Truth Please!!!

[Jachut 487]

There are foods I choose not to eat becuase they are quite hard work or danger foods (high likelihood of causing discomfort, sliming and vomiting) - I avoid those in public if I have a choice, just because I'd rather not deal with it. But I am completely confident I can turn up to any event where the meal is catered and I dont have a choice and do OK. I wont be able to eat the whole meal, I wont eat the bread beforehand and I might choose just a couple of spoonfuls of Soup, a few mouthfuls of the main and a taste of the dessert. I have NEVER been questioned or had comments directed to me regarding how much I have eaten.

I live a completely normal life, I just eat much less.

Most times when I go out though, I will by choice have a salad or something healthy, and avoid dessert. I dont have to be talked into a glass of wine though.

I agree with Northwest Nance, you must be prepared that you may not be able to eat certain foods. But complete comfort with that comes after you've been banded, the importance of food diminishes a lot.

Edited June 7, 2008 by Jachut

[Numbrgirl 0]

Jachut - You are a definite role model here on this board - thank you for your strong advice!! I love that we are allowed a glass of wine!!

[bethgrove 1]

I have to say this is the best thing I have ever done. I would be lying if I did not tell you it takes alot of work. I can't eat like I use to and have to watch my calories but it has been worth it. I work full time anda have three small children. We eat out alot and I don't have a problem but i must know what i am going to order prior to going otherwise i really make bad choices.(that is just me) one of my favorite website is DWLZ.com it list alot of the restaurants(not the local one but the chains) and helps to plan the meals. I always thought eating salads would help but most of them are worse than a real meal. I have exercised 2-3 times a week and i am happy with my decision. Hope all goes well for you. It is a decision only you can make it is not for everyone but it is a WONDERFUL tool

beth

[HeatherO 7]

I can eat just about anything in small portions except for bread, Pasta (but I can have a bite of them with something else) and I have avoided diet soda. I just eat smaller portions. It has not been a problem, I am just satisfied with less which is absolutely wonderful.

[S@ssen@ch 745]

lin2,

Before I had my surgery I felt the exact same way. I mean, if I couldn't stick to anything BEFORE why should I think I can do it after if everyone keeps telling me that the band is "only a tool"?

SO....I spent months educating myself and training myself to be able to eat the way I thought a bandster should eat. Not drinking before, during or after my meals. Taking small bites, chewing well, eating slowly, eating Protein first, etc. The first 6 months was a piece of cake. But slowly those demons that got me to where I was slowly came in. I wanted the snack foods, Cookies and breads that I had avoided. So, slowly I tried them. And you know what? There is nothing......NOTHING that I cannot eat. I only eat it in smaller quantities now. Instead of eating a whole pie, I only eat a piece. I can eat pizza but I can only eat a piece, maybe 2 if the crust is thinner. After more than a year out, my doctor's dietitian told me that I could probably start drinking carbonated beverages-that it has not shown to stretch the pouch. I don't drink them a lot, but I occasionally sip at a root beer and don't have any problems other than a little extra burping. *I would recommend if you can swear off of them, do so. (artificial sweeteners, caffeine, carbonation=bad choice)

I eat out regularly at restaurants, but I choose carefully because the portions are so large and I KNOW I won't be able to eat it all. I stay away from fried foods-and I've learned to make healthy choices I love. I can eat salads but I rarely do because they fill me up. Although I never have enough room for a whole dessert, I can share one with my family which is fun.

If someone didn't know I was banded, they would never suspect. I don't look or act any differently (other than not drinking with my meal-which no one really pays attention to anyway) and I don't draw attention to myself. I just go about my business.

I don't regret being banded. It was the best decision I have made for my health and my life. It saved me and helped me in more ways than I could ever explain in a brief paragraph.

Good Luck to you in whatever decision you make,

[Numbrgirl 0]

DD - loved your post. It is so encouraging especially to newbies like me. I have done quite a bit of the prep work you described and have been making good choices. This past weekend I was at a birthday party with a HUGE buffet but made wise choices and was satisfied. Previous to the band I would have gone hog wild! I received my first fill today now I am up to 4 cc's. Don't really feel any different at this point but I only have to live with it for 3 weeks and then I can get some more. I am thrilled at the changes I have been able to make because of the band and as of today I have lost more weight in 6 weeks than I have ever been able to do before without falling back into my old habits, losing the willpower and quickly gaining it all back and more.

[TDRinCHATT 1]

I was just banded May 29th, and I second what everyone has covered regarding the eating. I just wanted to add that I'm a 31y/o healthy female with no medical history. I expected to breeze through surgery and be back to normal by Monday. My experience was much different.

Everyone is different, but it is surgery! There is pain involved and lots of other unmentionables (like diarrhea, gas, etc.) Recovery is easy for some, but I had some complications (thrush, cough, wheezing, migraines) that seem minor now, but felt miserable at the time.

I'm 12 days post op now and feel great! I haven't had a fill yet but as I add heavier foods to my diet, I do feel a certain amount of restriction. Once I got through the first 8 days, I was fine.

But, I did say "what have I done several times during the first week?" Now that I'm feeling better that's in the past!

