I am starting my pre-op 1 week diet tomorrow, and I am so scared, yet joyed for all the things to come. Im confused and excited but looking for some support, and answers. does anyone have any great or helpful tips to get your mind off of the stressful things (food) and onto something else?? thanks xo

I am starting my pre-op 1 week diet tomorrow, and I am so scared, yet joyed for all the things to come. Im confused and excited but looking for some support, and answers. does anyone have any great or helpful tips to get your mind off of the stressful things (food) and onto something else?? thanks xo

Hi Chloe. At this point of your journey, all you will be thinking about is food. In fact, you will be thinking about food for a long time. As you get more comfortable living with the band, you will stop stressing so much but for now, you will be thinking about food and how to eat with the band and you can't do much about it...it's just part of the process. Check this site alot and ask questions...read threads...but stay away from the complications ones...they will make you crazy...and know that the band will one day be just a part of your life and not the focus. Good luck.

Everything you're feeling it's very normal. I thought I'd have a full blown anxiety attack more than once at the beginning. In fact, I was even in Xanax for a couple months to better cope.

The best advice I can give you is to focus on one minute at a time. Don't start dwelling on tomorrow or even an hour from now. Focus on right this moment and the positives in it. Before you know it, you'll be banded and you'll on your way.

Best wishes!

Reading saved me....not a regular book reader, however during my pre op and my surgery I read several books which assisted in taking my mind off of everything! Best of luck to you and don't allow any bad thoughts to creep into your world! You have this be strong!

ChloeHouston, One thing that helped me was to find something I liked to do that would keep my hands busy. If I read, I would be munching on something at the same time. But when I got out my craft/sewing projects, I focused on doing that and it took my mind off of what I wanted/needed to eat next. I also got my bike out and went riding on a bike path close to where I lived. The exercise and fresh air helped a lot. If you can't ride or don't have a bike, even walking is beneficial. Good luck to you. You can do this!

I’m in my 7^th year of being banded and have talked about this here several times but I think it’s worth repeating for new bandsters.

Try and take it one day at a time. Don’t compare yourself to others. Don’t go into this journey saying “I’ll never be able to eat this or that ever again.” I can eat ANYTHING except rice and apple skins and no carbonated beverages. Follow the guidelines given to you by your doctor. Remember… take tiny bites (the size of your pinky fingernail) and remember to finish what you have in your mouth before you take your next bite.

When I was losing weight I checked in every month with my family doctor to get weighed and measured. (I don’t own scales) I also attended two coffee groups for people that were banded. These things really kept me motivated and on track. I still check in every month with my family doctor to get weighed-in and I host two coffee groups. For me support from fellow bandsters plays a big part in this journey.

Back when I was banded my family doctor came up with something called the “Egg Timer Distraction”. It’s kind of difficult to explain here but I’d be happy to email you the .pdf document. It REALLY helped me with “head hunger”. I can’t tell you the number of people in my lapband coffee groups over the years that have said how helpful this “trick” has been in dealing with their head hunger.

Also, I’m not really a “diet” book type person but I recommend you pick up two books.

Eat What You Love, Love What You Eat: How to Break Your Eat-Repent-Repeat Cycle – by Dr. Michelle May

I had the pleasure of hearing Dr. May speak at a conference when she came to Toronto and her book and guidelines really work well with the lapband journey.

The second book is:

The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable American Appetite – by David L. Kessler

Please feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions and also if you would like a copy of the “Egg Timer Distraction Document”. --- tomander@bell.net

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 156 lbs

tomander@bell.net

Everything you're feeling it's very normal. I thought I'd have a full blown anxiety attack more than once at the beginning. In fact, I was even in Xanax for a couple months to better cope.

The best advice I can give you is to focus on one minute at a time. Don't start dwelling on tomorrow or even an hour from now. Focus on right this moment and the positives in it. Before you know it, you'll be banded and you'll on your way.

Best wishes!

Thank You!!!!

I started my pre-op this week. It hasn't been easy, but I have already found some tips. Hot tea, herbal or decaf if you are allowed..keeps your mouth busy and it's comforting.

Hot baths.

Reading - I read in bed, so no food.

Crafts, knitting, etc if you like that. I have recently taken up knitting scarves, I also make cards and I do not want messy fingers.

Games if you like them, I have a nintendo 3ds, it's handheld there are all sorts of games for all interests and ages. It keeps your hands busy and passes time quite well.

Walks/exercise of any kind.

This forum! It has been a huge help reading and chatting with others on here! I have also used this site to blog about my journey from the start, writing it all down helps so much. If you would rather not, maybe a private journal.

If all else fails, take a nap or go to bed early.

I am anxious also, but it is getting better the more I read how normal all my feelings are and that I am not alone!

Good luck!