More2Love

YAY!! That's great!!

Hey I got lap-band almost 3 weeks ago (Wednesday) and I've already lost 32 lbs. I can definitely see a difference. That is with diet and exercise. Also, I spoke to a man on here who lost like 70+ lbs in just 2 months. It really just depends on your body type and how dedicated you want to be. If you put 100% in then you'll get 100% out. Good luck with your decision!

I have 6. I was prepared for 5 also, but woke up and was told that I had 6. No big deal. 3 of them are so tiny that it looks like I got scratched there. I think that sometimes in order to see better, the doc has to make more holes. And you can always ask your doc about it

Hey First off, I wasn't scared that I was going to die. In fact, I went in there not sure what was going to happen - nor the risks. I knew the risks for the Band, but that was it. So now I'm a little shocked that I wouldn't have done my homework earlier to find out the possible side effects of anesthesia. Anyway, the week before surgery was crazy for me. I was a wreck...and eating everything in sight. I went to Olive Garde, pizza Hut...I just ate, ate, ate. I didn't have to do the pre-op diet which was a blessing and a curse. I ended up gaining 2 pounds before the surgery. The surgery day was the worst. I never had surgery before and I was absolutely terrified. The worst part was the I.V. for me. After that I just got to lay on a comfy table, get a few shots, talk to a few people and I was on my way. But I was definitely an emotional wreck! Glad it's over and I can continue living my life as post-op.

Hey You will still be able to drink your Water - if fact, it's kind of required. At first you won't be able to drink much water (first couple days) but then you should be drinking 64+ oz a day. Also, call up the doctor's office that you wish to get your surgery done at and see if it's available. Then check with insurance - usually they can tell you which places locally accept your insurance - and you want to make sure you get approved. There are many steps before actually getting the surgery. I had to have 3 months diet w/ nutritionist, talk to a psychologist, have blood work done on multiple occassions, meet w/ my primary care provider, and the list goes on. It's a lot of work. So definitely just make a few phone calls on Tuesday and get the ball rolling. You won't be sorry that you did!

Hey guys! May 18th here. Almost perfect still on the crazy liquid diet but start solids next Wednesday. Can't wait!

I was banded on March 1, 2011 and could not be happier. Since being banded I have had nothing but success. I have lost 92lbs and have a whole new outlook on food, diet, and happiness in life.

For the past 3 days on and off I have noticed a very mild pain on the right side of my abdomen about 3 inches south of my rib cage. I have not noticed any particular activity or function that causes the pain. The pain is very mild and does not make me uncomfortable in any way. It feels almost like a sore abdomen muscle however I havent done anything that would cause this. I am a little concerned and plan to contact my doctor however I was curious if anyone else has experienced anything like this and had any insight as to what it could be.

You lost 92 lbs since March 1??? Wow! Tell us how you did it! I've heard that sometimes gas bubbles from surgery can still cause some people pain even a couple months after surgery. It could possibly just still be floating around. Definitely call your doctor just to make sure that it's nothing serious. Good job again!

American Eagle jeans. Since Middle School I've always coveted just 1 pair. Everyone wore A.E. jeans and I could never fit into them. I was a size 18 in 6th grade! And man...when that day comes...I'm sure that I'll break down and cry. Those jeans mean the world to me. That's my biggest goal ever - it's more than graduating from college, getting married, etc.

I know this is not really a Lap Band question, but who else can I ask?! I'm going back to college next month and I am a big girl (hence getting the Lap Band this summer). I am terrified it'll be those little desks that are attached to the chairs and I'm not going to fit! What if I don't fit at whatever desk they have? What if I'm the oldest biggest person in class?!

That's one of the reasons that I looked into Lap Band in the first place. I could never fit into those chairs. Oh, it was so embarrassing! All the girls were tiny, and I felt HUGE compared to everyone. I felt like everyone was staring at me and thinking things in their heads. I used to scope out the classroom days before class started to peek into the windows to see what chairs they had. In fact, I sometimes I wouldn't even take classes because they were only offered in those classrooms. However, at 290+ I was able to fit in them...I was just uncomfortable. I think you'll be fine, but man...that brings back some bad memories. Just remember - college is important. If I had it over, I wouldn't be so embarrassed. I am who I am, and I shouldn't be ashamed of who I am. Never be ashamed...everyone's beautiful on the inside and out.

