redheather

I was banded seven weeks ago tomorrow and could not be happier!! Every day I just think about Lucy (yes, we named my band--and call the port "Port Lucy"), smile and say a prayer of thanks. My life is finally becoming what I want it to. My issues of anxiety are not in the band, eating, etc...mine are in the other things in life.

What I am referring to are things like shopping for clothes (oh wow---this was murder!! I had to take a Xanax and still ran to the bathroom in the mall to cry for 20 minutes before I went into Lane Bryant), going to parties, work, clubs, etc. I hate when people I see look at me!! I feel so nervous when they look at me (and I am looking FABULOUS). I am terrified of smaller clothes...I went in, grabbed the largest pair of jeans and ran to the counter. My friend came in and asked how they looked and the counter girl said that I didn't try them on. I was angry!! He made me try them on...they fell off. So, I had to try on another size (which is too big, but the next smaller one was a bit small). It made me a wreck.

THIS IS NOT ME!!! I have never had any fear of being in the public eye!! I go to nude beaches, have alays dressed fairly provocatively, gone out dancing, etc. What is wrong with me??

If anyone has any sugestions on how to get over this silly mindset I have seem to have fallen into, please let me know!!

I have had a few friends go to Dr. Shina and they have had mixed reviews. I hear that he should stick to doing bypasses and not banding. Also, I was not very impressed with his attitude overall. I have also got a few friends that just LOVE him...they have all had the bypass, though.

STAY AWAY FROM DAVID GELLAR!!! This man is a nightmare!! He brags about his "skills", but has botched 5 women that I know (2 have bands, the other 3 have bypass). His ego stands in his way of treating people with any kind of regard and he gets very angry with his patients when they have complications--even if it is not their own doing. Watch out!!

I had Dr. Vince Lusco...he did an excellent job, but better still--the staff @ St. Mary's was beyond exemplary!!! They are true blessings!! Their program is surely the best one in the city!! I have investigated all of them. AND, he studied with Jeffrey Allen (who I love as well).

If you want to talk about any of this, please feel free to send me a message. Good luck!!!!!

Do not take any laxatives, honey!! As my doc explained to me, the all-liquid diet is not to torture you. It is to shrink the size of your liver. Obese people have large livers, due to the fat content of our bodies. It is extremely crucial that they reduce the size of it because they need to slightly maneuver it to place your band. If they cannot safely get around it, they will probably just stop the surgery and postpone your date. Depending on what and how much you ate, and when you ate it--it will probably determine how much of a setback, if any, there will be. I would just tell your doc and see what he/she recommends.

Just remember--keep your eyes on the prize!! I was on my all-liquid regimen over Memorial holiday and had a friend I had not seen for 15 years in--talk about hard to avoid temptation!! Party, party, party is all that we did...but I stayed focused. You will too!!! Just have faith in yourself!!! Good luck!!

:incazzato: :driving::huggie:

Well, I've only had my band for 9 days, but...for about a week, I thought my butt was broken. But then it happened!!

Seriously, though--it will be basically none for about a week, then will gradually return, loose at first. All of my other friends who have had it say that "things" will resume, but in diminished volume. Just remember to use your benefiber-type supplements!!

Good luck, honey!!! You will be glad you did it!!:tongue2:

I have just started my little journey--my op date was May28th, a little over a week ago. I started at 327.5 and my doc wants me at 145. Quite reasonable, I do say. I try very hard to NOT look at the numbers...they seem so overwhelming and scary on paper!!

Instead, I am trying to focus on what I have already lost. Is that reasonable?? Instead of fearing the long journey ahead, I am enjoying the journey that I have already travelled and smiling at the path under my feet.

:thumbup:

Congrats, honey!!! Hope the discomfort is easing up. I'll tell a little secret that has helped me beyond belief!! Gas-X strips, several times a day and Pepcid. TRUST me, it will help you with much of the discomfort. Also, I am having some pretty sharp pain on my left side where they had to go through the muscle. This is very normal and I found relief in a warm shower and intermittent heating pad use!! Good luck, sweetheart!! It is getting better!!!

I am so thrilled to read everyone's stories!! I just had my band put on 2 days ago (May 28th). After 4 years of jumping through hoops...my dream came to fruition!! My doctor was Vince Lusco III @ St. Mary's and Elizabeth hospital in Louisville KY. I highly recommend him, his group and the entire Sts M&E bariatric group to anyone looking for a surgeon in this area!!! I have never experienced such support and love from people as I have here!! There is even one of the RNs who had the band a couple of years ago--and she is a REAL help!! :w00t:

My operation day was pure joy!! I was prepped, operated on and sent safely home in less than 8 hours!! AMAZING!! And I felt great!! The only "complaints" I guess I have are that my throat is a bit sore (from being intubated) and that my esophagus keeps spasming. But I hear that is all normal, so I am not terribly afraid.:tt2:

I am so excited to get to start my new life!! A life free of diabetes, hypertension and, maybe sleep crapnea!!! I want to get back into high heels...and take ballroom dancing lessons with my Brian!!!:wub: