HF2008

ZillyAnne, You are young.....In my opinion, you'd be fine. I was banded on June 2, 2008, and the same day I went to Target and stopped at another hospital to visit a family member. On the next day, it was mostly resting but for the most part it was a cinch ... so far. I am going back to work today. My job is pretty laid back and I can call my day quits when I want. Basically you will be on a plane relaxing. I asked my doctor when I could travel to a third world country and he said, a month. And if I am not mistaken he said as long as it's not a third world, you can travel in 2 weeks. Ultimately depends on you individually, the doctor can tell you what he thinks and your peers here can share their experience but it all depends on how you recoup from surgery.

Yes I did take it easy.... The day after surgery, I tried to get up for a couple of hours and mingle with the family but I didn't feel too well. I think I was trying to do to much to soon. So I laid back down and slept till about 6pm, and then went for a walk around the block, and as soon as I got back. (get ready for TMI) I had my frist bowel movement, and I felt like I was going to die. I broke out in a hot sweat, and wanted to run from the toilet area. But I took it like a champ and it was smooth sailing. I finally passed some gas and was able to lie down and go back to sleep. Now on my third day, I went to the hospital and visited with my sister in law, and now back in the bed. But there is something thats bothering me. Yesterday, my mom told me to, "get up right now and go walking and stop laying around." Well when I walked in from going to visit my sister in law she said, ""Moving around any better today?" , and mocked how I had been walking around. So I had to at that point give her a piece of my mind. I was appalled, because she has had her share of surgeries and I was there for her like no other. For three days post surgery, I think I am doing pretty damn good! Just had to rant!

Hey, mine went very well also! I am glad everything was perfect. Not much pain at all! Just a little uncomfortable!

Hello, I thought I might let you all know how my banding went, and it was good. I went about 10:20a m and I was supposed to be there at 10:00....bad girl...he he he he! Well they had me to wait about 3.5 hours so I didn't feel bad about being late. But it gave me time to think about it and I got my nerves all tied up in a knot. The first nurse wasn't the friendliest person so I am sure that had something to do with it. And they forgot to get a urine sample so after not having a thing to drink since 12 am ..... I had to find some yellow lemonade from deep within myself. Well they wheeled me away and when I got to the OP room .... I reallllly got nervous. The only thing, I remember is, "What kind of drink would you like?" So, I said a martini please, and she said it was coming right up, and I was out! LOL, so when I woke up I wanted my damn martini!!!! LOL, that's the first thing I mentioned. Other than asking if my liver was ok....I was really concerned about the size of my liver even though I didn't cheat at all. I felt like getting up and walking while in recovery so as soon as I was transported back to my room, I walked. Because the gas was unbelievable but it subsided pretty quick and it's just shifting around right now. But it's not so unbearable just uncomfortable. Well, I feel pretty good with a mild pain. I went to Target to get my just born today neice a little something and walked around just fine. At least in my mind but the stares I got let me know I look like a patient of some sort. But I was walking to get back in the spirit of myself as soon as possible. After Target I went to the hospital where they were and I still felt all good. The only thing I have a problem with is getting up from a seat and that's just because of the incisions. I was so freaked out before surgery during all the anticipation and it's really not bad at all. At least not with out pain medication......Oh I tried to eat a Jello cup and I didn't finish it when before I would eat two just because I love them. But it just wasn't possible, sure it's because of the swelling right now. But I did find it pretty easy to eat slow and I have alway been a fast eater. I hope I can keep the same momentum with all foods I eat as I did with the jello. Sorry it's so long but I just wanted any pre-banders to know......There's nothing worry about!!!!!

wow cooooooograts I am 281 and hope to be under 200 one day!!!!!

I have so many thoughts going through my mind......<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> If I am fabulous now what’s going to happen a year from now?<o:p></o:p> Is this feeling, scared or anxiousness?<o:p></o:p> Is my liver still too big?<o:p></o:p> Will there be any complications?<o:p></o:p> What if he has to cut me open?<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> It's finally here and I don't know what I am supposed to feel. I know I need to clean before I head out Monday morning, need to grocery shop, and I need to calm down somewhere between here and Monday. I can't even say it's being excited. I am now starting to question if I really want this surgery. But, I keep reminding myself of my risks for cancer being morbidly obese (considering both my parents had cancer) and just being unhealthy all these years. I appreciate everyone's updates on their progress and step by step details on how their surgeries went. <o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> My thoughts are all over the place and normally a candy bar, ice cream, or a DRINK does the trick. Unfortunately, it’s time for change and I am now working on another vice to calm my nerves. Because obviously those aren’t helping my situation, aside from being on the low carb diet they aren’t an option anymore. Well, I’d be lieing if I said I am not going to have my spirits here and there. <o:p></o:p> Anyway, Please put me in your prayers as I will be banded on June 2nd @ 12:30pm <o:p></o:p> Thankssssssssssss

Goodluck to all the June bandsters.... I will be banded on June 2nd too!

