cajungurl

I would love to come from Louisiana, that sounds like a GREAT idea!

Well, I think you have done GREAT and are going through some emotional eating which happens to all of us! I was banded 4/16/07 and have only lost about 25-30 lbs since surgery and I wonder if I sabbotage myself everyday. I am reminded by my NP at the doctors office every time that this is a learning experience and it takes time to figure it all out. I keep reminding myself that nothing taste as good as I will feel at goal, that seems to help sometimes, but I definitely do a lot of emotional eating. Keep up the progress and you will be surprised what you can accomplish.

I lived in Chalmette before Katrina, moved to Houma since and had surgery in Metairie with Dr. Lavin..............WONDERFUL doctor and his NP that does the fills is the BEST!! I have never ever had any pain or discomfort during a fill. I would recommend any one of the doctors there. Thier website is WhyWeight.com- Weight Loss Surgery in Louisiana - Home. Good Luck!

I had to do Optifast for 2 weeks before my surgery. I was banded April 16, 2007. The second day was the hardest for me also. I called my doctors office and told them I could not do it, and they reminded me that it was ONLY for 2 weeks. It was tough, but I got through it, they told me to eat some protein like egg whites etc. if I felt like I needed to eat something. We were also allowed one meal a day in the evening of lean protein and veggies which made it more tolerable. I am sorry that you are not feeling well. It will pass and you will be okay. It is a drastic change for your body so I think the weepies are normal as well. I was really depressed the first few days, but that is because food is my best friend and I felt a loss. I am down 25lbs since April, it is slow going, but I keep my chin up because I am going down and not up anymore, so keep your chin up..............you can do this and this decision will change your life for the better, you are giving up something good for something much better. Nothing taste as good as it feels to look good and feel great!

I am experiencing the same thing. I have the knot when I push it. I am about 24 days out. It gets better, but sometimes if i laugh too hard or try to run, it lets me know it is there. I think it is normal.

I have a "green card" that says "This person has had a Gastric Restrictive Surgery and should never have a NG Tube placed without proper visualization. Also he/she would not be able to eat a "full meal" and should be allowed to order a Child's Portion." I got it from my doctors office and I was given that same bag with the Inamed one (that I misplaced). It works sometimes. Ryans Buffet took it twice, went there today for lunch and the manager said they do not honor them anymore. It really upset me at first, then I realized I was saving only $2-$3, so I just don't eat there that much anyway. The part about the NG tube is more of a concern for me than the child's portion. That is what I really need to remember if I ever need an NG tube. BTY.....my doctor is in New Orleans, and they give the cards to thier patients.

I am 41 and 5'1". I weighed right at 200 when I started looking into being banded. I got up to 215 before I had it done (had to wait 6 months with insurance). I LOVE to eat. I live in South Louisiana and we live to eat, not to mention that we lost our home to Katrina and food was my biggest buddy through it all. I was banded on 4/16. I LOVE it! I have lost about 20 lbs, but the biggest thing for me is that I can eat a little and be satisfied. Before being banded, I would get full, but not satisfied so I would continue eating. My doctor is really awesome. I was able to eat some on my pre-op and I am on week 3 and I am up to eating baked fish and some chicken. I eat just about anything I want to, (I do make healthy choices). The only thing I have not had yet is red meat. I too was worried about the change in lifestyle since my lifestyle was centered around food. I have not felt deprived AT ALL. My biggest reasoning for having the surgery was to prevent diabetes, high blood pressure etc. which I am genetically pre-disposed to. I wish I had done it years ago, but I am very happy with my band and Love my new outlook on life. Good Luck! Keep your chin up! Congratulations on taking charge!

I was told I would be staying overnight since the hospital was an hour from my home, but I was discharged the same day. I had surgery almost three weeks ago. I wish I would have stayed overnight! It is much easier getting in and out of a hospital bed than your bed at home, and you have almost instant access to pain meds in the hospital. The ride home was bad! Take your time, stay and rest, bring a good book etc. You will not regret it.

I am hardly ever hungry, and if I am it is in the morning when I get up. I was a total food addict. Living in South Louisiana, we live to eat! Every gathering is around what food is served and so far I have been able to attend anything and eat what is allowable and be totally satisfied. It is totally amazing to me because I was not done one meal that I was trying to think about what I was going to eat next. That is all gone..........the bans is truely a miracle!

My doctor had me on Optifast for 2 weeks pre-op, but we could eat at least one meal each day with that. After surgery, the first day was clear liquids, the second was full liquids, and then adding a little each day. I am on day 12 now and I am up to well cooked veggies, soft eggs, canned fruit etc. At 3 weeks we start chicken and meats slowly. I am very happy with the diet and totally understand the reasoning for it. I tried to eat oatmeal a day before it was on the schedule and it did not go down too easy. I lost about 10 lbs pre-op on optifast.

Yes I have weighed myself and I show I am down 12 pounds since surgery. It is way exciting................just hope it keeps up. I can eat pretty good now, not sure once I get the fill how it will be though.

I had to do the six months! I hated every month of it, but I won the battle and had surgery on the 16th of April. From the beginning to surgery date was almost 9 months for me. Don't give up hope......it is ALL worth it. Use this time to research and learn as much as you can before surgery. Knowledge is Power!

If you have any sick time available, it is definitely an eligible "sick time" absence. I had used some sick time for pre-op visits etc., so I did have to use some vacation time (2 days), but it was all worth it! I am banded 11 days now and feel GREAT!

I was banded on 4/16 and I am feeling pretty much back to normal now. Still have some soreness in the port area, but doing good. Every day will be a big improvement, just don't try to over-do it. I go to the doctor tomorrow for my first post-op appt, hoping the scale shows what my clothes does.