marineliebe

Hey All, It REALLy helped me out to hear everyone elses stories about their banding expearence, so I thought I would share mine as well in hopes it will help others who are going later this month! I got up around 6am today and left the house at 6:30am, I had packed a bag the night before with all my meds, a blanket, an extra shirt, some Water and a pillow. I arrived at the surgery clinic (I was banded at North West Weight Loss Surgery) about 8:20 (I was a little early). I sat next to a nice man in the waiting room and chatted with him for a bit, he had been banded about 13 months ago and had lost 100lbs. His wife was being banded while he was waiting. After he left to be with his wife when she was out of surgery, I was given some papers to sign and read over. Then I was taken back into the pre-op room where I changed into a gown, robe and socks. They gave me a nice bag to put my extra clothes in and a thing of chap stick. Then I came back out and they had me sit in this sort of recliner chair thing and gave me a blanket. Then they gave me a shot in my thigh to prevent blood clots, I think that was the worst part of the whole procedure, I don't like needles and the shot stung for about 5 min after I got it. After that I had to wait a little while as the surgery before me was running a little behind. Then my surgen came out and chatted with me and my dad for a bit and asked if we had any questions. After that I had my IV put in, which actually hurt less than the shot because he put some numbing medication on my hand before. After the IV was in, they got me up and I walked into the OR. I layed down on the table and they put some meds in my IV and put an oxygen mask on me, I remember looking at the nurse and her telling me I was going to be fine and thats the last thing I remembered. I woke up as they were rolling me back into a recovery room, I was pretty groggy but came out of it well. (I started singing Gwen Stefani) They brought my dad to me and gave me some water to start sipping on. They would come and check my vitals every 15min to 1/2 hour or so. They asked how my pain was and I decided I could use a pain shot, so they gave me some, I think it was called dafiral or somehing? It started with a D at any rate. I stayed i bed for about 2 and 1/2 hours, then they had me get up and walk about and I went to the bathroom. I was then lead to the "step down room" where I was in another recliner type chair. I sat there for about another 1/2 hour and was given my discharge instructions. Then I changed into my comfy clothes and my dad brought the car around. The nurse helped me out and I pretty much feel asleep the second I got into the car. So I don't really remember the car ride home. Once I got home I had some chicken broth and Soup and took a nap. Then one of my girlfriends came to see me and we watched a movie togther. I would get up about once an hour and do a few laps up and down the hall, I found it really helped with getting the gas out...or at least trying to get it out. My friend left, and I started watching the Heros DVDs and another girlfriend came over and watched a few episodes with me. My dad went out to get me some straws and juce and my friend left (around 10pm) I had some more soup and some juice. (My sweet dad also brought me back a giant princess balloon and a stuffed animal to make me feel better). I found its a lot easier to drink water/juice with a straw. As the night has gone on, I've been getting more sore, mostly on my port, I think this is because the numbing medicine they gave me in my tummy is wearing off. All in all, I feel pretty good, a little uncomfortable and sore, my best advice right now is to keep up on the pain meds BEFORE you feel like you need them, if you take them every 2-3 hours you won't really feel the pain, at least i'm not. So thats pretty much my story, I'm not looking forward to tomorrow, I've heard the second day is the worst!! Good luck to all of you upcomming bandsters! Marine

hey guys, i was banded this morning, i'm doing ok so far. I'm pretty sore on my port right now, but i have been keeping up on my pain meds every 2 1/2 hours. i've had some chicken broth, and later i had some cream of broccoli soup as well as a little bit of juice, and a LOT of water. I'm not in a huge amount of pain, mostly just sore and uncomforatble. The worst parts is the gas. i don't have any sholder pain, but it mostly feels like i have really bad indegestion. the gas isn't moving though me that fast i don't think. omg i still can't believe i'm banded!!! hope everyone else that went today (and is going tomorrow) did/do great!!

ok guys well I'm on my way to surgery right now and I would really love all of your good thoughts and prayers and support!! I'm pretty scared right now! See ya all on the other side! Yikes!! Marine

my surgery is less than 12 hours away and i'm FREAKING OUT!! I'm worried I won't be able to sleep tonight and I'm really nervous and scared. I totally know how you are feeling!

omg 100lbs congrats!! that is amazing! please share your secrets! :confused_smile:

I've thought of other men during sex, but I would never tell the person that I was actully with that. And I woudln't want him to tell me that if he did. I know its kind of a double standard, but thats how I feel. I know if I do it, he probally does too, but I dont' want to hear it from him lol. like musso said, i'ed rather talk about a fantisy that we can have together.

I think that in general, once you start losing weight, you will begin to GAIN confidence! Its much easier to approach men when you feel more confident, and when you feel attractive and sexy. I know when I feel sexy I'm unstopable. Men really pick up on that, if you feel confident or not. And if you have faith in your flirting skills I would say you are on you way girl! I wouldn't worry too much about being inexpearenced in dating. Just remember that your beautiful and there are men out there that are smart AND goodlooking! lol I didn't date in my teens either, I mean we are only in our 20s, and early 20s at that! You'll do great! :confused_smile:

thanks for the well wishes! i can't believe its tomorrow, i'm starting to freak out a little. i'm worried i'm not going to be able to get to sleep tonight, and i have to be up a 6am tomorrow to get to my surgery place on time. i live about 1 hour away, but there is always a lot of traffic in the morning. i hope everything goes well! :confused_smile:

I'm being banded tomorrow as well at 8:30. I can't believe its tomorrow...i feel like i still have stuff to do! I will keep you in my prayers, I hope your surgery (and mine!!) go extreemly well!!!

so i'm sitting here the day before my surgery, and what show is on my favorite channel? Big Medicine, and not just one show, its a marathon. Its actually calming my nerves to watch all these people have weight loss surgery, i can SEE what may go on after surgery in recovery, how the surgery is done, and how much weight they are losing. I also thought it was interesting that the doctors (its a father and son), their daughter/sister has the lap band. if anyones up and has TLC check it out! lap band here i come!! woo hoo!

hi i'm being banded on may 20th as well. i understand what you mean, i'm going to vegas 4 weeks after my band as well, and then a week after that is my bday. both things that usually envolve a lot of food, its going to be hard to get the foodie mindset out of my head.

omg that is so sad! i wonder why she is being that way? maybe try shooting her an email or letter and explain how you are feeling? thats sad that she wouldn't want to be there for you! you guys would be great support for each other! i hope she comes around!

Yes I am nervous, but I'm trying not to think about that part! When are you getting your band? In the next few months? I hope all goes well for you! I'll keep you updated. :thumbup:

I havn't told very many people. My mom and dad know, but my two brothers do not. Partly because my older brothers fiance wanted to get the band about a year ago and she couldn't afford it and didn't get it done. Shes kinda weird and she would take me getting the band as "being mean and rubbing it in her face". So I havn't told them so I don't have to deal with her. My younger brother doesn't need to know, although I'm sure I'll tell him when/if he notices. I've told a few close friends who have all mostly been supportive. I told my boss at work and one other co-worker. My boss has had some PS so I knew she would be totally cool with it and give me time off and be ok when I need time off to go get fills etc. The other lady I told at work is miss sunshine always postive 110% of the time, so I know she will always keep me upbeat. I DO NOT want the other girls at my work knowing, they are all skinny and kinda bitchy and I don't want anything held against me and I don't want to be talked about behind my back. I havn't told any of my extended family, although I don't think I will have a problem telling them later once I have lost the majority of what I want to lose. Just my two cents! :thumbup:

thanks for all the responses! I don't really mind having them if they go white because u can't really see them...but when they are all red its really noticeable. do they turn white as you lose weight? or is it a "just over time" thing?

So today I was looking in the mirror and I noticed just how many stretch marks I have...needless to say its A LOT! And they are the red noticable kind, havn't turned white/gold yet. So my question is, after you start losing weight, do they start to go away? Or are they still there loud and clear? I'm really hoping they will start to go away as I start to lose weight. Any and all input/expearence/oppinions would really help me out! Thanks! Marine

I've been around for a little bit, but just realized I havn't done my intro thing! :biggrin: My names Marine, I'm 22 and I live in Washington State. I'm 5'5" 265lbs and I'm being banded on Tuesday (May 20th) at Northwest Weight Loss Surgry in Everett. I have my cosmetology degree and I work at a salon and spa as a stylist. Very fun stuff. :biggrin2: Its nice to be able to talk to people my own age about the band! I wish everyone well!

where are you being banded at? i'm being banded at north west weight loss surgery on the 20th

oh jessica i'm so sorry!! i'm sending you lots of hugs and support! please don't give up! we are all here for yoU!

if you are sticking to your diet and arn't losing any weight, i would add some excersise into your day. and i would make it more than light stuff. make sure your breaking a sweat. do it daily and hopefully that will be the extra push you need to start sheading those pounds!

Hey Allison, I'm facing the same kind of thing at work...nosey women, who happpen to be skinny women as well. :welldoneclap: I only told my boss and manager (both older women, and my boss has had some PS) and one other older lady that I work with that I'm getting the band. a few other people heard I was getting surgury and when they asked me what kind i said it was personal. after that they dropped it and it hasn't been mentioned again. like soemone else said, if you don't make a big deal out of it, no one else will either. if you tell someone your having personal surgery....most people are not going to press you any further. saying your having gallbatter surgery works as well (as someone said) but I don't want to lie about it if i can help it. might lead to a tricky situation later haha. hope your finals went well!!!!!!!

hey christy, i'm being banded on may 20th also. my doc doesn't have me on a pre-op diet either. but he did tell me to lose 5-10lbs. I've been trying to do two liquid protein drinks a day with one weight watchers (or similar) tv dinner. i'll have a snack of some turkey brest, or a yogert or somthing healthy if i get really hungry. but, i'm not losing what i thought i would be, so i'm going to *TRY* to have all liquids soon...we will see how that goes :tt1: marine

Hey Christy! Welcome! Glad to know another person being banded on the 20th!! My drive is about an hour away. I hope your drive back after surgery is ok! Does your doc have you on any sort of pre-op diet?

yea i like shrinko de mayo too, but i thought that was just *another* name for the ppl being banded on may 5th?? So i've been using May Flowers....whats the deal with shrinko de mayo? for everyone or just those may 5ths?

Neti pots are great! Really do help clear everything out!! You need to rest up, take some vitamin C, and think positively!! I know it would suck to have your LB postponed, but try to stay positive! The power of thought is amazing! :biggrin2: I REALLY hope you start to feel better soon!! And IMHO, I don't think getting sick is a sign not to have the surgery, people get colds at in-opertune times a lot. So hang in there!! Marine