mebutbetter

I had my surgery exactly 7 days ago and I'm doing well. I'll admit I'm ready to eat though. I just started introducing small amounts (2 oz) of solid food – right now just charro beans and 1 tsp of rice. IT WAS AWESOME! I really got pretty sick of the protein shakes and found it more and more difficult to get the calories and protein I needed because I just would rather not "eat" than drink one more shake. I've been exhausted and easily wiped out because of this. So I'm very relieved to be eating a little now. I think I can continue w/ the shakes for a while if they are supplement not the major source of my calories and other nutrients. Since the beginning of November, I have lost 29 lbs. (9 of that post surgery). The first 20 was thanks to that liquid diet for 12 days prior to surgery and me cutting back getting ready for the liquid diet. I've been too tired to exercise but I know I must. I think my energy level will increase each day I'm eating now. Anyone considering this procedure...go through the process and don't take shortcuts. Do what they tell you to do even if you don't really understand why. As you go through all of this, it will make sense and you'll be glad you took each step one step at a time. If I can help anyone, please feel free to message me. I'll post again after post-op doctor visit later this week. Happy Banding!

Surgery Monday! I am so ready to get past this. I miss chewing! I’m on day 10 of liquid. Doing pretty good. I’ve had a few rough patches but I’ve managed to stick to my guns and stay on track. The pay off is I’ve lost almost 20 lbs. in less than a month. I have trouble getting enough calories and such because I’m so sick of the protein shakes. I’ve been having ½ - ¾ cup of cream soup for dinner to try to break up the monotony. I’ve been exercising as well. I probably won’t post again before surgery but will be sure to as soon as I’m up to it.

I wish I had a camera that would capture feeling great! If I did, I would have taken 100 pictures of myself Friday. I spent several hours helping serve at a company luncheon. SO MUCH FOOD! I was on 2nd day of liquid diet and didn’t touch a bite. I didn’t even lick a (my) fingers! It was pretty hard to do but I did it and I am so proud of myself. I am excited to get to the end but I must admit I'm really enjoying the journey. I feel like each time the scale moves a pound, I know it's the last time I will ever be that weight again. I'm saying goodbye to these numbers and literally all the heavy baggage that comes with it. Goodbye old friend. It's been a little emotional. I wasn't expecting this because I have lost weight dozens of times. Once 70 pounds, another 50, you get the idea. But, I’m not sure I ever felt like it would REALLY stick. I have finally decided to put this down (the weight) and walk away never to return to pick it back up later. This is goodbye and this is awesome.

I'm glad to hear that you are excited about this option. I hope this is exactly what you need. With that said, you sound so unhappy I hope that you will also consider getting some counciling in the process. The weight will always be an issue until you address the underlying issues. Feeling physically better will make you feel better in the mind and soul. So go for it!

I haven't had my surgery yet but I have been through plateaus in weight loss numerous times. Don't get discouraged. You might consider ramping up the exercise a little to get things moving again. Add another workout or two every week and see if that doesn't help. Are you eating any slidder foods? Drinking with your meals? I'm sure you know way more about this than I do but these are things I've been warned about. Good luck to you. Don't give up!

Today wasn't nearly as bas as I thought it would be. I'm under (calories, protein, etc.)for the day but really don't have much appetite. I have been trying to do household projects during my high risk periods (after work). I got lots of exercise tonight rearranging furniture and carring tons of stuff from downstairs up. Great day - got stuff done, stayed on liquid, and got some exercise. I hope tomorrow is as great!:scared2:

Dadkins8- Yes I'm on pre-op. My doctor did warn me about lifting after surgery. However, I do appreciate your concern!

Good luck on post op visit! Keep us posted.

