Montana

Angie, The pain is actually minimal. I'm on my second band (which I got March 31) I had to have the first one taken off after complications last August. On my first band, I lost 115 pounds. One thing to remember when you get your band, however, is do NOT lean on a kitchen counter! This is the voice of experience talking. It's just the right height to make your tummy very sore. (I'm 5'6") When you go to get your surgery, remember to take your "Eatin Pants" as I call them. Something stretchy and soft. The pain is minimal but not nonexistant. As far as recovery time, it depends on what your job is. If you sit at a desk, a couple of days will probably do it. If you have an active job, I didn't have a lot of trouble with pain, but I did get tired very easily for a few days after. Infact I would rather have slept than eaten. I love having the band or I wouldn't have gotten the second one. It's great to go from a size 26 to a 14 and be able to buy things off the rack again. But when you have all those new cute clothes, it's heart breaking to go from the 14 back up to an 18. I'm on my way back down now though as I'm 8 days out on post op. I want to wish you the best of luck. Just keep a positive attitude and don't expect the band to do everything for you. It just helps..it doesn't do it all. Karel

My situation was much the same as yours. I'm 51 and have been married for 33 years. My husband simply eats to survive and couldn't care less what it is. A bowl of popcorn for dinner is just as satisfying to him as a large well cooked meal. As a result, he has never had a weight problem and if he does gain a couple of pounds, he simply doesn't eat a couple of meals and it's gone. As a result of this, he too does not understand my situation. Many hurtful, nasty things have been said. To date, I've lost 45 pounds. I can't say it's made much difference in my life, but then it's a drop in the bucket compared to what I have to lose. (I was 124 when we got married and presurgery I was 285). It might make a difference to him when I get back down, but the real questions are, How will I feel? Am I going to be able to put the nasty things said behind me? Am I going to be able to say, "Oh, it's ok that I wasn't acceptable then, but I am now that I measure up to your standards"? I had the banding for ME. What was broken, stale, or destroyed prior to the banding will be up to each person to examine and fix themselves. As I was told one time, "Saying hurtful things damages a heart much the same way as a nail damages a fine piece of wood. You can pull the nail back out, but there will always be a scar left where it was". The band isn't a miracle...but it will give you a place to start if you want to make one happen. Good Luck.

Dr. Miranda told me that now EVERYONE has to go on the preop diet, not just those over 300 pounds anymore. I got a high protien/low carb mix from GNC called AMPLIFY. It tastes pretty good, comes in several flavors and I lost 9 pounds before surgery. The only thing I was allowed, from my understanding, was the protien drinks (I had two a day) and clear liquids...broth..jello...sugar free popcicles. She said No yogurt or softie foods. It makes the surgery and recovery much more simple. Really hard to do, but worth it.

Congratulations! I was just banded Sept. 14 and very anxiously await the day that I can join your club. It will be the happiest day for me in YEARS!!

Nope...can't say I regret it. My pre-op weight was 285. Surgery was Sept. 14th. I'm now at 254 and my goal is 144. The only thing that has me baffled is that I've stalled out and can't get off of 254, but I know it'll change. It isn't a miracle surgery and you won't be thin overnight. But given time, it will change. (See, I know the answers, but am terribly anxious to see the person I used to be ) I wish you the best with it and remember we're all here if ya need a boost of encouragement. (anyway, I've found it to be true when I've needed it )

My surgery was Sept. 14th and including the preop diet, I've lost 31 pounds. But my scale hasn't even TRIED to move for about 6 days now! I'm only taking in about 600 calories a day, which seems to keep me satisfied, but am getting so discouraged. I've heard so much about 100 pounds here and 95 pounds there, and I can't get off of 31. Ice cream and chocolate cookies are starting to sound really good with no scale drop to encourage me. Is there something else I should be doing? I realize that I'm impatient and it's unrealistic of me to want to wake up thin tomorrow, but nothing for almost a week??

I had it done Sept 14. I was pleased with all the facilities. Would I hesitate to go there now that I know? Not at all. With the pre-op diet for a week and one week out from surgery, I'm down 21 pounds and am back to doing most of the things I did before.