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

Looking for real Lap Band affects



Recommended Posts

Hi, I am considering lap band and have a BMI of 33. I want lose 50-60 lbs. I have researched the surgery and it seems this is the way to go for me. I just need to know what to expect emotionally, post op. did anyone get depressed or sad and how long did this last? I am working at getting myself prepared emotionally, I just need to hear some true stories so I can fully prepare.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just read the daily posts and search the forums.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

if you already have emotion issues u might want to see a therapist first and understand why food means to you it will help in the long run. I felt great but then I have been on meds ( a lot of us are) for years so I was set.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I remember saying to myself on day 3... what have I done to myself... then I burped... felt wonderful.

I lost 17 lbs my first week and haven't looked back. Best decision I ever made.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well since I can eat light and healthy 5 days out of the week and have been committed to the gym 5 days a week, I'm sure I'll be ok. My problem was the weekends. The weekends are the reason I can't lose weight because I do really good all week only to go crazy on the weekends. I am hoping this surgery will force me to keep control all week long and lose the weight I so desperately want to lose......and keep it off.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am hoping this surgery will force me to keep control all week long and lose the weight I so desperately want to lose......and keep it off.

This is a danger signal. For the vast majority of us, the band will not force us to do anything, we can eat past the band if we chose to. For me, the band allows me to feel less physical hunger and be satiated with less food. It does not affect the head hunger (emotional eating, bored eating, etc.) at all. I still pace in the evenings as I fight the urge to shove things in my mouth to fulfill a emotional need rather than a physical one.

Not telling you what to do, just telling you like it is...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Terry, thank you so much for replying. This is the information I am trying to gather. The emotional aspect to the journey. I do know that I have to change my eating habits on everyday of the week and I am hoping that this surgery will help with that. I am trying to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the changes that will occur, especially at times when I will want to indulge as I did in the past. I know for fact that everyone who has had this surgery was thinking the same at the beginning, otherwise they would have just did the losing on their own. The reason for this surgery is because we can't do it on our own. The whole plan for me is to be completely open and honest with myself and be open to suggestion and ideas like yours to help me through the part that will be difficult. Emotions and thoughts won't go away with the surgery, but when those emotions and thoughts spring, I am hoping that knowing I had the surgery and what my limitations are, I will be better equipped to fight those feelings. That's why I named the topic, Looking for Real Affect (sorry for the spelling error). I wanted to hear what people have gone through emotionally in the first few weeks/months post op. To get a clear understanding and to have a game plan prepared.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Terry, thank you so much for replying. This is the information I am trying to gather. The emotional aspect to the journey. I do know that I have to change my eating habits on everyday of the week and I am hoping that this surgery will help with that. I am trying to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for the changes that will occur, especially at times when I will want to indulge as I did in the past. I know for fact that everyone who has had this surgery was thinking the same at the beginning, otherwise they would have just did the losing on their own. The reason for this surgery is because we can't do it on our own. The whole plan for me is to be completely open and honest with myself and be open to suggestion and ideas like yours to help me through the part that will be difficult. Emotions and thoughts won't go away with the surgery, but when those emotions and thoughts spring, I am hoping that knowing I had the surgery and what my limitations are, I will be better equipped to fight those feelings. That's why I named the topic, Looking for Real Affect (sorry for the spelling error). I wanted to hear what people have gone through emotionally in the first few weeks/months post op. To get a clear understanding and to have a game plan prepared.

Understood. I really tried to clear my preconceptions and look at everything as though I was seeing it for the first time. I had been dieting so long, that many of the things that I "Knew" simply needed to be discovered again.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Read Dr Huberman's book - Through Thick & Thin....it's a very quick and easy read. The subtitle is The Emotional Journey of Weight Loss Surgery, but u could almost take off the word surgery. I think the book is good for anyone trying to take charge of their weight regardless of whether or not u have the surgery or even those without weight problems who are trying to support you but just don't get why you are not losing weight. Dr. Huberman is my Psychologist so I might be a bit biased, but he is far from me and its not practical to see him on a regular basis. I am finding the book very helpful in getting my mental house in order.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Post op was hell for me, but only for 7 days. The 8th day was no big deal and the 9th day I felt 100% and was so happy with my decision.

Now, you do have to be careful with the band if you don't already know it. It's very easy to over eat and have something get stuck. I'm not sure what causes it, but you really don't want to irritate your band so much that you start throwing up. I suspect that getting stuck could cause this.

From what I've read it sounds like every time you throw up, you risk a chance of causing a band slippage. Supposedly rare, but I'm skeptical as there are a ton of posts on this board about people who have had slipped bands.

Just something to consider...

Now, what is awesome about the band in my opinion is that if you have a change of heart, you can have the saline removed until you are ready to get on track. And for that reason alone I think it's the #1 WLS.

Anyway, the emotional journey for me was pretty simple.

- 2 weeks of pre-op liquid diet hell

- 1 week of post-op hell

- blue skies ever after

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I recall having this feeling I was saying good bye to certain foods pre op, like a steak or burger, but in reality I can still enjoy them, I just tend to hide the fact I'll only touch a tiny part compared to finishing the whole thing.

I found turning off the economical aspect of eating, like thinking something is good value to get the next size, and not feeling guilty to walking away from a half eaten meal. I think one of the worse things I grew up on was being forced to finish everything on my plate, especially in order to have a treat, when quite happily the treat may have satisfied me as a whole meal.

I also had to get comfortable and realizing I could still eat out with friends and colleagues, especially those who I don't want to divulge the fact I have a band. I'm now just referred to as the slow and healthy eater, sticking to seafood and Entrees most the time.

I also thought about the people I was surrounded by whose eating habits I admired, like the girl who ate small kid sized portions and I wondered why she wasn't looking for more food an hour later, or the athletic guys who snacked on vegies throughout the day to not waste their efforts from their time at the gym. Both of these helped me move to the mindset of what I could enjoy and be proud of, rather than just focusing on the initial things I thought I couldn't eat or do.

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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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

    ×