Elisabethsew

Hi Fleur, I was banded the same day as you were but my surgeon does not give a first fill until 8 weeks post-op! Like you, I had no restriction post-op and continue to have to force myself not to overeat. I am so hoping to fill restriction when I go on May 25th but my biggest worry is that it won't do much as in your case. Will your MD give you another fill this week?

When I get down to a "safe" weight, I need to have a total knee replacement. My orthopedic surgeon told me that for each pound of weight lost there is a 3 pound reduction of pressure on weight bearing joints (hips, knees, etc) so with every pound lost, you WILL feel better.

Have you considered using another surgeon? Perhaps there is another one in your area who does not require a 5% weight loss. If not, you really have no choice but to lose the 10 pounds. You mentioned you're eating a lot of lean cuisine entrees. I enjoy those but limit them them to 2 a week because they're so high in sodium and can cause fluid retention. If you don't like slimfast, make your own shakes with some skim milk, splenda, fresh fruit, vanilla extract, protein powder, fat-free yogurt and ice cubes... combine it all in a blender and enjoy! If you really WANT the band you WILL lose the 10 pounds. You CAN do it.

Hi Dee, This post can be very overwhelming because of so many suggestions. To prepare for surgery, the most important thing is to eliminate fat from your diet. Obese people have fatty, enlarged livers and the surgeon has to retract the liver out of the way so he can visualize and operate to get the band in place. After surgery, you're focus will be on healing and that means getting in 60 grams of protein a day, walking, and assuring you get enough sleep. Once the swelling subsides, your appetite WILL return so don't panic. The surrgical site needs to heal so it will be 4-6 weeks before you get a first fill and work your way towards the "right" amount of restriction. For now, make gradual changes in your diet so you're eating healthier, not snacking on processed foods (cakes, cookies, chips, etc.) and try and eliminate fast food altogether. Trying to make too many changes at once will result in failure. As for goals, they vary quite a bit. I am 5' 2" and have a tiny frame, tiny hands and feet, etc. When I weighed 200 pounds, I wore a size 12. I wrote down a goal for the sake of writing down SOMETHING but I work in mini-goals of 10 pounds. When I look in the mirror and like what I see I'll step on the scale. Whatever it registers will be my goal weight.

The reactions of your daughters to your upcoming surgery is perfectly natural. Why not let them read some of the numerous positive posts that others have posted who went to Mexico and had the procedure by the same surgeon as you have? Also, show them some before and after pictures.

I'm 5 weeks post-op and have been walking. Almost everyday this week I've spent a few hours a day outside planting flowers, trimming shrubs, etc. It works up a sweat and makes the yard look great. I plant tons of flowers so I've got another 4 weeks of work ahead of me.

There's one of those evil places just a few miles from my house. I never tried it and am going to stay clear of it.

Welcome Kacey and DeAnn!!!

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!!! Saying good-bye to the 200's is wonderful milestone and it's tesimony to how well you're doing in your road to a healthy you. Enjoy your well earned celebration!

Congratulations, Pnut! I'm only 5 weeks post-op but I have noticed that my slacks are fitting much looser and I can walk longer distances without getting short of breath.

Hi mdl, If you have no restriction after the first fill and are gaining weight, why are you waiting 4 weeks inbetween fills? Since your second fill is just a few days away, stay strong and see if that produces restriction. Also, when you go for the fill, be sure and be honest with the MD about all the difficulty you're having.

Before doing ANYTHING, schedule an appointment with a GI specialist. It sounds like the surgeon is jumping to conclusions without having all the facts. There are tests, procedures and new medications so don't think the surgeon's word is the final word. It's YOUR body so make that appointment.

Surgery is not to be taken lightly and complication DO happen. I would highly advise NOT going alone.

Hi Jennifer, I am 5 weeks post-op and only had to follow a full fluid diet for one week prior to surgery. The purpose of the pre-op diet is to "shrink" the liver. During the surgery, one of the small incisions they make is so that an instrument (retractor) can be inserted to move the liver out of the way so the surgeon can visualize the stomach. Eat as few fats as possible and try and lay off the fast-food and processed foods (cookies, cakes, etc.). If you sit in a chair and bend over down to the floor and feel a pain in the upper right side of your belly, THAT's you're enlarged liver. That pain will decrease as you take in less and less fat. After surgery, you'll feel sore and tired but not incapacitated. Most people go back to work after a week but it might be a good idea to get household jobs (heavy cleaning, etc.) out of the way prior to your surgery. You'll need a full 6 weeks before the abdominal muscles and incisions are fully healed. At that time, you can begin an exercise program that involves abdominal work outs if you desire. Post-op, I did not feel like eating for the first 4 days and had to force myself to get in the required nutrients (you need 60 grams of protein a day for healing). By day 5, my appetite was back so I had to make a conscious effort to stick to the eating plan. Some MDs will do a first fill at 4 weeks, most wait 6 weeks and my MD waits 8 weeks. So, I have another 3 weeks before a fill. The "waiting time" for the fill is challenging but it's the best time to learn how to gauge true hunger from emotional hunger. The answer to whether or not you can "do this" really rests with you. The operation is not a miracle or cure and you likely won't "feel" the band until you get one or more fills. Part of the pre-op process involves talking to a psychologist. Be honest with this person as well as with your surgeon. The lapband is one of many weight loss surgeries and you want to make sure you choose the best one for YOU. I am sick of life passing me by and sick of all the sacrifices that I make in my life due to the fact that I am obese. The time was right for me to opt for weight loss surgery and the lapband was the right choice for ME. I accept that I have a chronic disease and will always battle my weight. I know that band is only a tool and that I will have to eat healthy for life to achieve and stay at a healthy weight. Everyone needs to look insides themselves to determine where they are now, where they want to be, and of they're willing to do the work of achieving their goal. Don't let anyone talk you into anything. Do research, ask questions, and make an informed decision that works for YOU. Good luck!

