deepinfl

I was banded in Feb (2008). It was the best thing I have ever done. Yes, I had complications..I had an infection and I was in terrible pain for over 2 weeks, but it was still the best thing for me. At the rate I was going, I was heading for a heart attack, so if I had to have 2 weeks with pain, whoopee, better than having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, bad heart. MUCH better! Stop it before it gets to that point. Now my blood pressure is 102 over 68 and I have never felt better in my LIFE!! I still have 27 pounds to go, but I know I will get there. I go to the gym 3 days a week and I have signed up for some running/walking races. Never in my life did I think I would do that!! The main thing with me is that I have probably lost 1000 pounds in my life just to regain them PLUS. This is to make sure it comes off and STAYS off. I like that fact that (unlike gastric bypass) I can get a fill and get tighter if need be. I have taken back my life!! :lovechoc:

I use the Isopure low carb, but there are a lot of good brands out there. Just watch the protein "count". Sometimes things (esp protein bars) say HIGH protein and you find out that they really don't have much at all. Try the coffee with the Protein Powder, it really does work. D.

That was great! I knew they had a segment time, I'm hoping I can do it. I went to your site, wish I had known about it before I booked and paid for my room since they only give you guaranteed entry if you book 3 nights..bummer, I would have done that. Well, next time I will know. Thank you SO Much for letting me know, I appreciate it! D.

My friend, Patty, and I had the surgery the same day. She was just before me. Bottom line is that she doesn't exercise and she has lost 65 pounds (since Feb 18), I EXERCISE and I have lost 108. So, if you want to lose and more importantly if you want your skin to tighten AS you lose..do the exercise. Honestly, you will feel better and after while it will become a HABIT. Take care and hang in there. D.

What kind of exercise are you doing?? Since I took up running, the weight has been coming off quickly. Also..I swear by protein powder, but buy a GOOD brand, mine has 50gr of protein. D.

I had my 3rd fill in July and it STILL is uncomfortable..even if I drink too much at a time, it feels like a brick and up it comes!! There are some foods you can eat and some you cannot. I cannot eat any kind of bread, chicken, salmon, potatoes (even mashed), but I take protein powder ever single morning (with a cup of coffee in it and some 1% milk) so I don't really think I'm malnourished. But, bottom line is IF YOU ARE WORRIED, GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THERE FOR. D. PS..I'll bet the tums don't really help???

Yes..absolutely self pay, $18,500. I was still getting bills in 3 months after the event, HOWEVER..saying that..your health is worth any amount of money. I know if you don't have it, you don't have it, but my surgeon had some very attractive finance plans. Besides, I save enough now by not eating fast foods! :lovechoc: Yes, I had an entire day of pre-op, it was a week before the surgery. But, that is good to make sure that everything is hunky dory beforehand. I know you are nervous, but I can say it was one of the best things I have ever done. I feel better (even though I am 55) than I have in many many years. I go to the gym 3 times a week and I have even started running. OMG..I never imagined!! Take care and GOOD LUCK, but you are absolutely making the right decision!!! D>

Lynn..were you getting cramps just in your legs or all over? I like your caffeine idea because I found that worked for me also. The cramping in my thighs was awful. So, I started drinking Protein powder (in 1% milk) and adding a cup of coffee to it..voila..no more cramps!! You are doing well if you are still eating lollies and twisties and holding the weight down nicely. Even though everything in moderation I think that sometimes you have to have something you are really craving. By the way..I MISS twisties, I love them. My husband...I think those are his favourite food! :lovechoc: Besides as I saw in something the other day..they say to eat more "orange" in your diet..and aren't Twisties ORANGE??? D.

Just to let you know, most American insurance companies will NOT approve the lapband, regardless. Some approve gastric bypass, but not many. Most of us here have to pay cash up front ($18,500) to have the lapband. If you don't have cash up front, they have finance plans. I wish I had done my in Brisbane and saved the $18,500! :lovechoc: Regardless, it was worth every penny.

That is so awesome! I will remember the coast to coast one, that would be really neat. I tried to sign up for the half marathon, but by May it was already closed out. I wish you so much luck! What time did you finish the 1/2???? D.

Most Marathons (and half-marathons and 10K) you CAN walk, it depends upon the organizers. Disney (and some others) require you maintain a certain segment time, i.e. Disney Race for Taste you have to maintain a 15 minute segment (mile) for the entire race. The Disney Marathon is a 16 minute segment. That is a pretty fast walk and they can pull you off if you do not maintain it. But, some other ones just require you to finish in 7 hours and that's it, so my advise is...TRY IT!! You have gone through so much and you have proven you can accomplish so much, just prove to yourself you can do this also. It doesn't matter if you win or lose, just that you cross that line!! Take care. D.:smile:

I take it TT is tummy tuck? AWESOME!! Next year I hope to get my arms done (if I still need it, I think I will). My bat wings are pretty bad. I've been hoping and running and walking fast with all the arm movement would take care of that. So far...nope. I am going to wish you much success in your 18 mile run. That is AWESOME. My only concern at Disney is that you have to maintain an 18 minute mile or they pull you off the track. I'm going to do the half-marathon at the Space Coast marathon in November and they don't require a segment time, only that you finish in 7 hours. I am going to do a 10K at Disney next month, so that should be good to see how the Disney system operates. Hey..if you want to do the 2010 with me..AWESOME!! We can make plans, I think doing it with somebody is a great incentitive to keep going. My Granddaughter is going to do the 10K with me and my daughter the half marathon in KC next month (see I have a lot lined up). Now if my knee will just cooperate!! Take care and I'm sending you awesome wishes for a wonderful life and a quick recovery from the TT. I think I'm too chicken for that...was it a big owie??? D.

