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You do feel like that? It's been a week and two days...and I just have like a lingering heavy feeling in my belly....went to the regular dr yesterday, not my band dr, he said it must be my band, cuz everything else seems fine? Who knows, but it hurts, so called where I got my band, and will probably end up going there this evening. Thanks for sharing, I'm ok w/ TMI, because it helps to know someone has the same thing as me! :eek:

It will hurt for a week or two but if you stick to it then your body adapts and you won't hurt a bit. The key is to stick to it the first few weeks. You could also try a Gel Seat they sell in most bike stores or even Wal Mart has em for some extra help.

Hi folks Found this site whilst browsing lap band procedures out of desperation. I'm Kim, 46, live in Southampton, and I've never had a weight problem until I had a number of gynae related problems then a partial hysterectomy in 2007 then the rest out in 2011. Been on HRT since then and by weight has balloned. I am only 5 feet 1 so every stone makes me look like a hippo. Seeing photographs of me recently has made be so depressed, no matter how little I eat nothing seems to make a difference. I have been on a low calorie liquid diet for a few weeks now and haven't lost a pound; I feel something is quite wrong with my metabolism but my GP says just eat less and move move more. The moving thing would be easy except I have a disability, chronic asthma and cannot walk very far without excrutiating pain in my feet. I suffer from calcified tendons which can happen at any time, at the moment I have calcific achilles tendons and can barely walk more than 5 paces without having to stop and also have calcific tendonitis in my shoulders which prevent me from swimming. A few years ago I could swim 100 lenghts of my local pool in 90 mins, today I would be lucky to manage one :-( I know that loosing weight would help my physical conditions and improve my general wellbeing but as I can't exercise I am on a road to nowhere. It seems a gastric band is my only hope to restrict my food intake to a bare minimum. What upsets me is that I am not a massive eater anyway, never eat bread, don't like sweets, rarely eat chocolate, and have cut my alcohol intake to a few social glasses of wine at the weekends. I don't know what has made me put on so much weight but it seems that nothing I do works to resolve the weight problems. I am going to look into going to Belgium for the surgery, there seems to be a lot of people that have chose this option. Can anyone point me in the right direction here ? I know there are many posts on this and the particular surgeon but to save me hours wading through them is there a quick bullet point list on how to contact said Surgeon, make the arrangements, what to expect etc ? Thanks for letting me having a rant....feel a bit better now :-) Have a great weekend K x

Hi I had my band removed in October due to severe GERD, just had the bypass on 11-10-14....they waited 6 weeks before doing my bypass for my stomach to heal. When they 1st took the band out, it felt great to eat whatever I wanted, at least temporarily, until bypass. No vomiting or reflux, now that I'm about 10 day after, it's definitely takes me back to 2011 when I 1st got my band and the stages. But I'm 15 lbs down so far and I think patients like you & I have the benefit of hindsight. We have been through the journey already so I don't think we will make the same mistakes twice! So good luck with everything !!

I am 4 weeks tomorrow and starting eggs yesterday. I could only eat 1/2 egg

I agree with Woodstock. Give it a few days and it may get better. You may need to be on liquids for a whole week, including protein drinks especially.:smile2:

I too was banded in September 2008. I lost 16 pounds on my 3 week pre-op diet and have lost 55 pounds since my surgery. I've had to change the way I eat and the way I think about food, but I love my band!!! I've had no complications - just some adjusting to having real restriction. I feel sooooo good!! If you added up everyone's 2 cents that they give you about your decision, you might have enough to pay for the surgery. Seriously.... do your research - you know what is best for you. Good luck!!! Becky

heniser2 The decision is yours to make - you don't need approval from anyone else. #1 What is her reason for her not wanting you to be banded. #2 10 pple she works with had it done and they haven't had much luck - it the hospitals fault??? Darling there is no luck involved in any weight lost surgery or diet period. No WLS is the magic cure all answer to our issues with food. It's all about the work of changing your eating habits and exercising - the Band or any WLS for that fact is just a tool - a little helper - to make you feel full on a smaller portion of food. It doesn't make your food choices for you - it doesn't exercise for you and it doesn't do a darn thing about our head hunger which manifest itself into what we think is true hunger - the majority of our eating issues are mental not physical - and too - Food is our drug of choice - we are food addicts. Losing weight is simple math - calories in vs calories burn - Eating healthy for the rest of your life - this is where the lifestyle change comes in - Our eating normal is what got us fat in the first place - we eat high fat - tons of sugar and starches... Eating healthy is low fat - low sugar - and limited carbs/starches It all depends on how you use your tool - it depends on how bad you want it and for some no matter how bad they want it - they can not overcome their addiction to food - so they blame the band for not working (goes to haven't had much luck with it) I was 52 when banded - I lost 105 lbs in 1 yr 1 week and now my body is at it's happy weight (total lost 112lbs) I will tell you this - luck wasn't involved - it was me losing that weight - I did 75% of the work by changing my eating habits and adding exercise into my life - the band did the other 25% by providing restriction. I was lucky to be at my sweet spot by my 2nd fill - For others it takes longer. But regardless, it just a tool - a little helper. I could eat around my band if I choose to - candy Cookies ice cream - the band doesn't do a darn thing about stopping you from eating those foods. But try to eat 8 oz of steak - a big mac and fires - Heck no - it will stop you.. Keep on researching - keep reading pples post - talk to your surgeon and other bander's and you will come to you own decision if this is the right surgery for you.. Good luck on your journey.... I wish you the best...

