JWL08

I have developed a hardening undernath my largest incision. I can't tell if it is scar tissue or if my band has slipped. Has anyone experienced this? I've followed the required liquid diet and have just recently advanced to full liquids.-- I've followed the directions to the T... help!

I am feeling a hardening underneath my largest incision. I can't seem to tell if it is scar tissue building under the surface or of the band has slipped. Since the surgery, I have not felt any difficulty swallowing, but have kept to the liquid diet as prescribed. I had my operation on April 9, 2009 and don't have my follow up for another week yet. How can tell if it slipped? HELP!

Hey there. I just had my operation on Thursday 4/9/09 and weighed 227.5 at the time. I lost 11 pounds this week so I am now at 216.5 pounds.

I think you summed it up right there. For me, I don't have a lot of the poor health conditions that come along with being over weight. My blood pressure is 95 over 59, I have a resting heart rate of 58 and a cholesterol of 139. I am healthy as can be. That is of course, until you look at the size of my ass-- it could replace Texas if need be! LOL. My little glitch is my thyroid, and it has reached levels of organ failure and cardiac arrest. The rapid weight gain associated with this prevents me from working out (causing blisters, joint pain, etc) and I am actually one of those weirdos thta LOVES working out. Throw on a recent pregnancy and it has been a recipe for failure. My doctor said that at my highest weight (227.5 at 5'5" and 28 yrs old) I would have a 75% chance of staying the same way or gaining more if I did not have the surgery. I have hypothroidism, and it is virtually a non-functioning thyroid. My endocrinologist has been workign hard at getting my numbers back in line and if all goes well, I should be back to normal in 3 weeks. Woo hoo! That being said, I was sick and tired of having my weight explode every single time my thyroid decided to change. I had the surgery on Thrusday 4/9 in an effort to couterbalance the thyroid issue. Part of it is also my own fault, I eat way too fast. The band helps with that. Most of all, I am a new mom and I have spent way too much time battling my weight. I have my whole life ahead of me and do not plan on wasting a single second. Being at this size and weight is a waste of my time and my life. By having the band, I am able to eat way less than the average person while getting a boost in the weight loss department. Thereby, beign able to work out sooner once I get to a slightly less painful weight for my frame. In this sense, the band is a tool, nothing more. I think you summed it up quite well yourself though--- You've "been miserable for far too long".... Life is short. I for one know I could not do this without the band. Best of luck to you!

Not to give TMI, but I am totally irregular since my surgery on 4/9/09. I have minimal pain overall and will be going back to work on Tuesday. (Yey!) The irregularity, coupled with the gas pain is a nightmare. I tried the strips and they do nothing. Also, I have lost almost 8 lbs in less than 3 days because I can't seem to hold anything in that I drink. Anyone else experiencing this? Is this normal?

Anyone have quick fixes for gas pain? I have not been able to release ANY gas from surgery and am feeling quite uncomfortable because of it. Also, all 4 of my incisions feel fine, but my port is SUPER sore. How do you know if it is not laying right?

I had my surgery on Thursday, April 9th. The surgery went well but the doc told my parents it was a little tighter than he is used to because I don't have as much fatty tissue around my stomach as his other patients (I do, however, have an ass the size of texas -LOL). I am feeling some pain, but only around my port. The pain around my port is making it difficult to get in and out of bed or to turn over in my sleep. I keep getting worried I am going to tear somthing and my port will flip! I also am having difficulty releasing the gas from surgery and that is my biggest complaint. Other than that I am just tired. My night nurse at the hospital was a MORON though and it made it a little bit difficult. First, my bed did not work at the hospital. It would not go up or down so every time I needed to get out of bed I had to ask the nurse to deflate the mattress. Then she kept forgetting many things--- compression booties to prevent clotting when I got back into bed, turning on my oxygen pump, turing on my heart monitor. Eventually I just learned to hook everything up myself as I got back into bed. It's a shame because the morning nurse was great. I guess it is just the luck of the draw.

I totally had to go through the whole "you don't look like you need it" thing as well. I've also been told that as a result I should just take it off naturally. People at my work are doing thier own version of the biggest loser and I know those I told about the surgery do not support me. I wish I never said anything. They are currently unsuccessful at doing it through diet and exercise. I can imagine that when I start to lose weight and get compliments from those who are not in the know about my surgery, they will make nasty comments like, "Oh she only did that because she had surgery. It's a piece of cake if you do that." It's a shame, because I am normally an open book. I just learned to late that the people I work with can't enjoy seeing others happy if they don't have it themselves Happily, my family is SUPER supportive!

Anyone have quick fixes to get rid of the flu? They won't operate if I am sick. If they can't do my surgery this Thursday (Easter break), I'll have to wait until the end of June when school lets out so I won't miss work. Help!

Positive quotes?!? You got it. They may not be scripture, but inspiring nontheless... - Pain is never permanent. -Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. -What matters is not the size of the dog in the fight ; it's the size of the fight in the dog. -Genius is 1% inspriration and 99% perspiration. -Constant dripping hollows out a stone. -Every ceiling, when reached, becomes a floor, upon which one walks as a matter of course and prescriptive right. -Bear in mind, if you are going to amount to anything, that your success does not depend upon the brilliancy and the impetuosity with which you take hold, but upon the ever lasting and sanctified buldoggedness with which you hang on after you have taken hold. -It is your attitude, more than your aptitude that will determine your altitude. -You are the author of your own life story. -I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul. -The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. -Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. -To thine own self be true. -Success is not measured by the position you reach in life, but rather the obstacles you've overcome. I know I have more quotes, but can't think of them off the top of my head!!!

