contrabanded

Sorry guys, but I just need to vent for a minute. Has anyone had any trouble with (un)supportive family members? Like people who are putting you and the process of getting adjusted to the lap band down and their excuse is their "concern" for you? Let me be a little clearer: My dad has been frankly an a-hole the majority of the time I was going through the preparations for the lap-band surgery. When I call him out on it he cracks jokes like "oh, I'm just trying to help toughen you up" etc. More specifically, when I was on my pre-op liquid diet and was starving because a) my calorie intake had dropped significantly for a 345 lb person and the protein shakes wore off more quickly than expected and I am a relatively picky eater, he would say stuff like "would you like a piece of cake"? He would have discussions with my mom in depth about what they were going to have for dinner, etc, specifically (or it felt intentional, at least) bringing up foods that in the past have been my FAVORITES and that I have been notorious for over-indulging on. The only day he was actually supportive on was the day of my surgery. Now that I am post-op, he is still doing it but it hasn't really bothered me because I haven't felt hungry practically at all until today (which is all good because I am finally on pureed foods and can actually eat eggs) which has helped cure the hunger pains I was starting to experience. I cooked a breakfast today and was excited that for the first time in a couple weeks I was able to eat a semi-normal put together AND that it kept me full the majority of the day. I was excited enough about this when I got home that I was talking to my dad about it and he immediately starts telling me I'm overdoing it, when the more he tries to argue with me about various facts on the lap band, the more I can tell he didn't read the information I gave him (at his request) that he says he did. And I tracked my breakfast in MyFitnessPal--a little under 300 calories and I had it spread out for breakfast AND lunch... How is 150 cals per meal overdoing it? I'm pretty frustrated with him, esp because he keeps making excuses for his eating behaviors and blaming them on me, like "Oh I'm eating more fast food so that we don't stink up the house and make it harder on you to have all these good smells around"... which would be fine if he was eating fast food OUT OF THE HOUSE instead of in the living room. I had been hoping that having some personal success with my lap band might inspire him to get one (possibly) and if not, at least inspire him to do something about his weight. (He is very large, a little over 400 lbs) And he keeps talking like he is cutting back on food and keeps telling mom how he is worried that I'm gonna fail (thankfully, he has not said that around me or to me) and that some salesman sold me a product I think is going to be a magic answer and he doesn't wanna have to deal with it when I get upset because the band isn't a magic wand that's going to make me skinny... (The first thing I told them was that the lap band is a TOOL) and overall my mom has been much more supportive. As I am typing this, I realize he has his own problems about facing his weight, but a) don't put that on me, and part of me feels like he is unhappy with my decision because he sure gets enjoyment out of taunting me about food. Can anyone else relate? I am determined to make this a success and I was before all this happened with my dad, I just wish he wouldn't be such a jerk about it. But it's as if he thinks I'm only gonna be successful with the band if I stay on baby food and ensure. And I'm a foodie at heart, I will love food, esp in well put together recipes, healthy or unhealthy always, no matter how little of a portion I can eat of it! For anyone who follows Banded Wendy on Youtube or Facebook, I can't tell you how excited I am to try some of her recipes! And I would really like some POSITIVE support if anyone wants to team up on this! Thanks, Krystina

I did a little bit the other day, but mine mostly happens after I've eaten, like if I have drank a protein shake too quickly or eaten soup too quickly it comes, and I either stop or slow down. It didn't happen to me before hand until I started getting hungry the other day for the first time since surgery!

Just an update! 1 week post op and 5 lbs down! Total weight loss of 25 lbs so far! WOOT WOOT!! I want to post pictures, but I will wait and post some when there is more of a dramatic difference!

According to my nutritionist, during the first month of the band, she says to just eat when you are hungry and not push it. For me, I get in around 500-700 calories a day and am fine. I am on pureed foods now and have had total 540 cals and around half of my Water intake. Afterwards, when I am back on a "normal diet" she says we are supposed to stick to 1000-1500 calories per day but that they only want us eating 3 small meals a day. I just don't see how I will be able to get more than 1000 calories into 3 small meals per day that are 1/2 c to a whole cup. I've read a lot of different things on here, but one thing I've seen that's consistent is not to push yourself on foods. I would go with the advice of your doctor ultimately. But it is hard to keep what's-what straight because there are so many variations of right and wrong depending on surgeon and bariatric program. I hope some of this helps, although I am newly banded as well so hopefully someone else will post some useful insight. I did read some about going into starvation mode if your calorie intake is less than a certain percentage of your BMR, which will mess up your metabolism and that is something I am personally concerned about considering my BMR right now is 2300 some odd calories (which is the amount my body needs to burn per day to maintain my weight) and I'm getting in less than 1000 right now, but I am also following my surgeon's directions.

