Good morning,

My name is Shannon and I was banded on June 10th (2011). My starting weight was 251 (which I have been since my son was born over 4 years ago...if not I weighed more). I am currently at 235 and I will have my first fill on July 5th. I had a BMI of 41 without any health issues at all. After knowing friends and family members who have had such great success with their band...I felt it would be the perfect tool to help me break free of the weight battle I could never win. I did my research, found an amazing doctor and his great staff helped me along quickly to make it happen. My surgery went perfect. My recover has been easy and quick. I eat normal foods; only in small amounts. I am able to drink lots of Water just as I was before. I know all of this will change a bit after my first fill. My face has thinned out the most...just waiting to see my clavicles. haha I am a single/only parent so getting out to workout is not always easy but I do a lot of working on breaks at work and on the weekends. I need a Zumba class! I am here on lapbandtalk.com to find other women like me or to answer any questions other newbies may have. I wish you all tons of luck on your Band journey!

Shannon Joy

Congratulations Shannon!!! I am so glad things have gone so well for you. I am new to the idea of getting "banded". I am in the very early stages of the process. I am actually scheduled to attend my first seminar on July 19. I'm glad to hear your recovery was so easy and simple. (I know not everyone will have the same results) I think that is the one thing that keeps me on the fence about having it done. I am a nurse and being mobile is imperative for me. (not that I'm THAT mobile at close to 400 pds but you get what I'm saying) I would love to know what the first day was like for you. Which doctor did you use in NC?

Good morning,

My name is Shannon and I was banded on June 10th (2011). My starting weight was 251 (which I have been since my son was born over 4 years ago...if not I weighed more). I am currently at 235 and I will have my first fill on July 5th. I had a BMI of 41 without any health issues at all. After knowing friends and family members who have had such great success with their band...I felt it would be the perfect tool to help me break free of the weight battle I could never win. I did my research, found an amazing doctor and his great staff helped me along quickly to make it happen. My surgery went perfect. My recover has been easy and quick. I eat normal foods; only in small amounts. I am able to drink lots of Water just as I was before. I know all of this will change a bit after my first fill. My face has thinned out the most...just waiting to see my clavicles. haha I am a single/only parent so getting out to workout is not always easy but I do a lot of working on breaks at work and on the weekends. I need a Zumba class! I am here on lapbandtalk.com to find other women like me or to answer any questions other newbies may have. I wish you all tons of luck on your Band journey!

Shannon Joy

Congratulations Shannon!!! I am so glad things have gone so well for you. I am new to the idea of getting "banded". I am in the very early stages of the process. I am actually scheduled to attend my first seminar on July 19. I'm glad to hear your recovery was so easy and simple. (I know not everyone will have the same results) I think that is the one thing that keeps me on the fence about having it done. I am a nurse and being mobile is imperative for me. (not that I'm THAT mobile at close to 400 pds but you get what I'm saying) I would love to know what the first day was like for you. Which doctor did you use in NC?

Where are you located? I went to Dr. Scott Bovard. His office is located between Wake Forest and Raleigh. My surgery was done at Rex Hospital in Raleigh but I know its not the only hospital he uses. He and his team have been wonderful and if you are local I highly recommend you check him out. Just look up Bovard Bariatrics. They have a site and if you call they are very helpful!

I had surgery on a Friday. I didn't get home until nearly 7 pm so I just went to bed. The next day I spent either in a big lazy boy (it felt better for me to sit up than to lay down) or up walking around. I wanted to make sure I walked around bc they say that helps with the surgical gas. None of my incisions were painful...so tiny and here I am 3 weeks later and I can hardly see them at all. I was sore (as if I had been doing sit ups) but nothing major. They will give you a liquid pain med to take. I think thats what made me sleepy...but really I was just sore though my torso. I was mostly just drinking Water to stay hydrated. Not really hungry at all. Sunday...I was hungry, still sore but able to walk around more, eat a little and stayed awake more. Monday, back to work. Honestly...I have a desk job so I wasn't up much. I felt very worn out until about mid-day...and then it was like something clicked and I felt great!

The torso soreness was pretty faint by the end of my first week. Now my scars are hardly visible, the only pains I get are cramping in the sides if I have not had enough water and my belly button area where my port is can feel like it is tugging sometimes...but it doesn't hurt; just feels strange. Yes, this will be different for everyone! I am very healthy with no health issues other than I am overweight. I am able to eat solids and have not had to get sick much at all.

Sorry this is so long. haha I wish you the best of luck no matter what path you choose to take in your journey of weightloss. Please feel free to stay in touch and ask any other questions!