dreamers

I did on the pre-op diet, spinning, personal training and running. I normally drank a Protein Shake in the morning and then headed to the gym. I have a heart rate monitor and normally burnt between 500 and 800 calories. I was fine but I had been working out 5 days a week for a few years......now I am banded I am on a four week break so looking forward to getting back to the gym but also enjoying the rest! Good luck on the pre-op diet. I really liked the disassociation I have with food going from an obsessive what do I eat to a non interest. Once you get started it is fine x

I actually think your post helps me! I happen to be one of those melodramatic people who gets anxiety and freaks out over things i haven't experienced before (there are many of us in the world... don't judge) so if i have a stuck episode after being banded and feel things i haven't felt (like choking, constriction etc) and i panic and think i am "dying", i will think back to this post and think "hang on now..... your NOT dying.... it just feels that way and other people have felt it too..."
So thank u haha!
The thing is, this isn't a private club, there are going to be all different types on here. We aren't all going to agree with each other on things... so let's ignore the posts we don't like and engage the ones we do... or something.
XXX

Thank you all SO much.
I'm going to start with some Meal Replacement with shakes and practicing some of the lap band rules (slow eating etc).
You guys give great advice and i appreciate it. I will check back to this page and re-read what you guys have said if i get off track again or to remind me ya'll are here.
Tomorrow is another day.
I'm so grateful for you all.

I don't think an extra week of pre op diet would hurt you. If you feel you need to, I say go for it.
Congratulations on quitting smoking, btw. That's a big victory!!

Hi dreamers!
First of all, take a deep breath. I had a lot of worries going into this too, knowing I wanted to make the change but not believing that I could after so many years of unhealthy habits. Congratulations for quitting smoking -- you have just added YEARS to your life!
Many of us went into panic mode that week before starting the pre op diet. I hit all of my favorite restaurants and drive thru's. You know that you are only sabotaging yourself, so it is essential to reach out for help. What does your doctor say about the 30lb weight gain? Are you required to see a nutritionist or therapist? Please set up an appointment ASAP so they can help you get to the root of this.
As far as practical suggestions -- how is your exercise? You have not been banded yet but the earlier you start, the better. Even just 15 minutes. Have you considered a personal trainer for motivation and accountability? If hubby is willing to work out with you, even better.
Figure out your trigger foods because frankly those will have to go for the next few months. DO NOT have any unhealthy foods in your house, period. Pack your lunches for work. It is not worth damaging your chances of having the surgery, and later damaging your band. How would you feel knowing you threw away this life changing opportunity just for the temporary satisfaction of junk food? You deserve better.

I completely understand what your going through. Two months before lap band I gained 62 pounds. I ate so much junk food, fast food preparing for this new life style. My family kept telling me I was sabatogizing myself and they were completely right. My advice is: each pound you gain before lap band surgery is only making you further from your ultimate goal. I am so incredibly mad at myself for gaining so much weight right before surgery. Start now!! They say with lap band we can expect one-two pounds per week of Weightloss. Each pound you gain preparing for surgery is adding a week to loose...I know my body can gain one pound per day and it did. If I only didn't do what I did I'd be almost 200 pounds today but instead I'm 275.
Also, my surgeon explained to me that the weight we gain before surgery is belly fat that can cause complications during surgery. He said the fat all stays in belly first and makes the surgery harder to perform. That scared me, and I wish I knew this before gaining 62 pounds right before surgery. Also, be careful about weight gain because you can get denied if they weigh you, and a month later you've gained more. It shows insurance and surgeon unreadiness for life style change.
Also, try going on a shake morning and lunch..and eat sensible dinner..I lost twelve pounds week before surgery drinking the two shakes and having dinner. Three weeks of liquids is a lot....and mentally if you know you don't have too, it makes it very difficult. Try one day of replacing Breakfast and lunch with shake and see if you can manage that before going straight to all liquids.....

