ericsmom

Serena - my scars aren't any smaller because it was called minimally invasive...they are a good 6" long. Minimally invasive means they spared the quad muscles and went around them. Typically they cut through the quad muscles and that trauma to the muscles is the major thing that you are recovering from during the long, painful rehabilitation. Because they spared those muscles I am doing really good. Minimally invasive is also about pain management. I had an epidural for 2.5 days after the surgery to manage the pain to both extremeties while I attempted to get up and move. As for which surgery you should have first, I wouldn't begin to know. I'm sure your doctor will help you figure that out While I don't doubt that you did extremely well, I am really surprised that you were bending 117 degrees when you ENTERED rehab...I am at 108 degrees on both knees 3 weeks post op and they tell me that is practially unheard of...so congrats to you for doing exceptionally well! Yes, I did the recommended exercises for my quad muscles prior to surgery, but as I said in my above reply, with minimally invasive surgery they spared cutting the quad muscles and that has aided in my progressing quickly in my rehabilitation. I will see my surgeon tomorrow and then I'll find out how well he thinks I'm doing. My physical therapist and I am amazed how well I'm doing, so hopefully he will be, too!

K - Congratulations on scheduling your surgery! You're on the road to a new life and it sounds like you're ready to go after it with guns a blazin'!! It's key to have a positive attitude and a strong support system. Your friends will be key in your journey. Keep them close when you need them and ask for space when you need it, too. I hope you find a group of bandsters around your age here for more support, but the older gang is going to be helpful, too Best of luck to you!

Brandi - best of luck to you as you embark on your journey to bandland!

I kind of thought the same thing...the doctor said she was a prime candidate and that she didn't have any other problems or sleep apnea. I don't know about you, but the more co-morbidities I had going for me the more I became a prime candidate. I, too, am wishing to be in the 220's. Fortunately it's only 6 lbs away to the high 220's I couldn't believe how he, who was bigger than her, was so against her having the surger because he didn't want a "bone" for a girlfriend. Maybe she got smart and realized he would hold her back. Maybe he got smart and realized that the band could help him, too. Definitely a situation heading for sabotage.

Hi Jennifer - welcome to LBT...anything and everything you need or want to know you'll find here. By the time you have your surgery you'll be very educated. Good luck to you!

Well, I'm almost a month out from surgery and things are going very well...Having both knees totally replaced is almost unheard of where I live, so I was a bit of an odity at the hospital and rehabilitation. I am rehabing ahead of schedule right now. It's amazing how much better I feel. Yes, there is achiness from the surgical healing, but the fact that the arthritis pain from the actual joints is totally gone is indescribable. I just had my one year bandiversary and I lost 102.6 lbs and this knee replacement wouldn't have been possible without having the lap band first. Time to go ride my recumbant bike!!

My surgeon likes to keep you over one night and I was very thankful for that. I stayed in the PACU and was tended to by very caring nurses and the long night was made a little better by the morphine they offered me!! The other surgeon in the same hospital that does this surgery sends people home the same night if they "seem" okay to go home. I am glad I stayed. I was home by 10am the next day.

I am experiencing a lot of the same great changes that have already been listed above. The band has afforded me the weight loss to be able to get my knees replaced. I have surgery coming up on June 15th. I wouldn't be able to do it if I hadn't gotten the band and lost over 100 lbs. When you ask if it bothers me not being able to eat whatever I want, I say I can eat whatever I want, I just CHOOSE to eat better things and CHOOSE to have a treat once in a while. I also eat to the point of satisfaction, not to the point of being full. There is a big difference. I am healthier, for sure. Happier, I'm not sure yet...happier than I was - sure. Happier than ever? No, not by any means. But getting there. Physically things are better, but mentally I think we all, somehow or another, need to work on that side of it.

OMG, you are totally living my life right now! The only difference is I can't really exercise right now because I am having both knees replaced on June 15th, and right now I'm in a lot of pain...too much to exercise. The exercise will come later when I am in rehab. Anyway, I have been fluctuating within the same 10lbs for the past two months, too! Up and down, up and down...I still do Slim Fast shakes once to twice a day, too! I'll be eagerly watching for advice from others as well!

Congrats on you upcoming surgery! I felt the same way as you do - I found this site well before my surgery and felt very informed when I went in. In fact, I introduced my lead RN, nutritionist and doctor to LBT and now the recommend it to thier patients! They also recommend FitDay, too. They love to be able to recommend somewhere to go to ask and get answers to any question you could possibly think of. My surgery was July 5, 2006 and I can tell you this has been the best year I've had in 20 years!

Congratulations! You will be just fine :myscared: It will be over before you know it and you will be back here telling us what a piece of cake it was. I'm coming up on my 1 year bandiversary on July 5th and I've lost 105 lbs so far. Because of the band I am able to have both of my knees totally replaced this coming June 15th. The band saved my life. Keep us posted on your progress!

I am almost a year out from being banded and I still have at least 1 if not 2 slim fast shakes a day. I mix the powder with 1% milk and add chocolate Protein powder and ice and mix it in my magic bullet. I LOVE them. My doctor approved me having the Slim Fast because I couldn't stand the Carnation Instant Breakfast. I also do not care for SF in the can. I'm even having my knee surgeon prescribe the SF for me so I can have it when I'm in the hospital and the rehab center. Yes, it has sugar in it, but not enough to sabbotage your weight loss efforts. I know there are a lot of others that can suggest alternatives if you really want to stay away from the SF.

Jen, I am so sorry for your loss. One of my best friends had two mild strokes a week apart from each other and just came home from the hospital this past Wednesday. She was a heavy smoker and drinker and has had a big-time wide awakening...I am so sorry your friend didn't get the chance to live with the risidual effects instead of having the stroke take her life. LBT is full of support and advice. You did the right thing by coming here and asking for help. Take deep breaths, go for a walk, call a friend on the phone, talk to your pastor/priest...Your friend, I am sure, was a big supporter of you getting the band and she wouldn't want to be the reason you sabbotaged your progress. It's okay to binge a bit, but now that you've recognized that it is happening, try not to let it become a regular thing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your friend's family.

Congratulations! It's a great feeling, isn't it?! I, too, was a 4.0 graduate and it was a great feeling. You should be VERY proud of yourself! Keep up the good work!

Congratulations! It's a great feeling, isn't it?! I, too, was a 4.0 graduate and it was a great feeling. You should be VERY proud of yourself! Keep up the good work!