babsy

Before I was banded, my surgeon gave me a book to read called The Lap-Band Solution, a Partnership for Weight Loss, authored by Dr Paul O'Brien. He was one of the pioneers of lap band surgery. In this book he tells how originally lap-banders were advised to have no alcohol, due to empty calories. However, many continued to drink and still lost weight. Because of this, they did a study, expecting to prove that people who didn't drink alcohol lost more weight. Surprisingly, they found that people who had one glass of wine a day, lost more weight than those who didn't. Their new recommendation is that up to seven standard drinks a week is OK. Like all studies, I bet there is another one from somewhere else saying the exact opposite. I was only banded 2 weeks ago, have just started mushies, and haven't yet had any alcohol. But when I start real food, am going to start having a glass of wine at night if I feel like it.

Thanks, I'll try it I'm off to bed too, so I can read for a while. Bye

Majj, that sounds so yummy. Tonight I just had chunky beef & vegetable soup blended. My hubby (stay at home house husband while I work full time) had to go out early, so we all looked after our own meals. What is quinoa? Never heard of it.

Hi, I can see where you are both coming from. Like Elfie, I trust my doctor. I chose him because I am an RN, and lucky enough to know which surgeons have good outcomes. That doesn't mean I have to ignore my own knowledge and experience of my own body. He also knows me, and trusts my judgement. I don't even get to see him again from day of surgery until 6 weeks later, so I guess he expects me to make a few decisions myself. Like many of these topics, they demonstrate that we are all different. That difference also includes our knowledge and the amount of research we have done. My research is not only forums - I research medical journals, peer-reviewed studies, and have over 30 years experience. However, me discussing what I have chosen to do is in no way encouraging others to ignore their doctors advice, and I am not saying do what I do. I am also adult enough to be responsible for the consequences of my choices. Having worked with surgeons for many years, I know that their advice can vary for many reasons - their research, age, experience, habits, ability or otherwise to embrace change, and the source of their original information.

Congratulations. And great weight loss. I had my first mushies yesterday and feel just as excited - food that tastes like food, not sweet or milky. Still having a shake for breakfast, and yoghurt for lunch. Not hungry. Have cheated a bit - supposed to start mushies on Thursday, but feel great, bought a blender and making them real mushy. Happy days for you and me.

Hi, I was banded on the 4th, and started purees yesterday (3 days early, but I feel great and had no problems). Had roast chicken and veges, so good after 3.5 weeks of fluids only. Had a protein shake for brekky, flat white for morning tea, diet yoghurt for lunch, and no hunger, except a little before dinner. I don't get to see my doctor for another month, but his nurse rang to check on me a few days post-op, and I saw my GP to check everything is OK. Good news - my BP was normal in hospital, so I didn't take my meds. Checked in with my GP 1 week later - still normal. Got it checked today at work - still normal. No meds until I need to, and maybe my 14lb weight loss is making a difference already? Could also be how much less I'm eating, but still good. Glad to hear everyone sounds happy and positive.

I'm 10 days post-op. My surgeon put 4ccs in during surgery. He doesn't do it routinely, depends on the size of the patient, and my BMI was 35. I had no trouble swallowing the first 2 days, then 2 days of nausea and minimal intake, however my Dr thinks I had a virus at the same time. Since then I have gradually increased my intake and can drink 250ml in one go, though slowly. I just had my first pureed meal tonight, with no problems. Feel hunger now, but rarely, and very small amount fills me up. We're all different, and so are the doctors, I guess.

Hi My doctor & dietician recommended fluids for 2 weeks, i.e., anything that will go through a regular straw. My first priority was getting my 3 protein shakes in, followed by anything extra. I wasn't able to get 3 shakes down, usually one shake and some strained soup, plus a juice with protein powder added. I'm supposed to start mushies on Thursday, but have added in some custard and yoghurt in the last few days. Tonight I had pureed roast chicken and vegies, loved it, and no problems.

I felt the same about the shakes, just so sick of milky sweet stuff. I bought some tasteless protein powder so I could mix it with soup and juice. The variety helped a lot.

