puppyphat

My dr asks for only optifast and water for 2 weeks prior to surger, but that includes the soups and bars, and he said if you are hungry you can have "natural" foods, ie unprocessed, but with no carbs. As I have already lost more than 20kg on my own by eating sensibly he said I could do it for 1 week instead. He said he wants to make the surgery as safe as possible. I'm buying it.

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with all to positive responses. I would absolutely never say to an overweight person "have you heard of lapbands" as that is so cruel and horrible and I would hate for someone to say that. I'm glad everyone got where i was coming from. The awkwardness of wanting to help, but not being able to. I agree that something has to click in their own head. I just hope this particular family gets the wake up call before they leave their children orphans.

I Know this sounds horrible and I will probably get some people that think I'm nasty, please note, my intention is not to offend. I'm fat. I know I'm fat. I see every single day how fat I have become and I hate it. I hate walking past shop windows incase I catch a glimpse of myself. I hate taking clothes into the fitting rooms at shops and giving them all to the store person because NONE of them fit. I'm being proactive and doing something about it. I am booked in for my band in 4 weeks, and I cannot wait, because I'm sick of being fat. I was serving a woman at work today who was easily twice my size, and as I said, I'm a big girl. She was sitting on 2 seats, having a lot of trouble walking and carrying her food and looked very uncomfortable. Her husband was the same. Going by my bmi, I'm guessing theirs were in the 60s. Their children were also not on the skinny side. My heart bled for that family. To see what a struggle life had become for them, I just wanted to tell them there are solutions out there. I did heaps of research before deciding on the band and I know there are options for people with a very significant amount to lose. Both parents were having difficulty breathing after walking approx 3 car lengths. I know it's not my place, and I know that somebody has to be ready to take control of their own health. I didn't say a word to the family. I couldn't. But I wanted to. Has anybody shared their "secret" with strangers? What happened in your own life to make you want to have surgery? My light bulb moment was when my daughter told me if I get any fatter I will have to wear old bed sheets as no clothes will fit me.

It depends what is normal for you. I have extremely low blood pressure ie 90/60, but it has always been like that. When I had my baby the dr became very concerned when it was a normal 120/80, as this was high for me. Everybody is different and so long as your heart rate is generally that low, it's nothing to be concerned about.

5lb in 6 days? Wow!! I'm looking forward to losing a lb a week, actually, I lie, I'd just be happy to not be gaining any more weight and see the scales moving in the general direction of down. Maybe I need bigger goals? Start my pre-op diet in a couple of weeks, I'm only allowed optifast and water. Luckily they make soups and bars for the pre-op, but I know I'll be living off the shakes post-op. I'm excited at the moment at just making my liver happier, and also a little terrified that if I cheat the dr will not be able to move it around and just close me up. Good luck for next week and beyond, just keep reminding yourself that so long as the scales are moving in the right direction, you're winning.

I think that having a surgery date more than a month away is what's killing me. It's the anticipation of the pre-op liquid diet, then the liquids only for 2 more weeks, then myshies, then being careful and retraining your mind to eat slowly and carefully. I'm so excited to start the journey and I think that I'd be ready to start it all tomorrow, but what's the point of being liquid only for 6 weeks, I'm just going to be way sick of it by the time I have my surgery. I'm addicted to food, I know this, so no matter what I eat now, there will be some type of "loss" experience when I go to liquids. I just don't want to make it harder for myself by eating wrong so close to surgery. Totally a mental thing. Love the comments so far. Fish and chips and pizza sound like great "last meals", not that we're condemned, lol, but you know what I mean.

Really??? My dr said they are one of the things most likely to get stuck, but if it means I can still eat steak, I'll wipe it's bum and walk it in if I have to. (jumps up and down) Woohoo.

Know it's bad mentally and unhealthy physically, but I don't start my pre-op diet until 1st of august (surgery booked 13th, god willing) and have found myself indulging in things I wouldn't normally, simply because after I get the band, I won't be able to. Eg: big, doughy, fresh-out-of-the-oven bread rolls with vegemite and cheese, and huge chunky steaks cooked medium rare. I hardly ever used to crave these things, until my days of having them as an option became limited. Did anybody else go through this "last meal" phase? I'm scared that if I eat it too much now, I'll go through a period of mourning when it's off the menu after the band. Any advice?

Oh I so can't wait until my thighs don't bleed from the rubbing. You should be so proud.

I've been planning my band for a LONG time and knew that fertility was increased after and that I did not want to fall pregnant until I was at goal. As I already have 1 BCP baby I didn't trust it after surgery so I got the implanon 4 months ago. Obgyn said it would take 3 months for hormones to settle down and I haven't had a single period yet. Surgery next month, I have a garantee that I won't be bleening for surgery and a very minimal chance of falling pregnant in the next 2 years after. Hopefully enough time to get to goal. Something to consider for those that have time on their side before surgery.

