A New Woman

Thanks 2Flyguys: You are a very motivating person and have good points without being nasty. I don't mean to come off sounding like I'm blaming my surgeon for not losing. I, and I alone, am responsible for what I put in my mouth. I'm just disappointed that bandster hell wasn't explained at my post-op visit. They tried to explain other things, why not this? Initially, after surgery you think "Wow, this is great! I'm not hungry, I'm satisified on liquid's (mushies, etc.)." Then all of a sudden the swelling goes down and you feel like you did before surgery. It's just very discouraging when you don't expect it. I just think had I expected it more I would have been better prepared for my appointment delays. BTW, loved your other thread on what you have done to succeed with your weight loss! (Loved how you told the haters to stay away... Hard to believe how many uncompassionate people there are that have "been there...")

Katie: Thanks for your constructive advise. Really great to read. Directing my thoughts to my 26th anniversary gave me something to look forward to. thanks again!

First, let me extend my sincerest sympathy to you at the loss of your mother. Losing your mother at the young age of 29 is tough. It was terribly hard for me when I was 41 (3 years ago). Losing your mother is one of life's greatest sorrows. It's no wonder you deviated from the program. Second, wishing you the best of luck now that you are back on track. 30 lbs. down is awesome!

Thank you! Hug received! Backatcha!

Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, I did do a lot of research on the lap band but the only place I have even learned about lap band hell is here, thanks to people being honest and up front about these difficulties. I know I'm grumpy and probably had some unreasonable expectations. I guess I could have dealt with the 2 weeks delay if I would have understand this phase better. I appreciate your comments. You are kinder than many and didn't imply that I'm stupid like some others here.

Thanks but I still don't see where what you pointed out talks about bandster hell and how difficult this time is and that there is little, if any, restriction during the period after surgery until the first fill. I am no shrinking violet and am not shy about asking questions of my surgeon. But obviously, what I've read, didn't prepare me for the right questions to ask. That's where you rely on your surgeon to inform and teach you. Sorry, but I think it sucks. He should spend more time explaining to his patients what to expect after the post-op visit until your first visit. A lot was explained about the post op diet -- but he didn't talk about fat calories, only the type of food to eat and to make sure it was "soft" and could be cut with a plastic fork. But he didn't spend any time on the lack of restriction. I paid a lot of money (like everyone else here) to have this surgery and I am more than prepared to do MY part, but I expect my surgeon to do his part outside of the actual surgery and spend time on the challenges.

I'm sorry you think I am "mis-informed." I did a great deal of research on the band before my surgery and knew the life style changes that I was committing to. And I never thought the band was a magic bullet (and not sure how I implied that I did). That is one thing my surgeon was very clear about -- it not being a magic bullet. However, what was not explained to me was that during the healing phase you don't have restriction -- plain and simple. Even though I knew you had to get adjustments, I guess I expected that I would have the level of restriction I had after surgery. And I never read that in any research I did prior to surgery about bandster hell. The only place I have read about it is here on these forums. So, yes, I am disappointed that my surgeon did not explain that to me before I was put off an additional 2 weeks. I have read of numerous people on here who have had their first fill at or about 4 weeks.

