Atsirc

This is really funny because I am having the opposite problem... I'm SO hungry!! This is my first cycle since being banded (6/20) and I have had a pretty easy time making good choices and eating the right portions until this week. I am trying so hard to stay on track! Ugh!

I tried just about everything and my favorite is Muscle Milk. I wasn't allowed to mix the protein powder with milk so I found that chocolate muscle milk was the best with water!

My procedure lasted about an hour and a half because I had a hiatial hernia. Once they woke me up they took me to recover where I only stayed about 20 minutes. I think I was in there for such a short time because as soon as I woke up I was wide awake. As far as how you feel when you wake up- a lot of pressure. It felt difficult to catch my breath but not in a scary way. Once you start walking it feels like your guts might spill out (and it feels like that for several days). I was happy to have an overnight stay because it was my first surgery and I was still a bit nervous about being at home all freshly opened up. The next day I was SO ready to leave and they made sure to get me out asap because I had listened to them so well. Sorry, I know this is more information than you asked for... I wanted to feel prepared before the surgery!

I was SO nervous about the surgery that when they wheeled me into the OR I almost said "get me out of here!" Luckly they put the mask on me and the next thing I knew I was waking up! It was quite scary at first because you go to sleep feeling good and you wake up in pain but the fear only lasted a minute. Once I was up I was ready to start my banded life! Word of advice: Get up and walking AS SOON as you can, I swear it will make you feel better. I was walking 2 hours after surgery and the nurses couldn't keep me out of the hallway- my recovery was quick, easy, and complication free! Good luck!

I went back and forth quite a bit before my surgery. I felt like I was kind of giving up. Once I started feeling that way I thought of all the times I tried and failed. I finally decided to go ahead and have the surgery. Now that I have the band I am so happy. I have only been banded for 3 weeks but I am really starting to get a feel for the tool that I gave myself. When it comes right down to it just getting the band will not make you loose weight- you have to do the real work. Yes, the band will give you friendly (and sometimes not- so- friendly) reminders but it is me who makes the choice of what to put in my body. I think it's natural and great that you are really thinking about this and taking it seriously. Whatever choice you make- Good luck!

You can do this! I had a two week liquid diet and here's how I had to look at it: There was the sane, well (but overly) fed me and then there was the STARVING me who wanted to make poor choices. There were times when the starving me got the best of the situation but then I remembered that I made this choice to change my life when I was the sane me. You are almost there- it's worth it already and I'm only 3 weeks post- op!!!

Aetna was great! I had to do a three month diet that was monitored by my primary care doctor as well as a nutritionist. Once the paperwork was submitted I was approved in 3 days! If you have ANY questions just let me know!

Hello and welcome! I'm 27 and also live in Chicago! I'm about 3 weeks post- op... so excited the liquid diet and the surgery are over. Where are/ did you have your surgery?

I am two weeks post-op as well and I am going through some of the same feelings. I seem to be missing eating. It's crazy. It looks like I have to find a new hobby... other than food!

I've been cutting my food into small bites. I take a bite and put down my utensil and chew, chew, chew and swollow before I pick the utensil up again. Maybe this could help?

Don't feel bad! I was banded on the 20th also and have been on clear liquids since June 6th. I am trying to stop myself from licking everything in sight! It's good that you feel hungry! I was scared I would never feel hungry again... although that might have been a blessing.

It did not get easier for me until around day 10-12... sorry. It sucked more than the surgery!!! How long do you have to do it?

I was also banded on Monday! Congratulations! How are you feeling?

I've been putting together a list of mushy recipies for after surgery. Some really yummy (or they sound super yummy because I'm on clear liquids) are: Ricotta cheese and tomato sauce (kind of like a lasnga thing), Mushy peas, beans and cheese, cream of wheat, oatmeal, and potato salad. Just a few ideas...

I am on my 2 week pre- op liquid diet and for some insane reason I cheated last night. I really don't know how I convienced myself it was ok but I cheated BAD last night. I followed the diet to the "T" for a week and still have another week to go but last night something snapped in my head. I absolutely will not cheat again. Did anybody else cheat on their liquid diet and if so was your liver small enough? I feel horribly guilty! I know I messed up so please, I do not need a lecture. Thanks!

