ldeere2005

I had LapBand surgery on 04/08/09 by Dr. John Baker. He is an excellant doctor/surgeon. I have nothing but great things to say about him and I believe you will be very satisified with him. He is very caring and concerned and as long as your compliant with what you're suppose to do, he's behind you 10000%! I just had my 2nd fill last week and I have the 11cc Realize Band. He does a great job on the fills too... gives me a deadening shot and then I don't feel a thing. He is very careful to not overfill... don't get discouraged if you have to wait a while in the waiting room though, once you're back there, he'll take the same amount of time with you. Best of luck to you both!

Oh how sweet!!! Sounds like you have a wonderful husband! Good luck on your journey and so glad you have wonderful support!!!

I joined Curves 3 weeks ago and so far am loving it! I do realize that probably at the end of my year membership, I'm going to need more of a workout then what Curves offers, but at this time, it is a challenge for me and I'm sweating off the pounds. I was at a plateau when I started exercising at Curves, now I'm out of the plateau and I've lost 8 pds :jaw:in the past two weeks! So it is definitely helping me! The staff is wonderful and I love the atmosphere. And the biggest thing of all??? I can't believe I'm working out in a gym!!! This would have killed me a few months ago, and now I'm workin it!!!! :hurray:Good luck to you all!

My husband "seemed" supportive in the beginning. He said he didn't have a problem with it and wanted me to get healthy. Well, somewhere along the way, he changed. My family and my coworkers have been my support system. I started losing weight way before my surgery date and have lost a total of 63 pds since January.... surgery was April 8th. And not one single time has he mentioned my weight loss...and I've even asked him if he could tell I'd lost weight and he said NO. When I finally had enough, I confronted him about it. See.. he would watch The Biggest Loser and get all teary eyed at their weight loss... but nothing for me and I couldn't understand why. Finally he told me... that I could have lost the weight on my own. That he knows I'm happy about it, but he just can't get excited about it. I asked him did he think I would just gain the weight back... he said no, that I had "no choice" now, I'd lose it. But he said he never really saw me try to lose the weight on my own... so this was a form of weakness to him. He's never had a weight problem... he had a "faithfulness" problem, but not a weight problem. And with his unfaithfulness, I tried my best to forgive him and to save our marriage. But he couldn't have any compassion on me with my weight problem. Needless to say, we are now separated (for 2 wks) and I'm filing for divorce. I'm so happy for you all out there that have supportive husbands! Cherish them because they are truly blessings!

Strange how I "happened" upon this post. My husband and I just separated two days ago. We've been having problems for over a year due to he cheated on me March 08. I loved him with all my heart, so I decided to stick with him and try and make our marriage work. For the most part, that was a complete mistake. He hasn't cheated again as far as I know, but he had changed. This good-hearted, good-natured man that I married 4 years ago became synical and gouchy. And even though I weighed more when I married him then what I do now, it wasn't good enough. I've lost 60+ pounds since Jan..... 26 of that being since surgery on April 8th. And during the 5 months that I've been on this journey, I've had NO support from him. He didn't help me come up with one penny of the money I had to pay down.... and he hasn't said one single word about my weight loss. Not one single word. Everyone at work has complimented me and been a great support system. Everyone in my family has complimented me and are a great support system. But the one person in life that I should be able to count on for support, nothing NOTHING! He finally broke down this week and told me that he knows I'm excited about my weight loss but he just can't get excited. I asked him if it was because he didn't thing I would be successful this time either. He said he knows I will because I have no choice since I've had surgery. No choice? Of course I have a choice! He thinks the band will "force" me to lose the weight. And then he started on the fact that I've been talking about joining a gym and haven't yet. Well, that was because my surgeon told me only walking for the first 6 weeks post op and this past Wednesday was my 6th week. I couldn't take anymore of his crap and asked him to leave. I can't believe how high the stats are. And I can't believe how he has changed towards me. I've always taken care of him and put myself on the back burner. But I have started taking care of me and he couldn't stand that.

I was banded on 04/08/09. I have lost 26 pounds since surgery. I had my post op visit last Friday and got a 2.6 cc fill. I have more restriction now. Hope all goes well with you!

