whasupjohn

Hello everyone. I've been absent from the forums for a while, I got a bunch of great information and asked a few questions which got me through the decision + the stages to be able to eat again. I was a self pay so the process was much easier than I expected. Psychology wise, I've adapted to the new lifestyle pretty well. I have my moments where I'd really like to eat something shouldn't. Anyhow, I'm fairly impressed with my progress, if not a little shocked. I'm currently around 55 lbs lost in about 12 weeks. I certainly didn't think it would come off this quick and I'm expecting it to slow. My original goal is ~120 lbs down, actually, anything near 200 would be awesome. Most importantly, I don't let things go to my head. Even with Thanksgiving and a wedding in the span of four days, I kept myself on the straight and narrow. During the holidays I just kept saying to myself that I wanted to have a whole new wardrobe by next Christmas. I did indulge a bit, had alcohol, had some sweets. I find I can't eat many breads, few pastas, and that's fine with me -- probably where I got most of my calories. I'm stepping up the physical activity over the next few months. I had no delusions about it coming off, it will, I'm just going to work as hard as I can to make it happen. Anyway, I hope the New Year is treating you all well. So far, I haven't even had a fill yet, the doctor is happy with the progress. Any advice from anyone in the same place as me? Anything you'd do differently? I'm not over confident, if anything I'm the opposite. I will tell you, it feels great to eat so little compared to what I did and feel full. I'm not sure if I can say with any assurance that I could ever feel full before surgery. I was either starving of stuffed, not "full". My best to you all. John

This is a great thread read. Thanks for all the perspective. I'm a month out of being banded, down 30 lbs, and I have (even before my first fill) had these situations where I had to burp so strongly I would excuse myself to the restroom -- I'd never vomit, but it felt like it would catapult across the room. Anyhow, going for first fill (I think) tomorrow. I'm a little nervous, I didn't think I'd get filled before six weeks. John

Hey all- On 10/15 I was banded, I don't know my official weight that morning, but the last time I was at the Dr.'s office I was 318.6, so I'll go with that. As of ten minutes ago, I'm at 300.4 lbs. Not a bad start. I took some advice others had mentioned and even though I had the pain medicine, I decided not to go to work every day last week, I worked only two days -- as I got my strength up. I was a bit weak on Tuesday (when I went back) and even though my incisions were all healed, I was still concerned about stress on my torso. I was much better on Friday. The liquid diet is kind of rough, just because there are so little flavors in my fridge, but its only for another week, then I can do the next stage. Anyone have some good ideas for the first post band (mushy) meal? Congrats to all, keep up the fine work. John

That's a good call. Does anyone have any experience with like chili being blended? I think that would be good. I'm actually *really* looking forward to having an egg. I also had a followup question. I can still "feel" something inside my body, it could be just the tenderness / bruising / whatever on the inside getting right again, I just hope I don't have this feeling in my center for a long time. All my incisions have healed. =)

My surgery could not have been more opposite of yours. Mine was done on an outpatient basis, checked in at 8:00 AM, was in a bed by 9:00AM, no issues with the IV. The doctor came in and said hello, then the anesthesiologist came by and verified any allergies or medicines I reacted to. I was wheeled into the OR, the drugs were administered in the IV, no burning sensation (although I was warned) and I was asked to take in deep breaths of oxygen. The clock was at 10:00 when I was wheeled in, the surgery took 47 minutes, and I was waking up in recovery about 12:15. I'm about 32 hours post op and feel great, drinking and passing liquid as I should, the five incisions feel fine, just a little blood from one of them -- I stretched too much to put my stockings on. I even took a shower today, no issues.

Same experience here, banded on 10/10, even with the "you might feel a burn" -- I never did. The time frames were almost exactly the same. I was up around noon and out by 1, I enjoyed the wheelchair ride to the car =) My sister drove me home, I almost went about y day as normal, just slower ... sat at the computer for a few e-mails (to let everyone know I was OK), and really excited about the future. Congrats, we're band twins!

We're twins, I just had mine done today too, I was in at 8:00 and out by 12:30. Very much over the knock out stuff, been sipping Water, feel great. Hope you do too. Congrats.

Done and over, lap band was placed in me about 4 hours ago. At home, did extremely well, no issues, minimal pain, at home walking and doing my normal routine (slower pace) and won't go back to work until some time next week. Sipping water, hanging out with my sister, and thinking this is was the best decision I've made in a long, long time. Good luck to everyone else in October!

