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Soon & scared! Advice, comfort?



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Hi bandies! I am scheduled to get banded in NYC at the end of June. I have gone through all doctor appts and two sleep apnea tests, which might I add was terrible! Now that the time is coming closer to when I am having my surgery, I am becoming nervous (even had one or two dreams about it) I have sleep apnea and getting the machine soon. I hate the apnea mask, as I get restless and claustrophobic. What can I expect after surgery regarding that? I do not want to wake up from surgery w/ the mask on.. I want to be as comfortable as possible as I know I will freak out. Also, I have been reading a lot of forums that talk about gaining weight, not losing and a lot of shoulder/neck pain. I am starting to overthink and worry. I am not one to tolerate much pain. I'm starting to have second thoughts but I do know regardless of 2nd thoughts, I will go through with the surgery. Wondering if the sleeve was a better choice. I am 27, 215lbs, 5'2 in height, have pcos and sleep apnea. Oy!

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Hi bandies! I am scheduled to get banded in NYC at the end of June :rolleyes: Congratulations on your DATE. I have gone through all doctor appts and two sleep apnea tests, which might I add was terrible! Now that the time is coming closer to when I am having my surgery, I am becoming nervous (even had one or two dreams about it, Nervousness is natural, It's major surgery after all :o

I have sleep apnea and getting the machine soon. I hate the apnea mask, as I get restless and claustrophobic It is possible to just use a nasal canulla for sleep apnea , but remember the mask is more efficient in getting Oxygen into the lungs to keep your Co2 stats up ;) What can I expect after surgery regarding that? I do not want to wake up from surgery w/ the mask on I don't know for sure but in most cases I don't think they will need to use a mask since they will control all the oxygen levels during surgery, and your not going to be sleeping, that being said if your levels decrease post-op they might need to use a mask while in recovery. I want to be as comfortable as possible as I know I will freak out. Also, I have been reading a lot of forums that talk about gaining weight, not losing and a lot of shoulder/neck pain. I am starting to overthink and worry Your truly going to drive yourself CRAZY if you keep reading about all the "what if's". It's great to learn about the possible complications (forewarned) BUT...the most important research is to look for all the different diets that are suggested, and the PROPER way to use your Band. Because allot of people DON'T get all the information that they NEED from their health care professionals :( I am not one to tolerate much pain.Then make sure you have Pain/nausea medication BEFORE I'm starting to have second thoughts but I do know regardless of 2nd thoughts, I will go through with the surgery. Wondering if the sleeve was a better choice Did you ask your Doctor about any other surgery? It's never too late to learn about the options. I am 27, 215lbs, 5'2 in height, have pcos and sleep apnea. Oy Good luck on your Journey

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Take a deep breath! We all had some pre-surgery anxiety but are here to post about our banded lives. The neck and shoulder pain will be from gas that they pump your stomach with to get to your organs. Although the gas is uncomfortable....there are things you can do to ease the trapped gas feeling. I am sure they will go over all this at your pre-op appt. Recovery is quicker than you think. I felt worlds better after each day and pretty much 100% at Day 7. Hopefully your apnea clears up after some weight loss. I have read this a lot here on the forum with very little weight loss. Good luck!

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I really appreciate the helpful responses. I am one to over think and worry but nevertheless I am motivated and eager to change my life so regardless of anything I know I will do it. You are right, all natural worries! Everyone is different and if I worry myself, it'll only do more harm. Love this app! Again, thank you! Will keep updates and sure will have lots of questions to ask! :)

Sent from my iPhone using LapBandTalk

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I am with you! Also will be getting banded this summer in NYC and very nervous! I just have to keep telling myself that if I follow the rules I will be successful.

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You're going to be just fine!! I have bipolar disorder and severe anxiety, so I was a mess before surgery. They were even giving me drugs to calm my nerves before I got wheeled back... Lol. You're going to do great! Just breathe! :) :)

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I was just banded on May 1st. I have anxiety and panic attacks and was very thinking about the surgery. I also have sleep apnea. On the day of surgery surprisingly I was real calm until right before surgery, but they gave me something to calm my nerves before I went in for surgery. When I got into the operating room I was so relaxed and then the anesthesiologist said I'm going to put you to sleep now and I was out within a few seconds. I don't remember being woken up in the recovery room, but I know they do that. I just remember waking up in my room still out of it and very sleepy. I did have oxygen on, but it was just the two little pieces that go in your nose. They will not put a big sleep apnea mask on you, because they do not air getting into your stomach. The surgery really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Good Luck and Congrats on your surgery!!!

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    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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