sarabride2006

Welcome! I'm newly banded, 12/28. I'm going to share my experience so I hope it'll help a bit. My dad weighed 450 lbs from as far back as I can remember. He has every health problem in the book. When I was growing up I'd watch how much my dad would eat and I'd imitate. It was so easy, when I started gaining weight, I reached 260 my senior year in highschool and went off to college. In highschool, though I was fat, I was well liked and very successful. It was so very different in college. I started starving myself and lost 80lbs! I kept that off (with binging/purging/starving) until the past five years when my weight crept back up. When I hit 299 last year I didn't really believe it and didn't do anything to change my weight. My father had a lapband placed in Oct. 04 and had success, but he had it removed 6 months later because of erosion. I don't remember him following the diet, but I know with his severe diabetes he wouldn't ever heal from the port placements (and replacements). I started a new job in June 04 and we were all heavy so all we did was eat--literally. When the scale tipped 300 I couldn't believe in less than 5 years I had gained 130 lbs. That was the end, I decided it was time to do something. I decided on the lap band. Personally, I did not want the fertility problems, diabetes, aches and pains that come with being overweight. I did not like that I feel my weight is holding me back in my profession. I did not like myself. I was scared the night before surgery as my mom, fiance' and I were in the store buying all the liquids to prepare. I can't believe I stood and cried. Mourning food. Thinking I'd never have pizza again or pasta. Then I thought, pizza and pasta won't look good in a size 10. That night I prayed and prayed and amazingly the next morning I had no nerves. I was home in less than 6 hours. Needless to say I'm about to be on day 6. I'm going back to work tomorrow. I've loaded up the MP3 player my FI got me for Christmas and getting ready to hit the gym by the weekend. I'm really trying to listen to myself to see when I'm hungry. I wish you the best of luck in making your decision. I am so happy that I did this, and will take it one day at a time.

I was banded on 12/28, so I'm more recent post-op. I haven't weighed myself, but I'll make my 3 weeks out appointment tomorrow for a couple more weeks and weigh in there. Congrats on your weight loss. What I've learned from everyone here is that we're all different and what works for me may not work for others. I was hungry on day 3 but have stuck to the liquids as required by my doctor's diet. I enjoy reading everyone's experiences because I know I'm not alone. Good luck healing and welcome to LBT!

Hey T, as you know I already like this idea!!!

My surgery lasted about 40 mins, after recovery they sent me to radiology for the barium swallow. I don't really remember it but I know I was afraid I was drinking too much. I was home by 2 that day, but somehow the hospital staff misplaced me. I went into the OR at 8, the surgery started by 9 and the doctor was talking to my family by close to 10. I remember being in recovery and looking at the clock and didn't want to wake up! I was enjoying my sleep..and suprisingly enough little pain. Sometime between 10 and 12 they sent me to radiology for my barium swallow, which I hardly remember--then someone rolled me into some room with a man sitting at a desk on the phone. He waved and I waved and went back to sleep. I didn't care as long as I was covered up and sleeping! Apparently my mom and family were getting peeved that they desk person couldn't locate me, so my fiance went looking and found me. The man at the desk just kept talking and finally with enough fuss they rolled me to step down (I think they found someone from the cafeteria to drive the bed because we hit the wall once, and she also tried to send me back to pre-op!!). I think if there had been more order I'd been home earlier. (Sorry I got a little off subject but the story is quite amusing!). Imagine all of this in a 300+ bed facitility in the medical center of Houston!!

Good Evening! I am going to be banded on 12/28. My fiance and I have been discussing what kinds of things to buy for the next couple of weeks. Any suggestions? Do you drink only a shot glass size of Water? How did you learn to sip? These questions may sound odd but they are constantly going through my mind. Thank you in advance!

I am three days out and still feeling a little yuck. I didn't really get gas pains until today and I can't stop crying. I don't know why but I am. I am hungry but I'm not. I hope by this time next week I'll be singing a different tune!

Seems like we have a lot in common. I was banded Wednesday and the tears won't stop coming and my fiance' and I are arguing too. I don't want to start the new year off like this, and I keep wondering if I made the right decision at all. Here it is almost day 4 and I think I'm hungry. I'm playing mental war games with myself. Drop me an email if you want to chat. Hugs and prayers going out to you tonight!

I bought some boost with protein. It's tolerable. I will be glad when liquids are over.......................

Good Morning, I was banded on the 28th and I've noticed the soreness and tiredness. The gas is much better though. Good luck to you!

Good Evening! This morning I was banded at around 7:30, and returned home about 2. I have had some water and two icepops. Besides feeling sore and a bit groggy, I feel pretty good. I'm excited to start my journey with my new friends. God Bless you all!!

