aclubb

I really don't know about the differences. I just got banded yesterday and know I got the Standard AP. If I remember correctly it holds 10ccs. My doc did leave some of the saline in it from te start so he said I'll have a little more restriction than most from the beginning. My doc said he only uses AP now. But, I'm not sure why. Sorry can't be of more help.

I stuck to my liquid diet religously. So, in the first few days I had a few sips of diet soda. The only other things I drank were water and Peach Tea Crystal light and of course my protein shakes and sugar free jello/popsicles/puiddings. Watch the sugar and calories on juice.

I don't know about the bleeding - definitely check in with your doctor on that one. But crushed ice is really helping me to stay hydrated. This way you're not really "drinking" water but the ice gets the chewing I am craving and liquids in me. Try it.

I got banded yesterday and the only chest pain I've had was when I needed to take a real deep breath. You know how they give you the little breathing thing after surgery? Once I do that a few times the chest pain is mostly gone. My sister just had lap band and was having lower abdominal and shoulder pain after her surgery. She went to the ER and they told her she was dehydrated and the pain may have been coming from the way she was laying during surgery. I had a c-section about 2 years ago and the pain from the lap band surgery is really nothing compared to that. Remember that everyone's experience is different. A lot of it depends on your physical condition and age before the surgery, etc. Don't let others' experience scare you off - just ask A TON of questions.

Wow. Up until the last minute I thought I was going to change my mind or surely SOMETHING would happen that would not allow me to get banded. But, everything went smoothly and now I am home and banded. I am not in too much pain. It's been about 5 hours since my last dose of liquid codene and I really don't feel like I need more yet. Doing about 1/4 of chicken broth and a lot of ice chips. GasX strips and walking about every hour also seem to be helping. I guess the OnQ is also working wonders since I am just a little sore. How did all the other July 16th bandsters make out? Good luck to everyone else scheduled for July - if you have any questions please feel free to ask!

So I finally stopped counting the days on my liquid diet and it just seems kinda normal now. I can feed my kid a burger or whatever she wants and am not too tempted. Actually, she has taken a liking to soup lately - "just like mommy" she says. Which just goes to show how much our kids learn from us when we're trying not to teach them. I'm determined to create new habits for myself with this surgery and teach her how to have an active, healthy lifestyle. I don't want her to be a fat couch potato kid that gets teased at school, like I did. I went in for my pre-op stuff on Friday and it is getting more and more real that this is a LIFE LONG decision - not just a diet. And, that's ok. Today I am at peace with myself and my decision. :biggrin:

So I finally stopped counting the days on my liquid diet and it just seems kinda normal now. I can feed my kid a burger or whatever she wants and am not too tempted. Actually, she has taken a liking to soup lately - "just like mommy" she says. Which just goes to show how much our kids learn from us when we're trying not to teach them. I'm determined to create new habits for myself with this surgery and teach her how to have an active, healthy lifestyle. I don't want her to be a fat couch potato kid that gets teased at school, like I did. I went in for my pre-op stuff on Friday and it is getting more and more real that this is a LIFE LONG decision - not just a diet. And, that's ok. Today I am at peace with myself and my decision. :thumbup:

I have the luxury of being able to work from home. My surgery is on Wednesday. So I only took 3 vacation days and then I'll be working from home 'til I feel well enough to go into the office. My company doesn't really distinguish between sick & vacation time, though. It' just all called PTO. I've read about people (in these forums) that were back to work after a week or so, though. So I'm hoping the recovery won't take too long.

This is why I love this website. I hadn't even thought of this. Of course, I've only lost a few pounds so far - getting banded on Wednesday. Actually, I never thought "fat girl" pubic areas were any different until my dear, considerate husband informed me of such. THEN, I didn't even think about loosing weight there. If I do need a tummy tuck, then yes, I think I'd probably get that area done as well. Being able to easily get to my clit is VERY important to me. I hadn't really thought of the weight gain as getting in the way of pleasurable sex, but looking back I think it has. Looking forward to "getting at it" with no trouble. BTW - My husband and I are in our 30's and we both trim/shave. It just makes oral sex so much easier. But I agreee with other posts that bald is itchy and uncomfortable - and requires a lot of maintenance, at least for me.

