sandybraman

Hey, sweet girl! This site is awesome and SOOOO helpful - like you, I joined before my surgery and am so glad that I did. Found out lots of things they didn't tell me and awesome support. I'm 17 days out from my surgery and I'd do it again. I'm with True Results in Richardson, TX and feel like a new person. Ask lots of questions and read the forums - knowledge is POWER!

Thank you so much for posting this! Very helpful!

I also had a BMI of 34, with high cholesterol, high triglycerides, the beginnings of fatty liver disease and sleep apnea. I was banded on 12/30, self-pay, and it was the best decision I've ever made. You don't have to drastically change your life: I was worried about that, because I LOVE food. But having been on WW the last 2 years and realizing I can eat the same foods by making them healthier (fat free or low fat cheeses, etc), the only thing that's really changed is the portions. Yes, there are some things I can't eat - I was so thirsty for a diet Dr Pepper tonight so I poured it over ice (my nutritionist suggested that to take some of the carbonation out) and had a couple of sips and you know what? It didn't taste all that good and I ended up pouring it down the sink. Its all about moderation, whether you have the band or not. For me, its a tool that I can use to control my weight so I can get off the diet treadmill that I've been on since I was 14. I'd pay again to have it done and I'm only 17 days out from my surgery. Check out WW online; they have some awesome recipes (I made fat-free cheesecake and my husband didn't know it!) and can help you decide if you truly need the surgery or just need a plan to help you. And ask lots of questions here - everyone is so helpful and supportive - and you can learn a lot by just reading the forums. Good luck!

Is flatbread easier than toast? I'm talking about occasionally, with an egg, rather than an english muffin or wholewheat toast.

What does it feel like to get your first fill? My appointment is 2 weeks from today and I'm more nervous about it than I was my surgery.

You'll get lots of inspiration and help here - read through the pre-op and surgery forums; they were so helpful to me. And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask. Everyone on here will support you! Congratuations (don't be nervous - its the first step!)!

I started at Curves 3 years ago and I really do like it. I can do 30 minutes, 3 days a week (as soon as I get cleared to start exercising again, I'm going to try the Zumba class) - and I HATE exercising. But the Curves program is based on resistance and your work your way up; a good program has coaches that will help you do the machines correctly and its all women, which is something I really liked. Everyone there is very supportive and they also have a diet program which is similar to WW. On the other 3 days I get on my treadclimber and watch TV or listen to music for 30 minutes - again, I hate exercising, but I made a commitment to eat right and exercise when I had my surgery and I'm NOT going to get back on that treadmill (excuse the pun) of gaining and losing weight over and over. We can do this peeps! Its a new year and even if we go backwards a little bit one day, we can start over the next.

I had the same question - thanks for all of the help!

Bypass may be quicker, but it's not the healthiest way to go unless you're extremely obese. Your body doesn't get the nutrients it needs and you have to be very careful about what you eat. I researched all three procedures and, like you, I know how to eat right and I don't mind exercise. I decided that the band was a tool that would help me control my weight without compromising my health - and I'm 56 years old. In the end, you have to do what YOU are comfortable with. Its your body and you are the person who has to live with the decision - not your surgeon. Whatever you decide, the people here will support you, encourage you and answer your questions - it feels like family!

Congratulations! You're on your way and you'll find a lot of support and help here. Like you, I joined before my surgery and learned SO much, especially about what to expect before, during, and after my banding. I was banded on 12/30, so I'm 17 days out. Since I was on a liquid diet and am now on "mushies", I've lost 16 lbs. My first fill is on 1/30 and since I'll be on solid food by then, I expect my weight loss to be 1-2 lbs per week, which is the healthiest way to lose. As far as sagging skin - as long as you don't lose too fast and start exercising right after your surgery (walking, a little longer each time, then to more exercise after your doctor approves), your skin is elastic enough so that it shouldn't sag - kind of like after having a baby. As far as the risks go: as with any surgery where you're under general anesthetic there are risks. But it's laparoscopic, which means they'll make some incisions in your stomach, rather than cutting you open and it usually takes 45 minutes to an hour. Its very similar to gallbladder surgery, except they're putting something IN, rather than taking your gallbladder out. The first couple of days after your surgery are uncomfortable, because they pump you full of air before they insert the band, and that air has to dissipate out of your body (which takes about a week). Since air rises, it usually settles under your shoulder blades. Gas-x strips and walking help a lot. Spend some time here, read the different forums and you'll learn so much. And if you have questions, just ask - everyone is glad to help and will support you.

Carol, you might try Weight Watchers - just don't tell them you've been banded. Its a healthy way to eat because you can eat almost anything - in moderation. Plus, you'll get support at the meetings and maybe find some people to start walking with. YOU CAN DO THIS! You got the band because you wanted to change - now its up to you to use it as the tool it is. And see your doctor - maybe you need a fill and some help from the nutritionist. Most of all, remember that you can get lots of support and encouragement here because each and every one of us has or is struggling just like you are.

V-8 or V-8 diet Fusion, sugar-free jello and pudding, tea (for some reason it tastes better than coffee after surgery), Vitamin water, Special-K protein packets (to put in your water), chicken broth, popsicles (the Jolly Roger popsicles are awesome!), liquid tylenol, liquid anti-nausea medicine (I bought the Equaate brand from Wal-Mart), Gas-X strips (several boxes and make sure you take them with you to your surgery). It also helps to take a small pillow with you to put between your stomach and the seatbelt for your ride home.

I was banded on 12/30 and I've lost 17 lbs. I'm walking on the treadclimber for 30 minutes every day and just graduated to "mushies". Aside from the gas pains the first few days (which are normal) and feeling too full the first time I ate, I haven't had any problems at all (knock on wood). I was really apprehensive, too, but it honestly isn't that bad - and its one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Just relax and start putting together your shopping list for the things you'll need to take with you and to stock your cabinets and refrigerator with.

On 12/30 (the day I was banded), it was 34.9 which is right on the edge. But I have extremely high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and sleep apnea, which is why I was approved.

Good morning, peeps! I've been busy this last week, getting things done that I haven't been able to do since having my surgery. I'm now 16 days out and am starting to feel almost normal. The scabs are gone off of the incisions, the shoulder pain is gone, and I've got some good energy going. Finally started on mushies - YAY! Still not drinking enough, so I fill a bottle every night with Special-K Protein Water and carry it with me, plus I'm drinking lots of Zero Vitamin water at home. I'd do anything for a diet Dr Pepper, though. I've worked up to 30 minutes/day on the Treadclimber and I just reactivated my Curves membership - I think the doctor will release me to exercise after my 1/30 appointment and I'm really looking forward to it. If any of you have ever wondered about Curves, I can highly recommend it. 30 minutes, 3 days a week with only women and you really feel good after you're done. Its circuit training (you move from machine to machine) that targets every part of your body, and there are coaches there to help. They also have a combined diet/exercise program. When I was banded, the doctor put 2ccs of saline in my band. I'm thinking that its just about perfect - I'm eating 6-8 oz. per meal (about 800 calories per day) and I have had no problems, except a couple of instances at the beginning when I was so hungry I ate too fast and got too full. I haven't had any problems with taking pills and today I'm feeling like this is one of the best decisions I ever made. How are all of you doing????? I miss talking to you!

Hersheys makes some sugar-free dark chocolate miniatures and WW allows a couple of pieces per day. They're in a small bag along with the regular chocolate and candy. I keep them in the frig and eat one when I HAVE to have chocolate. Jello also makes sugar-free puddings with only 70 calories and they have LOTS of different kinds of chocolate. And you can get sugar-free fudgesicles that are about 40 calories.

How are you feeling today? Are you comfortable with what he said, or does your body tell you that something is still wrong? How is the sudafed working (try the 12-hr Wal-mart generic - its time release and won't make you so jittery)? I lived in Madison, IN (down the river from you) and I had allergies and sinus problems, but not usually in the winter.

Sorry - I forgot to put "at Sam's" when I bought my spoons and forks. I didn't really want that many (although I'm using the spoons 3 times a day), but Sam's restaurant section had them 24/$10 each, which was roughly the same as one fork and spoon that matched my silverware. After thinking about it, I decided that I was going to be using them every day for a long time and I wouldn't have to wash them every time I used them - they just go into the dishwasher with the rest of the silverware.

Tyler, TX - banded 12/30/11. WOO HOO!

I'm a firm believer in WW and planned, even before having the surgery, on continuing the WW plan. It's just eating HEALTHY and learning how to use portion control. You HAVE to journal every day, though - it keeps you on track with protein, veggies, carbs and healthy oils. Not a big meeting person, so I've always done it online, but its easy and it WORKS. I'm with all of you, all the way!

My nutritionist told me to chew each bite at least 15 times. I started doing that before my surgery and was amazed at how I'd been swallowing my food almost whole! I'm just starting on mushies now; I bought 24 demitasse spoons (like baby spoons, except for adults!) and 24 appetizer forks and already know that its going to be hard going when I start solid food next week.

I was banded on 12/30. I was so fortunate to find this site BEFORE I had my surgery: everyone answered my questions and you can get all of the support you need! Welcome!

I'm 10 days out from my surgery and am slowly graduating to "mushies". I wondered the same thing, but if you eat slowly (especially at the beginning), its a "I'm satisfied" feeling. If you eat too much (like 5 oz. rather than 4 oz. LOL), its kind of like the feeling you get after too much Mexican food. Very full and very uncomfortable.

I was at my grandmother's 85th birthday party and my dad asked: "When did you and [your aunt] get so fat?" At that time, I weighed all of 135 lbs (I'm 5'1"); people can be so thoughtless - not because they're being mean, but just because they don't THINK before they say things. I should have asked him when he got so stupid - but that makes me mean and I'm not a mean person. Big hug from me.