phenry

It seems that people have all sorts of reactions to getting the band. I am being banded June 12th. I have had and will have plenty of moments where I have to ask myself...is this really necessary....I have to be honest and say...yes. I have gone over in my mind why I am doing this and I keep getting the same answer. Because I am fat...and I don't want to be fat and I can't get it off myself. If I stay fat...my health is going to keep going downhill. So...by reasoning it out, I know I need this band. Scary as it seems...I need something to help me. Funny thing about being upset about things is it can change over night. I didn't need anyone to convince me of anything, I just went in the bathrooom and looked at my naked body in the mirror. No words needed.

mine says clear liquids and nothing that is red or purple for sure!

Thanks for your input RM. I agree totally, having food stuck is a bad feeling without the band, with the band...I can only imagine. By the way...I love San Antonio...one of my favorite cities.

Hi everybody! Here is my question and I am hoping that someone can maybe tell me if they had a narrow esophagus opening and had the lap band surgery. I have been approved...I have a surgery date of June 12th. Last year I had a study done on my esophagus because I had difficulty in swallowing. Sometimes food would just get stuck and I would have to wait for it to go on down. I guess this has been in the back of my mind but I haven't addressed it with the surgeon yet, and well, nobody ever asked if I had a swallowing problem throughout this entire process. Not making any excuses...it's just that other people surely have this condition, and I am wondering how much it would affect me with a band in place. I of course will speak to my surgeons office this week and ask this question, but I was thinking maybe someone out there has some info for me. When I was found to have this condition, the gastro whatever doc widened the opening with a balloon. I don't know how long that will last. Maybe forever...maybe not. Maybe once I get the band and if the opening narrows again..they just open it again. I'm just not sure if this may be a reason to NOT get the band. I would hate that because I really fear any other type of surgery.

I think you are very brave and honest to come forward with your problem. I haven't been banded yet, (June 12th) but I think a trip to see your surgeon is a great idea. Maybe they can't fix the problem for you, but maybe they can give you some new found inspiration. Don't give up! Don't let your mind trick you in to excepting your weight as it is now...and make you think that's all your going to lose. Summer is nearly here...it is a great time to try to increase your activity level. Do some serious soul searching and reach down in there deep and grab some encouragement!!!! Maybe join weight watchers to jump start you again. Even if your diet needs to be a little different than what they offer...the support you get from the group is always helpful. Maybe you can find someone in your area who has had the surgery and join forces! You CAN do this. You HAVE to...that's what this is all about. I wish you the very best of luck and really hope you can change up something in your life just a little to give you that extra boost you need right now!

Hopefully by now you are feeling alot better!

Thanks! Yep...sounds like something I will definately be needing! I even have a bigger disadvantage. I don't have my bottom chewing molars on the right side. I am concerned about being able to chew well enough.

Congrats!!! Now if you are like me...you are really going to start researching on here...this is now a reality and it is happening!

I am thinking about buying a food processer and just experimenting a little with mushing up food and see what foods do well and not look like...well...something disgusting!

good luck! Let us know how it goes!

can't wait to hear how you did with your surgery! Those of you who have been through this provide us the very best way for the rest of us to get the facts and know what we are learning is from a first hand experience.

Kimber...let us know how you do!

I got a packet in the mail yesterday from the surgeons office. It has the times and dates of my pre-op appt. and plus a family type seminar that I must attend with my husband for any last minute questions or concerns. I also have the appt. to see the cardiologist and to see the pulmonary doc. I have to go on a liquid diet two days before the surgery. I am glad I don't have to lose a bunch prior to the surgery! I do understand about the liver and I have read that too. What is your BMI? I am under 40...maybe about 38. I don't know if that matters or not or maybe it's just the surgeon. Oh I would of course do the diet if it was required....but I wouldn't like it! Sounds like you are doing a great job Breanne! It's better really to start now watching what you eat. I am starting a job Monday and it will be a challenge eating healthy for lunch. I think I will food shop this weekend and try to come up with some smart choices.

They didn't say anything about. I got the call yesterday about my insurance approving me (the call was from the surgeons office). They set up a surgery date and a date for the pre-op tests...that was it! I am thinking I will call them tomorrow just to clarify things.

Wow! You are being good! I haven't got to that mindset yet. I will though as the time approaches. I sure dropping a few pounds will only make the surgeons job easier!

okay...time for me to ask a stupid question...what is the "bullet" I keep hearing about? Some type of blender?

Nope...they never said I had to do anything special. I have to go see a cardiologist/pulmonary specialist for pre op tests. Other than that...I haven't a clue. I am thinking that maybe it's time to start researching the different protein drinks and stock up on them. I know some people say some brands taste good and some are terrible.

I don't think anyone likes needles...but for heavens sake....I would rather have a fill once every few months instead of an insulin shot daily! Maybe discuss your fears with your doctor. Maybe they can do something to relax you when you get a fill.

I just got approved today and my surgery date is June 12th. I think it is very natural and very good to try to avoid surgery if you can. But today when I heard I was approved...I had to give myself a real good talking to. I asked myself why I was getting this done. I asked if I was sure I had to do this. Well, I have tried losing weight...I stuck with weight watchers this last time and I really hung in there. After all, if you cheat, then you know why you aren't losing. I didn't cheat and I lost 20 pounds, then it stopped. Just like every time. For whatever reason, my body just wants to hold on to this fat and not let go. I am a grandmother raising my two grandsons, and I need to be here for them. I figure from all the research I have done, this "tool" is what I need to help me get this weight off...and most importantly...keep it off forever. It is such an individual choice. All I can say is, do your research and search your heart and be honest about what you can and can't do. If you have any doubts....why not try dieting one more time. See what happens and then decide. The last thing you want to do is have regrets.

From what my surgeon has told me....if you are a self pay...then it is done as a day surgery to keep your cost low. If you are an insurance pay, they require an over night. Of course each policy no doubt varies, and if you have the surgery done out of the country, I would think an overnight stay is expected. I am having my surgery June 12th and thank goodness my insurance is going to cover me!

Hi Breanne! I just found out I am approved and my date is June 12! Now the nerves will probably start kicking in! I just keep reasoning with myself...I have been overweight with no success...now it's time to make a real change. For me AND my family!

Good luck mima!!! Please let us know how it all turns out!

My story is I am raising my two grandkids...it is scary to have surgery...but for me...it is more scary to NOT have it!

Beenee....I would guess you haven't lost a ton of weight yet because you haven't had your first fill. From what I have read on here...that makes a big difference! Don't get discouraged...you haven't had the band very long. The first few weeks...you don't have anything in the band...you are just getting your stomach used to having the band on. I bet after that fill...it will be better for you! I don't have the band yet...not until June...but from all the reading and researching I have done....I think what I am telling you is right! Any bandster want to chime in?

I just got the call today...approved! Wow...I am almost in a state of shock! It took about 2 weeks.