Mrs. Pac-Man syndrome???

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I know how you guys feel but let me be a horrible warning. I was told to do a liquid/protein diet for 3 weeks prior to my surgery. 2-3 Protein Shakes a day, and for supper "palm size" portion of lean chicken, turkey or fish and some green veggies. 64 ounces (at least) of Water. That is IT. Nothing else. Well, I was hungry and wanted to say "goodbye" too. i dieted and managed to lose 10 pounds (started at 405) over that time.

Guess what? My Aug 11 surgery date came, and he could NOT place the band because my liver was too fatty! Talk about misery and mortification!

SO now I'm on another (almost) 3 weeks and I am following it TO THE LETTER. He rescheduled me for Aug 29th, and I'm hanginging there. No more "last meals" for me. I really feel your anguish. I sit here thinking "I may never have pizza/fried chicken/steak/warm fresh bread/you name it EVER again. I have to keep my eye on the prize and remember this is a choice I made for myself. So I am hanging tough. You guys on preop, be careful! It really hurts to wake up and know you didn't get banded.

[travelinsnorkel 0]

Oh no, that's horrible! Did they start the surgery and find that out? Or did they find out prior? That's definitely a good motivator!

[missymoo78 0]

WOW....me too! My surgery date is September 2nd and ever since they gave me an actual date I've had the same thoughts! I feel like I need to eat EVERYTHING like I'll never be able to eat it again or something! I thought I was falling apart or something. It's so comforting to know I'm not alone. I REALLY am thankful for the support on this site! I know we will all be fine in the long run, but does anyone know the consequences of not losing the pre-surgery weight your surgeon suggests? Mine wanted me to lose 10 lbs but it isn't looking like that will happen before I go see him next week. Do you think they will postpone the surgery because of it? I hope not!!

[missymoo78 0]

Restlessmonkey....I just seen your post right after I posted!! I guess that helps answer my question. I will try harder to loose a few pounds before next week!! Thanks for sharing!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

He did the surgery. He said he really really tried; but my liver was so thick he was afraid he'd lacerate it trying to get it out of the way! So I've been "through" it...and I know what all of it is like except actually having the band!

I came to in recovery dumb fat and happy! LOL and was told "we didn't place the band"...I burst into tears, as you can imagine. While truly deeply disappointed I was also mortified that I had not done what the surgeon told me to. I was so happy with my 10 pound weight loss....but the diet he has me on pulls fat from the liver first. (I've lost 27 now!)

So do what your doc says! I learned the hard way! He felt bad for me (bless him!) and is doing the surgery around my school schedule...I'm definitely doing my part this time!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

My doc's Nurse Practitioner today told me something that helped...she said "You should be able to eat just about anything you do now....it will take a while to heal, and you may have a food or two that bothers you, but you can have pretty much anything and will be satisifed/happy with a smaller portion". SO I remember that. I understand to be healthy I won't eat pizza weekly like I did, but....if at some point in the future I want pizza, odds are good I can eat it. I read all the issues people have and think I'm going to have ALL those issues, when in truth, we're all different. I may not be able to eat stringy red meat but may be able to eat bread, for example. This will help me be healthy and satisfied with less, but if I want an occasional splurge (like a birthday meal or some such) I can have it. That centers me and keeps me drinking the Water and following my preop diet. I don't need to say BYE to all my beloved foods, just see 'ya later, and less of you!

[Maribelle 0]

Ah well, I guess if we all had great control around food we wouldn't be getting banded in the first place, right? I ended up gaining 8 lbs. total, but I don't regret it. I ate what I wanted and basically got sick of food. It made starting the Medifast yesterday a lot easier. We'll get the hang of this soon. :thumbup:

Edit:

I guess I am kind of writing about something else because I wasn't supposed to start my actual diet until yesterday, so I haven't cheated on my official diet, but I was way out of control before the diet started and gained more weight than I should have.

Edited August 20, 2008 by Maribelle