Hi everyone and November 07 Bandsters in particular,

Day 13 today for me and tomorrow will be my two week anniversary since banding. Like most of you, my experience has been positive as I learn to live with my band. As a general comment I am thrilled with it and can’t imagine life without my band. Normally by about now in a diet I’d be pleased with my success, relax my guard and slip off the diet regime. But not this time, because of my band, slipping back isn’t an option for me.

Now back in the gym and on the tennis court, I’m now fully recovered. How little food I eat and how satisfied I am after small meals is amazing. For the first time in ages I feel real hunger before meals. Most of my weight loss was in week-1 but my loss during week-2 has been satisfactory too. So far I have lost 7 kg (15 lbs) since the operation. My belt is in two notches and I am wearing clothes that were too tight two weeks ago.

My doctor doesn’t believe in prescriptive post op diets, so luckily no mush and liquids phases for me. He says there is no way my band can slip the way he has it stitched around my stomach. After one week I could eat what I liked as long as it was chewed completely. So I have had an easier time than some of you.

Today was my first PB, just like I’d read on these pages. Salivating like mad, I made for the toilet and stood there wondering what to do when I just burped up the food into the toilet bowl. As easy as that. That’s an experience I don’t want to repeat, so I’ve learnt from it and will be even more careful in future.

December 1 I am scheduled for my first fill. Not sure I need it, but maybe things will have changed by them.

Thanks for all your posts and shared information. Keep up the good progress everyone.

Regards,

Phil

Congratulations Phil. I was banded 3 weeks ago and I am on mushies (will be for another few days). I am yet to test my band with solid food but so far all has been great. The only times I threw up were the first 2 days in the hospital when I couldn't keep down some of my meds. I went to dinner for the first time last night but couldn't see anything on the menu to eat so ended up eating mashed potatoes and a skim hot chocolate later in the night... I guess it will be easier when I'm on solids... more to choose from.

What part of the middle east are you in?

Other than I live in Doha in Qatar and work in the oil industry, I won't say too much publicly in case I identify myself. It is a small community here. Cheers, Phil.

Hey no problem Phil, I understand. Good luck.

Wow 2/3 - 1 cup of food at a time Phil! That sounds like a feast to me. I would be in severe pain if I ate that much. I think my suregeons technique is similar to yours, mine folded my stomach over my band and stitched in into a kindda pocket for my band.

I have been wondering about the wide variance in diets too. But I switched surgeons midstream, and from what I saw of my previous surgeon, she was very strict as well.

Hey, i live in qatar and am having my band tomorrow, can i know the doctors name that u did it with??

Thanks

Hi Ghannouge, apologies for the late response to your post. Hope your surgery went smoothly and you are well on the way to a slim new you. My surgery was done at Al Ahli hospital in Doha and I am looked after by Dr Fawzi Jadallah.