When I started researching about the lapband, I was at 430 pds. I was also worried that my surgeon wouldn't do the surgery because of my BMI.... but after researching, I found that lapband surgery has been done on pt's weighing over 500 pds. I started trying to lose some just to make post op easier on mysef. The day of my surgery, April 8th of this year, my weight was 374.... I'm 4 weeks post op and have lost 18 more pounds. Yes, you can have lapband surgery and be successful at it. Weight loss is slower which is one of the reasons I wanted it. And yes, I'll probably have loose skin when all is said and done. That was one of my concerns and the reason I put it off as long as I did. Been heavy and healthy my entire life....until last fall. I started having some real issues with my health and it was because of my weight. And at 44 years old, it was just the beginning of what was ahead for me. So I decided that I'll deal with the loose skin when the time comes. Now, after losing to where I am... I can walk 2 miles a day, no feet pain, no leg pain (soreness yes, but no pain). I can walk and keep up with my family, and I'm not outta breath.... I can walk up and down my stairs without having to take one step at a time... I can go shopping at Walmart for a couple hours and actually be able to walk the next day too! I have more energy, feel so much better, and am enjoying life. Yes, I have lots more to lose...at least 200 more pds.... but look how much my quality of life has increased with the amt I've lost so far! I'm excited and would encourage anyone to do this if possible. And if your surgeon doesn't agree.... dump him and find a good one!!! Many blessings on your journey!!!

I have the newest Realize Band 11 cc. I don't think it has been out very long. That is the only band my surgeon uses now. I've been very happy with it. My surgeon doesn't put any saline in the band during surgery, but I have had restriction. Now some of that, I realize, is from the swelling. But I am now 4 weeks post op and it still only takes a few bites to make me full...but I'm noticing that I'm getting hungrier sooner. I'm happy with mine so far!!!

What a way to start my day! Thanks so much for your blog! It gave me loads to think about and you are so right! Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

This is probably by FAR NOT the rudest thing anyone has ever said to me or about me (been overweight allll of my life)... but it is the rudest thing my grandmother has ever said to me! A few months ago, I was at my aunts house and she was looking through old photographs for a pic of my late grandfather. She came upon my senior picture. The family was passing the pictures around and talking about "memories"..... my grandmother was handed my senior pic (I was about a size 14 then and thought I was huge.... what little did I know)... she looked at my pic and said, "you were so pretty THEN".... I looked at her and said What? She said againg, you were do pretty THEN.... this is my grandmother talking! Not a stranger... my grandma! My aunt jumped to my defense and said, Well Mother! That was rude!".... my grandmother said, well we've all gotten older!... yeah right, I'm sure that is what she meant by that. No apology... no I didn't mean it that way... nothing.... that's ok.... I'll never look as young as I did back in my senior days, but this bod is gonna be skinnier then then!!! Watch out! Gonna be one hot 44 year old!!!!! ha!

Before I was banded, the whining on here sometimes got on my nerves a bit.... but then since I've been banded (10 days postop)... I've done my share of whining! Not on here.... mostly to myself. This is a total life changing thing. Those of us that have used food in fun, sadness, recreation, boredom, heck, food was pretty much involved in all I've ever done.... it's a big BIG wakeup call when you can no longer have it that way. My "crutch" has been kicked out from under me and it is HARD! I'm still not quiet at the point that I'm "Happy" I did this... but I'll get there. Changing a bad habit is hard.... I think it would be easier if I could go "cold turkey"...but we gotta have food, calories, protein to live and be healthy. So it's hard having to change the way you look at your addiction while still having to consume it. Is it worth it? It will be. Am I worth it? YES! Will I get there? A baby step at a time. We will have success as long as we keep moving forward. One pound at a time...

Myturn2bhappy and Thinwithin.... I drank a lot of water before my surgery. I guess after surgery, I had quiet a bit of restriction whether it be from the band or from the swelling.....but a lot of restriction nonetheless....so when I would drink a small amt of liquids, I was full. If I continued trying to drink more, I was miserable. I did have quiet a bit of gas discomfort, not really pain, just bloating and feeling kinda miserable after I ate or drank. That is getting better. I was finally able to get in over 48 ozs of liquid today so I am feeling better. Hope you're surgeries go well!

I agree with you MelanieAnn... Lapband is my helicopter too! I believe God has worked all this out for my good! To sit back and think that I only started thinking seriously about this last October... just had a new insurance policy that had a pre-existing clause... so I couldn't have surgery until after June 09... then the pre-existing clause was waived... then I was going to have to come up with $1200 up front... which is not a huge amt compared to what others have to pay... but this is a huge amt for me.... and the money was just there when I needed it to be... and I had surgery one week ago, April 8th! He has worked all this out for me. I've been very blessed and very healthy....and was just starting to have some problems with my health and He worked this out for me! So yes, this is my helicopter and I'm gonna fly with it! As high as He has for me and do all I can for the Glory of God!!!

I'm 7 days post op... doing good other then having a hard time getting all my liquids in... I'm at work for the first time today, having some discomfort. The nurse here says I'm very dehydrated. So I'm trying to pour the liquid into myself before I get in physical trouble from dehydration. Other then that, I'm doing good. Ready to get back out and get my energy going again. I weighed and I've lost 11 pounds since the day before surgery. That's a total of 34 pds including my preop liquid diet, and a grand total of 48 pounds lost since Jan 11th!

