CTJohn

Hi there @@butterfly40, way to go showing up for yourself and your healthy future. Getting that appetite monstor off of my back is the best thing I ever did. I also don't miss anything but if some one had told me that prior to my surgery I never would have believed it. I still love food -- I just have smaller portions at appropriate intervals. To me that is something of a miracle.
Like you, I hate artificial sweeteners. My pre-op liquid diet was two weeks and those first couple of days were definitely the hardest. The product my surgeon's office doled out did not agree with me (full of crap) so I used another. And I did not have to give up caffeine; I am a tea drinker and occasionally have some decaffeinated coffee. If you call the office and tell them you are having a difficult time, there may be some leniency on that score -- but do follow your doctor's instructrions to the letter. I think that is key.
I was very excited about the surgery and used that to ride through the stages afterward. My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner (my baby is about to turn 20). Post-op I focused on walking, a little further each time. The protocol for me was one day clear and then full liquids. I loved my popsicles and went ahead and had ones with real sugar because I was having so little. I liked the Soups sold in cartons in the natural foods section of the regular grocery store -- like potato leek, etc. And warm tea felt good to me. I was allowed egg drop Soup and that was very satisfying.
You are going to do well because you are thinking it all out ahead of time and confronting your worries head-on -- way to go! Pre-op SUCKS but you will get through this. You need help, though. Whoever can help you needs to be tapped so that you are able to get the sleep you need and focus on yourself for this time. Every one will benefit in the long run. I wish I had understood earlier that in choosing myself first that's what happens -- every one wins. I had never been at the top of the list before and now I am and we are all very happy.
Oh, one thing about pre-op is that for the first time in my life, after so many diets and regaining, I knew the pounds I was losing were NEVER coming back. I had never been an overnight patient in a hospital before and was nervous but it all was so much easier than I thought it would be. A sense of humor definitely helped, and the power of positivity. Best wishes, and keep us posted!

I stink at diets...failed at every diet I ever attempted...you name it, I tried it.
Even the 6 month diet required by mu insurance,m I failed...officially proving, on the record, that I could not loose weight the traditional way.
My insurance co. made me jump through hoops for almost a year. So when I finally approved, it came down to the 2 week liquid diet to shrink my liver prior to surgery.
It was hard...2 weeks!! But I had come so far and done so much, I kept telling myself I was NOT going to screw it up now!
I am 63 years old, have been banded almost 5 years.
The first phase, say 4-6 months after surgery, was extremely difficult and frustrating for me...felt I had wasted my time, it would never work, I'm doomed to always be a failure, etc, etc.
But once I got through all the adjustments, learned and adapted new ways of eating along with giving up certain food types, ans began to understand my band more and more....the pounds just started to melt away and it became the easiest and best decision I have ever made.
I finished this process (hate the term journey) 4 years ago...I am done loosing weight, simply no excess fat to loose. I have adapted a new lifestyle. Every day is just like any other day, with no thoughts of diets or having to loose weight.
But like I said, the beginning was extremely difficult for me....but I stuck it out and never looked back and finally broke through to the other side.
So, this thing DOES WORK.....You have to want it to get it, but it is there for the offering. Some people give up and choose not to proceed...stay within their comfort level never reaching that full potential.
The Lap band is adjustable, and can be set on many different levels.

