BillieG

I didn't read all of the posts here, but I just wanted to say thank you (to the original poster) for sharing your story. I came to this site to hear the good and the bad so I know the risks. I have been doing a lot of research and am working with several health care professionals on my journey. I think personally for me that the good outweighs the bad, especially with all the problems I am beginning to have due to my obesity. I also work out several times a week, have an active job, and eat healthy foods. My issue is that I am always hungry and I over eat. I am trying to work on that now and think that the band will help me out tremendously. From what I have seen several people post, most errors are either because the patient did not follow rules or because he or she had a poor physician. There is always a risk with bariatric surgery, but I know the physician and facility I am attending are well known for bariatric surgeries. I still thank you for sharing because people who are considering the procedure need to hear it all and make sure it is right for them.

Thank you all for your kind words and support. It is as I figured, that there is not much I can do about the approval and to keep doing what I am doing. My BMI is 39.7, which is why I worried. I am JUST UNDER the 40 mark. I do have osteoarthritis in my knee, take blood pressure medication, I am hypoglycemic, and I am being tested for sleep apnea on Friday. I will just keep on doing what I can do and hope for the best. I am glad that "hazel" mentioned appealing, because I didn't know about this.

ooh hope this site doesn't turn into one of those types of sites... so far everyone has been courteous and helpful with questions and concerns regarding the band. I think it is good to gather all information possible, but to do so without negativity.

I am pre-surgery but from several of the posts I have read, most of the people said they were really hungry right after the band. You are not restricted at that point but must follow the crappy liquid/mush/puree diet. I am not looking forward to it, but I think it is an important part of the process for the band to work accurately and to prevent hurting yourself. good luck

I think mine lies as well. I am counting calories and doing zumba on my days off to prepare for surgery. I can't seem to lose the weight!!! Some people said I might be building muscle but who knows!? It's very frustrating!

Hello Everyone! I was curious as to how much everyone can eat after the band. I was just wondering if I go out to eat with family and friends, what will it be like? I picture myself eating small portions, obviously, but just wondered if this was uncomfortable for anyone? ~~ To be banded sometime after Christmas

That's great! I hope mine goes that easily!

When I was first approved, they asked if I wanted to meet with them or my own physician. I chose my own because of the driving distance. So basically I meet with my own personal doctor for the 3rd time tomorrow. We are just discussing exercise ideas and calorie counts. I will meet with the actual nutritionist, surgeon, etc on Sept 16 for the first time. I think that is why I may have questions still because I haven't dealt with them personally yet. At this point I feel like I am on my own trying to cut back and lose a little weight each month if possible. I have a hard time with calories so I think counting weight watcher points are easier. Right now I'm doing the SHRED diet just to get me going because it's fast. I have only lost 5 lbs so far, trying to stay motivated and definitely excited for the band.

Thank you for posting that website, it helped me out too! I am a bulk eater and hope that the band will help me with portion sizes. I have 3 - 4 months to go (pre op) do you have any tips for how I can prepare? Someone told me chew each bite 30 x!

when do you get this information from doctor? I have bout 3 months to go, I meet with the surgeon for the first time next month.

I see several posts about calorie intake and how much protein you should have everyday. Will they explain all this to you in detail when you go see the nutritionist? It sounds like it can all be very confusing to monitor all that. Does anyone have trouble with counting calories accurately or determining what you are supposed to have post surgery?

Thanks Shelly! I just added the My Fitness Pal app to my phone and will check it out! Meeting with the nutritionist is a requirement through my insurance. The hospital that does the procedure has all of these professionals available there and they work together to prepare you for the band. I will meet with them in a few months (after I have seen my doctor 3x, once per month). Hopefully I will get the book and information at that time to prepare myself. Right now I am trying to mentally prepare and change my eating habits a bit. I have to make improvements every month for my meeting with my physician. I am a bit nervous because I do not want to fail! But I know they want you to lose something each month or show some improvement.

I am pre-surgery and have not met with the surgeon yet. I trust in my physician but when it comes to the procedure, I would think that the surgeon knows more about the process. I am going to a facility that ranks really high for bariatric surgeries and treatments. Specialists should know more about what is best. What do you think?

Wow... is this what the incisions are supposed to look like? I haven't had the band yet.... Looks pretty sore and nasty.

Wow, I am really glad that you have come into your comfort zone and overcoming those problems with body image. I think that a lot of people require counseling or additional help that goes with the weight loss. I am preop right now and cannot wait to get banded. Of course I want to feel better about myself and look better. But mostly, I want to be healthy. I have problems with my knees, hypertension, hypoglycemia, and recently high cholesterol. I am limited on exercise because of my knees and I am way too young to go through this pain and struggle. I already know how to eat all of the right foods but struggle with portion control because I always feel hungry. (even after implementing protein and other fillers). I wish you the best of luck and thank you for sharing!

That sounds quite discouraging! Hopefully you will start losing weight all of a sudden. I have not had the procedure yet, but I hear a few people stating that they don't feel a restriction. Others say that you have to find your "green zone" before it is 100% effective. Hopefully it gets better for you, because that's the purpose of us banding - to feel restriction.

I am pre-surgery and have not met with the nutritionist yet, only with my own physician. Did they tell you that you always have to sip liquids? Or is that temporary? Boy that will be difficult for me too, because I down water like crazy! I am not looking forward to this "starvation" stage of liquids either, but I guess it will all be worth it!

How much weight do they expect you to lose prior to surgery? I just started my 6 months of nutritional evaluations. I was a little worried about this. Thoughts?

Congrats SueBee on losing 122 lbs!!!!! How long did that take you?

Wow! How long does the pre-op diet usually last? I see different responses so I suppose it depends on the surgeon. I thought it was like 3 days. Yes, that will definitely be tough!

That is awesome! I am so excited to get this done! I am going through the 6 month waiting period and have begun my nutritional meetings with the doctor. Good for you! Can't wait until I can feel that way too.

I wonder why the surgeon approved you as a candidate with a BMI of only 30? When I did research on the band, it stated that they prefer patients with a BMI of at lease 40, or if you have a BMI of 35-40 with morbid obesity conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, etc. I do not have the band yet, but am in the 6 month waiting period right now. Are you already at a healthy weight?

Wow that sucks! I have not had the procedure yet so I don't have much advice to follow. Are you following the diet plan? I wonder why you would not feel restricted as most people say they don't feel hungry and cannot eat much. Where did u go and who are your physicians? It seems pretty bad if they didn't chart information and makes u wonder how many ccs you really have.