I am new to this and am so excited to start this journey. I am 280 lbs and 5'3. I have always struggled with my weight.

My insurance has covered this already and I am just waiting to take one more test before they schedule the surgery. I was wondering for those that got this surgery what to expect?

What was post op like? Pain? Discomfort? Weight loss? Preop diet and post op diet? How much weight do you typically loss? How much have you lost and how much time did it take? What excersise helps the most?

Last question, what should I be doing now to prepare for surgery? Any advice would help.

Thanks

Sam

P.S. this is for the Lap Band

Sam,

That's a lot of questions! I could write a book in response to them. Oh, wait. I did write a book.

Everybody's experience of surgery (anesthesia, pain, recovery) is different; surgeons' protocols for pre and post-op diets vary greatly; weight loss varies; exercise varies...so there's no one-size-fits-all answer for you. I suggest that you cruise the forums here to get an idea of other bandsters' experiences. As for preparing for surgery: you need to be doing whatever your surgeon and/or dietitian told you to do in preparationg, but other than that, I'd say the #1 thing is to start adjusting your expectations. Success at weight loss surgery of any type requires a lot of work - in making good food choices, controlling portions, resisting the urge to eat for non-hunger reasons (like stress, boredom, comfort), exercising (at whatever keeps you from getting bored), etc. Average weight loss with the band is 1-2 lbs/week. That's an average that includes people who lost a lot more quickly as well as people who lost nothing or gained weight.

Sam' date='

That's a lot of questions! I could write a book in response to them. Oh, wait. I did write a book.

Everybody's experience of surgery (anesthesia, pain, recovery) is different; surgeons' protocols for pre and post-op diets vary greatly; weight loss varies; exercise varies...so there's no one-size-fits-all answer for you. I suggest that you cruise the forums here to get an idea of other bandsters' experiences. As for preparing for surgery: you need to be doing whatever your surgeon and/or dietitian told you to do in preparationg, but other than that, I'd say the #1 thing is to start adjusting your expectations. Success at weight loss surgery of any type requires a lot of work - in making good food choices, controlling portions, resisting the urge to eat for non-hunger reasons (like stress, boredom, comfort), exercising (at whatever keeps you from getting bored), etc. Average weight loss with the band is 1-2 lbs/week. That's an average that includes people who lost a lot more quickly as well as people who lost nothing or gained weight.[/quote']

Thank you! I have been looking at the forums and it is helping!

Sam,

First off congratulations on making the decision to improve your health. My journey has been different from most on here, but my starting BMI was similar to yours so maybe your results will be similar to mine. I was 325 lbs at 5'7". I did not have to follow the strict pre and post-op diets. I was asked to lose 10 lbs before surgery, but it wasn't required. I lost 8lbs and the surgeon still did the surgery. The first day after surgery I was on a clear liquid diet followed by a week of full liquids. After my post op visit with the surgeon I was cleared to resume a normal diet. It was slow going the first couple of weeks. I ate a lot of fat-free refried beans and ground meats. Just remember to chew very well and eat slow. My surgery was on March 16, 2012 and I am down 70lbs so far. I follow a pretty stict mealplan with no white grains of any kind. I eat only lean meats, veggies, fruits and whole grains. But I do allow for treats now and then. I keep Skinny cow or Weightwatchers ice cream bars that are 100 calories or less per serving on hand in case I have a sweets craving. For exercise I mainly walk or do yardwork, but I bought a beginner Kettlebell exercise video that I have done several times and really like that too.

My biggest advice for you as you prepare for surgery is to get your head in the game. Start practicing your new eating habits. Eat slow, small bites. No drinking while eating or for 1 hour after. Cut out the things that you most likely won't be able to have after surgery. I was a huge bread and diet coke junkie before surgery. I cut them out 2 months pre-op and now I don't crave them. Good luck to you. You will do great if you stick with it!