TopTier

Well, obviously only your surgeon can answer that question. It will depend on so many factors, such as what sort of webbing was used, what options for port placement he has, etc. But I have an umbilical hernia. The surgeon doing my lap band also does this sort of repair as one of his specialities. I've never had it repaired before, but I asked him about it, fixing it, and whether I should wait before or after the surgery and whether having the hernia will impact my being able to get the lap band. First, he said it won't impact the lap band placement. Then he said that he would be able to repair the hernia after surgery, but wanted me to wait about 6 months or more (if I could). He suggested waiting at least that long after Lap Band placement for any surgery.

I will be honest, my head wanted me to do what you are doing, but my psyche wouldn't let me. One part of the reason I didn't was my husband. It's going to be hard enough on him to change his lifestyle along with mine, because he will. I didn't want him to have to self-sacrifice until he really has to. Also, I have voluntarily adopted the Protein shakes for two meals a day. I did that when I got my surgery date. But there are a handful of restaurants that my husband and I really enjoy, and specific meals there that I know I won't be able to "gouge" myself on anymore. So I'm doing the "last meals" thing! Cheesecake Factory was Friday night. (surprisingly, I only ate less than half of my usual meal, though!) Cheddars was last night (WTF?! I ordered a dinner salad?! Oh, that's right, I only wanted the croissant, anyway! DOH!) And tonight I'm going to a place called Sake Blue for my favorite dish of all, Bi Bim Bop. Then tomorrow AM starts the pre-op diet. I think if I had ended up with a longer wait-period, I would have done what you are doing. But from the date of my 1st surgeon's appointment to my surgery only ended up being 3 weeks, so I didn't really have the time to dwell on a strategy like that!

Yes, I think self-pay makes a huge difference. I was rejected by my insurance company (our police doesn't cover any Weight Loss Surgery at all) in early June and after liquidating some assets to get the money, my surgery is scheduled from June 24.

Well, the pre-op and post-op liquid diets aren't what should be considered the new normal, since those are specific medically required diets for the surgery itself. It's the period after the surgery and healing that will constitute our new normal. For pre-op, my doctor gave me a whole list of things I could eat/drink and in what quantities. I start that tomorrow. They give us a shopping list, too, for each phase. I also have a daily "check list" for the pre-op phase. For the pre-op, he has broken down "Liquids that can be taken in any amount," "Liquids in moderation," and "Solid foods." I'll let you know on Tuesday if it (all the lists and checkboxes) was of any help or not! LOL

I would prefer to see my old, thinner self grinning out at me. It would remind me why I am on this journey. I already know what I look like now. One trip past the mirror tells me that!

Congratulations! Well deserved pride!

My doctor does his darndest to make sure that we understand this is NOT a diet and it's not a fad. In his orientation he talks about why we (America) has such a high obesity rate and why it's increased so much over the years. He talks about how it's because we (Americans) have changed our idea of what "normal" eating is. Taking McDonald's as an example, when they first hit the scene, the "normal" hamburger "meal" was not even as big back then as the Happy Meal is for kids today. That was "normal." Today, quarter-pounders, double-quarter pounders, THOSE are the "normal" meals we see at McDonald's. Go into any restaurant and the portions we get are huge. Monsterous, if you consider what a "normal" human being should be eating in a day. So we (modern Americans) have been habituated to a much larger (and life threatening) "normal" than we should be. What the band does for us is work as a TOOL to help us adjust to a new "normal." So it is not a diet, it is re-habituating to a more life-sustaining "normal." He is adamant about eating all the foods we are used to eating, with a few exceptions. For example, he doesn't like if people try to eat hot dogs without the bun. That's not "normal" and you will always feel you are "dieting." Eat the hot dog on the bun. You just take smaller bites and chew them really well, and you won't eat as much. Soon, you will be "habituated" to a new normal. Then you will be able to work with your new tool, your band, so much better! Best of luck to you! I haven't been banded yet, but I'm trying to keep my doctor's mindset in front of me. This isn't a "diet," this is a "new normal," and I will love what that "normal" does to me! (at least, I hope so!!)

