College Students and the Band

SoapOperaStar86 · May 24, 2007

Hi Everyone, I'm new to the board and this is my first post <img src="http://www.LapBandTalk.com/images/smilies/happy.gif" border="0" alt="" title="" smilieid="60" class="inlineimg" /> I've recently discovered this procedure, and feel that this would be a wonderful opportunity for myself. I turned 21 in April and attend college in Rochester, NY and was wondering some things about people who have had the procedure done while they were in college. For instance did you have any problems with your pre/post surgery diet by eating in the dining hall? And also what are the limitations with alcohol after the surgery? Any advice would help, just any insight about going through this procedure while in college. It's really inspiring to read all your posts, I hope everyone is doing well!

joe7777 · May 24, 2007

Hey, whats up, i am a student at university of ottawa in canada. I'm 3 weeks out of surgery. Going into 3rd year next year, I know how you feel, about the eating in public thing....i think that as fat people, we think that people are watching everything we eat. I know that i always look at what others eat and i judge people, (i feel like an asshole) Anyways, yeah, i always thought if i would eat well, but then if somebody would see me eat some junk food they would snark and be like, no wonder he's fat...whatever, i think it might be true to some degree, but on my 10 day pre-op diet i thought for sure i'll have to become a lie master (not sure about telling my friends yet). But guess what...not 1 time did anyone ask about my eating changes. I guess people don't really put it high on their list of important things to know, lol its silly now that i think of it, but it's not because i REALLY thought it would be a big issue.

I am having mixed feelings about the alcohol, i am for sure not drinking beer anymore, 1. It has a LOT of extra crap, carbs calories....2. Carbonation, not good for the band. I might be tempted to have a low carbonation beer in the summer one day, something like a corona or something, but it will be in a long time. 3. Hard liquor is probably the best bet for drinking, although alcohol still has calories, the more alcohol dense, the better. 4. there is the issue of casual drinking and getting shitfaced...if thats the plan, might not be too good, throwing up is bad for the band, slippage is not fun.

I think it's going to be weird not drinking, but my health is more important, plus alcohol is not that great for you in big quantities. (low doses have proven beneficial health effects) But drinking too much...no. So yeah, Hope it helps you somewhat. if you have a questions send me a private message or post on this thread or something.

Good luck

Leona06 · May 25, 2007

Hi! I'm in college- I had my surgery right after I graduated undergrad. I am now in my Masters. I am lucky to live off campus now so I can cook for myself. I am very open about my surgery so all of my friends know and support me. I really haven't had too many problems but I will warn you- around the TOM, your band can get really tight- so make sure you are careful. Alsooooo- relating to the ALCOHOL... I started having drinks again around 4months. I drink mixed drinks. But it is really slowing my weight loss. I love going out and partying as I live in Manhattan- so I figure if I am losing weight (which I am now, consistently), then I won't deprive myself from fun nights out. After all, we are in our 20s- we should have FUN!

SoapOperaStar86 · May 25, 2007

thank you guys for your input!

I actually told my mom today that I wanted the Surgery, which is a big step in my situation because my parents are very anti weight loss surgery. And since i'm young they see no reason why I should that sort of surgery in the first place.

We'll see how it goes!

Another quick question...

how much did you guys have to loose before the surgery? how is that usually determined?

AudreyG · May 25, 2007

thank you guys for your input!
I actually told my mom today that I wanted the Surgery, which is a big step in my situation because my parents are very anti weight loss surgery. And since i'm young they see no reason why I should that sort of surgery in the first place.

We'll see how it goes!

Another quick question...

how much did you guys have to loose before the surgery? how is that usually determined?

SoapOperaStar86. I'm 18 years old, just turned 18 March 2nd actually, and was banded two days ago on the 23rd. The younger you are the better. I did howver graduate highschool a year and a half early so by natural default most of my friends are about your age at work and school and I have waaayy more support from them then any of my "close" friends." There is no reason you should have to be told your too young. The younger you are the better your skin heals my dear!:clap2:

kyethra · May 25, 2007

I turned 24 in April, was banded when I was 23 in March. So far I have lost 50 pounds.

This past year I have only been a part time student. I go full time again in the fall. I'm also a grad student now, not undergrad anymore. And I am married and live in a house with my hubby off of campus. I decided after freshman year that I had had enough of the dining hall!

I didn't have to lose any weight for my insurance to approve me. Which is good-- it didn't happen. I also lost only about 7 or 8 pounds on the preop liquid diet. But then I really lost after the surgery. Enough to cause major gall bladder problems. That got taken out in April.

