leknigh

Glad to hear you are doing well! :frown:

I LOVE THIS THREAD! Not only is it cracking me up - but I'm absolutely thrilled to know I'm not the only one having a celebration when the gas gets passed hahahahahaha :ohmy: By the way, on a slightly more serious note - I've noticed my "stuck" gas pains actually seems to be increasing some, not decreasing (I'm now working on my 3rd day post op). Is that normal?

Right now all I can think about is how nervous I am about being "put under". Hi Kaytiebug - let me tell you, that was my NUMBER ONE fear for surgery. I had never had surgery before, and had never been "put under" so I was soooo worried that either I would wake up in the middle of surgery, or that I wouldn't wake up period. My nerves got the best of me as I was sitting in the pre-op room just this past Tuesday and I started crying every time someone asked me "how I was", or if I was "excited". I was sooo scared. The staff was sweet as could be, and did their best to calm me - but of course the fear of the unknown is hard to shake. Then...my "best friend" arrived, the anesthesiologist (haha). He gave me a "calming drug", and I promise you it kicked in within 30 seconds (no joke!!). After that, everything seemed fine and honestly the last thing I remember was being wheeled into the operation room, being told they were moving me to another bed (which I didn't feel), and being asked to breathe into an oxygen mask. The next thing I knew, I was being wheeled into the recovery room and being sat up. It was amazing to me - how quickly it went by! I know the unknown is always scary - but I hope this helps calm your nerves some. Feel free to ask me any other questions - because I was like you and wanting a valium or something before even getting to the surgery center that morning haha TAKE CARE!

Hello all! Now officially two days out from banding, and still surprised at how well I'm feeling (thrilled with that of course!!). I am still sleeping in a recliner, but will try the bed tonight - we'll see. Anyhow, not the point of this blog. The point of it was - that I was feeling hopeful :frown: and thinking about the months to come. I know with any goal, people say that visualizing is a great tool. Well, for me - my goal would be visualizing myself as a "healthy weight" person. But I'm finding that SOOOO difficult to do. It's not upsetting me or anything, it's just that I've honestly never been skinny, not even in childhood. I just don't know what I'm supposed to picture. It's a foreign thought in my head really. I guess I'll just have to look at it as a series of surprises over the next year or two. At any rate it will be a surprise I'm looking forward to. :ohmy: More than anything, I will probably be focusing more on how I feel, and how much more I am able to do, as opposed to how I look. I think that's a healthier way for me to approach it - but still, I will continue to have this curiosity about what a "skinny" me will look like. Anyone else been there/done that?

Hello all! Now officially two days out from banding, and still surprised at how well I'm feeling (thrilled with that of course!!). I am still sleeping in a recliner, but will try the bed tonight - we'll see. Anyhow, not the point of this blog. The point of it was - that I was feeling hopeful and thinking about the months to come. I know with any goal, people say that visualizing is a great tool. Well, for me - my goal would be visualizing myself as a "healthy weight" person. But I'm finding that SOOOO difficult to do. It's not upsetting me or anything, it's just that I've honestly never been skinny, not even in childhood. I just don't know what I'm supposed to picture. It's a foreign thought in my head really. I guess I'll just have to look at it as a series of surprises over the next year or two. At any rate it will be a surprise I'm looking forward to. More than anything, I will probably be focusing more on how I feel, and how much more I am able to do, as opposed to how I look. I think that's a healthier way for me to approach it - but still, I will continue to have this curiosity about what a "skinny" me will look like. Anyone else been there/done that?

Hi there - I am newly banded, so I can't speak to having issues with losing weight at this point - but I can hopefully give you a little encouragement. Throughout the process of preparing for, and having, the surgery - I've learned that when it comes to my health, pride/embarrasment are best pushed aside. Without my health, the pride/emabrrasment won't exist anyway, right? Remember that Doctors/surgeons have seen just about everything, and you certainly will not be the first/last/only person to have gained weight, or to not have lost any additional weight since having a fill. You are going through lots of big changes in your life, and the last thing you should do is throw away all the hard work you put into your 65 lbs. weight loss (fantastic by the way!). So the best thing you can do for yourself is to get back on track with your follow-up appointments, and just be up front with the medical team. If there are support groups you can attend with other bandsters - do it. Keep posting on here of course too, just talk it out. I know you will find you're not alone, and that your doctor/dieticians are there to help! Please don't give up, you can do it!! :thumbup:

Hello fellow August bandsters - for those of you still waiting for your surgery this month I wanted to let you know that the experience was not nearly as bad as I had convinced myself! I was banded at 7:30 this morning, and was in the car on the way home no later than 10am (being driven by someone else of course). I took the anti-naseau medicine, and the pain relief prescription as soon as I got home, and have been walking around as much as possible to distribute some of the gas and minimize the pain associated with that (not so bad really, since I'm up and about). I still can't believe it's over all ready. Just get up as much as possible, and aside from the incision soreness (which is only really noticeable when you are getting up and down) - it's NOT BAD! GOOD LUCK TO THE REST OF YOU! I'm looking forward to the same attitude tomorrow....

HI ALL! Things went well - I had the jitters and boohoos before they gave me the "relax" drugs, but then it was all over before I knew it! The staff at Dr. Curry's office were wonderful and SO friendly! I've been up walking around as much as possible and aside from being sore around the incisions and some gas pains I really feel a lot better than expected. I hope all my Aug.5th bandster buddies are having the same experience!

So in less than 24 hours from now, I will have been banded. So hard to believe! My surgery is at 7:30am (first one of the day). I considered lap band about a year ago, did very little researching, and never really thought about it again until a couple months ago. Then a little over a month ago I really started doing my research and attending information seminars for different surgeons. Never in a million years did I actually think I'd go through with it, or that I would go through with it so quickly (I decided to take the self-pay route so I didn't lose my nerve again, or take on another 6 months of "dieting" that would only further frustrate me). So here I sit, trying to imagine what tomorrow will be like for me. The nerves are definitely there, and I'm sure they'll be working overtime tomorrow morning - but for now, I'm also feeling some of the excitement and hope for the possibilities this "tool" will offer me. So send some good thoughts my way, and for those of you already banded - feel free to send me some pointers for those first few days after surgery too. Take care everyone! :frown:

So in less than 24 hours from now, I will have been banded. So hard to believe! My surgery is at 7:30am (first one of the day). I considered lap band about a year ago, did very little researching, and never really thought about it again until a couple months ago. Then a little over a month ago I really started doing my research and attending information seminars for different surgeons. Never in a million years did I actually think I'd go through with it, or that I would go through with it so quickly (I decided to take the self-pay route so I didn't lose my nerve again, or take on another 6 months of "dieting" that would only further frustrate me). So here I sit, trying to imagine what tomorrow will be like for me. The nerves are definitely there, and I'm sure they'll be working overtime tomorrow morning - but for now, I'm also feeling some of the excitement and hope for the possibilities this "tool" will offer me. So send some good thoughts my way, and for those of you already banded - feel free to send me some pointers for those first few days after surgery too. Take care everyone! :redface:

Thanks!! I'm very nervous - but also excited! Thanks again for the positive wishes :thumbup: If I'm up to it tomorrow (awake long enough lol), I will be sure to post and let you all know how it went.

Hey Dolphin, I have PCOS and Insulin Resistance as well. Given my experience with any other type of diet or "lifestyle change" I'm going into this knowing that I just will NOT lose weight like everyone else seems to (when they've put even a minimal effort into it), but damnit I'm going to fight for every pound. :thumbdown: I did ask my surgeon if the PCOS/IR would play a roll in my weight loss efforts, and he was straight up in telling me that yes, his PCOS/IR patients did tend to lose the weight more slowly. That being said, I completely understand why you are so frustrated (seeing others just drop the weight so quickly), but I also think you should be really proud of yourself! Losing 24 pounds in a few months is actually really great. Just think, could you have done that without the band? I probably could not have, not without doing something that was very extreme and not sustainable (thus assuring a quick regain and then some). Also, be sure to talk to the dietician, and make sure he/she helps you create a plan that will work with your PCOS/IR. Good luck and be sure to add me to your friends list, I'll probably need this same reminder/pep talk in a few months after I've been banded. Take care! Lori

