I mean really...a little searching of the site and I am sure you will find your answer! So please bare with me, while I break my own rule. Hey..I looked but this is a HUGE site...lol1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? I keep thinking I can't possibly do a liquid diet for a week.2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <whispers> positions?4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?5. What is the longest a person went without any fills (after surgury) and STILL lost weight?6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out? That has always been my downfall with Atkins, I would get discouarged and just start eating the foods I liked again because I figured I wasn't losing anyway.I'm sorry if you guys get tired of the same ole questions. At least I was specific and didn't just come on here and say can someone tell me about lapband...lolThanks in advance

Okay, you've asked lots and lots of questions that can easily be answered if you do a simple search

1. I didn't do a pre-op diet. I was too sick.

2. I had my gallbladder out lap, and the pain from that was more than the band. I think. I remember it hurting more than being banded, but I had to have it out because it was full of stones and blocked and I was sick from it. I went shopping the morning after I was banded.

3. Sex... WOOT! okay, don't do anything before you feel like it. And if your hubbie is disturbing your band while making whoopie, well, maybe he's got a promicing career in Porn?

4. Yup you gain weight when you transition from liquids to solids. Weight gain doesn't mean fat gain. Here, your colon has matter in it again.

5. I don't know how long the longest time folks went without a fill. Im a turtle, so I'm not the best person to ask this. Kare Bear and Capt'n Jack spring to mind.

6. I have yet to lose 40 pounds so I cannot answer this.

Thanks alot vinesqueen. you're funny and your ticker and commit after made me lol! So 40lbs is all you have to lose?! Or is that a mini goal? I have like 115 ilbs to loose!!!

i had a c section x2 and i must say the pain is NOTHING compared to that!! ALOT less pain.I took a 8 hrs bus trip back home 2 days after the op!

I waiting until my scars were nice a healed before being with hubby.

i didn't gain weight while going from stage to stage but some do.Once you get into the swing of things those pounds do come off.

The hardest part of all was adjusting my brain to the fact that there will sometimes be food left on the plate,i can't eat it all even if i wanted to and some foods i like i can't eat.(spagetti or any noodle meat combo...)

If you follow the rules and exercise it DOES work.The weight i lost which you see on the ticker,i lost from changing the way i eat.The rest will come off once i decide to move my body and exercise.The choice is mine!!!

Good luck and you will find that it's easy to ask questions here!

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet?

My doc said do one week of liquids but if I HAD to eat I could have one small meal per day - I found that it wasn't too hard if I ate a protein shake for breakfast, some blended liquid soup for lunch, a light meal at about 4 pm, and maybe another shake or soup at 8 or so. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Some people way way way cheat, but I felt like it was easier not to cheat by allowing myself that one healthy meal per day.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

I had never had surgery before my LB, but the paid wasn't too bad. The 1st few days I felt pain, but 3 days after surgery I went to work for 1/2 day.

3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions?

I waited about 1 week to do no frills stuff - after 2 weeks, no problems doing it any which way.

4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?

I did gain back a few lbs after going back on solids, maybe 3 lbs. I'm a slow loser. It's good to know and expect that you will gain back a few at 1st b/c it's discouraging but it's totally normal. Also, some people need several fills before they can lose any at all. It can get frustrating but just remember that maintining some weight loss is better than gaining, and that MANY people require seevral fills before they lose.6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out?

Can't help you on this one - I'm at a stall right now. I'm hoping adding more exersize will help, but haven't gotten off my lazy ass yet to try it!

Welcome to bandland and good luck!

C and lovescat, thank you for your responses. I keep blushing everytime I read the answers to #3.

I was just banded on 12/13 and I saw my Dr. today for a follow up a week early due to the holiday and her taking time off. I will answer the ones that I can

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet?

I did not have a week liquid diet, I had to loose 8% before surgery. I gained some back and my Dr. let me have surgery even though she usually does not allow that. She has cancled surgery before for weight gain. I had one day of clear liquid and that was a bit tough at times. I would suggest getting protien shakes or other foods that are filling and drink lots of water. Can they give you a diet pill for that week. I was prescribed something preop to loose the weight. I will get the name for you.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

I had my gallbladder removed and was prepaired for the same pain, but it was so much easier. I did sleep on the couch for a while but that was because I was afraid I would roll over on my stomach as that is how I usually sleep and did not want to due to my swelling and bruising. I had a bit more swelling and bruising my Dr. said than she normally see's because my body was being difficult and not letting the band and port in through the incision. Not normal.

