Hi guys, just thought I would introduce myself. All my paperwork and tests are done. I'm now waiting to here back from my insurance. I have a BMI of 35.6 with hypertension. I shouldn't have any problems getting approved. My wife is also getting banded. We are hoping we can get the surgery before the end of summer.

I'm enjoying reading all the previous threads. It's encouraging hearing your stories.

dwrd73...welcome to the group and good luck on your journey. I've dropped half the weight I want to and am off the BP medication. Hopefully the same will happen for you.

Thanks DavidB. I'm hoping I can also get off the BP meds as well. I'm still waiting to hear from my insurance. I see your stats are similar to mine. Some friends and family members don't think I need this surgery. It's nice to see others with similar BMI's and high BP getting banded. I can't wait.

I was in the same boat, a lot of people were surprised I was getting banded. Being 80lbs over weight might not seem like a lot to some but I felt like it was killing me. I just never felt good and knew if I didn't get rid of the weight it might kill me.

Good luck to your wife also. My wife needs to loose about 40lbs and she's a smoker. Hate to harp on her too much about either one, she'll have to decide when she is ready.

Welcome, dwrd! A good decision, to be sure...

Take a look at the people who answered you and how much weight they have lost, I know I want to be one of them, dont you?

I agree Bigrick I can't wait to be one of them. We'll get there.

Hi all, another newbie here.

I had surgery 7/21 after optifasting it for 2 weeks. starting weight was 301, bmi 40, sleep apnea and hypertension. Day of surgery i weighed 287. My surgery started around 11am and i was home at 730pm. (did you get the very rich beef broth and lemon Jello too? yum yum, what a combo)

Today i added yogert and Protein powder to my liquid diet. my 3year old discovered the jello on the bottom shelf of the fridge and left the spoon and mess for me to find so i missed that. My wife bought some canned chicken broth that did not do so well for me. so she got some bullion cubes that is much easier to handle.

I am having a fairly OK time so far. Tylenol and oxycodone dosing have stretched out somewhat. I am still sore feels like way to many crunches before but now i am mostly sore on the inside.

I think i over ate/drank for the first time tonight and had the sensation of someone pulling my guts up where it should not go. I also got the hiccups and was that a real thrill. Guess i have to loose all those big mugs i am so attached to.

Exercise has been OK to so far, 3 trips around my block today.

thoughts, suggestions, and rude comments generally welcomed.

Welcome Dewezl12, this is a great forum. I'm sure you will find answers to all your questions here or at least find someone else who is going through or went through the same experience. I am still waiting to be banded (Aug. 25th) so I cannot answer your questions at this time. However, my post op diet (according to my doctor's office) is only Clear liquids for 7 days after, then week two I can start with the dark liquids (i.e. broth and jello). Perhaps you are eating too much too fast. Were you given any post op diet instructions? Also how fast did you drink? My info says I will need to slowly drink all liquids. Take lots of sips. Right after surgery I was told it should take me 30 minutes to drink 8 onces of liquids. That seems like a long time to me, but that is what my doctor wants me to do. I'm sure the bandsters, which I am not yet, will answer your questions more thoroughly.

:thumbup: CONGRATULATIONS on being banded. I'm sure everything will get better. Keep us up-to-date.

I did get lot's of dietary teaching. I am to be on liquids the week post op, then soft foods the second week and then advance to regular food the 3rd week.

I drank way to fast and to much without even a thought until......hiccup... ouch!!! OH-Boy, Cannot do that again! OK here comes an understatement; "Changing 39years of behavior in just a few days can be tough."

Good luck on your surgery. It was surreal waking in recovery and knowing the second step in reaching my goal of being healthy again was over. Even when I was in the OR getting the Oxygen before going to sleep it was not even real to me then.

I am looking forward to passing the 275 pound mark and not going back above it. 275 has always been the point where i have lost my way and not been able to get back on track with all my diets. This feels very freeing to have this TOOL to change my life.

I completely understand. I am a fast eater. I've always been so the idea of eating slowly and chewing food over and over is a hard concept for me. I'm afraid I will also experience several PBs due to eating too quickly. I'm trying to practice now before my surgery, but old habits are hard to break. I'm sure it will be a wake up call once I have that first PB.

Old habits do die hard, even after 9 months with the band sometimes I'll eat to fast and get hit with the PB. Part of the trouble is I let myself get too hungry then I eat fast.