Hi, I'm new here

Hello everyone...My name is Maryann and I'm brand new to the forum. Just yesterday had my very first visit with Dr. Geiss here on Long Island. I'm looking to have the Lap Band surgery done. I would love to get to know all of you here. I am excited and scared at the same time. I have loads of questions and would love to hear from anyone willing to talk. I hope to make some new friends here. Thanks for reading

Hi MaryAnn, Welcome to the Board and good luck with your process!  I too had the lap band and I am very glad I did.  I felt scared and excited all the way through the process but when it came down to the day I knew I was doing the right thing.  I've just completed my 7th week and I feel like I'm finally adjusting to my divorce from food!  It feels good to have control again.  Feel free to talk away and ask questions here everyone is very kind and helpful.

Hey Sandra, Thanks so much for taking the time to write me. Congratulations on your 7 week divorce from food. I'm really looking forward to when I can say that too. I do have a few questions to ask you if you don't mind.  My biggest concern is vomiting. I think in my entire life I have only vomited twice. For some reason I can't throw up it's too painful for me. Will I be really sick all the time not being able to throw up if needed. I can't bard thinking of that feeling and just feeling horrible all the time. Have you experienced anything like that? Also I'm afraid of choking or my food getting stuck. Can that happen and is it really painful?  Can you still have the freedom to go out and socialize with frineds & family without feeling deprived? Have you told your friends and family that you had the surgery? I hope I'm not being too forward with you, it's just I have all these crazy thoughts in my head. Only answer what your comfortable with. Thanks again for your time..Maryann

Hey Maryann!

Welcome!  I'm a bander!  Please feel free to ask me anything you want, add me too!  Again, welcome to the NY OH board!

xo I lve my band!  Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Hey Cheri, Thanks so much for taking the time to write me. I do have a few questions to ask you if you don't mind.  My biggest concern is vomiting. I think in my entire life I have only vomited twice. For some reason I can't throw up it's too painful for me. Will I be really sick all the time not being able to throw up if needed. I can't bare thinking of that feeling and just feeling horrible all the time. Have you experienced anything like that? Also I'm afraid of choking or my food getting stuck. Can that happen and is it really painful?  Can you still have the freedom to go out and socialize with frineds & family without feeling deprived? Have you told your friends and family that you had the surgery? I hope I'm not being too forward with you, it's just I have all these crazy thoughts in my head. Only answer what your comfortable with. Thanks again for your time..Maryann

Hi Maryann...nice to have you here.   All questions are welcome.  Every here is very supportive.

          Welcome!!!! You will really like it here....lots of kind and truly caring people!!!!

Welcome, Maryann. Somehow I missed your post. You have come to the right place. Just keep researching and reading everything that you can get your hands on pertaining to surgery. Support groups are also the way to go. They usually have them at the at the hospital that your surgeon is affiliated with. Hope that you keep on coming back here.

MaryAnn,   So far my experience has been a very good one!  I was nauscious the first several days after surgery but I never had to vomit.  I used to have a very senstitive stomach (before surgery)  and if I ate too much I would vomit.  Since surgery I have not had and episodes.  No heartburn, or pain what so ever.  I haven't had any problems with any of the foods I'm eating.  I have noticed that if I don't chew enough or if I take a too big bite then it sorta gets stuck but nothing that hurts.  I just feel a heavy feeling in my chest.  Not pain.  At first I was scared by the little bit of pain but it passed.  I am learning to chew better and take smaller bites.  I am going for my first fill next week and I'm certain after that I will have to do even better with the chewing.  I'm looking forward to the fill cuz I have come to find that I can eat more than 4 or 5 oz. at a time and I need more restriction so I don't over do it.  I also made a poor choice and I had something fried and it didn't make me sick either.  I didn't like the taste so much and I won't do that one again but I do see that it really is about making choices even now for me.   Things are different for everyone but I would say just relax and start practicing now to chew chew chew and take small bites!  oh and sipping is hard for me lol I get very burpy when I don't sip!

Ok I just re-read your post.  As far as socializing, yes you sure can.  I went out today with my hubby and my friend visiting me from Calif.  We had italian and I just ate about a cup of food.  I chew slow and finish mine about the time they finish their whole plates.  It works for me... I just ordered chicken parm. but asked that they grill my chicken... they did it and it was great.  Also we ate out the other day and I was able to order chicken fagitas.  All of my family knows I've had the surgery and my friends.  I haven't told everyone I know... my neighbors don't know etc.  I'm not comfortable telling them cuz I don't want anyone's opinion that aren't close to me.   My in laws don't know and I'm not going to tell them.  I just have said I'm really working on eating good and losing... its true right?