stateofzen

This is something I recently posted to someone researching. I would say that there are three regularly occurring post-op posts that you should be aware of as you prepare. Being aware will help you deal with the psychological aspect of the band in the weeks and months following surgery. 1. Be aware: You may experience a lot of discomfort after surgery that is pain related. People vary so much on this and of course everyone hopes to be one of the "bounce right back" folks, but be prepared to be in a lot of discomfort for up to a week or even more. It is NORMAL to be depressed and/or regret having the surgery immediately post-op. 2. Be aware: It is very likely that your weight loss will stall or even reverse (meaning actual gains) during the first weeks to month after surgery. This is counter-intuitive to people, because they just had weight loss surgery AND they are on a liquid diet and not eating. But it is NORMAL to plateau or even gain Water weight while your body is recovering from the stress of surgery. Try not to despair. If you keep at it, you will begin to lose weight soon enough. 3. Be aware: A lot of people feel very hungry and ready to eat eat eat almost immediately after surgery. For a lot of people, the band alone doesn't do anything for weeks to month until it is filled. This is what people refer to as Bandster Hell. A smaller subset of people do feel a reduction in hunger right away-- but if you don't go in automatically expecting you'll be a lucky one, then you won't be as baffled and disappointed if you aren't. It is NORMAL to feel hungry and frustrated until you reach the appropriate fill for your body, and that may take weeks to months. Knowing these things and expecting them will help tremendously with your emotional reaction to the band. If any of these things happen to you, you are in good and prolific company. Don't despair! Figure out before your surgery how you might cope with them when they come up and odds are, they won't be a problem for you. Knowledge is the key. I would add the following to that list: 1. The average loss at 2 years with the band is 60% of excess weight, according to band literature. So if you need to lose 100 lbs to be in a "healthy BMI", then the average person will have lost 60lbs by the end of year 2. This is the average, which means that there are going to be a few people who lose 0 lbs in 2 years and an equally few people who lose 100+ lbs in 2 years. Most people are going to be right around that 60% mark (I wish I knew what the standard deviation is, that would be even more helpful). 2. Weight loss is not constant and linear for most people, even if they are very very consistent with their eating behavior and activity level. It seems like it should be-- calories in/calories out-- but there are a lot of people that tend to lose in cycles and you may be one of them. For me, I lose weight in chunks, then I "plateau" for a few weeks, then I drop another bunch of pounds within three days, then "plateau" again. You may also be one of those people-- don't let it worry you. 3. Exercise may temporarily stall your weight loss or even make you gain, especially if you are starting or intensifying your program. I have been working out consistently for the past two weeks after about 10 years of nothing. I have GAINED weight even though my eating hasn't changed and I'm burning more calories. That's normal. I know if I keep at it, I will drop that plus some more and have a healthier heart and more stamina to boot. 4. This is hard work, even though the band DOES make it easier if you let it. I get full on small amounts of food-- not "stuffed" full like I was used to, but "ok, I've had enough and my body doesn't need more" full. This is REALLY hard to get used to. Full is never again going to feel like full has felt in the past. But, I can still eat past the point where my band says "eh, you've fed your body as much as it needs" and very very often my brain says "do it, you know you want to, mmmmm it tastes so good, just one more bite!". It is a real struggle sometimes to listen to my band and not my head hunger. I actually have a little mantra when I'm eating and being mindful. I say "if I'm not going to listen to the band when it says stop, then why did I bother with this surgery in the first place?" That tends to turn down the volume of the head hunger. I think people naturally go into this surgery very optimistically. They go to the seminar and the surgeon and the carefully selected successful patients of that surgeon talk about how amazing it is. They come on this board and look at the success story forum, and the "I lost 100 lbs" forum, and the "before and after" picture gallery. They see people's tickers (like mine) who have lost huge amounts in months, not years and they expect only the best , most luckiest results, and ignore the fact that the average expected loss in 60% of excess weight at two years. I understand this because I did it too, and I fully believe that I have been incredibly LUCKY so far and that it's "easy" for me to say this but I do think that bandsters who are really in touch with reality and not overly optimistic are going to be able to emotionally adjust to banded life better. Do not get the band if you expect it to work like bypass. If you want super fast results, and you want malabsorption, then get the bypass. With the "plusses" of the band, including its adjustability and its reversibility, come some costs and one cost is that it requires adjustment which is unpredictable in some ways, and it's associated with a slower rate of loss.

