MrRiceGuy

I was banded on Friday the 13th of Feb. My surgeon came out wearing a hockey mask. Haha, I'm kidding, he didn't. But all went well thus far.

Woohoo! Best of luck to you, today. I hope you managed the butterflies in the stomach. Mine turned into straight fear by the time I got there :tongue2: Please let us know how it all goes!!

This is a cool little thread. I actually started running 5k's pre-band in hope it'd make me thin but that didn't work out well. Now that I'm banded, I'm going to continue the 5k's and shoot for a half-marathon. Best of luck, all!

Great job! Way to meet your goal. The great thing about the Band is we can still be human and make mistakes, but as long as we remember why we have the band and make up for them immediately. I'm proud of you!

Wow. Great job. I'm happy to hear you're not having pains because I still am and I had mine on the 13th. I'm going to try Gas-X today and hope for the best. But keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear your weight loss progress!

I can vouch for this. Since I've been banded on Friday the 13th, I've not felt hungry once. It's weird. I mean, I feel some discomfort due to gas, but I wouldn't say I'm hungry. I can take a sip of fluids and I feel full.

4 incisions. Main port incision inside belly button. Only 3 scars visible EDIT: Oh yeah, these scars are 2 days post-op.

I was banded on 2/13/08 and I can't wait for mushies. I can't wait for this gas to break down and fluids go down easier. The sooner I feel back to normal, the sooner I can start working my ass off.

I posted my story in my blog: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/blogs/54541/ Copied and pasted: TRIP TO THE CLINIC: Today I went to have my surgery in Thousand Oaks, CA with Dr. Feiz. At first while driving, I was a little nervous because the area was quite residential. We make a turn and there's a bunch of run down offices on the side and I was thinking, "Great! This is where I'm going?" After realizing the office buildings weren't the correct address I proceeded to this super nice, new building labeled "Beverly Hill Physicians". Whew! close one. PRE-OP: Everything was nice, almost like a upgraded dentistry. After about 20 sheets of papers and consent forms I was admitted and brought into the locker area. I had to strip butt-naked, put on a gown, booties, and hair cover. I then stepped into the recovery room and it was COLD! I lay on this bed and after several failed attempts to get an IV in place, they just said, "we'll just do it in the O.R.". So, I have to get up again, and move into the operating room. They lay me on this table and strap me to it like I'm about to get tortured (I've never been under anesthesia so maybe it's necessary). They get a new person to attempt to get my IV in place. Success first try! They hook up an IV and proceeded to strap me in. They were talking to me and introducing themselves, I was joking with them and next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room. Whoa! I time traveled! RECOVERY: I wake up confused 3 hours down the line. I don't know what happened, all I feel is incredibly cold. As people walk by me, I'm trying to ask for blankets but words wont come out. Eventually someone brings me some blankets, but it doesn't help. I'm FREEZING!!! As I lay there and return to reality, my pains start sitting in. First notable pains are my chest and legs. My calves feel super sore like I had been cramped up for 3 hours, and they're still sore and I've been out for about 3 hours. I am having difficulty breathing. There is so much gas in my torso that the pains is making it hard to breathe (or do anything for that matter). I eventually start to have the stomach pains where the incisions are made. That pain in faint, but I feel it. I ask the nurse about the gassy pain and she made a remark along the lines of "you need to walk a lot for it to go away". So, I'm not insisting on letting me up so I can walk. I decide I want to sleep but there's too much commotion and nurses joking and laughing (and this one super loud nurse with an attitude and keeps doing the "mm hmm"). After 30-45 minutes of me just sitting there watching the nurses play horse-ass and me begging to get out of there, they eventually take my IV's out and monitors and let me get dressed. Thank God! Get me out of there. I need rest. I get back to my hotel and the pain in setting in more and more. My prescription for pain relief isn't ready yet (they didn't even order it until I left). I am sooo tired I say "screw it" and sleep through the pain. When I'm sleeping, the pain isn't as bad. Once I woke up the pain wasn't as bad. However, I do need to walk around. So, I'm going to walk to the pharmacy and get my pain meds. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and I made it!

I got my surgery done on Friday the 13th. I posted my adventure in my blog in case anyone is interested in reading about it. I'm not in horrible pain, but I'm not going to lie, the gas pains and incision pains are sore. I'm going to Beverly Hills, CA today for my follow-up to make sure all is well.