Hi Jennifer, I' ll put my 2 cents in , im sure others will respond too as we are a very supportive group here. I didn't have a liquid pre op diet, so I cant advise you on that part other than its temporary. ( Its used to shrink your liver before surgery, my Dr, just asked me to try and lose 5 lbs before surgery. ) I know its VERY important, so just do your best and try different things to keep yourself full and reasonably happy. My Dr. never said no caffiene, but I dont drink coffee, only tea. Others have talked here many times about their daily coffee, im not sure why it would be forbidden. My lap band surgery and recovery was a breeze, from the moment I arrived at the hospital to home was 6.5 hrs. ? Very minimal pain, I was on pain meds for only 2 days (and I have a very low pain tolerance ) then it was only liquid Tylenol once , if that. I was tired and very sore the 1st 2 days, like a very bad pulled muscle, the 3rd and 4th days better and better, I went back to work on the 7th day, no problems since . The liquid and mushy stages are temporary NOT forever. You really dont have much appetite , as you are recovering from surgery. I started loosing weight right away, 1-2 lbs a week. It was very easy to stick to, no issues there. Later, "Bandster Hell" which is when your appetite reappears, but with no fill, you're hungry and can eat a fair amount , until you get the right amount of fill to get to the "green zone" . I still lost weight every week. (50 lbs the 1st 7 months ) I just stuck to the food rules, exercised 3 x a week, and left a little room daily for a small treat. Ice cream or something chocolatey. ( Occasionly I still get stuck , or PB, but its because I forget and dont chew well, my own fault 95 % of the time) What do I miss ? Raw broccoli, and Generals Tso's chicken from our deli. That's it. What dont I miss ? Being unhealthy, tired, looking older than I was, sleep apnea, no energy, size 18 clothes, hubby never said anything negitive but wasn't happy. Now ? Healthy, happy, energized, looking and feeling younger, very happy and proud hubby, size 10 clothes. Lapband gave me my life back, and im extremely grateful. Best. Decision. Ever. Good luck !!!

Great job! I went from A1C of 10.1 to 6.1. No longer diabetic! No more BP meds either. Stayed on Lipitor at my request, probably off in September. (Family history... But levels all great).
Love my band!

You're not doing anything wrong, most likely. For me, the band didn't kick in until month four. I was complaining to Dr that felt that I was just on a diet. He said, just be patient. He was right
Hang in there. It's slow in the beginning. Your band doesn't have much juice yet

Omg you are 118 who gives a crap what they may or may not think, Celebrate girl you are a winner. Post that on your mirror. My shrink said I need to live in the moment, which to me sounded like a Hollywood line but when I can't sleep I just tell myself my job for this moment is to fall asleep not conjure world peace. Yours is to LOVE yourself each time you feel someone might be thinking otherwise. You go girl.

For me,very easy. They weigh you, check vitals. Doc or PA comes in and discusses your progress. Then fill. Whole visit for me is ten minutes. Pleasant and you feel nothing!!

I did back in November. Doc said I'd 'feel' that fill. Lost ten pounds Thursday until Tuesday! Same, couldn't keep liquids down. Slight u fill and back in my way. And, I didn't regain that ten pounds!
Ice chips and sugar free Popsicles until Saturday!

Had a checkup with my Primary Physician on Monday. He was extremely pleased with my lab report. A1C 5.1, cholesterol 184, blood pressure 120/76. He asked me if I felt my weight loss surgery was worth it.. I told him absolutely. He agreed. He said at my age and the weight I was prior to my surgery he worried that I might have a stroke or have some really bad issues with diabetes. So, in this post I want to tell everyone that no matter what you do to improve your health, it is so important to take control. I personally chose lapband because I didn't want to undergo a major surgical procedure at this stage of my life. I will be grateful to my surgeon forever. He has been so supportive and he is conservative with fills. I am so grateful that I now have mobility and energy to enjoy life . I am going to Alaska in a few weeks and will enjoy the cruise and all of the activites . I believe I will be able to eat healthy and stay on track but I'm not really worried about it.

It's always been about the food for most of us. Just wait till you realize that food is secondary compared to all you gain or get back in your life when the weight comes off. Just a short list below of my gains since losing all that weight. After you read it, you'll realize how unimportant eating pizza and drinking beer is.
Throw away the cane or overeat?
Walk without pain or overeat?
No diabetes or overeat?
No high blood pressure or overeat?
Minimal knee pain or overeat and get both knees replaced?
Wear pretty clothes or overeat?
Feel like a desirable woman again or overeat?
Swim laps for an hour or overeat?
Fit in a plane seat without a belt extender or overeat?
Fit in a restaurant booth or overeat?
Allow myself to be in photos again or overeat?
Not hear nasty things said about my size or overeat?
Not feel bad about myself or overeat?
Shall I go on? I think you get where I'm going with this, right?

Yo was getting fills monthly. At like my fourth, I told the Dr what the heck.? Felt like I was just an a diet. He said wait, hasn't kicked in yet. Well, it did!
Be patient!

