anewchapter

Thanks everyone. I thought about this some more last night and I'm going to proceed with surgery. After thinking about it, I'm sure those that thyroid medicaiton did help are probably not on this board anyway. I also realize that having hypothyroidism did not cause my food addiction, I did, and the addiction is what I want to over come. With the support from the band and the clinic I'm going through I feel as though I will be able to achieve this. If they give me medicaiton to help with my thyroid then great. I might have more energy, not be so tired all the time and my body might be able to stay in harmony a little better...all of which will give me an extra boost with my existing weight loss efforts.

Hello Everyone, I just found out that I may have a low functioning thyroid (which I'm sure you all know causes weight gain, depression, fatigue and other issues) and now I'm wondering if I should be going through with this surgery or trying to treat the thyroid issue first. Of course the surgery is scheduled for Monday, this is the first time I have considered cancelling and now I don't know what to do. I am going to see my nurse practitioner tomorrow. But I'm kinda freaking out! My question is does anyone else have hypothyroidism that is being treated but still having or have had surgery??? Thanks

I'm on the 15th

I am a week from surgery and still struggle with this too. Only because I've failed so many times in the past and want to wait and see what happens before I start telling everyone. However there is a part of me that wants to shout it from the roof tops. I haven't even told my room mate yet. She works at a health food store and were not that close, I'll probably tell her cause it will just be easier with recovery, but that's the only reason. Someone posted to be prepared for the word to get around and she is right I think. I told a close friend and also told her I wouldn't be telling everyone and to keep it to herself. She is not someone I thought would have said anything, then the other day she tells me that she was talking to one of my other friends (although we are not close) and told her!!!!! I was really pissed off. It was not her business to tell. So I guess in the long run people will know it's just a matter of when. I think keeping it between a few close friends and family in the start is a good thing. It is a stressful time and we need to make it as stress free as possible.

Glad to hear you are doing well

I started my pre-op diet on Monday and was doing good, then I had a bit of trouble last night and eat something I shouldn't have because I let myself get to hungry. But I learned my lesson and I'm right back on it today! We will make it through our pre-op diets!! Just keep trying Just keep telling yourself you can do anything for two weeks!! (Got that from someone else here) It helps me.

Me too! Infact I put on a variety of outfits (some that fit, some a bit tight, and one I couldn't even get done up) on Monday and took some great before pictures.

My parents are also not very supportive with this process and my decision. My Dad is trying, in fact he offered to drive me to and from surgery, but he has issues with it. My Mom basically doesn't say anything I will keep reminding myself: It's my decision.....not theirs! This is for me.....not for them!

Can't wait to read some updates from those of you that were banded in the last couple days. How are you doing? How was the surgery? Keep us informed.

August 15th here too

My 2 week pre-op diet is not a liquid diet but very strict. No grains, fruit, cheese, nuts, sugar, fat. Basically just Protein and veggies. I started 2 weeks before this to try and eliminate things like pop, drinking with meals, snacking. I am trying a variety or Protein drinks (so I have the ones I like ready for post op). Trying to cut back on the not allowed items above. I just didn't want the 2 week pre-op to be a shock to my system. Some days I do well all day, most days I only do well till I get home from work....which is always my downfall. I hope you get your endoscopy appointment soon!

Well this was exactly were I was about 10-15 days ago, then I thought I would put a 2 week plan together to prepare me for my 2 week pre op diet (basically start cutting things out slowly - I posted the plan in another topic). The first week went pretty good. Then today during my pre-op phone consult with the nut she went over the pre-op diet with me, which I had already read over in the manual they gave me, I freaked out when she said no grains of any kind. I went straight to the grocery store after work and bought bagels and had 2 for dinner then continued to make a cake. What the heck!! But my name is Erinn, and I'm a food addict. That's the bottom line. I will continue to follow my plan after this little bump in the road. And surgery is only 3 weeks away. It seems like yesterday it was 6.

Thanks Melinda for your reply. I think it's good to get a plan in place as soon as your ready for one. For some the pre-op diet might be their preparation, but I just couldn't keep going the way I was going right up to pre-op diet. In my mind, my pre-op diet has already started. I should also mention, I have also recommitted to get active. I will use my YMCA membership to do some kind of activity Mon, Wed and Thursday after work. I thought this was realistic for the summer I also walk to work Mon-Fri, but it's only a 15 min walk. I also should mention I tested out a Protein powder my room mate had last week, not very good, but I thought I could handle it. Instead she brought home some samples last night and the one I had today was so good! I'm excited I found one I like. I wasn't sure if I could do the Protein shakes, but so far so good I will keep looking for others that are good too.