I told my wife only, and mentioned to my best friend that I have to have surgery to get a hernia removed. We'll see how long I can keep the secret as I lose weight.

TRIP TO THE CLINIC: Today I went to have my surgery in Thousand Oaks, CA with Dr. Feiz. At first while driving, I was a little nervous because the area was quite residential. We make a turn and there's a bunch of run down offices on the side and I was thinking, "Great! This is where I'm going?" After realizing the office buildings weren't the correct address I proceeded to this super nice, new building labeled "Beverly Hill Physicians". Whew! close one. PRE-OP: Everything was nice, almost like a upgraded dentistry. After about 20 sheets of papers and consent forms I was admitted and brought into the locker area. I had to strip butt-naked, put on a gown, booties, and hair cover. I then stepped into the recovery room and it was COLD! I lay on this bed and after several failed attempts to get an IV in place, they just said, "we'll just do it in the O.R.". So, I have to get up again, and move into the operating room. They lay me on this table and strap me to it like I'm about to get tortured (I've never been under anesthesia so maybe it's necessary). They get a new person to attempt to get my IV in place. Success first try! They hook up an IV and proceeded to strap me in. They were talking to me and introducing themselves, I was joking with them and next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room. Whoa! I time traveled! RECOVERY: I wake up confused 3 hours down the line. I don't know what happened, all I feel is incredibly cold. As people walk by me, I'm trying to ask for blankets but words wont come out. Eventually someone brings me some blankets, but it doesn't help. I'm FREEZING!!! As I lay there and return to reality, my pains start sitting in. First notable pains are my chest and legs. My calves feel super sore like I had been cramped up for 3 hours, and they're still sore and I've been out for about 3 hours. I am having difficulty breathing. There is so much gas in my torso that the pains is making it hard to breathe (or do anything for that matter). I eventually start to have the stomach pains where the incisions are made. That pain in faint, but I feel it. I ask the nurse about the gassy pain and she made a remark along the lines of "you need to walk a lot for it to go away". So, I'm not insisting on letting me up so I can walk. I decide I want to sleep but there's too much commotion and nurses joking and laughing (and this one super loud nurse with an attitude and keeps doing the "mm hmm"). After 30-45 minutes of me just sitting there watching the nurses play horse-ass and me begging to get out of there, they eventually take my IV's out and monitors and let me get dressed. Thank God! Get me out of there. I need rest. I get back to my hotel and the pain in setting in more and more. My prescription for pain relief isn't ready yet (they didn't even order it until I left). I am sooo tired I say "screw it" and sleep through the pain. When I'm sleeping, the pain isn't as bad. Once I woke up the pain wasn't as bad. However, I do need to walk around. So, I'm going to walk to the pharmacy and get my pain meds. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and I made it!

TRIP TO THE CLINIC: Today I went to have my surgery in Thousand Oaks, CA with Dr. Feiz. At first while driving, I was a little nervous because the area was quite residential. We make a turn and there's a bunch of run down offices on the side and I was thinking, "Great! This is where I'm going?" After realizing the office buildings weren't the correct address I proceeded to this super nice, new building labeled "Beverly Hill Physicians". Whew! close one. PRE-OP: Everything was nice, almost like a upgraded dentistry. After about 20 sheets of papers and consent forms I was admitted and brought into the locker area. I had to strip butt-naked, put on a gown, booties, and hair cover. I then stepped into the recovery room and it was COLD! I lay on this bed and after several failed attempts to get an IV in place, they just said, "we'll just do it in the O.R.". So, I have to get up again, and move into the operating room. They lay me on this table and strap me to it like I'm about to get tortured (I've never been under anesthesia so maybe it's necessary). They get a new person to attempt to get my IV in place. Success first try! They hook up an IV and proceeded to strap me in. They were talking to me and introducing themselves, I was joking with them and next thing I know I'm waking up in the recovery room. Whoa! I time traveled! RECOVERY: I wake up confused 3 hours down the line. I don't know what happened, all I feel is incredibly cold. As people walk by me, I'm trying to ask for blankets but words wont come out. Eventually someone brings me some blankets, but it doesn't help. I'm FREEZING!!! As I lay there and return to reality, my pains start sitting in. First notable pains are my chest and legs. My calves feel super sore like I had been cramped up for 3 hours, and they're still sore and I've been out for about 3 hours. I am having difficulty breathing. There is so much gas in my torso that the pains is making it hard to breathe (or do anything for that matter). I eventually start to have the stomach pains where the incisions are made. That pain in faint, but I feel it. I ask the nurse about the gassy pain and she made a remark along the lines of "you need to walk a lot for it to go away". So, I'm not insisting on letting me up so I can walk. I decide I want to sleep but there's too much commotion and nurses joking and laughing (and this one super loud nurse with an attitude and keeps doing the "mm hmm"). After 30-45 minutes of me just sitting there watching the nurses play horse-ass and me begging to get out of there, they eventually take my IV's out and monitors and let me get dressed. Thank God! Get me out of there. I need rest. I get back to my hotel and the pain in setting in more and more. My prescription for pain relief isn't ready yet (they didn't even order it until I left). I am sooo tired I say "screw it" and sleep through the pain. When I'm sleeping, the pain isn't as bad. Once I woke up the pain wasn't as bad. However, I do need to walk around. So, I'm going to walk to the pharmacy and get my pain meds. I just wanted to let everyone know I'm still alive and I made it!