I told a very close friend I was thinking about it and she couldn't believe it. Was full of negativity. So I was really careful who I told after that. Told my mum and dad (who are happily married and live together) about it and neither of them told the other as they didn't think I wanted the other parent to know. I know my secret is safe. Also told my sister who I work with so she can provide alibis and verify white lies about intense diet + exercise. No1 else needs to know.

I know I look horrible and that's one of the reasons I'm having the surgery. I can't wait for people to tell me I look better. I want to feel better. It's not taken as an insult when you're unwell to be told you look better and healthier.

Had my appendix removed this time last year by key hole surgery. I had 3 incisions, one of which was in my navel. The surgeon said he can use the same one in my navel but will see how much scar tissue is around the others. This is not a big issue for my though. I was wondering if anybody had recently had a key hole appendix removal and a lap band and can tell me if the pain and recovery time was similar. Had a tiny amount of shoulder pain, but nothing more than discomfort. If I know that they are similar, I have something to compare it to. Hopefully this will help me mentally prepare for those first few days.

I'm not sure if I should reschedule for later, but then I risk being in bandster hell for Christmas. I know this sounds really silly, but I have a lot of socializing late in the year and want to be used to my band and have habits formed before I meet all that temptation.

I've just been given a huge kick in the shins by my work. I am supposed to be having my surgery beginning of august and I applied for 2 weeks off work. My boss has disallowed the 2 weeks and said I could have 1 instead as he couldn't spare me for longer than that. I work in a VERY busy sports club as a waitress and daily walk more than 30,000 steps at work alone, often carrying my own weight in empty plates. (I know you're thinking it... Why am I so fat then? It's because the food is so damn good!!! My personal trainer thinks I'm hiding a 6pack under my protective cushion of fat). I'm not kidding about the weight of the plates. Up to 10kgs at a time. Also, I'm not telling anyone at work what kind of surgery I'm having. I have told a couple of people I'm having a hernia repaired. I really wanted to be better recovered before returning to such a physically demanding job, but do you think 1 week would be enough? How long di it take everybody else to get back to normal? Also, they are really long shifts, 12 hours plus, 4-5days a week. What do you guys think?

Stupid auto correct, I meant tmf, not TNT.

TNT, does the fizzy-ness of the beer effect you as well as the alcohol? I've read on other threads that a lot of bandits have trouble with fizzy drinks. What is the consequence of this? Is it just gas or PBs?

Lol that's ok, I don't really ever drink. I think I've had about 3 drinks total this year, so it's no biggie if I give that away. Empty calories anyway. I'm so happy I posted on here. Such helpful advice

Jachut and 2muchfun, the reason I am the weight I am now is because I couldn't stop at 1 chip or piece of cheese. I'm trying to arm myself with knowledge before I get to the parties and binge on all the things I've missed. Your tips have been great. I like the idea of only eating off a plate. Would make it easier to keep track of how much you've eaten. Also, I've heard that some people can't tolerate spices or pepper early on. Have you guys had any experience with this? Does it cause heartburn or just general discomfort? Thanks again for your tips. I was a little scared I'd never be able to socialize like a normal person with the band.

How do recently banded people eat at parties. Do you have something to eat before you go so you're not tempted by the wrong foods, or do you take your own snacks along and discreetly munch on that. I need tools to help me prepare for situations that will come up. I don't think that in a room full of people that don't know I'm banded is the best time to try new foods and see if they work. Also, what's your go-to meal at a restaurant? Something that you often stick to because it works for you. I know that I have to work this put for myself, but hope to get some ideas to get me started.

Thanks guys, still haven't got all the do's and don'ts yet from the surgeon yet so this is really helping. It's good to hear what others have trouble with so I can avoid it with my band. I just hadn't read anything about the shellfish so I wasn't sure. I think the safest thing to do while I'm out in those early weeks would be to stick to soups maybe. I don't want to end up in the bathroom all night, particularly when they don't know I'll have the band. God forbid they think I'm pregnant 

M having my surgery next month and I have a few special occasions while I'll still be on mushies. I'm trying to plan what I can have in advance so I'm prepared and can make good choices. I know that some people have trouble with prawns / shrimp but are mussels and oysters ok? The oysters would be raw and the mussels cooked in a tomato sauce which has no cream and is low salt. Both are very high in protein but I'm not sure if they are "mushy" enough or if an oyster is likely to just cause a blockage. If anyone has any idea about what seafood would be acceptable for week 2 or 3 post surgery, your insite would be most appreciated.