Getting nervous. Surgery for lap band Dec 1. I know women from work who have been very successful with the band. My sister lives overseas and had the sleeve this last year, having issues. Sounds like she has to have surgery for scarring. All the literature is saying to get a sleeve instead of the band. I know that there are less absorption issues with the band. My mom had a gastric bypass a very long time ago and can't absorb Calcium and has osteoporosis. I've got osteopenia of a small section if my lower spine so doing everything to work in bone growth. I'm also a RN. I exercise but broke my knee and arm 3 years ago so impact exercise is out. I swim, bike, do the row machine and have added upper body weights recently. The last 2 items stimulate bone growth. My surgeon is excellent. I can't stand to throw up so I'll be very careful. . Can I really never eat shrimp again, even if cut into teeny pieces?

I've bought my food for the next few weeks. Tomorrow I'm gonna cook the creve Soups I was told I could have and freeze in ice cube trays. Any pre advice is appreciated.

Hi there, I was pretty nervous before my surgery -- for one thing I'd never been an overnight patient in a hospital before. And I'm older (was 52 when I got my band -- if only I'd done it sooner!). It was so much better than I thought it would be. I took my sense of humor with me -- the glamorous gown and slippers, a final weigh-in, the paperwork and all those people. Very nice medical professionals there for me; I just relaxed and before I knew it I was going up and down the hallway and celebrating. I upped my exercise prior to surgery -- walked a little more each day. And I benefitted from therapy. It was good to have some one to talk over food issues with and help me break down my triggers. This site helped me a lot. I filled my prescription for pain meds but did not need them. Yes, discomfort, but not bad and to me it was all so much better than, say, a dentistry event. I love my band and am glad to have gotten it when I did. Many surgeons don't want to do all that pesky patient follow up. This is key and my advice for any one getting banded: keep all your appointments. They are there for you. I really liked the accountability and patient contact as I learned how to work my band. Also for me it was much better to pay attention to my jeans falling off than that number on the scale. Getting weight loss surgery was very powerful for me as it was about choosing myself first and my healthy future. I am so happy now!

I eat shrimp. Chewed well.

Thanks for the info. 2 years post op is included. I'm spending the night which is a good thing to have a break from my family. My 19 year old daughter will be helping me when my husband is working.