gigglypug

Got my band in yesterday and feeling a lot better than I expected. Turns out I had a rather sizeable hiatal hernia (which never bothered me), so that was fixed as well. I asked for (and received) a scopolamine patch to ward off any nausea prior to surgery. I'm also taking my pain meds (ugh, horrible taste), don't believe in needless suffering. Considering that my very first step towards this surgery was only on March 18th, I'm still trying to get my head around the whole thing...yep, I really did it. My surgeon put in a 10cc band and filled with 2.5cc during surgery (which will hopefully keep bandster hell at bay) and my incisions are TINY. Been drinking Water and Protein shakes (premier protein from Costco) and overall very happy. I have a speaking engagement for work next Tuesday at a site about 3 hrs' drive from my home and am cautiosly optimistic that I can honor it. Overall, thrilled with the way it all worked out!

Make that three of us! Surgery at 10:30, report to hospital at 8:30....I know I'll be climbing the walls!

Absolutely amazing! I'm inspired :-)

Disney Nut, that is fantastic, what a huge NSV. We're a big Disney family, too, but in California...my daughter actually works at one of the parks. I don't go as often as I did when the kids were younger, but I did go last week...and boy, were my feet, ankles and knees KILLING me after the day was done (i'm still pre-op). Can't WAIT to be in your shoes, YAY for you :-)

Alisluv, my surgeon doesn't require a pre-op diet either. In fact, there are a lot of restriction other folks seem to have that he didn't put on me (I'm okay to use NSAIDs after first week, am on full liquid immediately post-op, can have carbonated beverages after 30 days if I want etc). It's a bit scary, but he's done thousands of these and his stats are published right on his website...and are very encouraging. So I'm not going to make this harder than it needs to be, although I've kicked a pretty severe diet coke habit already (might not hurt the band after 30days, but who needs the extra gas? Plus that stuff seems to be so bad for you...). I'm on the road right now on my last business trip pre-op and am actually missing my protein shakes...perhaps rules vary for different conditions (e.g. Diabetic, high BP, BMI etc.), but there are several folks here who didn't do pre-op diets and are doing just fine...

My surgeon prohibits NSAIDs only during the first 30 days, for what it's worth. Seems to be yet another area where the docs have different opinions...

May 15th in Southern California :-)

No formal pre-op diet, just a recommendation to lose 10 lbs by surgery. Initial weigh-in was March 18th, surgery will be May 15th...was down 9 lbs at my final pre-op appointment 2 days ago :-)

I quit smoking 10 years ago (after about 15 years of a pack a day). Wellbutrin did it for me. The idea is that you take it and still smoke for a few weeks...except it disrupts the part of your brain that reacts to the nicotine... After a while your body realizes that smoking doesn't seem to "work" anymore and the addiction subsides...I was still fairly miserable, but I haven't gone back to smoking on all those years. Good luck!!

I have been telling all co-workers I usually travel with. Reason: they know how I (used to) eat and this kind of change cannot possibly go unnoticed. I told them in effect "the party is over" and have gotten back very positive feed-back. My family knows, ironically the feedback there was a bit more mixed...not because they consider it "the easy way out" but because they are worried about any complications. I would imagine once the surgery actually happens (hopefully without any issues) they'll be more excited for me...

Not banded yet (surgery date May 15th), but I will be in pretty much the same boat as everyone else here...traveling about 50-60% of my time. I'm in scientific sales and when I hit the road, it's never by myself, always in combination with my local rep. That means not only restaurant meals, but social restaurant meals. I've already announced that I'm getting banded to my team...couldn't hide it anyway and this way it might hold me a little more accountable. I have 3 trips lined up between now and banding day and hope to practice good choices rather than food funerals :-/

Not a flight attendant, but frequent flyer so discussed the issue with my doctor...he only warned against flying for the first few weeks post-op because of blood clot risk. Otherwise he had no special rules/warnings...not banded yet myself (May 15th is my surgery date), so can't speak from experience. I am only worried about gas/expansion at altitude.

Anyone out there traveling regularly (every week or every other week) for work? How do you cope with the constant temptation at restaurants? How about meals with clients/colleagues? Will be getting banded on May 15th and expect this will be my hardest issue...any advice?

That is absolutely amazing!! Perhaps there is hope for one or two of my chins yet...(I'm still pre-op)

Thank you both for replying! Protein bars never did satisfy me in the past...but perhaps all that will change with the band? It's so difficult trying to imagine how things will be...everyone seems so different..I guess I'll just have to wait and see :-) CindyA, best of luck to you tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to hearing your story! Are you a driver or a flyer? I fly most of the time and boy, those airplane seats are a great motivator :-)

My surgery date is May 15th, which is the day before my daughter's birthday...cat whisperer, did I read that you also had a daughter with that birthday? Small world :-) Not full on dieting yet, just watching calories trying to keep it within reason. I travel a lot for work and the constant restaurant meals are what did me in. Looking forward to having some fellow bandsters...anyone else in Southern California?