Hello everyone. I've been reading the board for a while and have gotten a lot of encouragement from it and thought I'd share too.

I went for my pre-op visit on June 9th and am scheduled for surgery on June 23! YIPPEE!! I'm excited but also scared. This is my first surgery (sedation), I've had 2 kids but was awake the whole time. Going under kind of scares me.

I've read about the different size bands. My doctor didn't say anything about different sizes. Should I ask or will I know after surgery?

Pam

224/??/130

Dr. Powell, Dallas, TX

Hey Pam! Welcome to LBT! So glad you came out of lurking status! Congrats on your Band date!

Here's the deal on band sizes. I notice your surgeon is in Texas, so you will be gettting and Inamed band (the only FDA approved band) and they come in 4 sizes. You have the 9.75mm and 10mm bands which both hold 4cc of saline, and there are 2 other larger sized bands that hold 10cc of saline. One is called the Vanguard, but maybe someone else who knows that stats won those will post.

Apparently, your doc decides which size band you need after he gets inside and sees your plumbing. At 224lbs, you will probably have one of the 4cc bands. It seems that the more weight you have to lose, the bigger your band needs to be. That's not science, just an observation. As you see by my sig, I was 223 on surgery day and have the smallest band. It's up to the doc, and they don't decide for sure until you are out and have no say-so!

You should get some docuemntation about your band, the serial number, size, etc after your surgery. Be sure to ask your doc for it, just in case.

Good luck! Congrats! Let us know how it goes and be sure to ask all your questions, too. Folks here are very helpful!

Welcome to LBT! Lots of information here to keep you busy for a while! Kick your shoes off and sit and read the old and new posts, you'll find lots of valuable information!

Welcome to LBT Pam. Congrats on your upcoming surgery date!!! You are well on your way to the land of the banded.

Pam, I am also new to the site :Bunny ... as you I find it very helpfull to prepare myself. I am getting the big intervention June 21st....I cannot weight (hahahaha)...Anyhow, I've been "under a few times for Knee surgeries and others...DO NOT woryy...it's like taking a nap and waking up a little groggy...that's all. Drink, breath deep, walk and talk....That's what I found the most usefull after "going under". GOOD LUCK and we'll write you later:)

Kathy - My doctor started using the Vanguard band in his practice for everyone now. He started using it a couple of months ago. He said he is having more luck with it than the smaller band.

I was a lower BMI and I have the "BIGGIE" size Vanguard band also. My doc likes it better because it gives him more wiggle-room so to speak. I will tell you that it has taken me a lot longer to feel the restriction that everyone desires and talks about so much.

The good news is that this has been a very easy transition for me. I don't feel socially awkward, I can eat just about any kind of food. I just eat less of it. That will probably change as I get tighter though. Although my loss has been a bit slower than I had hoped, it has been everything I expected.

Good Luck to you....keep us updated.

I didn't like the anesethia but everyone is different it stays in your system for awhile that was my personal experinence

Well tomorrow is the big day!! I am scheduled for 8:30 am. I'm very excited and not as scared as I once was. Thank you all for your kind words and support. Since I started the pre-op diet I've lost 10# or so. (My scale never shows the same as the doctor's office.) The pre-op diet hasn't been too unbearable. I guess if you are a lot like me, then you've probably done almost every diet in the book. The shakes aren't too bad with fruit in them. I'm more concerned with emotional well being after I get to start eating real "food" again.

Good Luck Pam!! -

I am exactly one week after you with dr. Powell as well. Please post on your progress and experience!!

Congratulations to you too Soonergirl. I'll post a reply to you a couple of days after surgery. I think it will take that long to get a clear head.