Every doctor I had would say things like "I'd like to see you lose some weight" or "How about we get you down to xx lbs". Honestly, if it was that easy or I could have done it on my own, I would have. Anyhow, as I type this to you I have five bandages on my and I'm up sitting at my desk, at home, in minimal pain from the surgery at 10:30 this morning. I was overweight since I was ten, obese at 20 and morbidly so at 30. I looked into LB for almost five years, found the doctor I wanted, ask him for a PCP to use that worked with him and self paid for everything (thanks to my crappy insurance). Don't be discouraged, overcome the obstacles you need to and have it done. Please, please remember this is a tool and you will have to change from the inside out. This is 95% mental but honestly, without the tool I would have the mindset I have now. This is the first day of the rest of my life, it is a new life and I left all my old habits behind. Without something a dramatic as this, it is true, I may have been able to lose the weight, but it would not be like this. Good luck and chin up.

I'll be getting mine at 9AM tomorrow, have an easy recovery and my best to you.

Just got clearance from my doctor on Thursday, on Friday October 15th, 2010 I'll have my band. Yay!

CindyLou, Thanks SO much for the words of encouragement. I can't wait to get started, I've been thinking about this for years and figured I could do it on my own, I did on and off for two years but I'm ready to commit to a new lifestyle. I really can't wait, I have my clothes all arranged by size and I'm donating everything as I shrink out of them! :wub: John

IF everything goes to plan, I'll be banded on 10/15. Crossing fingers!

Props for losing the weight you needed for the surgery, all the best that you are able to have your lap band installed!

Hello all, new to the site, have been reading/lurking for about a month. I've been considering lap-band for ~5 years. I'm in my mid 30's, have always been a big guy. I was overweight in high school, obese in college and have gained 4-5 lbs a year for the last 12 years. My max size has been 315, which is about 7 lbs more than I am now. Never really been OK with my weight, kinda always felt it was beyond my control, sure I've done lots of diets, but I wanted to enjoy the same things as everyone else. Now I've come to the conclusion that the LapBand will be that final tool that helps me break through and get to a healthy weight. I know its a ton of work, I have my gym membership, I have selected my doctor (Dr. Wizman, Margate, FL) after a couple of years of research. I'm settled and self paying and have set a tentative date of October 15th for the surgery. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, give comfort and courage to others and I'm pretty well settled on all the changes I have to make. Already have seen my PCP for the letter, dietitian meet up and psych eval to be done in the next two weeks. Then I write the big check and its off to the O/R. Good luck to everyone =) Nice to meet you all. John

Got more details today. I'm self pay so no doctors letter needed, I have a psych eval on 9/29, pay for the surgery 10/01, dietitian class on 10/05, and surgery scheduled for 10/15. I have more news about the psych eval, its more of an informational thing, a few tests, but basically so you understand the band is a tool and that most of the changes are in your hands. If anyone wants to know more I can give you my experience with the shrink after the 29th.

Oh, that's tomorrow, best of luck to you, it will be the first day of your new life!

Good words from Kathy. I also want to stress, I've seen several posts about cheating, this and that. All I can say is, be honest with your doctor. You and they have a huge investment in your success. Give yourself a year of doing *exactly* what they say -- to the letter. You can do it, they will explain everything. If you need to go to an info session, do so, as many times as ya need. This is not a quick fix, its a life changing, lifestyle commitment.

This is a process which takes time. Your emotions will change, you'll have good days and poor days. Do yourself a favor and keep the end goal in mind. You've decided to change, just think how much this will be worth it!

Hey man, I just signed up too, we're all in this together. It's a life altering and wonderful thing. I expect to learn and hopefully teach a bunch to others. If you want to PM me, I'll be as frank as I can be if it helps -- that goes for anyone. Good luck on the final month of dieting, and when you decide to do it, let me know, I'm set for 10/15.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcome. Like many of you I've spent time in the pre forums, so I don't have many questions, just wanted to say thanks for all the info and I'll keep everyone updated on the progress. I love to hear the good stuff because many time posters are negative, largely because the squeaky wheel gets the grease, right? =)

Thank you bandalley and Gonefishin. Dan, yeah, I'm sure the education is just beginning. While I don't have a dependency on food, I'm a volume eater, and I don't make the best choices. I figure, I'm eating, I only do this 2-3x a day and usually give in to what I want. I know its 95% in my head, but this is a needed tool to get me to a reasonable weight, which I've never done on my own. I'm sure I'll have questions, people who know me say I definitley have opinions -- so either way, you'll be hearing from me =) Cheers- John