Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

introducing myself



Recommended Posts

Hi guys! Hope you don't mind me joining you. I'm Rachel, I'm 32, and I was banded on April 12th with a Realize band. I have 2 daughters (3 and 6) and a husband and we live in sunny (HA!) Massachusetts.

I had started the lap-band process in 2006, but ended up getting pregnant while on my pre-op diet. Fine by me, as we'd been trying for 2 years and had had 2 miscarriages and had pretty much given up on having another child. Once she turned 2.5, we'd moved close to Boston and I decided to look into banding again. I was 282 at my first appointment. I went down to 271 at my last pre-surgery weigh in. I'm 5'7".

So there's all my random personal info for ya biggrin.gif I feel like I've been on this site 24/7 since I had the surgery!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi guys! Hope you don't mind me joining you. I'm Rachel, I'm 32, and I was banded on April 12th with a Realize band. I have 2 daughters (3 and 6) and a husband and we live in sunny (HA!) Massachusetts.

I had started the lap-band process in 2006, but ended up getting pregnant while on my pre-op diet. Fine by me, as we'd been trying for 2 years and had had 2 miscarriages and had pretty much given up on having another child. Once she turned 2.5, we'd moved close to Boston and I decided to look into banding again. I was 282 at my first appointment. I went down to 271 at my last pre-surgery weigh in. I'm 5'7".

So there's all my random personal info for ya biggrin.gif I feel like I've been on this site 24/7 since I had the surgery!

Welcome Rachel, you came to right place. There is alway someone going through the same things you are on the site and it makes life so much easier. Hope everything is going well with your band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the welcome Brenda- so far so good! The incision sites are sore still but today was my first day on "full liquids" and I lost 8 pounds last week. I'm AMAZED that I managed to live for a week on Protein Shakes, broth, and jell-o biggrin.gif but now I'm glad to move on!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Rachel! I'm 2 days behind you. Banded on the 14th. I'm feeling great. My port site is a bit sore still, but the other incisions are mostly healed, I guess, because I don't even feel them. I'm on liquids until next week, so its Protein shakes, Soup (no chunks) and jello/pudding for me, but I'm not hungry. I've been drinking a slim-fast or carnation instant Breakfast for Breakfast, some Soup around mid-day and have needed to remind myself to eat something for dinner. Now that's different!

Welcome!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Welcome! Congrats on having to wait to get your Lapband, and then the ultimate banding ;) .

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Rachel! I'm 2 days behind you. Banded on the 14th. I'm feeling great. My port site is a bit sore still, but the other incisions are mostly healed, I guess, because I don't even feel them. I'm on liquids until next week, so its Protein shakes, Soup (no chunks) and jello/pudding for me, but I'm not hungry. I've been drinking a slim-fast or carnation instant breakfast for breakfast, some soup around mid-day and have needed to remind myself to eat something for dinner. Now that's different!

Welcome!!

Hi Carol, thanks for the welcome! All 5 of my incisions are still sore, you're lucky ;)

Welcome! Congrats on having to wait to get your Lapband, and then the ultimate banding ;) .

Thanks so much Spot :) I'm sorry your whole surgery and trip experience was so miserable. Are you feeling OK now?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for asking. I'm doing much better. However, my belly has been awfully sore the last couple days. I may be trying to eat too much, too soon. Trying to figure out all my new feelings in my stomach, at least, lol. My doctor might be a little too loose in regards to post-op diets, me thinks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yeah, it's amazing how the feelings in your stomach change, huh? I had to do a full week of clears, 1 week of full liquids, and it's hard but I'm glad I'm doing it. No wonder if anything's not going through ;)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Rachel....

Congrats on your daughter and the banding :rolleyes:

I'm scheduled for 4/26 and just had my final pre-op appointment this past Monday..... at that point I was at the same as your starting weight for surgery. I'm on my 3rd week of pre-op liquids and (knock on wood) haven't cheated once! This will be a huge accomplishment for me if I make it the full 3 weeks :blink:

I'm glad your banding went well (and you too Carol).... I hope I feel as good as the both of you afterward ;)

You definetly came to the right forum.... the group here is terrific! There is a lot of support from everyone and its great to talk and read from people who have and maybe still have the same struggles you do!

Welcome!

Faith

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Faith!

I CAN NOT IMAGINE doing the liquid pre-op diet, not for one week, sure as heck not for three weeks. That's AMAZING that you haven't cheated once laugh.gif Must make you feel like you know you'll succeed after surgery, since you have shown such amazing self control!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Faith!

I CAN NOT IMAGINE doing the liquid pre-op diet, not for one week, sure as heck not for three weeks. That's AMAZING that you haven't cheated once laugh.gif Must make you feel like you know you'll succeed after surgery, since you have shown such amazing self control!

Thanks Rachel!

I honestly was really super worried about it and I'm definetly NOT saying its easy but my family and friends have been really helpful. To tell you the truth I was petrified and wanted to scream when the doctor said I had to do it for 3 weeks.... I knew I'd have to do it for up to 3 weeks but I was hoping for somewhere in the middle. So I started trimming down in the month before I started to try and make it a little easier to manage (eating smaller portions, higher Protein foods, etc).

I couldn't have done it this far without my husband and kids though. He is really great cooking dinner every day and trying to have it cleaned up before I get home so I don't have to see everyone eat. The kids have been great too, my son is so cute, he keeps me going by counting down the days and saying cute things like "mommy can eat real food again after she gets her belly fixed" and my daughter is very supportive, she was chubby most of her childhood and slimmed down recently so she has been helping as much as possible. My friends also text me to check in on me every few days.

I'm not sure post op but I am hopeful that I will do good! That's why we are all here to help each other :rolleyes:

Thanks again... I hope you have great success!!!

Faith

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all, I had my surgery 4/12 and have to do 3wks of liquids only. I am drinking lots of Water with a little light cranberry juice to help with the taste, Protein Shakes, Popsicles, and strained v8 juice. I am feeling weak and exhausted by the end of the day. Anybody else having a problem with this? I know that some doctors allow eating yogurt, pudding and creamed Soups but I can't and am worried about going back to work on Monday. Any suggestions?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yes, it leaves me feeling weak and wiped out as well, though I'm now on "full" liquids. Gosh, I can't imagine only Protein Shakes and Clear Liquids for three weeks, you poor thing :( I would call your surgeon Monday morning and ask if you can be moved to full liquids now that you've been banded almost 2 weeks. It really does help you to feel more human.

Hi all, I had my surgery 4/12 and have to do 3wks of liquids only. I am drinking lots of Water with a little light cranberry juice to help with the taste, Protein shakes, Popsicles, and strained v8 juice. I am feeling weak and exhausted by the end of the day. Anybody else having a problem with this? I know that some doctors allow eating yogurt, pudding and creamed Soups but I can't and am worried about going back to work on Monday. Any suggestions?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×