Hi I'm 11 days post-op, and don't feel weak. My dietician wanted me to have 60gm protein / day, while on fluids and then mushies. Did yours say only 20? I think any of the well-known multi-vitamins. I chose kiddy chewables cause the others are so huge, making sure they had enough iron. I hope you feel better soon. Barb

Hi, I'm one week today post-banding. My post-op instructions are thin fluids for 2 weeks, then puree for 2 weeks. The post-op diet sucks because it is boring, not because I'm hungry. Haven't felt hungry for one second, have to remind myself to have drinks to ensure enough Fluid & Protein intake. Didn't feel like anything for a couple of days, but doc thinks I had a virus that's going round. Might be tougher if I was back at work and needed more energy, but feel so normal today that I'm sure when I return to work on Monday I'll feel fine. I found the week of Optifast pre-op much tougher than this, so if you're coping with that you'll be fine. All the best

Hi, we were banded on the same day. I'm in Brisbane, Australia. Where are you from? Good luck, hope all is going smoothly.

Hi It is a tricky decision, but like deciding whether or not to have LAP-BAND®® surgery is a private decision, based on your life experiences. For example if your friends and family have been supportive about your previous efforts with your weight, they probably will be with this. I have told my side of our family, and they are all supportive, even though my oldest daughter is not sure it's a good idea. She also struggles with her weight, but finds the thought of surgery very scary. So far I have told a couple of close friends only, but my decision & surgery happened in one week, so I will tell more people as I meet them. Also, I'm an RN, so people are less likely to question my medical decisions, as they think I know more about it than they do. Haha. If they seem negative I can bamboozle them with facts and statistics. That might be a good way for some of you guys to explain things to doubters - e.g., quote that only 5% of weight loss is permanent without surgery, and the stress of yo-yo dieting is as dangerous as being morbidly obese. I have not told my in-laws, except for one sister-in-law who is a close friend. My MIL would not understand, but would tell her version of the story (totally made up) to anyone & everyone. She knows I had "stomach surgery", but 2 weeks prior I had "bowel surgery" and she doesn't need to know those details either. She has assumed they're connected, which is fine. I guess as a fairly private person I've chosen to share those details with only a few people also. When people ask how I've lost weight down the track (I'm only 1 week post banding) I can choose to tell them about the surgery (whole story) or about portion control (true, but part of story). I really enjoy hearing everybodys stories Babsy

Hi, theknewme Makes me wonder too. It sounds like a lot of hard work. I don't know from experience, being banded only 6 days ago. However, my surgeon said that with the band alone, controlling my portion sizes, I should lose 60% of my excess weight, which in my case is enough to be in a healthy range for my age and height, reducing my risks. He then said it's up to me if I want to diet and exercise to get skinny. Maybe cause my main problem is huge portions of basically a healthy diet? I hope he's right. I don't want to be counting calories for ever. I just want to be able to stop eating when I've had enough. Barb

I love this thread. Just read it from start to finish, and feel like I know you all. A bit about me - I'm 52, married for 32yrs, 3 kids aged 29, 27, & 17. One granddaughter aged 6. Youngest 2 still at home. I'm a nurse, work with nursing students. Humming Bird, I was sneaky. Already planned holiday before deciding to have surgery. Had to pay $6000 for surgery, which includes all follow-up and fills. Private health insurance covered the rest, about $10,000. Probably have to use credit card for 8 wks holiday now, but will work to pay it off. Husband retired, might need to get a job, but he agrees health comes first (and holiday was already booked so he can't back out, Haha). Life's too short to worry. Did want another holiday next year before I retire, but that might have to be postponed. I'll worry about 2011 in 2011. Unlike you guys, we have a pet that is not adored. It's a dog along the lines of Bob's cat - a terrier that is totally annoying. Can't let him in the house or he'll pee on the only bit of carpet, sneakily, and tears round like a cyclone. He's 9 and no-one but me has any control over him. We've not been lucky with pets. Daughter had a cat which viciously attacked her, and vet suggested euthanasia. Other daughter had a bird which hated her & used to spit at her whenever she entered the room (fine with everyone else). Mice and fish died young, leading to tears. Think this dog might be our last pet. Today is day 6 for me. Days 3 & 4 were horrible, think I had a tummy bug and couldn't tolerate many fluids. Scared to try a lot of the time. Much better today. Saw my GP, and my BP is normal, without my pills, but that could be dehydration. Anyway, I feel a bit light-headed so won't take them for at least a few days. Back to work on Monday, so will keep an eye on it then. Off to get another drink.