I love this thread. I get banded tomorrow. So, no big victories yet, but since I started my liquid diet, my pants are fitting looser. I think I already lost 17lbs.

'Love doctor' advice for girls, Date a Nerd! I use that term loosely, but engineers, scientists, intellects, etc. I'm not just saying that because I'm a computer scientist, but because other groups have socially suffered like overweight people. Most nerds have trouble in the romance dept because they're shy and afraid of rejection, too. But one thing I can vouch for is nerds treat their dates like Gods/Goddesses because they don't get many opportunities so they make the best of it. As far as looks, there ARE good looking nerds, too. If you're wanting to connect to someone on more than just a physical level, it's a good route. I've recommended a lot of my female friends this route, and have a 100% satisfaction rate thus far. ...Just a thought!

I'm from Las Vegas but now live in Ridgecrest, CA

I hope all went well for those who are getting their surgery today. But, OMG! My surgery is tomorrow! I'm driving to L.A. area after work today. I'm about to pee myself I'm so nervous. I can't stop shaking my legs... err!

I've been pondering the same thing... and I've come to the result similar to the comments above... you don't have to lie. Tell your friends that you eat less, you watch what you eat, and you've been taking better care of yourself. The band doesn't have to be a part of the conversation. As for the scars on your belly, I do like the gallbladder removal or hernia fixes mentioned. Smart!

Well, I'm getting banded this Friday (the 13th :thumbup:) so I have no after photos. I started an album of the worst pics of me I can find because I didn't have time to suck in my gut. Those are my "before" pictures. I'm going to do something a little more depressing... I'm going to post photos of SKINNY me when I was thinner as a GOAL pictures. These pictures are ordered in order of milestones: Me post-college - 290lbs: Pre-College (I'm the one of the left with the lifeguard tan) - 215lbs: Is it possible I can ever make it back to that???

I love this thread. My surgery is this Friday and since I'm going to fast all day on Thursday, the past couple days have been my BUCKET LIST DAYS. Fri - All I Can Eat Sushi Sat - BBQ Ribs - Fried Rice - Diet Cola Sun - Ultimate Bacon Cheeseburger from Jack in the Box - Curly Fries - Diet Cola Monday - Jalepeno Cheesebread Tuesday - Sicilian pizza - chips and salsa Wednesday (last chance) - All I Can Eat Sushi The worst part is this isn't really a bucket list, just another week in my life. After writing it all down and recapping, I'm starting to realize why I need this band. :thumbup:

I know how you feel... my surgery is Friday the 13th. I'm really nervous but excited. I think what's scariest for me is that I didn't know my surgery date until yesterday. I have been preparing for weeks, kind of. But as soon as my insurance got cleared, they we're like, "we can do it this week". So, you're not in this boat alone.

I guess I'm a February bandster... I didn't know until Monday. I got my insurance clearance on Monday, Feb 9, and am already scheduled for surgery for Feb 13 (Friday the 13th). Is that too soon? I'm stoked and anxious all at once.

Holy heck! I already got my insurance verification as of Monday. I'm getting banded this Friday. It all seems to be going so fast, now. I'm a little nervous.