minniekitty

Hey Mindy, welcome to the forums :Banane09:

double post, sorry.

I'm getting banded on August 12 (also self-pay), and the feeling of guilt for "taking the easy way out" crossed my mind a few times the past couple days. But, we have to remember that taking care of our health isn't selfish. You're actually helping your family by getting this surgery, because you'll likely be around much longer and your own quality of life will increase so much (and that positivity will definitely rub off on the people around you!). Second thoughts run abound, especially since you're so close to this life-saving and changing operation. I wish you the best of luck, and don't feel selfish for taking the time to take care of yourself

I started my pre-op diet (Atkins) early too because I've gained weight. I feel pretty crappy about it- depending on the time and scale I've gained 3-8 lbs. This low-carb diet is killing me, though. I must have forgotten the extreme carb withdrawal I went through the last time I was on Atkins!

Congrats I hope you have a smooth recovery!

I just use condoms now (every time), but I'm thinking about getting an IUD too. I used to be on birth control pills, but stopped taking them because they contributed to some rapid weight gain. A copper IUD would be the best thing for me. I personally don't want to stop using condoms, even if I get an IUD. Too many people I'm close to have had unplanned pregnancies (that of course turned their lives around), and I don't want to risk it- especially since I'm getting the band next week.

My band date is on the 12th. I'm also self-pay and I have 75 lbs to lose! I just started my pre-op diet today (2 days early). It's basically Atkins- high Protein, low carb. Part of me feels like I got lucky with my pre-op diet, but I'm also worried that I won't be prepared for my 30 day liquids-to mushies diet after my surgery! Good luck with all of the pre-op stuff. We're almost there

I don't have to start my pre-op diet until the 4th, but I decided to start it today because I gained 3 lbs these past few weeks from pigging out a little bit It's the high-protein, low-carb diet. So far, so good... but I guess I'll see how I'm doing a couple days from now. I use carbs as comfort, but I should be OK. Surgery is August 12!

You should get more potassium, too.

Congrats on being banded and welcome to the boards! You'll find that most people here are very helpful and compassionate. We're in this together! :bananajump:

I start my pre-op diet in a few days. I have to do the Atkins diet for a week before my surgery (on August 12). Farewell, dear carbs- you will be missed! :bananalama:

For a little while, I was stuck between the Lap Band and Gastric Sleeve. The Sleeve seems to be the new hot thing. Someone on another WLS board (for my surgeon- Dr. Aceves) even told me, "See you on the re-ops boards in about 2 years", after I defended my decision to go with the Band over the Sleeve several times over. I got fed up, and left that board for good. He does a lot of re-ops for band patients opting for the sleeve, and I guess those are the only patients that go to his message board anymore. None of these re-ops were banded by him- at least the ones that tried to shoo me away from the Lap-Band. Anyway, I would choose the BAND over any surgery involving cutting out parts of my insides. My weight loss goal is relatively low- I just hope I don't lose my weight too slowly and come to screeching halt. I know that lower weight loss goals means slower weight loss (especially with the band over other more invasive WLS), but I won't let it discourage me

Welcome, justmermp! I'm pretty new around here too, and I've found that the people here are so compassionate and a knowledgeable! You'll love it here

Hey, crazy lady! I'm getting banded on August 12. Isn't the anticipation crazy? I am also self-pay. Good luck with your journey

My band date is on August 12. I've been going through a roller coaster of emotions- a few days ago I was nervous as hell, and now I'm super excited. I think at this point, you should read all the success stories you can find on this site. I kept on reading all of the negative stuff, and it was freaking me out. The more positive you stay, the better you will feel. I'm sure in a day or two I will go back to feeling nervous. Even though we haven't been banded yet, this is all a process to get us mentally ready to face the surgery. It's completely human to feel nervous about people cutting into you!

Oh, I know what you mean. I have a bag full of pants from 30-40 lbs ago that I was thinking about giving away, but it's hard to let go of them just in case I fit into them again. They've p---ed me off for so long, but now they're a source of hope. Of course, being able to go into a "normal" store and buy their clothes is an even bigger motivation I hate going to the mall and only being able to try clothes at Lane Bryant and Torrid..

