genesishanna

These are the types of post that scare me. I will have to leave it to the veterans to tell you things based on experience, since I have only been banded for 3 days. However, I will say that I cant even imagine eating a subway sandwich or hamburger at this point for many different reasons. I can honestly say that I don't know whether I am full or not, but i do know that i am not hungry, so I don't eat. My Doctor's office also provided me with a calender of what I should be eating week to week, so I will follow that. For example, the first 3 days was clear liquids. Starting today I can move to full liquids for the next week, so I started with a protein shake. I know I can have healthy choice soups or cream of wheat (which I love) but I'm not hungry, so if I were to eat it, it would only be because I could or because its there. Those are the same behaviors I had which lead me to my weight issues in the first place, so I have to be mindful of that. According to my calender, at 2 1/2 weeks post-op I should be somewhere between puree foods and soft foods. I cant imagine it now, but I's sure I will be thankful for it later. I don't see how sandwiches and hamburgers fit that criteria, especially when we are supposed to stay away from raw vegtables and salads for 6 weeks and carbs for 6 months. I hope you don't think I am beating you up, but we have to make smart choices in our journey. Regardless of what the doctor or anyone else says we cant do the same things we did before and expect different results. Its never to late to start fresh. I pray the best for you on this journey. Be Blessed- Nicole!

Is it just me, or are most of these post discouraging? I know that this is a place to vent the good, the bad, and the ugly, but I must admit alot of these post are negative. I know the results will be different for everyone. I cant say how this will work for me yet since It has only been 2 days, but the more I read the less I have to look forward to. I am thankful this site exist, but I am starting to think that coming on here everyday is just as bad a constantly watching the scale. I wish it wasn't like that. Why cant we have a place of encouragement and support; Good testimony and advice? Maybe I am just looking under the wrong topics. Please someone lead me in the right direction- I want this experience to be as great as possible, even if the weight doesn't miraculously disappear.

I did Atkins pre op and did okay with my weight loss. I plan on sticking to thelow carbs post op, but not as restrictive as Atkins and there is a reason for that. When I was pre-op, just like the other times I have tried Atkins and have done well; however, after some time I would deviate with something small like nuts or sushi every now and again. Immediately it would knock me off my weight loss track and I would get discouraged. I do not want that to happen to me now. The last thing i want to do is make the same mistakes on lapband that I did in the past. While, a low carb intake is do-able on lap band, I think it should be just that- a low carb intake. Fad diets didnt work before the surgery and I dont expect them to work after. Everyone's journey is different, so what works for one may not work for the other. I try to remember that the definition of insanity is to do the same thing over and over again, but expect different results. Atkins will produce the weight loss in the beginning, but what happens when you eat a spoonful of rice one day and that halt's your weigh-loss? Are you going to be strong enough to deal with the possibility of slowly gaining weight or not losing if you start to incorporate other items into your diet? I'm just asking because these are the questions I needed to ask myself. I choose lap band because I needed a tool that would help me for the rest of my life. I am only three days post surgery so I cant say what works or don't work, but I just want to stay clear of the mistakes I have made in the past.

I decided to tell only a few individuals about my decision to have the lap band surgery. I am very happy that I did because it limited the negative feedback that I would receive from others. Weight loss is a personal journey, and regardless of the road you choose to take with it, you will find yourself alone. You have to make the choices that are best for you and be secure in it. My GYN was the the first to suggest the surgery for me, because she felt that my weight was causing health issues, that would eventually require a hysterectomy. I went to a doctor she referred me to an I felt uncomfortable there. They told me all that I needed to do and they will do the surgery in September (when the six months my insurance company required would be over). The visit was impersonal, and they never followed up with me once. They called me in September to see if I did anything and that was it. One of my girlfriends, who didnt have a weight problem, but wanted to lose weight fast kept trying to convince me to do the surgery, but i was turned off by the amount of weight that she lost. The point that I am trying to make is that everyone have their own reasons why the want you to do the surgery, or why they wouldn't. One day, I received a newsletter from the hospital where I gave birth to my baby. They had an article about their "Comprehensive Obesity Management Program" and it immediately peaked my interest. I just knew in my heart that it was for me. I went into one of there seminars, made my first appointment, and kept up with the program. Today I am 3 days post-op and am thankful. Towards my surgery date I have had people tell me that I should try this or that instead of surgery. There comments would go in one ear and right out the other because I was certain about what I needed to do for my personal weight loss journey. My aunt's comment was the most interesting when she told me that she lost 35 pounds on some type of pills. The crazy thing is that the pills were for back pains and not weight loss. Then she said that she would give me the number for the doctor and all I have to do is say that I have chronic back pains and get my own prescription. It was at that point that I realized that my aunt really had a personal problem that she was trying to project onto me. I told her that I was getting the surgery and she told me that she never told anybody before, but she had the lap band surgery and she had not loss weight. I guess this was her last attempt at convincing me not to get it done. I decided not to discuss this with her any further. I concluded that either she is lying, or she did the procedure as a quick easy way to loss the weight and saw that it would not work without any work or effort on her part. Either way, this was my choice, my decision, and I am thankful for it. It has to work, so I am going to do all that I can and make sure of that. My advice to you is to find your purpose, get motivated, and stay focused- that way no one can take you off your journey. Be Blessed - Nicole

