bostonmomma

Well people...it's official...I'm a bandster! I am sitting here in my bed at the Brigham....I have 6 incisions...but the port one and one on the right side hurt the most. Gotta say that last night was painful, but thank god for the pain pump! Managed to sleep here and there. I feel better today.....and it's only 6am! Getting a weeee bit sick of ice chips but hey....they do sure feel good. I just wanted to say thanks to all who have answered so many of my questions and gave me advice! Holly PS...now to name my band....I don't know why....I think "it" should have a name....Raul? LOL

well, here goes nothing! I am getting banded today at 1:20. Got to be at the hospital by 11:20. Feeling all kinds of emotions in the last couple of days....fear of complications to surgery and how that would affect my kids/husband, fear of failure...hope for a new beginning...excited to have this chance....etc.... I am trying to think positive thoughts and enjoy this day and a day for ME! :thumbup: See you on the flip side guys! I am bringing my laptop because I have to stay the night in the hospital....so I will update later! Holly

congrats on your successes already! I feel like I have everything I need to get to surgery...recovering is another story. I hope it goes "smoothly!"....

I am!!!! I am getting excited and nervous too. Got stuff at work figured out.....kids schedules all set....and now I am thinking and dreaming and am ready to go. I even gave myself "the last supper" tonight...goodbye pasta.....I had my favorite rigatoni pasta and meatballs tonight. SIGH.....goodbye ol' friend.

hey bandsters! Been thinking about surgery all day today and I thought of a couple of questions that I didn't think to ask the ever personable Dr. R.... 1. How many incisions will I probably end up with? 2. Do they weigh you the morning of surgery or no? Just curious..... Thanks guys!

Ok friends....This week is "It"...I get my lap band on Wednesday, the 28th! We just got back from the Bahamas late last night. I even got up enough courage to step on the scale and was happy to see that I didn't gain...I actually lost a couple of pounds....thanks to my "protein shake campaign". I will say I had a few "bahama mamas" down there, but I did keep it in check. There is also nothing more motivating than seeing vacation pictures knowing...hoping....that it will be the last time I looked this terrible! I am gearing myself up for the whole ordeal, both physically and emotionally. Any tips for surgery or the few days after? I need to go search for all that stuff....can't believe it's my turn! EEEKS!:eek::wink:

welcome aboard! I am a few weeks away from my surgery, so I am certainly not an expert...but I can tell you my experience. I went to an information session in Oct. 09...and then got my pcp to refer me to my surgeon. And yes....most of us all had to go thru certain tests...depending on your doc/insurance/current medical history. I had an upper GI, met with nutritionist, psych eval, and lots of in between visits with the surgeon. I am scheduled for 4/28! So it took me about 6 months from start to the new start of my life! Enjoy the process.....so exciting!

Just checkin' in and wondering if there is a support group meeting tonight at Faulkner? Maybe I have the week wrong...or heck..even the day! ~Holly

Hi there bandsters? Just wondering how you felt/feel 2 weeks after surgery? I am looking for both physically and hunger wise...and where were you on the stages of diet? Were you still in pain, or tired, etc? Thanks for sharing your 2 week out stories! :thumbup:

no...no need to apologize or Pm me Paige.....honestly. If I wasn't worried, I wouldnt' have purchased trip insurance and I wouldn't have posted and been googling "travelling 2 weeks after lap band"...etc. That being said...it is "only a 4 night trip" and might be a nice distraction during spring vacation when the head hunger and bandster hell kicks in (that and having to entertain my 5 and 6 year olds for the week). The thought of plopping my big butt on a lounge chair and watching them frolic in the water while I sip mine seemed enticing! LOL......thanks again...no worries

woooah Paige...easy there chief! I think I asked if you *think* I should travel and what problems do you forsee.....how did I not take any advice? That was weird!. ....and I think I DID consider it...that is why I posted this question....Whatever Like I said....if we go, we go if we don't we don't. I was asking for those who might know. Sorry if I bothered the "seasoned bandsters." We bought travel insurance...so it is no biggie. You gave me a suggestion to go at memorial day...can't because I am a teacher. Same goes as for going in March... and thankyou tinywishes for your advice....I will pass it along to my husband as well as my doctors tomorrow...I hope your unfill does the trick for you and you are moving in the right direction in the new year. As for me, I feel blessed this holiday season to have a great husband, kids, house, and career...and now to a great year to celebrate ME! have a great week everyone!