My best friend used Dr. Jones for her lapband surgery 3 years ago. She has done great! He has been a really good doctor for her and he consider's her his best patient due to she lost approx 150 pds the first year... he didn't want her losing that fast but she did. And she is still doing great and maintaining her goal weight 3 years later. I believe you'll be happy with him!

Four days post op and I believe I am doing good. Every day I feel a bit better. Glad I'm off work until Wednesday. I have 5 incision sites. Three small and two that are about 2 1/2 inches long. My surgeon said all looked well inside though. I'm having some problems eating. I'm on a full liquid diet. I can have anything that I could drink through a straw. So I've been having creamy soups mostly. After a couple bites, I feel really tight in my chest. I'm guessing it's from the gas. Not really painful, just uncomfortable. I have the 11 cc new Realize Band and as far as I know, nothing in there for 6 weeks. And I also get uncomfortable when I drink very much. I'm sipping and eating slowly but still uncomfortable. How are you postopers doing? What are you eating/drinking and how are you feeling afterwards? Much gas problems? Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter all!!! I am 4 days postop.... I had surgery on April 8th and got the new Realize Band 11cc. Anyone else out there have this band? How are you doing with it?

Hey All!!! I'm two days post op. I can't believe I finally have my band! The surgery went really well. I was at the hospital at 5:30 am and they were rolling me into the operating room by 7:15...right on time. I chit-chatted with the crew in there... then took a couple deep breaths and woke up in recovery. Just woke up with a little "burning" pain, then I was hooked up to a pain pump... that was heaven! Then no more pain! I was dismissed yesterday afternoon and am staying at my Mom's for a few days. Planning to go back to work next Wednesday. Now it's time for me to implament all the things I've been learing over the past several months. I'm doing it! I'm really sore but almost no pain at this point. I'm excited and on my way!!!! Ready to be hearing from you all too! This is a great journey!

Today is the end of my liquid diet... lost 23 pds in 15 days. Tomorrow is my surgery day!!!! I'm so excited! Maybe a bit nervous but not too bad so far! Gotta be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and surgery scheduled for 7:30! I'll be the first of the day! Gotta stay overnight so will be released some time on Thursday. I'll postop post asap! Please keep me in your prayers!!! :wub: __________________

Today is the end of my liquid diet... lost 23 pds in 15 days. Tomorrow is my surgery day!!!! I'm so excited! Maybe a bit nervous but not too bad so far! Gotta be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and surgery scheduled for 7:30! I'll be the first of the day! Gotta stay overnight so will be released some time on Thursday. I'll postop post asap! Please keep me in your prayers!!! :thumbdown: __________________

Today is the end of my liquid diet... lost 23 pds in 15 days. Tomorrow is my surgery day!!!! I'm so excited! Maybe a bit nervous but not too bad so far! Gotta be at the hospital at 5:30 in the morning and surgery scheduled for 7:30! I'll be the first of the day! Gotta stay overnight so will be released some time on Thursday. I'll postop post asap! Please keep me in your prayers!!!

The preop diet does get easier. I didn't think I'd be able to say that when I started mine 15 days ago... and believe you me, I had to call my best friend (who had lapband 3 years ago and looks great!) for encouragement more then once when I was questioning myself... didn't think I could do it either... hardest thing I've probably ever done... but the first week was the most difficult. After that, only the aroma's of other people's food bothered me... and sometimes I'd just have to "hold my nose!" and walk away! But now, day 16, the head hunger is pretty much gone... oh, don't get me wrong, I could eat a pizza!... but the part of me that seemed to be "driven" by food has simmered down a bit and I'm even thinking about food differently. Just hand in there! It does get better and this will be so worth it!

AMEN Ashley! You said it! We are worth it! I'm quiet a few years older then you are, but I've been exactly where you are. I'm just so glad that you are discovering this at a young age. I didn't discover it until just about a year ago. I've lived my entire life for others and trying to find that "love". Truth is, we have to love ourselves (in a healthy way of course) before we can truly love others. And we have to take care of ourselves if we want to live life to the fullest and be there for our loved ones. I'm just now getting to that... but better late then never! At least it's not too late for me. I can have a better, healthier, fuller life then I've ever imagined. And so can you! My best to you and may God bless you!

I'm being banded on April 8th too! I'm also nervous and excited all at the same time! How have you done on your presurgery diet? As of today, I've lost 22 pds on the liquid diet. Very happy about that, but man it has been a hard thing to do. And I'm on clear liquids only for tomorrow... that's gonna be hard without my shakes, but I can do it! This is so worth it! I also had to fight with my insurance company, but only for a couple months. Not nearly as long as you've had to. But again, it is worth the fight and the wait! Congratulations on getting your approved and hope to hear from you postop!

I am on day 11 of post op liquid diet and I've lost 17 pds on this. My surgery is April 8th.... I've lost a total of 31 pds since the 11th of January. Hope all goes well with your liquid diet and surgery!