thebug

Hi Thee-o! I am so glad you posted this question because I've been wondering about that, too. I was banded on May 11, and I have lost 36 pounds so far, dating from the start of my liquid diet the week before surgery. Granted, that was mostly during the pre- and immediately post-procedure phases, but I have continued to steadily lose; 2, 2, and 1 pound(s) during weeks 4, 5, and 6. I have not had a problem eating any foods, and have never been stuck or had nausea or regurgitation, I just can't eat NEARLY as much as I used to be able to. I know my surgeon doesn't believe in doing pre-fills, so I have been surprised at the restriction I feel. I have an appointment for next Tues for my first fill, and I was wondering if I should have it. Like you, I'm not interested in not being able to eat. I want to be able to eat enough to eat healthy, to be able to eat fruits and veggies and whole grains ---- to be able to get all (or at least most) of my Vitamins and minerals and nutrients from a healthy diet, not from having to take artificial supplements for the rest of my life. (That's why I went with the band, not the bypass, right?) So, yeah, right now I'm with Rachel on this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! Best of luck, and let us know how you decide to go. Beebie

Hi, I was banded May 11, and doing quite well so far... I've just been wondering, I read so much about bandster hell, and how hard it can be to curb your eating until you get some fills and start feeling restriction; I am not going to get my first fill until 7 weeks post-op, and I'm pretty worried about that. I'm still not eating (or wanting) more than about 900-1000 calories a day, so I guess I'm still healing, but when can I expect bandster hell to hit? Is there a pretty usual range of time post-op? I like to know what I can expect so I can be prepared. Please share your experience with me. Thanks!

I had a problem in the lecture rooms, the ones with the stadium seats. I went to the counseling office about it, and they had a table and chairs moved into the front of the lecture halls I attended. Most people seem to want to sit more to the back of a room, so I never had trouble finding a seat at a table. You will figure it out and it will be fine. Good luck!

Oy! Poor you! IS ANYBODY HELPING YOU WITH YOUR PUKING KIDS ???!!??? I really hope you stay healthy and have an uncomplicated recovery from surgery. Good luck!

Is it possible your band was misplaced? I have heard of rare cases where the band was mistakenly only placed around epigastric fat, and not around the stomach at all, so there was no restriction. I have no idea how they would check for that, though. I would definitely go back to the surgeon, and probably even consult with another one for a second opinion. I can't even imagine how desperately frustrated you must feel, after all you went through to get your band, and how hard you are working. My heart truly goes out to you. Good luck -- you WILL figure this out. Beebie

When I went in for my first consultation for wt loss surgery I knew I wanted a lap-band, and was pretty discombobulated when everyone (and I mean EVERYONE, from the surgeon, to the dietitian, to the nurse) tried to talk me into getting the gastric sleeve instead. They said that in their experience GS patients did not have to work as hard as LB patients, and that they were much more successful. Well, there was a reason I picked the LB in the first place, and that was that I couldn't stomach (excuse the expression!) the idea of having all my insides radically re-arranged (GB) or 85% of it amputated (GS). So I stuck with my original decision, and BTW I am 3 1/2 wks post -op and have lost 28 pounds so far. It may be more work than the other options for wt loss surgery, but I like TKW's breakdown, and the trade-off for the easier ones (losing my insides) just wasn't worth it for me. The bottom line is that you really have to do all the research, but especially, take a good hard look at yourself and, as much as you can, figure out what is right for YOU. About the other question you had, about Canadians hating their bands: I did visit a Slim-band web-site some time ago, and was kinda struck by how they really did seem to promise phenomenal, effortless weight loss success with no dieting or other input on the part of the patient. I think that raises unreasonable expectations. Truth in advertising --- every US site I checked out always cautioned that it's only a tool, you have to work it, etc. So maybe that's the reason; people on different sides of the border start with different expectations. They get the same results, but are thrilled or PO'd depending on what their original expectations were. Best of luck, and keep us posted. Beebie

I had surgery May 11th as well. I got over the pain fairly quickly -- I'd say within about 10 days I felt I was pretty much back to normal activity. I'm still eating pureed food as per my doc's policy; I can start soft foods this Tuesday. YAY! As far as restriction goes, my appetite is still definitely depressed, as is my capacity to eat. Even with mushies and slider foods I'm eating way less than I would have on a normal day before surgery. Half a cup or so of whatever and I'm ready to stop eating. (Considering how much I used to be able to pack in that's a miracle!) I'm not scheduled for my first fill until June 28, so I do wonder how things will play out until then. Good luck!

