rousselin02

Hi all! New guy from Plano, TX here! I am 4 days post-op. I feel like someone stabbed me, but I am not regretting this for a second! Glad to be on here and am hoping some of you have some good advice for me. At almost 400 lbs at 31 yrs old, I knew I had to do something about my weight but didn't know what to do! I had zero energy, was too depressed to even shower most mornings, and didn't have insurance to pay for any surgery. And most insurance companies wouldn't insure me because I am so overweight!! Well, my parents sat me down... told me that they wanted to do anything they could to help me, because they loved me and wanted to see me happy and healthy. My dad offered me a huge chunk of his savings (they're teachers and far from rich) about $5000. Said that I should take it and have surgery that would change my health for the better. They said it would make them happier than any money ever could. So I was about 4k short of being able to pay for it myself. THE NEXT DAY, I sat down to lunch with my boss and asked him what he thought about the lap band procedure... his response? "Oh wow!! I was JUST about to talk to you about that! I wanted to know if you were interested in the procedure, and I wanted to know I would be willing to sponsor your surgery in the amount of $4000!" You have to be kidding me right? God has a funny sense of humor sometimes, but sometimes he makes things so clear. I am grateful for such an amazing group of people around me and I CANNOT fail them or myself. I want to live, be married, and raise kids of my own. I can't do this and be this fat! I want to live so I got banded. And now I'm here hoping to get some good advice and support. Thanks all!

Hey bro! Yeah man, its been quite a journey... am about 10 months post-op...in many ways its not what I expected... there is still a lot of work you have to put into it. Like people have said many times, there is no lap band for the mind. I'm down about 60 lbs. Have had some fluctuations, but none of the complications you described. I have NOT ONCE had to throw up. I do feel a lot better, have had to change wardrobe once already. Its worth it, but a lot more work that I had originally thought. You are still the one that has to make the right decisions, and if that's a problem for you right now, then think about addressing those first before putting yourself through this

Let's be honest, we're all overweight for a reason. My problem is and always has been, making bad food choices. The band has not fixed the part of me that would prefer a burger and fries over lean chicken and veggies. I have been banded since Oct. 29th...I am down nearly 50lbs, but have started to gain weight in the last couple weeks. Why? I keep making crappy choices. I keep eating when I'm full, I keep snacking and eating late at night. I haven't lost significant weiht since the first couple months of the band. It went off VERY quickly and then just stopped for the past few months. I was wondering what you guys went through as far as the mental adjustments to this thing. It's like I justify eating bad stuff because I know that I'll eventually lose it, problem is that attitude is keeping me from losing any more!! Apologies if this is the wrong section... it is food related but also support related so I wasn't sure where to post it. Appreciate any responses

BocajApache, Hey man, thanks for the post... yeah I am glad I've done it. I have to tell you though, you need to realize that there is no band for your mind. Many of us are this big for a reason, and the band will not fix those reasons. It will only help you in a mechanical way. I have had a few setbacks, trouble making the right choices, and overall am still struggling with my new life with a lap band. I have lost over 50lbs now, but it is a daily struggle. I think I'm finally in the green zone, so I hope to start losing more now. I encourage you to speak to as many people about this as possible, I found a lot of great advice on this website, spoke to a few support groups, and went for it. It's just one step at a time bro! I'm glad I did. Lemme know if you have any other specific questions!

I think you have this figured out, but as a bandster, let me make sure you know this: THIS IS NOT A MAGICAL CURE. There is no lap band for your mind or your mouth. That being said, its a wonderful tool that gives many of us just the right push we need to overcome our eating tendencies. Your will power is stronger when you're not ACTUALLY hungry! Best of luck to you!

Congratz! The first few weeks are tough. I admit, I thought it was going to be much worse that it actually was so I may have had an expectation advantage ;p Walking around and getting active as soon as possible was the key to my quick recovery. Gas-X and sugar-free popscicles kept my sanity and now I am beyond pleased with the results I'm getting. Have just had about a month on real food. (I was banded Last day of September) and feel great! Have lost 45 lbs already. You will do awesome! Pay attention to you surgeon's instructions, and for goodness sakes, LISTEN TO YOUR BODY!! Full means stop! Been the hardest thing for me so far. Good luck!

My surgeon told me the only thing to watch out for is getting constipated. Since we're all on a high protein diet that can sometimes happen. That being said, I have had a couple times since being banded where I had a, shall we say, a more than healthy set of bowel movements. I think its normal, I think your body is adjusting to the way you are eating, and I think it becomes more of a problem (it last more than a few days) then its something our doctor should address. Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids, plenty of protein, and you should be fine.