i did the pre op for 2 1/2 weeks liquid
helped me kick my diet soda addiction and processed foods addiction also
and helped me realize just exactly what head hunger is..
dont feel miserable. we all have went to the dr to have wls so we do understand what
you are feeling and going through,..the fear of failure, the unknown...but you
are way stronger than you give yourself credit for..
but def proud of you for sopping the smoking also...look at how well you are doing..
your hubby sees it, i see it, other posters see it..and you will too.
here if you need me
as are the banded b's

Hi guys.
I don't know what i would do without this forum.
I am getting banded in just under a month. About a week or so away from the pre op liquid diet so i am in this kind of limbo stage.
In the past couple months i have really let myself go. I have been eating junk food every day... i think i am "saying goodbye" to my old life, but i feel terrible, i don't feel good. I have gained about 30lbs in a couple months and i don't know what to do. I have things for work (public speaking) that i am SO NOT ready for. So i don't have the luxury to just wait it out... i CAN'T gain anymore weight!
I tried curbing my eating to healthier eating so i would have an easier transition from 'normal person' eating to liquid diet then to band... but i am failing miserably.
Any advice or words of encouragement? I am really disgusted in myself. My hubby is being very supportive but there isn't much he can do.
I hate looking in the mirror, i hate the way i feel and look... I know 100% that i need this tool to no longer live with the self loathing and abuse i put myself through.
I was thinking of starting the liquid diet earlier. Is 3 weeks too long to be on a liquid pre op diet? I just don't wanna gain any more weight and 'trying to be healthy' is not working cos i had to quit smoking for the surgery too, so i have no vices at all.
Thanks guys

The pre-op diet varies by doctor. Some require all liquids (protein shakes, clear broths, sugar free Jello and Popsicles) and some require a combo of that and straight Protein (meaning chicken/turkey/fish/egg whites and veggies). Most of the diets are very caloric restrictive. 500-1000 calories per day.

Thanks lady's! I weighed myself again today.. Haha trying not to obsess! But I'm down another 4lbs, so 21lbs in total.
This seems quite rapid to me, is this normal?

My surgery is Dec 17th - I am told i have to do a 2 week pre op liquid diet too... I have also tried to prepare by adjusting my eating habits and making healthier choices. Some days i do ok, but some days i fail miserably... like last night... which really gets me down cos i know i'm just making harder on myself.

From what i hear these first few months are the hardest part. Hope we all do ok.

Drink plenty Water x I did lighter life diet which is
4 shakes per day and after 3 days if u really stick to it u won't even worry about food. It's willpower . I used to wait as long as poss in the morning and have a small glass of water before my shake. If I felt hungry after that I would top up with water . If ur allowed flavoured water have that and u will be great x x x x

Stubborn.

I had surgery oct 26th and I am down 33 pounds already I have 3cc into band from surgery

Thanks for friending me!
Have to call it a night.
Think Thin!

Hey!
Wonderful to meet you! I don't know what i would do without this site.... it's helped get me from thinking about getting the band to almost fully prepared for what to expect.
Good luck with your journey and i hope we can be of further assistance to each other in future!

Brilliant.
This is kinda along the lines i was thinking. I thought if i said i was on a portion control diet where i also eliminate certain foods altogether and chew slow to make meals longer i could mask it. Cos they are all ideas that have floated around before to help people with weight loss.
Thank you!

Hi!
Thanks for the reply. Yeah i'm just not in the position to trust certain people. I'm 29 and it's not very "cool" to some of the shallow circles of the field i am in, so i just can't. My husband, immediate family, and in laws know and are very supportive. But certain circles, absolutely not.
Thanks and good luck!

Music to my ears. Thank you for your reply! Although i am very clear about doing this surgery, i was a little apprehensive of certain things when in social situations.
Good to hear it's not necessarily as difficult to hide as some have experienced!
Thanks again!

Also tell them you are trying gluten free.....that way no one suggest you just try a little of this or a little of that. (There is gluten in so many things)!