I went to the surgeon yesterday afternoon and they had all my paperwork. The coordinator said that they are ready to submit to the insurance and i should know my date of surgery within 2 weeks. I was floored when she said this. I am so excited and nervous. I have a million things running through my head. i think that i keep expecting something to stand in my way, so far everything has been smooth. Im usually a person that has the worst luck In the meantime they want me to start the preop diet right away. ill start either sunday or monday. The dr said i will def have a date sometime in October! eek!

So I'm about 3.5weeks out. Wednesday makes 4 weeks and my largest incision still hurts. If I'm sitting it's fine, laying down is fine, but when I stand up sometimes it feels like I'm pulling something inside. If I push on it a little it hurts..... I know everyone is different and all will heal different but I'm getting nervous something might be wrong. I already called my doctor and left a message. :-/

they say 6 weeks to be able to do "anything" so at 5 weeks if you start out slow you should be fine.

I started going back to the gym 2 weeks after surgery which was last weekend. Been to the gym 4 times since, so far so good. Doing 30 min of cardio and 20-30 of weights. Feeling very good so far.

Ooooh I have a frozen yogurt place by me. We went there today, it's called 'yo luv it' it's totally non fat and about 13 grams of sugar for small cup. I got a small cup, no toppings ( that's where u go from good to bad!) and I only ate half. So half for tomorrow. It's my go to treat every few weeks or so. Only eating half at a time at only 6-7 grams of sugar is good

Well, my name is Meggie. Im 21 years old, and I recently was banded on DEcember 10, 2007. My story isnt exceptional or sad, maybe it isnt even worthy, but its mine,and I have had quite a journey becoming the young woman I am today. I have had a weight problem since I was a child. My mom worked fulltime so frozen pizzas and processed french fries became a hot meal for me. I was very picky, and that was easy for her and tasteful to me. I grew up with the occasional teasing but nothing out of the ordinary. I always felt out of place;even with family. I was always the "fat" kid in my eyes. My family never saw me as that simply because they saw beyond my weight. They saw what I call the "internal me"--which is in fact a totally different person.-I was never pressured to lose weight or compared to my "model material" kid sister, and in fact, I have been my own worst critic all along. When I got to the seventh grade I decided to take control the only way I knew how; I became bulimic. Typically, bulimics are rail thin and look malnourished-but I never hit that point. The disease never got out of control-well I mean the idea is out of hand enough in itself-but it never got excessive.It was my last resort when food got the best of me.My mother sent me to counseling and there I was, 13 years old with "control" issues as the doctor would call them. I was always told how beautiful I was, and in fact, I was the popular kid in school; neverhteless, I still didnt like me. I went all through highschool with my weight issue and in my senior year my dream came true- I needed my tonsils out. I know, I know-silly dream huh? But, to me it was so much more than a painful surgery. It was a period of 2 weeks that I would lose weight. I did ofcourse-18 lbs to be exact, but it all came back on within a year. So, there I was 18- still struggling every day of my life with my worst enemy-my weight. I dropped some weight at almost 19 because I was going through a break up, and my "control issues" caught up with me yet again. That weight didnt stay off either. As you can see, I never succeeded in keeping it off. It haunted me and creeped up just when I thought I was winning. When I was 19 my 45 yr old father died of massive heartattack while watching the superbowl. A part of me slowly died that day simply because he was ultimately my biggest fan. I dont think my daddy ever saw my size. He didnt care-I was his baby girl no matter what anyone thought. He was the dad that yelled at other small-and I mean young and innocent--kids if they called me names. I wasnt fat, he said and he belived that. Its as if he saw my soul, and not the horrific body that held me hostage. I love him for that and I find myself still trying to see what he always did....Anyways so here I was almost 20 years old. I lost a few lbs after Daddy died because of a loss of appetite, but still nothing to brag about. In November of 2006 I found out I was pregnant. Ive never felt so overwhelmed in my life. While ofcourse I was scared and anxious to meet my beautiful baby boy, the sick part of me thought "hOw will I possibly deal with this weight gain." I know-that should have been the last thing I thought of, but I couldnt help it. The whole 40 weeks I ate like I was on a diet, with the occasional splurge of McDonalds, but for the most part I monitored. Thats insaine isnt it? Who wants to be pregnant and on a diet? The two words dont belong together. Well, needless to say thank god that I monitored considering that I still gained 60 pounds! After the baby I struggled with some deep depression about my weight. I was always crying, and it was the number one focus in my life aside from motherhood. I remember actually thinking" if I have to live like this, I dont want to live." Scary thought, I know-but it was real. In the meantime I had consulted with a plastic surgeon to give me a breast lift. I guess I was looking for anything on my body that I had the power to change when really I just wanted to be thin. I even cut 12 inches off of my hair thinking I was going to have a "new" me. Little did I know, I was far from being new and I was still overweight. By this point I was tired of fighting this battle. I couldnt win alone and that was definitly apparent to myself as well as my close family. So, on the day I was going to schedule my breast lift, I made a call to find out if I qualified for the lapband....well indeed I did-by the skin of my teeth, but it didnt matter. That day I think I found a hopeful part of me that I never knew existed. I connected with the little girl in me and let her know that we were finally going to be alright. I met with Dr Fritz Rau only a week later and immediatly felt a sense of protection and peace. He was wonderful, and assured me that I was in good hands. I soon went on my 2 week liquid diet and did very well. My mother wasnt completly supportive in the beginning but she knew that with or without an army of support, I was going to be banded on Dec 10, 2007. She came through for me, ofcourse, she always did. I got there early that morning and was prepped in no time. After a long wait of about 3 hours-it was my turn. Finally, the moment I had awaited since I was that little girl was actually happening. I almost couldnt bare all of the emotions because for the first time in my life, I felt like the real me was going to have a chance at shining. I came out only 35 minutes later, and everything had went fine. I had alot of pain from the trapped air, but otherwise I was okay. I was already a new woman mentally. I went home the next day, and within a week was taking care of my son. I have had 3 fills so far and am down 25 pounds. My loss has been gradual, but thats okay now because I know it will melt off soon. So, as you can see, I have had an interesting travel to get to where I am today, and to Dr Fritz I owe my happiness. The man has changed my life, and because of him I will be the girl that I was destined to be. Nothing, not even weight, can hold me back now. God Bless all of you- may you all find that inner self who screams to be heard.

