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

Recommended Posts

I was banded on June 4th, 2014. I started at 265, dropped weight before the surgery, and dropped over ten pounds the two weeks post op. I was so happy, so excited to see such a change so immediately. No one, not even my doctor, warned me about the months that follow surgery. I went in to the surgery with the idea that it would work from the get-go, and that my restriction combined with the will from pre-surgery would create an unstoppable momentum.

I was grossly misinformed.

I was allowed to eat more than creams and liquids around the end of June/beginning of July. With the lack of a fill, I was able to eat and drink any and everything. It was disheartening. I thought over and over again that I was one of the % of people who wouldn't see success with the LB. The emotional toll that it took was the hardest.

I had fill in June, July, and August. I was at 7 cc's and wasn't seeing any difference at all. My lifestyle, while I had been hopeful, had become even more sedentary and unhealthy the longer I went without seeing any change. I felt that the surgery was for naught. The TR ladies were helpful, but with gaining one to two pounds with every check-in, I went from 265, to 247, to 253 by September 26th.

I had my last fill the 26th, up to 7.5 cc's. I had liquids the first 24 hours, then went to regular foods. Immediately I felt a difference.I had gotten too used to eating too fast, too much, too quickly. Within minutes I was full--and could see that 7.5 cc's was the absolute perfect setting for me at the moment.

I'm down to 244 and at my lowest weight in two years. Bandster hell is real. It's hard. It's depressing. It's also something I wish friends and doctors would have told me about to prepare for. Here's to making it through the toughest 4 months, and being confident that things are going to work out :)

J

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awwww! So happy you are feeling on track now! Here's to losers !

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry you had to go

through bandsters hell so misinformed !! It would of helped if you had known what to expect !!!! But im glad to see you're on your way to Loserville !!! Hope all continues to go well ! Keep up the good work !!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for posting this. I'm a couple of weeks post op an I'm really having to watch what I put in my mouth! The scale isn't moving with getting an average of 1400 cal in daily. I look forward to some fills!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for sharing this, I was just banded yesterday, and I will keep this in mind over the next few months:)

Edited by MamaRita

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Amen!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think your experience may be why my surgeon had me on such a strict post op protocol. I was banded in March 2014. My regimen was six weeks of full liquids post op then a fill. At that fill I was told to eat 800 calories a day. It was not easy and most days I was around 1000. It took some discipline to stay compliant but I was lucky and I felt my band working pretty early on. Now at 6-1/2 months out and four fills I'm pretty sure I'm in the green. Most days it's easy to eat well. However if I choose the wrong foods or don't start a meal with solid Protein I can overdo it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My surgeon gave me a folder with most of this information. I didn't get a chance to read it as my schnauzer son got hold of it. I had to learn much the same way all of the things we're supposed to learn. I experience easy days and hard days, the main objective is keep focus and not let yourself surrender to the "rut". As justwatchme says, follow the rules and it works. If wonder off the trail, I see it taking me places I don't want to be.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for sharing.... This is a journey like no other....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for all the support and love on this post :) Knowing there are so many behind me is a wonderful feeling :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi.... I got banded on 6th Oct.... I started at 111.80 kilos and today am on liquids but amazingly am down to 104 kilos.... I think following the dietician strictly helps....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had somewhat the same experience a couple of weeks, feeling there was no restriction 2 weeks after my 3rd fill. Now I have great restriction 4 weeks after the fill. I got help and fellow bandsters to stay the course and not forget the rules. I wish you all the best.

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×