Since Easter, down from 2xl shirt to 1xl!
Think I'm in green. Eat very little. But satisfied. Can drink fluids fine, so don't think too tight. Besides, it'll loosen with more weight loss.
Keeping dr visits monthly ( well, skipping this month due to travel). He says I'm doing fine. Good enough for me.
Best part, every day some comments on my loss. For me, took good 4-5 months to really start losing. Wish I knew that in advance, but doc was always great and encouraging.

Since Easter, down from 2xl shirt to 1xl!
Think I'm in green. Eat very little. But satisfied. Can drink fluids fine, so don't think too tight. Besides, it'll loosen with more weight loss.
Keeping dr visits monthly ( well, skipping this month due to travel). He says I'm doing fine. Good enough for me.
Best part, every day some comments on my loss. For me, took good 4-5 months to really start losing. Wish I knew that in advance, but doc was always great and encouraging.

Since Easter, down from 2xl shirt to 1xl!
Think I'm in green. Eat very little. But satisfied. Can drink fluids fine, so don't think too tight. Besides, it'll loosen with more weight loss.
Keeping dr visits monthly ( well, skipping this month due to travel). He says I'm doing fine. Good enough for me.
Best part, every day some comments on my loss. For me, took good 4-5 months to really start losing. Wish I knew that in advance, but doc was always great and encouraging.

I took 56 really nice shirts to Goodwill last week. I kinda hope theres some fat guys who can wear 4x and 3x shirts!!

I didn't really have breakfast before, maybe a yogurt or brunch on weekends (loved eggs Benedict!!!).
Now, not hungry until mid afternoon. Probably not forever, but it's working. Today I hit 100 lbs lost since surgery 04/26/14!

I didn't really have breakfast before, maybe a yogurt or brunch on weekends (loved eggs Benedict!!!).
Now, not hungry until mid afternoon. Probably not forever, but it's working. Today I hit 100 lbs lost since surgery 04/26/14!

Brunch of last night's coconut chicken with cilantro and even more lime squirted on for good measure.......yum.
Usually I skip breakfast and get hungry mid-day. My husband is consistently hungry at 11:00 and has what Tolkein referred to as "Elevenses." By this time he's already had a big serving of full fat yogurt with a dollop of cherry preserves. After breakfast and elevenses he is looking for lunch. Then tea. Then dinner. Geesh, no wonder I was fat! Not him, though. Genetics, sigh.

While you're doing your research, check out NYU Dr Fielding and staff is great! 11 months and I'm down 96!

Hang in there....It DOES WORK and from what I have just read so far, everyone's thinking is spot on....
LAST CHANCE???? My Health was deteriorating fast! My family history was grim, having lost both my brother and sister from obese related illnesses...sister was the worse going through amputations, cardiac and other circulatory surgeries, finally renal failure....they flat out said she had too much going on to qualify for kidney transplant.
I started down the same road, diabetes out of control, my blood work was all over the place, nothing was normal. Had clogged arteries resulting in one hart attack, had to undergo cardiac surgery...
My PCP was very blunt and honest, told me I was a walking time bomb and did not have long to live. Stated if I could but loose 50-60 lbs, this would all start to reverse itself.
Knowing that I have tried every diet under the sun, and failing miserably at every one of them,
He recommended weight loss surgery and referred me. WLS was my LAST CHANCE!
That is why I have never taken this lightly...full steam ahead...I want this band to do the maximum performance, everything I anticipated.
And it did!!! Lost over 100 lbs in a year......all my illnesses have been reversed...no more medications or insulin injections.
I go to the gym every chance I get.
My hunger/cravings are in check, have no interest in food or eating most of the time. And when I do eat, the band limits my portions, making it impossible to overeat or binge. And when I do eat, all I do is eat wisely, making healthy choices.
No more diets, no more calorie counting.....
Does not mean I don't enjoy the treats in life...I do! It's just that I don't make a pig of myself...all things in moderation thanks to the band...
Head Hunger....perfectly normal, but it goes away eventually....I have gone out of my way to purchase something I was craving, only to throw it away after one or two bites.....
The band turned my life around...all my Dr.'s are astounded...(and I have/had a lot of them)
I do not, have not, any weight loss goals...how can I ??? I was OBESE because of a lifestyle of bad eating and being a coach potato....NOW my lifestyle has changed, and the reverse happened, I went on the opposite direction and lost weight until I was back to what my body determined was normal...where it should be for someone who eats right and gets plenty of exercise.
Maintenance?? I don't get it...I have been on many, many diets so I understand what maintenance is in terms of dieting programs.
But I am not on any diet program....simply put, because of WLS, my eating, what and how I eat, has been changed...and it will stay that way for the rest of my life....it is the New Normal for me. So there is nothing I can do differently.
I should say, concerning my health improving and illnesses reversed, a Heart Attack, (MI) the damage is down to the cardiac wall - muscle and cannot be fixed, and with this, there are 2 medications I will take for the rest of my life....
BUT that does not stop me from running 3-5 miles 5 days a week, and strengthening what I do have.