All I can say is that the response has been overwhelming. I am thankful for all the positive responses I have received. Although I have not responded to each one individually, I have read each and everyone of them. I know this is a long journey, and it won't be easy, but I am up for the challenge. I look forward to reading your blogs, I will be adding most of you as friends on here, and I wont hesitate to send you a message if I need some personal encouragement. I pray that you all achieve the results you desire to a more productive life, both inside and out. Be blessed - Nicole

Thanks for the support. I will keep writing if you keep reading, and I promise to keep reading if you keep writing.

I was banded yesterday August 12, 2011 at 1pm. I can honestly say that it went more smoothly than I thought. I arrived at the hospital at 10:53 to register. After registration was completed they took me into the back where I had to undress and put on the gowns in the socks. During this time the took my vitals, my weight, gave me and IV, and a shot. My Doctor, Peter Liao came in to talk to me and confirm which procedure I was getting. We also discussed the different types of bands as well. The next person was the anesthesiologist, who came in to discuss the slim to none risk with anesthesia. He assured my husband that I would be fine and then he left. A few moments later I was being wheeled into the operating room. This all took about 2 hours, but didn't seem that long. Once I arrived in the OR, I laid down they strapped my up and placed those pads on my legs to promote circulation. Honestly, the told me I would feel sleepy soon; however, I don't remember going to sleep, just waking up in the recovery room. I was in and out at that point and I remember them trying to wake me up about three times. Once they were ready for me in radiology I had to wake up fully, yet groggy so I can get off the bed into the wheelchair. This was the worse part, (although not that bad ) I began to feel nauseous and was scared to throw up out of fear that it would damage something. Once they rolled me up to radiology, I began to gag so much that they sent me back because I wouldnt be able to hold down the barium. I went back down to recovery for 30 minutes where they gave me medication for the nausea, after the 30 minutes I went back up to radiology and swallowed the barium with no problem. The barium used for this one was not half as bad as the one used for the upper GI and I was so thankful for that. After the Xrays were complete they rolled me down to recovery where I sat in a chair and my husband came to me. The nurse wanted me to drink a half of small cup of water and urinate before I was able to go home. It took me a while, especially since I would get really nauseous after I stood up. After going to the bathroom finally, I was able to go home. The trip home was fine, but when I had to stand up again I was nauseated and had to sit down. I took some pain medication, although the pain never became unbearable. I also took some of the medicine for nausea they prescribed and it made me feel better. I was in and out of sleep all night, maybe due to me sleeping on a chair, and then my couch because they nurse advised that I not lay down so that the gas can pass through better. Now I am at the next morning, I feel pretty good, no real pain, just pressure from the gas I guess. I took my gummy vitamins and gummy calcium. I have been sipping on the same 16 oz of water since last night; however, I will make some hot tea in a little while so that it can help with the gas moving. All around good experience, Thank you God!

Nicole is here - Banded on August 12, 2011. I am married with 4 kids. At my highest I weight 277 and wore a size 20. I lost 14 pounds during my 6 months pre-op. On the day of surgery I weighed 263.

Walking really helps. Today I wanted to walk around the block just to see if I could move the gas around a little. However, my husband and i wound up walking to a subway they built a few blocks away (something I dont do on the regular) i felt good and felt even better while he ate his sandwich and I wasn't hungry at all. I got a small cup of Water and I was fine. This surgery has gone much better than I thought. I am just waiting for this gas to come out one way or another to relieve this discomfort.

