A couple of questions before surgery - Help!

artzygirl · October 21, 2007

My surgery is this week. I just have two last fears left to deal with. I think it's mostly because my surgery is so close. I just need some reassurance. My first one is about a normal diet after the lap band. What kind of food will I be giving up. And if I do have to give up certian foods, is it forever? My doctor told me I would be able to eat anything as long as I can chew it well enough. It that true? My other question is about P.Bing. I FEAR throwing up. What does a P.B. feel like? Is it more that just coughing up flem when you are sick? Is it scary? My doctor told me that since I am so worried about it I won't let myself B.P. I will go into surgery feeling a lot better if I just felt better about these two issues.

Also, I've only lost 8 lbs on the liquid diet so far. It that normal? I was hoping to lose more.

Iluvharleys · October 21, 2007

Everyone is different, and some people can't eat everything. I am lucky, I can eat anything, I just have to chew very well.

As far at the PB, some peole never have one while others have a lot of them. Some people slime and others spit up.

You really just have to experiment with the food and see what works for you. There will also be times that certain food won't go down good that day, but the next day or a couple of weeks later it goes down fine.

renewedhope · October 21, 2007

Artzygirl, I am being banded on wednesday as well. I'm sure you will do great. Just having preop jitters. I have them too

kacee · October 21, 2007

I think everyone has an innate fear that they are going to have to make a major sacrifice after the band. Not so, I have found. I can eat about 90% of what I did before. I can even eat bread...but it tends to sit like a bowling ball afterwards so I have to think about whether it is worth it or not. There is nothing that I have felt deprived of, except the ability to eat like a HOG, and that certainly passes. If I want a cheeseburger and fries I can have it....as much as I can eat....which is about 3-4 bites...2-3 fries, and that's it. The taste is there....it's just called moderation. And the blessing of the band is that you don't feel deprived. Before the band, if I had tried to eat 4 bites of a burger and 3 fries and sit and look and push away from what remained I would have SCREAMED.

Time4Me · October 21, 2007

I didn't have any fears leading up to the surgery because I knew where I was headed...death.

I had my first fill on Wednesday last week and haven't had any issues with things coming back up.

My doctor told me to try anything I wanted 2 times and if after that if it didn't work, to give it up. So far I have eaten (in very small portions)...Alice Springs chicken and Broccoli from the Outback, Cereal, tuna fish, Whole Wheat Ritz crackers, a club wrap from Arbys, an oreo, a french fry, ravioli, and eggs with cheese.

It is absolutely unreal to feel full after taking 4 bites of food. I still try to take a couple more bites and realize that I am really full.

I haven't PB'd, but I have had to slow down during eating, which has been really hard, but when you feel that knot in your chest you know you are eating too fast. It has gone down fairly quick for me once it starts, but I too am afraid to throw up.

You will do great and you are making a great decision. I haven't had one regret and wish I had done it 2 years ago when I first thought about it!

kacee · October 21, 2007

My doctor told me to try anything I wanted 2 times and if after that if it didn't work, to give it up. So far I have eaten (in very small portions)...Alice Springs chicken and Broccoli from the Outback, Cereal, tuna fish, Whole Wheat Ritz crackers, a club wrap from Arbys, an oreo, a french fry, ravioli, and eggs with cheese.
It is absolutely unreal to feel full after taking 4 bites of food. I still try to take a couple more bites and realize that I am really full.

I would also suggest that when you try something....try it at different times of the day. Many people seem to be more able to eat later in the day. Problematic foods may go down easier then....or not. I've had my 4th fill and I COULD eat bread...IF I chewed it to a pulp first and took miniscule bites. However, it still tends to sit like a bowling ball afterwards, so it really isn't worth it. The only food I have NOT tried since surgery is steak (which I love). I just haven't had the guts to go try to get some somewhere. I think I would opt for a filet mignon though because that would be the smallest cut I could get. I avoided sandwiches for months and then tried a panini....wound up removing the bread and eating the insides out. I was just more comfortable doing that. If I am going to get only about 4-5 bites, I want them to be quality bites. I'd rather have the insides of the sandwich than the bread wrapping around it.

Summer87 · October 21, 2007

Hello,

Do not worry you are not alone..my surgery is this week on the 24th and to deal with my nerves I am trying to surround myself with everything positive.

For example, I am reading positive things about the lap band either on the message boards or other educational information. I am also invisioning myself in one year, healthy, wearing a bathing suit, and running/jogging at the Race for the Cure...I am trying to think positive and not have any negative influences. I am not watching T.V much and in particular those hospital shows, ER, Greys Antamony etc.

Just think next weekend we will be looking back saying we did it!!!! Wish you the best with your surgery