Are you allowed carbonation? If not, stay away from the beer. I miss beer so much, but my doctor says no carbonated beverages and after sneaking a sip and feeling uncomfortabley gassy, I understand why. Why not go but plan to on band friendly stuff if possible? Baked Beans can be pretty darn mushy and though they probably have sugar, they'll be easy on your stomach. Stuff like that.

I have only recently (as in the last two weeks) started exercising with any regularity. I have to tell you, the difference between the last time I stepped on my treadmill at 250 lbs and now at 175 is AMAZING. I hopped right on and started jogging in intervals almost immediately, when I could barely walk at 3.5 mph before. I always knew there would come a point that I'd need to add exercise in, both for health and to keep the scale moving. Unfortunately, I seem to see the scale moving up a couple of lbs right now instead of down, but I'm not worried because I know my body is just getting used to the increased and different physical activity. It can be done, to a point, and then you'll have to decide if you're ok with where you're at with no exercise or find a way to get it in. Oh, and Zumba is SOOO much fun, even at a higher weight. I did do weekly Zumba classes off and on at higher weights.

I would say that there are three regularly occurring post-op posts that you should be aware of as you prepare. Being aware will help you deal with the psychological aspect of the band. 1. Be aware: You may experience a lot of discomfort after surgery that is pain related. People vary so much on this and of course everyone hopes to be one of the "bounce right back" folks, but be prepared to be in a lot of discomfort for up to a week or even more. It is NORMAL to be depressed and/or regret having the surgery immediately post-op. 2. Be aware: It is very likely that your weight loss will stall or even reverse during the first weeks to month after surgery. This is counter-intuitive to people, because they just had weight loss surgery AND they are on a liquid diet and not eating. But it is NORMAL to plateau or even gain Water weight while your body is recovering from the stress of surgery. Try not to despair. If you keep at it, you will begin to lose weight soon enough. 3. Be aware: A lot of people feel very hungry and ready to eat eat eat almost immediately after surgery. For a lot of people, the band alone doesn't do anything for weeks to month until it is filled. This is what people refer to as Bandster Hell. A smaller subset of people do feel a reduction in hunger right away-- but if you don't go in automatically expecting you'll be a lucky one, then you won't be as baffled and disappointed if you aren't. It is NORMAL to feel hungry and frustrated until you reach the appropriate fill for your body, and that may take weeks to months. Knowing these things and expecting them will help tremendously with your emotional reaction to the band. If any of these things happen to you, you are in good and prolific company. Don't despair! Figure out before your surgery how you might cope with them when they come up and odds are, they won't be a problem for you. Knowledge is the key. That said, also know this-- this surgery has very good odds of changing your life for the better. It is not FAST. It takes time, and for some people, it may take years to shed the excess weight-- slowly but steadily. I would never have believed in September that I would be where I'm at today; that a woman who could barely walk without major pain because of plantar faciitis is now pain free and running on a treadmill. Every bit of pain and anxiety and frustration has been FAR outweighed by all of the amazing ways my life has changed because of better health.

They make adult dosage tylenol in liquid form-- I got mine at Walmart. I'm assuming your doc is suggesting children's tylenol because it's liquid, but they do make "regular" tylenol as well.

