Banded this month

I will be banded this month before Christmas. I am very excited. It doesn't even bother me that I won't eat Christmas dinner. I am a little nervous. I'm wondering how I will feel the first few days. I hope I have thought of everything that I need on hand. I'm a little nervous I gues.

I just want to say congrats!  I don't have the band so I'm not real sure what you need to have on hand or how you will feel.  But it sounds like you are ready to handle the change and yep, nerves are normal.  If you have questions, come on here and ask away....there are some banders that post and I'm sure they would love to help you.  Make sure you keep us posted on your surgery date, too, and how you are doing afterwards.

Again, congrats!

Congratulations on your upcoming band surgery.  I am almost 2 years out from being banded.  I felt great the next day after surgery.  The 3rd day was probably the worst for me but I think I overdid on Days 1 & 2 because I felt so good.  Get some of those Gas-X strips.  And walk, walk, walk every chance you get.  I didn't have the problems with gas that some did.  I got out and walked every day and I think that helped a lot.  Free free to ask me any questions.  Let us know how your surgery goes.

Thanks for the Gas-X idea. I hadn't thought of that. I checked out your site. Looks like you've lost a good deal. Do you still struggle with those horrible hunger pangs? They tell me I won't be hungry the first week after surgery. That would be wonderful. Anyway, thanks.

Yes, the first week I wasn't hungry at all.  By week three the old hunger will be back though.  Just try to remember the first 6 weeks are for healing.  Yes, I still struggle with hunger pains off and on, but not like before and it takes a lot less to satisfy those pains now.  Who's your doctor?

Hi,
  I have been banded for almost 15 months and would like to welcome you to a whole new world. It is a lot of work but so worth it!! Things I can think of you should have on hand are a heating pad it will help with the deferred pain (from them messin with your diaphragm during surgery) that most get in the left shoulder/neck and feels very comforting on your tummy. Also go to GNC and pick up a few Isopure liquid protein drinks. They come in several flavors and to each their own but the only one I could tolerate was the yellow pineapple/? flavor. But it will help with the hunger while you can't consume regular protein. Liquid Tylenol was also helpful. Make yourself sip constantly and walk even if you don't think you can. If nothing else just around the house besides you will be amazed the dust and to do things you will find if you are strolling around the house. ARRGH
  As far as how you will feel I can't help much with that one cause my heart acted up during surgery and I ended up having to stay 3 days in the hospital. But I can tell you once I got home I instantly felt better. Be careful not to lift anything over 10 pounds for the first couple of weeks, or how ever long your doc says. Your port incision will be the most painful normally and that is to be expected as they have attached your port to your stomach muscles.
  You will start to get hungry once the swelling goes down and it takes usually 3-5 fills before you really start to feel any restriction. So you must be patient and basically diet and use your will power. But once you get to your sweet spot you will be so amazed at what little food will fill you and keep you satisfied for 3-4 hours.
If you have any questions I can help you with please feel free to ask,
Wishing you the very best on this wonderful journey,
Connie B. 

Oh and another thing is take a pillow with you so you will have it in the car when coming home. You can hold it against your tummy and it will help with any bumps (of course there will be more than you ever realized) on your ride home.

Wow. Thanks so much for all the good advice. Can I really expect to lose 2-3 pounds per week if I do what they tell me? Is there an inital weight loss just from all the liquid dieting, etc.

Realistically 1-2 pounds a week is what most experience. Although there are some that lose well over 100 pounds within the first year. It is such an individual thing it is really not wise to compare yourself with others. I have insulin dependent diabetes and it slows the weight loss down considerably. I have lost right at 80 pounds so far but I have a lot to lose. It really all depends on how much daily exercise you do and how willing you are to follow the rules. There is a good loss at first of course but often there are several stalls later. Just wanting to be honest with you but not discourage you. The really cool thing is once you lose it normally you don't gain it back. That was always my problem I could lose but I always gained it back plus a little more. Also the band is a life long tool we don't have a 'honeymoon' period but we don't lose nearly as fast as those with the other WLS surgery. By the way do you mind telling us who your surgeon is? The after care is such an important part of Lap Band as is the support groups.

Connie B. 

My Doctor is Van Wagner in STL. I will have surgery as an outpatient at Ballas Surgery Center. So far I have heard good things about Dr. Wagner and his staff. I have had quite a bit of surgery so I know what I'm getting into as far as that goes. I just really want it to be worth it. I feel like that this is the extra tool I need to be successful. I really appreciate all your advice.