New to Forum: Just Banded

[Staceven 0]

Hi all. I am a 33 year old mother of three. I had twin baby girls last Christmas and never lost much of the baby weight. My starting weight was 281. I was banded on Nov. 19th and I am currently eating pureed foods.

My decision to get Lap Band was well thought-out and well-researched, but easy. My insurance would not cover it so I paid out-of-pocket. I went to a seminar, 4weeks later I called and said yes I want to do this and then two weeks later I was having surgery!! I did not have to do the 6 month diet and weigh-ins. I did not have to meet with a councilor. I did not meet with a nutritionist. Now I am scared that I may have missed out on some valuable information.

My father-in-law had it done last Feb 2010 and has already lost 115 lbs!! I was talking with him about what to eat in my current stage and he started asking me questions that I did not know. What percent of protien are you suppose to have? What is you body fat percentage? Why are you chewing gum? Do you have your required supplements? What amount are you suppose to be eating and how often? Why didn't you quit smoking?

No one told me any of these specifics and I am worried that I am not near as informed as I thought I was or as I need to be! I was told to eat 3 meals a day and start with Clear liquids, move to pureed, then mush, then introduced solids slowly. No sugar, no carbonation........and that's about it!! I have the lap band booklets that give food suggestions and tell you to eat slowly and don't drink during meals. But that is all I know!! I don't want to eat pureed foods for the rest of my life but I really have no idea about what foods I CANNOT eat!! I am scared to start solids. I know a few "problem" foods just from researching.

My first post-op appointment is Moday and I plan to ask lots of questions. But I am still afraid that I've missed some crucial information!! Do I need to go to a nutrisionist on my own?

I look foward to being an active member of this forum.

Stacey

[Mo90802 0]

Pls post where you had your surgery so i can cross them off my list.

Hi all. I am a 33 year old mother of three. I had twin baby girls last Christmas and never lost much of the baby weight. My starting weight was 281. I was banded on Nov. 19th and I am currently eating pureed foods.

My decision to get Lap Band was well thought-out and well-researched, but easy. My insurance would not cover it so I paid out-of-pocket. I went to a seminar, 4weeks later I called and said yes I want to do this and then two weeks later I was having surgery!! I did not have to do the 6 month diet and weigh-ins. I did not have to meet with a councilor. I did not meet with a nutritionist. Now I am scared that I may have missed out on some valuable information.

My father-in-law had it done last Feb 2010 and has already lost 115 lbs!! I was talking with him about what to eat in my current stage and he started asking me questions that I did not know. What percent of protien are you suppose to have? What is you body fat percentage? Why are you chewing gum? Do you have your required supplements? What amount are you suppose to be eating and how often? Why didn't you quit smoking?

No one told me any of these specifics and I am worried that I am not near as informed as I thought I was or as I need to be! I was told to eat 3 meals a day and start with Clear Liquids, move to pureed, then mush, then introduced solids slowly. No sugar, no carbonation........and that's about it!! I have the lap band booklets that give food suggestions and tell you to eat slowly and don't drink during meals. But that is all I know!! I don't want to eat pureed foods for the rest of my life but I really have no idea about what foods I CANNOT eat!! I am scared to start solids. I know a few "problem" foods just from researching.

My first post-op appointment is Moday and I plan to ask lots of questions. But I am still afraid that I've missed some crucial information!! Do I need to go to a nutrisionist on my own?

I look foward to being an active member of this forum.

Stacey

[Staceven 0]

Not the support I was hoping for............

I have full confidence in my surgeon and the clinic. It is actually the best around.

I did not have the nutrition classes because they are only required for insurance purposes.

Thanks

Pls post where you had your surgery so i can cross them off my list.

[kellyodoran 12]

welcome staceven,

as far as information you have deffintely come to the right place! Don't worry what that other person said you will be fine!

I am self-pay and kinda went through the same thing as you. I also wrote down lots of questions for my first visit.

1). protien about 80 grams a day...very important!

2). I smoke, and someday I will quit, but not while I'm dieting:D !

3). I don't know why he would ask you about your body fat, that is neither here nor there!

4) You can chew all the gum you want as long as it's suger free, and you spit it out when your done!

5)I take a one-a-day and 1500 mg of Calcium....that's it!

6) Gosh when I was on mushies I ate every two hours, I went through true "bandster-hell" that being said I started a journal and write everything down.....calories, protien, when I finish (for the "no Water for 30 minutes " after you eat and no Water with a meal)

More than likely no food will be a problem for you until you start to get fills.

You are doing fine! Any questions you may have please feel free to ask me:waytogo:

[Staceven 0]

Thank you so much. Your post actually made me feel better. I know I am just panicking a little. My Dr. is laid back and I actually like that about him but sometimes I wish he was more specific. I feel confident that I can learn specifics from you and this forum.

Thanks again!

[7Grijalva7 1]

I had to attend 4 educational classes for this surgery and meet with a dietician regularly. Yes I am thankful and they were very helpful. However, when I got to the post op side I felt like I still new nothing about this surgery and the next steps! Haha my point is...this website has been so helpful and people on here are wonderful! So yes any questions u have u can definetly ask someone on here. I would say ask me but I still have a lot to learn! Haha good luck with everything!

[lgaskill 0]

i am 2 weeks post op lap band. i am told to drink a Protein Shake in the mornings becaue the band is tighter when you first get up. i am told to take a multi Vitamin every day and add Vitamin D to =1000iu per day. I am also told to consume 1000 calories per day and 70grams of Protein. stay away from Pasta, bread, and potatoes. drink 64oz of Fluid throughout the day. i havent felt restricted on anything i eat, so far, but i havent had my 1st fill yet. there are times my stomach growls and i feel hungry and i'll drink another protein shake- like slim fast or muscle milk. i was told i could add unflavored whey protein to food or shakes if i'm having difficulty getting in the 70 grams.

[Purpleshell 4]

Thank you for posting this and for all the replies.

I am in a similar position as you Stacey. I am paying for the surgery myself and haven't had to meet with nutritionists or counselors etc.

I am also having my gall bladder removed so have been waiting for that part of the operation to be approved by my medical insurance. It was approved yesterday and my Dr called to say I can have the surgery on Sat or Sun- yes tomorrow if they have a free spot! Yikes!! I've been waiting a few months for the approval and have been trying to watch what I eat but I haven't been required to do the pre-op diet either.

I hope my Dr will let me know exactly what to eat etc. I know I am on a liquid diet for 2 weeks and then 2 weeks pureed food. I don't know much more than that though, so look forward to learning more from here and also receiving the support from other bandsters.

Thanks!