I'm in my third week of liquid diet (both pre- and post-op) and I have lost about 25 lb in these three weeks. I don't know what will happen for me down the line, but I have seen a lot of folks talking and agonizing about how their wt loss was so great in the first few weeks and then stalled completely for some time after. I wonder if this is the way it works: If you're dropping 10 lbs a week (as can happen on a severely calorie restricted diet) there is no WAY that can be all fat. Most of it is almost certainly water. And water wt loss is NOT permanent wt loss; as soon as you start eating a reasonable, healthy amount of calories again the body replaces it's water stores. So my theory is that when it seems as if wt loss is stalling in the 2nd month or so post-op ( and post the initial severe, unhealthy-to-maintain-in-the-long-term calorie restriction) fat is still really coming off, but it doesn't show up on the scale because it is being replaced by water that your body lost initially, but that it really needs. Does that make sense? Yoo-hoo --- any medical or nutritional types out there who can comment on this?

When did you have your band put on? The gas is bad, but it seems to get better day by day. For me, for the first few days it seems to be easier just to stand, not to sit or lie down. Since we're supposed to be walking anyway, that's probably not a bad thing. When I do sit, for instance like right now when I'm on the computer, it seems most comfortable to sit with my knees wide so I can sort of lean forward without putting any pressure on my poor belly. Some people say use a heating pad. Hope this helps. Hope you start feeling better real soon.

Good luck! and welcome to the Banderhood. I really don't want to rain on your parade, but i was banded 3 days ago, and the gas didn't kick in until the second day, and for a while there it hurt too much to move. Much better now, but I still feel like I have a big old lump stuck right in the middle of my chest, with occasional bouts of shoulder pain. (As a matter of fact, that's why I'm posting at this hour of the night !) I really hope that you will continue to be pain-free, but if that changes feel free to come cry on my shoulder (the non-achy one, please!). Keep us posted!

What you said, 'I am so so glad that you were able to reach out to us and not be ashamed". Such a lovely thing to say. And so important to remember and be able to do. You're right, we've all been/will be there, and we all know what it feels like to be judged. Always, the only thing to do is to keep on trying.

I was banded yesterday, May 11th. Was in quite a lot of pain at first, lots of nausea too. Better now, except for the gas. Yeowtch!! I'm walking, but it's too painful to do it for more than two circuits at a time. I know I kept hearing about it from other members, but it's like birth -- until it happens to you you can't really know what it's like!:boom:

Can't help walk you through the process, 'cause I don't have aetna and my approval process was really easy and quick, but I did want to offer support and encouragement. If this is really something you want to do you'll get through it --- and probably get to keep your right arm! Good luck, and keep on truckin!

Oh my goodness, that sounds awful! And I thought one week of protein shakes and broth was hard! Good luck, and I wish you all the strength and will-power in the world. Holler if you need some cheering on. Beebe

I can't say I've been second guessing, because I'm really committed to doing this, but I also spent a significant amount of 'getting ready time' binging. I discussed this with my therapist, and she advised me that that was very normal, and pretty common, and not to stress about it. You don't know that you will never be able to eat what you want ever again. Everybody is different, but many people end up with a great amount of freedom in what they can eat; they just can't eat so much of it. (And that's a good thing, right?) Take a deep breath and take a minute to remind yourself of why you made this decision in the first place, and what you are hoping to accomplish with it. You can do this! BTW, my surgery is Wednesday the 11th (yaahh, omigosh omigosh!) Beebe

Hi, I've been seeing a lot of people with a lot of success on this site, and that's really encouraging, but I was wondering specifically if there are folks out there who were banded when they were 50 or older, and what their experience was like. My surgery date is May 11th, and along with being nervous about all the eating adjustments and possible problems, I'm also concerned about how my age (slower metabolism and all that) will affect my experience and my chances for success. Any "older folks" out there willing to share?

