Hello Everyone !

Just wanted tp check in and let everyone know that my surgery was a great success. Dr. Jay and his wonderful staff have been soo supportive and helpful. I am very sore and still adjusting to the band and eating very little but I think I am doing as well as to be expected. I have already lost 9 pounds and I am excited.. I am looking forward to a wonderful road to recovery and would highly recomend this surgery for anyone who is looking for a new way of life..

I hope you will be 100% soon, I will be having my surgery on Tues. 1-24-06 and I am excited but alittle nervous. Was there any surprises during and after surgery? I will be traveling over 1600 miles to have this done and I would like to know what to except. I know everyone is different, but alittle info. would be great.

HK,

As you say, everyone is different but my experience was as follows......

I was so ready to do this and change my lifestyle that I couldn't think of anything bad happening to me. I was very positive about the whole procedure being done to me and didn't have one negative thing cross my mind. I had my surgery on 11/10/05. I went into the hospital at 1:30pm and wasn't even being prepped for surgery until 2:30pm. That last time I looked at the clock was at 2:40pm. I remember saying, am I done already? I was out of the hospital and my husband driving me home at 5:00pm. I didn't experience too much pain and I think I only had 2 spponfuls of pain meds. in 2 days and that was it. I went back to work on Monday and felt great. When I went to work on Tuesday I was a little exhausted so I only worked a half day, but after that no problems.

If you will experience any problems it will be with the port area. I felt the port area pretty much for 5 weeks. When you stand up from a sitting position it pulls and burns in that area. Scar tissue is forming and it is a little uncomfortable. Be sure to hold your stomach when you are going to get up from a sitting position, it helps.

I have lost 50lbs. so far and the positives so much out weigh the negatives. I believe in the power of positive thinking and it worked for me.

I wish you all the luck with your upcoming surgery.

Josephine

Hi Julie -

Congratulations on surgery! 9 lbs already - WOW! Take it easy this first little while - I am a little over a week out and just now getting used to the fact that I really did this and I think I'll be ok with it. It's been touch and go up to now. Good luck with your journey! BTW, what part of town are you in? I'm in Keller.

HKHarms - Best wishes on your surgery - it's just around the corner! The main problem I had was really horrid gas pains - they're easing up some now. Also, I really feel the port and have a bit of pain in that area. It feels a little foreign to me, but I hear you'll get used to it. I've had a hard time getting my calories up since surgery (I think due to swelling). Drink your Protein shakes and try and keep your energy up!

Kim

Welcome to bandland!:clap2:

congradulations on your surgery. sounds like you are doing really well. i will be having mine on 2/3. im very excited, cant wait. keep us posted on your recoop.

Hello everyone!

I was banded on Jan 19 06 too. I am doing okay but someone mentioned gas and bloating pain. I am having lots of that. Still on liquids only. What is up with that. No pain meds today at all. Feelin fine!!!!

Congrats on the surgery! :clap2: I hope to be saying that soon.

Welcome to LBT! Take it easy, remember that you are letting your esophagus and stomach heal, and they are pretty stressed after surgery. Post any worries or questions here, and there will be someone here to help you. Cindy

Hello Everyone !

Thank you soo much for all your imput and support.. Today has been a rough day for me. I think I over did it yesterday and I am having quite a it of pain and discomfort today. I am taking my gas X as often as directed and it has been my saving grace as far as gas pain is concerned. You are right about the port location. I think that is where I feel the most discomfort at this point. I am still on liquids and I have started on solid liquids very slowly. I am having a hard time keeping my calories up also because I am scared to over do it because the last thing I want to do it vomit .. I hear that is very painful.. How do you know when you are full ??? I think I will start my protien shakes tomorrow when I wake up and see how that goes tomorrow. I will be four days post op.. I think I am still in shock.. I feel like I am living a dream still. This has been the best experience of my entire life other then when my daughter was born and I would highly recomend it to anyone who is looking for a better way of life and is tired of being sick and tired.. Although I am still feeling kinda crummy I feel that my life has taken a new turn and I am soo excited to see what the future holds.. I am in Alvarado , Texas btw and I am willing to travel to a support group and would love to share my story in hopes that others will know that you are never alone out there and there is always someone that is where you are or has been where you have been as well. I am soo thankful for lapband.com because this website gives me the support that I need to stay on this positive road to recovery.. Thank you all Very much !!

I love you all !!

How do I set up my tickler .. for my weight loss ??

Hi Kim ,

I am in Alvarado, Texas which is South of Fort Worth. I am about an hour from Medical City Dallas. I would love to get together at least once a month for a group meeting. I think that would be great. I don't mind traveling.. Here is my personal email .. DAngelbaby2395@aol.com .. Email me with your info and I will give you mine as well.. Look forward to talking to you real soon ..

have a great day !

