ratgirl

I'm supposed to be on Optifast for 2 weeks prior to surgery. I tried on Friday, made it to shake 2...and then fell off the wagon. Am trying again today and feel super nauseous. The shakes taste okay, but I think my body is going through solid food withdrawal...already. Anyone have problems with Optifast? - Kirsten Being banded Sept 29 2006

I've been banded for 1 1/2 years now. I've lost about 50 pounds so far. I am not using the band properly - I drink when I eat, don't chew food well enough etc... In the past few months it seems as though food has been getting caught and I need to vomit. Now it seems as though I can't really even eat soft things like mashed potatoes. I think I'm going to go in to get the band deflatted a second time. Has anyone else gone through this? Has anyone else given up the will to use the band properly?

I was banded on Sept 29, got my first fill 3-4 weeks ago and haven't lost any weight. Every now and again I get something stuck, but for the most part can eat everything. I'm going through a divorce now, and moved out of my home on Nov 2. I have NO urge to eat well or in proper portion sizes. I go in for my second fill tomorrow. It sounds sad to say, but I hope my second fill does not allow me to eat any solids - I only want to be able to get liquids/mushy food down. Anyone else like this?

I've seen it in many messages. Thanks.

Thanks to everyone who gave me a big wake-up call. I'm not sure where my brain was...guess I wasn't taking things seriously enough. I'm going to do my best to stick to my doctor's guidelines. This morning I had 1/2 cup light ricotta with 1T parmesan. I hope my band hasn't slipped. I go in for my first check-up on Thursday and will tell the nurses everything that happened. Thanks again and best wishes to everyone on their weight-loss.

Has anyone been able to eat anything after just 2 weeks of being banded? I felt good and tried introducing new foods every day. I'm supposed to get my first fill at 6 weeks, but want to get filled now. Has anyone had a fill after just 2 weeks of banding? Thanks! Kirsten

I know a lot depends on how tight your band is...but are there any foods you know you can never eat again? I've heard things like asparagus, seaweed etc... are very had to pass through the band. Thanks, Kirsten

Thanks for your feedback! Just exactly how many children do you have?

Sounds like you are truly making an effort to change! The seroma/hematoma doesn't sound like a lot of fun - hopefully it goes away soon. I'm worried about my stomach too...my arms are a lost cause, but I don't plan on wearing tank tops anytime soon! Keep up the amazing work you are doing. I think you have just inspired me!

jgandj: thanks for your feedback. So...you've been banded 5 days and are still sore. I hope your incisions get better soon. My son is very self-sufficient, and I don't really have to lift him except to get in and out of the bathtub. Good luck to you!

want2lose: My son is 4 years old. Sounds like 4 days should be good based on what you went through. How are you feeling now? Congratulations on losing so much weight the first 2 weeks - that is incredible! Take care,

Lapoli7 - you and I are both being banded on the 29th. I can't believe the date has come up so soon! I was supposed to have been on a liquid diet for 2 weeks but failed at that. At the very least I am going to do a liquid diet the day before the surgery - seems like some other people were told to do the liquids for only one day. Hopefully things go okay. I haven't lost any weight pre-surgery...I just haven't been able to get my head around what is going to happen. I did lots of research prior to going in for a consultation, but haven't done much since then. Not sure how I feel about the surgery now. I think I am excited...but certainly not showing it nor really admitting it is going to happen this Friday! My best friend is coming down to drop me off, pick me up and take care of me. She is very concerned for me and will make sure I take care of myself. Thank goodness for good friends! Good luck to everyone who is being banded. Question to those already banded: how long before you were up and running? My dad is going to watch my 4 year old for about 4 days post surgery - should I be okay by this time. I know everyone is different...but if no one is really healed by four days I will have to make some other arrangements. Thanks!

