Hello All!!

First and foremost, I would like to say that this site has been extremely helpful. All of you are so helpful and supportive..full of information! Thank You!!! That being said...I am scheduled for surgery in a couple of weeks (july 25th) I am absolutely terrified! :paranoid and excited all at the same time. I have tried and tried to lose this weight and it has been a very long, frustrating journey. Anyway, I've finally decided that the band would be a helpful tool to help me in this weight struggle. I'm trying not to let the fear overtake me. I was originally scheduled for the surgery on June 12th but, I was too afraid of complications, (like how long will you be in pain?) so I post-poned it. I am extremely healthy. I would much rather be a big healthy girl, than a thin unhealthy one. Also, I have a little toddler running around the house :confused: and I'm wondering how much energy will I have after the surgery..I mean, i've literally talked myself out of this surgery time and time again because of fear, and I can't let this fear overcome me anymore. I have to remain positive because that's just who I am..it's always "glass half full vs. empty" for me. Anyway, I just wanted to introduce myself as the "newbie" and hopefully, I will hear from one of you soon? By the way, has anyone heard of Dr. Boe in Schaumburg Illinois? He will be performing my surgery. Thanks again everyone.

5'3; 243lbs

I am definately in the same boat you are. My surgery is just days after yours. I also have a 2 1/2 year old running around and am worried about my energy after surgery. I also realize that I don't have much energy now, before surgery, because of my weight. I am definately interested in how you do after surgery because our dates are so close together. Good luck to you. I am excited for you also. I would like to keep in touch as we will be going through the same things surgery wise, date wise, and toddler wise. Keep in touch.

I know just what you’re talking about. I’m up for surgery on the 11th her in San Diego, CA. I too have thought about this long and hard. I first heard about Gastric Bypass back in 1994 and thought I might want to do that.

I am so happy that I didn’t. Knowing what I know now and all of their complications and that it are not reversible. I'm very happy that I didn't do that surgery.

I wanted something that would take time. I didn’t want an immediate lose of weight either. I wanted to learn from it, have a chance to tone up and w/a family of 6 I needed to teach them about good eating too.

I too have been healthy all my life. It’s only w/in the last year that my Rt knee has been a problem and I’m hoping that it will be solved w/the weight being gone, also my lower back issues that I’ve had every since 2000.

My latest issue is I need to have my gallbladder out at the same time. I was just told this week about that. If there are any complications in the removal (leakage) they will not band me and I’ll have to reschedule. But the doctor assures me that they’ve done this many times and w/out complications.

So I’ve been fighting that fear of failure and I don’t want to start this stupid 10 day liquid diet again. I has a small set back because of the news and ate food. Of course my body said “what in the hell are you doing to me” and w/in 2 hours I was visiting the bathroom w/the runs. I’m dealing with it better now and am on the right track again.

Talking to people like you really helps. I too love this site and all the people from all over.

A moto that another bander has “faith not fear”. Find you faith and stomp the fear and you will pull through this with flying colors!

Hey Becky!! thanks for responding.. yes, i understand about the energy level. my energy level has gone down too that never used to be the case. I'm now trying to walk more and now taking vitamins..i never used to take vitamins either. Good luck to you and take it easy especially with your little one running around :confused: we will definitely keep in touch.

Hello! Welcome to all of the newbies. :confused: I had my surgery May 3rd of this year and have done really well. I have a six year old daughter, a three year old son and a one year old son. I had very little pain. I think I took two doses of pain meds, but not really out of necessity just because I was worried I might not be able to sleep. I was lucky in that I didn't have "gas" pain. I hear that can be quite uncomfortable. From what I have read it could be due to the fact that I am always up and walking around keeping up with the little ones, because one of the "fixes" for the gas pain is walking around. Anyway, keep your chin up and dive in! You can do it! I have lost 32 pounds so far, and I have more energy! It is so worth it. Try to arrange for some help with your children, or at the very least have some new dvd's and crafts available for when you get home from the hospital. Be sure to read posts that give advice on what to have handy post surgery and what to do to help with any pain you might have. Well, this ended up being a little longer than I expected. :nervous

Hope this helps. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! :clap2:

Not to worry ladies!! You will do just fine.I am a LOT older than you all (60 yrs old) and my energy has gone up. I could not be happier about my Lapband decision. It has truly changed my life. I am 9 weeks post op. I wish all of you the best in your up coming surgeries

Roberta

I am being banded August 9th and I have a lot of fear but its not really with the sugery itself. I am afraid of what I will look like later on. I know that sounds crazy but I am really afraid of the skin issue, of my hair falling out and "sliming" in public or something! As much of a help thei site has been, I am very afraid of the things I hadnt even thought of before like the sliming!! I am afraid that my dear bf wont think I am attractive anymore because he likes bigger girls obviously and maybe if I am all saggy..I know it sounds nuts but I feel like I am scared, excited and 50 other emotions all happening at once. I wouldnt give up my chance to have it for anything (been fighting with insurance company for a year!) but its a huge deal for sure..

