Catherine55

Amy described it perfectly!! That's just what it's like. I don't PB very often (maybe once a month, if that), but when I do, I know far enough in advance to calmly excuse myself and get to the restroom. I was scared about this too -- but I've only gotten stuck twice in restaurants and it was fine both times. Normally, when I go out (espec. with people who don't know about the surgery, I order foods that are low-risk for getting me stuck (e.g., fish instead of beef or chicken -- which is fine b/c I love fish) and I chew relatively carefully. So, the chances of getting stuck are pretty slim. Hope that helps! Catherine

Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band is my favorite of the ones I bought (I also got Fighting Weight by Khalia Ali and the Lap Band Companion). It's a really good one to read before surgery and right after. I definitely recommend it! Also, reading blogs is very helpful too. Best, Catherine

It is so normal that there's even a name for it! You are in "Bandster Hell," my friend! :smile2: Do a search for it -- you'll find tons of information. Basically, your band doesn't start doing its job until you get to restriction, so it is normal that you will be hungrier now and able to eat more. Don't worry about it -- once you get to restriction, the weight will come off slowly and surely! Best, Catherine

I never went to a seminar pre-op. I just did my research, talked to the Dr.'s office, flew to MX and met with the doctors, then had my surgery. It seems like a lot of US doctors require them, but it's probably so that they can cut down on initial consultation meetings. I wouldn't worry about it. Hope that helps! Catherine

I've been banded for 15 months and am now less than 10 pounds from goal. The band has been an amazing tool for me, and I love it. I've kept a blog through the last 15 months -- feel free to check it out (link in signature line). There are some people who don't lose with the band, and it's usually due to them having an issue (whether it is a complication or to the bandster not being proactive about getting proper fills) with getting to restriction. I wouldn't worry about only losing 30 pounds with the band. It is rare that someone would lose so little over the course of an entire year. Best wishes, Catherine

1. Would you do it over again? Absolutely. The band has changed my life in countless positive ways, and the things about it that I thought would be hard have not been a big deal at all. 2. How long post-op until you feel normal again? Do you ever "forget" you had the surgery done? This is a really interesting question. For me, I was only obese for 6 or so years. So, it's only been since I lost about 30-50 pounds (and beyond) that I felt like had rediscovered my "normal" self once again. It has been the best feeling in the world. No, I don't think you ever forget completely that you were banded because it forces you to think out your food choices. That said, I no longer stress when going to a restaurant or to dinner at someone's house. I know how to eat without getting stuck, what to order, etc. 3. Are there any foods you CAN'T eat post-op? )I heard veggie and fruit skins, pastas, popcorn?) I can eat all of the above, but the type of bread that gets soft and gummy when you eat it is totally out of the question. Toast or the crust of a hard roll is fine though. 4. Do I need to give up coffee and soda? Doctors' instructions vary on this. I still drink coffee every day, but I did give up diet soda and sparkling Water. I do still have sparkling wine on occasion, and it's never been a problem. 5. Do you deal with heartburn or reflux regularly? No. 6. Can you have this surgery and NOT tell your whole family, friends, and co-workers? Hell yes. It's harder at the very beginning if you have to eat with people . . but if you have your surgery in winter, you can just have Soup all of the time when you are post-op. I was VERY selective about who I told (and am glad about that in retrospect) and I eat normally enough that people don't tend to question it. I've posted about this a bunch on my blog -- feel free to check it out (link below). 7. How is it you DONT lose weight immediately after surgery? You have to go through a "healing" phase before your doctor will fill you to good restriction. During that time, your band is (generally) wide open and you can eat as you did before. Many people gain during this phase -- it's called "Bandster Hell" for that reason. But, the weight comes right off soon enough. As for me, I put on about 5 pounds during Bandster Hell. Cut to today, and I'm less than 10 pounds from goal, wearing a size 10. So, don't stress about it! 8. What type of band do you have and are there any differences in the manufacturers? I have an Inamed 5 cc band and my sweet spot (which has remained good for me through the past 9 months) is 2.85 ccs. I don't know about differences between mfrs. 9. No liquids with meals, whatsoever? Whatever -- this is the one bandster rule that I've never been able to follow. I probably would have lost faster if I did, but I'm OK with my rate of loss. 10. Post op diet consisted of? 2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, then regular food. (Posts about this at the beginning of my blog.) It was like heaven to be on full liquids after my 3-day clear liquid pre-op diet! There are plenty of good things to eat during this time, and it wasn't very hard at all. Just required a few advance calls to restaurants when I had plans to eat out! 11. Anyone have a doctor they can recommend in the LA, Ventura area? No, sorry! Best wishes to you! This has been an incredible solution for me, and I hope that you find the right solution for yourself! All the best, Catherine

