I had my first appointment to see the surgeon on 27th November and I have got my date for surgery ALREADY!! And it is in only 2 weeks (12th December) - PANIC STATIONS!!

I have been dreaming about doing this for several years, thinking seriously about it for over a year, as now I am in a position to be able to pay for it (full self-pay, no private cover :cry), and have been discussing it with my GP for the last few months as I gave alternative methods (eg drugs) one last ditch try. He gave me the referral to the surgeon 6 weeks ago, but the surgeon was booked out for a while and I work Fly In/Fly Out, so didn't get to see him until just this week. He said asked if I wanted it done before Xmas and I nearly fell off my chair!! I was expecting January to be the absolute earliest and more likely later!

Oh boy...now the reality hits. Am I really going to go through with this? What if I panic and run away from the hospital on the night before? ARGH!! Part of me says I need time to get used to the idea but most of me wants it done NOW NOW NOW and dreads the waiting time. I also thought about whether doing this before Xmas was such a good idea, but decided that if I couldn't face giving up the Xmas dinner pigout this year, what made me think I could face doing that forever?

*quakes in her boots*

Rhonda - Your positive outlook is great, keep it up and you can't fail. On the other hand, I don't mind reading about other peoples negatives - I find I can learn from their experiences.

When did you get your band? I saw you joined in Oct. but got your band before joining.

Take care. Amy

Hi Amy,

I had my operation on the 26 September...

Okay Miss Fanny, here goes........... The last day before banding, I started feeling guilty that I was putting myself through a serious operation because I couldn't stop eating all the things I love, and I felt really bad that if something went wrong during the op, I would be the cause of alot of upset and heartbreak for my children..............and then I realised that the percentages of problems resulting in drastic outcomes, was so much less than the chance I would die early due to being obese, and the strain on my body and organs......... so I resigned myself to the op. I too had fear about missing my favourite foods - what if!!!! what if - I could never have steak again, what if I could never have chicken again, what if I could never have white bread again.........you know the drill...

Well - the op was a success, and I can go into more details if you want to know (send me a private message).... and I can describe every step of my day 1, day 2 etc................. anyway I was sore for the first few days (similar to appendix or ceasarian pain) - but I also was one of the unlucky few that copped the shoulder pain, this happens when the gas they need to inflate you with (gives the surgeon room to put the zippy tie on your stomach) escapes through an unconventional path, and gets trapped in the upper diaphragm. The nerves for the shoulder are there, so the pain is refered to the shoulder, and is (in my case really severe) difficult to relieve with pain killers. I spent the first 3 days on liquids with some runny custard as well, did not feel like anything... but as the healing process began, so did the hunger......... I moved on to soups, and mushies about 1 week, and then soft foods about 2 1/2 weeks.......... I was eating small amounts of normal food by the end of week 3, and was glad I snuck in my appointment for 3 weeks............so I had my first fill (nothing to be scared of) I had my second fill today, and have lost 4kgs before the op, and 4 kgs since, total of 8, small compared to some others, but success cannot be compared....... it is an individual journey. i can still eat the same foods, just in smaller portions, i have only had one mouthful of pizza get stuck, and it hurt like a punch in the chest, a drink helped get it through........... The key is to not think of the band as providing "restriction"... but it's purpose is to decrease or eliminate hunger, so you can win the war with your healthy choices, without it being an unfair fight.............. hope this makes sense, any questions, you know where to find me (private messages)..... hugs K

How are ya doing there Karen, my computer at home died. I haven't posted in a while. It's infected with a virus, I'm still trying to revive it. Just wondering how things were goin. My weight loss stalled a bit but I have a fill coming on Monday so hopefully things will pick up again. How are you feeling ??

hey there Carol - great to hear from you, I pretty much said everything in the post above.........I too have plateau'd but am having another fill on Tuesday (hopefully it'll be right close to Xmas) as my surgeon is away all of January............ I am still enjoying 1 glass of wine before dinner, and not doing any exercise though........... how slack am I?????

