Hi my name is Stephanie and I am from Gainesville,Florida. I was banded on 2-3-09 at the University of Florida by Dr. Juan Cendan. I have researched a great deal about this lifestyle change but hope this website will provide some insight into the real world of being banded. Also I would like to have an outlet to discuss my journey with people who are going through this also.

Hello,

I got banded on the 4th, so it looks like we are in a similar boat. Everything went real smooth with my procedure and I'm back to work and school today. Hope your doing well 6 days out.

Hello. My name is Mike and I'm kinda glad to find two people who are right around my age who have just been banded. Today I had a checkup appt with my primary care doc and said outloud, "I'm thinking of getting a lap band." In late 2007 I ruptured 2 discs in my back and 2008 was spent in a recliner and having 2 back surgeries. I had lost around 35 lbs or so during that whole debacle, but I knew I'd been gaining weight since September. Today I weighed in at a whopping 295 lbs...my BMI is about 42, I have high BP, sleep apnea, and still significant back pain. I've got to do something. Obesity runs in my family...I would like to set a good example for my 5 year old (who thank god got skinny genes from somewhere). How did you come to the decision to have the band done? How long before you felt good again? I JUST had surgery in May and September of 2008...I'm not really looking forward to spending anytime in the hospital. I've also just gone back to school and don't want to miss classes (fortunately am only going two days a week right now). Any real world advice/suggestions/questions to ask the surgeon would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for your time.

-Mike

Hey Mike,

I decided to get my lapband about 6 months before my surgery date. I had started to have some health issues just like you. I have mild sleep apnea, swelling of my legs and ankles when ever I work my 12 hour shifts, severe reflux, and back pain. I knew it was only going to get worse. Also I decided it was not fair to my children to lose their mother at an early age or worse yet burden them in their adulthood.

I work at a large medical center, so I went to a meeting that the surgeons hold twice a month and heard the cold hard facts about obesity and health. I knew I was done with the "old way of eating" and since I had tried every other weight loss program known to man I decided on surgery.

Now I am just 7 days post op and in a lot of discomfort but this to shall pass!Research, Research, Research! But hey you deserve to be healthier and around for your 5 year old.

Good Luck

Stephanie:thumbup:

Hello and congratulations and best wishes on your new journey.

I live in PA but I was banded in Jersey in October 08'. This forum is great I use it alot. If I get bored and want to eat or tired and dont want to exercise I come here read whats new and it helps me get motivated.

Hi Mike,

I think I was in a similar position as you about a year ago. It took a while for me to get to the point where I could acknowledge that I wasn't in control of my health and needed a tool to regain that control. You seem to be at that point. We have a lot in common as I maxed out at 305lbs BMI 41. Same story with sleep apnea, back and joint pain and swelling.

As far as my research and experience, being younger helps with quickening the recovery and lowers a few risks of problems. The lapband procedure only had me in surgery for an hour and I was only in the hospital from 6am to noon beginning to end. I was moving well on the 2nd day and I was back to work and exercising without issue on the 5th day. I'm at the 1 week point, so I'm still "mourning the loss of my former pal, food" a little, but I'm holding up ok. I'm also a part time grad student and I have been able to keep up without missing much. The lapband with laparoscopic installation is much less debilitating than other methods. Its not a walk in the park, but it doesn't have you on bedrest for days and days.

Good luck to you as you work with your doctor, insurance company, etc.

Edited February 11, 200917 yr by JamesGate

I also live in Gainesville and an RN. I work at the VA. I had my surgery in September with Dr. Hipp at NFRMC. I am very happy with the decision I've made. I have lost 110 pounds and still counting and over 18 inches in my waist! I know it goes in spurts with the weight loss. I experienced a large amount of weight loss early on then the inches followed later. The weight loss has slowed down but still is coming off regularly. I now have a BMI of 30 and feel so much better. The energy I have is unbelievable to me. I can't believe eating so little can be so satisfying and enjoyable. The guilt I felt in the past over eating certain things has disappeared. I now can enjoy things, have a little of just about anything within reason. This has given me my life back. It may be one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life!