Catherine55

Hi, MayMom! I had my surgery in October of 2008, too (Oct. 23rd). I've lost 49.6 lbs and it sounds like we both have around the same amount to go! I really like this board -- it's a great site, and is a good place to get support. Nice to meet you on here! Catherine

When I got to just under 30 lbs (so, just before Onederland), I started seeing a difference and feeling like I looked like my old self. Now that I'm almost 50 lbs down, sometimes I look in the mirror and it surprises me to see someone much smaller than I was expecting to see! That is the best kind of surprise! :thumbup: Catherine

BTW, lest you have any doubt, check out the tickers of all the bandsters who have responded! Big Poppa is down 150.5 lbs! (Should we start calling him Lean Poppa?) :thumbup: ThinkinHealthy is down 77 lbs! Restless Monkey is down 67.6 lbs! I'm down nearly 50 lbs (49.6)! And, you're already down more than 20 and you're barely out of the gate. Stupid doctor. Oh well . . he's only human! Catherine

Don't even worry about that! You lost so much more than I did pre-op and are doing great! Sounds like your doctor is just socially retarded (seriously). The people who don't lose longterm with the band are people who either (a) can't get good restriction due to either a problem or because they don't get a proper fill; or (:thumbup: who "cheat" the band by drinking milkshakes, eating ice cream, etc. So, if you're going to stay on top of your fill situation (and it sounds like you are) and you aren't going to pig out on "slider foods," I think it's safe to say that you have a very exciting road of weight loss success in front of you! Welcome to Bandland! Don't give that negative comment a second thought -- shake it off and, in a few months, that doctor will see that you clearly aren't in that minority of people who don't lose with the band. HMPH! :drool: Best, Catherine

I literally just posted a response about that "last meal" feeling, so I'm going to paste it below. I felt the same way you do before my pre-op diet -- and wished someone would have told me all this. So. . here is what I wrote to the other bandster-to-be. . . Don't worry! First of all, you don't have to give up the food you love -- you just will enjoy it in smaller quantities. That is the beauty of the band. I wish someone would have told me this before I had surgery b/c I was all stressed about getting in my "last meals" in ahead of time. . . After your surgery, when you are back on solid food, before your first fill, you are going to be able to eat pretty much just like you did before surgery. Of course, you shouldn't pig out, but I will say that I found it really reassuring to know that if I really was DYING for a bagel or something, I could eat it then -- or even have my band unfilled and eat it at any point later on. That said, I don't want to do that, so I eat sensibly. But it is comforting to know that I could if I really wanted to. BTW, that post-surgery/pre-fill period is the time everyone calls "Bandster Hell" -- and most people either stop losing during that time (it's only about 2 weeks - - don't worry) or even gain a few pounds. Once you get your fill, that weight comes off pretty quickly. Also, I am at my "sweet spot," restriction-wise and can eat a bit of thin crust pizza, tortilla chips, guacamole, probably could eat a taco (though a soft flour tortilla might not go down that well) and I'm sure I could eat fried chicken if I was so inclined. The hoagie wouldn't work for me though b/c the bread is too gummy (tough to get down). So, don't stress! This is a big change, but it's not like you'll never be able to eat anything you like again. :thumbup: Congratulations on your decision! I hope you are as happy to be banded as I am. I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. I hope that is helpful! :drool: Best wishes, Catherine

Don't worry! First of all, you don't have to give up the food you love -- you just will enjoy it in smaller quantities. That is the beauty of the band. I wish someone would have told me this before I had surgery b/c I was all stressed about getting in my "last meals" in ahead of time. . . After your surgery, when you are back on solid food, before your first fill, you are going to be able to eat pretty much just like you did before surgery. Of course, you shouldn't pig out, but I will say that I found it really reassuring to know that if I really was DYING for a bagel or something, I could eat it then -- or even have my band unfilled and eat it at any point later on. That said, I don't want to do that, so I eat sensibly. But it is comforting to know that I could if I really wanted to. BTW, that post-surgery/pre-fill period is the time everyone calls "Bandster Hell" -- and most people either stop losing during that time (it's only about 2 weeks - - don't worry) or even gain a few pounds. Once you get your fill, that weight comes off pretty quickly. Also, I am at my "sweet spot," restriction-wise and can eat a bit of thin crust pizza, tortilla chips, guacamole, probably could eat a taco (though a soft flour tortilla might not go down that well) and I'm sure I could eat fried chicken if I was so inclined. The hoagie wouldn't work for me though b/c the bread is too gummy (tough to get down). So, don't stress! This is a big change, but it's not like you'll never be able to eat anything you like again. :thumbup: Congratulations on your decision! I hope you are as happy to be banded as I am. I feel like this is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Best wishes, Catherine