Hello... I was banded on 3/12/09. I lost 12 lbs in the pre-op phase and since surgery I've lost another 7 lbs. But I really haven't lost any since I added soft foods back into my diet. My anger and frustration is that I still have not had a fill. I have no restriction whatsoever, looking for food a lot. Like someone else said on another thread, if I had the will power I wouldn't need the band. I'm reading about a lot of other bandsters who had their surgery on or about the same time as me and they've already had one fill. I couldn't get in for a fill 4 weeks post-op because my surgeon was going to be out of town so I was pushed back one week (5 weeks post op), then I got a call that my surgeon would be out of the office again so now I'm not scheduled for my first fill until April 27, 6 weeks post op. I called the nutritionist to talk to her about what I should or shouldn't be eating since I feel like I've just been left floundering on my own since I haven't seen the doctor since a few days post-op. She was helpful about food choices, but I'm still upset by this whole experience of lack of support from my surgeon. He only sees patients one day a week and is the only doctor to treat the bariatric patients. I don't feel like they explained bandster hell at all and how once the swelling goes down and until you start to get adjusted that it's a difficult time and what to expect. I'm just feeling very disappointed in myself, the surgeon's office, etc. I'm going to Vegas for my 25th wedding anniversary on May 17th and had hoped I'd be 2 months post-op and much further ahead than I am. I feel like if I had started to get my adjustments when I was truly eligible I wouldn't be so upset. I realize this is a journey but I expected more support than this. I think that if I'm not happy with my next appointment and subsequent scheduling of future appointments, I might switch to another bariatric clinic. This is not what I signed on for. (I realize everyone is entitled to time off, but I sure wish someone would have explained when I had the surgery that I wouldn't be losing weight at this stage.) Has anyone else felt like their surgeon just left them hanging in the wind?

My back pain is sometimes when I'm lying down or in the morning. But mostly it seems to be after I've eaten. It's also dull like yours. I'm not sure if it means I've eaten too much or the wrong things or it is just part of the healing process. Since it's not like I feel too full, and I honestly could eat more, I'm not sure if this a new sign that I'm full. It's confounding for sure.

Hello everyone! I was banded on 3/12/09 -- such an exciting day! When I first came home from the hospital I did feel a tightness in my stomach, I'm sure from the swelling. I didn't have much of an appetite and I definitely felt full while eating full liquids. Today I can move on to the pureed diet. I've been noticing the last few days that after I have new sensations. Instead of feeling full while I eat, the full liquids are still going down fine, I notice about a half our later that I feel a tightness in my back, just below my shoulder blades. It's not a fullness feeling like I expect in my stomach but a strange low grade discomfort in my back. Has anyone else experienced this? Is this my body telling me I'm full? I'd be grateful to hear from others.

Good luck to you! I'm also having surgery on the 12th. I've had the same results, most of the weight loss has been in the first week. My body has since readjusted since Sunday. I think I was just having a "fat" day that day since I hadn't done anything different. I seem to be holding steady with 12 lbs. weight loss for my pre-op diet, which is fine with me if it is fine with my surgeon. Again, best of luck to you tomorrow.

I am so frustrated right about now and just need to vent. My scale as of yesterday showed that I was -12 lbs. since starting my 14-day pre-op liquid diet. I have been dam near perfect -- I have not cheated at all. My family so impressed with how well I've been doing and with my motivation and attitude. I got up this morning, really wasn't even hungry and didn't even attempt to have a shake until noon. I weighed myself first and the frickin' scale says I've gained 6 lbs. since yesterday!!! Again, I ask, WTF???? I'm SO MAD!!! I know I haven't done anything but I don't want it to appear as if I've been cheating when I haven't. I'm just going to suck it up and not lose my focus, although eating food is kind of appealing right now but I know and recognize it's because I'm angry. And I'm not going to do that and sabotage myself. But seriously -- 6 lbs!!!! Seriously? Has anyone else encountered this strange phenomenon?

I'm getting ready start my 14 day liquid diet on this Thursday, 2/26. I'm wondering if that is the standard now since so many folks have to do 14 days. There were two other gals in my class that have to do it 3 WEEKS so I'm feeling pretty lucky with 2 weeks. :smile:

I'm getting ready to start my liquid diet on Thurs, 2/26. My surgery is scheduled for Thurs, 3/12. Frankly, I'm more nervous about this part of the process than anything. I tried a liquid Protein diet sponsored by Beaumont Hospital a few years ago and it about drove me crazy. I got so depressed. I hope this is different because I know that in the long run I will be having food again just in much smaller portions. My surgeon uses the Bariatric Protein powder. We taste tested one yesterday and it was just okay, but that was just a sip. I think if I had to drink the whole thing it would have made me gag. I did order a few of the