3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions?

My Dr gave me a binder at the hospital and this is one of the items addressed. She said as soon as a person feels up to it. I was taken off birth control and so I am going to be a bit careful. No ooppss for me : )

I can not answer the rest but having just done this a week ago, I would do it again in a heart beat. I lost 9 lbs my first week and I was drinking lots of empty calories (apple juice, orange juice) that I am now cutting down on so I can maximize my weight loss. I do not feel any restriction and my Dr. said to just keep with the post op diet and I will get filled in Jan. I drank a lot of soda and that is hard to give up. I drank it up to the day of surgery. If I could go back I would have stopped before that because that is hard now. I know I can not have soda, but I am only on liquids so it is a huge adjuestment.

Sigh, another newbie. Oh well, I'll answer...AGAIN. :eek:

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet? I keep thinking I can't possibly do a liquid diet for a week.

Not everyone has to do a pre-op diet. If you do, it's not as hard as you think. A week goes by faster than you imagine, and if you really think about what's it's for you'll find the motivation to continue. I once did a liquid diet for 12 weeks and there was no surgery at the end of it to keep me honest. But I stayed on it anyway.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

Can't answer this, never having had abdominal surgery before. I will say banding surgery was easier than giving birth naturally.

3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <whispers> positions?

If it feels good do it! The only restriction on physical activity, usually, is no heavy lifting for several weeks. But otherwise if you feel up to doing whatever activity floats your boat, your body knows best.

4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?

You might gain weight, you might not. I don't remember gaining any once I started on solids, but the weight LOSS certainly slowed down in a hurry at that point. The most important thing during the liquid stage is staying on liquids so you can heal, and IMO that means it's important not to get too hungry. It's not a time to be worrying about calories.

5. What is the longest a person went without any fills (after surgury) and STILL lost weight?

There are people who have never needed a fill. But that's meaningless to you, because the only thing that matters is when YOU need a fill. The band can't do it's job without proper, personalized adjustment and you just won't know what that is until you get there. You might need a fill, you might not, you might need 8. What's the difference? You'll find out what's right for you when the time comes.

6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out? That has always been my downfall with Atkins, I would get discouarged and just start eating the foods I liked again because I figured I wasn't losing anyway.

I don't like the word "stall." It's a simple fact of weight loss that there will be plateaus, and this is NORMAL. But what IS different about being banded and hitting one is that you simply CAN'T go back to your pre-banded eating habits. The band is still there, keeping you from overdoing it and destroying your progress. And since that's the case, the "stall" ends and your weight loss starts again. THIS IS NOT A DIET, and it's not about being "on" a plan and trying to rack up a certain amount of loss in a certain amount of time before you go "off" the plan. If you plan on being banded for the rest of your life, there's no point in worrying about stalls and plateaus. It is all just part of the journey.

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet?

I didn't have a "preop" diet but I was required to lose 10lbs and then light dinner the night before surgery and nothing after midnight by mouth. I did a modified Atkins anyways and dropped 25 lbs before surgery (my doctor removed my gallbladder 3.5 weeks earlier and said that he could see much better inside due to dropping the weight.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

I had 2 c sections, one lap gallbladder removal and the band. The C sections were the worst, I had stones but no symptoms so my gallbladder was a breeze - the band would fall right in the middle for me. I went back to an office job with modified duties (no filing) at day 9 and did just fine.

3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions?

I have to agree - when you feel up to it. One week is the most I could get away with!

4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?

I did not gain any when I went over to solids but I was a chicken - I am afraid to test the limits of my band so I did just fine.

6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out?

I'll let you know when I get there.

Good luck!

Dawn, Alexandra, and Lynn, you don't know how much I appreacite your responses! Thank you so much. A special thanks to you Alexandra for 'keeping it real'. Your comments on stalling have cemented my desicion to get the band, God Willing.

I hear a lot of people struggle with the soda (pop i'm from chicago), thankfully that is not an issue for me. I am a Water drinker, even at restaurants I order water. I am a social tea and coffe drinker, but I can give that up, God Willing. As for the water I had concerns because I chug alug that stuff and drink about 1 1/2 gallon a day (we change our 5 gallon water bottle every other day and I drink most of that but even my kids prefer water over anything else).

