khath0620

Thanks, Suzanne. That made me feel better. I just couldn't imagine GAINING weight by not only eating so little but also being frustrated because I worked this hard to get it off! :devil_smile: Katie

Has anyone heard of gaining weight when you transition from mushies to solid food? The nutritionist said that there is a possibility of a small weight gain initially....what the heck?!?! Is there any way to avoid that???? Thanks, Katie

Hi all, I was banded 5/18 and am down 25 pounds! I am very happy and feel my energy returning. I haven't been hungry for food, just TEXTURE and CHEWING! I am about to start week 2 of 2 of pureed foods. I can start solids after my next appointment on 6/15. I am really looking forward to this although I am am concerned with starting to eat solids and getting stuck. I have to get my butt moving though....just started back to work and it kicked my butt! Hope everyone is doing well! :thumbup: Katie

I was banded by Arthur on May 18th. I have nothing but great things to say about him. He is kind, compassionate and very knowledgeable. He truly makes you feel important and respected, which is something that all people should feel about their surgeon. After all, you are putting your life in their hands. I would (and already have) highly recommend Arthur to anyone. :^) Katie

Thank God!!! I thought I would never be able to eat sushi again and it was heartbreaking!!! I love sushi!

I think you should try to take Gas-X with the Protein for a while. It takes time for your stomach to get used to having something foreign around it. I have been taking Gas-X with some meals just because I have a similar issue. I was banded 5/18. From what I understand this will all get better..... :thumbup: Katie

You all are doing so well! Such success stories for me to "feed" on! I have lost 20# since my pre-op surgical visit on 5/4. I was banded on 5/18. I still have occasional aches and pains and am just shy of enough energy to chase after my 2 and 4 yr old children. That will all get better I am sure. I am so proud of you all ... you keep me coming back for more! :^) Katie

Congrats! I had my band done on Tuesday 5/18 and am feeling ok. I am still having some gas issues, ? if I am getting constipated (although not sure because there isn't much going in so how could I expect anything, well, you know...). This is a very exciting journey, huh?

Why do you gain weight on the mushies?!?!?! That totally would/will piss me off too! I have been on a liquid diet for 10 days now, down 15 pounds . My surgery is tomorrow morning and I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared to death! I am just praying everything goes smoothly! Katie

I hadn't really thought about it that way. thanks! I figured they were filling me up because of the carbonation. I will give it a try. what do you think about seltzer?

I am on day 6 of 10 of my pre-op diet. I am so hungry all the time. It isn't just "head hunger" either. My stomach is actually rumbling so loud that other people are noticing. I am having a Protein shake for Breakfast and lunch and taking in a lot of broth, crystal lite and diet soda. I am just grateful that I am on the downward slope! :smile2: Katie

I am on Day 2 of my pre-op liquid diet and, of course, it is Mother's Day when I would normally have all my favorite foods throughout the day. Not this year, though! My Breakfast consisted of a chocolate Protein shake with coffee (so it made a mocha drink). It actually was pretty decent! I definitely had the stomach growls yesterday but I just kept up with drinking crystal lite or diet coke or chewed gum. I only have to do this for 10 days and then I have my surgery on May 18th. I have been told that the 1st few days are really tough and then your stomach begins to shrink a bit so you are not as hungry. good luck to everyone! :confused: Katie

My mother-in-law is more than willing to take the kids during the day while my husband works during my post-op phase. I am really lucky. I am a little worried about the "little elbows" or knees, or heads, or whatever. My kids are very affectionate so to not have them on top of me all the time will be an adjustment for the both of us. I know that I will not be able to lift for a while so we will have to have a talk with the kids to help me out after I get home from the hospital. I think we may play that I am a pretend patient and they are my pretend doctors who need to take care of me...get me a drink, pick things up off the floor, etc I am hoping it will work out for a few days. Thanks! :thumbup: Katie

My husband is the same way...very supportive. I have heard the first few days are a little rough but after that it is smoother. I hope so because I am alone with my 2 and 4 year old after day 2! I am having my surgery May 18th as well and I am really nervous and really excited!!!

