Kiana38

Hi, This is a hard post because I'm really opening up and sharing something with people who might not understand, and not knowing me might think I'm a whack job. lol I had surgery 11 days ago. I have been very depressed and upset the last couple days but I didn't know why til now. I had to go through so much to get the surgery, and I was so scared of surgery that I focused on that rather than what post-surgery be like. I understood logically that things would take time, I understood it wasn't a magic cure intellectually. But my coping mechanism must've tricked me into thinking things would be so different after surgery. Now my expectations are smashed. I'm very sad because the same problems I had before surgery, I still have. I don't feel any progress, I don't feel any restriction. I just feel a ton of pain still (I had gall bladder removed and lap band laparoscopically), and I am healing slower than others. I'm almost regretting it instead of feeling proud that I accomplished a lot to get here. Again I understand intellectually what this process is about. I haven't even had my first fill yet, but I can't shake this depression. I am extremely sad. Has anyone experienced this? I feel really alone about it.

I didn't think the date would ever get here, and there were many obstacles in the way but I did it!!! I was very proud of myself because I am an anxious person by nature and didn't freak out either. I was calm, and determined, and ready. This is day 3 and I am still in pain, lots of gurgling in my tummy, and I have no appetite. I might have had a couple small teaspoons of tomato Soup so far. The liquid percocet I'm on does help to control the pain, though. Is the tummy gurgling and unstable bowels normal? When will I feel better?

Thanks for all the kind words and suggestions. I'm sorry any of you went through this, but it is comforting to know I'm not crazy. lol It was unexpected, no literature I ever read told me to expect this but I'm sure I'll feel better soon, as soon as I am healed up more. Hugs to everyone, thank you.

I keep reading what everyone here is allowed to eat and drink post banding. My doctor seems to be the strictest out of any of them. I just got banded Aug 1st, and have to be on Clear liquids for 1 month. I get to start Protein drinks after 1 week, but it has to be "predigested" Protein. I buy Champion whey protein since that is predigested. Also, any liquids we drink has to be taken in a 30 cc cup. Those little shot glasses they use in the hospital. We must drink 50+ of those a day of Water and diluted juices. When I get to start solid food, I have to measure in those 1 oz cups. I can only eat 1 - 1.5 oz. 4-5 times a day. And NEVER allowed to have sugar or milk. All foods must be 6 g of sugar or less. The only exception to the no milk rule is cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, and cheese is allowed. The yogurt is only allowed if you find the one brand that is actually less than 6 g of sugar. Anyone else have all these restrictions?

I get my first fill at 5 weeks. He doesn't do a puree or "full liquid" stage. It's 4 weeks thin liquid, then 2 weeks mushy, then slowly introduce solid foods. I figured he was strict compared to a lot of the other doctors when I read the stuff you guys get to eat! I'm not upset about it because I committed to this deal months before the surgery. I'm not even hungry right now, so not sure what a week or two will bring. I don't think a month of liquid will be that bad. I just finished 3 weeks of liquid presurgery so I'm prepared.

I knew about the requirements ahead of time and I am not complaining about them. I am fine with the restrictions and am following them to a T. I was just noticing that many of you said you were eating creamy Soups, or milk products, and someone even suggested 2-3 oz lean meats, so I wanted to compare notes with you. I know Dr. Srikanth, he assisted Dr. Oh and I met him before surgery the other day. He was the "nice" doc. I got the one without a good bedside manner. LOL Someone asked what credentials my doctor had. He has 18 years bariatric experience and 14 years laparoscopic experience. You can see him on obesityhelp.com. Thanks for sharing all of your doctor's orders!