Hey all! Today I am one week post op and have lost a total of 23.1 lbs, with only about 3.1 being after surgery. I felt like superwoman up until last night because I literally felt no hunger. I had to force myself to drink my Protein shakes! Then all of a sudden I was so incredibly hungry so I had some Soup and drank some Water and it got a little better. Thanks to all the veterans on here I have managed not to panic that I haven't lost weight like I did during the pre op diet, but it seems I've been a little over eager and optimistic about returning to the gym, etc. I am just worn out! I was wondering if anyone had any good tips on getting through these first few weeks without a fill. When did you start going to the gym post op?

Yes ma'am! I have been following my post op directions to the letter. I was referring to how I would react around food pre surgery. Recovery has been great so far!

And other than being hungry, i haven't had any complications yet either

If you are on Facebook, proofwlsworks is also banded Wendy on YouTube, but add her on Facebook and look at her recipes! I am dying to try some. She has one that is canned chicken, drained with lowfat plain yogurt, little but of cheese and franks red hot for a buffalo chicken dip that just looks awesome

YES!! I am trying to come up with creative ways to get more fiber but I think I've only gone twice since my surgery!

OMG this thread has been so awesome! It has expanded my viewpoint on how the band works and definitely redefined the term "restriction" for me. I was only banded on the 20th, but already I have noticed that the same things I used to get cravings for do not affect me now. I can see something that I would devour and it will smell so good but I have zero desire to actually eat that food. Good thing I am pre-emptively reading this before I get frustrated when I start to feel hungry!

I was banded Feb 20 also! How did your surgery go? I was terrified of the anesthesia, but ultimately I haven't regretted a thing yet!

My date is (was) February 20th!

Hey all! I was banded February 20th! I had gas pains in my left shoulder and with the help of Gas-X strips, a heating pad and walking, the pains have been very manageable. Other than that, I have had minimal incision pain (but some itching) and zero problem getting down liquids and yogurt, etc. How is everyone else's first weeks going? Anyone back at the gym yet? I hope to be under 300 lbs by the beginning of April!

Hey all. I am scheduled to have my band put in Feb. 20th. Medical testing in the 8th and pre-op diet on the 13th when I have my last consultation. I was just wondering how much I can expect to lose more or less based on your alls experience. Was the liquid diet 2 weeks prior for you or one before and one after? What types of liquids did you drink?

Thanks guys! I have a feeling mine will be liquids and I'm curious to see what the doc says the 13th!

My surgery day is the 20th! I'll be just ahead of you!

So exciting!

My date is February 20th due to work schedule, wish it was sooner!! Any nerves I have about the surgery is completely overshadowed by my excitement to achieve my weight loss goals and enjoy the rewards of a healthier lifestyle! It's gotta be better than this right?

I'm worried about that happening to me too. I'm already distant at times. I would hate for that to get worse!

This may sound crazy as I am all of a sudden a little emotional after watching "What to Expect When You're Expecting" but I can't wait for what I've been told will be a completely different take on my social life when I get confidence in my appearance! I can't wait to be comfortable in social settings, and hopefully later in dating settings, which will be completely new territory for me. And one day, I can't wait to have a beautiful, healthy little baby and to teach them a healthy lifestyle from a young age so that hopefully they won't struggle as much with their health as I have. I never wanted to have a baby, or was more or less indifferent until about a year ago, and then all of a sudden it hit me that ... whoa I want a baby and I am completely aware of having a biological clock! I still have a LONG way to go before I worry about time running out, but now I've surpassed my mom's age when she had me and I don't want to be an old grandma from the get-go! BUT at the same time I want the right situation to play out before I have kids... Just saying I am hopeful. At the very least, if I can go out with my friends on a Friday night and laugh and have fun and be carefree again! Just live in the moment--that would make all this stress and working 2 jobs to pay for the surgery worth it, and so much sweeter.

Who is your insurance through?

Nope, still doing the supervised diet and exercise required by my insurance. Have 2 mos. left before I can submit a claim for approval and so I am super curious to see how your experience goes to kind of compare it to how mine will be or prepare myself! If everything plays out okay I will be approved end of November/December.

wow, that is super quick, makes me feel a little better because I have Humana as well.

@vjsingleton73: I also have Humana PPO through my employer who DOES require 6 mos supervised diet and exercise by a physician. I called to ask questions about the psychological appointment and they referred me to the Humana "Bariatric Team" to ask more questions. I wonder what the major difference is between our plans that allows you to not go through the supervised diet but forces me to? Anyway, congrats and good luck on your journey!

be sure to update me how the surgery went and how you're feeling. I will be anxiously awaiting your reply