Telly

I'm very sorry to hear about your mom. I was there once and I empathize with you . There's nothing anyone can say about the loss of a loved one, that will make you feel better. Only you know what you need to do for you. I too had Dr. Rumbaut. I'm still here and I'm better than ever! I'm glad I made the choice I did. You will too. Chin up luv and be strong about yourself.

Good Dana! After I saw it in it's entirety, I realized just really how important the liquid diet really was.

Ok, I'm in!!!!! H-240 S-235 J-219 G-135 C-219

OMG Paula!:heh: That's the secret eh? Senokot, here I come..Woot!

Ok, not to be a pain in the arse, but I hate that the doc gave you staples!!!! Damnit, they have skin tape!

Shoot! Did he say 6? Geesh. LMAO!

Ok, for those not banded yet and are interested in a lap band actual surgery video, watch this. I won't lie, they answered about 20 questions I had, such as abdominal workouts post surgery, slippage, etc. This video was live. Here is my thread link. I just had the band placed a few weeks ago and I can't stress enough how important it is to follow the rules in order to not only preserve your band's position but to also lose your weight. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=17732

Cool, as long as it helps people. I liked the way that it was live and had live calls in from people where they asked questions during the procedure. Pretty crazy! Oh also, what freaked me out that I didn't know before I watched it was that the doctor said, alot of slippage occurs if the patient vomits (PB's) too often too soon after the surgery. That's good to know. I've had the gag effect and PB twice since I've been home. I don't want to be a victim of a slippage though. Also, he stated that with the band, the patient should drop 1 - 2lbs per week. Gradual weight loss is what the band is for, not rapid weight loss such as Gastric Bypass surgery. Average monthly weight loss is supposed to be around 4 - 10lbs per month, per that doctor. Also, I just heard the doctor say, it's ok and good to start walking and biking within 1 week of the procedure, if it's comfortable but, any abdominal workouts are not recommended for a minimum of 4 weeks, so that herniation does not occur:omg: . They say this can cause herniation and may even dislodge the port. Walking and biking or even jogging is fine. That's good to know. I'm soo stupid. I did try to 5 crunches with the ab roller but it hurt too much so I stopped. Geesh, I'm glad I watched that video!

Yeah. It's pretty awesome. I had no idea that my procedure was ..sooo involved. Trocars and caps, retraction and fat stuff in there. Yuck dude! Im glad that part is over with. But I watched the whole video. It's pretty amazing.

Sarah, the feeling you speak of was exactly what I felt. I felt like I was having a painful hicup, though the hicup sound never happened, it was gas. Gas X or Malox. I know I am not a doctor but I know that I had exactly what you had and it went away in a day. I struggled that whole first night in the hospital. I was literally passing gas through the band and it hurt my chest and throat. Think of the Malox commercial, where when you drink it...it coats your stomach wall and pushes out the gas. Get that Malox and start drinking.

I saw this video in the May Bandsters thread. Thought everyone would want to see this. I was curious myself, though I have had it done already. Though graphic, it is very informative. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3190472028990485080&q=lap+band

Ok, this will sound ridiculous but, I have friends tell me that I look prettier now. Mind you, my friends have seen me before and after weight gain. Even if it was a lie, they made me feel good by overlooking my weight publicly. Regardless of my insecurities, the comments make me feel good. But in retrospect and to be honest with you, since the weight gain, people in general are relentless in making you feel less than they are. In restaurants especially. One woman looked at me, (as I carried my kids food to them) as if she wanted to PB just b/c she looked at me. My husband is obese too so he was sitting there. She was probably 5ft 4inches and 120lbs. Her and her hubby were very lean but eating junk. I felt soo bad. I lost my appetite, was actually scared to eat. She kept staring at us. Sorry to hijack this.

I think Levi's would look pretty good on me. Just as soon as I lose another 50lbs. lol! God I hope I get some great shape to my butt. I'd hate to think I'd lose all of this weight and have no ass.