I was banded yesterday and I must say that there is a major need for pain meds for me; however, Ive used to twice and it work to relieve some of the discomfort which is only coming from the gas. They gave me a liquid form of oxycodone, which I'm sure the majority of it will wind up down the toilet. This was the easiest surgery Ive ever experienced.

You may want to discuss that with your doctor. I have read on here about people who have been banded just to return back after a few days or a week. I am one day post-op and I don't feel bad. I think If I had to return to work on Tuesday I could as long as I take my time, and dont have to lift. bend , push , or pull. You may be fine with it, but like I said before just talk it over with your doctor.

I was banded yesterday August 12, 2011 at 1pm. I can honestly say that it went more smoothly than I thought. I arrived at the hospital at 10:53 to register. After registration was completed they took me into the back where I had to undress and put on the gowns in the socks. During this time the took my vitals, my weight, gave me and IV, and a shot. My Doctor, Peter Liao came in to talk to me and confirm which procedure I was getting. We also discussed the different types of bands as well. The next person was the anesthesiologist, who came in to discuss the slim to none risk with anesthesia. He assured my husband that I would be fine and then he left. A few moments later I was being wheeled into the operating room. This all took about 2 hours, but didn't seem that long. Once I arrived in the OR, I laid down they strapped my up and placed those pads on my legs to promote circulation. Honestly, the told me I would feel sleepy soon; however, I don't remember going to sleep, just waking up in the recovery room. I was in and out at that point and I remember them trying to wake me up about three times. Once they were ready for me in radiology I had to wake up fully, yet groggy so I can get off the bed into the wheelchair. This was the worse part, (although not that bad ) I began to feel nauseous and was scared to throw up out of fear that it would damage something. Once they rolled me up to radiology, I began to gag so much that they sent me back because I wouldnt be able to hold down the barium. I went back down to recovery for 30 minutes where they gave me medication for the nausea, after the 30 minutes I went back up to radiology and swallowed the barium with no problem. The barium used for this one was not half as bad as the one used for the upper GI and I was so thankful for that. After the Xrays were complete they rolled me down to recovery where I sat in a chair and my husband came to me. The nurse wanted me to drink a half of small cup of water and urinate before I was able to go home. It took me a while, especially since I would get really nauseous after I stood up. After going to the bathroom finally, I was able to go home. The trip home was fine, but when I had to stand up again I was nauseated and had to sit down. I took some pain medication, although the pain never became unbearable. I also took some of the medicine for nausea they prescribed and it made me feel better. I was in and out of sleep all night, maybe due to me sleeping on a chair, and then my couch because they nurse advised that I not lay down so that the gas can pass through better. Now I am at the next morning, I feel pretty good, no real pain, just pressure from the gas I guess. I took my gummy vitamins and gummy calcium. I have been sipping on the same 16 oz of water since last night; however, I will make some hot tea in a little while so that it can help with the gas moving. All around good experience, Thank you God!

I am scheduled for surgery tomorrow at 1pm and I could only have clear liquids. Please don't take this to me a complaint, but more like a concern. Since I have not eaten since yesterday, I have a serious headache with a trace of nausea. It is what it is and I am not going to give up now by eating. I did boil a bouillon cube to make a clear broth (very tasty). However, it didnt do the trick. I am afraid that I will feel like this after surgery and will be miserable. Please help me out, how did you handle this?

Are you hungry; if so, how have you been handling it?

I am so happy I came across your post. I will be banded on 8/12 and I cant wait. I also have to have a hiatal hernia repaired and that is what I have been concerned with the most. What does it feel like? Could you talk after? Are you hungry? Please tell me everything!!!

I used the Atkins Advantage shakes during my pre-op weight loss. I will go back post op as well. I can not say that I was the biggest fan at first; but I learned to love them. Honestly, I place them in the freezer prior to drinking them. Not to freeze the shake, but to make it really cold. It has become like a daily treat for me. Im not sure if this is good or not, but it reminds me of having a milkshake and leaves me satisfied.

You really encouraged me! I get banded on Aug 12th and I have been hearing discouraging things about the slow weight loss. Like everything it is a progress and I am happy you shared your progress with us. Keep up the great work!