Katy Walton

Hi Guys!, so I am 10 days after my surgery and I must say this past week was not easy at all. First, I had complications during the surgery and was very stressed out. Everything is good now but I have been having those guilty thoughts - i should have probably tried harder on my own.... Anyways, I got my surgery done in Europe where am currently residing and working. Weight-loss surgeries are for free here as long as your BMI is higher than 40. I chose a highly recommended private clinic and I must say my experience with them was simply amazing. I have read through this board a lot and see there are lots of different things when it comes to diet. There was no pre-surgery diet for me. I only had to follow a meal plan and was even told to splurge a weekend before. But there was no liquid diet prior my op. After surgery it is a week of liquids, week of blended food and two weeks of soft food. After that, I am going to switch to solid food. I was worried it would not work but their success stories speak for themselves...of course, with constant work with the patient. Lots of people slip back to their old ways and gain instead of lose. Anyways, my doctor is currently on vacation and I am stuck with questions. I know thinds might be different considering am in a different country but I still wanna ask yall. 1. when you were on blended food phase, how big were your portions? I was told 100ml. Does that go for even yoghurts that are usually 120ml? 2. what would happen if your portions would be a bit bigger than 100ml? 3. do you all stick not drinking 1 hour after food? What if its hot outside and 30mins later you are really thirsty? 4. do smoothies dilluted with Water count as a meal? 5. how many times a day do you eat? 5 or 6 times? 6. how big are your portions being on solid food? Thanks!

Hi! I just finished reading all of the threads and I can't even tell you how better I feel. I got banded on Tuesday. I started the whole process in August last year and my decision was a solid one regardless I had almost no support. My mother and boyfriend were the only ones who went through it all with me. During surgery, I had some complications as my esophagus is anatomically different from other people. I stayed in the hospital for a little longer and experiencing more pain. I was ready for the pain but I was not ready for were my second thoughts. I woke up on Wednesday and cried...asking myself if I made the right decisions. Should I have tried harder on my own? What if I could have done without it? For past days, I have been feeling really down....feeling like my life is never going to be happy again. I hate to admit it but I love to cook and experience new foods...I love having fun and drink wine or mixed drinks with my boyfriend...Is all of that over? Are our dinner nights over? So much has been going through my head ....today, I found your post and my mood changed. I feel hopeful now. I am scared for some reason but you are the reason I am finally smiling in past 4 days!

Hey guys, I have been thinking about lap band for several years. Finally, in August I decided to make my first appointment. I was recommended lap band surgery as I thought already and started different examinations and appointments. My surgery is on February 24th and I have been super excited until today. My boyfriend and family are great supporters and really excited for me. Mainly, because I used to be a "thick girl" most of my life. I was never skinny but back in 2008 I weighed 165lbs and was very active. After major personal problems, I stopped exercising and living healthy and as of today, I weigh 245lbs. I still look good and I am happy but this is mainly about my health. In August, I was 263lbs so I managed to lose some weight since then. Anyways, lots of friends and coworkers have been trying to talk me out of the surgery. They all are telling me I can do it on my own and I should never settle for something so drastic like the surgery. I told my boss today that I will need some sick leave and told him what my plans are. He as well tried to talk me out of it. So here I am, sitting in my office wondering if I am making a mistake. I have been so exciting for past 6 months and now I am scared something might go wrong. Has anyone went through the same?

I decided to tell people to make sure that nobody would tempt me and they would be ready for me to start eating different. Most of them keep telling me how I will never eat like "regular" people again, how they cant even take me out to restaurants anymore.... tons of horror stories....its just been so stressful and I wish I didnt tell them

Thanks girls! I have really been thinking about the reasons they might have to talk me out of something I really want. Everyone keeps telling me how they know someone who had it and this and that happened to them. All of the stories are scary. I have been disregarding all the negativity but today, I feel confused. I have tried everything but always failed. My doctor told me that having the band will be kind of a psychological thing. Basically, me knowing I had a surgery will not allow me to give up or overeat myself. And I know thats true. I just wonder if there is anyone who regrets having the surgery. I am not worried about the pain much...I am not worried about the diet because I know it is gonna be part of my new life, I just wish people were happy for me and stopped scaring me

Hey guys, I am scheduled for my lap surgery on February 24th and trying to get as ready as possible. I am wondering how long after the surgery I will be able to exercise. When did you start and what kind of exercise did you do?

Hey guys, I am having a serious dilemma. My doctor recommended gastric surgery and I am a bit worried. I definitely want to lose weight bad but I am worried and scared at the same time. I have never been skinny, I was always a thick girl - 150lbs. I used to exercise, dance, .... then I started gaining weight and now I am at 260lbs (5'3 tall). I have been trying hard to lose weight but considering I work about 14 hours a day, I come home tired and dont feel like doing anything. I decided to make radical changes. I visited a doctor last week and was recommended this procedure. My main worries are about losing too much. I definitely do not want to be skinny. I do not want to weigh less than 150lbs. Is there any possibility to stop losing weight? Any recommendation on which procedure would be the best? I refuse gastric bypass.

Hey guys!!! I just had my appointment with a surgeon. We went through everything and he ended up saying that a lap band is the best option for me. My next appointment is on Sept 29 ....that is when they gonna schedule my surgery date. I am very excited about that. I purchased a gym membership, had my first session with a trainer on Wednesday and am trying to get better with my eating habits. I am so ready to do this and dedicate my life to living healthy!

Thank you! This is why I said I already hired a personal trainer. I am starting tomorrow. I decided to go to the gym in the mornings. My main problem is that I am tired and lazy. With weight loss I will have more energy. But here I am, tracking what am eating and starting my exercise tomorrow. I want to be on track before the surgery so it is easier afterwards. Trust me when I am say am very dedicated to what I started. Enough is enough and I finally reached the point when am ready for all the hard work. I also think this forum will be a great help and support.

Dear Babbs, thank you for your response. I understand I will have to exercise and I already made an appointment with a personal trainer. I am starting tomorrow morning. After 10 lessons, I will get my gym membership that I have also already looked into. I have been doing my research over the weekend and ready lots of stories about people losing too much weight and not being able to stop. I see you are about to reach your goal and it has only been a year. That is incredible! I think I should stop worrying and discuss everything with my doctor. Thank you again for taking the time to respond, I appreciate it.

Hi Jane, my doctor gave me the same two options - either lap-band or sleeve. I have a week to think about it as I am going back on Friday morning. The insurance will cover all the cost. I do not have any medical issues....it is just that I am tired most of the time. Being overweight is not fun as you probably know yourself. May I ask how many pounds a month on average do you lose?