Sounds great to me! Weights it is... (next month). I just want to do enough cardio first and build up my endurance, then i'll cross train.

I don't recommend anything chewable hon. Gas X or Malox Plus liquids. If you drink enough, each time you feel the gas or after you drink broth or so, you'll pass it in a day or 2. It took me 1 whole day and took my friend about 3 days (she didn't take her malox, finally did after the 3rd day and it went away). Malox was my answer. Bowel movement?? Stay on the liquids and it will come (trust me)..be careful though, it will be mostly liquid(y). Sorry for graphics.

How incredible do you look?!?!? I can certainly see a major difference. Your hips are dramatically different, arms nicely toned, nice color too! That's pretty awesome! You look great in that bathing suit, so purdy! Keep up the excellent work. I am not going to use weights for at least another month, for the sake of weight loss/scale weight loss. Then off to weights. I hope to look as nice as you Diane.

The womanwithin, I get my sauna suits at Walmart in the sporting goods section, $6.95??? it's cheap but the damn pants are always ripping. :(Too much friction

:faint: It's been 2 weeks tomorrow, post op for me. I haven't had ice cream, caffeine or anything solid for 2 straight weeks. Im not saying I'm doing great or feeling great about some hunger pangs I get while I cook, but Im starting to get used to the idea that Im not eating food. Dr. Rumbaut gave me nice imagery. He said, "Treat your new belly as if it was a new born baby's belly. Drink only liquids and wean it on food, progressively." Something to that effect. Not verbatim.

I have these size 10 pants hanging in my closet. They are my inspiration. I am a size 18 now but they are very loose almost a 16 but not quite 100% comfy in them. Also, I have a corney story too. I spoke with a psychic a few years ago (I'm not into psychic's, it was for shits and giggles) who told me all that I have done thus far. (Maybe her predictions influenced my actions, that's why everything she said happened). She told me one thing that has always stuck in my brain. She said, "wow, you will live in your late 80's, very very long time!" As I packed on the pounds, I wondered, is this the only one she could be wrong about? I think not!!!!!! Not anymore baby!

1. I can't wait to stop hiding behind the nearest pillow as I sit down on my sofa or anyone's sofa, counter top or bar. 2. I can't wait to be able to shop in my favorite clothes store again and be able to pick out something I like, in a very nice and normal size. 3. I can't wait to turn my own head in the mirror. 4. I can't wait to see my sister and mother who hasn't seen me since I've started to lose weight. Last they saw me was at a weight of 240lbs. 5. I can't wait to hop into my bed and call my husband over for a nice whisper of sweet nothings in his ear and feel completely confident and sexy about it. 6. I can't wait to jump out of my SUV...after pulling into the beach parking lot and thighs, belly and breasts all....PADDDOWWWW! I want a nice dark, golden tan and not be ashamed to show myself to get it. 7. Being finally happy with my self image and feeling like a big loser all at the same time 8. Take up ballroom dancing and look good doing it. Hip Hop classes too.

Welcome back Indy and congratulations on your banding! I had mine on 04/11/2006 with Dr. Rumbaut as well. I had some similar issues with appointments but the taxi cab thing was perfect for me. I never paid, just tipped b/c I didn't really spend any money while I was there. How are you feeling and have you weighed yourself? I couldn't wait to weigh in.

lMAO!!!! I can just see your facial expressions as you guys type your "demises". I see your eyes, closing.....tongue licking your lips and hands rubbing together as you describe it. SLAP!

Hey Seminole. I am completely closed up. My port site is perfect, just a little red because I've been scratching it. Other than that, the only one giving me problems is the one under my breasts. It keeps rubbing up against my sports bra and I keep forgetting to put on a bandaid before I head out to exercise. I sweat alot so the sweat drips right through that area . What to do? It keeps trying to heal but I'm not letting it.

ROFL!!!! This cracks me up soo much! I am staring mine down as we speak.

Ok, no sweat! (hehe, bad pun) You just let me know. I'm not going anywhere but down. (Another bad pun)