I was super sick due to the gall bladder, but my profs were great about it. I just explained that my gall bladder went evil and now it was making me really sick and I never even knew I had one before this and everyone completely understood. I'm also a student with disabilities-- I have a learning disability and narcolepsy and fibromyalgia, so I already get accommodations so maybe that made that whole experience easier since I already had stuff in place.

Currently I am thinking about places I might eat on campus since I'll likely be there for lunch a couple of days a week. Places that serve tuna salad are good, fruit is good, etc. At the supermarket they sell sliced fruit in plastic bowls. I like that because i am lazy. I can always put it in tubberware. I buy fruit and say I will slice it and do that but it rots instead. So if I buy it sliced I eat and evereyone wins.

I never did a lot of the drunken partying thing. If I was going out to drink, I liked tequila and still do. Wine is also nice. But I don't like getting drunk. I haven't tried a beer yet. I figure I can drink so long as I count those calories like I would for other stuff. I just had my first glass of wine yesterday post op.

Protein bars can be good for between classes when you need a quick lunch type thing. I like south beach diet ones because of their nutrition facts.

Make sure you have a place for your Water bottle in your bookbag or something like that-- having it there helps to get those liquids in. I'm sure not counting on sips from Water fountains to do it and vending is always iffy-- whats low cal, non carbinated, and non caffinated?

Remember to chew slowly and carefully. And know where toilets are at first in case you need to spit up some stuff (PB) or whatever. A group discussion is one place I would hate to have that happn, but if it does, then at least one has ample warning. Just say, "excuse, stomach troubles, be back in a bit" (if you must say anything) and go take care of yourself. Then come back to class when you are able to.

Class should also allow good flexibility for scheduling fills and so forth. If you see yourself moving from where you are in a couple of years ask your surgeon about finding a fill doc/ongoing band care doc for when you do move.

Most of the people in my life have been very supportive of the band right from the get go. As far as the youth argument goes, an once of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I figure with all the pounds I need to lose (and have lost so far), the exchange rate on cures is pretty high. Investing in your health is a smart thing to do at any age.

joe7777 · May 25, 2007

Yes, telling your parents is huge, i know it was for me. As for the age, i just figured, i've been trying to lose ever since i noticed i was getting fat, more seriously in the last 3-5 years, but nothing works...its food that has its hold on me. So anyways, yeah, i think if i didnt do this i'd end up REALLY huge. As for the weight to lose pre-op, depends, does your insurance require a medically supervised diet, does your clinic require a pre-op diet, are you self-pay...whatever. Anyways, the point of pre-op diets is to shrink your liver, the weight loss is a bonus, you will be eating very little sugars, mostly Protein. During this time, you may lose 20, you may lose 5 pounds, as long as your liver shrinks thats important, for the laparascopic surgery, to access your stomach the liver being shrunk helps a great deal. So anyways, once you set everything up and if you choose a clinic, they will likely have a pre-op diet. If it's insurance, then thats their decision.

Good luck

SoapOperaStar86 · May 30, 2007

Thank you all so much for your responses! They've been very helpful in my consideration of the surgery.

I finally told both of my parents, I was worried about telling my dad but they were both very receptive.

The only problem is that when my mom went to call and make an appointment for a consultation for the lap-band the doctor was booked till the end of august! And thats when I would go back to school, but I was put on a cancellation list so hopefully that will be helpful

AudreyG · May 30, 2007

Thank you all so much for your responses! They've been very helpful in my consideration of the surgery.
I finally told both of my parents, I was worried about telling my dad but they were both very receptive.

The only problem is that when my mom went to call and make an appointment for a consultation for the lap-band the doctor was booked till the end of august! And thats when I would go back to school, but I was put on a cancellation list so hopefully that will be helpful

Haha Angela! I love your blake icons. Your guna hate me for this buuut. I went to school with blake. I live in bothell, WA he was a senior when I was a sophmore at Inglemoor. Haha. Find me on myspace if you have one www.myspace.com/audreyg

SoapOperaStar86 · May 30, 2007

ahhh! thats crazy that you went to school with him :confused: I'm on myspace too, i'm pretty sure mine should be www.myspace.com/soapoperastar86 if not i'll friend you when i get home from work.

And good job so far on your progress!

AudreyG · May 30, 2007

ahhh! thats crazy that you went to school with him :confused: I'm on myspace too, i'm pretty sure mine should be www.myspace.com/soapoperastar86 if not i'll friend you when i get home from work.
And good job so far on your progress!

Just added you. LOVE the song on your page by the way!

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