Jessica1977

Hello - I was banded by Dr Wagner on 1/14/08. D.r Wagner requires a 7 day clear sugar free liquid diet. All of my pre-test were done in one day. I highly recommend Dr. Wagner. His staff is excellent, and I would recommend St. Alexius, they were amazing there! Goodluck!

Brandy, I totally agree with you.... I think that it would be great to have someone you know that has had it done and help each other through.... But I think that going through it "together" and doing it just because a friend or family member has done are 2 different things. Bottom line, I think that they just want to make sure that you are doing it for you, and not just because someone else has done it.

I asked the psych doctor after she was finished how she determines if people are good candidates, and this is some of the things the she told me: She said that insurance requires this because they want to make sure that you are not just doing this on a whim because your friend, neighbor etc. has gotten this surgery, and you think now you have to have it too.... & to make sure that you know that this is only a tool and to make sure that you have fully researched the procedure, and know the pros and cons. Also they want to make sure that you have realistic goals..not what you "should" weigh by the charts, but what you would like to weigh at goal. I also know someone who did not pass the psych eval part. She said that the doctor said that she just wasnt ready and also she said she messed up by telling them that her sister had just had it done...So the psych doctor in turn thought that she was just doing it because someone she knew had it done.....She was able to go to another Doctor and have another psych eval and pass it..I am guessing her bariatric Doctor didnt have a problem with her not passing the first time.

You are not supposed to drink with meals because it just basically washes your food right down. If that happens you are able to eat more and more often, so there would be no purpose in even having the band. My doctor says that drinking before during and after meals is the one sure way to defeat the band. I used to have a hard time with drinking after meals until I bought sugar free mints and as soon as I am done eating I pop a mint in my mouth and it gets rid of the food taste, making it much easier to not feel like I need to take a drink. It works wonders!

Welcome to LBT and good luck with your journey! This site is awesome, isnt it?! So much motivation and inspiration here! Well, good luck again!!!

Excellent post! Explained everything perfectly. I wish I would have had this info when I was newly banded!

Just a thought: If you are only a week and a half post op, the swelling around the band is probably starting to go down a bit. Since the swelling is going down it is easier for your food/liquids to go through your band, which is why you are hungry between your meals. It is perfectly normal. I went through this same problem. Just eat healthy and follow your diet and this will pass. When you start getting your fills things will get much better. Best of luck to you!

It's ok, that's what we are all here for! :w00t:

We are/or have all been addicted to food. This is why the first few weeks are so rough. An addiction is hard to break. A lot of what everyone is feeling is head hunger. Your not actually hungry it's just your addiction making you feel the need to eat. I have to say that food used to be my drug of choice, but thanks to my band I no longer have that addiction. If you find yourself thinking about food, try to do something to distract yourself. Good luck to everyone, it will get easier. :wink_smile:

I am assuming you are currently on a liquid diet...and if you are this is why your BM's are loose or runny. I had to be on liquid 1 week pre-op then 2 weeks post op before I was able to have mushies. So when you are taking in all liquids, thats pretty much all that is going to come out too. Hope I helped. Good luck!

I had this same problem when I was about a month or 2 post-op. When you go from liquids to mushy food your weight loss is going to slow down, maybe even stop, mine did. Plus I was exercising mainly walking on the treadmill, and that builds muscle...muscle weighs more than fat. I was losing more inches than I was pounds, If that makes any sense. Your weight loss will pick back up. Just give it time, and don't live by the scale!!! Hope I helped some! Good luck to you all!

2KpUpwithAvery - You gave excellent advice, very well said! When I read your post it even motivated me more than I already am, and that is so awesome! I just wanted to thank you! :cry_smile:

Alegna, It does get easier I promise. I went through the same feelings you are in the beginning, I wondered why I ever went through with the surgery. Now I am almost 7 months out, and now that i have learned about my band and what my body is telling me... I love my band! You are on the right site, you can get so much support here and your questions answered, everyone here is so nice and helpful. Best of luck to you! Hang in there it gets better!