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May 2nd Banding and Scared



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Hi there,

I'm having my surgery on the 2nd of May. I'm 41 BMI and I'm a single mum of 1.

I'm so excited and scared about the op. I had a really bad first appointment to book in the surgery and chose to go elsewhere because of it.

The first docotor scared the heck out of me. Saying stuff like "5 people in 10,000 die and someone has got to be those 5" i was like what are you trying to say i'm going to be one of those 5. eeeekkkk. Anyway i went to see the next Doctor and he made me feel really comfortable and hopeful.

So here we go less than a week to go.

I don't have diabetes yet but i'm insiline resistant which means i'm on my way. so best to do this and start looking after myself.

I can't wait to be able to buy smaller clothes and not to hate clothing stores because they don't have my size :)

Also will be fantastic to be able to run around after my daughter instead of sitting on the chair and just watching.

Still so scared hopefully it all goes well.

I'm also flying to Melb from Perth on the 18th so thats only 3 weeks after the op hopefully it is ok to fly can anyone give me any info about this?

Do you have to do Optifast shakes before the op?? My doc said i don't have to as i'm not that big and he only insists if more for guys with bigger belly's because thats where the liver is in the way?

i'm doing it anyway at leased for 5 days.

Wish me luck.

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Hi - if you weren't scared you wouldn't be normal. We all go through that before surgery.

Who is your Dr? I am amazed that the first 1 said that about deaths , that would hardly have made you feel better.

Follow your Dr's instructions. My BMI was only 32 but I still had to do the Optifast. I think if nothing else it gets you used to the liquid diet that you will HAVE to follow after surgery.

As to the flying I have been told that you are more likely to have problems if your band is empty. When the band has had a number of fills the saline cannot expand in flight. If it does not have fills it has air which can expand. The best thing to do is to stay well hydrated, don't try eating the food(you will probably still be on mushies anyway) and if you are uncomfortable during the flight you should be fine once you land as then any swelling will go back down. Luckily for you the flight from Mel - Perth isn't too bad. You should try flying Melbourne to South Africa(via Perth) !

All the best and feel free to PM me if you want - I live outside Melbourne and am happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Hi there,

I'm having my surgery on the 2nd of May. I'm 41 BMI and I'm a single mum of 1.

I'm so excited and scared about the op. I had a really bad first appointment to book in the surgery and chose to go elsewhere because of it.

The first docotor scared the heck out of me. Saying stuff like "5 people in 10,000 die and someone has got to be those 5" i was like what are you trying to say i'm going to be one of those 5. eeeekkkk. Anyway i went to see the next Doctor and he made me feel really comfortable and hopeful.

So here we go less than a week to go.

I don't have diabetes yet but i'm insiline resistant which means i'm on my way. so best to do this and start looking after myself.

I can't wait to be able to buy smaller clothes and not to hate clothing stores because they don't have my size :)

Also will be fantastic to be able to run around after my daughter instead of sitting on the chair and just watching.

Still so scared hopefully it all goes well.

I'm also flying to Melb from Perth on the 18th so thats only 3 weeks after the op hopefully it is ok to fly can anyone give me any info about this?

Do you have to do Optifast shakes before the op?? My doc said i don't have to as i'm not that big and he only insists if more for guys with bigger belly's because thats where the liver is in the way?

i'm doing it anyway at leased for 5 days.

Wish me luck.

Hi, Great to read your post. I have my first consult next Wednesday and l must admit that l am also very apprehensive and scared. I have four young children and have decided to put myself first for a little while so l can be around for alot longer to enjoy my children, and one day, grandchildren. I would really love to hear how your procedure goes, who you are seeing and how you felt about it after the 2nd May. All the best, and here is to a healthier and happier future xx

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Hello - yes, you are very normal to be a bit nervous! I flew home from my surgery, so I was on an airplane less than 24 hours after surgery and even had to make a connection. It was just fine. I did have my doctor give me a small fill in surgery - you may want to ask yours to do the same.

Good Luck - shopping without looking at how things drape is wonderful!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
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      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

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

    • CaseyP1011

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