What do you wish you had known?

[Tropicana 0]

...before getting the procedure done? I've done alot of research but don'tknow it all. So I'd like to get input from others who have been through this. What do they forget to tell you or did you not realize you'd expereince post op?

[tammymaybeband 0]

Well I wish that I would have known about all the belching burping. I do it constantly especially at night. Today is my one week anniversary of having the band...yea...I think...I have also been straining to try to pass gas...sorry but it must be said...and now I think I have hemmoroids...bummer...I also do not know how to deal with cravings for foods that I just can't have...today was the worst for hunger pains. Was it too early to have refried Beans? Because I cheated and had them today.

So I am watching Jay Leno tonight and they have the famous "reguitatotor" he swallows 8 balls, fish coins etc. uggh discusting...At least I haven't thrown up or had any PBing. Someone please tell me that all of this is normal...and I am going to be able to not burp etc.

Thanks so much

[buttercup74 0]

Tammy,

It's very normal. It seems like all I did was burp.... there is a good side to this if you aren't burping you are gonna hurt girl.....I know!!!!!! No burping means gas pain:dead Good Luck,

Christy

[buttercup74 0]

Beans!!!!! you should be on liquids. you should call your doctor and ask about your food intake. maybe all doc are diff but your stomach is probably not ready for Beans of any kind

[babsyintx 0]

Tropicana,

I wish I had known how hungry I would be prefill. At least I wish someone would have told me....

Babs in TX

334/182/170

-152

6/23/03

[kimalicious 5]

No matter how many times you read "IT'S A TOOL" it never quite makes it's way to your head of how much work you are going to have to do on your own. Just like, I may feel full (and not after 1 cup of food either) but I will continue eating and then I will just drink some because it taste so good and that way there is also room for dessert. If you are doing this before the band, you will be doing it afterwards. It takes more will power that I would have ever thought and I have gone to bed crying because I was so hungry. I still have to count calories and if I were to eat just til I was full I would have way too many calories in a day, you have to stop sometimes when you are still feeling hunger in the pit of your stomach because the food is sitting in the pouch. Also, If you are thinking you can get the lapband and you will never have to exercise because you are eating so little you are wrong! I have to workout at least 30 minutes a day to see any kind of progress. So read it one more time: IT IS ONLY A TOOL! Your brain needs more than that to deal with other demons, but luckily the tool I have inside me keeps reminding me to deal with them rather than put them off again and again like I have done the rest of my life. Good luck with your decision, hope this didn't sound harsh, I was just giving my personal experience.

[paula 4]

I wish someone wouldve told me that when I woke up from the surgery, I may be hungry.... because I was. The nurses looked at me like I was nuts.

And stayed that way (hungry) for a loooong time... even after my first fill.

[Rebecca 0]

Sorry--I may be in way the wrong forum. New to the website. But . . if I was going to have the lap band how much time would I need to be off work. anyone? thanks

[New Hope 37]

Welcome Rebecca, it's hard to say. Some people are out shopping the next day..have it done mid-week, back on Monday. Others take a week or two to recoup. Also depends on what type of work you do. If you have a sitting job, you can probably go back sooner. If you do a lot of walking, standing...it may take a little longer. You need to avoid lifting anything heavy for several days. Hope this helps.

[La_madam 20]

I wish I had known... I was going to fart all the damn time and be full of gas ALWAYS!

[New Hope 37]

I was afraid I'd be the first one to fail w/the band. Glad I was wrong!

[chief 0]

hello every one, I was having trouble trying to post new site! Im not that good on the puter as my wife call,s it. Im trying to have adjustable lap band surgery in wi, Doe,s it hurt? how much time off for work, there is so many qustions please help me with any info, Im glad that the people that have had surgery that it is working! please email me at chiefjohnjohn@yahoo.com I, need your help! John

[NancySmiles 2]

I wish I had known that the surgery was the EASIEST part of the whole lap band experience......I had an idea that it might be....Dietitian said it is STILL a change of lifestyle....but untill you go through it.....and it's a few months down the road.....you don't belive it......It's always been eaasier to lose weight...than to keep it off!! So why would we think this would be different??? But we have more of a chance to KEEP it off with the band than without......so here we are.....it's STILL the best thing I have ever done for myself!!!

Kimalicious - I know what you mean about "It's a Tool"........

...before getting the procedure done? I've done alot of research but don'tknow it all. So I'd like to get input from others who have been through this. What do they forget to tell you or did you not realize you'd expereince post op?

[claraluz 2]

I second what everyone has said: Didn't know about the gas. Actually, I just had to get a slight unfill because it was getting to be so uncomfortable.

Also second the observation that it took time for me to realize that when they said "It's only a tool, they were so right.

I also wish I had known that there's a lot of wondering and guesswork with the band. Is that feeling I just had normal? Is this what a soft stop feels like? Am I overfilled? Underfilled? Sometimes it seems there are no hard and fast instructions to tell you what is going on with your band.

But I still love being banded. I never could have lost this much weight without it.

Nancy

[Iluvharleys 15]

I wish I had known more about it. Everytime a doctor mentioned it to me, I fought it saying no surgery for me. Once I started doing a little research on it, I decided yes, it is what I want to do. I wish I had been more open minded about it sooner, I would have gotten the surgery sooner. I love my band!