thanks Paige.....I know all the tricks of the trade but Brookline is super strict with not tagging on any days off before or after a holiday....they will make you take them unpaid....:smile:...And....I have my annual trip to the Cape with some friends in May....We shall see....It's a nice jaunt away to let the kids play in the sand and in the water. With kids, there isn't a lot of sight seeing, eating out, or walking....we pretty much plop on the beach or in a pool and let the kids do their thing. We hardly eat at restaurants, and mainly get things to go...so I can easily see me doing the protein shakes and mushies along with the kids! LOL....I am sure I'll be still on the mend...but I won't have to do much...I'll figure it out...sooner or later! Thanks!

problem is....we can only go during school vacation week in April....so the week of the 19th (ahhhhh...the lovely teacher schedule...NOT!). I am thinking that it might be do-able.....and easy to transport protein powders and mushy food like applesauce, oatmeal, etc.....an oddly enough..I think I might do BETTER outside of the house that vacation week....like being busy at the pool/beach, etc....vs sitting here at my kitchen table thinking I am hungry.....LOL...like now! it's only for 5 days....so we shall see..

ok folks...quick question...my husband just told me that he want(s) to book a trip to our favorite island in April...mid April. Only problem is that my surgery is tentatively scheduled for April 7th. Do you think I will be able to travel a couple of weeks later? What problems do you foresee? Thanks everyone...and happy holidays!

Well, had my upper GI today...not tooooo bad, except the nice looking tech had to wipe the lovely chalky stuff drooling from my mouth. That must have been pretty.....Guess I will find out if I can have the surgery at Faulkner or the Brigham. I will call the doc tomorrow.... baby steps..but I think I have only one more "thing" to do....and then WAIT.....

It was nice meeting you last night! Thanks for welcoming me into your group! LOL....It did what I had hoped for. .... a little perspective, a little inspiration, and a little dose of reality. Thanks again.... May the holiday be good to you all!:thumbup:

I am coming...have to look at my paperwork to see where it is...some conference room I believe....I look forward to "meeting" you all...:thumbup:

Oh mondk....don't let them get you down. I was exactly where you are a mere few months ago. I was within 5 pounds of having a bmi of 40.....I, too, also did "something" to make sure I would be a candidate for surgery. I got the idea here. Search around or PM me. LOL:thumbup: I cleared bmi by 2 pounds! (I didn't have any co-morbidities to qualify me at 35-40) Imagine the frustration I would have felt not to qualify by a measely 2 pounds. All you nay sayers....poo poo on you! You were once in our positions....We are still fat....regardless of the number. I am not waiting another 50 pounds or 5 years to do this. Sorry!:scared2:

Paige.... My name is Holly (by the way!:tongue2:). I am planning on going to the support group meeting at the faulkner! I know I am not "really" part of the group...yet....but I would like to hear the trials and tribulations you all go through. I put it on my calendar!:w00t:

I like the lemonade stand flavor of Nectars.... BariatricEating.com - BE, Inc. The number one bariatric website for Protein, Vitamins, and success. play around with flavors and textures. I also like the Isopure Peanut Butter shake...mmmmmmmm

oh no Heidi...that stinks....could it be from thanksgiving? Hoping it disappears for you soon! so.....drumroll...I"ve got a surgery date for APRIL 7th!!!! Yahoo! I could have had March 11th...but my husband will most likely be out of town that weekend. Boohoo.....So April 7th it is at the Brigham.... I love having that date in my datebook! :smile:

ok...so I had my first surgery consult yesterday with Dr. R at Faulkner! He thinks I will get approved no problem and the only thing I need next is the Upper GI! Yahoooo! I loved his PA...Katherine I think? So he said he's now booking into March or early April. I am getting so excited! I think I need to make a signature.....this might actually happen! ~Holly

Hi Brigham/Faulkner friends! So, I've made a little progress. 1. went to information session 2. did the psych stuff 3. have an appt with Phyllis in early Nov. 4. Meet with dr. R near end of Nov. So....what happens then?

Well.....last Wednesday I went to the information session at the hospital. Called the next day and I got a consult with the surgeon for November 23rd! not bad!!!! I am excited to start this process! Just had to share!:thumbup:

soocalchick.....I was just venting....I actually have pretty tough skin, but as I stated...I am just starting out in this journey...and reached out for some support on a rather crappy day. :thumbup: