Starting the process

Lakeside5 · February 3, 2007

Ok new to all this so will take all advise...Low BMI 35...Just want to know from folks that have been there what the journey will be like. Starting on medically supervised diet on Monday. I have reall blood sugar problems and trying to get them to go away. What are the best Vitamins to use?? My understanding you really do not start to loose on a regular basis until after the fill. What are some things no on ever told you were going to happen. Very nervous and excited at the same time. Any help suggestions support etc would be great. Thanks again. seeing a Dr. Price (was from LA) anyone seen him??

sleepyjean · February 4, 2007

The best thing you can do is hang around here for a few weeks. It's absolutely the best way to prepare yourself mentally. Since everyone's path is different, reading the posts here will acquaint you with the possibilities, but you won't know what your journey will be like until it happens.

I'm a consultant, and in my business, the answer to just about every question is "it depends" LOL. In terms of your bandster journey, it's all over the place - not just because everyone is different, but also because everyone's doctor has different rules and guidelines. Some people have to do a pre-op diet, some don't. Some have restriction and start to lose immediately, others have to wait several months and get multiple fills. Some people go home the same day as surgery, others stay overnight. Some are up and walking around the next day, others feel like hell for a week. Some PB (spit up) a lot, some not at all. Some tell everyone they know, others keep it to themselves. Some lose hair, and others don't. Some people lose weight steadily, and others do it in fits and starts. A few discover that they are "turtles" and lose very slowly.

I spent about six months hanging around here, jealous as hell, before I got banded, so there weren't too many surprises. There were only a few things that I didn't anticipate:

1. Exactly what restriction feels like. It's hard to describe and hard to conceive of pre-band. But once you've got it, you KNOW it!

2. For a while there, eating became a chore. I never thought I'd see the day.

3. Experiencing how truly nasty some Protein shakes can be, while others are actually quite yummy.

4. Feeling "in the groove" for 7 months and then losing restriction and sliding back into my old eating habits without realizing it.

5. Losing weight messes with your hormones. It threw my body out of whack in few ways before I found equilibrium again. For example, my menstrual cycle was crazy for a couple of months and I started having problems with insomnia.

6. I am an emotional eater and getting banded completely cut off my primary tool for comforting myself and dealing with bad/sad feelings. I knew it was going to happen, so I started seeing a shrink about two months before surgery. She's helped me learn some other coping skills, but it's slow going.

As far as preparation goes, I'm sure you'll get lots of great advice from the gang here e.g. find a Protein supplement you like, find chewable versions of your Vitamins and medicines (I like Centrum chewables and also take a Biotin supplement), take a 'before' photo, and stock up on good-tasting liquids to last you through the first couple of weeks after surgery.

Good luck to you, and welcome!