Hey Locals... Loving Tricare right now!!!!!!! :thumbup: I am due to be banded on June 2, Before you decide if you want to be banded in Temple or Austin, take into consideration your motivation. I went to a seminar in Temple, and made tons of phone calls. Also, I went to Austin, and compared the two offices. And I am going with Austin, because on the phone, Temple office is impatient and rude. In the Temple office they are scheduling surgeries for sometime around August. In Austin, it took me all of one month to get all my testing and be banded on Monday. Scott&White, you have to do a 2 week pre op liquid diet vs my surgeon in Austin requires a low carb-high protien diet. I am not banded yet and can't see drinking to get full and NO food for two weeks. But ultimately the choice is yours.....I would go to a seminar in Temple and Austin and go with the warm and fuzzy feeling. LOL! Basically whomever you feel comfortable with performing your surgery. I was just ready to get it over with and after speaking with the Austin surgeon they had me moving right along. When you have to see a psych for your evaluation. Do not pay the out of network fee charged by the hospital.....find a psych who accepts Tricare and call Value Options and they will do the referral right on the phone. I went to visit my psych in Austin because the ones in Temple were booked through July. Our area is just too small, and Austin has more choices so you don't have to wait 2-3 months to complete everything. Also I have only made 2-3 trips to Austin so it's not that bad. I scheduled my psych appoinment for the same time frame as my pre op testing and made a day of it. So I said all this to say closer facilities really shouldn't be a determining factor.....Go with how YOU feel!

Jennifer, You are a young thirty, I am thirty one and I have a friend who had gastric bypass. She went with me to my intial consultation and she asked my surgeon to explain his choice. And he said, I was young, lap band is reversible, less evasive, blah blah! The main thing that stuck with me is.... I am young and I can do this! Bypass is easier because you don't have to work that hard at losing weight. But as someone else mentioned, why cut your stomach off? Also, when something comes so easy.....maybe that's why the weight comes back with bypass. Because you didn't work at it! I have not been banded but I believe the lap band is a better choice and you have to work with the band and be dedicated to a change in your life. If you work with the band and have a regular excercise routine. It will work in your benefit and perform just as good as the bypass. Things that come fast are not always the best.... NO matter what anyone says...You have to look at what's best for you. Explore your history and really dig and find out how you gained the weight(i.e. overeating, choices in food, or whatever your reason), and think about how you lose weight, and how you have to work at losing weight. And I think you will find your answer there.... Just my 2 cents

I have to be on a low carb-high protien diet. I can do the low carb but the high protien is killing me!!! :thumbup: I don't know if I want to go through with it because he says if he goes in to do the surgery and my liver is still too big.... he won't band me! See the thing is .... when I met with the nutritionist ... he didn't mention the high protien and now 3 days before surgery going over my packed I see 70 for protien ... yeah NO! So I am really wondering about this!!!!!!!! So if I were you I'd ask for specific instructions. So it doesn't fall back on you.....

Hey, Go into edit signature and copy and paste this url under add an image to your signature... http://img702.mytextgraphics.com/sparklee/2008/05/03/703e9c299677b9f5ec3e8174f7180bdb.gif After it's saved, place your cursor where you want the banner placed in your signature and click add image to signature.... Not sure if I did it the hard way but it works!!! Hope this helps! Good luck!

