pvgrl

Don't know if this will help, but a few weeks ago I went to get new pants at Lane Bryant. I was banded 8/3/09. Anyway, I go in there and I'm looking... I keep trying on pants, but nothing is fitting. Finally the mgr comes over and really helps me. I kept trying on pants that were way too big(according to her) finally she just says to me-"you need to accept that you are a smaller than you think you are-be happy about that". I was bowled over-something so simple and from a complete stranger--it was the weirdest feeling. I did buy 3 pairs of pants that day (2 sizes smaller that I thought I needed). What was so weird about it that MY perception of me was way off-I couldn't be objective and see that-as soon as she made that comment, I just "surrendered" and frickin accepted that I am smaller-I mean, this is why I got banded in the first place(I mean to be healthy and smaller). Total body dismorphic image.

I'm just too chicken to try it-OMG, I miss a cold REGULAR Coke over ice--- PS I LOVE the little chicken icon!

I responded to a similar thread-I'm also in L'ville. Had my surgery 8/31/09 @ Floyd Memorial w/their wt loss center--I've had no problems. i am by no means a guru, but am a little further in the process than you. Send me a private message and we can chat. I'd love to have a "buddy" w/someone local. Hope to hear from you-

Hey fellow L'ville people, I had my surgery 8/31/09. Dr. Ashley Lankford at the Floyd Memorial Wt loss center did my surgery. I can not say enough good things a/b the entire staff there. I've had no real problems. Today I had my 1st fill-it went w/out a hitch. I would recommend this team to anyone considering the band. If any of yall want to chat, just send me a pvt message. I would love to hear how yall are doing...

OMG-what a great post. Once I don't read or go to this site for a week or so, I am so glad when I get back. I learn so much from yall. This is the best web site for anyone who has had or is thinking a/b the band. I haven't had my first fill yet-it's scheduled for 10/12--I had a few days of bad nausea after surgery-I'm doing sooo good now. The fills scare me-I don't want to be nauseous again, but if I am, I'll make it through.

Hey Bbelle, my first fill is same date as yours-10/12/09. Let's try to keep in touch. I hate needles (really who doesn't). I'm trying not to get too worked up. I haven't tried, but I bet I could eat just about anything I wanted right now.

DB, I am only 2 weeks, 3 days post-surgery. I agree 100% with all the previous posts. The main reason why I would not consider the RNY is Malabsorption issues-I work on a medical team(i'm the social worker)and 3 MDs and 2 PharmDs told me to go w/the band. However, this is a personal decision-you need to do what you feel is best. I say to keep reading these posts-I've seen several that deal with this question---for me, the more info I could gather, the more informed I feel like my decision was. I'm sure their are people who had the RNY and love it-a book I read before the surgery was by Carnie Wilson-she re-counted her entire process of getting the RNY. I enjoyed reading it (it's pretty lite reading) even though I went w/the band-go to a used book store or library and get it. It might help you weigh the options.

B9, I totally get it. I was banded 8/31-I was prepared for the surgery and gas pain, but didn't have any. What I was NOT prepared for, was what I refer to as the "mind freak"-OMG-I cried when people came to visit, then I'd cry when they left. I to, have been struggling with feeling lonely also-but what doesn't make sense is that I have great supports all around me, I'm single and live alone-go figuer? I wonder if it kinda like grief-maybe we were used to soothing ourseles with food, and now that we have the band, we really can't do that anymore-like we lost our"friend". I don't know, I just throwing it out there and wanted to reassure you that others are feeling as you are. Good luck-keep posting...

What a great post-I was just cleared for mushies and I'm worried that this could happen. I guess were in the for the long haul, but loosing feels so good. I'm gonna try to get too focussed on this either-it is hard though. I totally understand.

Erin, I read your post and although I'm only 2 weeks out, I too struggled w/nausea. I was prepared for all this incision pain and gas pain that never came. I was NOT prepared for the *&^% nausea! OMG, I thought I was gonna die, or have to live w/it. What helped me was going off the protein loaded shakes that the RD told me too take. My thoughts are with you...

OK ladies, please Help w/this one: I am 44 and had not had a period in 2, almost 3 years-I had blood test done(fairly extensive) over the years -the results didn't show I was perimenopausal, anyway--I started my period 5 days after surgery! What the heck-I thought I was done with all this. I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Is something wrong? I see my surgeon tomorrow and will ask her, I just thought I'd throw this out. Thanks

Hey fellow KY girl-I had my surgery 8/31 in L'ville. Spent one night in the hospital and was glad-I'm single and live alone. The nurses were so nice, God love em. I wish we could start a KY thread or group--let me know your thoughts. I'm doing great so far-every day gets better. I can't wait to get to mushies-I want to eat beans and hummus! Take care-

OMG-I have say that when I was not feeling so well after my band 2 weeks ago,all I wanted a cold, Coke over ice sooooo bad. I think I wanted it so bad, b/c any other time that I'm naucous(spg), I crave a cold Coke. I tell you this b/c I also know how hard it is--funny how something like Coke can be such a frikin craving-please let us know how you are doing...

Kim, I agree-these posts are soooo helpful to we "newbies".

Darce-I will keep you in my prayers-girl, as if you needed this *&&% in the middle of trying to heal...keep reading the posts-you will get lots of support. We really are in this new process together. Please keep us filled in on your recovery-

Hey Vic-I was just banded 8/31-I'm also a federal BCBS from KY. My surgery went well, no pain, some discomfort-anesthesia made me sick as a DOG, but that only lasted a few hours--you will do great-CONGRATS on starting ylour "new" life!!!!

