Getting Banded 12-4-09, New to this site, Looking for some advice

[bella5425 0]

rachel,

i was banded 6 months ago and i felt a lot of the same fears you are feeling. i didn't have to do a pre-op diet but i was so focused and determined to make it work. i actually had a "funeral" for fat me before the surgery to let go of all the behaviors that helped get me to 315 pounds. i have lost 80 pounds in 6 months and yeah, i have gotten stuff stuck - i had a piece of chicken that was stuck once for 36 hours but that was an isolated incident i believe. normally, if it gets stuck you will either have slime or you will throw up and you will feel a lot better. you have to take bites of food that literally are the size of your pinky nail. my dr gave me a special fork and you have to chew like crazy. i was a serious dr pepper addict before the band and ate about 4000 calories a day. i made myself a promise that my car would never go to mcdonald's or burger king again and i would never walk in there and i never have. in a weak moment, i did drive and sit in the parking lot twice but came to my senses and left. you will do just fine and it will be such a life changing event. i recommend before your surgery, have someone take a before pic and your measurements so you have something to look back at. if you ever want to chat, my email is southernbella67@yahoo.com i have a few friends on here and we email each other pretty much daily encouraging each other. take care!

katie

[ElfiePoo 109]

Hi Rachel,

First, remember that you're doing this for yourself and don't concern yourself about what others think or feel. If people continue to offer negativisms, I would very politely thank them for their concerns but let them know that they haven't walked in your shoes, nor done the research that you've done and so are really not qualified to offer 'advice'.

I just had my lap band put in on 11/3. My doctor did not require any pre-op diet except for Clear liquids 24 hours prior to surgery. However, for two weeks prior to surgery, I drank Isopure chocolate shakes 2-3 for Breakfast and lunch and then ate a regular dinner. I have to admit that I was hitting some of my favorite places (Taco Bell, the Greek restaurant, etc.) for a 'last meal' but was careful not to overdo it. In fact, I shared my meals with my mom or husband most of the time.

I haven't had anything but Clear Liquids since around 10 p.m. Sunday and I have to say that I still have not been hungry. Once or twice my stomach grumbled a bit but I just threw in another Protein shake and all was better.

I did tell people. I refuse to hide what I've done as if it is something to be embarrassed about. Yes, I've had one or two people who've been negative and said I'm 'taking the easy way out' (yeah right), but for the most part I've had total support...even from those who don't understand the struggles I've had with food. My mother-in-law, who is french, has been talking on the phone with family and friends in France and my mom has been talking to friends in New Zealand and the complete support and well wishes from everyone are just phenomenal.

[Astrasmom 1]

Hey Everyone....This is my first post! trying to figure this whole site out! Heres my brief story: I am 23 years old. I am a registered nurse in a surgical ICU. I am working towards becoming a NP. I have been heavy most of my life, and finally going to get WLS. I am getting banded 12-4-09 and It seems like forever away!!! I start my pre-op diet Nov 24 and nervous about feeling SO hungry. I am not afraid of surgery, but I am nervous about getting food stuck afterwards....I have been reading posts from people and it has me TERRIFIED! Do you really have to chew your food for a really long time before you can swallow?? I am just looking for some advice and words of encouragement, and any tips you can give to get me through the liquid diet, surgery, and life after surgery!

Thanks in advance!!:thumbup:

I was banded on Oct 23. I feel AWESOME. I have lost 20 lbs since surgery. All together from the pre-op diet until now I have lost 30 lbs. I am starting to get some energy. I'm able to exercise now like I couldn't do before. To be honest with you, I HATED the pre-op diet but I made it through. Ok so I cheated a couple of times with a peice of cheese. Nothing huge though. The liquid phase wasn't that bad until 2 days before I started mushies which I am on right now and I'm really not hungry at all. My pain is all gone. I was on pain pills for about 3-4 days after I came home from the hospital. I didn't use much pain medication in the hospital. I walked alot after surgery in the hospital. I only had to stay 1 day. It wasn't that bad. The barium that I had to swallow the day after surgery for my X-RAYS was horrible.

You learn how to chew slow. My nutritionalist suggested that we use baby spoons to eat so that we don't get large portions in our mouths at one time. I usually take about 30 minutes to eat my meal. If you eat slower the hunger stays away longer too. And the protien shakes aren't that bad.

This is the most important thing that I have ever done in my life. I am so happy that I went through with it. I had several supporters. I work in an alternative school and we have a staff of 11. They all knew about my surgery and they support me. My family supports me. My husband is starting to come through. He was hell at first because he didn't want to see me 'cut open' again. In 2001 I had open heart surgery for an aortic aneurysm. So he didn't think surgery was necessary and that if I just went on a diet I would lose the weight. After telling him over and over again I HAVE DONE THE DIET THING, he finally stepped back. He's now pretty supportive of my surgery. I have struggled with weight for most of my life and I finally got tired of feeling the way I feel. So I knew I had to do something if I wanted to live.

My advice as someone else said. You are doing this for you. If you feel comfortable telling people them go ahead. In my personal experience I've only told a few select people. I'm sure when I start losing more weight people will ask and I will more then likely tell them.

Second advice is once you do get banded. I weigh EVERYTHING. It helps to keep yourself on track or you tend to take a bit more then you should.

Edited November 5, 2009 by Astrasmom

[KarynA 0]

Hi Rachel,

I'm getting banded the same day as you! I'm also feeling excited/anxious. In regard to telling people, it is completely up to you and how you feel. I have told most people and have only had 2-3 negative responses. 2 saying that I didn't need it, because i'm not that 'BIG'. These two people have never tried to lose weight in their life. So I just said it's my decision and then ignored them. The third person is one of my closest friends and she was worried for my health as she knew someone that had a bad experience. She has come around now that I have explained it more.

I'm so proud to have made the decision to have the WLS, and i'm happy to tell people. I have a good friend who is getting it done in Feb 2010, she isn't telling anyone, that's her choice though.

Rachel and kslessar, I just found out that I'm getting banded on 12/4 as well! I hope you'll both stay in touch... My husband knows, a friend of mine at work knows and I plan on telling my boss and sister - but I think that's it. We'll see. I think (or I hope anyway) that it might eventually become obvious.

[MommyJD 4]

Good luck Rachel! Im almost exactly a year ahead of you (banded 12/9/08), and can honestly say it was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Still have a little way to go, but my BMI has dropped from 41 to 29 in less than a year and I feel amazing. Dont panic about the stories of food getting "stuck" etc. Eating with a band takes some getting used to, but its not painful. There will be some things (like untoasted bread) that you are likely to have problems with, but you will actually get to a point where you just dont crave the things that dont work well for you. I know thats hard to believe. Honestly. I think its like having an allergy to those foods. . .after a few times of reacting (which basically consists of feeling like you want to throw up) your head starts to tell you that you dont like those things anymore. As far as I can tell it unfortunately never tells you that you dont like ice cream anymore. . .so its not like you start to just crave carrots. :cursing: Recovery from surgery is way easier than you imagine. . .just stay calm and ease into trying new foods. Best of luck!!