I lost 8lb in one week of pre-op optifast diet. I am now 5 days post-op and have lost another 5lb. I did get a fill of 4ml during surgery, so maybe my journey is going to be different? No idea when I'll need a fill, see my surgeon for my first check-up in a couple of weeks. Like all the other forums, I guess this one shows we are all different, but can all be successful if we are determined.

Love hearing about your lives. Here in Brisbane, I'm inside with the air-con going, 32 degrees outside and humid. Snow looks and sounds wonderful. I know it's different when you have it for ages. I'm heading to Canada, Alaska & USA in June, so I'm even more interested in all you say, and your photos. Just for a holiday. Barb

Hi Good to hear everyone is doing so well. I was banded on March 4th. Days 1 and 2 were easy, but days 3 and 4 I felt like crap. Nausea , sore port site and sore diaphragm mainly (had Hiatus hernia repair too). Drinking was difficult, and I was worried I wasn't getting enough fluids in. Just the thought of optifast made my stomach churn. The RN rang and was worried, said that's unusual and maybe my stomach was swollen, or I had a stomach bug (diarrhoea as well), and should go and see the surgeon or my GP if no better tomorrow. Unlike the rest of you, I had 4ml put into my port in theatre, so maybe that's the problem? Because I am 'small' - 91kg. Today I feel a lot better. Wondered if optifast upsetting me as milk-based, so went to shop and bought some pea protein powder. Just used it to make a banana smoothie and so far so good. Can take bigger volumes today too. Hopefully will be downhill from here. Need to go to work on Monday, when I'll be mostly on my feet for 8 hrs a day. Have lost another 2 kg in 5 days since band applied.:thumbup:

Hi. I too want to lose 80lb, and had my surgery yesterday. Doubts are normal. Last thing I did before leaving the house was to look in the mirror, and I could see the difference losing 4 lbs made, and thought "I don't need surgery, I can do it myself". Then I remembered how many times I have made that decision and failed. Even on the pre-op diet I cheated twice. My doctor doesn't even expect me to follow a strict diet afterwards. Whatever I eat I will lose weight if I only eat a small amount of it, and this will get me to a healthy weight. It's my choice if I want to lose more, and then I can diet.

I agree it's a personal issue, and also personal choice to tell or not. I have selectively told the supportive members of my family, & close friends who will be supportive. Not that that protects you from hurtful comments. My large-size 29yr old daughter was humiliated by the rude comments of a group of teenagers when she went swimming, trying to lose weight.

It's always up to the consultant, so won't change schedule. I only had to do it for 1 week, and my surgeon said it won't make any difference cause I'm "small". Up to him - it's to shrink the liver so he can do the surgery more easily.

Hi Can relate to all that. I used to be slim as a teenager but never thought I was. Now my slim 17yr old can't fit into my wedding dress. My goal now is to be a healthy weight, and I have set my goal accordingly. My surgeon agrees, says don't need to get skinny, just need to reduce my risks for diabetes, heart disease, cancer etc. He doesn't even specify a diet post-op after the fluid phase - just eat what I usually eat, but less. Will see dietician for advice. Hope it works, if it doesn't then I'll try diet. 36 hrs to go!!!

Hi Mine is on the 4th. I'm excited and can't wait. Luckily (?) I've had surgery several times, including 2 weeks ago, so I have no fears about surgery or anaesthetic. Just looking forward to a permanent weight loss, I'm sick of being a yo-yo dieter and feeling like a failure. Have been on optifast diet for 6 days, hungry but can cope 'cause there's an end in sight. Bring it on.

I am 52, and getting my band on Thursday. Can't wait, have been thinking about it on and off for years. I too have high blood pressure and cholesterol, arthritis, pain, and have decided to fix this before I get diabetes or heart disease, just know they're waiting round the corner. Plus I want to buy clothes in regular shops. You're not too old to get better health, but you're definitely too young to die from preventable health issues. I haven't had the surgery yet, but as an RN I have seen many people have this without complications, and feel very safe.:wink2: Be brave, and enjoy the rest of your life PS, there might not be many older people on the site just because not everyone is computer savvy.