linda0084

Hi All Bandsters, I was banded on October 9. Anyone out there banded around that time still feeling pain? I'm trying to decide if this is just the normal, muscles healing type of thing or if there is more to it. I try to remind myself it hasn't even been a month yet so some soreness may be expected, but it's a little irritating. Also, anyone out there banded then now feel like you can eat pretty much as before? I feel like it's just sheer self control keeping me from eating just like I used to. I will get my first fill next month, hopefully. I expect things to be different then. Thoughts anyone??

I'm a bit disappointed. I am still very sore. I feel like I can eat as before, although I have not cheated once. I'm not losing very much and feel like what was the point in going through all this? I'm hoping it gets better.

Hello Folks, I'm wondering if this is normal or not...please let me know what you all think. I'm not really feeling the gas any more and that's good. Had the surgery on the 9th. However, it's a lot easier to swallow liquids than I thought. I'm not trying to over do it by any means, but it's just so much easier than I thought. There have been a couple of times that I have felt a little pressure and it was not comfortable, but nothing really terrible like I was told I may experience if I over did it. Now I'm not sure what over doing it is! I'm on all liquids. I'm trying to be obedient on everything, but I'm not sure how much is too much. Especially considering they want me to try and get in at least 64 ounces of liquids a day. I have lost 22 pounds since I started this whole process and I just don't want to go backwards. I go on Mushys next Friday. Suggestions? Thoughts? Anything? Thanks!

Hello Folks, Had mine done on the 9th. Stayed over night due to the late time of day I ended up having surgery. Came home on Wednesday. I'm doing pretty well. Having a harder time than I thought with remembering to sip very small amounts. It's very uncomfortable when that happens! I hope everyone is doing well. I'm just really sore. Hoping that goes away during the next couple of days. Going back to work on Monday. It seems surreal. It seemed like such a long way to this point, but the time went by pretty quick. I just want to stay obedient to the diet now so all of this doesn't end up being for nothing.That would really stink! To go through all of this and not lose weight because I don't follow the rules. Best wishes to everyone!

Anyone out there having or had surgery with Dr.Halmi or any doctor in this group? Just curious about your feeling about how things have gone or are going with them.

Ok folks, who's a little concerned about getting enough fluids, calories in the first few days post OP? I am a little. After my final visit with the nutritionist it just hit me that it might be a little tricky at first. How did those of you who have done this do post OP? Any suggestions?

You have done amazing! 21 in a week! Wow. I hope they approve you!

Hello everyone! I'm drawing close to my date, October 9. I've been on my Optifast for 10 days. I've learned a few things in the past ten days. First of all, yes, this is hard, but we can't keep saying that over and over and making it even bigger in our head than it already is. Acknowledge it's hard. Move on. Keep your hands and mind busy with something other than dwelling on what we already know. Second, I have to retrain my brain that the way I've thought about food in the past cannot be the same way I think about it in the future. Otherwise, the band will fail and this will have all been for nothing. This requires LIFE CHANGE. Not just a couple of weeks before surgery, forever. No, it doesn't have to be Optifast or liquids only forever, but the change must be permanent. If we do things the way they've always been done then we will get the same results we've always gotten. I hope so much for all of us we can make that permanent change. We will have hard days, we will have times we eat the wrong thing and thats part of life We can't get stuck in the rut over that and let it derail our goals like we all have in the past. I know thats a very bold and generalized statement, but I'd be willing to bet we have all gone down that path, or we wouldn't be on this path. I say this to remind myself and hopefully encourage someone else. Yes, protein drinks will never, EVER be as good and yummy as an extra thick milkshake from Maggie Moo's. However, nothing will ever taste as good as skinny (at least a lot thinner ) will feel.

IDK how ya'll can stand going through all of this without approval! It would make me crazy! My doctor's office wouldn't even schedule surgery without an approval letter. I think this is a hard pre-op thing to do, but I know we will all be better for it down the road. Good job to all of us!!

