Sue2009

Hi, that is bizarre to put on weight in hospital with the surgery?? I had my surgery in Aug 2009, I was in & out in 24hrs no complications, the Dr never even mentioned anything about that kind of issue. The only weight gain they ever talked about is the one I've seen all around me with people who have had lap band surgery, myself included, 2 colleagues at work, 2 aquaintences, and just heaps of people I know from these forums, is that people pack back on the weight because they often just saw lap banding as a quick and easy fix to their weight problem, and made NO LIFESTYLE changes, no real attempts to stop packing in the calories via the easily digestible foods like, lollies, chips, chocolates, biscuits, ice cream, donuts, etc etc and low and behold most are even fatter than before the surgery. Luckily I only regained 2kgs (4.4) pounds) of the total 5kgs (11pounds) lost over 18mnths. Totally pathetic effort on my part! Not sure if it helps either but my starting weight was 93kgs (204 pounds). However, the other people I've observed sadly have packed on amounts like 30-60kgks or 66pounds-132pounds. For me, I started to get annoyed and frustrated as the band fills caused greater restriction, which of course its meant to. However, for me it meant I started to feel a bit deprived not so much hungry/deprived at meal times, but more psychologically deprived of food. Not sure if that makes sense, but obviously food brings us a lot of enjoyment and it was annoying and a bit depressing to feel I could only have such a small amount compared to what I was used to. Before long I relalize now, that I started to replace my meals with these easily digestible "treat foods" to compensate for not being able much. So after 18mths and an expensive $AU 13,000 op I had gotten absolutely nowhere! My treating psychiatrist whom I have seen for 10yrs for much different reasons is a lovely Dr, and she was fairly sceptical of the surgery, in fact I was her 1st pt ever to have the surgery and she is 60 yrs old. She has since said she would like to know the true statistics of lap banding and true long term statistics and patient outcomes as she too often sees these patients just get around the lap band with relapsing into poor eating habits with easily digestible junk food, and also the fact that it doesn't seem to take long for the band to seem to stretch and it seems you can eat as much if not more than before anyhow. In that regard, I was almost thinking why even keep this foreign body inside me after 2yrs and only 3kgs of weight lost and maintained off, god knows what affect it has on our bodies in the long run, however, the one positive for me is that it does have some restriction still, which does help with things like the fact that before the surgery I would easily eat a loaf of bread in one sitting, and now I can only eat 2 pieces of bread at a time, and that is comfortable, and that has helped to modify one ridiculous bad unhealthy habit. I have recently lost 2kgs on my own and have started to really return to some healthy eating habits that I am hoping to maintain, just the basic lean meat, vegetables, fruits, appropriate calories, Protein, fat, carbs, etc and portions for my height and weight, and regular exercise. There has been a documentary in Australia called Fat & Fatter where they send young UK people to the 4 fattest nations in the world the US, Greece, South America, and Kuwait, the Uk people are about 20stone, then the "Fatter people" are about 30+ stone. It is v graphic, they show the 30+ plus people dying literally feet first, kidneys first etc from type 2 diabtes etc etc it has scared the shit out of me. It scares the shit out of the UK people too. Some go back and get healthy some don't I know it sounds awful, but that was the kind of wake up call that I needed. I'm 14 stone, and I fetl that I was barrelling towards type 2 diabtes. This show has been more motivating and helpful and the lapband. However, if I hadn't tried the lapband I would never have learned that at the end of the day I had to face the fact that I was a bit in denial, and that i would have to do the work, make the choices every time i put something in my mouth, do I want these extra calories, or do I want to try and stick to the healthy eating plan and the goal of a healthy weight and lookin after myself for a healthy weight now and in the future. Blah..... Sorry this is so long I do wish you luck with yr journey.