I totally agree w/the previous posts-my band was my first surgery and I had next to no pain-discomfort yes, but nothing I even needed my pain mes for. I did have a 24 hr stay-I took the pain meds in the hospital ONLY b/c I was afraid not to.

I agree w/Rebecca-what a good question. I to, was banded on 8/31(I guess we're band sisters-duh...)ANYWAY-your question makes a lot of sense--I can't wait to read what other people say about this. Just another reason I read these posts. After I get my 2-3 shakes in, I'm getting close to getting full also. Again, thanks for such a good question.

Hey BCat, I had my surgery last Monday. I came across your post and thought I'd send you my thoughts...I have Blue Cross Federal, so I can't help you w/your insurance question. I would suggest attending a surgeon's lecture-they do them everywhere-you will learn a lot, and get a "feel" for your surgeon. after attending my seminar, I completed a lengthly paper application. My insurance req'd a 6month "medically supervised wt loss program"-I did this, and I am SO glad that I didn't get approved right off-It gave me time to REALLY think about my decision. So, my surgery went well-I had very little pain-never did. My insurance req'd a 24hr stay, and I'm glad-I'm single and would have been scared to go home-although a friend could have stayed w/me. I was prepared for pain, but had little. I tell you though,the first 3 days were very weird in that I was very emotional and anxious for a/b 3 days--I also had nausea from starting high-protein shakes too soon. I'm one week out, and I feel like myself again---thanks be to God. I've gone off on a tangent here--If I could give you one tip, it would be to READ A ZILLION POSTS on this site-I have learned SO much from this site. I'm trying to remember your questions...sorry--I took no pain once home-I was sent home w/liquid hydrocodone, but never needed it. I had planned to take off one week, but decided to extended it by 3 days. Anyway, READ posts-Everyone is different---I wish you well.

OK, I'm juts throwing this out there---I'm in day 3 of the pre-op diet, and I'm struggling to stay on it. Up until today, I have been getting more and more ready, excited, and feeling like this band will help me finally get healthy again. Ho wever, I am now officially terrified that this is only a preview of how I will do once I get the band 8/31/09. I'm not trying to sound like a whiner-I am a strong person, but this weight thing has been a big battle for me. I'm really worried about this. I have accomplished so many of my goals in life over the yrs, but this frickin weight has been my hardest struggle. I'm SO afraid of getting this ELECTIVE surgery, and then failing yet another wt loss attempt. Does this make sense--anybody got some good advice. Thanks...

Tictac, I am scheduled for 8/31/09. I work on a medical team w/no less than 15 nurses and 3 MDs-they ALL have told me that the overnite is great b/c they can keep an eye on you. My surgeon requires this, when I starte this whole process 7 months ago, I was teriified of staying over nite b/c I have never had ANY kind of medical procedure. Now, I'm over it and and happy that I will have this extra time w/the medical staff(if I need it). Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to get the *&^ home to my own bed. In short-I totally understand your thoughts on this. Good luck and keep me posted...

kari-thank you so much for this post. It was just what I needed today. My surgery is scheduled for next month, and I had already started in my head, thinking aobut how hared I was gonna exercise (which is not a bad thing) so that I could lose really fast-maybe that's my /our porblem-always looking for a quick fix. Reading your post made me recognize that ALL I need to focus on for the first few weeks after surgery is my recovery-letting my body heal. NOT putting all the focus on how much weight I lose or don't lose. Thank you-I know that I will go back to your post the day/weeks after surgery.

Sadie, I to wish I could send you a standing ovation-I couldn't stop reading your post. I will definitely "bookmark" it somehow and refer to it when I need a kick in the *ss. Thank you for your honesty and courage-please keeping posting...

Cadee-It is sooo good to hear from you. I met w/Dr. Lankford last week. I just got a good vibe from her ever since the seminar. I have been attending the monthly support groups w/the wt loss center-they are held the 1st Monday of the month at 7pm. I started attending early-I think I was in my 4th(of 6 months, req'd by my insurance)month. I also have learned that the rooms we will stay in after surgery (at Floyd) are on the brand new addition-Very nice and Very large and each room is Private-I think this is a great plus from what I've been reading about other folks having an obnoxious roommates. Dr. Lankford does surgery ONLY on Mondays, and she does require a 24hr stay at Floyd, which in the long-run is probably good. Lets Definitely keep in touch. If you want, send me a private message-I do not know how to do that. ut if you figuer it out, email me and then I'll give you my private email...I'm so glad you wrote in.

hey sugga-I JUST got back from Walgreens picking up my prescrip for VitD--the internist I had to see for my band gave me a prescrip for 50000 units-a little green capsule I will take daily-for 3 months. I am NOT a nurse, but I'm a social worker who works on a home health team with MANY doctors and nurses-Vit D levels is a big thing now days--they get levels of this on all our patients-and check this regularly. The MDs on my work team feel that having the right level of this is good for many reasons. They also say that research is showing that having the right level is a good idea-it can make you feel better overall, and can help with cognition. I'm sure the nurses out there can write in a list them all. I don't know if you are like me, but I avoid the sun as much as I can, so I not surprised my level was a little low. I hope this isn't too much personal stuff, my point is-I think it's good you MD is following this-I just took the pill. It is small and not expensive(thank God).