Don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat! I've been doing a crazy workout for the last 7 weeks (Boot Camp. . 3 times a week, plus running on the weekend) and it really stalled my weight loss. That said, I've been losing inches. Especially since you are pre-op, I DEFINITELY recommend that you take your measurements and put them in a chart or spreadsheet. When the scale stops moving, it is a HUGE consolation to be able to see that you are still losing inches! Plus, it's really interesting to be able to see where you are losing and how much smaller you are getting as you lose. Don't worry about the scale for now -- you are doing great! Catherine

Yes -- you totally can drink after the surgery! You just have to watch the calories. . and be sure not to overdo it (throwing up would be a problem). Best wishes for your success! Catherine

You are definitely not alone -- and good for you that you decided to post here! I've gotten so much support from the other bandsters on this site. It's a really great place to go when you have questions, need to vent, or just want to be able to say how great you feel because the band is working! I love my band. I was banded about 8 1/2 months ago, and it has made a world of difference. There is no way I could have stuck to a diet perfectly for this long -- and still be excited about getting to goal. If you round up to the nearest pound, I'm down 50 lbs at this point (OK, 49.6!) and I feel fantastic. I hope you make the right decision for yourself! The band is a big commitment, but if you're up for that part, it makes losing weight so, SO much easier. Best wishes, Catherine

I'm 8 months out and 49.6 down. I think you are doing great!! Can you just imagine what your weight would be if you'd gone through the last nine months without the band? Definitely cut yourself some slack! :biggrin: I can totally relate to your frustration with being stalled. I've been there myself. Try mixing things up by eating different foods, varying your calorie intake, and mixing up your workout. There is no way that you won't lose more weight, so just hang in there until the loss cycle comes back! Best wishes, Catherine

That is awesome! I had a 2-incision surgery as well, but my second scar is a whole lot more visible than yours will be! What a great innovation. I hope you are recuperating nicely! Welcome to Bandland! Catherine

I had a major NSV this weekend. I got stuck in the middle seat of an airplane for one leg of my flight to Austin. For years, I've been terrified of getting stuck in the middle because I knew that I'd be cramped and uncomfortable, and that the people on either side of me would just be hating me the whole time. BUT, at eight months post-op and 48 lbs down, I fit in that seat with a bit of room to spare! Woo-hoo! :tongue_smilie: Catherine

Hi, Lindsay! I agree with the people who said that this is a normal part of the process for a lot of people. They don't call it Bandster "Hell" for no reason! Just give it some time and do your best to embrace the changes and make them enjoyable. The food thing doesn't have to be torturesome -- it's all about quality vs quantity. So, plan to eat things you really love that aren't crazy fattening. For me, that involved making a bunch of delicious Soups and freezing them in individual containers to get me through lunch at work during the winter (I have a few recipes on my blog that are really yummy, especially the mexican chicken Soup with cheese). Don't stress too much about exercise. You don't have to be perfect right now. I mean, it's great if you can get that in, too, but if you can only deal with one big change right now, let that be the food one. Honestly, I love my band. I don't find it to be a burden and, at 8 months post-op (and 47 lbs down), I find that the changes I've made have been so easy to make when compared with how amazing the related benefits have been. I hope that helps! Hang in there. It will get better. Catherine

Congratulations!! I had to do a 3-day liquid diet too. It wasn't bad at all. The only hard part was being around other people who are eating. If you can avoid that, it should be a breeze! If not, be sure to keep boullion cubes in your purse so that you can at least have some broth if you want something to tide you over! Catherine

1) What is a good Protein shake? Honestly, they are all pretty disgusting! I haven't found one that I like, but you'll probably get a few recommendations from others. 2) Did you use anything to help diminish your scars? and if so, what did you use? Yes -- I started out with Mederma (didn't do anything as far as I can tell), then used Vitamin E -- but then a friend recommended Epidermis to me, and it's been great. There are photos of my scars and a link to the Epidermis site on my blog somewhere (you can just Google Epidermis to find it as well-- I get the square that costs $40-something and cut it into small pieces). 3) The gas pain has me worried. That is one of the biggest after-effects of the surgery from what I can tell from reading on this site..what works the best?? Walking around after surgery seems to help. Other than that, I took some gas medicine that my doctor gave me. 4) What can I expect the day of surgery as far as afterward...will I want to sleep all day? You'll want to relax and take it easy and have the option of napping on and off. Maybe rent a few movies to tide you over. 5) How are your emotions in the weeks following the surgery? Great! I was very happy that it went so well and wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The full liquid diet was a breeze after having to do Clear liquids, and the 2 weeks of that, and the 2 weeks of mushies just flew by. I hope that helps! Congratulations on your surgery date! :tongue2: Catherine

Definitely don't forget to bring lip balm! You are going to want it after surgery. I brought a loose cotton dress to wear after surgery, and that worked out just fine. I also packed a tank top with a built-in bra, since I'd heard it might be hard to wear a bra depending on where the incisions are. Whatever you decide to wear, just make sure it's really comfy and not tight or hard at the waist.

