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

How does it physically feel ?



Recommended Posts

I'm getting banded July 1 started my preop liquid diet. Super excited and even more anxious. I'm not afraid of the "eating" part because despite being obese I do eat healthy especially the last few years but I'm worried how I will feel physically. All the drs seem like being banded is no big deal and will be great for me. My family and friends have been extremely supportive. I'm imagining that once I make it to chewing solids I will feel like I did three days ago. I'm just worried if I will physically feel different. All the anxiety is from the unknown and for someone who is borderline a control freak it's scary .... Any input would be greatly appreciated. I feel this is the right and healthiest decision for me. I'm not losing 100 + pounds without this tool or I would of I've been on a diet since 10 yrs old :(

Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how does it physically feel

the same as i was prior..except now i weigh alot less.

i do not feel the band itself (but i can feel my port now) and to me that is a great thing...my little helper who gave me life back..what a wonderful friend.. the band is a pretty 3inch white necklace that sits on your tummy...it is not a miracle cure all...the main/hardest part is changing our mental game from a dieter to a eat better quality/move/exercise game now....YOU will do fine...do what works for you and that is all that matters....YOU will do just fine.....i agree, the unknown is scary..i felt that exact same way.....but what i can tell you is that if you do the best you can, you will be a success in all the aspects you wish....congrats on making a great decision to save your life...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The days after surgery you will be sore. You might even ask youself what the heck did I just do, but that will pass. After you body heals, you will feel like normal, only better because the weight will start coming off.

Yes, this is a life changer, but not a bad one. You adjust, yeah you eat differently, but not dramatically- you eat less, which is the key.

After the first week, you will be back to you, just eating less.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how does it physically feel

the same as i was prior..except now i weigh alot less.

i do not feel the band itself (but i can feel my port now) and to me that is a great thing...my little helper who gave me life back..what a wonderful friend.. the band is a pretty 3inch white necklace that sits on your tummy...it is not a miracle cure all...the main/hardest part is changing our mental game from a dieter to a eat better quality/move/exercise game now....YOU will do fine...do what works for you and that is all that matters....YOU will do just fine.....i agree' date=' the unknown is scary..i felt that exact same way.....but what i can tell you is that if you do the best you can, you will be a success in all the aspects you wish....congrats on making a great decision to save your life...[/quote']

Thank you !!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you both so much . My surgeon had it Done to himself and said the same but as the date comes closer so does the anxiety thank you for helping me ease it :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me the band has basically made all of my efforts actually effective. Before the band I ate better and exercised more than all of my friends but I still weighed twice as much as them. Finally with the band I'm losing the weight you'd expect to see a person lose if they ate and exercise as I did (and the eating and exercise have both gotten easier to boot).

If someone asked me what you need for the band to be successful I'd say focus on the habits first because the band just reinforces them.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My band feels like a part of me, I call her my yellow rose. Some days she is a beautiful yellow rose (my favorite flower) and other days she shows her thorns (tight, not wanting to cooperate with me....) I have learned to listen to her, she tells me when to stop and not push it. She helped me loose 80 pounds in 10 months and is helping me maintain that loss.

You say that you already eat healthy, that will help you greatly. Changing your eating habits is one part of this process that the band can't do. We have to make good health choices of food, then the band steps in and helps keep us from feeling physically hunger for 3-4 hours.

Congratulations on making the decision to make yourself healthy.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I feel the band in the mornings. It feels tight, drinking hot tea helps! There is a bit of pressure I feel from the band- its not painful, just there. Good luck in your journey!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I cant feel my band but I can really see my port now! I was sore when I woke up, but only sore not in real pain and the day or so after I was fine. Now she is just part of me, I call it my choke chain, it just hangs around in there unless I start to pull my eating too far , and then it yanks me back. Its a sharp learning curve about how to eat - hint , very slowly with each fork full lovingly prepared and cut down to tiny bitesized pieces ( I always was a perfect mouthful girl so its no hardship for me) - but you soon get the message. Getting to the sweet spot can be tricky and overfills are no fun at all, but I have never ever resented my band, I just learned by my mistakes and altered what I was doing.

i do feel physically different, I just ran 3 miles and did my yoga, I can wear lycra and look pretty damn fine if I say so myself, I am bursting with confidence and look 10 years younger than I did 10 years ago!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me the band has basically made all of my efforts actually effective. Before the band I ate better and exercised more than all of my friends but I still weighed twice as much as them. Finally with the band I'm losing the weight you'd expect to see a person lose if they ate and exercise as I did (and the eating and exercise have both gotten easier to boot).

If someone asked me what you need for the band to be successful I'd say focus on the habits first because the band just reinforces them.

I love this response, especially since this mirrors my experience!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm a complete control freak and just threw caution to the wind when I decided to band...jumping in with both feet and refused to allow myself to think about it. Honestly...I had a really rough first 2 weeks and was ready to throw in the towel and demand they take that thing out of me. But, it was because my body was rejecting the Vitamins I was taking...it had nothing to do with the band itself.

Once that got sorted out I've felt...well, exactly how I did before...in fact I was just saying in another post that I forget I even did this occasionally and resort to eating big bites or gulping or whatever...thats when the band shows up and wags her finger at me.

It sounds like you have really thought this out. I'm excited for you!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

After the band felt like I did 100 sit ups after that nothing. Was nervous about fills but you don't feel a thing a little pressure maybe. Just eat small bites and eat SLOW!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The first few days may depend on your tolerance for pain. Naturally, there will be some due to having a procedure. And you may get buyers remorse. But, after a few days, extreme cases a few weeks, you will feel like yourself but better because you've lost weight.

I don't think anyone posted about the gas pains. You may get pains in your back and or shoulders, they hurt, but there are ways to ease them(ice, heat, gas x, moving around a lot).

Somethibg to think about, when you deliver a baby, it hurts but you give life. Then you forget the pain. With wls, you give a new chance on life to yourself, it hurts, but you'll forget the pain. : )

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Oh yes, the gas pains definitely need to be mentioned since they don't feel like gas at all. It feels like you have a muscle knot in your shoulder or back. I didn't believe it could possibly be gas I assumed I'd pulled something right before surgery and just didn't notice but no amount of massage or muscle relaxant would help until I skeptically tried a Gas-x strip and within 5 minutes the pain was simply gone.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For me the band has basically made all of my efforts actually effective. Before the band I ate better and exercised more than all of my friends but I still weighed twice as much as them. Finally with the band I'm losing the weight you'd expect to see a person lose if they ate and exercise as I did (and the eating and exercise have both gotten easier to boot).

If someone asked me what you need for the band to be successful I'd say focus on the habits first because the band just reinforces them.

Thanks Frederic that's how I feel I feel like I do all the right things for the lost part I'm not perfect I'm human so I'm hoping this tool will finally enhance my efforts :)

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

    • 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.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      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

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      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..

      3. NickelChip

        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!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      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.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×