MollyBrown

I am curious if there is a subset of bandsters out there who have been successful without having fills? I have heard that some do have adequate restriction and are able to modify their diet/eating behaviors in a way to lose weight without the need for the fill/unfill process.

Gladster12, You look great... Way to go...

SJK, I am trying to figure this out now. So much of our life revolves around food. My husband's family is large and social, and they don't know about the concept of moderation. My friend groups (as there are several) consists of my longest friend who loves to go out to really nice resturants and eat and drink really great wine. And then there is my cooking friends, we are all known as really great cooks in our own rights.... It has been hard because my cooking friends don't feel they can talk to me about new recipes or things they have tried. Our Holiday baking tradition is going to be a challenge. I am not sure if this is helpful, but just know I am trying to figure out too so that I can change my lifestyle so that it is aligned with my new goal of health and making this band work for me.

Good luck in your journey... I am in the US so I cannot help you with any references on your surgeons office. Regarding your fears, they are sooo normal. I have researched this thing for two years and knew it was the right choice for me, but two weeks before my surgery, I was seriously thinking of backing out. My pre-op diet was very successful, and during my intake for the surgery, my surgeon said well you've done so well are you sure you want the surgery? I was thinking "why the hell are you saying this now because I want to jump off this table and run the heck home and lose this weight on my own". But, I knew deep in my heart that I needed to do this. And I did and it has been a great decision. You are young, if you research this and truly decide this is the right thing for you, you go into it with the right commitment to use the band properly and not undermine it with continued bad eating habits, a year from now your life will be amazingly different... The band will only help you with your eating behaviors, but there is an out-clause and you can cheat it.... If you are really committed to changing your life for the healthier...then this might be the right option for you. Good luck...

Cagstorm, My doctor required a two week liquid diet pre-op. No solids, but unlimited broth as if that were a consolation. Good luck with your diet and banding... Also, have you strategized how you will handle Turkey day? That is going to be tough for me because I am still on my two week post op liquid diet....

Seaman, How much have you lost since getting your band? How much did you have to lose originally?

Deb, I was banded 11/09/07. Until yesterday, I must have been swollen because I could feel Water hanging out in my new pouch for a little bit. I couldn't even eat more than 1/2 cup of broth. Well that is changing, yesterday I was able to drink water without that feeling. Because I have been on liquids for about three weeks, my mind started wondering last evening, what could I eat without getting into trouble??? What you have done is very natural given our extended break from eating "normal" foods, and it isn't like we had great eating behaviors before our liquid phase or we would not have been in this situation. Anyway, do not jeopardize the long term success of your band on short term food cravings (saying this, I will probably need you to tell me this same thing in a week or two). You went through a lot to get your band, these beginning weeks are critical... So, forget that slip you had, you have lost 21 pounds (WOW!) and get back to doing the right thing. Good luck...

I was banded 11/09/07. My emotions have run the gamet..... From "what the hell have I done" to "I know this is the right thing for me as I have tried every thing else". The bottom line is, I HAVE tried every thing else, and it did not work for me and the conclusion of that is, if I did not try this I KNEW I would regret it. It took me two years to make the decision. Had I done it 18 months ago, I physically could be in a different place right now. I have let the last ten years of my life pass as an overweight, in-active person. I have not been the best parent or example to my child or partner to my husband because I was forever tired or self-conscious about going out in public. At 43 years of age I hit 308, became a low grade diabetic, with high cholesterol, and pre-hyotensive. My doctor told me I needed to do something or I would die sooner than necessary. My mother died at 50 and she let obesity rule her last 20 years. Only you can make the right decision for you, but at 35 years of age and 450 pounds, you know you need to do something to be more healthy.... I hope this message was not to harsh or frank, I just know what you are feeling and if you have any inkling that this is the right thing for you, educate yourself to make sure your decision is sound and then act.... Good luck and let us know how you are doing...

Tonya, I waffled for the longest time. It took me two years from the time I first considered WLS as a viable option. During that time, I tried to lose weight myself with the same level of success I have always had (although I did lose about 22 lbs prior to my preop diet since last November which I was pretty psychd about). Anyway, I attended a seminar last March that discussed both options. I decided I would try one more time on my own. After a few months with no additional weight loss, I decided it was time to make a decision. I included my husband in the decision because of the whole "in sickness and in health" thing. He was dead set against the bypass given the mortality rate. Even though I am only about 120lbs over weight but in very good shape for someone my age and size, the risks of the bypass were a non-starter for him. And, after thinking about it more on my own, I don't want a life without food, I want a life with food at moderation. I felt the band could give that to me. I want slow and consistent weight loss, not starvation and malnutrition. Even though the bypass would have better addressed one of my biggest weaknesses (sweets), there are more risks of bone loss, hair loss, malnutrition, ulcers around the stitched reconnects, dumping syndrome, etc, etc... I also attended a few support groups, and I apologize in advance if this hurts anyones feelings, but when I looked around this large room full of bypass and lapband patients, the bypass patients looked sickly and the lapband patients, although a bit larger then their bypass counterparts, looked more healthy and vibrant. The lapband folks for the most part had good hair (except for one gal), and good looking skin. The bypass folks by and large had thin almost chemo looking hair, and their skin looked dry and saggy, they looked gaunt and sallow. This impression made the decision for me. Although the bypass surgery seemed to be more of a guarantee of weight loss, I was concerned about the long term health ramifications. Plus, I want to lose weight to be a youthful 45, 46, 47.... I don't want to lose weight and have brittle bones, and ailing health. I know this post is way to long.... Sorry... Anyway, there was one bypass patient who was the exception to the rule. This woman lost 170lbs, she is in marathons, had plastic surgery, looks drop dead gorgeous. But she was the wife of someone with money so she could work on herself and working out all day long. She also confessed that she needs to workout at least 2 hours a day to maintain and she is thinking about getting a lapband on her bypass stomach. Hope this helps. Sorry it is so long. Good luck in your decision.

Did I read on a post in this forum about a book about Head Hunger? If so, could someone send me the title and author? Thanks...

My diabetes was not very severe (A1c=7.0), taking only one Metformin a day and fasting blood sugars in the morning (when it is always the highest) of 140ish. Since my preop diet I had to discontinue the Metformin because I was having low blood sugar dips... I was banded 11/09/07, I hope once I get back to normal food, I won't have to go back onto medicine. Sincerely,

Poopsie, Once I decided, I went to the consultation, received the insurance codes and and called BCBS Federal to see if they would cover it. The person on the phone said that it would be covered, $100 copay to surgeon, and $100 copay to the hospital. My surgeon required psych eval, dietitian visit, chest exray, blood work and physical from my primary care physician, and some additional paperwork. I made the decision 09/15/07, was approved the next week, my surgeon had a cancellation and could schedule me in October, but I wanted November 9th. It happened really fast... Hope this helps you...

I did drive, when I went out but I probably shouldn't have. I got air in my tire, went to the grocery store and went to the craft store. I thought, the more walking the better. But the bending over to get air in my tire really messed me up for a while. I did no check to see if I was really allowed to, I guess I should have. I am still swollen. I think I still have some gas, and I have not had a bowel movement since last Thursday, so about a week. Yesterday I started releasing some gas. I took two weeks off from work, but I like to keep busy so I am afraid this down time will only encourage me to do more than I should. I really need to rest a lot and do some walking.

If you are going to purchase a lot of from GNC throughout the months to come, you may want to consider their Gold card that gives you 20% off during the first 7 days of the month. I bought mine back during my two week preop diet and it has already paid for itself. GNC.com accepts is as well. I have tried quite a few of the Proteins and do not like many of them. The few that I have found that are very tolerable are: ISOPURE Zero Carb Ready to Drink (RTD) 40gram Protein drinks 20 oz per botlle. Come in a lot of flavors. The only two flavors I like so far are Alpine Punch and pineapple Orange banana. Muscle Milk (chocolate Mint Flavor or Chocolate Milk Flavor). 20g Protein 8.5 oz per drink. The following was gleaned from another Bandsters post, and some research I have done, but if any of this is contradictory, please say so because I am not claiming to be an authority: The two drinks above have the whey Protein Isolate in them, which is better than the other type of Whey Protein. GNC has these little protein bullets that are only 3.5 oz that have 42g of protein in them. I tried it. I took a couple drinks of it throughout the day, because supposedly, the body can really only handle 15-20 grams of protein at a time to fully utilize it. The stuff was a little thick but tolerable with a chase of Water. A guy on this forum said that these little bullets did not have the right kinda of protein so I did not get anymore of them. Hope this is helpful.

Hi, I was banded on 11/9. I just started feeling human two days ago, the surgery was a little harder on me and they kept me overnight due to extreme nausea. I was down most of the day on Sunday, got up every now an again to take walking trips down the driveway or around the house. Monday walked 1/4 mile on the treadmill but without a lot of calories in me, I felt 1/4 mile was enough. Tuesday I started freaking out because I was not able to get enough calories, the hospital said to do "clear" liquids for two weeks and I was not getting much more in me then broth, Isopure RTD 40g Protein, and Water. I called my surgeon and he said, go to full liquids. Praise the Lord! Wednesday I went out and bought creamy Soups. Although I have only had half a can over a day, it and the Protein shake has made the difference. My trip out was ill-advised though. My tire we nearly flat so I had to get air in it and there was no one to help. I came home pretty whipped out. Good to hear you are doing well...

Hungry, not getting enough calories, and mixed messages... I was banded 11/09/07. The hospital sent me home with guidance to drink only "clear liquids". The first two days after surgery I didn't want to eat, then I started with the clear Isopure, broth, Jello thing. I swear, two days of that and I wanted to scream. I am so afraid to take a regular drink of Water because I am afraid I would barf. Yesterday I called the surgeon and he said do full liquids not clear. THANK GOD.... Today I am making some progress with creamy Soup, but still lacking in calories....

O yeah, the Gas-X strips... I purchased Gas-X that are very small gel pills, not the strips. Is there a big difference? And, do you feel gas all the time after eating/drinking? I have had some burps (just the regular kind) and I was shocked to hear such noise coming out of me... Is this the surgery gas or is this the result of the new pouch and the closeness of the acid to the asophaugus? (Sorry my spelling isn't what it should be.)

The doctor provided very small pain pills and anti nausea medicine. I did a pre-op two week all liquid diet, and my bar iatric group also insists on two weeks of liquids post-op. I have followed the regimen to the T. I have a call in today to see if I am supposed to be on Clear Liquids or full liquids because there are some big differences. The documentation they gave me is a bit contradictory in places. They say no cream soups, but in other places they recommend Protein shakes, which can be creamy. I am waiting to hear from them. If I am allowed to have my Muscle Milk lite I will feel a lot better. During my pre-op diet the Muscle Milks really helped to keep me from feeling hungry. I also have the Isopure Ready to Drink Clears that have 40g of protein in them and they are not completely awful, so I was able to get one of those in throughout the day yesterday. In addition to the pain, I am having a lot of headaches; it’s probably from sugar and caffeine withdrawal. Last night I had a little bout of depression because I was hungry and all the commercials on TV about food overwhelmed me. My husband was so awesome though, he sat down and held me, and re-assured me that this is going to work, it was the right decision, and he can’t wait to see me and my daughter on the ski-slopes, and he challenged me to a tennis match on May 1^st. <o:p> </o:p> Lots of real pain, but lots of head pain going on too…. Thank God for this forum… I can talk to my husband but he doesn’t have the experience to draw upon. <o:p> </o:p> Thanks so much…..

For those getting ready for surgery, here are some of the things to expect: Pre-op heparin shot Post-op a very dry mouth and throat (bring carmex or some type of lip balm) and ask for the Glycerin swabs to help until you are able to drink water. Most likely they will give you compression socks to wear while in bed to ward off potential blood clots. I think this is now standard procedure for anyone having surgery. They feel good, but are a hassle if you want to get up and walk because you have to be un-hooked and then re-hooked when you come back to bed. I had several blood glucose tests while there because I am diabetic and the Ringers Lactaid IV they give you have some sugars in it. Throughout my pre-op diet I was able to go off my diabetes medicine, but while in the hospital my blood sugar went to 170 and I had my first ever insulin shot. If you are staying a while, they will keep the IV’s flowing, I had the Ringers, pain medicine that I could elect to give myself, liquid antacids, and liquid antibiotics, and lots of anti-nausea medicine through the IV. They will monitor you while waiting for the barium swallow. You will need to stand during the barium swallows test; you drink the barium and the doctor watches just to make sure it flows properly. If you are continuing with severe nausea, they may want to keep you to give you intravenous anti-nausea medicine. They continued to give me heparin after surgery and until I was released. Make sure you do your breathing exercises as much as possible, and even if you are tired, in pain, or have nausea please try to get moving anyway, I didn't move enough so the gas collected in my shoulder, arms and stomach. Today is the first day it feels like it is moving out, They sent me home with dillaudid (a derivative of Morphine)-I hate it but without it these last two days I don't think I would have gotten up at all. I am starting to feel human again. Good luck to everyone being banded in November. I hope you experience is more like Elizabeth, Nesse, and Longhorn.

I paid the hospital $98 and I paid the physician $100. I had to pay the nutritionist out of pocket $150, but I might be able to claim reimbursement because I am a diabetic. I did not have to pay for my psych eval either. It is likely there will be unforseen costs. The cost of the Vitamins and Proteins have me a bit shocked.