Hi all! So my surgery date is set, but unfortunately my husband will be out of town for work that week. His trip was set prior to my surgery date, but once I got the date I didn't want to give it up because I'm hoping to be well on the way to recovery before classes start again at the end of August. Anyway, my mom will be there to take me home - and I doubt she'll just drop me off and leave, but I assume I'll be home by myself that evening, and the rest of the week. I know everyone's recovery is different, but after some of the things I've been reading I'm concerned it may not be a good idea to be alone the first few nights. Does anyone think this will be a problem? I just hate to overdo it, or have difficult getting out of a chair and/or bed and cause issues with the healing process, or flip my port or something. Sorry for the rambling... Appreciate any feedback! :thumbdown:

Thanks Jenniferann - that's what I needed to hear! Wonderful advice :thumbup:

Right there with you Sun! I suspected that a wax would maybe last me a week (if that!), so thank you for confirming before I waste close to $100. I get my eye brows waxed all the time and am already plucking strays within a couple days - so I can't even begin to imagine how quickly leg hair would come back. Guess I'll need to find some type of plan B. Thanks to all for your responses! :thumbup:

Hey flowers - yes they are. The bands are actually gastric bands, and "lap band" and "realize" are the commerical names for them.

THANK YOU SUSAN! I'm glad someone else with PCOS replied - I'm not sure others understand just how bad it does get (in fact my excess hair growth issues actually bother me more than my weight appearance wise - the weight loss is about health though, so obviously more important) ... I mean seriously, I can go a few days and the hair growth probably matches what others might have in a week or two. Uggghhh :tt2: Guess it sounds like I'll either have to break down and ask the hubby to help out, or spend some $$ on a wax job or something....

Hi George, You seem to think very highly of Dr. Curry. He will actually be my surgeon, and I'm happy to say I've only heard good things about him so far! :tt2: How did you hear about him being all the way in Vegas?

Ok ladies - I haven't seen this posted on here anywhere yet, but I am curious.... Was it difficult to shave your legs after surgery?!? haha I know it's strange to ask - but it's summer, I have PCOS, and therefore have to shave OFTEN! :tt2: Did anyone have difficulty shaving, if so how did you get around it? I REALLY REALLY don't want to ask my husband do it for me, or want to deal with letting my legs go for too long without shaving. THANKS in advance for your answers! :biggrin2:

Hi Ellen! From what I've researched (spent many hours reading and searching!) and what I've discussed with a couple surgeons, there appears to be little difference in the functionality of the band. They should essentially have the same results. I think the biggest thing people like about the Realize band is the web support that accompanies it. This is a big sell I think both to surgeon and patients because it's an additional tool to help the patients stay on track. I was interested in the web support and think it's great (being lap band specific), but I was more interested in the construction of the two bands. I personally chose the Lap Band AP because of the construction of the band. 1) It has multiple pillars that fill, as opposed to one - so the band to me looks like it will adjust somewhat better to fit my body, instead of my body having to fit around it. 2) Additionaly, the "shoulders" or what is used to lock the band in place around the stomach is on the outside (not the inner area facing your stomach). I felt better about this construction because it seemed like it may have less potential to rub against your stomach, and might be easier for the surgeon to reach if an adjustment of the band is necessary. Anyhow, those were the reasons I personally chose the Lap Band - but from what I read on this site and elsewhere, it appears people have equal success with either. GOOD LUCK! :tt2:

Hi Kammi - can you tell me a little bit more about the oral health and bone issues that can result from Hypothyroidism. I was just diagnosed with it about a month ago. I'm also interested in knowing more about the natural thyroid you mentioned as well. Is that a prescription pill? Thanks - Lori

Hey Tonni - I live in Cincinnati, am getting banded on the 5th, and also start my pre-op diet today (had nutrition class yesterday). Who's your surgeon? Mine will be Dr. Curry...

AUGUST 5th FOR ME TOO!!! I am excited but nervous.... :thumbup:

Shelby - I LOVE your August AllStars banner, but couldn't figure out how to add one (at least not with the star - which is the best part)... How do you do it?? :thumbup: