Sojourner

You are supposed to stop smoking pre op...my surgeon requires 1 month no smoking pre op. If he finds out you have been smoking, he will cancel your surgery. No exceptions. There are blood tests to check for nicotine metabolites, and I know my surgeon uses that test for pre op lab work. Smoking interferes with the body's healing process...never a good idea. Why not use this surgery as an opportunity to kick the habit?

I agree with all the other posters...you have plenty of time to get the fill after vacation. Never a good idea to leave home right after a fill when there could be negative consequences... Have a great trip!

I believe that the pattern of automatic thoughts which keep your thinking in a pattern of "catastrophic" thinking are not self sabotage, but instead indicative of a belief in a lack of self confidence to be able to actually be successful to achieve a goal you have set for yourself. There is a psychology behind our thoughts, and it is often difficult to stay grounded in accurate thinking rather than to revert back to the previous inaccurate beliefs which keep us emotionally handicapped and primed for failure so then you are able to validate yourself that you were correct all along that you could not/would not be successful. This maladaptive pattern of thinking is common, and highly evident when we think about the progress we are actually making with weight loss, and instead focus on not believing what the scale says or the reality of trying to continue to wear the clothing which no longer fits. It can take some time for the "head" to catch up with the body in both automatic thoughts and in establishing an accurate self body image. It's a major adjustment, and as with other changes you are in the process of making, this does take some time. Self sabotage is more about intentionally eating something you should not, then gaining weight, and then validating the series of events by telling yourself "I told you that you would fail." It's a negative thinking cycle which can be broken...it just takes practice and accurately acknowledging that you can and are being successful with achieving your goals. Best wishes...

Beware of the empty calories...and you will likely find that less alcohol or wine will affect you faster and stronger than prior to your surgery. My surgeon advised his patients that a bandster can be considered legally drunk according to their BAC with only one drink. Be certain ahead of time that you will not need to drive.

The only safe place for me to get exercise at this point in time is in the pool, as advised by my orthopedic surgeon. My bariatric surgeon still insists that I should be taking brisk walks daily, and I tell him that I would love to, and wish that I was able to. I attend Water aerobics class at my local "Y" several times a week...it does help with toning and flexibility, though I do find it difficult to get me heart rate up. Swimming laps is also excellent exercise, but physically that's not an option for me. Not only does exercise in the water provide very low/no impact, the resistance exercise does alot to help tone muscles. The "Y" was very affordable for me to join, as mine is only an individual membership. They have an indoor therapy pool, and has everything I need to stay active and relatively pain free. Best wishes...

Yes, this definitely does read like the hot flashes associated with menopause. I remember waking up at night and the only thing which soothed me was a cool wash cloth to my forehead and then completely brush over the rest of my skin. The other great lifesaver was eating popsicles, yes even in the middle of the night, because they were like cooling me from the inside out. How fortunate that SF popsicles are allowed on the bandster diet! By the age of 46 I was completely through menopause...but I remember it well for how I would even have hot flashes during the day and within minutes my skin was flushed and red, and my hair was plastered to my scalp because of the perspiration. And yes, my husband learned his strategies to keep me from getting on his case for no legitimate reason. It doesn't last forever...take a day at a time. And enjoy those popsicles...

Your surgeon did not give you any information about the liquid diet you are supposed to follow during the post-op stage??? Amazing... You need to be drinking Protein shakes as a temporary Meal Replacement while your stomach heals. There are many options...but the best protein choice will be shakes which contain 100% whey isolate protein...still the gold standard for bariatric patients. You should be aware of what your daily goal for protein is, and strive to reach it every day. Don't forget about having your "free fluids" also, such as SF/FF popsicles, Crystal Lite, decaf tea, and yes, also Water. There should be threads on this topic to research on this site. You likely still have many questions, so come back to the forum and ask them. This is an excellent community of knowledgeable individuals who are willing to share their their best practices.

I also have asthma...but keep my rescue inhaler with me at all times and especially when I am exercising. I usually am indoors...either on my recumbent exercise bike or in an indoor pool for Water aerobics class. I have had asthma since I was a young child, though I did have around a 20 year long hiatus from flare ups until this past winter. It nearly caused my surgery to be postponed again. I've made it a life long pursuit to not allow it to restrict my life to the greatest degree possible.

I was not aware of any rule about drinking prior to eating a meal...my surgeon never advised me that there was one! I am not allowed to drink anything until a full hour after a meal, so for me it's important to be properly hydrated prior to eating a meal. Good to read that you are doing well...

I agree with the previous poster...you need to be certain to get sufficient fluids and calories every day. Though I did not have a band at the time, I lost a substantial amount of weight while breastfeeding, and I was actually trying to maintain my weight at the time. I remember being told that it took about 1000 calories a day to make sufficient milk for my son. It's important to continue to make healthy food choices while nursing...I'd definitely consult with my surgeon as to how to adjust the bandster diet to ensure proper nutrition for both you and your infant. Good luck and best wishes...

Congrats on reaching your initial goals...and very sorry to read of the delay in your procedure. I can relate, as for reasons beyond my control, my band surgery was delayed for over a year. I wanted to suggest to you to continue to be involved with some form of counseling as you move forward to an even healthier you. Addiction substitution is quite common, as you have already shared, but your post op adjustments may also create challenges you may not anticipate to remain compliant with your diet and exercise. Best wishes to have a minimal impact with Isaac and a successful surgery...

I'm glad you got in contact with your surgeon's office...and I really hope you feel better fast!

Even joint replacement parts have a limited lifespan. I'm not concerned about having my band fail...if it does, and it is possible for it to be replaced, then I will have it done. I'm going to address that issue when and if it presents itself... The complications from having the band are real, and understand that for every individual who has to have one removed, there are many who do not. I've always believed that if I remain compliant with the diet rules and exercise, the odds will always be in my favor to have a successful weight loss journey with my band.

There is nothing the matter with you that you can continue to eat foods without negative consequences. Each of us are individuals, and as such some will have difficulties tolerating questionable foods, while others will not. No two bandsters will have identical experiences through their weight loss journey. Some people want their bands too tight believing that a tighter band will facilitate their waiting longer between meals to become hungry. I have only 3.5cc of Fluid in my band, and really need to remain aware of what I'm doing as I eat, otherwise it would be easy for food to get stuck. From what I've read, that's a relatively small amount of fluid in a band, but I don't realistically believe that I should have more fluid added. The important understanding to maintain is that just because you can eat those foods (i.e. bread) does not mean that you should. The bandster diet rules still apply.

With that attitude, there will be nothing that will keep you from being successful. I mean that...as it's frequently our thinking which gets us into trouble. I feel your disappointment...for different medical reasons, my surgery was delayed for over a year. The delay only made my resolve to be successful that much stronger. Best wishes...

Yes, it seems to me that your band is too tight. And you need to be careful to not become dehydrated. Have you tried to slowly drink a warm/hot as you can tolerate beverage, such as a cup of tea? Warm beverages can sometimes help to loosen a tight band. Also, I know that as my level of stress increases, so does the tightness of my band. Your surgeon's office should have someone on call for the practice to address potential emergency situations. I would get in contact with them ASAP for additional directions and advice. I hope you feel better fast...take care.

Expect to be asked alot of questions...and it would help you if you also had some of your own to ask the surgeon or their staff. This would help to clarify any lingering doubts you may have as to if this is the correct path for you to take. There are many factors which contribute to the choice for what type WLS you will ultimately have. Come to the appointment with a focused determination to listen to the discussion. There is alot to take in and learn!