I realize carbonation doesn't work well with the band, but was wondering if anyone can drink beer at all. Yes, I am aware it is empty caolries. I don't drink regularly, but have a bachelorette party and wedding coming up. I'd prefer drinking beer rather than liquor. Just want to know what to expect. Thanks!

I plan on getting some family pictures taken. You know, like really nice ones that I can have blown up and framed. I will also be buying out half of Victoria's Secret because the larger size bras are so ugly and plain looking- can't wait for cuter ones. Oh yeah, and I'd love to take swing dancing lessons--- looks like so much fun!

April 9, 2009!!! Woo hoo

I am scared of dying on the table. I have this amazing life-- a husband who adores me, the most beautiful 8 month old son, a great job, etc. I would hate to leave all that behind because of complications in surgery. Anything else (changing my eating habits, lifestyle, the hard work) is a challenge I am looking forward to.

I have the same fear, especially because poor skin elasticity runs in my family. However, when I lost about 65 lbs on my own I was addicted to Tae-bo workouts (particularly the advanced workout). No matter where you are on your journey that tape will kick your butt. The best part is, as you get stronger you can always punch quicker or kick higher. Resistance is key. Plain cardio will make you a Saggy Sally.

I have hypothyroidism and my numbers took a MAJOR spike recently. Normal range is 0.4 to 4.5; anything above or below that is not good. After having a baby and not having my thyroid checked in ages (bad girl, I know) I learned my numbers jumped to 86.7--- not 8.67----86.7!!! My thyroid was pretty much nonfunctioning. When my primary doctor called me he explained I was at levels that would cause organ failure, cardiac arrest, etc. My endocrinologist immediately doubled my meds and we have my numbers down to 16.22 which is still not perfect, but WAY better than they were. My surgery is scheduled for April 9th. I have a long day of tests and appointments this Wednesday and am hoping they don't cancel the procedure because of my numbers. However, I already have a letter of approval form my insurance, so maybe that'll help. Either way, it did not keep me from getting approved to begin with. Best of luck to you.

Just checking to see who is getting banded this month. When are your surgery dates? Let's keep each other posted to see how things go!!! My surgery date is scheduled for April 9, 2009 and I am so excited I can hardly hold a thought in my head. If I happen to wake up in the middle of the night it takes me about an hour to get back to sleep because I keep thinking how much my life is going to change in just 10 days. It feels like I am counting down to Christmas- only better. LOL. Anyone else have this going on?

My surgery is scheduled for April 9th and I won't find out if I need to do the pre-op liquid diet until this Wednesday. Assuming I lose no weight BEFORE the surgery, what is a realistic weight loss per week? Is 2 pounds too much to expect? If not, how long did you experience such numbers before plateauing? Also, I have an 8 month old and know I am not supposed to pick him up for 2 weeks post op, but did anyone start lifting thier baby about 1 week post op? (My husband works until 8 pm. Aside form driving 45 minutes to my mother's each afternoon I have no way around lifting my son out of the car seat when I get home. I'd really liike to avoid driving that much on a daily basis).

My surgery is upcoming- April 9th to be exact. I made the mistake of telling a few co-workers I was considering it and they had the same "Are you sure you're big enough?" response. They even went the extra mile of telling me they knew people who died from it and "Is the risk really worth it? Especially since you have a new baby and all?" I swear, negative people will do anything to hold others back. Good luck on your journey.

OMG that's so true! I am so sick of the styles for larger sizes. I feel like going to clothing designers and screaming, "I'm fat- not a tacky loser with no sense of style or standards in personal appearance."

After your surgery, when did you go home? That day? The next? I am getting mixed messages from various sources.

I just found out yesterday that my surgery will be on April 9th, so I have been thinking about this thread topic a lot in the past 24 hours! I am going to have professional pictures taken. Some of just me, and some candid black and white ones with my husband and son. I have photos all over my house of the rest of my family, but none of me with them. I am sooooo excited for this!

I have Personal Choice insurance and live in PA. I went for my initial consult on Feb 19th and am awaiting a date for pre-op testing. My BMI is slightly over 37 and the doc said with my joint pain, back aches, etc I should get approved easily. Does anyone have a similar situation? If so, did you have to do the 6 month diet or were you approved right away? Also, my endocrinologist is in the middle of adjusting my meds for hypothyroidism. I recently had a baby and it caused a flair up so my numbers are REALLY out of whack. I wonder if this will delay things. I have been waiting 2 weeks just for answers from the doctor about a pre-op testing date and this is killing me. Anyone out there who knows anything, I'd appreciate your help more than words can express!!!

Does anyone have Personal Choice Insurance and live in PA? If so, maybe you can help. I have a BMI of a little over 37 and am wondering if anyone with similar numbers was immediately approved or had to do the 6 month supervised diet. I am so excited at the prospect of getting this done that I think I will be crushed if I have to play that game. I'll do it of course, but I'd be very upset.

What timing you have! I had NO INTENTIONS of telling anyone other than my parents and hubby, but for some unknown, moronic reason I mentioned it at lunch to some co-workers. You would've thought I was telling them that I met some guy and was considering having an affair by the look on their faces!!! Then another girl who would be a lap band candidate like me proceeded to tell me how everyone she knew that had it gained all their weight back. At then end they through in the obligatory, "Well, if that's what you want, then good luck." It was actually quite sad that they couldn't be happy for me... and I am still in the early stages of planning (still waiting for my appointment to be finalized for pre-op testing). Thank heavens I am not one to give two hoots what anyone else thinks. Some people are just miserable. My recommendation- keep your mouth shut; I wish I had.