Hi, I don't know if this will help you or not. I was required to lose 30 lb presurgery. I said the exact same thing back in May, I think it was. If I could lose 30 lb, what am I doing here? The surgeon had no bedside manner AT ALL. He said if you do not get to 350 lb by Aug 1 I will not operate, period. Do whatever you need to do. I'm not asking you to keep it off, just TAKE it off. Well after much research on how to possibly lose weight rapidly, without pain or hunger I came to one conclusion: You cannot lose weight without hunger. You WILL experience physical hunger and head hunger. But it won't kill you. Your weight WILL kill you though. So I toughened up, forced myself on a VERY low fat, low carb under 1200 calorie diet for 3 weeks. I lost 20 lbs. Then I had to do liquid diet for 3 weeks. I lost slower because I was starving, literally, and now and then I would conscientiously cheat. I ate a few veggies from my vegetable beef Soup broth. I had a small amount of chicken salad with low sodium crackers one day. Then I'd do liquid for 3 more days until I'd conscientously cheat again. Bottomline: I weighed exactly 350 lb on Aug 1 and was banded without any problem. I'm not endorsing the conscientious cheating idea, because I think if overeaters are told they CAN do that, they go way overboard. I was scared to death my liver wouldn't have shrunk enough so I never took on more than a couple hundred extra calories now and then just so I didn't go crazy. But starting my diet 6 weeks before surgery, then liquid 3 weeks before surgery, really helped. I hope this helps. The most important idea is: you will be hungry presurgery but it won't kill you and it *is* temporary. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope this helps!

Hi Guys, Reading this thread has been sooo helpful. People REALLY do feel the same way that I do. I've been very nervous and scared, yet excited at the same time. They drill all the risks into your head and it's hard to avoid thinking about them. I keep thinking I'm going to vault off the operating table too! lol Thank you for sharing your fears and how you have come through it well. Wish me luck!! Aug 1, baby!

I had complained earlier about 3 weeks. I just attended my doctor's nutrition class and found out they will mandatory 3 weeks pre op liquid diet for me (starting now since surgery is Aug 1) and 4 weeks post op!!! Anyone ever do that long? Is it possible!?? They are having me drink 3 - 30 mg Protein shakes a day and liquids like tomato juice, chicken broth, etc plus multi-Vitamins.

No, I cannot have any solids including veggies. I can have vegetable Soup if I strain the veggies out of it. I have a list of stuff but it's all see-through Clear Liquids like Jello, broths, tomato soup, minute maid lite, and Protein shakes. :scared: My starting weight *is* high... I'm 370 right now, and have to be down to 350 for surgery. But I've read others in here with higher starting weights than me. I am under many doctor's supervision so I'm sure I'll be okay, but it sucks. lol

Am I the only person here who's doctor has required 3 weeks of presurgical liquid diet? I am having a hard time already!! My surgery is scheduled Aug 1. I am already hardcore dieting - keeping it under 1100 calories a day and have lost 10 lb already. I have to lose a total of 30 lb before my doctor will operate. And because my BMI is so high, in the 60's, I have to do liquid 3 weeks before surgery. I don't know to get through these next 42 days. Any advice or motivation would be appreciated!!!!!

I am going to be banded Aug. 1!! It's also my birthday! I figure that is about the safest day you can have surgery. lol I'm also nervous but very, very excited. This 4th of July I sat on the sidelines at a BBQ watching everyone else play badminton and baseball. I vowed never to sit on the sidelines again. This surgery cannot come soon enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I like the upper right and the bottom left. They remind me a little bit of Anne Geddes photos. Really beautiful :rant:

That's good advice. I am about 3 weeks away from starting LD, so I have cut my calories down to 1200 a day and mostly liquid except one or two healthy choice meals. I am hoping to prepare my body for it. So far I've lost 12 lb with just this mini-diet. Anyone who says this is the easy way out is highly mistaken!!!

1 pickle is around 1800 mg sodium. (I am on a 2000 mg sodium restriction because of kidney problems.) American Heart Association recomments EVERY person eat less than 2300 mg sodium. That is almost equivalent to one pickle. So you decide if it's healthy or not. lol

My kidney doctor said no to weight loss surgery but I pursued it anyway. Now he is totally onboard. You have to take hold of your own health and can't let the physicians make all the decisions for you!!!

to try to help her understand some of the feelings and thoughts I've had. I couldn't make it all the way through without breaking down though. Very moving!