Hi there folks! I'm getting banded on a Tuesday, the 9th and will return to work on the following Monday. I'm hoping it goes as well as my gall bladder surgery did a few years ago. I was back at work on the Monday after I had surgery on Friday. I've been on Optifast since Tuesday. Lost 6 pounds so far. It's not easy skipping on regular meals and having the optifast but if I can't handle this, how can I handle the band and make the changes I need? I'm so glad to have this website. I've read a lot of good post and articles. It's been a great encouragement.

This was such a great article. It so well articulates how I've felt about this journey and have not been able to put into words. It's also a great encouragement. I will be banded very soon and reading articles like this help me feel even more convinced that using the lap band as a tool to assist me in my weight loss is a great choice. Of course the key words being tool and assist. Thank you!

I'm so happy to hear of you all doing so well and home so quick! That's awesome. I hope it continues to go so well.

I know even within different insurance companies depending on the specific plan they can have different requirements. It's really very hard to generalize on this. i say just go to an office who has their act together on the process. I've been really frustrated at times because it seems like so much to do, but I was approved on the first try and I know it's because the office I have gone through has their act together on the requirements and how to get things done. Blue Point Surgical Group. I learn something after every appointment. No matter how frustrating it gets, if you know this is for you, don't give up. Just keep moving forward. Best wishes!

I was told at my very first visit there would be a pre-op diet. It was part of the "introduction" meeting. The nutrionist spoke of this several times as well. I suppose it all depends on your surgeons point of view. I am with Bluepoint Surgical Group in Northern Virginia. They seem to have a lot of "rules" that made me crazy at first. But, I now that I'm at the point of pre-op diet I understand it much better.

I'm October 9 too! I'm in Northern Virginia

That's great news! I feel excited too. I'm set for Oct. 9 surgery date. It's been a process to get here but it's really happened faster than I thought it would. I hope it all goes well for you. Are you on a pre-op diet yet or will they require that?

How's it going for you? I hope you're approved! You may decide you can go without it if the WW works for you.

Hello Folks! Starting my pre-op diet today! I've read so many post over the past few months. Nothing can compare to staring down the pre-op Optifast yourself though. I'm on Optifast and have 1 protein bar, 4 "shakes" 1 soup (Optifast soup of course) a day. I'm allowed up to 3 sugar free jello and 3 sugar free popsicles a day. Sugar free drinks are ok too, but water is encouraged. I'm really hoping this is a kick starter for me. I can totally see how if you can't handle a couple weeks of this the lapband will definitely be more of a challenge than it already will be. I had so many questions for my doctor and the nutritionist I'm required to see about why Optifast. Essentially according to the office I'm working with Optifast will deliver enought protein and other essentials and help me lose some weight before surgery and shrink my liver. Both of which are said to make the healing and surgery go much better. I'm not expecting it to be a walk in the park, but last night after walking up stairs and was so out of breath I couldn't imagine not doing this. Will it be stinky for a couple of weeks? Likley, but it's for a much greater purpose. I can't imagine any food out there that are more important than me being around for a longer and healthier life. I hope I'm feeling as strong about it by my surgery date, October 9! Thanks!

Hi there! Anyone out there in the Fred area? I'm on my pre-surgery diet now.....Thought there would be more of us here. linda0084

Olive55, my husband got a phone app that is called something like from the couch to 5k. Its a step by step approach to help you work your way up to running a 5k. I'm sure there are others similar.

Why do you need to lose the weight in 6 months? That sounds like you're putting undo pressure on yourself and setting yourself up for failure. You most likely didn't gain the weight in 6 months. Give yourself a reasonable goal and amount of time to lose the weight. Keep reminding yourself about why you want and need to lose the weight and just follow all of "the rules" they give us. You'll be at your goal before you know it!

Justathing2me, how does the optifast compare in taste to say slimfast? Optifast is what my doctor will have me on and I'm concerned about how it will taste.

Bandera, not a dumb questionat all. I was surprised by how different the doctors seem to handle things. My aunt had the surgery lady year and her doctor only required a week of s liquid diet. My doctor requires a two well liquid diet to shrink the liver to make surgery easier. He also requires me to use a specific drink because it he's ask required vitamins and nutrients. Blue Point Surgical Group in case you're interested.

I'm just starting the process. Hopefully by the fall I'll be approved for surgery. I'm looking forward to the journey. Linda