New Member

Nella337 · January 6, 2007

Hi,

My name is Trish, and I have just been approved for the Lap Band.

I have an excellent doctor, and while I am excited, feeling nervous, as I have read all of the good and bad on the website so far. I am curious to find out the following: After I have the surgery I am to be on a clear liquid diet for the first week. Will I feel hungry? Has anyone felt weak? HELP!:phanvan

JDru · January 6, 2007

Hi Trish...welcome to LBT! This site is a great resource for info and support. You've come to the right place! I was on Clear Liquids for 5 days after surgery and for the first 3 days I didn't notice my hunger, I had some pain and nausea though. Day 4 was tough as my stomach started rumbling. I had some creamy Soup on day 5...I couldn't take it anymore!! But most people do great! My energy level was low for about 3-4 weeks after surgery. Good luck on your journey.

Nella337 · January 6, 2007

Thanks Dru for the information.

I am scheduled to return to work about the 7th day after the surgery, so I just wanted to see if that was reasonable. I am a bit nervous, but I know I need to lose at least 50 pounds and I am hoping that the scars from the surgery are not atrocious. Sorry to blurt my thoughts, but just very curious as to what others went through.

Thanks! :rolleyes:

faybie · January 6, 2007

Hi Nella,

I was instructed to be on liquids not clear liquids. One thing you will notice on this site is that every single Dr. has a completely different food recommendation schedule. I only had to be on liquids for 2 days after surgery and was approved for mushies. I stayed on liquids for 5 because I felt I wasn't ready for mushies just yet.

A lot of it should come from your Dr., however I took the common sense and knowing my own body approach to a lot of my decisions.

My hardest feat after surgery was coming to terms with my head hunger. Even though my body knew I wasn't ready for mushies my head was telling me to go get a double cheeseburger and french fries. That is when I realized for the first time in my life that I had a "mental addiction" to food. I knew this in the back of my head, but this was the first time I had isolated the voice encouraging me to eat. My band has been a great tool to help me overcome those desires and replace them with more healthy choices.

Good luck! Getting the band was the best decision of my life.

Nella337 · January 7, 2007

Thanks for the reply. It is great to hear some positive feedback about the surgery. Thanks so much. How often do you go for your fills?

faybie · January 7, 2007

Hey Nella,

I just read that you are returning to work after 7 days and I think you will be just fine with that.

Fills are different for everyone, I don't think I have seen 2 people the same. The best thing to do is get to know your band because only you will know when it is time for a fill.

Good luck, let me know if you have more questions.

juliegeraci · January 7, 2007

I didn't feel hungry at all. YOu will probably experience this as with the swelling. Best of luck.

Sophie248 · January 7, 2007

Faybie, Your post was very encouraging. I too have the "mental addiction" to food and I'm looking forward to ridding myself once and for all of that addiction. What other tools have you used to help overcome head hunger? I go in for my consult and evals on the 10th.

Best wishes, Trish, I understand the emotions you are going through right now. Keep focussing on the fact that we are taking control of our health and will have a longer and more satisfying life ahead of us!

faybie · January 8, 2007

Faybie, Your post was very encouraging. I too have the "mental addiction" to food and I'm looking forward to ridding myself once and for all of that addiction. What other tools have you used to help overcome head hunger? I go in for my consult and evals on the 10th.
Best wishes, Trish, I understand the emotions you are going through right now. Keep focussing on the fact that we are taking control of our health and will have a longer and more satisfying life ahead of us!

I didn't do anything special to fight my "head hunger" so to speak. I have been in therapy for years and years due to alcholic parents, so I knew exactly what I had to do to face the "mental thoughts". I had just never knew they were there before... I can't believe I was trying to convince myself to eat a hamburger and large fries three days after surgery. I could barely get down liquids. I can say that my best tool for fighting my "head hunger" has been the band 100%. Best decision of my life... Good luck!!

tachlime · January 10, 2007

Very good observations from all about hunger. I haven't been banded yet, but I'm trying to deal with the psychological issues that lead to overeating now, because if I don't they will be a problem post-band. Many of us don't feel good about ourselves because of our weight and lack of self-control. So we eat for comfort, to make ourselves feel better, if only temporarily. Then we gain more weight, which makes us feel even worse, which makes us turn to food for comfort, etc. etc.-a vicious cycle. I'm trying to ask myself even now when I reach for food, "Am I really hungry? Or am I eating because I'd enjoy it?" The band will be a tool, a means to an end, but ultimately I know I have to win the psychological battle if I win the weight battle. Good luck to all and keep up the good work!

Mickeyf · January 10, 2007

I was schedule for surgery today and I thought I knew about the lap band but I had never even heard of a fill, so I am having to rethink if I want this surgery. I have read some very bad reactions and problems. I didn't know the lap band had so many problems, I thought the gastric bypass was the bad one. I have a BMI or 36 and I am 47 yrs old. I know it would be good for my health but fear and what I read here is stopping me. I also take alot of medicine and have not talked to the doctor to see how I do this as some of my pills are large and I take 3 of them at one time. I don't know about all of this. Maybe I am not ready. I am on SS disability and if for some reason I get off of it how do I pay for fills and I don't even know if they are covered in the first place.

Help

tachlime · January 10, 2007

Mickeyf, make sure your concerns aren't just "cold feet". I can't address your specific health questions, and I don't know about fills, but I know that the band is a much safer procedure than by-pass (which my wife had). Remember that NO medical procedure is about risks, even some that are routine. But also remember that if you are morbidly obese, there risk of NOT doing anything probably far outweighs the risk of the surgery.

Tulip · January 10, 2007

I was banded yesterday (Jan 8) and have not had any hunger pains at all (yet). I am still on liquids, and after about 4 oz I feel full. I do have some gas pains, and a swollen belly. Although most surgical procedures can have some risks involved, I chose the Lap Band over bypass because the complications appear to be more serious with bypass. The complications with lap band are usually easily resolved, some are relieved by diet change, other with minor surgery (such as a flipped port), and those with slipped band resolved with removeable or replacement.

I personally felt that the risks I have from my co-morbidities (high blood pressure, GERD, coronary heat disease) are real higher risks, that can be improved with weight loss using a lap band.

I am certainly no expert, but have joined this group to learn more myself.

faybie · January 11, 2007

I was schedule for surgery today and I thought I knew about the lap band but I had never even heard of a fill, so I am having to rethink if I want this surgery. I have read some very bad reactions and problems. I didn't know the lap band had so many problems, I thought the gastric bypass was the bad one. I have a BMI or 36 and I am 47 yrs old. I know it would be good for my health but fear and what I read here is stopping me. I also take alot of medicine and have not talked to the doctor to see how I do this as some of my pills are large and I take 3 of them at one time. I don't know about all of this. Maybe I am not ready. I am on SS disability and if for some reason I get off of it how do I pay for fills and I don't even know if they are covered in the first place.
Help

I think everyone gets nervous before their surgery. Remember not just to read the bad stuff. About 250 people a month on this forum alone get banded. I am sure not all banded people in the world are members of this forum. So if you read 6, 10 even 20 "bad" stories that is a very small percentage.