Hi !

I was really nervous too the next before my surgery. I had to be at the hospital at 6:15 a.m. and my surgery was scheduled for 7:45 a.m. I think I was the first cut of the day which was great because I was in and out and on my way home by 1:00 p.m. Everyone was wonderful . Dr Luk came in and explained everything in great detail and answered all my questions. Dr. Jay came in as well and was wonderful.. After the surgery I felt very little discomfort and almost no pain at all. The second day I went to Dallas and had lunch with my father and walked alot which helped with the gas pains.. Take lots of GAs X it really does work. It has been my saving grace.. I am still having a hard time keeping my calories up because I am scared of over eating but I think that will come with time and adjustments.. Dr Jay did fill my band with 1 cc of saline so I am feeling lots of restriction but I think this is normal because of swelling as well .. Am I right about this ?? How long does it take for the swelling to go down ?? I hope I have answered all your questions.. Good luck w/ your surgery. I know you will do great and you will never be sorry ..

HK,

As you say, everyone is different but my experience was as follows......

I was so ready to do this and change my lifestyle that I couldn't think of anything bad happening to me. I was very positive about the whole procedure being done to me and didn't have one negative thing cross my mind. I had my surgery on 11/10/05. I went into the hospital at 1:30pm and wasn't even being prepped for surgery until 2:30pm. That last time I looked at the clock was at 2:40pm. I remember saying, am I done already? I was out of the hospital and my husband driving me home at 5:00pm. I didn't experience too much pain and I think I only had 2 spponfuls of pain meds. in 2 days and that was it. I went back to work on Monday and felt great. When I went to work on Tuesday I was a little exhausted so I only worked a half day, but after that no problems.

If you will experience any problems it will be with the port area. I felt the port area pretty much for 5 weeks. When you stand up from a sitting position it pulls and burns in that area. Scar tissue is forming and it is a little uncomfortable. Be sure to hold your stomach when you are going to get up from a sitting position, it helps.

I have lost 50lbs. so far and the positives so much out weigh the negatives. I believe in the power of positive thinking and it worked for me.

I wish you all the luck with your upcoming surgery.

Josephine

Hi Josephine,

Thanks for the info., I only have 2 days to go and I am getting very excited about getting it done so I can start my new life. My father-in-law is in the hospital and is fighting bone cancer. The drs. said he is going quickly, I just pray that I will be home before anything would happen. I am worried about not being here. (just in case) I will let you know how things go.

Thanks again, Hkharms

Where are you traveling from ? I know exactly what you are going through because my step father is in the final stages of colo rectal cancer and I was very nervous about leaving him and something bad happening and there being complications but everything went as planned and I was home in no time .. You will do just fine .. Don't worry !! Keep me posted and let me know how everything works out and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ..

I got up today, Sunday and feel good. Hungry but good. I start on solid liquids today. I am gonna go get gas x an see if that helps my gas pains. I understand how it feels to have a sick parent. I was scheduled for my banding on Nov 10 of 05 and my Mom passed away that day and I had to cancel. I miss her very much but would not wish her back to the life she had. She had many problems with bowel obstructions. One of the main

reasons I went with banding instead of bypass surgery. Her heart just finally could not take the strain any longer. I am going to pray for you that your father in law is at peace.

I weighed myself for the first time since my banding today. I am at exactly 15 pounds since I started this 2 1/2 weeks ago. I am so happy about that. I already feel more mobile.

I too would like to know how to do the thread thing and also to start a ticker for wieght loss. I am fired up to the max!!!!!!!!!!!!

Darlene

Where are you traveling from ? I know exactly what you are going through because my step father is in the final stages of colo rectal cancer and I was very nervous about leaving him and something bad happening and there being complications but everything went as planned and I was home in no time .. You will do just fine .. Don't worry !! Keep me posted and let me know how everything works out and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers ..

Hi JuliePlunk,

I am traveling from IL. and this morning at 3:30a.m. we got the call from the hospital that they wanted the whole family there. He is going quickly. My husband is from a big family, so they just wanted the kids there. I stayed home with our son and had my sister on standby just in case. I don't know what to do. Do I go or reschedule? I have already taken an leave of absent from work from my recovery and all my plans are in place. Any advice you have would be great.The reason I am asking is he could pass on today or weeks from now. Please don't think I am being cold-hearted, I just don't know what to do. My husband and I are floating the entire bill for this. My airfare alone was almost 1300.00. (that's was for me and my sister-in-law) I have a sister that lives very close and she already said that if I go she will be on standby for our son.

Thanks for Listening, Helena Harms