I'm not sure yet which Protein Drink I'll use. I go to my lap band class at the hospital tomorrow afternoon and she said that they will have us taste test different ones they sell at the hospital. I'm so tired of thinking about it; I'm just ready to start this whole process. Honestly, I've been treating myself to all the foods that I love that I won't have for a long time and I was doing that for a few days but now it's like I don't care. I just want to get started on my new life and leave that one behind! I'll let you know about the drinks I taste test. Let me know about the Unjury drinks too, please.

I'm being banded on Thursday, March 12th. Can't wait! I like March Melters too because I'm from Michigan and so sick of the snow AND the weight! Looking forward to more than snow melting in March!

Beer is no problem for me to give up or any other alcohol. But I am addicted to my Diet Pepsi so have the same concerns about Pop (or as they say outside of Michigan "soda"). But I'm so ready to get even that monkey off my back. I spend so much money on Diet Pepsi. Today I started to cut back by only drinking 1 per day until I start my liquid protein. Then I can have clear, no caffeine pop like diet Vernors until the surgery. Since I start my liquid protein diet in about 10 days I'm trying to wean myself off the Diet Pepsi before I have to give it up cold turkey. Maybe then I won't get a caffeine headache and it won't be so bad. Isn't that a darn shame that I have to wean myself off Diet Pepsi and I'm so addicted. But I'm READY for this at all costs! Good luck to you!

Hello... I'm being banded the day after you on 3/12/09. Wishing you the best. I told someone the same exact thing today at work... now it's "me time". I'm also a Mom (2 girls) and married. I've always put my family first and me last. My girls are now in their early 20's so it's time for me now. This forum has given me so much inspiration and I only found it a few days ago. Hope the liquid diet goes well. I'm more afraid of that than I am of having the surgery because I feel like the surgery will help any hunger pangs but the liquid diet may be HARD. I'd like to hear how others have coped with the liquid diet. Keep us posted once you start it on how it's going. Lisa

Hi Likeblanche and Marci: I'm another Detroiter. Although I'm not going to Harper (I was born there though in '64), I'm going to Oakwood in Dearborn with Dr. Bacal. My date is 3/12/09. Best of luck to you both. It would be nice to keep in touch and cheer each other on.

Best of luck to you! Be sure to keep us updated on how you're doing.

Hi there! I'm new to this forum. I have my band surgery scheduled for 3/12/09 at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. I'm thrilled, nervous, excited, anxious all at the same time. My story -- I'm a 44 year old woman. I hope to be "A New Woman" when I get my band and start living a healthier lifestyle. I've struggled with my weight for the last 20+ years. Strangely enough, as a child and teen I didn't have a weight problem. I was only a 3 lb. full term baby and was small most of my life. I graduated high school at 110 lbs. Somewhere along the way I learned to equate food with every emotion in my life. It's how I socialize. I go out to lunch with co-workers. I go to lunch or dinner with my daughters. I love to cook and show my family how much I love them by making fabulous meals and Desserts. I eat when I'm happy, I eat when I'm sad, I eat when I'm bored or angry. Honestly, I don't know what it's really like to "feel" hungry since I can eat at any time and rarely feel hunger pangs. I've tried WW, Jenny Craig, LA Weight Loss, doctor supervised liquid Protein diet. I'll be successful and then fall back into my old ways. I KNOW what I need to do. I just need help doing it. I've read some of the stories and looked at the pictures and I feel even more motivated. I was starting to worry "what if I fail at this too!" and then I saw the photos and realized I CAN DO THIS! I just have to keep telling myself that failure is NOT an option. Please tell me what has been the most challenging for you (either expected or unexpected) and what has been easier for you than you imagined. I look forward to hearing from you all. 24 days and counting!