Ugh. 8 days in and I cheated! I'm SO mad at myself! I hope I didn't potentially mess up my surgery. I'm a week away, do you think it will make a difference? It was a BAD cheat. I feel so guilty!!! Has anybody else cheated?

Wow Cathy... That's a lot of money... for pre-op and for the band. I can only speak for myself but if my doctor were doing that I would RUN. Have you researched the surgeon? I would not be comfortable with a surgeon operating on me who allows scamming to go on. If you have already been through the process of being approved than just go find a legit medical center, you'll be approved in not time! But, I can only speak to what I would do. Best of luck!

I have an aunt that is fairly negative about it as well. She has been trying to quite smoking for years so I finally had to ask her, if you could have a fairly minor surgery and have your "smoker" taken out so that there was a good chance you could quite smoking... would you? It hit home with her. Good luck! I'm pretty nervous. My surgery is on June 20th. Keep us updated on how the surgery goes!

My surgery is quickly approaching (June 20th) and I'm so excited! My problem is that Doctors have always made me incredible anxious. I have not stayed a night in the hospital since I was born and have never had a reason to go to the ER. I don't know why not knowing what to expect at the hospital is making me feel this way. Honestly, I'm more anxious about the awake part of the hospital stay than the actual surgery! My surgeon requires an overnight stay to monitor you. What were your hospital stays like? Does/ did anybody else have anxiety about the hospital?

I had the same question about a month ago! I went through the 3 month program. What I did was see my primary care doctor and nutritionist once a month for three months. My pcp filled out a form that went over my diet for the month, my exercise, and my goals for the next month. The nutritionist and I would talk about the month (food, exercise, goals, ect.). When I saw both they documented my weight, and every month I lost (always between 1-4 lbs). After I completed my 3 months and done my psyc. eval and the labs the paperwork was submitted. The day after it was submitted the lap band clinic called me back to get any documentation going back 2 years that recorded my weight. Thankfully I remembered a clinic I went to about 4 years ago. After those records were faxed over I was approved within 2 days! If you have ANY other questions please feel free to email me: crista07@gmail.com I know I was a total wreck not knowing if what I had done was going to get me approved or if I would have to wait another 3 months! Good Luck!

I also have Aetna and was afraid that they would not approve me for the same reason. I have an old doctor's office send in my charts (which did not discuss weight or weight loss). The charts only documented my weight. Once I completed the 3 month nutritionist/ primary care doctor assisted diet they approved me within 3 days! Good luck!

My surgery is on June 20th... I would love to hear all about yours! Congratulations!

Hi Kristi! Wow... I'm so jealous of your pre-op diet! I have several Protein shakes that I really like but I've never really had a problem with protein shakes. I like the nectar Shakes at mybariatricpantry.com and I just tried unjury (Yummy!) and Muscle Milk. Since I have to do clear liquids I think I'm going to stick with UnJury because it's the best with just Water. My problem is the broth. It's so gross. Like SUPER gross... so today I'm venturing out to try and find a broth that I can tolerate on my pre-op and (2 week clear liquid) post- op diet. Any suggestions?? Crista

I really appreciate what you're saying here. I went through my 3 month diet and really tried to learn what having a band means and I have to admit, it was a struggle. This past month I have been trying to live like I am already banded and wow... it's made me feel great physically and emotionally. Once I got my approval I was so excited and I made some wrong food choices (thinking... I will never have this food again) but after I ate I felt awful. I felt like I was betraying all that I have learned and my new goals. Thankfully I stopped abusing my body and decided that I am going to make the next month of my life just as healthy as it will be after my surgery. You are so right about deciding that we are worthy of being healthy!

My surgery is June 20th. I'd love to hear about everybody's pre- op diets... How long do you have to be on all liquids? I start my CLEAR liquid diet on June 6th. I'm getting nervous about the liquid diet because I didn't realize it had to be clear liquids for 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after. Is everybody having their "last meals"? I wanted to but I'm nervous that it will make the liquid diet seem even worse. I'm restricting myself really well right now... what about you all?