MissBS

I agree with the other wise women on this one. You will probably feel good, but your diet might be the tricky part. If you were just going with your family and they knew you had gotten the band - I would say go for sure. If you are trying to keep it on the down low, it might be a bit trickier. Like "I'll pass on the burgers and beans. Just gonna have some of this yummy cottage cheese instead." If you think you can have the post op-foods that you need on hand and can pull it off... then I say GO FOR IT!! If all of this sounds like a headache, then you might want to have your surgery after vacationing. Good luck to you and have fun whatever you decide to do. Becky

Hi. I've seen this debate on here before. Some people want to know everything about their band and fills (me) and some don't think the the numbers matter. If you are eating a small amount of food, staying satisfied for 4 hours, and losing weight, then I would see no reason to get a fill. The times I've gone to get fills were when I was not full after eating the amount I was supposed to be eating, not staying full for anywhere near 4 hours, and not losing weight - they kinda all go together in my mind. It took 3 fills to get real close and 4 to get there for me.... but as you know from reading posts on here - we are all different, our bands are different, our bodies are different, and our doctors are different. Well now that I've made that as clear as mud for you.... I'll say good luck to you. It can be confusing and I, like you, like things to be more concrete... black and white... working on getting over that since getting banded :)Take care. Becky

Hi Arsonal. Welcome!! This site is wonderful - a great place to read, ask, and vent. I've made some very good friends here. I had my surgery done at True Results in Houston. Dr. Hollis did my surgery and I love him - but I'm sure all of the doctors there are great. I've had nothing but positive experiences at TR and I'm so glad that I chose to have my surgery done there. I had to fly 750 miles to have it done (and live through Hurricane Ike), and I fly there for my fills. I'm sure you will be very happy with True Results. Good luck to you!!! Becky

I don't use any protein powders/supplements. I did try them at first, but now I found that I can get my 60g. a day in without using all that stuff. It is expensive and I think even the unflavored ones have a taste. There are lots of them out there. Good luck!! Becky

Hi Joe. Glad you are back. I don't know you, but I sure do understand where you are at. The past is the past - the important thing is that you are ready to get back to it. I wish you good luck and will be looking for more of your posts to see how you are doing. Take care. Becky

I'm sure you won't be on here long lndshark, so I'm responding quick. First of all..... I can't even tell if you are a joke or not. Coming on here and calling people names is real mature. Have you nothing better to do? Restless Monkey is a nurse and she is a good friend of mine. She has helped me, and many others out, when we needed answers and advice. I don't believe you are for real, I don't believe your ticker, and I don't believe you need to come here and insult people. I'm sure the powers that be will have you 86'd by the time the sun sets. Happy trails. Becky

My pre-op diet was right before my surgery. It was supposed to be for 3 weeks but it ended up being for 4. I had to have a protein shake (Atkins Advantage was my choice) for breakfast and lunch and then I could have protein and veggies for dinner. It wasn't fun, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. As others have said, the pre-op diets vary greatly. Just do what your surgeon tells you to do and you should be fine. Good luck. Becky

Some artificial sweetners can give you gas (sorbitol). If you are eating lots of sf products, that might be adding to the problem. Maybe it will pass Good luck to you!! Becky

I was self pay but I paid for my surgery before it was done - I don't think there was a payment plan option where I had it done. I know there are some places where you can apply for "credit" to pay for your surgery and then pay them back in monthly installments. Personal loan from your bank. You might research and find other options. If you have choices, make sure you look into what type of aftercare comes with the plan/place you choose. I got my surgery and 2 years of visits and fluoroscopic fills for $12,900. With the cost of fills, I felt that was a good deal. Good luck to you. Becky

If you don't agree with, or want more explaination, then you should talk to your surgeon about it. You can always find someone on here with instructions that you'd rather follow than the ones given to you by your doctor.... you can also find some on here that make you glad you have the surgeon that you have. I don't think any of us would tell you to do what you think is best - you need to do what your surgeon tells you to do. He knows what works best for his patients. I know it is hard - most pre-op diets are.... but you are putting your trust in him to operate on you, and I think you should trust that he knows what is best for you before surgery. I do wish you luck - hang in there - you can do it. Take care. Becky

I'm sure others will disagree, but I don't think there is such a thing as too much when it comes to water and other low cal beverages. I guess the thing you might want to watch with the broth is sodium. Also, right after surgery, you probably won't want to, or feel like, chugging large quanities of anything.... but, the more you can drink the better I say. I did notice right after my surgery that warm drinks went down easier than really cold ones. Good luck to you!!! Becky

