OnMyWay2Thin

I was soooo nervous before my surgery! You are definitely not alone. But, honestly, two years later the surgery is in the past and I'm losing weight and much healther. The hardest part for me was the liquid diet for two weeks after the surgery (at least that's my surgeon's protocol after surgery.) Just keep telling yourself, you will get through and be thrilled with the initial weight loss afterwards. I agree with roseyposey, my pain initially after surgery was the gas pains. Once that was gone, I felt great. I can honestly say I think having my gall bladder removed was ten times worse! (That happened because I lost 70 pounds very quickly after surgery - I guess that's a good thing, I was happy with the weight loss.) So, I initially lost 70 pounds, was happy, and now I'm trying to lose the last approximately 56 (for a total loss of about 150 pounds, my ticker below is my current goal.) I wish you lots of luck and know you will be happy with your lapband!

This may sound simplistic, but you know what got me off my plateau, it was upping my Water intake. I hadn't been drinking enough water. My doctor explained it as the body didn't have enough liquid to flush out the fat as I started losting. It doesn't just disappear, it needs to be washed out. So, I upped my water intake to 4-5 bottles of water a day and I started losing again. I guess this makes sense. Now, I'm thrilled whenver I need to get to the bathroom because, as I now understand it, I'm losing fat! I also agree with one of the posters above, journal everything. When I don't journal, I really tend to underestimate what I'm eating. Best of luck to you!

It must be great to say you were happy to be in a picture for the first time in a long time. I can't WAIT until I feel comfortable enough to say, hey get a picture of us!! Like the poster before me, I would love to have a family Christmas picture but I just haven't had the nerve yet. I'm hoping 2011 is my year, too. Keep up the great work and CONGRATULATIONS, you've dong a great job and jumped another hurdle!!

Thanks, it was actually fun coming up with these ideas. The way I look at it is we both benefit by having a great time and getting healthy! If you think of any good ones, let me know, I would love to borrow them!

Congratulations, you are on your way!!!! Good luck as you go through all the procedures leading up to your surgery!!

It's great you're doing your research and getting personal feedback while making your decision. Personally, I am very happy with the band. This is the way I look at it, I'm losing slowly and going in the right direction. If I didn't have the band, I would be heavier than when I started and definitely moving in the right direction. Considering your joints are hurting you and you can no longer exercise, you may want to consider the band seriously to give you that little edge you need to keep from gaining and to lose. Believe it or not, I had terrible knees and a bad back, after losing just 40 pounds, I felt great! In addition, I cleared up my Type 2 Diabetes and high cholesterol. Unlike the others, I'm able to eat everything in small quantities. Everything except rice. I wish you lots of luck and, remember, the choice is completely yours. Do what is right for you!!

So sorry to hear about your daughter, I've never heard anything like this. I pray that she regains her health and is feeling better. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.

It occurred to me that I'm a person who basically works on different motivators. So, I decided to share what my current goals and rewards are and to see what yours are. Maybe you have have a better motivator and reward system and I just didn't think of it. Let's share how you reward yourself for doing great on your journey. Can't wait to see what you say!! I'll start, my husband I decided on the following rewards for the following goals: 1. When I hit an additional 20 pounds (for a total loss of 53 pounds) - a night at Tropicana in Atlantic City 2. When I hit 30 pounds (for a total loss of 63 pounds) - getting my hair done (the works!) and a nice date 3. When I hit 40 pounds (for a total loss of 73 pounds) - a new outfit and a nice date 4. When I hit 50 pounds (for a total loss of 83 pounds) - a trip to Florida I have 11 more pounds until I hit goal number 1! Can't wait...

Definitely go for the fill! I was down 70 pounds and close to goal but didn't get the fill. I ended up gaining 32 pounds!! When I went in today, the doctor said because the band was loose due to lost weight, I was eating more than I should and gained some back. He expects me to lose it rather quickly now that I have my fill, though. Good luck!

Wow, way to go. Keep up the great work!

LOL, wouldn't that depend on your partner?! Just kidding. I was nervous about the same thing and it only gets better from here! The port does not interfere in any activity that I have encountered (not just talking sex but other activities such as diving, fishing, snowboarding, etc.) One thing I did notice is as my body changed and I lose weight, my body (and my husband) actually responded even better. So, heads up, you have a good time ahead of you as you lose weight! Have fun!

