Presurgery Questions...

[kels764 0]

So I am 21 years old and just finished my 6th dietitian appointment. My paperwork is being submitted to the insurance company and will be approved/denied within 30 days. Is it normal for me to be a nervous wreck? Is it sad that Im more nervous about not being able to eat what I enjoy than the actual surgery?

My problem is I have a pituitary tumor that messes with my taste buds....and also causes me to have cravings. I can eat the same thing for a week in a row and then never want to touch it again. And from what I hear some of my favorite things I wont be able to eat (like chicken and dumplings)

Im wondering if you ever feel pleased with what you eat? do you get used to it? does losing the weight end up being so enjoyable that you forget about the good things you want to drink or eat (dr pepper!!) ??

Im so ready to be healthy and happy and be able to dress like a 21 year old and not a 51 year old. Im ready for my knees to feel like they are 21 and not 71.

Please give me some advice? some encouragement? It'd be much appreciated!

sorry for rambling!:sad:

[timmmers 0]

Welcome to LapBandTalk Kels764!

I was banded 11 days ago, so I have not had too much experience with the band myself, but I had researched the band for 1.5 years before deciding to get banded. Like you, I also feared not being able to eat the foods that I "love" more than the surgery (though, I sure did fear the surgery the day of), but I got to tell you what I learned. First of all, you are actually able to eat quite a variety of foods. Some people make claims that you can't eat anything afterwards, but I think those are probably people who got gastric bypass, etc, and just want others to do the same thing they did. So, to clear things up, you will be able to eat a lot of those foods you like to eat now. However, every bandster is different. Some people can eat rice with no problems, others can't; some people can eat pasta; others can't; some people can eat chicken and dumplings; others can't. So, unfortunately, nobody can tell you for sure if you will or will not be able to eat certain types of food.

However, if you want to be successful with the band, you will need to grow a new relationship with food. The band is a tool - not a magic device. If you really wanted to, you *could* eat absolutely anything with the band... especially bad liquidy foods. To be successful means using the tool to it's best ability, and working on the other things that helped you get to where you are now. Personally, I found a counsellor two months before I got banded, and I worked with her once a week on dealing with those issues. Being able to get my mindset into the right place, so that I don't just sabotage myself was really important.

As for feeling full.. though I'm just banded, I can tell you that you will definitely have a different sensation of fullness. Will you ever have that "omg I ate so much I feel so full and feel like passing out" feeling?... probably not. Personally, I was addicted to that feeling, so not being able to feel it ever again has been (and still is) something I need to work on. BUT, on the contrary, I have never once felt hungry, and I am able to eat such a small amount of food (in comparison to what I used to eat) and I feel satisfied... and then don't even think about food for at least 4 hours! This feeling is so strange, and really has my mind boggled as my entire life I have never felt this. It truly is a wonderful feeling and very liberating.

If there is one thing I could make sure you understood from my ramblings, is that everyone is different, so the best way to get a good idea of what you will go through after (and even before) getting banded is to READ a lot of posts, ASK a lot of questions, and be open minded to different viewpoints.

I wish you the best of luck! Take care ~

Tim

[kels764 0]

thank you so much for your input. Ive been reading up on different people's experiences and Im not sure if it comforts me or scares me more lol. Im excited for the surgery though, because like you...Ive never felt full before.

I know in my heart I am ready for the surgery and without it I will surely die....but I just have those what if's in the back of my mind...

thanks again!!:sad:

[Enchanted 2]

I am usually pleased with what I eat. I don't eat all of the same foods that I used to eat, but enough of them to not miss any single thing consistently.

I think what's been important is that I cook good food for myself. I'm eating less of it and want the highest quality I can get. Meals can still be special and fun - they are just different now.

xo