I think I’ve convinced myself that all the eating, tightness and barfing issues won’t apply to me.

I have the Dr.’s list for an eating plan and schedule, what else could go wrong? Well, according to many posts…LOTS!!

At this point, I’m supposed to have lots of questions but until I have the surgery, I don’t know what to ask. My hypochondriac tendencies enjoy all the problem threads and my avoidance, denial and procrastinator side says follow the guidelines and you’ll be fine. Worry about it later. Am I going into this blind and ill prepared or somewhat confident that my Dr. and connection to this site will get me through any struggles?

Come on, do I really need to buy BBQ tongs for the bathroom? I’d have to redecorate the bathroom in a BBQ theme, I hate the Western look.

Mookie.

You will be fine. This journey is so different for everyone, its impossible to say how your body will react. As long as you follow the guideline and (from viewing and researching here) are aware of some of the things to look out for, you will do fine.

If you don't like the Western look for your bathroom you could consider a "Benihana" motif.

Mookie, consider yourself lucky you found this site before your surgery. I met 2 women the day of my surgery who told me about this site. I really didn't know what I was getting into. Thought that it would be smooth ridding. I would have the surgery and not feel hungry after eating only a little bit of food. That was naive, in reality,

1. It may take you several fills before you experience any substantial weight loss.

2. You may be hungry, but the band, at times, will tell you you cannot consume anything but liquids

3.The feeling of being "tight" can actually be considered as painful. At least that is how I describe it. But I think I have a very low pain tolerance....just ask my husband.

4. You may substitute the addiction with food with some other addiction.

5. After surgery you may ask yourself "why did I ever do this?" "Why could I have not done this without such drastic measures?"And the truth is that I could not do it without the surgery and even with the surgery, I am still struggling.

Do I regret it? Sometimes. Would I do it all over again? Probably. Everyones journey is different. I wish you the best of luck and that you find what you are looking for.

Well said Wheezy.

mookie, the great thing about this site is that no-matter what your question or concern is, there apt to be someone here that has been through the same thing, or feels the same way.

...............no, you don't need tongs.....lol

That was actually one of the first posts I read last year, scared the crap out of me. (no pun intended)

I think I’ve convinced myself that all the eating, tightness and barfing issues won’t apply to me.

I have the Dr.’s list for an eating plan and schedule, what else could go wrong? Well, according to many posts…LOTS!!

At this point, I’m supposed to have lots of questions but until I have the surgery, I don’t know what to ask. My hypochondriac tendencies enjoy all the problem threads and my avoidance, denial and procrastinator side says follow the guidelines and you’ll be fine. Worry about it later. Am I going into this blind and ill prepared or somewhat confident that my Dr. and connection to this site will get me through any struggles?

Come on, do I really need to buy BBQ tongs for the bathroom? I’d have to redecorate the bathroom in a BBQ theme, I hate the Western look.

Mookie.

Mookie, I am 57 years old and a smoker and I sailed through the operation and I have only had one PB so far. I also didn't need BBQ tongs for my bum! lol By using this site and by choosing a very well-known, experienced surgeon you are well prepared to get through any struggles that you might have. I have learned much more from being a member of this site than I ever could from an hour long pre-op seminar. The emotional support is a big bonus!!!

As for the operation, it is a straight forward business, especially to an experienced surgical team. Remember, those dudes don't want anything bad to happen to you; it's bad for business. If they are concerned about any risk they will refuse to operate.

I even found the fills to be a walk in the park and I am terrified of needles. You are going to do just fine, grrl.

Come on, do I really need to buy BBQ tongs for the bathroom? I’d have to redecorate the bathroom in a BBQ theme, I hate the Western look.

Mookie.

I laughed when I read that. My sister came with me when I had my surgery. I figured that if I need help wiping my bum, well it would be pay back--- for all the years she tortured me. Dam, I didn't need her help:huytsao

You guys are hilarious. Why not just bring one of those little dirt devils...very portable and easy cleanup. I brought my mother in law with me. It didn't even occur to me to be in need...what was I thinking???

Wheezy has given very good advice. We are such an instant society. As we all know, this is a journey, there are bumps, curves, giant potholes and clear sailing. Just having each other to turn to, and reading other peoples stories is enough to know that it is all worth it.

This is one of the best sites and full of support. The band is well worth it and the journey will have constant changes but for sure there is always some one here who has been thru it, knows someone who has or has researched or heard of it. Great advice Wheezy. Glad you all have a wonderful sense of humor.

Tongs - I thought about it and finally got up the nerve to ask during my consult - I had the priviledge of visiting a support group the evening before my consult - thus I was forewarned and forearmed.

I think I’ve convinced myself that all the eating, tightness and barfing issues won’t apply to me.

Yep, I had myself convinced of that too. PBing was one of the reasons it took me 5 years to get my band. I was going to be the model bandster, be so smart about what and how I ate that PBing wouldn't even be an issue for me because I would do it all perfectly. Then I PBed 3 days post-op. Went through some of the worst pain I could remember in recent history. Thought, "Well, that lesson learned! That certainly won't happen again!" I was so naive.

Lots of people want me to describe life as a bandster to them. It just can't be done. The things we feel can't have parallels drawn to them, you just have to feel them before you can understand. People want to know what being tight feels like, and there's no way to accurately describe it. It's like trying to describe the taste of a fruit when no other fruits taste anything like it. To me, being tight doesn't hurt at all... what hurts me is the pain before a PB. And that's the only pain I feel. But -- Oh sweet mercy.

When you go into an unknown like this, there's only so much preparation you can do. The most important, above and beyond what to buy, what to expect, etc. is to be confident in your decision that this is the right answer for you.

Everything else will just "be", but that's the one thing you can't really change.

I didn't PB for the first 3 and one half months. Since I have been banded - Sept 7, 2006 - I have PB-ed twice.

Green-stop showing off!!

Shucks - I didn't PB for all those months and then I did it twice within a week. 2007 could be the year of vomit for Green, eh. Ya never know...... Bleh....

yeah, yeah, green... I didn't *really* PB until after my 2nd fill! (5 months - booyah!!)