I was allowed coffee and tea on both my pre and post op diets. Always do what your doctor tells you to do, but...... I love my coffee and I need it too. Good luck. Becky

Hi and Welcome. I don't have an answer to your question, but I did want to say congratulations on being clean for over 3 years. As we all know, addictions are tough to beat. I hope you do get the surgery and I predict you will do well if you do. Good luck to you!! Becky

600 to 800 seems awfully low to me - even with the band... but best to do what your dietician says. GOOD LUCK with that. I think WW is a great program. Becky

I've never had a loss of appetite... was hungry before my surgery, was hungry when I woke up from my surgery, and I'm hungry now. But I'm learning how to deal with that hunger and I've come a long way baby!!! Good luck to you. Becky

If you hooked me up to the polygraph and asked if I had ever lied about my weight... well....errr...... ummm..... guess that answers that. Becky

I too was banded in September 2008. I lost 16 pounds on my 3 week pre-op diet and have lost 55 pounds since my surgery. I've had to change the way I eat and the way I think about food, but I love my band!!! I've had no complications - just some adjusting to having real restriction. I feel sooooo good!! If you added up everyone's 2 cents that they give you about your decision, you might have enough to pay for the surgery. Seriously.... do your research - you know what is best for you. Good luck!!! Becky

Hi. Congratulations on getting your band. I live in Albuquerque. Where are you? Nice to see another New Mexican. Good luck!!! Becky

I agree. I don't think it's the nurse's job to tell you what you need or don't need. I would certainly talk to your therapist and let her know that you were upset with what/and how the nurse dealt with you. Don't let one whack job get you down.... keep on keeping on. Good luck to you. Keep coming here and asking, venting, and chatting. It's a great place with lots of friendly people. Take care. Becky

A deep fried shetland pony... LOL... that is funny!!! I was a mess during my pre-op diet. It was "only" for 4 weeks, but I was either crying or screaming the whole time. I'm sure I was a little bit lonely because everyone was hiding from me :purplebananna:... not too fun to be around. Trying to get used to not having my best friend (food) around was scary and sad, and having to deal with my emotions without turning to food was hard. I remember posting and asking if anyone else was an emotional mess during their pre-op diet and it seemed to be very common. For me it has been MUCH better since my surgery. I am happier, feel so much better, and have learned that there are ways to deal with lifes ups and downs without always turning to food. Good luck to you..... it will get better. Take care. Becky

Caryn. Let me know - are you thinking like meeting in Chat? I would love to be in an online nighttime munchers support group. Might be a challenge to get us all together since we live in different time zones. I have trouble from the time I get home from work (6:00 MST) till I go to sleep, so I could meet anytime. Just checking in and getting that boost that you get from others in the same boat would be very helpful for me. Let me know what the plan is. I'm in :laugh: Take care. Becky

Congratulations!!! Keep up the good work!!! Becky

I'm not speaking for Bandana.... only for myself. I don't eat at night because I am bored. I have many projects/activities that keep me busy at home. I don't just sit on the couch and watch television and I don't sit at my computer 24/7. When I want to eat is after dark. It is not practical to get in the car and go somewhere and it is not safe to walk at this time. We all have our growth areas (no pun intended) - sometimes there are deep seeded issues that go along with them. If we were all perfect, none of us would be here.... right? I always welcome any and all advice, tips, and suggestions. I've changed many old habits and I'm hoping over time, I will conquer this one too. Take care. Becky

Well you found me. Your post could have been written by me. I can do great all day long and then blow it at night. It is a problem that I've always had...... and I'm working on it. Of course I can't give you any advice or words of wisdom.... but I just wanted you to know that there are other moonlight eaters. Maybe we could all move to a commune and have a big gorilla guard the food teepee at night. I will be following the responses you get - I wish us both good luck. Take care. Becky

Hi. I think part of it depends on how comfortable you are with telling people about your band. If it is a first date, it might not be something I would bring up. If I get more comfortable with someone, I think it is something that I would tell them about. I am a very honest person. If it is a person that just doesn't get it, then I would explain it to them. Then you don't need to make up stories about why you are not eating, or why you have those little scars if it comes to that. I don't have a huge lump under my skin, so that is not an issue for me at this time. But if my partner knew about the surgery and happened to feel my port - it would probably not be shocking or gross. If I were dating someone and they couldn't deal with the whole lapband issue, then they wouldn't be the right person for me anyway. We all have issues/pasts/baggage/scars, etc. Hopefully the man/men you date will be kind, understanding, and supportive - they will love you and your band!!! We are much cheaper dates now you know :rolleyes2: The love of my life supports me, and he does love me..... band and all!! Good luck to you. Becky