This is the support email I received from SueMagoo, and she is absolutely right. Molly: If you're not ready, you're not ready. Let me ask you a few questions though: Do your feet hurt all the time? Do you hate clothes shopping because you'll be going up a size again? Do you get out of breath just walking ten feet? Do you worry about sitting in a chair because you're not sure it will hold you? Do you worry about being around in twenty years because you've carried way too many pounds for way too many years? Do you have comorbidities that will send you to your grave early? I'm 48 years old, so I know what it's like to be in your forties and near 300 pounds. I weighed 324 six months ago. I was banded three months ago. I feel and look like a new person and I don't regret it for a minute. My only regret is that I didn't do it two years ago. But, you have to do what is right for you. You might just be getting cold feet, maybe not. Good luck and I hope better health for you in the near future, whichever decision you make. Take care. Sue

This is the post I issued a about a week ago: Seriously Thinking About Backing Out I am totally freaking out... I have been thinking about this for two years. When I finally decided to do it, after much reading and research, my insurance changes and I find myself able to get approved in less then a month. I am scheduled to have surgery 11/09 and have the time to take off from work. I should be counting my blessings, but after only one day of trying to do the pre-surgery liquid diet I have failed and I am absolutely freaked out. I tried the stupid Designer whey and I literally gagged three different times. The smell and the taste were so gross. What if I can’t find a Liquid Protein that I can get down? I guess I did not expect things to go so easily, and I should feel ashamed of myself when there are so many self-pays or people with difficult insurances who are absolutely sure this is the right thing for them. I feel that I have not had enough time to say good-bye to food. I know it really isn't a true good bye, but it could be if my body does not acclimate to the band like some others on this forum. I actually think I could live without cake the rest of my life, but the thought of never eating asparagus or broccoli or steak again, I am not sure if I can live with that. What in the hell am I doing? Am I undermining my long term health if I back out? The idea of the surgery is freaking me out, the idea of not eating a normal diet for 6 weeks freaks me out. And ironically it sounds like when the band does not work, it makes eating those foods that got me here so much easier than eating the truly healthy foods that I like but eat to much of…Lord help me figure this thing out... MollyBrown Surgery Date: 11/09/07 Dr Singh-Maryland Weight: 285lbs. Goal Weight: 170 lbs. Age: 44

Yeah, I am officially a big wuss... Never in the hospital before, and the last 48 hours have been hellish... I am starting to recover now, but am really afraid to eat, I almost barfed two times after surgery and aside from the pain, I was afraid my band would slip. I have only been able to eat a weensy bit, less than a cup of Jello in the last two days, and a couple sips of broth. Any 0 to 5 day advise you can give this newbie?

I was just banded on 11/09/07. I have never been in the hospital before so it all has been a real shocker. Some advice (if you want it): 1) Don't step on the scale post-op for probably a week (gained 7 of my 9 pre op pounds back). It will go away though... 2) Be patient. There are varying amounts of pain/discomfort. Apparently I am a big wuss, so it has not been a great two day for me. 3) Remember that it gets better every day. Good luck....

7 Days until Surgery-- OMG!!!!! Anyway, I started my two week preop diet and I was devastated the first day or two because I failed miserably. I thought, what the hell am I doing, and for about two days I seriously considered backing out of this because I did not know if I could do this. Since this past Monday I have been kicking butt on weight loss, 5lbs without exercising a lot (walking only around work-large facility, doing the stairs instead of the elevator). I have not been perfect my first week. The first two days were a disaster and then since then I have had several cans of Healthy Choice chicken & Rice Soup, yogurt almost every day, and over the week I have had three handfuls of pecans and today I had a banana. The banana was the big mistake because I went into ketosis yesterday or the day before and the banana could be enough to take me back out of it. The surgery group I am using has an inconsistent policy about the preop diet. They asked me to do it, but in one of our group sessions there were several gals there (much larger than me) and they were not required to do a preop diet. I was freaking about the preop diet originally, but it has afforded me time to figure things out before the band is on. Number one, find a Protein source you can live with. This has been the hardest thing for me. I finally found Natures Best Isopure premade drinks at GNC (they have a bunch of different flavors and they are clear so I will be able to have them postop-my doctor has me on Clear liquids for two weeks post op). These drinks have 40 grams of whey isolate protein and if you drink about a 1/4 cup every couple of hours it keeps your blood sugar really stable and it has really helped with the hunger. I have resisted candy, cake, and a bunch of other bad things this week and I credit that mostly to the Isopure. Anyway, good luck to you. I am feeling nervous, excited, scared, etc... But the one think I am not feeling (at least right now) is whether or not I can do this. I am feeling pretty secure at this moment that I can change my weight, my lifestyle, my eating habits, and I am confident the band is the tool to help me. Hopefully I will be feeling this way two weeks from now.... Sincerely, MollyBrown 10/28/07 286.8 lbs 10/30/07 Start Pre-op 285.8 lbs 11/03/07 280.3 lbs 11/09/07 Surgery Date