sewenup1

What is it the Christian bible says "an eye for an eye"?? Who started the crusades??? Not the most peace loving religion - and yes I am a Christian - in the full meaning of the word I hope. Danna

Honestly, the first 3 days are the worst, it will get better, I was on a VLCD diet for 4 weeks pre-op and the first 3 days were HELL. Remember it will give you a head start on surgery - make the op easier for the Dr, make recovery easier for you AND the weight you lose on this diet is gone forever!!!! Danna

I had a breathing tube but didn't even know it - I wasn't awake for either it going in or coming out. This was my first surgery. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Danna

Oh by the way, the reason that Optifast is top of the list is because it is the only one in Australia to be medically supported in having all the daily requirements of Vitamins etc. this is why a lot of Dr's don't allow you to use TF or Celebrity Slim. You have to remember also that different countries and Dr's have different ways of doing things. Danna

The most used pre-op diet in australia is Optifast. You need to have it 3 times per day - unless told otherwise by your Dr and it does actually take you into ketosis on about day 3. I followed this as instructed by my Dr and had an uneventful surgery. If this is the diet you Dr has told you to do then you should follow it - he does know what he is doing. Good luck for your surgery. Danna

The Happy Losers are growing. Santa has arrived early this year!! Danna:D

Hi all, I did the Optifast diet for 4 weeks - 3 meals + 1 cup of vege and low cal Fluid. It's not so bad after the first 3-4 days, once you get past these first days you don't really feel that hungry - so hang in there it is worth it in the end - it will make your recovery from the op so much easier and when you hit the liquid diet after the op there is so much more to choose from that you think you are in heaven. Danna:hungry:

My favourite at the moment is chicken + vege Soup (with the chunks taken out) with a dash of curry powder - mmmmmmmm love curries. Danna:hungry:

Good luck for your surgery - although I am sure everything will be fine. Let us know how you are when you get home. Danna:whoo::clap2:

Have you tried Peppermint tea - that helps the gas pain and might help with the shoulder pain which is caused by the gas. Danna

I was afraid that I wouldn't go to sleep - sleeping tablets don't work on me - but had just moved onto the table and thought to myself I'm still wide awake and that was the last thing I remember before waking up in ICU - I have high blood pressure so that kept me there for the night. I am now recovering well but am still really tired - partly due to the anaesthetic and also being on a VLCD for 4 weeks preop. Danna

The fear is completely normal, I would worry about you all if you didn't feel scared. I had my band op on Monday and I am what my friends term a 'hospital virgin' - never been in hospital for any reason before. Believe me I was scared sh**less at the thought. This op is not a vanity, it is life saving, it may not be a long op but it is still very serious - any operation is serious, but remember your reasons for choosing to have the op and you will be fine. Good luck to all of you Danna:clap2:

Hi to you both, I was also banded on December 3. If you have not dropped into the monthly groups yet, please do, there is a whole group of us Merry Losers there and you are more than welcome to join us. Danna

Well done Trisha, I am now 3 days post op and it is starting to feel better - excepting when I cough or try to sit up. Hang in there, it gets better everyday. Danna

sorry for the spelling errors folks, fingers and brain must still be anaethestised. Danna

Lost in LS and Justin, It is normal to be scared - you don't take surgery lightly. I was terrified and even as I was being given the anaesthetic I kept thinking why am I doing this? Even now 3 days after surgery I am asking myself the question, but then I look back on my journal and realise exactly why I am doing this and how this will make my life better. Have either of you started a journal - I find it theraputic to write down my thoughts so that I can look back and say either "what a load of cr*p" or "I still think that way". My blog address is below if you want to take a look, but I truly think that if you have got this far you have decided what is best for you. Good luck Danna:D

Carol, Let me first say that you are an inspiration - to go through all this and still come out with such a positive attitude - I don't know that I could have done the same. To be honest, I am probably a lot better than I think - I'm a real wimp with pain and such and being what my friends term a 'hospital virgin' (never having been in hospital before) I am making the most of being fussed over by DH. The pain is a lot better today except when I bend in the middle - find it hard to get out of bed but sleep ok. At the moment I just feel tired all the time, but I'm told this is normal as not only have I just had a general anaesthetic but have just come off 4 weeks on a VLCD - so probably don't have as much energy as I normally would. Of course, now that I am allowed full fluids instead of just clear ones I will start to feel better. So tomorrow will start with a walk along my road and hopefully by Sunday a walk around the block. Love your idea about Oprah - you would be a great spokesperson to let people know not only your own story but why people choose to have the band in the first place. Keep your chin up - when do you see your Dr again - would he be able to perform a sleeve operation if he can't do the band - i understand they are much safer than a bypass op. Danna

Justin, Only you can choose. Have you dieted before and were you able to keep the weight off? Or were you like most of us and lose all the weight just to have it come back on again. Most people who opt for the band are yo-yo dieters - and this is VERY bad for your heart. You need to take into considerations the pros and cons for your decision. Make a list of all the positive reasons and the negatives and decide which are more important to you. Also go back to your GP and discuss this with him/her. Do you want to live with taking anti-allergy medication constantly just to have a meal? I have just had my surgery on Monday, while this is still a big decision for me and I still think why did I do this, I know that alone I will not succeed in keeping this weight off and under control. I am 47 and I still have a lot of years that I want to live. Think carefully and if you are still really unsure, maybe delay the op and see how you cope on a diet, but what I think or anyone else thinks is irrelevant. This is your life and your body, discuss with your doctor and your family/friends and then do what is right for you. Justin, I have no doubt that you are bright and intelligent and will make an informed decision that is right for you. Just remember it doesn't have to be right now- if you need more time to think about it, then tell your Dr to postpone the date until you are sure - your Dr will prefer you to be sure of this as well. Good luck Danna

Well if you are a wimp so am I, and whats worse i have had the surgery and I am still a wimp!! You are not a bad mother for having surgery and it is certainly not selfish. You are having this surgery so that you can have more time and a better time with your family. If you don't have the surgery will this make your time with your son any more special, will it give you more energy to spend time with him, will it help you live a longer healthier life for him - NO IT WON'T. This op is for you, but it is also for your son, your husband and all those who love and know you. You will still be scared after the op because this is a major life change - but remember all the positives for why you chose this in the first place and remember that what you are doing shows just what a great mom you are. Danna:whoo::clap2:

Hope this is ok - have started it by countries. To add your name etc just highlight the list and copy then paste it into your message - otherwise send me a message and when I come to the board i will do it for you. Sorry I can't put into regions as not sure where in the USA or Canada all the places are. Danna USA Twilight - Montana DonHoll1 - Indiana Christasha - Chula Vista Ellisa - Ohio sfeiner - Baraboo Wi tmecia25 - Dalla Texas CANADA AUSTRALIA Sewenup1 - Sydney

Ladies, Depending on how you feel after the op and how far you have to travel, i found the best thing was to make sure you have one of your favourite older bras to wear home - you will not want anything to tight or restrictive to start with - especially with the gas they fill you up with. Another fashion tip, a pair of pull on pants - track pants is great - or ones with a draw string waist as this allows you to have them a little looser around your incisions. I know they won't get you in the best dressed list - but if you have any distance to travel on your way home - comfort is more important. Danna - the non-fashionista:D

Deb, You need to contact your surgeon. You have to have something and apple juice is not enough. What about some clear Soup or something light. You are probably dehydrated and you aren't having enough calories. the nausea (if that is what you have) could be due to the anaesthetic but the Dr should be able to give you something for that. Please, please contact your Dr asap. Danna

hi Twilight, I'm from Sydney Australia. I was banded on Monday so I know what you mean about not being able to concentrate. Good luck for your op. Danna:faint:

Hi all, I feel like a bit of a wimp, just haven't had the energy to go on line. My op went really well on Monday. Got to the hospital just before 10:00am for a 1:00pm op. didn't get taken down to surgery until 5:00pm, but that time I was so thirsty I had developed a headache. My Dr came in to say they would be starting soon and then came all the rest asking what op I was having. Got given the anaesthetic and thought this isn't working. Next thing I know is I was in ICU (my Dr's usual practice) being told to wake up - not happy!!. eventually woke up, prodded and poked some more and then left to sleep in an arm chair with my feet up - hate sleeping sitting up. Next morning was given a barium swallow to make sure band was in the right position. Horrible stuff - need to spend the rest of the day near the bathroom has it passes straight through you with explosive effects - if you get what I mean. Right now feel like I can hardly keep my eyes open - feel like such a wimp after reading some of the stuff others have done. Will have to do better tomorrow. Danna:notagree

Carolk, I have read on other sites that quite a few people have gained weight immediately after surgery, something to do with the IV's and gas that they fill you up with during the op, but usually drops off again within a week or two. How are you feeling today? Danna