Although I have been "trying to lose weight" over the last 2 years (15yrs in total), I think I had really given up on myself. Seeings how in that time frame I've gained 30 pounds. I gave up on my abilities to be a healthy person, because it really is a skill and I do have it, I somehow forgot and tossed in the towel. Deciding to have WLS is my way to stand up for myself, so to speak. My surgery is August 15 and I start my pre-op diet August 1 which is basically a no carb diet (Protein shakes not required). So last week I asked myself, am I going to continue to 'give up' right up untill the pre-op diet is to start?? Or am I going to make changes right now?? I decided that because the pre-op diet and the diet I will be following after surgery are so different from what I was consuming, I better start making the changes now. It means I get an additional two weeks to try and change my mind and my habits. So this is my plan: June 18 – 24 · No drinks with meals (wanted to start this early, because it is such a habit for me to drink something with a meal) · Limit pop (I don't drink much pop, so this shouldn't be to hard) · Protein shake for Breakfast Mon-Fri · No snack before dinner (3 meals, 2 Snacks a day) · Limit carbs June 25 – 31 · No drinks with meals · No pop · Protein shake for breakfast Mon-Fri · No snacks before lunch or dinner (3 meals, 1 snack a day) · Limit carbs and sugar · Smaller portion for lunch August 1 – 14 (Pre-op diet starts) · No drinks with meals · No pop · Protein shake for breakfast everyday · No carbs, fruit, sugar, cheese, alcohol · No snacking (3 meals a day) · Smaller portion for lunch and dinner I thought this plan would get me into the right frame of mind not only before surgery but also before the pre-op diet. Small changes to gain momentum and produce big changes What will you do?? Continue with your current eating habits right up until pre-op diet or start to make changes now??

I would rather have a few small incisions, a better recovery and less pain then one large incision, longer recover and more pain. Just my thoughts.

Thanks so much. I wish we could all be bumped up

I'm so excited....they had a cancellation at my surgeon's office and I've been bumped up a week. Now getting banded August 15th and pre-op diet starts August 1st. Every day sooner is a bonus

Thanks so much. This is for me and I do have to keep reminding myself of that. I always want to make sure everyone is happy and sometimes that means I'm not...but that will change. And forsure I'll keep you posted. For no....I've decided I'm not going to tell her. Thanks

Thank you everyone for your input. It was all very helpful. I know this surgery will be the key to getting my life back on track. I also know that I will be the one making the choices and the band is just a helpful tool to keep track of my portions....which is the biggest issue for me. I also have to keep reminding myself about all the times I have lost and gained it back. I know I can lose weight, but this time I won't be allowed to gain it back. Thanks again

At mine I filled out their patient questionnaire, which was very in-depth. Then I meet with the director of patient services and we just discussed the procedure (pre-op and post), why I wanted it, what I wanted to get out of it. I was able to ask all the questions I had prepared. She was very nice and was also a patient 10 years ago. I had already been looking into this procedure for 2 years on and off. Had a consult over the phone at a different clinic but wasn't mentally and financially ready at the time. I already knew I was ready to sign up but wanted to meet some of the staff in person. So after our discussion I put down the money required to book a surgery day and got my binder of stuff and setup a date to come for my pre-surgery visits with the surgeon and other staff. Hope that helps. I am self pay though and do not have to wait on insurance....and I'm in Canada. So the process is different I think.

Well I finally had a decent conversation with my mother about my upcoming surgery. She is going to support my decision but feels that surgery should only be done in life-threatening circumstances. She thinks I should try overeaters anonymous. I have looked into OA but the 12 step program just doesn't look like it would be for me. I held my ground and advised her this is a life threatening situation. Because although my weight only causes me physical and emotional pain right now I will most likely develop other issues due to being 100lbs overweight. However, after the conversation I started thinking about OA and trying to do this on my own again.....sometimes I feel like a yo-yo. I wish she understood more what it's like to be this way. Just needed to vent this today. I will go through this surgery and I will get my life back. It's hard when your support system isn't as strong as you'd like it to be.

Thanks everyone for your replies...very very helpful...I think I will go with the hernia repair instead of gallbladder. I don't like to lie to people either, but sometimes it's just none of their business.

Hello All, Wow, I seem to have a lot of questions today..... I know that telling people about my lapband is my decision. Part of me wants to tell the world and the other part doesn't want anyone to know. I read the "food police" discussion and it has got me thinking. I have told my parents and a couple of my closest friends aobut my decision. However the problem is that I rent my extra bedroom to a girl that, honesty, I don't want her to know. She never really had any issues with food or her weight till she was 25-30 (we are now both 33). In the last year she has lost 50 lbs and is basically at her goal. She is really not a close friend of mine, it just works out well for us both to be roommates. I really don't want to tell her and we don't eat very many meals together, but I just don't see it being possible not to tell her because we live together. Any thoughts?? Could it be possible to have this surgery and not tell someone you live with??

Not sure if this pertains to anyone on this board, but are there any patients from the CIBO client in Toronto?? If so, can you give your oppinion/experience?? I have my surgery on August 22 and I'm getting so excited but nervious at the same time. Thanks

This could be my story as well...... I think there is a notion that WLS is to drastic and people that don't have a additive issue with food say..."just eat health and exercise". To them I'd like to say, "Wow, holy @#%$% is that the key? Why didn't someone tell me this before? Ok, that's what I'll do". Like as if we haven't tried that before. If that was the key we'd all be at a healthy weight. Food addiction is just that....an addiction. And like any addiction drastic steps need to be taken to be successful at kicking the addiction. I'm so happy for you with your 80lb lost and I wish you all the best in your journey to lose the other 100 and keeping it all off. Most importantly, I hope you can overcome your food issues that caused you to gain 180lbs. That is what I am most hopeful for in my journey.