Oh, leg cramps, how I hate them. I've had them off and on my whole life and the advice you've gotten is great-- Water water water, Vitamins vitamins vitamins Hope they go away soon. There is something really unpleasant about waking up in the middle of the night with a sudden intense cramping in your calf that makes you want to scream. I just hope you never experience toe cramps-- yep, I've had that happen too and it's almost worse. Wow, I sound like a Debbie Downer tonight. Sorry

My gas pain took a couple of days to show up, and even though I KNEW to expect it it still took me two days to realize that the "pinched nerve" in my left shoulder/neck was actually referred gas pain that everyone had been talking about Some people get away with none though-- maybe you'll be lucky!

I keep it to myself, outside of my family and a few very close friends. I'm sure people suspect because wow do I look different after losing 100 lbs + in 8 months, and if anyone were ever brazen enough to flat out ask I'd probably tell them, but that hasn't happened. I did recently tell our office assistant at work who is obese and asked me in private how I'd lost weight. I felt it was an appropriate situation for complete disclosure and I trust her to be discrete, so I told her all about it. I do sometimes wonder if there may be different circumstances to consider for men and women, especially as I see a tendency for men to put it right out there for everyone while women tend to be more either/or. The fact is, as stigmatized as obesity is for men, it is worse for women in this society who are much more judged by appearance than men are. Because of that, I think the pressures and risks for men and women are different interpersonally-- as a guy, you might be less likely to hear backtalk about it, or to be the subject of gossip, or to have people assume you're just lazy and you did it for vanity reasons instead of taking a reasonable and effective method to control weight for health outcomes. This seems like one of those things that public or private, it's probably not a HUGE deal in the end. But we all have to do what personally feels comfortable. Good luck in your decision!

I experienced that for sure-- and since I wasn't allowed Ibuprofen, I took Lortab the first few months and that was even worse (it gives me a headache). However, they've actually gotten much better in the last couple months and a normal dose of tylenol takes care of them. It gets better in my experience, but it sucks while it's happening.

It's just because they're trying to get you in the habit of cutting out the sugar, as far as I can tell. It's a "healthy eating" thing and not a "healing stomach" thing.

June- Do "wet" meats work for you? I'm thinking things like barbecue pork or shredded rotisserie chicken? I think rotisserie chicken is very band friendly and I shred the leftover meat after the first night to make things like chicken enchiladas (and if I'm tight I just eat out the middle and ignore the tortilla) or chicken salad. I also will sometimes do turkey pepperoni for a snack. I don't know if that would work with your band but it might be worth a shot. I know there are people who swear by Greek yogurt for Protein. I'm not really a yogurt person, but it does have a lot of protein for reasonable calories and shouldn't get stuck. I'm telling you, this is always a work in progress, huh? I'm fighting with myself now to drink my Water. I'm very very very bad about it and now that I've (finally) starting exercising, this is a pretty big issue for me to fix.

It definitely sounds like you're too tight and an unfill is in order. I've seen people get relief with a very small amount taken out but reflux seems like one of those things you don't want to mess with in terms of long-term damage/complications.

Are you a vegetarian, June May? I only ask because you could be from your description, and obviously my suggestion won't work for a vegetarian. But. . . . meat, Beans, and cheese are good sources of Protein. I know, I know-- I'm stating the obvious! But, honestly, it sounds like you may want to lose more weight and that your goal is NOT maintenance. If so, obviously you realize you are doing too much non-nutritional snacking for a weight loss phase (buy yay for maintenance), and that daily diets of popcorn, chocolate, ice cream, and almonds are not going to help you lose even if you start with an egg in the morning. Don't get me wrong here-- I absolutely believe in eating "bad for you stuff" in moderation if you can handle it without binging or going off track. But without any more info, I wonder if you are handling it very well or if it has taken you off track, for the moment? Only you can answer. As for Petunia, I get why people got prickly at her response, but I absolutely reject the idea that someone who isn't banded or hasn't experienced something in life has nothing of value to add to the conversation. She's obviously in the thick of the education and preparation stage-- she has some very valuable bits of information in there, even if the tone rubbed the OP in the wrong way. I don't expect the OP to necessarily accept the advice, but the piling on of others is a bit much in my opinion. Keep posting, Petunia!