Hi, Manda! Congratulations on your appointment! I'm 15 months post-band and was really worried about the lifestyle change aspect of this before I had surgery. At that point, a good friend said to me "Catherine, you need to come to terms with the fact that you are either going to have to make a radical lifestyle change [whether with the band or with diet], or accept that you are going to be overweight for the rest of your life." That really drove the point home for me. Having the band has required me to make some significant changes, but none of them have been difficult for me. The fact that my band controls my feelings of being hungry and prevents me from overeating has been a tremendous help. Honestly, I love it and feel that this is one of the very best decisions I've ever made! I've been keeping a blog regularly through the last 15 or so months -- link is below. Feel free to check it out if you're interested. Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Hi, Laura! This was one of my big concerns before I got banded as well. I was worried that I'd feel like I was in some kind of stomach-prison and never be able to eat what I wanted. But, in retrospect, that wasn't such a big deal. Truth is that if you don't have a fill, you can eat pretty much how you did before you were banded. That's what creates the time period called "Bandster Hell" (do a word search on this site if you aren't familiar with this term). Anyway, if you hate being banded (which you won't), you can just get your band un-filled and you will be able to eat the way you have been doing. That said, with all of the great results you are going to see, and with how little you feel hungry, you probably won't want to go off the rails like that. But, I did find it reassuring to know that I had that option. Best wishes for your success! I'm about 15 months out -- feel free to check out my blog if you're curious about how being banded has worked for me! Best wishes, Catherine

WOO-HOOO!!!!! Congratulations!!! Best wishes for your success!! Catherine

Hi, Ruthie! I am 14 months out and don't have any regrets. This is one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and I am really happy with how the last 14 months have gone and with the progress I've made. I am only about 7 pounds from my goal (gulp!!)! :) In terms of advice, this is the best advice I can give to any new bandster: 1. Make a list of pros and cons to help you with your decision about getting banded. Writing it out is a huge help, and you can go back and look at it if you have doubts. (I posted mine on my blog and there is a link to it in my most recent post); 2. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW! You'll want to be able to count all those inches you are losing once you are banded! 3. TAKE SOME "BEFORE" PHOTOS! Maybe you won't feel like looking at them right now, but it's so amazing to be able to compare your progress with where you started as you go through this process. 4. Size your closet! If you are like me, you probably have like 10 different sizes in there. Go through and put the sizes together so that when you're losing weight, you won't miss out on wearing outfits that you like as you fit into them again. 5. Write out a post-op plan for success. I have a link to mine in my most recent blog post. 6. Think long and hard about who you want to tell about your surgery. You don't really start losing until you get to restriction (the before-period is called "Bandster Hell"), so it can be frustrating during the first month if people know and are like "You had WLS. . why aren't you losing weight?!?" Plus, it's nice not to have the "food Police" watching your every bite! 6. Make a list of all the things you are looking forward to about being thinner. Then, when you go through this process, be sure to check back to see when they each become your reality. It's so amazing to be able to do that! For me, wearing heels again was major -- same with being comfortable in coach on airplanes! The most major one was getting to the point where I actually feel GOOD about my weight and body, instead of beating myself up about it every single day. I hope that helps! Congratulations on taking the first step! Best wishes, Catherine

The best thing about the band is that it forces you to be on the straight & narrow most of the time. A few important differences are that, with the band: You get full quickly, so you don't have the issue with feeling hungry that you have when you diet normally; You can't really ever overeat once you are at good restriction; You have to think about your food choices and plan your meals a bit more, which for me, usually leads me to make better decisions. I am about 7 pounds from goal right now. If I hadn't had the band for the past 14 months, I know that I would not have been able to do this well. I have been able to eat less without feeling deprived and to go out with friends often, without blowing my "diet." It's a great tool, and if used correctly, it works like a charm. You don't have to be perfect with it, but if you follow the rules most of the time, you are bound to get to goal. I hope that helps! Feel free to check out my blog if you want more info on what banded life is like! Catherine

Just wanted to say that my surgery was in Monterrey, Mexico at an amazing hospital, with the wonderful Dr. Rumbaut (who is banded himself). He has a great reputation and was able to get me in to NYU Medical Center for my post-op care before I'd even had my surgery. Can't remember if I responded to say this earlier, but I put photos of the hospital and a full account of my experience at the beginning of my blog! Catherine

I was a "lower BMI" patient, though I started at a BMI of 37. I am 5'6 and was 230. . and I am now just over 7 pounds from goal! I blogged throughout the whole experience (link below -- feel free to check it out) -- it may give you a good idea of what to expect. Definitely take a bunch of "before" photos and don't forget to take your measurements!! You will want that stuff as you progress! Best wishes, Catherine

