Nean4488

Well hes already seen you naked right?!?! lol buttt I wouldnt feel comfortable doing that. If you are, go for it! If not, bring a pair of sweat pants or shorts and throw them on before you head on in.

To me, it's only cheating if you fail to disclose it. I definitely believe that all weightloss surgeries are designed to give you an advantage or an edge over losing weight the "traditional" way. I wonder if someone would be eligible to join the actual biggest loser show after having a wls. I'll have to google that one.

Best,

Lauren

Yes. there has been someone on the biggest loser show that has had weight loss surgery.

Everything varies by doctor, but you can typically start full workouts (no heavy weights or abs) a month out of surgery. I'm not familiar with the "insanity" workouts so this may not matter, but if I remember correctly, about 6mo out you can do ab and heavy weights.

I am four weeks out and I have no limitations to working out. So it all depends on the doctor, like she said.

My doc cleared me to exercise around 4 weeks. I asked about weight lifting and he said there was no form of exercise I could do that would effect the band/port so exercise away. I did and have never had a problem.

Brad

Well this makes me feel alot better! Everywhere I read its like 6 weeks and then dont lift more then 20 pounds... I can lift more then 20 pounds easily and I start back with my trainer tomorrow. Thanks for responding :-)

Sorry, but I think it is unethical to join without telling the person incharge. If you would'nt have joined pre-band (I know I would'nt because I would'nt want the judgement of everyone on how much I did or did not loose); then you should not join now. I see it as being an advantage that the others do not have. Would it be fair if you had 25 hours in your day and thus had time for an extra hour of exercise that they do not? FYI I work in HR. If you company is sponsoring this it would be a very messy employee relations nightware if you won and someone found out about your non disclosed WLS. Especially if there is money involved. There would clearly be people who took umbrage to the deception. Is it worth the potential of hurting your career over winning a biggest loser competition?

I think this is a bit overboard. Does a person that doesnt work and have all day to go and work out have an advantage to someone that works 60 hours a week and barely has time to work out? YES. Not everyone has the same variables in something like this. I think she is fine and should join!

Im four weeks post op and I was told that I have no restrictions for working out. I was told I can do weight training and intense cardio. I keep reading that this is all wrong and I shouldnt be lifting weights at all. i am worried my I am going to do something to cause a problem with my band... but why would my DR clear me if I would ruin something..

any thoughts?

WOW thats great weight loss. Im jealous. Congrats!

1. Is there pain after the surgery? And if so, what kind? How long did it last?

I was in very minimum pain, I didn't need any pain meds, but I did take extra strength tyelnol before bed because the port sight is sore and it helped me sleep. I would say the worse pain for me is my shoulder pain. It started off as gas pains but because I got a hertal herina fixed, I am having more shoulder pains. It does suck, but its finally starting to go away ,4 weeks post op.

2. How long do you have to stay in the hospital after surgery?

It depends on your doctor and your insurance. I had surgery at 730am and was out of there by 10:50am the same day.

3. Is there a specific diet before/after surgery?

This also depends on your doctor. I had a 2 week liquid diet before surgery. 1 week liquid diet after. 2 weeks of mushies , and then off to normal food!

4. Do I have to slim down to a certain weight before I can get it?

Your doctor might want you to lose a certain amount of weight before surgery. The smaller you are the less risks.

5. I know you eat less, a lot less, do you eat more smaller meals or just 3 really small meals?

Your only suppose to eat 3 small meals and some doctors allow a small heathly snack or two.

6. If really small meals, is there enough food for your body to like have energy? :S

So far so good :-)

7. Should I worry about complications with my weight?

This is something you should discuss with your doctor :-)

8. How many people die of complications every year?

Im not sure, im sure you can research it though.

And how many people get the surgery every year?

Same as above.

9. What kinda of diet are you on currently?

I just started back real food. I stick to high Protein low carbs.

10. I cannot stick to diets, will I be told to TRY dieting before the surgery?

You might, but it all depends on your insurance. I had to do a 3 month diet before I got approved for surgery.

11. What happens on the day of the surgery?

I got to the hospital at 630. I had to change into a gown and had to pee *which didnt happen*. THey started my iv and gave me a shot in the thigh *this does not hurt as some ppl say it does* for blood clots. Tried to pee again *nope not this time either* Had to sign a paper saying I wasnt pregnant. I walked into the or, laid on the table and they put me to sleep. Next thing I know im waking up telling them im cold. I wasnt in any pain and they told me to take a nap. I wanted to go home so I made myself stay awake. When I was able to get up, I had to pee before I culd be released *finally happened*. I then went to sit down and they gave me 8oz of Water to drink, as soon as I did this they took my IV out I got dressed and went home!

12. Side effects?

SO far nothing.

13. Problems you had?

SO far nothing.

14. Did you ever consider not getting it because of the extra skin?

Yes, I still worry about this. But I can hide the extra skin while being healthy, I cant hide this fat!

15. How steady of a weight loss can one expect?

They say about 2 pounds a week

16. Did family members actions change after you got the surgery?

I have had some be supportive and some non.

17. Your worries before you had the surgery? What about after?

I had none before, I was not scared at all. And after, I only lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. Im pissed. I know im suppose to be healing but ugh! I feel like im going to fail.

A few words of advice. Please consider doing something about this weight issue! You are 18 years old and have so much life to live! I am 22 and if I knew that my insurance would have covered this, I would have been banded the day I turned 18. If you get kicked off your parents insurance at 19, you need to start now! What if you need to do a pre diet? Your fills wont be covered once you get kicked off, you need to do this for YOU!