That happened to me once, too. My band was tighter for a few days because my stomach was irritated from the PB/vomit episode. I just went on liquids for 2 days and that helped. Of course, there is no substitute for asking your doctor, but this worked just fine for me. Catherine

2000 is definitely on the high side -- my doctor recommends 1000 to 1200 per day. So, it should be easier to get to your total! For Protein, I'd go with fresh delicious fish -- maybe some poached salmon. (I like to poach it in a bit of Water with 1 tsp Dijon mustard, a splash of white wine and some capers.) It's fresh, healthy, low-cal, high-protein and delicious. Sounds like the calorie counter will be a great way to keep track of things once you Iron out the amount you should have. I hope it is helpful! Catherine

Well, it certainly looks like I'll make it to the 170s this month, which is great! My weight loss has been SO SLOW because of all of the working out I've been doing. I know that muscle weighs more than fat, and I'm losing inches though, so I'm trying to keep it all in perspective! How is everyone else doing? Catherine

Your "sweet spot" is when your band is tight enough that you can't eat too much, but no so tight that you can't eat enough. For me, right now that spot seems to be 2.85 ccs in my 5 cc band. It's different for everyone. Also, your sweet spot changes as you lose weight (I believe that is because there is less fat around your stomach, but I'm not 100% on that). So, you may find that you need to get an adjustment as you get closer to goal. I've had the same fill since March 12th, and it's still working well for me. I hope that helps! Catherine

I had turkey chili a few times on my post-op full liquids diet. I just would blend it with some chicken broth and nonfat Greek yogurt (tastes like sour cream) to thin it out. Was totally fine and went down well.

I had my surgery done in Mexico by Dr. Rumbaut, and his office helped me work this out before I had my surgery. They had relationships with two hospitals here in NYC, and so I was able to get in with the team at NYU and book my first checkup before I got banded. I would see if your doctor can help you with a referral. Honestly, the NYU team refused to schedule an appointment for me until after my doctor's office called them to straighten things out.

I used Dr. Rumbaut too and had an excellent experience. I posted all about it at the beginning of my blog, if you are interested, including photos of the hospital. Funny . . I just visited a friend at Lennox Hill Hospital here in NYC, which is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in the world, etc. . and it was a complete hole next to the hospital in Monterrey! Best of luck with your decision -- feel free to message me if you want more information about my experience with Dr. Rumbaut. I also should mention that the woman who answers his U.S. telephone line (Cathy) is fantastic. She spent so much time speaking with me and answering all of my questions, and I really appreciated it. She was banded by Dr. R. as well. Also -- Dr. Rumbaut is banded, so I felt like he had a great perspective that other surgeons who are not banded do not. Catherine

I agree with Holli on Amazon.com: Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band: Everything You Need to Know Before and After Surgery to Lose Weight Successfully: Robert Sewell M.D., Linda Rohrbough: Books I bought 3 books before I had my surgery, and this was by far the best one. I read it several times, and it really answered a lot of my questions. Plus, the book has short essays by people with different perspectives -- patients, doctors, psychologists, so it was really interesting to learn about the band from those different points of view. The other books I bought were Amazon.com: LAP-BAND Companion: Mark J. Watson, MD, Daniel B. Jones, Brooks Hart, C.M.I.: Books and Amazon.com: Fighting Weight: How I Achieved Healthy Weight Loss with "Banding," a New Procedure That Eliminates Hunger--Forever: Khaliah Ali, George Fielding, Christine Ren, Lawrence Lindner: Books. The Lap Band Companion was pretty good too -- and it's different enough from the first one I mentioned that I was glad to have both. Fighting Weight didn't really do it for me though, but mainly because I wasn't that interested in Khalia Ali. The part written by the doctors was good though.

I had some doubts right before surgery, but then I went and looked at my pro/con list. The pros heavily outweighed the cons for me -- and now, 10 months down the road, I see that a lot of my "cons" just aren't as big of a deal as I thought they would be. It's normal to be afraid and to worry. But, as a practical matter, this surgery is pretty low-risk (especially compared with, e.g. gastric bypass surgery). I bet that statistically, your chances of having the surgery go wrong are significantly lower than your chances of having health problems due to your weight if you don't have the surgery. Plus, even if you could be perfect on a diet for a year and lose the weight, (and this is a statistic I actually have seen) your chances of keeping it off would only be 5%. Hang in there! If you have a pro/con list that helps you work through this, I'd recommend that you bring it with you when you have your surgery. I did that and, while it turns out that I didn't need it, I thought it would help me to have it to look at if I thought I might chicken out! Best wishes for you to make the right decision for yourself! Catherine