catmom50

Unfortunately I too don't have very many pictures either of myself since the birth of my kids The ones I do have are from a distance or me hiding in the back, like no one knew I was fat! Great thought u had. U are so smart to do this when u are young. I wish I had, but There weren't any bands around then!

"Adjustable Gastric Band“ Everything you need to know before and after surgery to lose weight successfully by Robert W. Sewell, M.D., FACS. " Out of 3 books I got pre op this was my number one favorite. I am still refering to it.

WOWIE WOW WOW WOW. What a great birthday present to yourself. Hope all went well and you got to celebrate with some water and protein shakes instead of cake. Let us know how you r doing.

I was told at my 1st post op to weigh only once a week. Scale whores unite!!

Congrats, glad to hear you are done and on the road to recovery and a new life! Walk, walk, walk, sip, sip, sip.

I am 2 weeks post op. Like all of you, I had to go through the sleep studies 4 months ago. It was a nightmare. Thankfully they gave me a sleeping pill. However I thought with sleeping on my back and taking a sleeping pill wouldn't that make my snoring more aggravated? I did have to get a CPAP set a "8", which they said was not very high. I had to be compliant and do at least 30 straight days at 6-8 hours each for my 2 insurances to pay. I did as told to be sure I didn't have to pay out of pocket. I hated it. Now that I have had the surgery I still can't get used to the darn thing. I have been using it for 3 or 4 months now. I started with the nasal pillows which wouldn't stay in so had to get a nasal mask. It still is uncomfortable to me. I have fibromyalgia which causes full body pain, and my scalp is one of the worst. The darn straps hurt like the devil some nights. Well I spoke last week to the gal at the company I got the machine from. She said "we encourage you to use it as much as you can". I had gotten past the 30 day (100% compliance) thing for my insurance to pay so now I feel I can not be so afraid if I can't use it every night. Hang in there guys. It was mandatory for my surgery to go through the testing. While in the hospital they woke me at 11 p.m. to bring in a CPAP for me to wear. Well, the #$%@ thing was so noisey they gave me earplugs which did nothing. After they left I tried my hardest but couldn't get past the noise which sounded like an old engine trying to kick in. I just pulled it off and let it go wherever. Nothing was ever said, I went home the next morning and have tried the CPAP at home a couple times, but I am afraid to say I may not be compliant much anymore because of the fibro. I tried. You can too.

It's so interesting to see what each doctor says. Like pre ops. I had liquids the day before with mag sulfate that night to "clean me out". I would love some yogurt. But i didn't see that on my list, darn.Lucky you get to go to mushies already tomorrow? I still have to go this route a few more days, some cream of wheat would be nice LOL

That's right some of us had different stories and experiences to tell. I had mine the same day as you (3-2). The gas in only the left shoulder was uncomfortable for a few days, but I am glad I knew to expect it. My most pain is coming from the port site and also I had hiatel hernia done at the same time (very large one he said!). I finally put a warm corn bag on my sore spot last night and I must say it felt so much better. Part of that pain I finally realized was an irritation from some tape or something, a large area. So after a couple days of hydrocortisone cream that's better. At first it was hard to deep breathe as much as I should, but I'm back to normal now. I did some vacumming this morning and did a little raking pine needles out of the flowerbeds Saturday. I am experimenting with protein drinks. For some reason the Muscle milk ready-made isn't very appealing to my taste. I mix it in the bullitt with ice. I'll adjust as I have a case of the darmn stuff. I might mix with some different flavors. But right now I have tried the muscle milk powder, cookies and creme, blended with ice and it's quite yummy. Like some of you I have to force myself to eat, I just don't think about it (who ever thought!). I am keeping water, vitamin water, juice etc by my chair and sipping all day. The sippy cup has helped. When I drink out of anything else right now I seem to gulp too much and know I shouldn't. I took the inside thing out of the sippy cup so the flow is just right now. Jello, pudding, cream soups, decafs and shakes -that's my menu for a few more days. I see the surgeon this Friday for my 1st post op. Hope all is well with all of you, I am so glad now that I decided to have mine in 4 days instead of waiting a week until this Tuesday. I am now a week ahead in my recovery! Good luck to those waiting, it will all be over so fast you'll never know what hit ya!:thumbup:

NO NO NO U R not too old. I had my surgery 2 days ago at age 59. Go for it, you'll be happier on the other side.

I just found out today that I will have my surgery in 4 days, 3-2-10. I have no real pre op diet. Just a light bowel prep the night before and nothing to eat or drink after midnight. Surgery is 8:30, pre-op check in the day before. I have been on a 6 months supervised diet. Oh and I also have a large hiatel hernia that will be repaired at the same time. Good luck everyone

Thanks all. I'll be looking forward to reading all about each of your experiences. Good Luck to each of you (us!):cursing:

I just finished my 6 months supervised pre op diet and all the other hoops I had to go through. So I just got home from the surgeons office and I am scheduled for Tuesday! I guess I'm prepared. I have read read and reread about the surgery and post op. It is just happening so fast. I am both excited and nervous about my new life after banding.

Here's hoping also that you went through with it. I am pre band and can tell you I have read so many posts on here of others in the same boat as you-scared Then after the posts they come on here and tell about how it went for them and they'd do it again anyday.

Yup, just a hop skip and a jump over the hills from you. In fact I have family over in Boise & Meridian. Great areas we live in right? We just got 6 inches of snow last night, with a storm approaching tomorrow with more...& heading your way later on! Your "story" sounds so familiar. I have always said I should have never gone a diet when I was 132 #, which was ages ago. Wish I could have done this when I was younger, I can't imagine how different my life would have been.

Thanks krst. I hope he changes his mind too. I think he is mostly concerned after watching me struggle with the darn C Pap machine. Now I am accustomed to it after finding the correct mask etc., but he still at this point can't see himself having to use it himself. he is a very stubborn head strong minded person, so time will tell.

thanks for your reply

I am in the middle of my 6 months supervised diet, hoping to be banded in Feb or March. However the surgeon says no pre op other than just watch what I eat before and fast 12 hours before.

Hope your consult was good.

Jo Jo-Does anything come to mind that you can thin of about "not knowing some things? I have been reading and reading everything since I started the supervised diet back in Spt.

Catherine-What great ideas for all of us pre bandsters. Thanks-

You are so lucky to have spouses wanting to get banded also. When I started the process he said he would follow after. Now he says he won't do the sleep apnea testing and that's that. That alone will keep him from getting banded. i am very disappointed, but I can't do this for him, he has to make the decision himself. Hopefully after I get banded in the Spring, he will change his mind. Keep spoiling that hubby and nurture him to pieces. You both will be so happy afterwards.

Hope all went well today. You did so good with your holiday eating (drinking I mean!)

You don't have sore knees or reflux or sleep apnea? Those are very common co morbities for we overweight people.