Hi Everyone. I am new to this site. My surgeon suggested that I try it out. I live in upstate NY in a very small town about 40 miles North of the Pennsylvania border. I have been traveling through this journey of WLS since July 2oo9. At this point, I do not have a surgery date. My surgeon's office is waiting on reports from some of the testing MDs. I am very optimistic and excited about this journey. I am in great hopes that I will have the surger by the end of Jan. 2010.

Just looking to see what everyone else has to say about their journey and gather as much information as possible.

I am so excited for you. It can come off as a very long process but then you are surprised how fast it happens. I started in February 2009 and now I am counting down just a 10 more days.

I plan to share all my trials and victories so maybe I can help you out or until you get banded then we can help each other.

Go Team Band!! :thumbup:

Hi Everyone. I am new to this site. My surgeon suggested that I try it out. I live in upstate NY in a very small town about 40 miles North of the Pennsylvania border. I have been traveling through this journey of WLS since July 2oo9. At this point, I do not have a surgery date. My surgeon's office is waiting on reports from some of the testing MDs. I am very optimistic and excited about this journey. I am in great hopes that I will have the surger by the end of Jan. 2010.

Just looking to see what everyone else has to say about their journey and gather as much information as possible.

Hi! and Welcome to LapBand Talk!:scared2:

I was banded on July 29, 2009, Self-Pay, so I did not have to go through all you guys are doing with the Ins. Co.'s I would have but my BCBS has a clause that would not pay at all. I felt so good about the Band, that I wanted it, and just paid for it. It was rough the first four or five days after surgery, I will not lie to you. You need to get everything ready at home to make it as easy for you as possible and take your pain meds, this is one time you can, so do! You will not even remember it, when you start shedding the pounds, believe me! I have lost a total of 46 lbs, and I went from a size 24W to a 14W in no time at all! I have three piles of clothes, ones I can't wear, ones I am wearing, and ones I WILL WEAR, in just a month, I go down a couple of sizes. I want to loose about 110 lbs! This time next year, your journey to a new life is just beginning! Feel free to talk anytime. Best Wishes to You.:drool:

I am so excited for you. It can come off as a very long process but then you are surprised how fast it happens. I started in February 2009 and now I am counting down just a 10 more days.

I plan to share all my trials and victories so maybe I can help you out or until you get banded then we can help each other.

Go Team Band!! :drool:

Hi Mel!

I know you are getting excited, and it has been a long process, but it will be worth it. Get everything ready at home, everything in reaching distance for yourself, It is the one thing I did not do. Get a few small pillows and toss them around so you can reach, when you need. The port area is very sore and tender so when you get up and down from the couch or a chair, use them to press against the port area. After 3 or 4 days, the pain should subside there and all is well. On the seventh day, I got up around 7 AM and walked down my long driveway and back several times, I had so much energy after the surgery, something I had never had before. I have lost 46 lbs in 13 weeks, already!

From a size 24W to 14 W. You can do this, and you will be so happy. Keep in touch, God Bless and Best Wishes to you.:scared2:

Hi Mel!

I know you are getting excited, and it has been a long process, but it will be worth it. Get everything ready at home, everything in reaching distance for yourself, It is the one thing I did not do. Get a few small pillows and toss them around so you can reach, when you need. The port area is very sore and tender so when you get up and down from the couch or a chair, use them to press against the port area. After 3 or 4 days, the pain should subside there and all is well. On the seventh day, I got up around 7 AM and walked down my long driveway and back several times, I had so much energy after the surgery, something I had never had before. I have lost 46 lbs in 13 weeks, already!

From a size 24W to 14 W. You can do this, and you will be so happy. Keep in touch, God Bless and Best Wishes to you.:drool:

Thanks so much for the pillow idea. i had to do this after my c-section but never thought about this surgery. Thanks for the encouraging words.

Go you!! You sound like you are doing GREAT!! :scared2:

Mel - Best of wishes to you. I look forward to hearing about your journey. Whodathunk that any of us would be so excited about surgery? But then, this surger is such a blessing.

I am so excited for you. It can come off as a very long process but then you are surprised how fast it happens. I started in February 2009 and now I am counting down just a 10 more days.

I plan to share all my trials and victories so maybe I can help you out or until you get banded then we can help each other.

Go Team Band!! :thumbup:

Hi Janet -

Talk about an inspiration! WOW 46 lbs in just a few weeks! You must feel like a million bucks! Not to diminish your wonderful achievement, but I CAN'T WAIT 'til I can post that tremendous news as well.

Thanks for the tips about post-op.

Keep up the FABULOUS work and thanks for the inspiration.

Hi! and Welcome to LapBand Talk!:smile2:

I was banded on July 29, 2009, Self-Pay, so I did not have to go through all you guys are doing with the Ins. Co.'s I would have but my BCBS has a clause that would not pay at all. I felt so good about the Band, that I wanted it, and just paid for it. It was rough the first four or five days after surgery, I will not lie to you. You need to get everything ready at home to make it as easy for you as possible and take your pain meds, this is one time you can, so do! You will not even remember it, when you start shedding the pounds, believe me! I have lost a total of 46 lbs, and I went from a size 24W to a 14W in no time at all! I have three piles of clothes, ones I can't wear, ones I am wearing, and ones I WILL WEAR, in just a month, I go down a couple of sizes. I want to loose about 110 lbs! This time next year, your journey to a new life is just beginning! Feel free to talk anytime. Best Wishes to You.:thumbup:

HI there fellow up-stater! I to am in that infamous "UPSTATE" NY Category. I actually live in PA, 6 miles from the border. Everything is done in Upstate for me, work, Dr's hospitals etc..

I am not banded yet however, I also joined this site on the advise of my surgeon. and altho I really need to get on here more often, I find it very helpful!

My journey started in May 2009 when I finally decided on my own to get a consultation and picked up the phone to call. And as of yesterday at about 4:45 I am approved and scheduled for banding on January 15th 2010. I am excited, yet nervous. But more than either of those I am READY!!! Good luck with your journey and let's be friends/buddies!

Hi! I am also from Upstate NY just outside Niagara Falls. Where are you getting your surgery? I had it done in September at Buffalo General and have been very happy with everything so far! Best of luck!

Getting Mine done in Elmira, NY at the Arnot Ogden Medical Center

I'm from Grand Island and just had my surgery at Buffalo General Hospital on 11/2/09. I'm doing good. Have up days and down days. Because the weather was so good today I thought I'd go for a walk and over did it. My family was so upset with me. One thing that my surgeon is an advocate of is ice packs after surgery. It helps with swelling and it feels good. I just stopped using mine yesterday. Also, because you're in bed for a couple days, I put a heating pad underneath me and it helped my back. I try to sit up as much as possible. I'm not getting as much Fluid in as I should. I'm going about 2 oz an hour but I'm also sleeping for 2 to 3 hrs in the morning and afternoon so I've got to quit that. I'm due to go back to work next week. I only took 2 weeks off because I didn't think I'd need much more than that. Still don't if my surgeon will give me the green light.

I lost 30 lbs prior to surgery. That was my goal to myself. I wanted to know that I could succeed on my own following the South Beach/Low Glycemic diet I will be doing for the rest of my life. I also started exercising. Since surgery Monday, I'm down another 9 lbs. Kind of scary to lose that much in one week so hopefully my surgeon won't be upset.

I'm so glad I found this board and can talk with others going through the same trials that I am.

I'm so excited for you - CONGRATULATIONS on your date. I'm just a little jealous :tongue_smilie:. I bet you are overjoyed with your news.

Who is your MD?