What do you wish you knew before?

[Janiece 64]

First off, I want to thank everyone for being so open and honest in the forums. I've been reading all morning, and I've learned so much! I even took a peek at some of the complication posts, but left before I scared myself silly! :thumbup:

Now to my question: What do you wish you knew about the band and post-band life before you found out the hard way? I read a few posts where people couldn't lay flat in the bed for a few weeks, so I need to figure out a plan there. Some other people mentioned I should wear slip-on shoes to the hospital and stock up on broth and frozen juice bars in advance to make life easier. I'm sure there must be a million little tidbits that you've discovered along the way that would make the journey for us newbies that much easier.

I realize I'm freaking out like months in advance (well, hopefully it won't be that long. I have to pay in cash money since I work for a small company, so I'm hoping to breeze through all the pre-op stuff pretty quickly) , but I think feeling more prepared will help me calm down.

Thanks so much for your help!

[luluc 6]

a couple of things i wish i knew before:

*had my pain medication filled in advance

*tested several Protein powders & drinks beforehand

*had realistic expectations of weight loss in the beginning

*that it might take SEVERAL fills for restriction

*wish i started exercising beforehand

*found LBT before surgery:wink:

[Melodieus 0]

GREAT QUESTION....I have Jan 15 09 date scheduled and kinda scared....but very excited. The doc gave me a list they have put together of over the years of patients telling them "things"....I already have my RX for my liquid pain meds, and gonna stock up on drinks etc when it gets closer. Just wanted to congrat u on the question and cant wait to see some replies.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I slept on my side the 1st night, with a pillow to support my torso, and on my stomach night 2, so you may not have issues. I figured I might as well stretch etc while I still had some anesthesia on board.

What I wish I had realized was two fold....

1. Regardless of what great info I read on here, do what my doc tells ME to do, not anecdotal advice from the board! and

2. To realize that it is a SLOW process. I knew that in my head but didn't really KNOW it. I'm 3 months post op and have absolutely NO restriction yet. My doc said if I was still struggling (with subsequent fills) by 6 months post op, then he'd be worried. He is tightening me SLOWLY because he feels that is safest and most productive long term. From reading here I thought I'd be on my way by now. NOT!

These boards are really wonderful. I've made quite a few friends here, and gotten some good tips. BUT I've foolishly sometimes let info I read here replace or work in place of questioning my surgeon and I wish I hadn't ever done that.

[Demi 0]

Hi, thanks for all the great advice. What are the best tasting nurtitious shakes on the market? Are they very expensive? I want to have the LB surgery done as quickly as possible, but my husband and I will be out of town for two months this year - maybe in Jan and maybe in March. I guess the best time to have the surgery would be when all our traveling is done and I have months in front of me to adjust.

After the LB surgery, will it hurt when I try to sleep in my usual positons? I noticed you said ou slept on your side and on your stomach with a pillow under your torso. Thanks, again.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Getting the band is just the start, the aftercare is the time we actually put it into use...getting it adjusted just right and re-learning our eating habits. Since your travel will be concentrated in those 2 months, I think you're probably smart to wait!

Everyone is different; some people can't sleep on their stomachs for weeks etc. I just knew that 1st night I still had lingering effects of the anesthesia and for me, that was the time to go for it. Also I didn't want adhesions (scar tissue) forming and making, um...puckers?...and stretching things out early on is good to prevent that. So I intentionally tried to stand up straight, stretch out in bed, etc. I don't know if it helped but I honestly had very very minimal post op gas or pain.

Each person is different, but I think for some the "idea" of sleeping on their sides/stomachs (with the op sites) is worse than actually doing it. You know, you think "oh that's gonna hurt. ick" so you don't do it. I just did it without thinking about it LOL

I did use a pillow when I slept on my side and it helped brace things. That felt good. When on my stomach I used it to "fill in" .... whatever worked. After a couple nights it was just in my way. :drool:

[wild*child 0]

Luluc,

What is LBT?

Deb

[lapbandtalker 0]

If I knew I was being banded long ago I would have

not ever dieted (saved alot of money)

and done it sooner

But my case is so textbook that there is nothing else. Everything has worked out like the advertising said it would.

[lipstix64 1]

Bring chapstick with you to the hospital and a pillow for the ride home in the car for the seatbelt. I ate Tomato Soup, Miso Soup, Wonton soup w/o the wontons.

[luluc 6]

Luluc,

What is LBT?

Deb

abbreviation for lap band talk...i didn't find this website till after i was banded,:drool:

[TQUAD64 9]

Things I wished I would have known:

1. How tired I would be because of lack of solid food. liquid diet post op sucks!
   
2. How bad the gas pains and diarrhea would be post op.
   
3. I should have took three weeks off rather then two.
   
4. How hungry I would be three days post op.
   

[djw6171 0]

I wish I knew how much I was going to need this site and my friends on here!

I wish I knew to be more realistic about the weight loss.

I wish I knew how it felt to have food "stuck" before it actually happened. Chew really well!!!

I wish I knew how much it would change my life, feeling better physically and emotionally.

[babe134 0]

I am newly banded and did have most of the advice but I wish I would have known how much it feels like the diet from hell around 3 days post op you cant eat I hate shakes and felt like I was just starving. now about 3.5 weeks still feel the same and cant wait for a few fills.

I wish I would have truely known I may not loose weight while on mushies did i mention diet from hell?

I wish I would have truelly understood 1-2 pounds a week.

i wish I would have known I would feel like I never get to eat real food again.

and last

I wish I could remember what I did know and not think my emotional thoughts are reality.

I did know I would loose slow and I did know I would be limited on food to heal and I did know that my emotions maybe a little off. sometimes I just forget

[luluc 6]

I did know I would loose slow and I did know I would be limited on food to heal and I did know that my emotions maybe a little off. sometimes I just forget

i completely hear ya...your told these things, but till you actually LIVE them ... do you "get it".

another thing i wish i knew was that it would take losing quite a few lbs in the beginning to drop a size in clothes.

[Demi 0]

Hi, I hear so many of you say that you sleep on your sides after the LB surgery. Is that a forever thing? Or is that for a month or two until you no longer notice the cord and thing they left inside for the fills?

Also, how much does it hurt when you get a fill?