I am to report to the hospital at 5:30 tomorrow morning for my 7:30 surgery (will be his first case). I am flooded with emotions of terror and happiness. Can't wait to report in tomorrow afternoon

Dody, my surgery is tomorrow too and they suggested that unless there are problems, that I go home. They even said to walk around to help wear off the gas. My surgery is the first case at 7:30, so they said all goes well, I'll be home before 5!!!

I was really glad to find this post. I am going to be banded on 12/28 (less than two days) and I am so happy but fearful in the same regards. I was really heavy growing up, my father weighed over 400lbs and basically all we did was eat. I remember people talking about the "fat girl" When I was in 7th grade at a drama contest, I was sitting at a lunchroom table eating a piece of pizza, one boy walked by and said "damn fatty did you leave anything for the rest of us?" I over compensated, as most overweight people do, with a great personality. I was the girl with so many guy friends and no boyfriends. When I started college in 1996, people would look at me and the blonde skinny girls would run circles around me. I'd always sit in the back of the class, and though my grades were great I was hiding. I remembered being at a club smoking a cigarette and a man said "damn those fat bitches." I met a skinny friend with an eating disorder and started hanging out with her. She was bullemic and annorexic. I started following her lead and in 7 months lost 80lbs. I was still a big girl but I could shop in the smaller stores but buy the bigger sizes. Weight was an obsession with me and I threw up for 7 years. I finally couldn't do it anymore and gave up on working out, eating right etc. Here I am today, 10 years later and weight 310 lbs. Tonight my fiance' and I went to Bennigans and ate--we ate more than usual, I figured "hey one last hoorah" and an older thin couple was smirking at us. I do not know if it's that I was wedged into the booth or because my fiance is black and I'm white---add that to your list of discrimination. It's funny how people look at you when they don't know you. I'm a college graduate, I have a good job and a great family--but people see a fat white girl and a black man. We never really know if people are looking at my weight, our differences in color of a combination of both. I guess we'll find out in the next months. Thanks for the survey and information, though I'm way past the original post it definitely was an eye opener.

Two weeks ago I had a post regarding problems that my fiance' and I were having regarding weight issues etc. First, I'd like to thank everyone for their support and opinions. Secondly, I'd like to let you know that after that night we had a long talk and it seems that his insecurities are coming from other issues we are facing, not specifically weight related. We are seeking counseling with our Pastor before our wedding, and fiance' has even agreed to follow the stages of the post-op diet with me. It's amazing what a little support and unconditional love can do--(not to mention being open and honest which sometimes facing my demons can be difficult too) Just an update for anyone who may have read my post. My surgery is 12/28 and I am beyond excited--nervous but excited! Take care!

I understood the same thing about the straw, however it's probably good with a spoon too

I am by no means a medical expert, but two of my friends were pregnant and their test did not pick it up. There may not be enough of the pregnancy hormone in your body to show on a home test. A blood test can give the actual amount of hormone in your body and how far along you are. Good luck.

Good morning. Fellow 12/28er here. I didn't get a pre-op diet and unfortunately I've been eating everything that's not tied down. haha I'm having a bout of nerves and I just keep praying so things will go right. Best of luck to you!

Hi there. I am being banded on the 28th as well and I'm getting cold feet too. I keep thinking about the what if's. I know for me it's the right decision - just search in your heart and let God guide you. Prayers and wishes to a fellow 12/28er!!

Whooo hoo!! Congrats.....like Jack said....Sweet 16!

Do all doctors require a pre-op diet? Mine didn't ask me to go on one...

It's a different story when you're dealing with family, over the typical college or young adult roommie. My guess she feels, that because you are sisters, you'll make up the slack. My suggestion is to clean up your things and let hers pile up. I do that with fiance' all of the time until he finally picks it up and starts keeping things clean because he's tired of dirty towels on the floor etc. If you keep "mommying her" then she's going to keep taking advantage of that, not intentionally--but it's natural instinct to take care of family and those you love. All else fails let her know you love her, but the living arrangement isn't working and she has 60 days to find a new place and buy out her ownership of the house. I for SURE couldn't live with either of my sisters (though they are my best friends), so I applaud you for trying. Good luck!

Not to sound dumb but what is PB?

I was approved last Friday and will be having my surgery on 12/28. I am filled with so many strange emotions. I've got a countdown to the band on my calendar at work

Good Morning! Today I received a call from Blue Cross Blue Shield that my lapband was approved! (After 9 months of an uphill battle with a psychologist who did not know what the heck she was doing) I admit I am nervous and happy. I'm also getting married next year (10/28/06) so the stress is on! Any suggestions to a newbie? My surgeon is Dr. Eric Wilson with UT Physicians Group. Surgery hopefully scheduled for 12/28/06. Thank you!!

Anthem BCBS rewrote their medical policy in May of this year and concluded that the lapband is no longer considered investigational. If anyone is having problems with Anthem and needs a copy of their medical policy, please send me an email. I have it saved on my computer at work and would be happy to send!