I heard that catheters cause the worst pain a man can have. When my dad was in the hospital, he called them "spears". I'm probably not really adding to the thread, though... You shouldn't let the fear of catheters get in the way of considering Lap-Band surgery- a small price to pay for a happier life. You'll probably be drugged up in happy land if they put one in you. I'm getting the band on August 12, and all sorts of fears are running through my mind. I just have to focus on the bigger picture, and so do you! It'll be all worth it

I have to agree with the other posters here. 5 days post-op to regular foods seems AWFULLY quick, even if it's what your nutritionist told you. My post-op diet won't let me back on regular foods for 30 days. I guess every doctor has a different plan, but yours has the fastest recovery period I've read about. I would recommend taking it easy on the regular foods, so your body can heal. Good luck with your Lap-Band journey

Hey. I looked at your profile and saw that I was only a few months older than you. I can understand how parents can have a big role as a support system, but it is your life. If your mom was supportive of you getting gastric bypass, then she should be OK with you getting the band. Maybe it's because you've backed out of WLS before, and she wants to make sure you're serious about it. My parents aren't thrilled about the surgery, but they understand my weight struggle. My dad has brain cancer, so understandably my WLS surgery and journey aren't much of a priority and is on the back burner in my family. I will be doing this mostly on my own. It might be hard, but it's doable. Just try to explain to your mom how you've tried Weight Watchers 2 times before, and it didn't work. The band has you lose weight the "real way", but you have assistance and something to fall back on so you don't fail along the way. It doesn't do the weight loss for you- you do it on your own.

I contacted Ultimate Nutrition, and I did get some free samples. Just make sure to emphasize that you want to lose weight, because I got samples for weight-gaining powders for body builders, haha XD. I'm going to give them to my dad who has cancer and is seriously underweight. Whatever helps To be fair, I also got 2 samples of the regular Protein powder (25g of protein and 120 calories!), so that's great. Premier Nutrition currently isn't offering free samples. Set Point Health will give you a sample of four products (you can choose which ones) on their website for $10 USD (no shipping). So, no free samples, but it's a decent deal. Thanks again for this awesome list!

I'm 23 and I have 70-80 lbs to lose. I hope my skin snaps back in place, but I'm almost certain that I will need a TT and perhaps a breast life or augmentation if I lose my boobs (I'm only a 38C now). I have a huge gut. Should I even bother in case I have kids in the future and all the PS goes to waste? I hate my paunch Most of my excess weight is centralized in my gut and if I could just cut it off now, I would! I don't even mind the rest of my body. Ug, if only extensive super-liposuction were an option. (venting)

Good luck

I'm sorry to hear about your friend. The band's mortality rate is significantly lower than gastric bypass, if that eases your mind (0.05% compared to a 0.5-2% mortality rate). It does come with its risks, and they've given me some second thoughts as well. I haven't been banded yet, so I can't tell you if it was really worth it or not. I'm scheduled for surgery on August 12, so I can understand the panic. It's a huge life-changing decision, but definitely the safest out of all WLS procedures.

My parents, sister, aunt, and boyfriend know. I did tell my best friend I was thinking about it, but she gave me the typical "why don't you just diet and exercise?" lecture, so I'm not going to tell her that I actually went through with it. I haven't had it yet, but I think I'm just going to tell her that I dieted and exercised. It's a shame, because she's obese like I am and I would have hoped that she'd be more supportive (and maybe interested in it herself). My parents know because they're paying for it as a graduation present. My boyfriend knows because I'm sure he'll want to know why the heck I have cuts on my stomach. And, I could use the support of someone outside my family. My aunt's coming with me when I have the surgery (she had her sleeve by the same surgeon). My sister knows because she lives with my parents and kind of picked it up. I'm not telling anyone else. People can be so judgmental and vicious, especially concerning the taboo of WLS. Maybe after I lose the weight, I'll gain the confidence to be more open. But for now, I'm staying in my own little shell of discretion.

I say you should reward yourself with cute new clothes that you couldn't fit into before