In the early stages I was very open and honest with everyone and just told them I wasn't interested in going to the bars or going out to eat. Everyone was very understanding and willing to compromise. Bowling, Movies, Hiking, Fishing, etc... all gave the opportunity to get out and have fun without feeling like people were taunting me with their food. Once I hit week 7 and could start "real food" it became a non-issue and I could simply go along with whatever the plans were.

I have been feeling stressed about a few things for about two weeks. I'm 3 months into my journey with the sleeve and today I nibbled on some really bad foods. I should have gone walking during my lunch but the weather was too cold. What do you do when you are stressed?

You've lost 38lbs in 3 months, that's fantastic - over 3lbs/week. Give yourself credit!

Ok, I did it. I gave in. I got some frozen yogurt, about three ounces. It was satisfying and tasty, no ill effects. In the future maybe a sugar free fudge Popsicle would work- it really wasn't that much better! But I had built it up in my mind... And nothing else would do. Thanks for your thoughts!

I received a call from the dr. office this A.M. stating that they lady to schedule my surgery will call me before the end of the week to set a date. :biggrin2: I am really excited! I was just wondering how long most people stay out with the surgery? The people that I work with stayed out for two weeks. I have read many different things. If I'm not required to stay out for two weeks then I can this done a lot sooner then I thought. :biggrin2: I do now that before I have the surgery my doctor wants me to go have a screen put in my heart to prevent blood clots. I really hate needles!

So sorry for all of my questions and posts. I have not had a PCP for years. I have been going to an urgent care facility for anything that comes up - sinus infections, flu, etc. My insurance (BCBS Fed) requires a letter of reference/referral from my PCP as part of my approval package. I asked today if the urgent care could write such a letter and was told no since they have never treated me for weight loss or obesity. My bariatric counselor referred me to a PCP that takes my insurance and she said they refer a lot of people there. I have an appointment on Friday to get my blood work and EKG completed, and I have my medical records from the urgent care. Do I wait for a couple months before asking for this letter of reference? Do I mention it this week? Any advice you have would be great - thank you!

I was off for 5 days before going back half days. This is not typical and you should listen to your doctor and your body throughout this process. Your procedures will take a lot out of you and there is no way to know for sure how you will respond... The doc will tell you 6 to 8 weeks, but you have a say in your treatment. I did not take narcotics. Could drive safely and was told so by my doctor. One day at a time. You can do this!

I was banded on 3/2 and my port pain is 90% resolved. Last week it was horrible so based on the rate that it has been subsiding I expect it to be gone within another week.

Hi there and welcome to LBT! I think it is great when couples go through the banding process together (even if it is a few weeks apart). What a great support system you can be for each other. I hope you get your insurance approved quickly and are in bandland soon!

Hi all, My husband Squale had lapband 6 weeks ago, is down 55lbs and now it is my turn. I am going to the initial consult next week, the nutritionist and psych the week after and hope to have surgery the first week of July. I've been fat my entire life save a few years as a child...and, after having twins and a singleton in 22 months, decided it was time to make time for me! So, here I am waiting for insurance approval and a go ahead from the dr. Looking forward to meeting all of you further! Rainer

I'm sure its different for everyone. For me it was almost two weeks of sleeping in a recliner before I didn't feel pressure on my incisions when laying flat