Lisa, I had my first fill since January this month because I was suddenly really hungry again. It has helped so far with the hunger.

I'm sorry you're having a rough time, lifesaver. And, I don't know what to tell you-- I can understand why you must be frustrated. When is the last time you went in to see your surgeon? It's probably time to do some investigative work to find out what's happening in there, beyond the fluoro. If your calories are low enough but not too low (you didn't mention), then you should be losing.

You didn't hurt your band, I'm sure. Try not to be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes-- it's what follows a mistake that makes the difference. Just don't beat yourself up and lesson learned for next time.

Fantastic!!!

Hey Lisa. I am in a L top and mostly in 12's on the bottom though I have a few bottoms that are 10. That's awesome that you're in 18's. I found that 16 came pretty quickly on the heels of 18, but that 14 stuck around for a while.

I'm a psychologist trained in hypnosis. No way would I use it to treat obesity. There is no research that shows it to be effective. Now, if you had chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome, I'd say go for it because research finds it to be effective for a good number of people with those issues. But not obesity, or frankly anything else really.

I had a 48 starting BMI and I was approved by insurance (BCBS) in 15 minutes. No kidding-- program coordinator called and said my paperwork was complete and she was going to submit it, then 15 minutes called back to say I was approved My PCP did tell me bypass might be better for me, but my surgeon thought the band would work and since that's what i wanted, that's what I got.

Yay for you!

I think a lot of bandsters do therapy without knowing it I've noticed that a lot of bandsters use Self-Control Therapy on themselves, which is really just a series of methods designed to make eating more mindful and conscious rather than emotional and unconscious. For example, monitoring your eating behavior through tracking/journalling is a technique used in therapy. In addition to logging every thing that goes in your mouth (including Water and vitamins-- everything), you could also name your current emotion and make a quick rating on a scale of 1-10 of how strong it is. This just keeps you mindful and accountable, and also helps you see patterns. Also, I've noticed a lot of people use stimulus control methods-- which are just like rules that you set around eating to control how and where you eat. Really, bandster rules are like this. One "easy" one is to set a rule that the only place you eat is at the kitchen table when home, or at place "x" at work. This means no eating in front of the television, grabbing a snack and eating it while you walk around the house, etc. This way, you are again taking steps to put yourself at the table and making a conscious choice to eat. That said, I do think for a lot of people having an "outside voice" who is empathetic and caring, but honest, is very very helpful. Finally, I can say that I see myself a lot in your post and the band has helped me tremendously. Yes, I have to do a lot of work and yes, I have to make good choices. BUT, the band just makes me generally less interested in food because I'm just not that hungry when it's working at it's best. And, if I do get bored and pull out Snacks, as long as I pull out something healthy, I don't do much damage (yesterday, for instance, I had an ounce of cheddar cheese which is full of Protein to snack on and it was fine- I was still under calorie for the day).

Don't give up, and don't let your anxiety over eating solids get the best of you! Probably you've been getting in too many calories on liquids-- I think it's easy to forget how calorie-laden things like smoothies can actually be and we don't count it if we're drinking it. Start slow with the proteins-- after a fill, I am on liquids for two days and then my first meal post-liquid is refried Beans. Then I just move on to solid Proteins, take it very slow, chew chew chew, and see what happens. I think it takes long-term abuse of chronic overeating to stretch the pouch. It seems highly unlikely that you've done that. Also, people with slips tend to know it-- they can't keep anything down, including Water. It sounds to me like you might have a bit of an issue with anxiety and the band. Understandable! But if it's getting the best of you, it might be time to make an appointment with a psychologist to work on it. Luckily, anxiety is pretty easy to treat and it's better to get it sooner than later-- even easier then

When I start working out after a long hiatus, I often see a gain at first-- of water weight. Something about working out-of shape muscle. I don't know the science behind it or if it happens to other people, but this is something I've observed.

Fantastic! Congratulations