I was kind of super excited then I had to start this stupid low carb diet for 2 weeks...But I guess the closer it gets I will get excited again. However, there is this job I have been really really wanting that pays ALOT and I am supposed to get a yes or no answer tomorrow and it will call for me having to put the surgery off a year......So I am kind of like BLAH! :blushing:

When I weighted in I almost fainted, because I was 281 lbs. But, it was a good thing because I have no co morbities, and my BMI was 41.2. So with a BMI that high without co morbitites they couldn't deny me! In my opinion, being 300 lbs is ok when you are making a step to do something about it! When I met my surgeon, I didn't start my pre op diet until 2 weeks later because of the other requirements that had to be met. Luckily, I only have a 2 week diet on low carbs. But it's very hard because I am having to create low carb meals. Arrrrgggg! But enough of my rambling.....I can't stress to you enough about how happy I was after I thought about it.....When I was waiting on my approval I was pretty calm....who can deny 281 lbs......

Peter, I am so sorry for your loss.....I appreciate your concern for others in posting for others who are banded or going to be banded. I reallly really appreciate it because I would have handled it just as your wife did..... You and your family are in my prayers....

Thanks for that! Glad things are good for you!

Who is the insurance through?

I haven't had surgery but I can agree all Wasa listed sounds like my blues right now! Especially the shopping, my butt, and plane rides are toture...lol! You know when I travel overseas I can't even use the food tray cause my legs won't allow it to sit flat in my lap, and let's not talk about my legs getting numb from being squeezed together in that little ass seat! If decide to eat a little something on the plane it slides off the tray :thumbdown: How embarrasing???? But I am onnnn my way!!! Like Kanye West says, Ain't gon be able to tell me NOTHING! Lately his song is my motto!!!

You know... I will stand up and say.... I am a woman who has more hair growth on my face than an average woman. And if there was one thing I could take away from who I am....Honestly, I would chose to take away the facial hair before the weight. You have no idea the humiliation associated with being a WOMAN who grows hair on her face. I do everything I can to erase this unattractive trait. Unfortunately the torture your skin endures creates a shadow, and even makeup doesn't cover it! I have had laser surgery, and paid over $1200 for 5 treatments. Which normally cures a woman of unwanted facial hair. But it was a waste of money in my case and it didn't work for me..... So I have said all this to say....Be happy you don't have facial hair but don't for a minute talk down on those of us who do. Because I didn't start to get mine until I pointed out someone who had it!!!!!! I guess you can call it BAD KARMA! Because none of the other ladies in my family have this awful trait. But, my doctor said WLS helps with facial hair growth! So Yaaaaah!!!!

Thank you all for your repsonses and the link to the thread. I couldn't find a single thread on realize. I like the idea of it being low profile because my belly is not really my problem area, so I'd hate to see a port in my bikini! LOL! ahhh haaaa haaaa haven't saw one of those bikini things since I was like uhhhhh 7.. he he he! I have been to the realize website and all so from what I can see it looks good to me....:woot: Thanks Beauties!!!!!!

I am going to be banded on 06/02 and the surgeon wants to try what he calls a new band. He says it's really spectacular and he is only banding a select few on 06/02 with this band. Anyone heard anything on the Realize band?

Hmmm share what they are about I am in Austin....

OH wow! :thumbup: What band was it????

You know I am not as outspoken as I was in my younger days. So although, I was thinking, "Why don't you try your suggestions, and let me know how it works out", I didn't say it! Because I feel good about myself even in my present condition and she doesn't like her present condition. So I feel bad for her......Honestly, we all know misery loves company. And I refuse to be her company any longer. I am doing me.... LOL! How's that for another piece of slang that was given to us by hip-hop!

Ok so...one of my very close friends is a fellow obestianite (just made that up :thumbup:), with diabetes, high blood pressure, and I can't remember what else. And she asked me today, "Why can't you just eat less on your own?", "Why don't you just shrink your stomach on your own?", and "Why not just use willpower?" So I explained to her lapband is not the answer, It's a tool! You still have to have willpower, you still have to excercise, and you still have to watch what you eat. But after speaking with her.... I am thinking....Why can't I do all those things? But then I started thinking....... Why do you always have to have haters when you are doing something positive?????? But then I snapped out of it and thought F**K her..... I am doing what's right for me! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup: Just needed to vent!!!! Anyone who is has haters on your back...use them to get to the next level! :thumbup: Why? Why? Why?:tongue2::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Hmmmmmm .. not SO pleased! I don't speak to them much. I saw Dr. Fass once and then it was approved. I don't know though, the receptionist, is rude. Gayle is ok though she is much better to speak with. I have another appointment Thursday, and if I don't feel very comfortable I am going to switch doctors. Seeems like most people enjoy their experience in MX.... who will do your fills when you return? Are you going alone?