I will get better! Right now it seems like it'll go on forever, but it won't. I was in the exact same boat...but I'm totally fine now. Just keep walking - no matter how hard that may seem. Once I started taking walks outside, I noticed that I was burping more, which made my stomach feel better and less bloated. I had lots of nausea after surgery - it just happens. SO painful - and my whole family was there was watch me be sick... But it goes away. 8 days post-op and I'm almost perfectly normal again. However, sometimes when I burp, it still stays in my stomach and moves around...and yes, that's painful. But it definitely is much, much, much better now than before. So again, it gets better! Hang in there!

Banded on the 18th too Guess that was a good day! Absolutely no pain here Haven't been drinking my Protein Shakes because the thought makes me feel sick. I need to start drinking them though so I don't end up losing my hair. My hair's my "money maker" considering I'm a cosmetologist. Anyway, good luck with your journey!!

By the 7th, she'll still be in a lot of discomfort because of the gas, but she'll be able to sit there. I know that I was doing fine 3 days post-op. Everyone is different, but she can do anything that she puts her mind to. Sometimes pain is just in the mind. School's important and health is important. She'll just have to decide if she's willing to work through it. My surgery was on Wed and went back to school the following Monday. I was hardly in any discomfort at school on Monday. In fact, I am going to school for cosmetology and was able to stay on my feet and cut hair for 8 hours w/o complaint. Then again, everyone's different and everyone has a different pain level. Anyway, good luck to her!

This is SO exciting! Congrats! I seriously hope that everything goes smoothly for you. My surgery was at 9:30 am also Anyway, I definitely agree that you'll never know how someone else feels until you try it for yourself. I've read so many forums on here, but I never truly knew. I'm currently 1 week post-op and still thrilled that I did this. Dive, baby, dive!!

Hey Pinky! Congrats! I'm glad you had a good experience! This was also my first experience with any kind of surgery - but I DID break my ankle when I was in 3rd grade. I was extremely scared, and I did cry But my nurses were all nice about it. It was just the whole operating room that freaked me out. I'm currently 1 week post-op so we're close. Anyway, good luck with everything. 18 pounds lost? That's awesome!

Hey First, congrats! And second, I just wore normal clothes. I wore jeans and my favorite shirt. When I got to the hospital, they brought me into the "waiting" room and made me change into a gown, cloth panties, and no-slip socks. I couldn't wear my jewerly (bye-bye Industrial piercing) and my bra. I ended up wearing that all day because I wasn't allowed to change and I was so drowsy that I just didn't care. Before leaving the hospital the next day though I changed into a baggy pair of pj pants and t-shirt. I dont recommend anything tight because it'll hurt your stomach. Just something light and comfy. Good luck with everything!

**I live in Florida so I didn't need a coat, but I recommend something easy to put on. Also, I had brought my makeup and hair supplies, but I was just so tired and in pain from the gas that I just didn't even care what I looked like.

Oh that's so exciting! Congrats! I had all those feelings...plus some! But honestly, I was so sick of being considered unhealthy that that feeling trumped everything else. Those feelings are normal, but keep looking forward to the results. I'm currently 1 week post-op and I've already had my first non-scale victory with clothing. That's the best feeling! Again, I'm so excited for you. Keep us updated on your journey

I feel like your social life will change in some aspects. I know that for myself, the beginning was hard. I never had to do a liquid diet pre-op but had to do (only 1 week) it post-op. It was hard to not eat out with my family...especially when they were mentioning pizza, mexican, chinese...etc. (Excuse me while I drool!) But you can do it. If getting healthy is what you truly want, then nothing will get in your way. You've tasted BBQ before. You know what it tastes like, smells like, etc. It's STILL going to taste like that in the future when you've reached your goal. The beginning is hard, but eventually you'll be eating out again. Eventually you can go see a movie again. This isn't forever...you won't always be on liquids. You can do this!