Any surgery that you have in life will come with some risks...WLS is no different. The risk of complications is smaller for the band compared with other WLS options. I chose the band because I did not feel rearranging my GI tract was a good idea. I have followed the bandster rules, and I have experienced some medical complications related to the band but not caused by the band. They did result in 3 hospitalizations and having my gall bladder removed. Yes, you will read about the problems with band slippage and erosion, and as noted before these are risks associated with having a band. What you may not focus on is that for every individual who posts about the problems they are having with their band, there are many others who are finding long term success with their bands. Many times (no hard statistics on this) band problems are precipitated by the patient's non-compliance with the bandster diet or other rules we are supposed to be following. As with all things, there will be exceptions to this. Only you can weigh your options, and make the decision if the band is the best WLS for you, or even if you are sufficiently motivated to make the life style changes for life that you will need to successfully achieve if you want to be successful with weight loss. The band is no (pardon the play on words) "cake walk"...the band is only a tool that you need to learn how to use to be successful with weight loss. It requires daily focus on diet compliance and a life long commitment to exercise and healthy eating patterns. Your post reads to me that you are still essentially undecided about what if any WLS you should have, and as such I strongly believe that it's advisable to delay your surgery until and unless you are sufficiently motivated for your own success. It helps to continue to read and do additional research into the band...it is not designed to be temporary. Best wishes as you consider your options...

Learn how to selectively "screen out" the stimulus...or remove yourself from the area where you are able to see or smell foods. In order to survive raising 3 sons, rather close in age, I had to learn how to ignore(screen out) the noise and activities of what would often amount to 3 different groups of friends in the house at the same time engaged in different activities which all had some type of sound/noise associated with them... My long term sanity depended on being able to selectively screen out most of the sound. I can so relate to your writing about smelling food...I learned how to ignore cooking odors, and ignore my husband eating in the same room with me as I drank my Protein shake or ate a SF popsicle, but I could not ignore his empty plate which still smelled wonderful from his dinner. He left it next to me for me to clean...and it was the only time during the entire pre and post op diets that I "lost it" and got angry with him. Know that there is an end to this challenging time in your life...and keep your eyes focused on the prize of a healthier you! Best wishes...

I guess the cold, hard facts of even the band are debatable...just the as about every other medically related topic. There is new research which may change the "rules" as we have known them to be...quite confusing to say the least. I guess, that as in numerous other areas as well, there is no "one size fits all" answer. We should do our best to adhere to the "rules" as we know them, and do so with the reality and understanding that we will not be perfect in our compliance, and that the rules can change along the way of our journey. And I agree...never stop asking questions! Our health and well being may depend on it...

I've been told to begin a muscle toning regimen with small weights for my arms. At best, it's only a partial fix, as likely the skin has been stretched beyond what it is capable recovering from. As for the abdomen, your skin will likely have the ability to shrink only slightly post weight loss. This degree of recovery is related to the amount of weight you loose and even to the type of skin you have. I got large stretch marks from my first pregnancy, and I only gained a total of 14 pounds...and post weight loss I will likely need a TT to smooth the skin again. I've not yet decided if I want to have this done. Any type of traditional exercise which tones your abdominal muscles should be discussed with your surgeon...though I would guess that crunches would not be harmful, but I'm not an expert in the field!

Gas X did nothing to dissipate the gas pain I felt post op...and as others have shared walking is the best remedy. I did find that using a heating pad on low setting for short lengths of time did help my abdomen feel better...and did not interfere with the healing process at my incision sites. This will get better...keep moving!

It will change over time...your "head" has not yet caught up with your body. There is an entire psychology about size and the reasons why your head (and automatic thoughts) and scale number frequently don't match. I still struggle with purchasing smaller sizes...and for several months after reaching "onederland" when I thought about what my weight was, the number would automatically always begin with a "2"...as it had for the previous few years. You are still in the process of adjusting to the concept of the new you... Best wishes...

LOL...but it does look a bit painful and extreme. My husband would not appreciate the limitations with being able to share a kiss...

Yes, at least for me, feelings of stress do make my band feel tighter. When I know that my level of stress is elevated, such as while I am driving, I know that my band feels tighter...and I sometimes can't even sip Water comfortably when I feel that way.