Hi there, I have been in O.A. for 10 months now. I know this program works! I have felt the support and relief from my food addiction at times but, to be honest, I haven't given my total attention to the program 100% of the time. I guess it is because I have difficulty with lack of time. Between parenting my 2 toddlers and working full time, I can only go to 1 meeting a week and try to do phone meetings when I can. My issue right now is that I know that I am overeating because of a sense of "well, after I am banded I won't be able to have this". I know what I should be doing (calling my sponsor, getting to more meetings, journaling, etc) but need to find that willingness. I have a May 18th band date. I don't want to gain 20 pounds BEFORE surgery! I know the band is only a tool in my recovery. I will always be a compulsive eater and, if I wasn't devoted to becoming healthier, I wouldn't keep coming back or even going through surgery to get there. I need OA for all the incredible support and guidance. Someone in another post said that having a food addiction is the hardest addiction possible because everyday our "drug" is triggered because we need food to survive. Anyone have any words of wisdom or support? Thanks, :biggrin: Katie

Hi everyone! I have a May 18th band date! I want to echo what others have said and say that I am excited and nervous. I am afraid of failing, of getting "stuck", of complications, etc. On the other side, I am excited that this tool will help me on my life-long struggle with weight. I met with the psychologist at the surgeon's office and he said, based on my psychological profile, that I have a "high potential" that this surgery will be very effective. That definitely increased my confidence level! Thank you for all your support and stories! :biggrin: Katie

I have told only the people I trust which includes certain friends and family. I haven't told my brother, though. He is extremely judgmental and critical. I can already imagine the conversation (or rather the lecture) that he would have with me. I feel that I owe this journey to myself and don't have to justify it to anyone else. I don't need his approval or disapproval. I may tell him or I may not. I haven't decided. All I know is that the closest people to me in my life love me and support me unconditionally. This process is hard enough without feeling that!

I have been in OA for 9 months now and have finally found a place where I really belong and don't feel total anxiety about going like I did when I was in WW or other formal organizations. I have to say that I have done a lot of emotional work but not as much of the physical work as I know I need to do. No excuses, I just chose food over "the next right thing" over the last 9 months at certain times. It is not something I am proud of but my addiction, my "high" medicated me. The down side is that the scale doesn't reflect the amount of mental work I have done these past several months but the upside is that I am now using my tools more and more each day to make better choices. It is a process and for every set back, I have a success too. Right now I am having a problem where I can't lose any weight otherwise I won't meet the BMI criteria for insurance to pay for this surgery. I have to maintain where I am for at least a month or two which, for me, is a real challenge. I plan on keep going to my meetings, talk to my sponsor, write down my foods, and pray for peace. Has anyone else been in this situation? Thanks, Katie

Hi all, I have done my introductory meeting and am now waiting for my surgical consult on 4/12. I have a sleep study, a nutritionist appointment, and a psych eval to go through before I can be approved for my surgery. It will be at least a month before all this can be done. I have spent my life "dieting" and trying to lose weight and now I find I don't wand to (and maybe even shouldn't) lose weight, otherwise I won't meet the BMI criteria. I am very excited about moving ahead with this surgery but don't want to gain a bunch of weight in the next month. I attend OA and recognize I am a compulsive overeater. I guess I am just looking for support and encouragement that this is all just "part of the process". You all inspire me everyday. Thanks, Katie

Thanks, Larry! Do you know if you had to wait longer for Dr. Kelly or is it that the program makes you wait that long? I was hoping to take "1st available" pre-surgical appointments with the specialists you listed to expedite the process. I am really looking forward to this meeting and getting the process underway! :wub: Katie

So do you know if I have already done a lot of the prep work outside of the Weight Loss Center, is the wait still that long??? I have been seeing a nutritionist for 6 months, a therapist for 2 1/2 yrs, have had a gym membership (and attending regularly) for almost a year, etc.... Thanks, Katie

Hi there...I saw this UMass Medical Center Bandsters thread and wanted to ask a few questions. I have my introductory meeting next week and am really looking forward to it. I have been in Overeaters Anonymous for 1 year now, been seeing a therapist for 2 1/2 yrs, and have been working with a nutritionist for 6 months. I just saw my PCP and she has approved me to go ahead with the process. I have a BMI of 41 and have been struggling w/ high BP. I feel like I have made a great start and am ready to take this journey. My question is how long does this process usually take to get to get a surgery date? I have already called my insurance (BC/BS of MA) and they said that all I have to do is submit a medical authorization form. What steps do I have to do with the Weight loss center in order to get my consult w/ a surgeon? any suggestions for a surgeon? I know there are a lot of questions but I don't want to go into this blindly. Thanks, :smile2:Katie