So far I am getting through it one day at a time. I've only had one melt down and that was Sunday when everyone was BBQ'ing and I could smell the delicious odors everywhere I drove. But I made some egg beaters and a drop of salsa and had a party. lol

Also, it needs to be said that untreated sleep apnea can result in mortality, cardiovascular disease (pulmonary hypertension), and quality of life deficits. It can be very serious.

I'm just wondering why no one really talks about all the preop testing and even how *the* surgery goes on their day. I mean, I read vague things like diet advice and that the recovery was a breeze, but what about all the steps everyone has to take JUST to get to the operating room? I just had an upper GI today. I know, pretty uneventful, except I did it without anesthesia. I was dehydrated and they couldn't find an easy vein so I sucked it up and did it. It wasn't pretty but I survived. lol I'm curious what everyone else, especially pre-bandsters, is going through. Or what was your surgery like? I'm pretty nervous about the general anesthesia. Also update for those of you who gave me advice about losing weight pre-op. My doctor's receptionist said he'd LIKE me to lose 40 lb by Aug 1 (surgery date) but he'll proceed if I haven't. Whew. Tina

I'm self-paying $12,800 with Dr. Oh in Federal Way, WA. This includes doctor's fees, his assistant's fees, hospital and anesthesiologist. I *think* it includes the first fill. Every fill after that is $105.00. This does NOT include the massive preop testing though (11 appointments of procedures, xrays, classes!) My state DSHS insurance is paying for the preop stuff. Tina

I went to my first appointment today with my surgeon. After taking my medical history (which is pretty extensive), he informs me I have to lose 40-50 lb before he will operate. I weigh 380 right now (BMI is 65.) After I picked my jaw off the ground, I replied that if I could do that, what do I need him for. He said the band will help me keep it off permanently. I have kidney disease and all the other junk that comes with obesity, so I retain pounds and pounds of Water. If I could get it off, don't they realize I would have by now? And if I don't have this surgery soon, I will go into renal failure and lose my kidneys anyway. It's a vicious circle. He is afraid I won't wake up from the anesthesia. Part of me is tempted to fly to Mx and take my chances rather than jump through hoops here in the states. No one else that I've read about has had to lose that much weight pre-surgery. Does anyone think he's just being super cautious... any advice is appreciated. Thanks, Tina

Thanks for the advice Rene. I'm in Western Washington and seeing Dr. Oh who comes highly recommended (plus the price is right.) The updated news is, his receptionist called today to book the EGD next week and scheduled surgery Aug 1 (which is my birthday, ironic enough.) I asked, what if I haven't lost enough weight by then? She replied that he WANTS me to lose but if not, they will still proceed. That seemed kind of fishy to me. He seemed adamant about me losing it first. So I'm just going to try my best and do all the preop. Tina

I think that *is* part of the issue. This doctor doesn't want to ruin his pristine record with a high risk patient as well. Plus he mentioned that it was mandatory I visit his seminar so that I can't sue him later by saying I didn't have enough information about the operation. His words, not mine. I think he is a good and cautious doctor, but he lacks empathy or common sense. :Banane13: Tina

diva, I am on medicaid which does cover all my doctor visits and medicines monthly, thankfully. They do cover gastric bypass (not lap-band) and I am already on the 2 year waiting list at the University of Wa which is the only place in the state that accepts Medicaid. So basically I'm screwed unless I self pay because my kidneys wont last the 2 year wait and I dont want gastric bypass!! lol My insurance will pay for dieticians which I've already seen. I'm already on a very strict low sodium diabetic diet for the last year. If I could lose another pound I would! Starvation seems like the only thing I haven't tried and for a food addict, that is torture. I passed a McDonalds 4times this morning and circled it like a vulture on my way back from the doctor's this morning. The only thing that stopped me was sudden stomach cramps which I took as a sign. I know some of you know what I'm talking about. It just feels like you are suffering when you are hungry. :Banane13: Thanks for giving me a place to vent... you don't know how much I need it Tina