Good luck!! I'm entered in the Kansas City Marathon in October (doing the half) and the Disney Marathon in January (2009) in Orlando. I don't "run", but I am going to walk really fast. Don't care if I win, only if I FINISH!!! D.

I had this happen at the gym when I was doing some pull-down weights. It was most painful for a couple of days so I stayed away from the gym for that time. I thought maybe I ripped a stitch, but now it's fine. I watched a video of my surgery and I can see how you can "pull" the stitches, but I think it might be hard to really pull them totally out, at least the way my surgeon has mine in. But, you know what, if you are concerned, call YOUR DOCTOR. That is what they are there for.

Well, I don't know how much you need to lose, but it is the best decision I ever made in my life. I am living in Florida, but my home in in Queensland so it was nice to see your post. I had the surgery here in Florida, but I originally heard of it in Brisbane many many years ago. The US is a bit behind with lapband surgery. I feel better than I have in so many many years and next month I am doing my first 10K race at Disney. woo hoo! Of course, I will be happy if I can just finish, don't care if I'm the last one over the line!

First of all, you will drink what you can hold. If I drink too much at a time, it comes back up. But, I drink whey protein powder every single morning when I get home from the gym. And, I LOVE nuts, they are one of the few foods I can get down and keep down. Can't keep down flour products, any kind of potatoes (even mashed), any kind of chicken, etc..but nuts..NO PROBLEM. Everybody is different, you will find what you can eat and can't. Good luck, you have made such a good decision!!!! D.

You might be too tight, but frankly I just have days like that. It also depends on WHAT I eat. Anything with flour, anything chicken, fibrous, potatoes, etc. When I have had a bad day, I usually stick with liquids the next and it's usually okay. I think someone mentioed the gag reflex. Once it gets irritate, sometimes it takes awhile to calm down. But, the main thing is to watch WHAT sets off the chucking and also be sure you are really mashing things up in your mouth. Also, this might sound dumb, but I have noticed the way I sit has something to do with it also. I went into a restaurant the other day (2nd time there and both times got sick) and I realized I was sitting at a "funny" angle. If you are really worried, though..talk to your doctor, that is what they are there for. D. (banded Feb 18, 2008..lost 105 pounds to date) :smile:

You are lucky, I was on clear liquids for 2 weeks, milky liquids for 2 weeks, pureed for 2 weeks, then soft for 2 weeks. YUCK! If I never see broth again it will be too soon! Don't worry about the hunger, after a couple of "fills" you won't have that issue. You are going to be healthier than ever and that is an awesome thing!! I had my surgery Feb 18, 2008 (this year) and to date I have lost 105 pounds. I tried to replace my food compulsion with exercise compulsion. Seems to be working, going to do my first 10K run next month and then a half-marathon! Never felt better in my life! Good luck to you, you made absolutely the right choice!!! D.

Chickie..I was just looking at your pictures, AWESOME!! I am an Australian citizen living in Florida at the moment, so I was interested in the Aussie posts! I had my surgery 10 weeks ago (here in FL) and I've lost 52 pounds. If I even had half the success you have had, I will be happy. Take care..and BOY! do I ever miss Brisbane!!!!

Yes and YES! However, I bought a bicycle and hadn't ridden in years, so I found that I can't go very far at a time. I'm having to build my leg muscles up to it. Keep up the good work!!!

Carrie..I have extremely bad IBS. For the 1st month after the surgery, I had the runs constantly..worse than "usual". But, now..10 weeks out and I feel fabulous and guess what? My IBS is BETTER!! I have been dealing with this my whole life (the IBS) and I can't believe it is actually better! Plus, I have lost 52 pounds!!! So..no regrets! I must admit, however that I was reading lots of posts before my surgery and I started to get nervous about what I was reading. So, I decided to quit reading them till after the surgery. Now, I'm reading them again AND never never never any regrets about the surgery..it is nothing but WOW!!!

Jennifer..hang in there. I had my band on February 18. I have had several surgeries before with no problems, but wow! I got an infection around the port and the first 2 weeks were agony. But, you know what? I would do it ALL again because it is now about 10 weeks out and I have lost 52 pounds and I feel better than I have since I was MUCH younger (I'm 55). It is a decision I do not regret. Use that stomach pillow and hug it tight..for no matter what, you will get over the pain soon and you will be so AWESOME!!! Take care and good luck for the future!!! Denise

Boy, I hear you. I am 6 days out and feel like everytime I move it burns..a LOT!! D.

I had surgery Monday (Feb 18). It's Thursday and I'm still sore, I think where the port is. I was led to believe (by my doctor) that I would be back to work within a couple of days. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! But, every day is better!!! D.