FYI... check out the gastric sleeve. I say this because if you do get kicked off your parents insurance and cant afford the fills this tool will not help you. Weigh your options, but please please look into something and get the ball moving.

Best luck to you :-)

I dont think its cheating. Im joining a "get fit" challenge at my gym and my personal trainer even suggested I join it, and he knows im banded... soo if he doesnt think its cheating im going for it! lol

I had the same insurance and they didnt need proof, they just wanted me to write down dates.

Prolly not, but you wont find out until you wake up and they tell u if your banded or not!

I stopped working out when I went on my pre-op. My doc told me I could but was afraid I was going to get hungry so I choose to opt on. If you do, you should be drinking your Protein Shakes after, thats when your body needs it the most.

My shoulder pain wasnt from the gas, it was from getting my hital herina fixed. This last more then just one week *im almost 3 weeks post op* and I come home from work in major pain! Its just something that I havent gotten use it.

Your still having consitpation? Maybe thats something you should bring up to your dr, i think its a bit long for that?

I always have dry/peeling lips really bad. Best thing I can suggest is vasiline before you go to bed and also before you take a shower. Other then that I use burts bees through out the day.

Interesting conversation. I don't have anything to contribute as I'm only one month post-op and haven't yet had an adjustment. However, just wondering for those who have been stuck - how long, in general, does a stuck episode last? I see you're all able to identify the offending foods immediately, how long until it passes. Getting stuck is my greatest fear. I almost didn't get the surgery because of it. Others on the message board said that while it is painful, it's not so bad that its worth not having the surgery over. So, i'm curious about the "stuck" experience.

Not going to lie, when i got stuck IT HURT SO BADLY. I was about 3 weeks post op with no adjustments and I got stuck twice. The first time wasnt that bad, I walked and it passed within two minutes. The 2nd time I got stuck was not as easy. Grtting stuck feels like some put a knife threw my back between my shoulder blades. It wouldnt go down! I felt like i couldnt breathe and I was just going to die right there. lol. I decided that i had to bring it up becuase I couldnt handle the pain and thats what I did after about 3 longest minutes of my life.

I started this at 320 also and im 22. I cant say this is the best choice I made, cuz i havent lost any weight with the band yet. But once I get to my sweet spot, I am sure I will say it was worth it, but I am glad that I took control of mylife!

Congrats on getting banded! Enjoy the full feeling while you still are swollen. I was feeling the same way at first.. now I am into bandster hell.. not so much fun anymore! haha goodluck!

Personally, I do not think the lap band is for you. It never hurts to go and discuss your choices but you only have around 60 pounds to lose I think this could be accomplished alone. You are working out a lot and eating right, this is what its all about! You had a set back with your shoulder and you just have to look past that and work for what you want. Maybe try a personal trainer, thats a good push!

Also, you would prolly have to pay for this surgery yourself because I doubt insurance would cover it. Do you really want to waste the money on something that it sounds like you can do by yourself.

Good luck with whatever path you decide to take!

I was never told no straws and after reading stuff on here I asked, I was told that its an old myth that you take it more air with a straw. I love straws and dont think I could ever stop using them, esp with my starbucks!

I didn't want to leave my bed for about 5 days after surgery. I was not feeling myself and I don't think I would have wanted to go on vacation. I wasn't able to even stand straight till about 4 days after surgery. Your not going to be able to swim at all ( i dont know if thats a big deal to you) and just because i am anal I wouldnt want to be around sand while my incisions are still not healed, but again that could just be me. You will prolly only be on liquids, you should think about that, is this something you want to deal with while trying to enjoy yourself? Personally I would not enjoy myself on a vacation 2 days after surgery.

Im 3 1/2 week post op and I asked if I could go back to weight lifting and intense cardio, I was told that its fine. If im feeling pain just to take it easy.

My hernia repair was so big that they took pictures of it and the band. I had the shoulder/neck pain for a loooooooong time. It is gone now though...5 1/2 months out. So it will go away. Try some adult strength liquid tylenol for the pain. Or if it gets so bad you can't stand it take some of your left over pain reliever (the prescription one). Just know that it does go away. Best wishes!!!

5 months!!!!! that just made me cry a little.

Been there, done that, got the pictures to prove it. I knew I had a hiatal hernia before going into surgery. He repaired it and then did the band. He said it was a "massive hernia". The shoulder pain is from the hernia repair. Pain diversion or something like that.

Good luck.

How long did your pain last? I cant handle much of this. Did you take anything for it?

I have a hernia as well and my doc said he will fix when he's in but why is the shoulder pain worse? Is it still just gas?

:confused:

I am two weeks post op and having the worst pains in my shoulder which sometimes moves up to my neck. I asked one of the ladies that works in my surgeons office (that also been banded bout two years ago) if it was normal to still have gas pains this far out and this is the response i got

" The shoulder pain is normal, mine was with me for a long time. It's actually not the gas, it's a referred pain from your diaphragm, which is where he did the hiatal hernia repair. Take deep breaths to exercise your lungs & diaphragm, & it will loosen up."

It really is bad for me, i come home from work crying to just lay down in my bed!

I was banded the 17th and I was told that I am free to do whatever I feel like doing, including weights and intense cardio. I was told if my incisions start to hurt just take it easy.