might consider taking your time with this decision and letting your head get used to the idea! The mental part is probably the most important part of the lapband experience! That's why I love this website, it helps so much to read about other people's experiences to help us deal with our own! :smile2:

Hey Shannon, sorry to hear that you are having such a rough time!! Are you drinking anything with protein in it? (there is a clear one called isopure, that I've heard others talk about.) That would help with the wanting to eat your arm off! The other thing that I've heard is that the anesthesia can make a person moody. I know that it really has made me feel depressed. I've tried to go and sit out in the sun and read a funny book. It's getting a lot better -- I've been banded 3 weeks today! I hope it improves even faster for you!! And if you have any concerns about anything, call your doc -- they can help! take care of you! Diamond

Hi, I was banded on 5/20 and am doing well -- I think I'm finally over the shoulder pain!! I was loving my heating pad, as that was the only thing that helped! I'd love to hear other's experiences on two questions.... first, how are you all getting the Water in?? I'm supposed to drink 64 oz. a day. I'm lucky if I get in two or three glasses of water! I've gotten rid of 20 pounds since surgery, but I wonder how much of it is not enough water!! And the second question... does anyone else have the feeling that they have a packet of splenda in their mouth? My mouth seems to have this sweet taste most of the time. At first I thought it was because I started to have cravings for chocolate or Cookies about a week ago, but then I read that it's because of the ketosis. What do you all think? Is it head hunger or something else?? It's a mystery to me!!:tongue2: And I'm really not feeling hungry -- my doctor put 3cc's in my 10cc band when he banded me and I feel pretty restricted/full after 4 bites of something, whether it's pudding or chicken. Anyone have similar experiences??

Thanks everyone for the prayers for my mom! She was diagnosed with breast cancer about three weeks ago, but the surgeon thinks he got it all in the lumpectomy that she had yesterday! Praise God! My mom is a Christian and just kept saying that her life is in God's hands. It's a good thing to remember for all of us!!

That's great Ducky! Hope the time flies by! Christy, that is wonderful that the pain is gone for you! My pain is much less now, but still there. I don't know if I mentioned it but when the surgeon banded me he also did a liver biopsy and fixed a hernia where my esophagus and diaphragm meet. So I figure I may have more areas that need to heal! It's encouraging to me to hear that you feel so good, as my day should be soon too!:biggrin2:

Hi everyone, I'm on the other side too now! Christy and I were banded the same day -- May 20th. Mine was done by Dr. Dan Smith in Park Rapids,MN. I had a WONDERFUL nurse after recovery, he was so attentive and helpful! But he also let me sleep for many hours that night! I went home to my parent's in the afternoon on May 21st, and have been sleeping and walking a lot since then. Thankfully the pain isn't too bad. The pain meds keep me a little dazed and confused though! Thanks everyone for the prayers!

Ducky..... congratulations!!! Isn't that a great feeling, opening up that approval letter and seeing the response that you've been waiting for??? I did a happy dance when I got mine too! And I hope your sore throat goes away quickly! NumberGirl.... thanks for sharing the sweet story! I will think about the fact that God knows where we are all the time on Tuesday when I have my surgery. Thanks! SmilinApple.... how are you doing? And for all of you have said a prayer on behalf of my mom, thank you so much! She will have her lump removed on 5/27, so I'm glad about that!

Can't Hardly wait... thanks for the scripture! They are so fitting!! Christy, 5 more days!! Tuesday will be here before we know it! I'm trying to get my post-op diet ready. I'm going to be staying with my parents after I get out of the hospital, so I'm already packing! And I'd like to ask for prayers for my mom. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. She is having the lump removed on 5/27, and then the surgeon will know what stage it is and all. My lapband surgery date is 5/20 and I asked everyone in my family if I should postpone and they all said NO! I have gone back and forth about it, as I have been waiting for quite some time. But I have realized that if I don't take care of my self, I won't be able to help my mom fight that horrible disease. So, I'm really going to have to learn how to stop the "emotional eating"! God will give us strength when we need it, right??? Diamond

Hi! I haven't written for awhile because I've just been waiting!! But today I got my authorization letter from my insurance company. And I was able to schedule my surgery for May 20th!! (I really like my surgeon and his staff, they are great!! Three hours away from me, but well worth it!) So Christy we will have the same day!!!! I am so excited how about you??? It's coming up soon!! I just keep thinking about the verse "He who began a good work in you is faithful to complete it". I believe this is the next step in that process!:thumbup:

I'm pretty excited, as I got my authorization letter today and got to pick my own surgery date. My date is May 20th too! I am being banded in Park Rapids , Minnesota by Dr. Dan Smith. I am driving about 3 hours to get there, but staying near PR with my parents for about a week afterwards. He also has everyone stay in the hospital overnight, which makes me feel a little less anxious. I am kinda in shock that this day has finally come!:thumbup:

Please add me to the list..... I just got my approval and surgery date today... it's MAY 20th!!!:thumbup: