I have been approved by insurance company to have lap-band surgery. I am hoping to have my surgery May 1. Any tips would be appreciated. I'm scared to be doing the pre-op diet

Hi There,

Congratulations on your surgery date. My advise to you is to follow your doctors orders, each doctor has a different approach to surgery. If it makes it easier for you give yourself a head start and see how that goes...

Good Luck!

Thank-you for the advice, I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life!!

Hi Bobomarge!

I completely understand your excitement - you're on your way to a new, healthier you! I agree with Weightogo123 that you should definitely follow doctor's orders. The more you can do to get used to your new eating plan, the better.

Think about what you put in your mouth and your body - the pre-op diet is just to give you a better foundation for the surgery. Whether it's liquids, mushies, or whatever your doctor recommends, try to stick with it completely. He's giving you the instructions for your benefit.

When I had my surgery in 2008, I was on liquids for a week prior to surgery - your instructions may be different. Read other people's success stories, think about how you'll prepare for the great positive changes that will be required of you.

Give yourself some time to get used to the new eating plan - it takes 21 to 28 days to create a new, positive habit. Don't beat yourself up too badly if you slip up, but get right back on track. You've set an awesome goal for yourself - think of how good you'll feel when you reach that goal!

I'm pulling for you - you CAN do this!

read as much as you can on this site. try to read the success stories..not because issues and problems don't exist...they do. but you don't need to be focusing on that right now. pay close attention to what your doctor tells you and follow his/her protocol to the letter. I know it's scary, the unknown is always scary but you can and will be successful as long as you stay compliant. good luck!

Congrats!! I think what helped me prepare the most was using this site to search for answers to my questions and checking out blogs from other people who have gone through it. I have a blog, the link is in my signature below, but you should also check out these awesome ladies! They are 1+ years out on their journey

LapBand Gal

BandedWendy

Amy

Chicago Rose

I love this site! I'm already learning valuable information.

I was scared to do liquid too. I didn't think I could do it. But it actually sounds worse than it is. I read all the blogs Blissfullybanded mentioned plus her own. They are great resources of inspiration. Good luck!

I got my diet in the mail and it isn't as bad as I thought it would be!! I can't wait to get it started!!

Hi there, so happy for you to be making this big decision to choose yourself and your healthy future! I am almost five months out and so happy with my new banded life. The weight loss is great but it's more than that -- I feel like I'm out of food jail. I'm not obsessed with what's next all the time because now I have a feeling of satisfaction that I just couldn't achieve before. I didn't mind the pre-op as I have always been a bit too restrictive (with the inevitable bounce-backs) but I was glad to feel like, for me, this was the last time I'd be doing something like that. After a couple of days of detox I felt great. Clear. Eliminating toxins and addictive foods definitely brought stuff up for me so I journaled like crazy and was also seeing a therapist during that time. I found all the ways I was using food to quell anxiety, reward myself, etc. I really got into the nitty gritty of just where how and when I was turning to food so I could see the why. Going without showed me those places when I was automatically soothing myself and now I know what to look out for -- and also now I am not worried about hunger, it's not my enemy. Honestly I hadn't been hungry in a long time and I wasn't sure how to recognize it! Good luck to you -- you are going to do beautifully and I'm so glad you're here on the forum.

Welcome to the family!

Number one, as others have said, listen to your doctor. Ask them questions...lots of questions. We will be here to give encouragement, and little pushes when you need it!

I would also suggest taking the coming days to think about your reasons for having the surgery. The recovery period can be frustrating and you may question "why did I do this to myself." If you have your list of reasons, you can remind yourself on those days.

And, finally....don't fall victim to the comparison trap. Don't waste time and energy comparing your progress to others. We each have our own unique journeys to travel. You have made a life-changing decision...enjoy the rewards!

It took me a lot of soul searching to come to the decision to get banded. I am in therapy and she is helping me mentally prepare for the surgery. I'm so happy that I found bariatricpal. I love the advice that everyone offers and how supportive everyone is! I know I have a long journey ahead of me but I'm excited to get started and with the friends I make here I am sure to succeed

I'm also in therapy and it was a GREAT help. She and I talk about every two weeks. It is an important part of my process. I'm glad you have that resource in place

My therapist does a positive thoughts daily and a weekly visit!! I am discovering a lot of things about myself. I dont really have a lot of medical issues but I'm 5'4 and weigh 407#'s. The most ever weighed! !I want to be around to watch my grandchildren grow up.

Congratulations on starting the next chapter of your life! As others have said, follow the guidelines from your doctor and don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a lot of information here, I wish I had found this forum pre-surgery! This is truly a new way of life and eating but I am so happy that I made the decision. I am feeling better than I have in years! Keep us posted as you get closer to your banding. We are all here with you!

My op is 22nd of April. I technically haven't started my pre op diet but what has helped me get into a good mental state is to start early.

What scared me about the pre op diet was the lack of food I'd be eating.

So what I did was started a shake just for Breakfast for a week. And ate normally with Snacks etc. Then it was shakes 2 times a day.

Now with 3 weeks to go I'm on 2 shakes a big vegetable base dinner and a shake after tea.

A week before the op I need to be only on shakes so it's not so daunting now.

If you mess up and I have don't take it as bad. Don't feel guilty because your just learning to control what you eat and not let it control you.

Hope this helps.