Hi Trish Sounds like you are doing so well congrats! Sue

Hi Callie? This is Sue, maybe try posting on the Adelaide Bandsters thread. I've met a few people ie online thru that thread. And have caught up with 1 person from there in person. Congrats on having yr op. Mine was 4wks ago on Mon. I was lucky I didn't have any pain after coming out of recovery. Who did u hav yr op thru? I went thru a group called Circle of Care at Flinders Private Hospital. The program there has an holistic approach so it runs follow up support groups. I've been to 2 so far and I found it really helpful. Especially for basic post op qu's. If you'd like to email me privately or anything let me know and I'll send u my details in a private msg on here. Best of luck with everything. Sue

Thanks Trish and Leah. I'm back on track now and feeling much better about it all. It will b 3wks on Mon. and now I've lost 3kgs! Which has been a great inspiration to stay on track. Was prob being a bit impatient with myself. I also spoke to one of the nurses at the clinic. She reminded me to think abt whether I actually feel hungry, and to have a drink of h2o and go for a walk if I feel like slipping up. Simple but effective. Cheers, Sue

Hi Everyone Its been 2 &1/2 wks since my op. The first wk I had great restriction. Since then I have had barely any restriction. It's been like trying to diet on my own. I'm completely disenchanted by it all at the moment. I can eat whatever I want, whenever. I'm trying not to, I still want to succeed, but it worries me that it is so easy to slip up on bad foods like lollies, chocolate, chips, biscuits. Aargghh!!! Apparently my surgeon doesn't do a fill until abt 10wks post op. The 6wk appt is just a check up. I have no idea how I'm going to restrict my intake on my own for at least 8 more wks. I've lost 1kg, which is better than nothing but I'm v disappointed in my self for not having more self control, ie doing better. I hope everyone else is doing ok though. Take care Sue

Hi Everyone Had my op on Mon at 2pm and can't believe how well I've coped with it so far. I haven't had any pain relief since Mon 5pm. I feel really well and happy. Its awesome to feel so full and not feel hungry or needy for food. When I first posted a few weeks ago I was abt 95kgs and am 90kgs now. Good luck when you have yr op Tarob. Its a big relief to have the surg and for it to have gone so smoothly. B4 the op I had heaps of fears and concerns, and that has all gone now. Take care everyone. Sue

Hi Suzie Not sure if u mean today Mon or tomorrow Tues? I wd luv to have met you but I'm actually working in the city tomorrow. Mayb we cd swap ph numbers and catch up somehow b4 or after my op. Whenever it suits u. Is there a private messaging thing on this website? How do you all put those weight loss marker things on yr msgs?? And yr wt loss stats?? Take care everyone. Sue

Hi everyone:smile2: 7 days to go till the op! Am feeling pretty excited. I was feeling reasonably confident about it all until... I spoke to my brother about it the other night. He is a doctor and did 5yrs of anaesthetics, on top of 5yrs of paediatrics. When he did anaesthetics he said he put lots of people under for lap band surg and saw lots of disasters. I told him my biggest concern is that I've seen 3 people have the surg, lose weight then regain it all! That put me off for a while. Interestingly, my bro said i that shd be the least of my concerncs. He thinks the worst thing that cd happen is that I'll feel miserable because i can't eat normally, and what I want to/am used to. At the ended of the day tho i keep saying that I'm me, an individual, and that it might just go fine! Hope you're all doing ok..? Cheers from Sue

Hi Leah, Suzie and Jess Thanks for the warm welcomes. I'm kinda counting down now Jess, 3wks 1day to go! Am really glad its not long now. I was going to see Dr Kow last Sept but didn't have the $ to go thru with it all then so cancelled my appt. Then I had to wait to May this yr to get in again and to start the ball rolling. So I'm really ready to get on with it now. Are the 4 wks on fluids hard to take/manage after being used to eating heaps of whatever/whenever you want? Or does the restriction help to make you not that phased? Do you struggle with feeling deprived/hungry after the surgery? Sorry if they're dumb questions, just a bit of a newbie. Hey Suzie might see u round Mt B. I work at the library do u go there? Thanks for now Sue

Hi Everyone Just wanted to say hello, just joined today. I'm having the lap band done 3-8-09, only 4 wks away! Am excited and nervous. So I really appreciate being able to read about other peoples experiences. I'm having the op done by Dr Lillian Kow at Flinders Private. I'm 158cms and 95kgs!!! I live in the Adelaide Hills also, am at Mt Barker. Anyhow, thanks for sharing your experiences, its invaluable. Thanks from, Sue