Just had a fill today, coincidentally. My doctor does use the x-ray and I love it that way. I can see the liquid going down and he fills it exactly to the right level so the fluid goes down at the speed he believes it should. This was my third fill. The whole procedure is completely painless and I'm sure, x-ray or not, it will be just fine! The only part I'm not enjoying is the fact that I'm on liquids for three days and then mushies for one, that's the instructions from my doctor. I notice others don't need to go on liquids for so long... Good luck!

I had thought the same thing several months back so I went for a fill to make sure everything was okay. When I went under fluroscope,everything was fine. It really eased my mind. I think you are probably fine, too. If you're worried, though, definitely go see!

I would think it's open to anyone. They don't check to see if we are patients or members. Sometimes they pass around a sheet to sign in but I've never seen anyone look at it!

Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! I had mine in September, 2008 and it was the best thing I ever did. I came across your post because I just had my gall bladder out last week and I'm thinking how much more painful the gall bladder was compared to the lap band! Do you happen to recall how soon you felt like yourself after the gall bladder removal? Again, good luck tomorrow!

Regional Surgical Associates out of Virtua Hospital in Voorhees is fantastic. You may want to check them out if you are still looking!

I had my surgery done at Virtua in Voorhees (not sure if that's Burlington or Camden County.) That is right next door to Cherry Hill. There are support group meetings every Monday and Thursday night in the Virtua Fitness Center in front of the Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. There are many of us who have had surgery at this location and all involved are truly professionals. My surgeon was/is Dr. Goldstein. He performed my surgery perfectly and makes my fills completely painless. The support group meetings are actually quite informative and much information is shared. Unfortunately, it's about a 30-45 minute ride for me!

Maybe he's afraid that you will feel the same way some of the others feel, that he only loves you because you look incredible! Maybe he wants you to know that no matter how thin or heavy you are, you are it for him. Sometimes we need to just not read things into our hubby's actions. Was he supportive when you had your surgery and made the decision to get the band and then the reduction? That speaks volumes if he was. I have no doubt he loves you so much he's just trying not to offend you!

I used the CPAP prior to surgery and in the hospital, then haven't used it since. The doctors require you bring the machine and try to use it in the hospital but they also understand that you are uncomfortable so they kind of look the other way if you don't always use it. I'm sorry to hear you are having panic attacks from it, but can understand why - they are scarey to use! Don't give up, good luck with everything!

I'm just about to get my second fill and am hoping I feel more restricted. Maybe not as restricted as you, though! I say if it doesn't feel right in a few days, you should give your doctor a call and make sure you are not overfilled. This has never happened to me, but I have heard of it happening to others. Good luck!

No, I didn't cheat because my pre-op liquid diet was only from midnight the night before!

Just stay positive. We all have our ups and downs. You know that you can do it. I feel bad for you that your insurance was canceled and now you can't get the fills that may be necessary. Actually, I don't even know how much they would cost because my insurance covers it. Try to convince yourself that you have the tool, the lapband, and get back to basics. Try to weigh and measure your food, or at least journal it so you're completely conscious of what your eating. It's tough, I wish you the very best of luck! My husband is also laid off but I'm the main wage earner so we're doing okay. This economy stinks!!

I think you're going through Last Supper Syndrome. I went through it, also. I felt like I would never be able to eat certain things again. Here I am, 5 months out and I can eat almost anything (no buns/uncooked bread) with limitation. I eat very small helpings. I've had a lot of success and am down 54 pounds. At this point, I'm plateauing so I'm thinking I need another fill and to up my exercise. Good luck to you!

Congratulations, isn't it a wonderful feeling to know you made the right decision! Good luck as you continue on your journey.

Hi! Wow, when I started out, my statistics were the same as you - 5'8", 270, etc. I actually was thin until I hit about 21/22 and had my first child. As a matter of fact, I went to college on a tennis scholarship and was in great condition (size 5). In answer to your questions: 1) The foreign object thing scared me, too. Now that I have it, I can't believe I was actually worried about this! I don't even feel it unless I'm looking for it with my probing fingers. 2) I asked the same thing regarding activities. My husband and boys snowboard and I want to try. My surgeon said go for it! Then someone in my support group told me she skis every winter. I said is there anything I can't do with this and they said absolutely not, you can even have a baby with it and, in my opinion, if that can be done, anything can! I've lost 38 pounds so far in the six weeks since surgery and think this was the best thing in the world for me. I also tried all the diets and lost 50 pounds on WW only to gain it back plus a few more! I say go for it, I think you'll be glad you did, once you get past the first week or two! Good luck!