conniecash

I was nervous about my first fill too. It was nothing, your in and out with no pain. I was told to take it easy the first day and do liquids just for the first day. I had no problem and I can be a baby sometimes.

I was nervous about my first fill too. It was nothing, your in and out with no pain. I was told to take it easy the first day

You have paid this man ALOT of money and he works for you! His job is to help you succeed so don't avoid him. I think everyone has had a slump at one time or another or we would not need the surgery and he would be out of a job. Go talk to him and tell him you need some help and I'm sure he will point you in the right direction.

I had two c-sections and let me tell ya that the band is a breeze compared to that. Your in and out of surgery quick and go home the same day. Take some gasX and get a heating pad. The gas pain was my only problem. I would try to have the surgery close to a weekend so you have more time. Don't back out....it is so great and I had my first fill and it was a breeze as well. This is the best thing I have ever done for myself!!

Lets face it...we all like to eat or we wouldn't be here. I was not sure how I was going to get through it too but let me tell ya, you get a different mind set with the band. I had alot of gas and I didn't feel like eating at all. You will look at food different and it will not be hard to do the post op diet. I did not know how in the hell I would go with out a diet coke again. I was so worried because that was my favorite thing. But I have not had one and really don't want one. So let me just say that after the band things will be different and better!! Good Luck!

I was sooooo scared. It took me a year to finally do it. I am SO glad I did. It is minor surgery and the only real problem I have had is the gas pain after the surgery that lasts for about 4 or 5 days. I feel great and the band has helped me regain my control. Just Do It!!

I walked in the surgery center at 6:30 am and walked out at 11:30 am. Be sure you have some gasx at home and someone to fill your pain meds for you. Go home and get in bed....I slept the rest of the day and night. It was great!

Try a heating pad. Put the heat on your shoulder.....I had bad pain in my left shoulder from gas. I could not get rid of it until I put some heat on it and it worked like a charm!!

I had the same fears you have. I worried about everything that could and might go wrong. I even was afraid I would die from the surgery. I have had only 2 surgeries in my life and I am 50. Both were c-sec from child birth and I had to do it. This has been the best thing I have ever done for myself. It was not a big deal....the only real pain I had was from the gas. I feel great and now I don't overeat, and I don't want to. I had to self pay $15,000. It took all our savings but it will save my life. As you get older and go through menopause the weight will go up and up. I didn't no if it would stop or if I was going to be a 500lb woman. My best advice is to find a good Dr. and one that does this type of surgery only, call his office and talk to a nurse. I talked to several nurses at first and I could tell if the Dr. had some experience or alot. I wanted someone that could do lapband in his sleep. Take baby steps until you feel comfortable. It took me a year to finally do it but now I am so happy I did it.

It reduces the fat on the liver.

I really did not tell many people before my surgery.....most people don't know what it really is about and they just don't get it. I was so scared before my surgery...I had alot of negative stuff in my head and was afraid to die and all that jazz. It is so easy and they give you good pain meds so take it. The most pain I had was from the gas. Get some gasX and a heating pad, that will help alot with the gas pain. Stay away from negative people and don't worry about the surgery you will do great!!

I used Dr. Benavides with AIGB. I have been very pleased. He has alot of experience and knowledge. I was afraid I would have large scars and all I have are tiny lines that look like small scratches. You won't go wrong with him.

I am 1 week post-op and I feel great! The only real pain I had was from the gas. It's finally gone now YEAH! Stand up for yourself with the family....who cares what they think. Have a SO WHAT moment. Good Luck you'll love the band.

I lurked around here for about a year....I talked to my family, I talked to my friends, I talked to my Dr. and I finally took the plunge. I guess I was looking for someone to say O NO don't do it. I was scared of the unknown but I was really scared of the scale going up and up. I am 50 and fairly active, but I could not control my portions. I finally decided to go for it, I could not go another decade fat. I had my surgery 6 days ago and I feel great! I was soooo scared but I was in at 6:30 and out by 11:00. Batta Bing Batta Boom. Find a good Dr. that does alot of this surgery and his office can instruct you on insurance and other pay plans. Its not like buying a truck, its alot less painful! Good Luck!

I was told to use a heating pad for pain in my shoulder....

The lap band is different than other surgeries, I would find someone more experienced. I have a surgeon only 10 minutes from my house but he has only done around 300. The surgeon I chose has done 3,000 and is 1 hr away. Go with experience!!

My Dr. told me the carbonation will stretch my pouch and not to ever have it. I was a diet coke freak.

I have started my pre-op diet today. It is a high protein diet with lean meat, fruit, green veggies and a protein shake 2 times a day. It doesn't seem too bad yet. My Dr. told me that I needed to loose some fat around my liver for surgery. I think they need to shrink the liver in order to get around it to the stomach with the band. If you think about it medically, you need to loose the weight for surgery, somehow it gives you more motivation. Maybe you need to ask your Dr. more questions about how much weight and why you need to loose it before surgery. Sometimes I feel like a kid asking WHY on everything. I am a diet coke freak and they told me no diet coke after surgery at all. I asked why and was told that the bubbles will stretch my pouch. bummer!!

I have been on the fence for this surgery for about a year....I have just started my testing for the surgery. I am taking baby steps but you have to think about not only loosing weight but keeping it off. I have lost and gained the same 50 lbs over and over again for the past 10 years. I am going for my stress test on Monday. I feel that I need something to police my eating habits because I can't, not for long. I have tried the Jenny Craig, fen fen, atkins, LAWL and a whole lot more...but the weight all comes back after a while and now even more. I have decided that this surgery has to work and I have to follow this plan to the letter or I will be fat another decade. Anyway, I hope this helps you with your journey, take baby steps.

I would like to hear from anyone that used Dr. Benavides in Dallas, TX. I am going to see him next week and I have heard he is about the best. Does anyone agree or disagree?

He charges $15,000 for surgery.....I'm not sure about any other costs.

I have been going back and forth with this surgery for almost a year. I have been reading alot on this site and it is very helpful. I was wondering if after a while if you always feel the band or if you ever just feel normal again? Can you tell you have a band at all times? Can you feel the port?

I am looking for a Dr. in the Denton area. Has anyone used Curtis Mosier? I would love some feedback.

I live in Denton, TX. Can anyone recommend a good Dr. close to my area? I'm just getting started and I don't know where to begin.

I am just getting started. Sometimes I think I should be able to do this on my own. In 10 years I have lost and gained 50 lbs about 3 times and I'm sick of it. I'm excited and scared at the same time. My question is, if any of you had it to do over, would you still get the lap band??