I'm 59, have fibromalgia, chronic fatigue, and various other immune issues. I was scared that I wouldn't have any energy after surgery, since I barely had any before. I can only tell you that I'm 4 weeks out, was wide awake after surgery, sailed through it, and have more energy now then before. I don't know what happened, if its my attitude or what. I feel better now then before so don't worry about the energy!!!!

thank you guys so much!!!! thanks kelli!! i needed to hear that. i have to remember that my faith far exceeds my fear.. CONGRATULATIONS on the 30 lbs already!!!:confused: that is absolutley wonderful and it has only been a couple of months for you. keep up the good work. so, can i ask how many days would you say that it took for you to feel "up to" dealing with the little ones? my daughter is 2.5 and full of energy:)

The only thing I think you need to check with your Dr. about is the lifting limiton weight. I provide care for my granddaughter, she was about 16 1/2 months old when I had my band surgery, and my Dr. did not want me lifting anything over 5-10 pounds max for 2 weeks. I tried very hard to adhere to that, and would hold her hand and let her climb into my lap etc. But I had my DH home to help me the first few days, when I think the worst problem with lifting would be. The surgery itself was a breeze for me. I had it done in MX, and flew home 5 hours, and drove another 5 hours on the 3rd day, and was out and shopping for some remodeling things the next day.I had IV pid meds following surgery that day, then nothing, until a dose of liquid Tylenol on the plane ride home.

I really would check on the lifting, they stitch your port in place, and also attach the lower stomach up with stitches, which are all internal, so even if your Dr. glues or stapeles the outside incisions, you still have stitches inside needing to heal. It would be a shame to spend this much time and money getting the band done, only to rip something inadvertantly....better to check and be safe!

Best of Luck to you , you will do fine!!!

Kat

LUV2LUV

We have the SAME bandday... I am also getting mine on the 25th.. I was really nervous too until I had my Gall Bladder taken out last week. I have been told that the band surgery is very simular. I was hoping for the best and when I got home I keep waiting for the pain. It really never came. I have three kids under the age of 5 and was up doing stuff for them the day after my surgery. The day of, I was out of it most of the day and I did have quite a bit of insision pain but it was managable. On the second day after surgery I went out of town to a family get together three hours away and had a blast. The best advice I can give is to have someone their with you on the day you have surgery, The next day you can manage as long as you have something to keep them ocupide. My hubby is only taking off the day of my surgery, I am on my own for the rest of the week. Well good luck and keep in touch

I am scheduled for surgery on July 18th at Hurley Hospital in Flint, MI. I don't have any little ones running around anymore - I am 59 years old. I wish this surgery had been available when I was much younger, but now I see this as a start to a healthier life. My husband and I have recently retired and are planning to travel. It will be so much more fun to travel, walk around, see the sights, wear a bathing suit, etc. I am nervous, but really looking forward to the outcome. I am on the 5th day of my liquid diet. The first day was horrible - splitting headache from no caffeine. Now, having no food isn't really so awful. I have actually lost about 8 pounds since I started the liquids. I thought I would be tired, but I seem to have more energy - probably psychological. I stay one night in the hospital after the surgery. Will I be able to be up and walking around and feeling halfway well when I get home? Or does it take several days to get back on your feet?

We have the same surgery date!!! Only 13 more days!!! I understand how you are feeling. I have a 7 year old and I"m not telling anyone other than my husband, so I won't be getting any coddling. I'm going to Tijuana all by myself. Even though I live in KY, my flight is going to New Jersey then to San Diego---I think the plane ride scares me more than the surgery. #1 I've never flown, plus #2 I"ve never done anything like this all alone. I worry about our plane being hijacked, or crashing all to be thin? I know I have more chance of being killed in my car on the way to the airport, but it's still going through my mind. But cha know what? WE CAN DO THIS! WE ARE TOUGH COOKIES! and, we WILL be THIN and healthy in a very short period of time! Best of luck to you!

Karen MT

Hi Karen,

Wow, you are brave, going all by yourself. You'll do fine. The plane ride will be great - I love to fly! The only problem with flying is delays - you probably don't have to change planes, so it should be a smooth flight. How long do you have to stay in Mexico?

Pat

Hi Karen,

Wow, you are brave, going all by yourself. You'll do fine. The plane ride will be great - I love to fly! The only problem with flying is delays - you probably don't have to change planes, so it should be a smooth flight. How long do you have to stay in Mexico?

Pat

I DO have to change planes! Only have 1/2 hr:omg: to switch in New Jersey...that's all I'm worried about. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the flights won't be late.:phanvan

If your first flight is delayed at all, just tell the flight attendant and they will check on your connecting flight for you. If you are changing planes on the same airline, you shouldn't have any problem.