Not to mention I live in Saudi and it gets hot! So I usually gulp the water down trying to quinch my thirst. I am thinking about buying me a baby sippy cup to ensure that I do not drink too fast. Anybody else do that? As a matter of fact I will probably start eating right along with my almost 8 month old when I introduce him to food (still exclusively brestfed, doesn't even drink water or juice)...same baby spoon and food and all!!!

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet?

My Dr only does pre op diets for ppl with a BMI over 50.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

I have had 2 ceasars and it wasnt even comparable. I will say it was painful but NOTHING compared to my ceasars.

3. Now this is one I really haven't seen at all and am a bit shy to ask, but it's better to ask now then end up in the ER. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions?

I waited about 2 weeks or so.

4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain? I plan on eating only healthy (low carbs) on the liquid and solid stages and fear that once I go on solids I may actually gain weight. Should I jus eat whatever I can tolerate on liquids and solids and worry about losing the weight and low carbing after I go on solids?

I gained back a fair few lbs switcing, and then some more when I needed a fill. Nothing huge just Fluid mostly I think.

6. For some reason it is very easy for me to lose 40lbs (after each of my 3 pregnancies I have lost all of my pregnacy weight which has been 40-45lbs within 2 weeks after delivery AND each time I have done Atkins I have lost 40lbs and then I stall). Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall? Or is it a matter of just being patient and waiting it out?

I have lost 59 lbs and mine has stalled alot over the last few months. I dont mind though, at least it is coming off.

Good Luck :eek:

Kabeerah~

I have the same concern about getting in enough Water...now I drink about 3 quarts a day to combat a cystitis problem. I usually drink an 8-oz glass at a time and am worried that just sipping I won't get in enough throughouto the day. If anyone has suggestions or reassurance, I'd love to hear them. The sippy cup sounds like a good idea, but I'm worried I won't get any work done cuz I'll be too busy sipping!!

Emily

1. How difficult did you find the pre-op diet?

* I did liquids for 10 days and after about day 3 it was easy. My family lived on frozen meals and take out for that time, my hubby didn't want me to have to cook and then not eat.

2. I have had 3 cesareans and my gallbladder laproscopically removed. Does anyone know how the pain and/or recovery is in comparison?

* I had natural child birth so I can't help there, and i still have my gallbladder for now.

3. How soon can one umm hmmm be intimate and are you limited in well you know <WHISPERS>positions?

I waited almost 2 weeks, I was gluded not stitched and I was worried about the glue popping open so I was a bit over protective.

4. After going on solids, is there a weight gain?

I didn't gain when I went to solids, but I made that transition pretty fast, I was on soft solids in less than 2 weeks.

5. What is the longest a person went without any fills (after surgury) and STILL lost weight?

* I think Dylansmom is the longest and best losing that I know of, she still has no fill and is losing fine, not to mention she is looking just fab!

6. Do people stall on this and if they do and it has nothing to do with the restriction, how can you tweak your program to break the stall?

* Like Alex said it is a plateau and yes you will hit one at some point, everyone does. I do a day of liquids and then a day of mushies and then a day of soft foods and that seems to jump start my weight loss again.

I have lost 51 pounds in less than 5 months, and that is my method for breaking a plateau.

I hope you are finding the answers that you are seeking here. Never be affraid to ask questions, that is what we experienced bandsters are here for. The only stupid question is the one that you never ask. I am in Chicago so if you ever make a visit home, let us know maybe we can plan a lunch while you are here, there are loads fo chicagoans here. Keep us updated on your progress. ~Mandy

I usually drink an 8-oz glass at a time and am worried that just sipping I won't get in enough throughouto the day. If anyone has suggestions or reassurance, I'd love to hear them.

Oh! OH! I know, I KNOW!!!!!

Get a beer helmet!

You know,one of those beer hats where it holds the cans or bottles of been on your head and gravity feeds the beer down. Sort of like a hard-hat looking thing.

Thanks so much Kel, Emily and Mandy! Hey, where's Dylansmom? I would love to hear her story of having weight loss with no fill. I know we are all different but I like to hear all the variations!

O Mandy, don't make me homesick! I bet it's a lot of stuff I could eat in the mushy stage at THE CHEESECAKE FACTORY (we actually have them here in Saudi but only the bakery not the restaurant). O and REAL pizza...yummy. Do you guys have support groups or you just get togther and hangout?

i didnt have to do a pre op diet

i had 4 c- sections and my gall bladder removed, and the band was a breeze to this. It doesnt even compare.

I waited 2 weeks for this to happen

I didnt gain any weight