Hi guys, I'm only 4 days post-op. I know that most of the pain I'm feeling is normal. Its nothing I can't handle really...just some gas and some tissue pain still from the incisions. I am actually NOT HUNGRY. I assume this is from some swelling still, but I could drink half a Protein drink and feel full enough to burst. Not vomit... just really full!! So hunger is not an issue and I"m thankful for that, but I have been DREAMING of food almost every night since surgery. Last night I smoked an entire freaking brisket in a dream. I cannot believe how much my subconscious is missing food after only 4 days!! I am determined to make this work and I know there is no way I will physically slip up (There no way I'm putting solid food in my mouth until the doc says I can) but my mind is going haywire!!! Anyone have similar experiences? I sometimes see a McDonalds and and mentally make a note to stop by and but some before realizing I an't do that any more!!

Make sure you are getting enough protein!! Protein IS VERY IMPORTANT IN WOUND HEALING. There is a reason they want a high protein diet after surgery.

Yeah, someone in post-op will go over it with you...but I'll tell you what I know...after the surgery it will hurt to breath in deeply. So it is most people's normal reaction to take shallow breaths to avoid that. However, this puts you at higher risk of developing pneumonia and other troublesome breathing issues. You will likely be given an incentive spirometer: a plastic contraption that you inhale through up to a certain level. You do it every hour you are awake for the first 4-6 days. It hurts at first to breath in with what seems like an abnormal volume of air, but this too is a necessary evil to healing. Do everything the surgeon says and you will be fine.

I lost 15 lbs in that first post op week for a total of 29lbs since starting the preop diet. HOWEVER.... I would suggest you not focus on weight loss for those first few weeks until your fill. I have been focusing on following the surgeon's instructions, making sure to pay attention to my body's appetite vs. my mind's appetite and trying to do the things I need to well. The first few weeks are important for HEALING. The weight will take care of itself if you do the right things.

I am two weeks post op and here is my suggested list: 1) Gas-X - I cannot stress this enough, chewable if possible, but you can also nibble the edge of one of those liquid capsules and squeeze the contents down your throat... faster than swallowing it whole, which you are welcome to do. Everything gave me gas... I'm not talking about the gas from surgery, I'm talking about stomach gas. And it was impossible for me to burp for at least 7 days, so the Gas-X was a life saver. 2) Protein drinks - You're gonna need the energy. My doc suggested at least 40g of protein a day spread over a couple of servings. (Body can't process 40g of protein at once) I buy EAS Carb Advantage... Walmart cheap and not too bad tasting. 3) sugar free Popsicles - after a few days of nothing but liquid I was happy to CHEW on these. 4) Apple juice - Love it. Water it down at first Also, its not a shopping item, but make sure you take a walk and are doing your breathing exercises during the day. I would do my breathing, then take a walk around the block. It all contributes to a super fast healing process. Be prepared to sleep sitting down. I slept in my recliner for the first few nights since it hurt so much to sleep on my side.

So I'm getting a bit worried that I'm losing weight too fast. As a matter of fact when I punched in my weight at "My Lap Band Journey" it told me as much. I have lost about 27 lbs in three weeks. I am one week post-op and 15 of those pounds have been in the past week. I am trying very hard to drink my Protein but I get so full off of very little! I think I'm getting in about 35g of Protein. I am able to stomach a bit more liquid now so I will try and drink more... anybody have an issue with this? I am about 200lbs overweight so I'm not complaining, but I want to do this right! I am abnormally tired in the early evenings so I know I'm not getting enough energy in me... would appreciate any advice. Particularly if you have recommendations on Protein shakes that pack a bit more punch than the 17g per shake EAS Advantage Edge: Carb Control shakes I'm drinking now.

It's awesome, I'm feeling better every day! I could actually spend a whole night in my bed (Was having to sleep in a recliner since surgery since it hurts so much to lay on my side), I am able to drink more fluids (Can finally get at least 40g of Protein in) and I've already lost 23 lbs since starting the pre-op diet 4 weeks ago!! One question for anyone who might know: Did you guys feel hunger immediately post op? I feel ZERO hunger. Nothing. As a matter of fact for the past few days I've had a hard time even drinking that much before feeling REALLY full. Is this normal? Surgical swelling still? I'm only 5 days post-op Thanks all!