Hey all,

I've struggled with weight my entire life.....I use food as comfort and I've just made my first appt. for a consultation for banding. I realize that I will need some counseling with the "comfort food" issues I have.

I'm really, really scared about the surgery. Can someone give me a realistic idea of what to expect?

This picture is my lowest weight of about 145 - now 200+, yikes!

Hey there pklecka, welcome to lapbandtalk. Can you be a little more specific of what you are scared of? Do you mean you are scared of the surgery itself, or scared of other things?

But you know what? Good on you for realizing that you need to make some changes. And good that you are starting to look around to see what your options are. Weightloss surgery is a drastic step and you owe it to yourself to investigate all surgeries throughly to see which one may be right for you (I love my band, but it's not the best fit for everybody).

Any specific questions, just ask (me or anybody)! Good luck on your journey.

At your point, I was VERY, VERY excited; however, closer to my surgery I became very scared. I was banded on Monday (8/10), and I can honestly say that it really wasn't scary!!!

I agree, tell us what specifically is scary to you, and we'll be able to provide better insight. I'm still somewhat in disbelief that I've really gone through this process, but I am really excited and ready to start my new life!!!!!!!!!

Don't be afraid! Do your research and don't make a decision until you are absolutely ready to do it. I first went to seminars in November 2008, but was just banded today! I chickened out at first and decided to try one last time to do it on my own, but failed and gained more weight.

I went into today not nervous at all, infact I couldn't wait for it to happen! Surgery was quite easy - the toughest part for me was the IV being placed because I have small veins. I am 11 hours post surgery in no pain just some discomfort. I haven't needed any pain meds at all. I am doing good with the liquids - but am starting to really feel the hunger pains right now, but I'll make it through!

GOOD LUCK and if you have any questions just ask!

Kim from NJ

Banded today August 13th

Starting weight 301 pounds

Goal weight - don't have any long term goals other than being comfortable and being able to run and play with my 3 beautiful children!

Do yourself a favor and take your pain meds whether you need them or not. They will help you sleep and also will help you if pain from thw incisions kicks in. This is what I was told. Youre gonna be sore and wont be able to sleep. Trust me. You're also gonna have pain from gas that doesnt feel like gas. Its gonna feel like back pain, shoulder pain, etc. Get up and walk as much as you can, that helps. Good luck.

Don't be afraid! Do your research and don't make a decision until you are absolutely ready to do it. I first went to seminars in November 2008, but was just banded today! I chickened out at first and decided to try one last time to do it on my own, but failed and gained more weight.

I went into today not nervous at all, infact I couldn't wait for it to happen! Surgery was quite easy - the toughest part for me was the IV being placed because I have small veins. I am 11 hours post surgery in no pain just some discomfort. I haven't needed any pain meds at all. I am doing good with the liquids - but am starting to really feel the hunger pains right now, but I'll make it through!

GOOD LUCK and if you have any questions just ask!

Kim from NJ

Banded today August 13th

Starting weight 301 pounds

Goal weight - don't have any long term goals other than being comfortable and being able to run and play with my 3 beautiful children!

Do yourself a favor and take your pain meds whether you need them or not. They will help you sleep and also will help you if pain from thw incisions kicks in. This is what I was told. Youre gonna be sore and wont be able to sleep. Trust me. You're also gonna have pain from gas that doesnt feel like gas. Its gonna feel like back pain, shoulder pain, etc. Get up and walk as much as you can, that helps. Good luck.

Sorry but I disagree...don't take the pain medication if you don't need it. It will just make you groggy for no reason! You MAY need it and if you do, TAKE it! If you don't need it, of course it's safe to pass on it. I didn't take it and slept fine from the first night. I used tylenol. Opioid meds just constipate me (as they do many people) and make me feel odd and "out of it". I would've felt WORSE if I'd drugged, not better. So of course do what you need to do! Take if if necessary, pass if you aren't inpain!

As long as you have a good surgeon, you will do great! It's really not that bad. Do you have or have you had children? It's not as bad as that....you'll feel fine within a week and unbelievably happy you did it. Good luck!!

Hey all,

I've struggled with weight my entire life.....I use food as comfort and I've just made my first appt. for a consultation for banding. I realize that I will need some counseling with the "comfort food" issues I have.

I'm really, really scared about the surgery. Can someone give me a realistic idea of what to expect?

This picture is my lowest weight of about 145 - now 200+, yikes!:confused:

I too was totally scared out of my witts about having surgery. I had surgery 2 days ago and everything went just find. I'm not in any pain. I sometimes get a gas bubble and it kind of hurt but I go for a short walk and that helps make it go away. RestlessMonkey and ours were so encouraging. I felt I was in good hands here. Goodluck to you and know that we will be praying for you.:thumbup:

Thanks for the advice. I did take a pain pill before going to bed and although I still didn't sleep the night I am glad I took it. So far still so good though...Just tired today, still not pain :thumbup: After 3 c-sections nothing can compare to that pain!!!

I had my very first surgery in 2003...gallbladder had to come out. I was PETRIFIED. I told my husband People DIE in hospitals. I had my will ready and everything. No kidding. BUT...one way I combat things I'm scared of is to try to learn as much as I can about them. (not saying everyone should do that; and trust me I still run screaming from spiders and scorpions. No "learning" is gonna fix that LOL) I tried to interest myself in the waiting room, the OR, what the nurses, techs, docs, staff were doing, etc. When they rolled me in to surgery I actually sat up to look around (it was NOTHING like I expected) and they had to cajole me into lying back down. It was interesting. And I lived, and I did all the tricks my husband told me to get through and recover fast, and I did. Then a year later I went back to college to start the process to get my BSN!

So facing that fear literally changed my life! Just wanted to say I really was terrified to my toes but got through it. I don't suppose everyone will decide on a 2nd career in medicine after the experience, but it's not so bad once you get through it (the surgery, that is, not the career LOL)

Scared of the surgery I guess mostly but I'm ready, as ready as I've ever been. Thanks for your concern.

Thank You!

Thanks I am working on my research right now. I want to know everything.

No kids, so no comparison on pain, have had a bilateral fracture in my ankle and that hurt really bad.