surgery date getting close

Hi everyone, After a long wait, several reschedules (and even longer story) I am scheduled to have LAP-Band surgery on March 5th. The date is creeping up awfully fast. I had my pre-op appointment with Dr. Ehrlicht and Danielle at Fairfield County Bariatrics in Norwalk this past Wednesday. It all went well for the most part. Having the pre-op appointment made the surgery now seem like something real, something that IS happening. Up until now it has sort of been this nebulous thing that was sort of real but also seemed too good to be true. Well now it IS REAL and will be happening soon. I am getting pretty nervous about the whole thing but also pretty excited. I have started the pre-op low cal/low fat diet. I have found that I am beginning to mourn for food already. Is that weird? I know I won't be able to eat like I had been, nor should I eat like I had been. Portion control and binging have always been problems for me. I also know that I will be able to still enjoy many of my favorites just in smaller portions. Still I can't help but feel a bit sad I guess. Food has been my friend and comfort for so long. I know I will find other ways to deal with stress and emotions with the help of my partner and therapist and that I will have a much healthier and hopefully longer life with the surgery. I ramble.... I guess it's just the nervousness coming through. Is it normal to be nervous about the surgery and the adjustment to the new life afterward? sorry for the long post. Paul

Hi Paul: Just took a quick look at your profile page after reading your post here. Starting from the top... You have chosen a fine surgeon. He is a fierce ally as you approach your surgery date. He expects much of his patients, yet is supportive of all your efforts to comply and use your new "tool". And... Danielle is top notch in my book. Getting nervous is perfectly normal. In fact, Danielle says she would worry if we did not get a bit nervous. When she told me that, I thought... OK... it's ok to be nervous.. and let it go... and I just let it be what it was. Saying goodbye to eating as we knew it... normal too. And very real. Head hunger is something to deal with for sure... but doable.. as your therapist says, you can do it.. you are capable of adjusting. May I suggest you take full advantage of the support group meetings that FCB offers post op. Getting as much support is vital to making your journey a bit easier. I have found it does make a big difference. Also keep in mind you will not have the larger "stomach" as you do now and that does make a difference. That physical hunger will be far less. And, as I have heard from banders, until you get your first fill, you may not feel as much restriction as you will once filled. That you have a supportive partner and therapist will take you far. Be well... may you have a smooth surgery and recovery. See you on the post op side. Towanda

Hi, paul you are in the best of hands .I had a band done on 11/28/06 with dr floch ihave lost 24 pounds . The office is great [staff] keep in touch God bless good luck deb c

Congratulations Paul - Everything you are feeling is completely and totally normal - relax - take a deep breath and enjoy your path to success! You are ahead of the game to realize what your triggers are and already trying to figure out how to combat them. Just know that the lap band doesn't really offer any help until you get the proper restriction, right out of surgery you will feel restriction because everything will be swollen - some people get restriction quickly but that is not the rule - most people need 3 to 5 fills before they can really use the tool and put into practice everything they've taught you about the band. Just focus on healing for the first 6 weeks - don't concentrate on losing, if you do that's a big plus. It's a journey not a race..... I am one of the slow losing banded people so my journey has been very frustrating for me, but I do not regret having this surgery,my quality of life has improved since I'm down 50 pounds, I know the next 60 will make an even bigger improvement. I thought I would really, really, really miss bread and the funny thing is I don't miss it that much - sometimes I'll wish I could have an eggplant grinder but the craving passes just like with my smoking - sometimes I miss smoking but the craving passes and I'm glad it's out of my life. All addictions are like that, they grab ahold of our minds! Anyway best of luck on your journey!!! Never be sorry for a long post - it's how we get to know one another and how we get to help one another. Best Regards, Tammy

Hey Paul-- Glad to see that you are so close to your surgery date. I believe that we spoke, via e-mail, a while back. OR, I might have you confused with someone else, I've been known to do that too. I wanted to add my 2 cents to all this. Ehrlich is a great doctor, his after care is great and I'm sure that you will be a great success. There's plenty of people around if you need help, or any questions answered. Feel free to ask, we'd all be glad to help. In case I don't get to speak to you before the big day, all the very best!! Good Luck and God Bless, Bob

I wanted to thank you all for your kinds words and your support. It is greatly appreciated. Bob, we did speak via email a while back. you were very helpful. back then I was considering the RNY because my insurance company wouldn't cover the band. thankfully this year they decided to cover the LAP-band. I am still a bit nervous but your responses have helped to quell that somewhat. I am well into the low cal/low fat pre-op diet now and am sort of enjoying the sense of control I'm feeling. taking the bull by the horns and getting in the best shape I can by surgery date feels good. thanks again everyone. Paul