hi i was wondering if anyone out there can explain to me how this whole thing works. I will be having my first appt. with my dr in october. I know he will be able to answer my questions but im just way too axcious to find out like. What happens before and after surgery how long does it take to recover ect...i wonder if recovery is a long time because i can't afford to be off work for a long time since im a single mom of 4 lil ones and well i am the only income but i do know my health depends on this too...im so hmmm anxciously confused...can someone help me??:thumbup:

LAP-BAND

There's heaps of info that will be helpful to you on the home page of this site. I have put the link in but I don't know if it will work until I post it!!

Please go and do some reading, there is so much info there that will help you.

Just in case the link does not work: go to the top of this page, click HOME (LHS of lighter blue bar), look in the top panel of the home page - BASICS FOR LAP BAND BEGINNERS'. It's all there.

Should keep you busy for a while :-) Good luck

You're right your doc will be able to give you all the info you need!!!

Recovery really depends on each person individually. For instance I took 8 work days off and I really felt like I needed it. Then I have heard of people that go back after 3 days off. If I were you I would try and get my surgeon to give you a surgery on a Friday so that you have the weekend and that might cut down on your time off.

After surgery you have to stick to particular foods while you heal. The first week I could only have liquids. Then the second week it was soft foods....I don't remember beyond that but there was like a 4 week pre op diet I had to follow to slowly incorporate normal foods again. I find that during this time you loose a lot of weight.

You can shoot me an email if you want if you have any other questions!

ladylapband@verizon.net

Hi I'm Kathy, I'm a two year bander so I've been there done that.

First of all don't be afraid. This is easier than getting your tonsils out. Its takes about Two days in the hospital after surgery, 3 0r 4 days for the soreness to wear off. The worst thing after the surgery is dealing with the gas. Good gas meds fix that. Depending on your weight they try to get you to lose some weight 10-12 lbs before surgery to thin up your liver, they will explain. I went in had mine done the same day and went home in two days. I had four very small cuts less than 3/4 of an inch in my tummy no stitches. Just do what the docs tell you and you will be fine. You may not lose any weight for the first 6 weeks, because you have to wait till then to get your first fill. Once you get your fills right the weight will fly off. If I can give you any real advice to do now is start practicing taking very small bites and chewing forever!!!!!!!!! If you don't once you have the surgery it might just come back up YUK. I hope I have helped you in any way. KathyT. Oh by the way I've lost 145 lbs. God Bless you and your little girls.

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.