Ok, so someone give me a reality check here. My family had fried chicken tonight and I was at the table feeding my 2 year old, drinking my vanilla shake. And really watching everyone eat grossed me out. Not because of the food, but the heavy breathing, loud chewing, burping, etc. My family (God love 'em) did not paint a pretty picture of eating. Is this normal? Do I need to go back for another psych eval? :thumbup: Or maybe just I'm resentful that I'm not eating a greasy ass piece of chicken? Someone set me straight!:confused2:

Congrats! That's awesome. You are braver than me. Today is day 8 of my liquid diet and I'm afraid to get on the scale - I don't even have one in the house. If I haven't lost any weight I'm afraid I'll get discouraged. But, I haven't cheated on my diet - not even once!

I am on day 7 of my liquid diet. I chew a lot of gum and ice. I am also taking calcium chews and I got the caramel kind so it feels like I'm eating candy! The water is super important. I am hungry less often when I drink more water.

Mexican Archie Bunker? That's greatness! I am Mexican also but my family has been suprisingly supportive - so, sorry on that end! Of course, when I stopped drinking I did get a lot of crap. Choose your addiction. The one I am having trouble with is my huband. He acts like he's supportive but in his head I know he hates that I'm doing this. The other day he actually muttered the words "I'm proud of you" but he had a look on his face like he was gonna barf. So anyway, my point in posting is that it's a big step to realize that you are probably never going to get support from your father. Yes, he is your father and you love him. But he is not a support mechanism and probably never will be. So, you would do yourself well to look for that support elsewhere. Good Luck!

WOW. You are my new hero. :thumbup: That is awesome. We're having a lot of green initiatives come through at my job. I don't live that far so a bike ride is possible but we don't have many (if any) bike trails in Dallas. But, I may figure out a way. Thanks for the inspiration!

You are very lucky to have an understanding spouse. And remember you are doing this so you WILL be able to do normal things with your kids! I am really looking forward to my ass fitting on a slide! :thumbup:

Emily - welcome to the world of liquids! Today is liquid diet day 7 for me and my surgery is also on the 16th! Chocolate sugar free pudding has been a lifesaver for me! I am also chewing LOTS of gum and found awsome popsicles - Dreyers. They have no sugar and are made with real fruit. They're good to eat when the kids are having ice cream! Hang in there!

Since we're on the topic of vodka - Tito's Handmade Vodka is awesome. I tried it a few days before my liquid diet and it was smooth enough to drink over ice with a little lemon or lime.

I am so proud of myself. I made it through 4th of July without breaking my liquid diet. I did accidentally lick some BBQ sauce off my fingers when I was serving the kids' food and WOW it tasted good. But I kept to my diet and I'm glad. It was good not to have that "oh, I ate TOO much" feeling like I usually do on holidays. And, I just kept thinking to myself that next year I wouldn't have to worry about sitting in a folding camping chair and worrying it was going to break! :shades_smile: I hope everyone had a good holiday and got to see some great fireworks!

So, I went out to the lake with my family today. And, thanks to the 20 or so minutes I've been exercising every day I felt like I could almost keep up with the kids! But due to all of the physical activity I got that "real" hungry feeling - you know the one when you've been hiking or camping? I haven't broken my liquid diet yet - but ARGH, it's getting a bit more dificult. I did my shakes, jello, gum, crunching ice etc and I still have a rumbling hungry tummy. I don't even want anything bad for me - but I'd kill for some tuna & crackers or brocoli with onion dip! :shades_smile:

So, I went out to the lake with my family today. And, thanks to the 20 or so minutes I've been exercising every day I felt like I could almost keep up with the kids! But due to all of the physical activity I got that "real" hungry feeling - you know the one when you've been hiking or camping? I haven't broken my liquid diet yet - but ARGH, it's getting a bit more dificult. I did my shakes, jello, gum, crunching ice etc and I still have a rumbling hungry tummy. I don't even want anything bad for me - but I'd kill for some tuna & crackers or brocoli with onion dip! :thumbup:

Jodie - I did get approved and I'm scheduled for July 16th! Woo Hoo! I am on day 4 of my liquid diet and noticing how much I use food as comfort now that I don't have it. But I've stuck to it so far and I am deteremined to make a real life change with the band. Good luck!

Thank you for all of the comments, I appreciate the support!