Marylou

Hi Deb, Congrats to you. Quitting smoking and pre surg. weight loss too. You go girl. I had my surgery last year, this week. I too, had to lose some weight before the surgery to shrink my liver to enable the doctor to get in there, to the stomach easier. I was told I could use their Medifast or Slim Fast. I opted for the Slim Fast. I did it dilegently- no cheating, 4-5 per day, for 2 weeks before the surg. and I was down 20 lbs. The doctor was pleased. I still fill in with the Slim Fast daily sometimes 2 times a day- either breakfast or lunch. I don't care if it's cold or room temp. so I leave some in the car too. Just in case. I also leave either the "Slim Fast" protein bars or the "Zone" bars in the car too. I like the Zone bars better, they have more variety. They have fruit flavors that are great whereas Slim Fast has mostly choices with chocolate and or nuts, and I hate to say it but I'm not such a fan all the time of those flavors. At this stage I don't want to be in a situation where I am hungry and I am tempted to make the wrong choice or if there is no choice- like if there are only thing I can't eat cuz they won't go down. I am 55 yrs old. so when I had the band done I was 54. I was in the hospital in the am, they did the surgery at 2:30 in the pm. I was in recovery by 3:30, wide awake greeting my family. I had no discomfort during the night but I did take the pain meds, cuz why look a gift horse in the mouth- hey they offer, I take. Slept well, had nice vitamin water in the am, showered, dressed and by 12:00 noon my hubby was there to take me home. I had no gas as the others were speaking about. I wasn't even uncomfortable during the first week home. I healed very well and now the scars are very faint pink. And I usually scar heavily. There were 5 scars and I can only detect the one main one where the port is for the fill. I started out at 326 and I am down to 245. I am down 4-5 pant/shirt sizes. Even my ring size has gone from a 10 to an 8. So none of my jewelry fits either. My bracelets are all 8" and now I need 7". I can even wear a 15-16" necklace. I wish I was down more weight but I have severe arthritis and am unable to exercise. I no longer work at my secretarial job and am out on Social Security Permanent Disabiliy, due to my inability to sit for long periods of time. My doctor told me I would probably lose between 75 to 100 lbs and I would be very lucky if I made it to 100 lbs. But eh, like I said I am happy. I feel SOO much better. I have the will to be energetic but my back won't allow it. It slams me right into place. So I go slow. My blood pressure is down to normal and I no longer have to take any of my asthma medications. I used to get severe bronchitis and sinus infections. I only had one mild sinus thingy this year. I really feel like a new woman. When I meet friends from work for lunch they don't even recognize me. One even walked right past me at the mall when I was waiting for her and I had worked with her for 6 and a half years. . It is so funny to have that kind of reaction from people --so you won't be the one with the big rearend!! I had this surgery as a preparation so to speak for the back surgery that I so dearly need. I would not do it at 326. I was afraid I would die under the anesthesia. It is a very long surgery. So I'll wait a little longer and then after the holidays have the back done. I'll be the bionic woman then!! Just one question, Why is everyone over in southern CA going to Mexico for the surgery?? Is it less expensive there? Dr. Ortiz sure seems competent. He has done thousands of these surgeries just as my doctor has- as I had researched him too. My surgery was at Cornell Medical Center- New York University Hospital, in New York City, which is only 40 minutes from my home in the suburbs of Long Island. His name is Dr. George Fielding and he works with Dr. Christine Ren, who was on Oprah and founded the Weight Loss program at the Hospital. I live on Long Island and all the drs. I researched on the Island just were not as experienced and that doesn't cut it in my book. Esp. if they are cutting me!! Ha!! So Good luck to you and sorry if I chewed your ear off too much. Marylou

Hi, I had my Lap Band done exactly one year ago this week. I never vomited once and of all the stories I have heard, no one has had band slippage. Just remember, when you are onto regular foods to chew, chew, and then chew some more. Take SMALL potions into your mouth, and chew. So it will take you longer than anyone else at your table- don't worry about them. You are the priority. I have lost 80 Lbs. since the surgery and am very pleased. I do wish I could have lost more but I have very severe Psoriatic Arthritis- it's like Rheumatoid Arthiritis. It is in my spine and knees, so exercise, other than daily functions is really out of the question. If I was able to be more active I would have lost more but I am down 5 pant/shirt sizes and that is a really wonderful thing. I have given away 4 trash bags of my work clothes- I was a secretary. I went out and had to get a supply of new clothes- slowly. Now I can fit into a booth in a restaurant or diner and even at the movies I am so much more comfortable. So you ladies just take one step at a time and you will succeed at this. Oh, I did have one problem one time that I feel I should tell you about. The day after a fill I was having some broth and I grated some of the Cabots 75% fat free cheese on top. (DUMB) Well, It melted- of course. and I wasn't planning on this- as I sipped the broth the cheese coagulated and got stuck in the whole of the band. It was plugged up. I couldn't get it to move. It felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest. After hours it finally dissolved from the acid in my stomach but I was so irritated and swollen that I couldn't eat anything- not even water until I got to the Doctors the next afternoon to have some of the fill removed. Good luck, keep in touch, Marylou