I'm new to the forum, so yes, hi and thank you for the welcomes and all of that.

I just sent all my info on to the insurance company.

Sorry if i ask questions that have been answered before, but I am just now joining.

What I really want to know is, will I be able to eat normal foods? My hospital acts like I have to eat lean Protein, fruit and vegetables, and thats it for the rest of my life. If this is the case, I should just stop right now, and now go on with the procedure, if I could do this, then there would be no need for the banding. I understand fully that I have to eat the right foods, but all the time? Will I get to eat McDonalds fries every once and awhile? Since I will be eating such smaller portions, i figure I can still have some luxuries, right? The hospital I am going to says no. I thought that was part of the purpose, we can eat normal (by normal I mean moderate healthy foods) just smaller portions. Am I confused? I realize my weight loss will not be as great with normal food, but I want to lose slow. I'm intrested in lap banding to lose weight by not by cutting out foods, just eating less of them. I, of course, am not talking about the first 3 months, I mean down the road.

Please do not respond if you only eat healthy food, or if you are someone who is kidding themselves that you only eat healthy foods. I want to talk to people who eat moderately healthy foods (or unhealthy foods) that are banded, such as a salad with a serving of full fat ranch dressing.

Also, I am diabetic, how will the hospital handle my liquid stage? I have to have carbs or I will pass out. Anyone diabetic? What did they do for you during the liquid stage, when carbs are not allowed?

Thank you for your help, sorry if I sound harsh.

Leigh

Hey my pics are posted under changes...pics

Leigh, regardless of what you decide, please try to use good judgment on foods that can make your diabetes worse. French fries and breads are o.k. sometimes, but they are starches - which converts to sugar and elevates your blood sugar. Diabetes is a horrible disease that affects so many different things. But weightloss is one of the best ways to reduce or eliminate it. How much weight would you like to lose? Best of luck to you!

New Hope,

My diabetes is super under control, I have an A1C of 5.0. I'm controlled by diet and exercise, I work very hard at it. My blood sugars are better than normal people. Sometimes I have to make myself eat more carbs just so that I don't end up in the hospital. I have to worry about low blood sugar, not high. I would like to lose about 60 lbs so that in the future I won't have to worry about my diabetes progressing, and ending up on meds or insulin. Are you diabetic? I'm wondering what they do for diabetics during the liquid phase. The liquids that are allowed acording to my plan have no carbs in them. I'm worried that I will have to have carbs. If anyone here is diabetic, did you have carbs during your week of liquids?

Thank you all who are replying.

Leigh

PM Jack, he was recently banded and is a diabetic. He's been pleasantly surprised since his banding. He can give you some accurate info.

Leigh, my doctor told me during my week of liquids I could have anything that would go through a straw. Did you know sausage gravy would go through a straw? I used creamy Soups, beef and chicken broths,(yuk), and those "hand" soups by campbells, but read the contents first, they vary a lot. I hope I never have to eat Jello, s/f or not again. My saving grace was s/f popcicles.

I also wanted to mention in reading your posts, it almost seems you're trying to talk yourself out of getting banded. Again, the band is a tool, it is up to you to make the right choices for all of your health reasons as well as weight.

Good luck!

Jack---Week 2 of the liquids really gets boring, you may want to check with your doc about the straw guide mentioned above.

Yes, as I said before I am not (yet) diabetic, but I am close and have to eat as though I were in order to maintain normal blood sugars (my Hgb A1C is also 5). But my doctor did not demand that I be on Clear Liquids - just liquids. I drank vegetable juice, Protein drinks, yogurt smoothies (thin), etc. I do not know what instructions your doctor has given you about the liquid phase. And I think your doctor would be the one to talk to about your concerns about hypoglycemia.

Nancy

I still eat all the same food i used to love, just less. But I can't eat much bread, rice, and other carbs because they tend to get stuck and make me PB.