I started this journey about the middle of 2014. My insurance required that I have a 6 month doctor supervised diet. I was able to go to the dietician and she reported to my PCP. I saw the actual surgeon for the first time in January. I had a attended an informational meeting back before I started the 6 month wait that the doctor spoke at. So I was familiar with him. The staff at the weight loss center was very good and informative. I had my lap band surgery Feb. 20, 2015. I went in on a Friday for the procedure and was home by noon that day. I had very little pain and did not use any pain medication. I did have the referred pain in my Left shoulder that lasted about a week. It was pretty intense at times and I used tylenol. Helped a little!
My surgeon required a 10 day liquid diet prior to the surgery. This was mainly Protein shakes, juices, broth, SF Jello, and popscicles. That was tough. I just kept telling myself, "You can do anything for 10 days". I lost 11 lbs before I even had the surgery. The worst part is I got tired of everything being sweet. I did get some V8 and Tomato juice and drank broth. That helped some. I also quit drinking diet soda and caffeine. I drink tea and SF lemonade mostly now.
After, the surgery I was on a liquid diet for one day and then could have full liquids or mushy foods like Cereal soaked in milk mushy! Protein Shakes, yogurt, Soup, etc. It was then I really grieved for food. I wanted something real to eat sooo bad. I was eating around 600to 800calories per day and I was not losing much weight. Couldn't figure that out, except my body was in starvation mode and was afraid I was going to die!
Finally, I progressed back to real food. about 2 weeks later.
I had my first fill at about 2 and half weeks out. I have had a fill every 2 weeks since and had one this week and I finally think I am getting somewhere. I can eat about 6 oz of food now and not get hungry for 4-5 hours. I was getting worried as I was getting hungry too soon. Hoping for the best. I have lost 21 lbs since surgery, 10 weeks out now.

I took 56 really nice shirts to Goodwill last week. I kinda hope theres some fat guys who can wear 4x and 3x shirts!!

April 20th was my one month surgiversary . Had my month one post op with the surgeon on the 23rd ..I'm down 26lbs ..10lbs of fat BMI went from 43 to 39
I've been eating all Protein ..only carb intake has been from fruit and vegetables and practically drowning myself in Water which is helping tremendously with the "bathroom visits " ☺️ .
My surgeon checked my band and said that it looked perfect so no fill was needed ..said I was doing great and cleared me to start working out ...????????
I'm extremely happy with my progress..I'm down a size in shirts and pants ....it's still a little weird adjusting to my pants being too big and being able to wear clothes that I still have tags on in my closet but I'm getting used to it little by little
I think my biggest struggle will be my head catching up to my body changes .????????????????????

Give it time. It took several months (and fills) for it to kick in for me. You may not have any Fluid in your band yet. Some don't.
Two days ago was a year. I'm down 97 (really want 3 more!!).
Be patient and good luck! You're starting your new life!

Give it time. It took several months (and fills) for it to kick in for me. You may not have any Fluid in your band yet. Some don't.
Two days ago was a year. I'm down 97 (really want 3 more!!).
Be patient and good luck! You're starting your new life!