Great mews. Synastar! Don't worry about the liver, since it's all over now! What's HBP medication? (I should probably know, but drawing a blank?)

Are you careful not to be drinking anything with your meals? Or soon after?

I can't speak from any experience on this, since I'm not banded yet either, but I've seen people in other similar posts recommend going back to your liquid only for a few days. But don't dismiss the need for a fill so easily. And make sure you are not drinking anything with your meals. I think that's going to be the hardest thing for me to do, especially long-term. I soooo love to "wash" my bites down with ice cold Water when I'm eating.

Stay focused on the outcome and trust in your doctor. I've never been fond of not being in control, and turning my insides over to someone else to manhandle, well, not my idea of a way to spend a morning, but the end result is what I am focusing on! It will be fine, in the end, and when it's over you'll be starting on a brand new you!

DenaBug! So glad to hear you're actually having FUN! I'm not banded yet, but am scheduled for June 24. My doctor keeps saying over and over that his goal is to make sure, after all is said and done, that I will have FUN doing this! I, of course, turned a very skeptical ear to him given, well, none of my other attempts to lose weight and keep it off could ever have been remotely classified as "fun"! But it's nice to see that potential really is there with this! Great job!

Okay, this might be a weird question. But then again, it may be a common question. I suppose I should have done a forum search, but I'm lazy. I've been discussing this procedure with my husband. We are making all sorts of preparations for me to do this. I am going to have to go self-pay, though, because my insurance policy doesn't cover bariatric surgery at all. My question is this: What affect, if any, have you noticed on your food budget since being banded? It doesn' t really matter, since I'm doing this regardless, but it would be nice to have a legitimate bonus to this besides weight loss! :cursing:

Make crustless mini-quiches by mixing up a quichey mixture (put in it whatever you want), then line some muffin tins with cupcake papers, spritz in some Pam into each one, then fill half way and bake. Then pop them in a plastic baggie once they are cooled down, stick them in the fridge (or freezer) and pop one in the microwave for breakfast, about 40 seconds or so.

I hope! (knock on wood!) I just got off the phone with my surgeon's office. They are going to squeeze me in for tomorrow morning (June 12) for the pre-op testing and the meeting with the dietitian. I will then meet with my surgeon, next Weds (June 17) to go over the tests. Given everything is "okay," they have me scheduled for surgery the following Weds, June 24! Yippee!

Opps! Count me in for this program, too! Drives my husband crazy, and, quite frankly, accomplishes NOTHING but making me feel bad. Don't know why I still do it!

Yay for you! I will be sending lots of positive energy your way tomorrow! I'm thinking it's going to be Dr. Olsofka. I just met with him one-on-one yesterday and really like his demeanor and track record.

Wow, 301! That's the kind of numbers I like to see! You know, this could very well be what my husband and I see. We go out to eat probably 3 or 4 nights a week. Sometimes for brunch, too, on the weekends. It's not unusual for the dinner bill to be $30-$40 a pop.

Great reply! And 100% correct, too! I'm going to have to write that one down. . . .

It's called "schadenfreude" and it's one of my favorite past times! Just kidding, but it is fun every once in a while! Bigpapa, true that about haters! Not worth wasting even good "schadenfreude" energy on!

I would call. Trust your "gut."

I've never experienced that on any of my diets. Hope that doesn't happen on this weight loss journey!

This is where your mind comes into play. It's the mental game we play with ourselves. My doctor calls it getting the mind in sync with your "new" "normal." Prior to surgery, your "normal" was to eat a full plate of food, including the veggies. Now granted, you certainly probably miss the TASTE of them, but your "old" normal was to eat veggies. Your "new" normal won't be like that. Your "new" normal may only include one or two bites of veggies. We have to give ourselves "permission" to be okay with our "new" normal. But, to get in the ones you really enjoy, that you want to make a part of your "new" normal, then follow some of the great suggestions above.

Best of luck to you! Will be sending lots of positive energy your way!

I always thought it was stress related. At least, that's how it always affected me.