But I feel good mostly (still get a bit tired, but nothing to do with the band - just my body clock) I love that my clothes fit better, and not bulging at the seems - can't wait till I move back down the sizes I have kept in my wardrobe...lol!!!! anyway have to fly............ speaking of that, have you checked out the FLYLADY website??? hugs K

Fanny,

I am an emotional eater and really enjoy food, so I too was worried about what I would be giving up. Now that I have had the op, although I still day dream about huge steak dinners, it is really empowering to have taken away the control food had over me. I have already lost 10 kgs (3 post op) and I only had the surgery 5 days ago. I am noticing a difference in clothes and can see light at the end of a very dark weight tunnel. My surgery was moved forward and I freaked a little but it was better to have it sooner. Good luck you won't regret your decision.

Cheers,

TMG

Fanny?????? Cooooooooeeeeeeee????? R U Banded yet????????

You have been in my thoughts - just the good ones, not the cheecky ones!!! lol!!! I am sure you will catch us up, as soon as you can................... hugs K

Everything is moving so quickly! Seminar on 12/10; Met the doctor on 12/11 - scheduled surgery for January 2.

I flip flop constantly about - do I really need this? Then thinking - how great will being thin be? Negative thoughts then positive thoughts. Constantly! I like the remark someone made about "needing a therapist" - that's how I feel! I try not to sign on here too often because there are some scary negative things on this site also - so I try to stay near the before and after pix. (How encouraging are they? Awesome!) Trying not to freak out or freak my husband out! Words of encouragement are appreciated.

RTW

__________________________

Seminar 12/10/07

Met Dr. 12/11/07

Surgery date - 01/02/08

220/220/140

Everything is moving so quickly! Seminar on 12/10; Met the doctor on 12/11 - scheduled surgery for January 2.

I flip flop constantly about - do I really need this? Then thinking - how great will being thin be? Negative thoughts then positive thoughts. Constantly! I like the remark someone made about "needing a therapist" - that's how I feel! I try not to sign on here too often because there are some scary negative things on this site also - so I try to stay near the before and after pix. (How encouraging are they? Awesome!) Trying not to freak out or freak my husband out! Words of encouragement are appreciated.

RTW

Hi RTW,

I was banded on 3/12 and I'm currently on mushies. You are following in the footsteps of most of us bandits. I think most of us had those thoughts prior to surgery, after all it is a big step to take.

Don't let the negative things you read on BB bother you. Most people come here for support and usually when something is wrong. Think of all the people who have been on the board before banding and now only make an occassional post. When I first went for my appointments I told them of what I had read and they told me that most of the people who don't have any problems tend to just be lurkers making the occassional post. I have only been banded for 2 weeks and at first I thought why did I do this. but I haven't really been hungry yet (no fill at this time), I am eating so much less than i used to (about 1/2 -1 cup per meal) and I have lost about 12 kg since starting Optifast on 1/11/07 (about 5kg since surgery). I don't regret this decision at all.

Danna:D

Everything is moving so quickly! Seminar on 12/10; Met the doctor on 12/11 - scheduled surgery for January 2.

I flip flop constantly about - do I really need this? Then thinking - how great will being thin be? Negative thoughts then positive thoughts. Constantly! I like the remark someone made about "needing a therapist" - that's how I feel! appreciated.

RTW

__________________________

Seminar 12/10/07

Met Dr. 12/11/07

Surgery date - 01/02/08

220/220/140

You are sounding freaked out like I was - I wanted knowledge but I was getting so anxious I nearly thought I should cancel. I had huge concerns, would this just be another failure, what if... what if... what if...

I'd never be able to eat out again then there was the surgery, and worst of all........ WHAT would I do without food???

Some of these are still to be determined, BUT, I don't regret my banding at all, nope nope nope! :clap2:

Particularly coming into Christmas madness, I've had two events so far, and I have been unbelievably relieved at the control and satiety my band has given me. I could have a little, but there was no Pigging Out for me, and it was sooooooo good afterwards knowing I had had the bad stuff, but just a touch.

I feel in control, and I pray I will still be this way in 6 months and more.

A lot of my worry to was guilt - no one but my husband knows what my surgery was for, and I KNOW this was the correct decision for me. It isn't for everyone, but now I am so glad I decided on keeping it private.

Good luck, its more mental than physical turmoil - and you will fine its so much better post op