Thanks Katt - I would agree, most men do have some issues with communication. As with most of us, there are a number of issue we have that go along with being over-weight. I just wish I could count on him. In any case, I guess it is good to know the truth and to know not to expect anything from him. I'm so glad my friend is coming down to take care of me. - Kirsten

I go in on the 29th for surgery and am trying to tie up loose ends - blood tests, physical, payment etc... So nice to hear about other September bandsters and their experiences. Really not looking forward to the liquid diet...but it is part of the process. I'm feeling a bit down as my husband isn't too supportive. My best friend is driving 5 hours to take care of me post-op and I was counting on my husband to be able to take care of our 4 year old over the weekend. Now it looks like he won't be around the entire weekend. I think my dad will be able to come down to watch my son, so at least I know my son will be well cared for. My husband is not comfortable with my current weight and has basically told me he is not attracted to me. I'm not nearly the same size I was when we got together...but I'm in the middle of getting my life together with the band and am making efforts to change (not for him but for me). So, right in the middle of getting ready to be banded he tells me about not being happy with my weight and not being attracted to me. Feel like I've been kicked while I'm down. Why tell me these things when I'm shortly going to be losing a lot of weight? I know he was being honest with me...but still hurtful. Now he possible won't even be around to help me out. Thank goodness I've got my best friend and my dad to help out. Too bad they don't live closer to me.

I'm being banded on Sept 29 in Toronto. Can't believe it is happening! I start my 2 week Optifast diet on the 15 - not looking forward to that at all. Considering it makes the surgery safer....I'm sure it will be worth it. Good luck to all of you going before me. Ciao, Kirsten

I wondered the same thing about so many people having the surgery in Mexico. Seems like on TV there are many news shows reporting plastic surgery nightmares in foreign countries. In Canada this procedure is not covered under most plans. The cost of the banding in Ontario is $16000 and covers 5 years worth of fills. That's just over $14000 US. Seems like most people who had the surgery in Mexico have done well though. Maybe the news anchors are running these nightmare stories in hopes that people will stay and have the more expensive surgery in the US!!!

Thanks for all of your posts. I'll ask about seaweed at my consultation this Friday. I'm a vegetarian, so I don't need to worry about not eating meat. I'm glad to hear some people are lucky and can eat anything, just in small amounts. That is what I want out of the band - portion control. If seaweed is off limits, I can always ask the chef to leave out the seaweed. My favorite is kamikaze sushi - seaweed, rice with avocado, friend tempura bits & spicy red sauce - yum!!!

I haven't been banded yet but wanted to know from banders...after the pain of the surgery has gone away, after you are done the liquid to mush to solid food diet...do you feel normal? Can you do all the things you did before the banding? Thanks, Kirsten

Thanks - I think my question has been answered. Most people do not feel the band in their regular activities (besides eating). That was my most important issue. I didn't want to have the surgery and then feel differently (apart from better for having lost weight) because of it. I can't wait for my consultation next week. Thanks to everyone for your support and feedback.

Why can't you eat Chinese food?

Hi Teresa - I'm glad your surgery went well. I'm not banded yet, but am seriously thinking about it. Can you tell me a little bit more about your experience right after the surgery? How long did you stay in the hospital? Were you bedridden at all? How much are you able to eat/drink in a sitting? Thanks and good luck on your journey! Kirsten

Thanks you guys. I just want to make sure before I go ahead with this that I'll feel the same way I did prior to surgery. I look forward to not really being able to binge eat...that is my real problem. I need something physically there to stop myself from shoving all matter of food in my mouth. Knowing I'll feel the same way, actually better, after banding makes me feel assured everything will be okay.

Thanks Kim - I hope we can both inspire each other in the weeks & months ahead.

I have to get ready to put my son to bed, but I wanted to let you know my name is Kirsten. Take care and feel better.

Thanks - too bad your fill is at the hospital. I'm sure at some point in time we will all meet. "under fluro" - what is that? I have lots of questions to ask the Dr. I'm writing them down as they come up. The thing that helps the most though is talking to you banders...you guys can tell it like it is. Can you think of anything I should ask the Dr that is really important? What are the best and worst things about the band? Thanks so much and good luck with your weightloss!!!