Hi all -- Thank you all so much for replying and your encouraging words! I apologize for not getting back to you sooner --- I have been having several rounds of dental surgery on top of getting ready for wt loss surgery, and just did not make it back to the computer. But it was WONDERFUL to hear from you all, and to hear about your successes. I pray that I, too will succeed, and be able to start a new, healthy life. Thank you all again!

Hi all ! I just had my first consult at the wt loss center ---- I went in thinking that if I had surgery at all it would be the band, mostly because I really don't like the idea of cutting stuff away permanently; and everyone there (the surgeon, the nurse, the insurance person) were all like, you should get the gastric sleeve, we see people with the sleeve really having the most success... The nurse had had a lap-band and she told me that it didn't really work for her, she was still hungry a lot, she still had cravings, she was regaining weight... if she could do it again she would have had a sleeve instead and she was actually considering a conversion. The surgeon broke it down that with the band it helps you about 30% and you have to put in 70% of the effort, and with the sleeve it helps you 80% and you need 20% of the effort. I know that it's not magic and I'd be expecting to still have to work at it, but that really scared me that they were so unencouraging about it. I guess my question is, would you do it again if you had the choice?

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Basically, what it comes down to for me is that I simply can't bring myself to consider doing what amounts to a permanent amputation (sleeve). When I went for my consultation I was very clear in my own mind that I wanted the band, but when they were all so insistent that the sleeve was the way to go I started second-guessing myself. That's why I really needed to hear about some success stories. I know it's different for everyone, but with so many people out there who have made it I am choosing to believe that I will do it, too. Thanks, again!quote name='Humming Bird' timestamp='1299879802' post='1585035'] The band works different for everyone and I bet the sleeve works different for everyone as well. I can only tell you how the band has been for me and my own experience. I have lost more than 100% of my excess weight and went from a BMI of 41.3 to a BMI of 24. I have put in very little effort along the way. For me, the band has done at least 85%, maybe more. It has changed my life for the better and I am so very glad I did it. Do your research and make the choice that is best for you. It will come to you. Only you will know what the best decision is. I wish you the best on your weightloss journey.

Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Basically, what it comes down to for me is that I simply can't bring myself to consider doing what amounts to a permanent amputation (sleeve). When I went for my consultation I was very clear in my own mind that I wanted the band, but when they were all so insistent that the sleeve was the way to go I started second-guessing myself. That's why I really needed to hear about some success stories. I know it's different for everyone, but with so many people out there who have made it I am choosing to believe that I will do it, too. Thanks, again!uote name='Humming Bird' timestamp='1299879802' post='1585035'] The band works different for everyone and I bet the sleeve works different for everyone as well. I can only tell you how the band has been for me and my own experience. I have lost more than 100% of my excess weight and went from a BMI of 41.3 to a BMI of 24. I have put in very little effort along the way. For me, the band has done at least 85%, maybe more. It has changed my life for the better and I am so very glad I did it. Do your research and make the choice that is best for you. It will come to you. Only you will know what the best decision is. I wish you the best on your weightloss journey.

The relationship you had with food before your band sounds a lot like mine is now. The fact that you were 54 when you got it is another encouraging piece, since I am now 51. I did do research, and when I went for my consultation I was very clear in my own mind that, for a number of reasons, I wanted the band. But when they were all so pushing the sleeve I started second-guessing myself. That's when I yelled for help. Hearing all the stories from all the people who were kind enough to respond has done a lot to help me re-settle my mind. Thanks, again!

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. I have done research, and when I went for my consultation I was very clear in my own mind that I wanted the Band, for all the reasons that you have given me and more. but when they were all so pushing the sleeve I started second-guessing myself. That's when I yelled for help. It's been very encouraging to hear all your stories, Thanks, again!

Thank you for taking the time to answer me. That is a very encouraging story! For sure, I'd much rather take a few years to reach my goal and keep it off than lose it in a short time and then gain it back. Major congratulations to you for the effort you have put toward reaching your goal.

Thank you for sharing the reasons for the decision you made about the LB. It sounds like you really spent a lot of time thinking it through. I agree with you about not liking the fact that the sleeve is not reversible, plus the ulcers and ataples and leakage, etc. etc. I have about a hundred pounds to lose. It just seems to me that with the band you just continue to have more control over the whole thing. Good luck to you, too!