I was nervous about the anesthesia. Mostly because I was scared that it wouldn't work. This was my first surgery ever (I'm 22 years old). But once I got into the operating room, they put the mask on me and told me to breathe in the oxygen. Then, before I knew it, I was being woken up and in recovery. Unfortunately, I was in recovery for about 8 hours because they didn't have a room for me. I slept a lot and didn't get up to walk until about 5:30pm. I was also worried about being cut open in front of a group of people. But honestly, that didn't bother me a bit when i woke up. I wasn't even awake for any of it Anyway, good luck with everything! I was so scared about this whole thing, but it was over before I knew it. Remember...there's only 24 hours in a day. Just take each hour as it comes. You can do this!

My parents are the only people who know that I got banded. Any boy did I talk about it 24/7 with them. But that's all that I cared about. In fact, it's all that I still care about. Lap Band is so important to me, and I actually enjoy talking about it! Yes, I bet it can be annoying. I literally talk about it all the time - out for dinner, in the car, on the phone, before bed, etc. It's just a topic that means a lot to me and it's such a big part of my life that it's a topic that I can't seem to avoid.

Hey

I haven't told anyone either. My parents know (only because I'm on my dad's insurance) and I finally told my brother. No one else knows. Honestly, it's because I don't need anymore "doctors" in my life. Because once you tell someone that you'll be having surgery and dieting, they suddenly become unlicensed doctors! "Eat this, eat that. You'll have to do this. Now don't do that." Not only that, but I also feel like it's a personal matter. I don't care if others don't agree with this. I'm unhealthy and need to change my life. I want a long and happy life, and this is going to change it for good. Just be true to yourself and everything else will just fall into place.

I hope I change! Right now I'm very unsocial and don't enjoy going out with friends. It's mostly a mental thing. I don't want to go to clubs because dressing cute isn't exactly my thing. Because a cute dress doesn't look as nice on me as it does on one of my other skinny friends. Honestly - one of my main goals...I want to be able to fit into a pair of American Eagle jeans. That's been my goal since middle school Anyway, I'm hoping that I'll just become a more social me! I don't want that little voice telling me that I'm not worthy to do things. I want to go on a date and not worry about not fitting in a booth. I want to go to the movies and not worry about not fitting into the seats. I want to go into any clothing store and buy things. I want to just be happy!

Hey

We had our surgery on the same day! I was a bit nervous, but nothing I couldn't handle. Everything was a process...just a step that had to be overcome. First the i.v. then waiting, then the surgery itself. I can't believe that it's done! Anyway, I'm hoping that you're feeling well. I'm in a bit of a discomfort, but it's getting better with each minute that passes.

Cheers!

Meg

Hey!

You're going to be so pleased that you got it done! This was my first time having anesthesia also. It was pretty scary, but I actually felt calm about it. In fact, when they wheeled me into the operating room, the nurses were all singing to one of my favorite songs. The radio was going, people were laughing...it was a good time. They put the mask on me and told me to breathe in the oxygen. So I did. Then the nurse told me goodnight. As soon as she said that, I tried to fight it. I remember saying, "But I'm not sle..." Then I was out. She told me it was oxygen, but it was probably just her way of getting me to breathe it without fighting. All in all, it was good! I was definitely scared, but it's nothing to worry about. It was just the waiting around and thinking about it before hand that really drove me nuts!

My Protein shake is made my BodyTech. It's called whey Tech Pro Isolate. And of course I needed it in chocolate! It's good for the most part. Definitely not a milkshake...but it's easy to get down. I bought a shaker (a cup with a whisk in it) so it's easy to just shake up. I would really like to try the muscle milk though. But with Protein shakes - you need to make sure they're whey isolate. That's the biggest thing. For me, I went to The Vitamin Shoppe and they didn't have much choices when it came to size of container. I had to get 2.07 lbs of it. Next is Cookies & Cream!

Anyway, hope that this helped. Good luck with everything!

Meg

p.s. Do bring some HUGE clothes with you to change into when you get discharged from the hospital. I almost made the mistake of only bringing jeans to change into. I was thankful that I had thrown my pajama pants in the bag just a few seconds before we left for the hospital.

I'm currently in pre-op. Luckily, I only had to endure the 3 months of "waiting." My last appointment with the nutritionist is on April 4, along with my psychologist appointment that I'm required to attend. Right after that they're going to submit all the paperwork to my insurance company. We're aiming for early May. The sooner the better...I don't want a chance to change my mind! I'm extremely nervous...mostly because I've never had any kind of surgery before. Hopefully I will as much success as everyone else.