[westcoastmom 3]

As soon as I was banded, I was nervous about getting stuck, PBs and getting sick. I really wanted to feel "normal" - and have been really slow in moving through the stages. I also will probably stay on the looser side to avoid some of these things.

Even though I might not stay satiated as long as some, I know the band is there and it helps me think more about how I eat and how much I am eating.

I don't always eat the exact type of diet you should - not that mine is bad. I don't like meat or fish very much and would rather get protien from other sources. So, once I was ready, I did start eating very thin pizza and quesidilla's again. But, serving sizes are pretty small. And I eat them slowly and chew very well.

This works for me, so I don't feel deprived of things that I enjoy. I am finding that since I have the band, I stop eating way before I would have in the past. I enjoy that I can go out and eat most foods. I have not tried to eat sandwiches, rolls or rice. But these are not really things I miss or want to eat. I have not tried Pasta yet, but I think if I really wanted it, that I could eat that as well.

I do also allow myself to have a treat or dessert if I want one. I don't have much, but I have been able to enjoy this in moderation as well.

I have looked at the band as a way to help me gain control. I want to be healthy. I know that means losing weight, but for me it also means having energy and feeling "normal". Being able to eat a healthy amount of real food has done that for me. And most of the time, I am not feeling deprived.

[Hastings 3]

I'm quite happy having my band a little looser. It seems there are a lot of different styles for bandsters.

[lin2 0]

Thanks so much everyone - it has REALLY helped. I think I may be able to this after all. I go for a consult on Monday - all self-pay though.

[juliegeraci 7]

I am going back and forth about having the surgery - some seem to have real problems. Are there foods that you can never eat again - can you eat at restaurants - ever able to eat dessert? I don't know if I have the discipline for this once I spend the money (no insurance coverage) Don't want to sound like a whiner but I hope I can learn the truth about what to expect.

With the lapband restriction is key. If your fills are not covered under your original price it can be very expensive to maintain. I have a very fickle band and have had approximately 20 fills and unfills over the course of 2 years. My insurance is just covering them at $200 each. I have had some difficulty with PBing and when I'm too tight acid reflux. I just had to have a slight unfill or .1 ccs because I couldn't hold do liquids very well. Now I am more hungry. So the lapband is not an easy fix. You have to work with the band that is for sure. Good luck with your decision.

[Cherylita 0]

I am so glad I read this thread! I went to the band complications and life after the band forum and got a little depressed. I read about everyone's problems which unfortunately made me a wee bit uncomfortable. I am still going through with the band, but I just needed some good stories! thanks again for the positive posts!!

Cheryl

[VegasGrace 1]

I am going back and forth about having the surgery - some seem to have real problems. Are there foods that you can never eat again - can you eat at restaurants - ever able to eat dessert? I don't know if I have the discipline for this once I spend the money (no insurance coverage) Don't want to sound like a whiner but I hope I can learn the truth about what to expect.

You want the truth? You can't handle the truth.

I love that line from A Few Good Men.

If you are going back and forth...that means you haven't commited yourself to doing it...so don't do it.

But I can say that my experience is there is no food off limits. I live in the land of buffets, and I frequent them often. But long gone are the days of multiple plates piled high. I get 1 or 2 plates with a teaspoon of everything off the bar.

Had a hotpocket calzone, chips, and sodapop for lunch yesterday.

This morning was a banana nut muffin.

Yesterday morning was Cocoa Pebbles.

The day before I had a taco.

Let me just say this...I'm one week in my new place and am still getting settled. Once I get settled in I'll start cooking again.

Please feel free to ask me any questions either here or pm me. I was like you...no insurance, no money...but sick and tired of being fat and was ready to take action.

[aubrie 6]

The reason I chose to be banded was to REGAIN my quality of LIFE! I had lost it, and I wanted it back. I was sick of struggling to get up off the couch. I was sick of no sex life with my husband. I was sick of not dancing or going kayaking. I was sick of the number of meds I was beginning to take for a variety of ailments. I was sick of the pain of arthritis in my knees and hips. I was just SICK. Quality of life was important to me. That did not include vomiting and not able to enjoy the foods I love. Vomiting is NOT quality of life. I wanted to be happy, HEALTHY and NORMAL. The band gave me all of this and more. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Not only did I get back all the things I mentioned, but I have energy, I have confidence, I have a sense of humor and I beleive in myself again. What is that worth? to me, it's definitely worth giving up a slice of cheesecake, drinking beer and consistantly making wise choices. Yes, I go out to eat. Yes, I can eat just about everything. No, I do not PB. Never have and I'm 7 months out. I get stuck if I eat to fast, and slime a little but that's been a handful of times. I can control that. I know what to do. My doctor and I are not aggressive with fills. That's not quality of life. If I'm invited to a birthday party I have a sqaure inch of cake. (About a mouthful) That satisfies me. I have a small glass of wine on ocassion, watching a sunset and unwinding with my wonderful DH. That's quality of life for me. I just dont' make a habit of it. the band is what you make it. If you're miserable, you have no one to blame but yourself. But it is a committement and you MUST be prepared to make that committment or you may waste a lot of money. Just ask yourself, how badly do I want quality of life?