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Hi, my name is John. I am 35 years old, 6ft and 270lbs, diabetes type 2, on blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I started off at 335lbs about 2 1/2 years ago.

I am scheduled for lap band surgery on March 20th and am on day 2 of the pre-op diet. They say 4-5 Meal Replacement shakes a day and if I have to "cheat" to chew, have 4-6oz of lean beef, chicken, or beef.

I have to say this is going to be challenging for me. I am one of those people that didn't gain the excess weight by eating sweets, I love food.

My wife had the surgery a year ago and has lost just over 70lbs. I am so proud of her and am happy to have someone right here with me to coach.

What have been your experiences, when did the anxiety of "what the hell am I about to do" subside?

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I never went through that emotion. I went through the "Do I really want to do this" syndrome for about 2 years before I realized I have to do this or die young. After I mentally pulled the trigger I was all in.

You're experiencing what I and many others experience. You love food and the fear of not being able to sit down and eat a 24 oz chicken fried steak smothered in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes is overwhelming.

Well, I can still sit down and have that meal occasionally but I could never eat more than 8-10 ozs without feeling over full. It's an emotion that was just unnecessary. Don't fear, you can still eat what you ate before but you won't want to since you'll be on a health food kick with the euphoria over losing so much weight.

Good luck.

tmf

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I felt this way. I think because it's "elective" surgery, we think its not "necessary". I had a lot of pre op anxiety with my Lapband and I'm having it again as I consider removal/revision surgery.

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I think you are correct MsMaui! It's the elective surgery thing for me too. I figure I need to just tell work I am having surgery with no details due to it being elective as well.

On another note. I was diagnosed with diabetes only a few weeks ago. I had my first visit with the endocrinologist today and he is confident that if I were at my original heaviest weight I would be on insulin for sure. He also told me no metformin the night before surgery and discontinue use until 3 weeks post-op. He assured that the lap-band and post-op diet will help with controlling my blood sugar levels.

I am really getting excited about this life changing experience! Everything is happening so fast!

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Tell work only what they need to know! The nerves go away with the weight loss. Good luck,nice to have your own built in coach, just don't angry at her, worst comes to worst,come back her and we will help!

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Funny thing is that I think I will be beneficial to her too. We have been through an emotional year last year and stress eating had been in the mix. We will be able to catch each other if we get out of hand.

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my wife and I were banded on the same day and even shared the hospital room. the Nurses thought it was cute.

Having both of us on the same journey even though the journey has not been easy and I still have a ways to go I would not trade my band for anything in the world.

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Well, I am officially a club member!!

Surgery went great, got pics... Lol

Had a small hernia and got a few stitches. Feeling good, had a bit of morphine when I woke up in recovery. Nausea meds working, gas-x is too, but just have discomfort in my collar bone areas.

I lost 13lbs on my pre-op diet and start the count at 256lbs! I hope to be off my metformin, blood pressure and cholesterol meds soon.

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Congratulation on the start of your journey.

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Congratulation on the start of your journey.

Thanks very much!

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Congratulations! Yes you're going to off those meds sooner than you think. Welcome aboard!

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Congrats!!

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Congrats....cant wait to read about your jurney !

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FYI metformin tastes nasty crushed and taken in water!

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Congrates,,,,

I have my 2 month bandaversay the 29th of March, as of today, I have lost 51lbs including my 2 week diet. I did start heavier than you. There will be many ups and downs. I had to learn what actual hunger, vs. head hunger is. The surgery and all the helpful people on this site saved my life. I am much happier and full of energy.

Can finally fit into a kayak again.....LOL,,,

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    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

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      1. NickelChip

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      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

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      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

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        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

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      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
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      · 0 replies
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