jen_1381

It's most likely irritation from the intubation (putting the tube down your throat). When you drink something cold, can you feel it go all the way down through your chest? I've had that happen after a few surgeries. Weird feeling! The soreness goes away after a few days but the cold feeling can stay a while.

The program I'm with has two phases of diet plans. I'm in the first one now (the "Bariatric Surgery Diet) where I'm eating only from 4 food groups - protein, dairy, fruit, and veggies. I'm practicing all of the skills of being banded - eating slowling, chewing 26 times, no liquids with meals. I eat 3 meals a day and 2 protein drinks as snacks. The next phase will be the "Pre-Op" which is 2-4 weeks of skim milk for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They said their main goal with the first phase is to make sure I can change my eating behaviors and they should see some weight loss. If I don't follow it I'm not a candidate for surgery.

With my program there is two. Today I did a 2 hour session of basically a bubble test. It was 589 questions (MMPI) then an eating questionnaire and about 10 'about me' type forms. Next week they will have my results and I go meet with the psychiatrist. I think they just want to make sure I have realistic expectations, am capable of handling change, and have appropriate support.

I totally get portion control, and I had no problem cutting out the bad things when I did a VLCD, but when I did start slipping off it, I would mess up say, at lunch, and just figure the rest of the day was ruined and eat horrible the rest of the day, instead of getting back on track with a healthy snack and dinner. I'm excited to talk with the dietician tomorrow.

Once I get through this appointment, I have my two psych evals (well, part 1 then part 2 a few days later) and should be able to see the surgeon after the first week of April. I'm really hoping for an early May surgery. Fingers crossed!

Thanks for the insight ladies! I guess my thinking is that I don't want to have the band placed just to go back to eating my old ways - I want to start a new way of structured, disciplined eating that won't involve the cinnamon rolls, sour patch kids, ice cream, etc. Those things will be a very-rare occurance versus a weekly treat like they are now.

Also - I've talked with a few lap band patients that say they absolutely can't stomach bread without throwing up afterwards. I'm not a huge bread-eater, but the permanence of some foods not being pleasent anymore is kind of hitting home.

Are there some foods that you just can't handle post-op? I know everything is about portion, chewing, and giving your body what it needs first (protein, veges, the fruit) and that's what I want my focus to be on. Mentally, I'm an "all or nothing" kind of girl (hence making myself quit coffee - I can't do one cup a day - I do one POT a day).

It's much easier for people looking from the outside to tell someone to "diet". Well...most times, overweight people HAVE tried dieting. We all know how hard dieting is, and how much it really sucks when we fail.

For me, the decision was one I made for ME. I appreciate my husbands support and feel lucky to have it. I know I won't have support from certain people so I'm not telling them. It's a choice I made, a very difficult and thought-out one, and one that I'm going to have to live with for the rest of my life. But it will also give me my life back. I won't feel uncomfortable in my own skin anymore. And to me...that's worth a little judgement or discouragement from a few people, because it's ME that's getting my life back, not them.

Do what feels right in your heart, but I think if you've gotten to the point that WLS feels like the best option, you know what is best.

As for the emotional feelings..find another outlet. I'm a "bored eater" so when I start feeling like snacking, I'll get up and sweep the basement, or clean the bathroom, something to keep my focus busy and energy going. Seeing a therapist will also be a great help. Someone to talk to that's not involved in the situation can be a breath of fresh air.

Good luck to you, and keep us updated on what you decide!

Welcome!

I have a little knowledge but each system is different. I work with a group of primary care pysicians, and typically on the first visit it's a "get to know you" session but if you made the appointment with the intentions of discussing your weight, they may give you the referral. Otherwise, if you've been established long enough with your GYN (since they were the one suggesting it) I would give their office a call and just explain that you would like a referral from them since you're just getting set up with a PCP and want to get this done sooner rather than later.

I am going through SW! Dr. Cagle gave the presentation, and while I'm sure she's a great surgeon I want someone whose on board with what I want. I won't consider bypass. I know the procedures have gotten much safer, but I don't want to mess around with stapling the stomach, attaching intestine, etc. I've heard Dr. Jan isn't the warm-and-fuzzy type from a few people! I don't need that in a surgeon - most surgeons aren't that way anyhow - so I think I'm going to request him over the other two.

Morelgirl - how are you doing with your band?

Hi Michelle!

I'm also new to the blogging and Banding! I'm going to the seminar tonight. My insurance has been pretty cut and dry about the approval requirements, and I fit them, so I'm hoping for a smooth process (but doubt I will get it!).

I just wanted to say - I noticed not only a weight gain but also a resistance in losing weight after my hysterectomy. I did well with my immediate post-op HRT but had to switch 6 months after surgery and literally gained 15 lbs in a month! I insisted I switch back to the original HRT (Vivelle Dot) after a few months.

Good luck with the insurance piece! I'm nervous and excited for the seminar tonight. I've been looking forward to it for a week!