freedom0702

Mine was July 2nd.

eglean2 - have you had an appointment with Dr Hammer yet? Did your husband go with you? If not, I'd suggest that he go to your next one with you, Dr Hammer is very informative and will answer/address his questions/concerns. Also, his assistant and nutritionist are very helpful. What are your husband's concerns about the surgery, if you don't mind my asking? My husband was against me having gastric bypass, but when we found out I could have the lap band (insurance finally decided to cover it) he was much more comfortable with that. Everything has turned out fine so far and I go for my first fill tomorrow, a little nervous about that as I don't like needles, they make me woosey. Hope I don't pass out from the fill. Although I don't think I've ever read on here about anyone who has. I'm sure I'll be fine.

Welcome Bubblyblonde and congratulations. Your surgery date will be here before you know it. So are you getting ready for your liquid diet yet? Does your doctor require it? Mine wanted me on liquids for 14 days before surgery, but I wasn't informed of the surgery date until it was 11 days before, so I got a little repreve and didn't have to do the full 2 weeks. It was long enough though. Good luck to you.

mom2two - I've had 2 c-sections, the lap band was not as painful as the c-sections. For one thing, the band was done laproscopically so there wasn't that big incision and the recovery time was much shorter, even though my dr's nurse keeps telling me to "slow down, don't try to do to much, you know you just had major surgery and it takes a good 6 weeks to heal". Aprilapple - Wish you the best, let us know how you do.

I took off a total of 11 days, 2 weekends and the 4th of July. I probably could have gone back to work after a week, but it was nice to have the extra few days. I have a desk job and the only discomfort was from sitting at a computer all day. I had to get up and walk several times during the day. I don't know how so many people can go back to work after only a day or two, I think my discomfort was worse on day two and three. I don't think I could have gone back that soon. After about the 4th day, I felt great and have continued to feel better each day.

Illinois Husker - Meeting up sometime sounds good to me. Don't give up, it is so worth it. I know it gets frustrating. Keep us posted. I get my first fill next Wednesday Aug 13th. I'm getting a little nervous about that but my appetite has come back and I'm not losing so I will be glad to get it. Are you going to the state fair? We're going Sunday. That's going to be a good test for me to see how i survive the walking and the heat there. Last year it was so hot I thought I would die before the end of the day. Should be better this year as I have been going for at least 1 mile walks almost every day. I'll have to watch it on the food though, so much junk! Wannababy's reply to you sounds encouraging. Hope that's true for you, too.

I bought GNC Pro Performance brand,100% whey protein powder (unflavored). It has no flavor and mixes well warm or cold. I couldn't stand the sweetness of the flavored powders. This was a lifesaver for me. Don't know how I would have gotten thru the pre and post liquid diet if it hadn't been for this stuff. The price isn't bad either.

Yep, we do have the Kids Closet here in Rochester. I think there is also a women's resale shop in the same area. I'm gonna have to check it out when I'm down another size or two. Dr Hammer did my surgery on July 2nd in Springfield. He's awesome. Best thing I've ever done (except for marrying my dh, of course). What do you have left to do before insurance will approve you?

Hey Fellow Illinoisians, I'm new to this site, just signed on today for the first time, although I've been reading the posts for about 3 weeks. IllinoisHusker we are almost neighbors. I'm just outside of Rochester surrounded by corn fields. Good luck with your insurance. Who's going to do your surgery?

Thanks, and good luck to you also. Have you gotten approval from your insurance yet or are you a self pay? Keep us posted on your progress.

Thanks Amy. My insurance is Health Alliance. When I started this process in Sept. 07 all they covered was the bypass. I wasn't sure I wanted to do something so drastic but began their "I can change" program thinking that maybe I could follow their advise and lose the weight on my own and if not, then decide after the required 6 months program. Well, about a month before my 6 months was up, my health coach (that's what they call the person you have to talk with on the phone to set goals, etc.) told me that Health Alliance had just approved the lap band. I was so excited...disbelieving...scared...you name it I had all the emotions. The time seemed to fly by. I'm still excited and have so much more energy than before my surgery. If this is an indication of my future, I'm very happy with my decision to have the lap band. I know this is much more than you asked, but it's good to have someone to tell all this to as I haven't told too many people about having the surgery, only my close family, who are all very supportive. Thanks for listening.

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site although I've been reading the posts for about 3 weeks. Alot of good info on here. I had my lap band on 7/2/08. I call myself freedom0702 because my surgery was so close to independence day and the lap band will be my independence from fat, YEA! So far, since I started the journey in 9/07 (going thru the insurance required program, etc) I have lost about 32 pounds. Just cleaned out my closet yesterday of all the clothes that are too big but kept because I just didn't believe that I wouldn't fit back into them again. I'm still a little leary of just getting rid of them because I have a hard time believing this time the weight will stay off for good. I haven't lost any weight for about a week, even gained a pound or two :biggrin:. I'm sure that's just temporary, I don't go for my 1st fill until 8/13. I see the nutritionist this Tuesday. That will be good as I'm not getting enough Protein and maybe she will have suggestions on how to make that happen. Thanks for all the good input on this site, it's really helpful and encouraging to know so many others are out there and I'm not all alone in this journey.