Mom.on.the.Go totally nailed it -- it sounds like your dad is scared of losing the bond you shared. As a practical matter, you can eat anywhere with the band. I wouldn't even worry about it. At first, it will be VERY HELPFUL to look at the menu on-line before you get to the restaurant and to decide what you are going to order. If you're still on liquids, you can call ahead and make sure they will puree a soup for you. Once you are on regular foods, you can order delicious fish, have some mashers here and there, etc. As for the garlic rolls -- you'll probably be able to nibble a bit of those. But, get stuck once or twice, and I bet they will stop looking as appealing as they once did! You're going to be fine going out with your family. You may even be surprised (i.e. grossed out) to notice just how much they are packing away when you go out. If that happens, try to handle it the way you would want them to handle it if the situation was reversed. Best wishes to you! You are going to do great -- but I would avoid going out to dinner with them somewhere bad while you're in "Bandster Hell" (before you have good restriction) b/c it will be harder then to make good decisions. Catherine

Drasan, that is great news!! Congratulations! :thumbup: Since my last post, I am now in a size 10 and am 8.2 pounds from goal! The band really does work, and I am excited to see all of your progress during the next year! :woot: Best wishes, Catherine

So glad to hear that the pro/con list helped! That was really a big help for me. As of this morning, I'm only 8.2 pounds from goal! Had I known that all of my "cons" would turn out to be so minor, I would have gone into the surgery feeling even better than I did! Catherine

Hang in there! It sounds like you are still in Bandster Hell a bit. Wait until you get to good restriction and the weight really starts coming off! Also, keep in mind that 1-2 pounds a week is a good rate of loss. You'd be surprised at how quickly it all adds up! Best wishes, Catherine

I was worried about my "girls" for a bit -- I started out at around a 40DD (wearing a 38DD), but was really surprised to see them snap back into shape during my weight loss plateaus. I'm 39 years old, so they aren't exactly how they were in my 20s (before I put on all the weight. . ) but I was surprised to see how much my body was able to take care of things on its own. My thought is that you should wait. . . and if you plateau at all, relax during that time and know that you are giving your skin time to shrink back into place. Hang in there! And, get a proper bra to keep things in place! Best wishes, Catherine

That is fantastic!! You have so much to look forward to, especially in 2010!! Be sure to take before photos NOW and your measurements, if you haven't already -- you will definitely want those things to gauge your progress against as you move forward! Best wishes, Catherine

I totally had doubts, self-questioned. . wondered if maybe I shouldn't call it all off and just go back on WW. But, I wrote out a pro/con list and kept it with me up to the point I went in the OR. When I set out all of the pros and cons on paper, it was so clear that this was the right thing for me. I am now just over 13 months post-op. . . and only ten measley pounds from goal (!!). This year has been so well-spent, and I love my band. This is the best decision I've ever made, and not only did it make losing easier . . it's also great to not have to fear every second that all of the weight and more will come back on. Check out my blog if you're interested. I posted my pro/con list a few monts ago, before/during (not "after" yet!) photos, etc. My best advice for you is not to worry so much about these fears and to take the time out now to take your measurements and a bunch of "before" photos. You will definitely want them as you move forward! Best wishes for your success! Catherine

Congratulations on your decision! If you haven't already, be sure to take some before photos and to take your measurements as soon as your stomach goes back to normal after the surgery (mine was totally bloated afterwards from the gas they use). You'll want those things later! I hope it goes very well and wish you all the best! Catherine

I absolutely had those fears before hand. But now I'm just over a year out . . and only 10 pounds from goal! I want to second the recommendation for Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band. That was the best of the books I read pre-op, and I still open it every now and then. The best advice I took from it was to write out a post-op plan for success, which I found to be really useful (I posted my plan on my blog a few months ago, as well as my pro/con list about doing the surgery and how I felt about the "cons" post-op). Other pre-op advice that I want to share is to take your measurements right away! And, take a bunch of "before" pictures -- you will want them later. I just put up a comparison of photos from 11/15/08 and 11/15/09 on my blog. . unfortunately, I cropped the heck out of the 2008 one back then. I wish I had more full length ones for comparison purposes! Best wishes, Catherine

If you get the stomach flu badly and need to throw up, you need to go to your doctor or the ER to get your fill taken out. As a practical matter (and I am not a doctor), if you stick to liquids until you feel better, you'll have a much easier time if you do need to throw up b/c it can come through the small opening. Definitely call your doctor now and ask what they think you should do. Best, Catherine

Welcome!! And get ready to have an amazing year! :thumbup: Be sure to take your measurements and a bunch of before photos ASAP if you haven't already! You are going to want them later! Catherine

I've heard those stats too -- but I've already lost 86.6% of my excess weight -- and I see tons of bandsters on here who are getting to -- or are already at -- goal. I think the stats get messed up by the select few bandsters who don't get proper fills, don't change their eating habits at all, and don't wind up losing. You can absolutely lose it all with the band. It may take 2 years to get to goal, but you will get there if you try. :thumbup: Best wishes, Catherine