Awaiting op 5th Aug 09

[carolannh 0]

Hi Everyone

I have my date for banding on Wed 5th August

Im very exited, but have a couple of questions for now.

I went to see the dietition at SCGH yesterday and we talked a lot about Post op diet, Ive been seeing a lot of people here talking about liquid diets pre op?? the dietition never mentioned this to me i dont think, Can anyone enlighten me?

The second question is, has any one any idea as to what i tell my work collegues the reason im going into hospital and after, as i do not want to tell them about the banding for the moment

Does anyone know if sick leave should be covered for being paid after the op of up to 2 weeks???:thumbup:

[Jane_S 0]

Hi Carolannh,

Welcome to the board!

Ive been seeing a lot of people here talking about liquid diets pre op?? the dietition never mentioned this to me i dont think, Can anyone enlighten me?

Many surgeons will require a pre-op diet, primarily to shrink the size of the liver so that it makes it easier during surgery. The liver, as I understand it, is quite delicate and can lacerate very easily. So it makes the surgery safer if the liver is smaller and out of the way.

My surgeon recommended Optifast three times a day as it was nutritionally balanced and would shift weight fast. I started two weeks out from surgery and, despite some cheats, lost close to 7kg in two weeks.

Which meant I was in good shape for the surgery.

The second question is, has any one any idea as to what i tell my work collegues the reason im going into hospital and after, as i do not want to tell them about the banding for the moment

I told my staff I needed an operation and left it at that. Most people are pretty understanding about the need for privacy.

Does anyone know if sick leave should be covered for being paid after the op of up to 2 weeks???

Mine was covered but I had to clear it with my manager. He didn't even ask what I was going in for, so long as I had a certificate from my surgeon to cover the time away.

[kyla68 0]

Hi

WOW !

I'm booked in for my banding on the same day- August 5th !

My doctor did a pre-op gastroscopy on Tuesday and discovered that I have a hernia, which he will repair during my banding, so It's given me the ideal excuse. I'll just tell people that I'm going in to have a hernia repair ( which of course is true!)

I've thought a lot about telling people, and I've decided not to tell anyone but my close family. Once I've lost all the weight I may change my mind, but during the weight loss phase I don't think you need the extra pressure of it being everyone's business!

Lots of luck with the op. I hope it's a huge success for both of us.

Best Wishes

Kyla x

[emmaf106 0]

I told my boss that I was having minor surgery of a personal nature. I only had about 5 days off work as it was around Easter so had public holidays galore!

Our friends, who don't know about the band, were told only recently that the boy had had a hernia repair - when they noticed the scars while he had his top off during summer. At the time though we just said we were going away for Easter.

[jen_e 0]

I'm a nurse and am getting banded in 2 days:eek:. I have told a selected few people I am having a hiatus hernia repair and that I have to lose weight because my cholesterol is high and my fasting blood sugar was higher than normal...which is true.The only people who know whats happening are my 2 daughters.

The reason I said I was having a hernia repair is that so many people at work are scathing & judgemental about others who have been banded. These people are supposed caring professionals!!!!:cursing: Plus the scars are the same as banding scars.

I am a little concerned about having to explain what I'm eating initially when I return to work as I will still be on slops. Arh! I'll think of some white lie. It's none of their business & I am the one who is doing something about staying alive & healthy to enjoy a fantastic future.:tongue2:

I brought in a certificate from the Dr for 2 weeks off...no explaination needed.

Good luck with your journey :thumbup:

Jen

[kyla68 0]

Hi Jen

You say you've overheard people being judgemental about others who have been banded. I just wondered if you could elaborate a bit? What do people say, and is the general opinion that it's a 'lazy' way to lose weight?

Not that any gossip will put my off ( I'm being banded on the 5th August and it can't come quick enough!), but I AM interested to know what other ( presumably slim) people have to say.

I thought at first that I'd tell anyone what I was having done, be out and proud !

But, I subsequently decided to keep it within my close family. I'm pretty sure that some friends will become suspicious as I've been fat for 20 years and never managed to lose more than 10kgs on the hundreds of diets I've tried. I'm sure some of them will be pushing me to found out 'how' I did it.

I'm aiming to weigh 65kgs and look bloody gorgeous, and maybe, when I get there, I'll not care what anyone thinks anymore?

Anyhow, the best of luck for you OP, I hope it goes without a hitch for you.

Kyla x

[jen_e 0]

Hi Kyla,

My op went off no problems. I stayed in hospital 2 nights but only cos I had to drive myself home (1hr drive). At 4 days post op I feel pretty good, only a bit stiff when I get up in the morning and if I move around too quickly. Dissolving panadol takes care of that.

Re the comments I have heard, which have been from slim people.

One couple said of a person who was banded 'we think it's really irresponsible of her & her Dr. She's not that fat that she needs an operation'. I said that they shouldn't make a judgement as they dont know what she has tried to do re losing weight and they dont know if she had any co-morbidities.

One of my close friends, who knows how I've battled with my weight, commented on another person ...'why cant she go to the gym, go walking, eat smaller amounts, join a diet group like weight watchers..you know, do normal things to lose weight instead of having surgery'

It seems it is only ok to have surgery if you are so overweight you can barely move.

And to hear the comments on those who have had the sleeve op! How crazy they are and all the disasters that MAY happen to them. Oh brother it makes me mad. I'd like for those people to experience what overweight people go through.

So I shall continue to say nothing but quietly try to educate these people if the subject comes up.

Jen

ps I think the general thought is that surgery is a drastic way to lose weight. I haven't heard anyone say it's a lazy way to lose weight.

Edited July 6, 2009 by jen_e
needed to add more info

[kyla68 0]

Hi Jen

It's good to hear the op went well !

I'm SO excited about mine I really can't wait - bring it on!

I'm even looking forward to the optifast!

It's sounds like you are similar to me weight-wise. I need to lose about 35-40 kgs and although I know that's probably not a huge amount to some people, but my weight has crept up and up over the years and I know that if I don't tackle this issue now it will only get worse.

Why wait until I have more and more weight related problems? Also, is it selfish to want a better quality of life for myself? I'm 40 now, so hopefully I'll be able to enjoy my new slimmer figure for many years to come.

I look forward to seeing your ticker tick it's way down to nothing, and I wish you huge successes in the future.

Best Wishes

Kyla x

[jen_e 0]

Hi Kyla,

Thanks for your best wishes.

That's what my Dr said 'why wait til you are bigger and have more health issues'..if you have had wt issues for years and tried really hard to lose weight numerous times he will do the op if your BMI is under 35. It does depend on the individual situation though.

I lost 20kg 18mths ago and of course...put most of it back on.

Good luck with your opti fast & op. I shall look forward to hearing how you go.

Take care,

Jen

[Beck10 0]

I told the poeple at work I had a stomach ulcer I had to had a op on, and I had to eat soft food till the scar heals, (ps people really don't care as long as you don't look sick). they just say OH really.

[Linny51 0]

Isnt it awful that we feel the need to hide the fact that we are having lapband surgery, dont worry! I am in the same boat, I am due to have mine in october when my private health cover kicks in...

I think we all have a fear of failing (yet again ) another diet.

I wish you all luck..I am so glad I found this support group..

Linda

[MyDreamsWillComeTrue 0]

You will be covered for sick pay as long as you have a certificate to stat the dates, and of coarse sick hours to use, they can't ask any questions and legally you don't have to give any explanation.