Hi Susan, Your comment truly made me laugh. After 5 weeks post-op and one week pre-op of modified diets, it did feel great to eat some solid food. To be honest, I craved veggies and salads more than anything else. Because I have no restriction and no fill as yet, I think it's VERY easy to "go wild" and really sink your teeth into REAL food. LOL. I started the day with my usual 4 oz of lite ricotta cheese and then had scallops and snow peas for lunch. I figured the firmness of the snowpeas and the softness of the scallops were a good match for a first solid meal. I really wasn't too hungry for dinner so I settled on a 240 calorie Lean Cuisine meal. About 45 minutes ago a had a REAL salad with sliced carrots, mixed lettuces, a 3 oz can of tuna fish, a few raisins and some fat free salad dressing. I ate it very slowly and so far, so good. I have lots of things I want to eat after 6 weeks of no solids but have to control myself and treat myself to varied meals instead of binging. I did 2 weeks of full fluids post-op and then 3 weeks of soft. Since you can have fish on the soft diet, I did well and didn't feel deprived... just limited in my food selections. Hang in there... solids ARE coming your way soon.

Thank you! I stick to the guidelines and haven't had any problems. I'm looking forward to the first fill on 5/25.

I am officially 5 weeks post-op and moved from soft foods to solid foods... FINALLY! It was perfect timing because I was invited to a luncheon with a group of friends and they decided on a place called Legal Seafood. I don't eat beef or pork so I was happy with the seafood focus but a bit leary of eating solids. I skipped the roll and butter and appetizer and decided on scallops (cooked over a wood fire) and snow peas. :hungry: The portions were not large and I ate slowly and felt satisfied, but not stuffed, after I was finished. Afterwards, I did some shopping and walking and did not feel hungry until 7:15 PM. :clap2: Since I won't have a first fill for another 3 full weeks and have not felt restriction since post-op day five, I am taking it one day at a time and learning to determine physical from emotional hunger. The dietician told me to shoot for a 6 on a hunger scale of 1-10 with 10 being stuffed. Since I'm used to eating until I am 10+ on a hunger scale , this is proving quite a challenge. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the first fill gives me at least SOME restriction. Thanks to everyone here for their wonderful support.

As others have stated, I'm more afraid of failure than I am of being thin or a healthy weight. Unlike other obese people, I have always been fat... as a child, a teen, and an adult. Despite being obese, I forged ahead and became successful in my career. I am now finishing my PhD but the ONE thing I have ALWAYS failed at is weight loss. I was banded 5 weeks ago with the hope that a surgical intervention would provide with the tool necessary to FINALLY be successful. I am confident in the person that I am. I just want that person to be healthy and that means losing until I reach my goal weight.

Now that I am eating so much less, I am more aware of the flavors of food but I don't find myself craving anything new. In fact, I have few cravings now.

Cheri: A PICC in a peripherally inserted central catheter that is placed for people who need long term (> 10 days) IV antibiotic or other IV medication administration. Vinesqueen: I'll say a prayer that all goes well with your tests and that life gets easier for you. I'm very sorry to hear about your Mom's cancer.

The MOST important thing you need to do on the 8 hour ride home is get up a MINIMUM of every hour and walk. Pulmonary embolism (blood clot to the lung) is a major post-op surgery concern and lack of movement can increase the chances of having it. Tell your surgeon about the long trip. He/she may want to give you an injection of heparin/lovenox (blood thinner) the AM before you get on the plane. If you can afford it, fly first class on the way home.

My surgeon's post-op diet plan calls for 60 grams of protein a day so you're limitation of 50 grams is not too bad. Part of the pre-op process involves meeting with a dietician and this is the person who can structure the post-op diet to your needs. As the person above stated, weight loss can improve your kidney function so I hope you get the "OK" to move forward with your surgery plans.

When did you have your surgery? How did you "over do it" today? As long as your more than 6 weeks post-op and don't have any pain now, it would seem that you either had a muscle spasm or strained the abdominal muscles a little. Give it a day or two and if you're not better, see your MD.

Grab the headboard and roll your body onto the side. Release the headboard and use your elbow to lift your upper body up as you slide your legs over the bed and then use both arms to get into a sitting position. Splint your abdomen with a pillow and slowly get up to your feet.

I choose not to drink. It appears most MDs give the OK to have alcohol but mine is one of the few who say no.