My husband and I have enjoyed boating for all of our adult life. He grew up on the water and I have grown to love it almost as much. Over the years we have had the honor to host many families for boat outings. In these outings, we have encountered many kids who were afraid of the water. No explanation of why they are afraid of the water, they just are. Probably more accurate, afraid of lake water (can't see the bottom you know). One of the things we have learned is this. If you don't pressure a kid who is scared to get into the water, eventually, he/she gets tired of watching everyone else having fun and they get in on their own. It occurred to me that I have much more in common with these kids than I realized. I'm tired of watching everyone around me having fun. Don't get me wrong, I'm no dud. But how many things have I NOT tried or even considered trying because of my weight? I started a list in my journal of things I will do as I lose or once I have lost the weight. Frankly, it's a long list and it's surprisingly similiar to the "100 reasons to lose 100 lbs." I've seen on this site. Just as we've watched these kids over the years...be nearby (in case I jump and don't come back up) but don't touch or make any sudden moves. I've decided to jump. Jump into life that is. Lap band is only a part of the process. :smile2:

Finally...I am scheduled for surgery Nov. 22. I'm meeting with dietitian today. This next weekend I'm going to go through all of my clothes and sort out the 4 sizes I've got on standby. Can't wait to start the journey. I've got some GREAT skinny clothes!:cursing:

I'm so happy to see this tread. I've been reading quite a bit on this site and really appreciate everyone being open to sharing. I'm scheduled for Nov.22. I will start liquid diet 1 week from today. I'm excited, nervous, but mostly anxious to get on with it. I've lost tons of weight (almost literally) oever my lifetime only to regain it ++. I know what to do to lose it but apparently, keeping it off isn't my strong point. I'm excited about having this extra help to hopefully, finally, lose the weight one last time.

Thank you for the 100 reasons to lose 100 lbs. I had already started my own list - it was up to 36...I just borrowed some from this list that I hadn't thought about. That was awesome. Thanks again.

Knoebelcamper - You're almost there! Congratulations on the weight loss so far. Keep posting I need all the help I can get:)

I got word from my family physician that surgical clearance is on it's way to the surgeon. I'm meeting wtih psychologist today and dietitian Thursday. I'm hoping to hear from surgeon's office today about scheduling procedure. I know they must be sick of me already - I'm just so anxious to get on with it.

Today I meet with the psychologist and Thursday the Dietitian. I'm hoping to hear from the surgeon's office today so I can schedule the actual procedure. Hoping for Thanksgiving week. Good luck to all and please keep posting!

I had my pre-op physical today with my family doctor. This included EKG and blood work. EKG was normal - I'm sure blood work will be also. Doctor was very encouraging. I asked him if he has patients who have undergone this procedure and what their results have been. It was really all good news. No scarry stories from him at least. I'm working on setting up dietitian and psychologist consults (required by surgeon) next. I'm really trying to suspend my need to understand why all the consults...I mean I guess I get it but would rather just move on. I feel like I was in limbo about this for so long that now I simply feel impatient.

WOW! I thought I was going through a lot to get through the process. Maybe because I didn't get insurance involved? I guess getting youto invest in the process even before the surgery will help insure that we follow through after surgery. Sure will for me. Good luck to you and keep posting!

I have had consult w/ surgeon and now pre-op physical w/ my family doctor. I hope to schedule surgery for week of Thanksgiving. Still have psychologist and dietitian consults to do. They sure make you work for this don't they:) Guess that's a good thing.:thumbup:

Dadkins8 - I'm so happy to read your posts and that you're doing well. I've been wondering myself about how you actually feel full when eating such small amounts. I invision being full "up top" but feeling hungry in the pit of my stomach. Sounds like it all works out though. Please keep posting.

I have been toying with the idea of lap band surgery for over a year. A year ago, I went so far as to meet with a surgeon then chickened out. I came to the conclusion that I wasn't ready and this is such a bid deal I better be REALLY ready before I pull the trigger. So...a year later...I'm ready. I've met with another surgeon - one I liked much better than the last guy I met. I've got my calendar together so I know when what needs to happen. I've got my family onboard. I'm ready to put down all of the baggage associated with being extremely over weight. By the grace of God, I do not suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, or really any ailment associated with being morbidly obese. I've spent 25 years on diet and exercise programs. I've had temporary success only to pay for it later by gaining what was lost ++. I'm exhausted with all of it and looking for the perminate solution. I know with a little help I can be the person buried under all of this. I forgot what she's like and I'm very excited to get reacquainted.:thumbup:

I'm glad to hear that it might not be as bad as I imagine. I'm trying not to worry about it (2 wks liquid diet) until I need to worry about it. I'm approximately 5 weeks away from surgery. Please keep us posted.

I am suspending my need to understand the pre-surgery diet. I know they want us to shrink the liver and stomach. For now - that's good enough information for me. Now ask me how I feel about this on about day 5 or 10 or the liquid diet. I imagine my answer will be much different.