Hi everyone my name is Jeremy. I am 22 years old and decided to have the lap band surgery about 2 months ago. My surgery is on the 15 of January and i have just begun my 5th day of the pre diet. It consist of three 2oz cups of pudding a day. The more i do this diet i worry about if i made the right decision with the lap band. Since my surgeon leaned more towards the sleeve or bypass rather than the band. I am worried i have made the wrong choice with the band. Will i always be hungry like this for the rest of my life. Always eating this little amount. Or will it be more like eating like mormal people eat. Thanks again to all.

Hi you made the right decision and no you wont be that hungary after the surgery. I had mine on Nov 14 and have lost 27 pounds and 21 inches.

Hi Jeremy, first the operation isn't as serious as the sleeve and bipass. While you do tend to lose a little slower the results in a 3 year study are the same. My doctor told me its roughly 62% of your overall body fat. I am at 65% 18 months out with another 35 to lose. When you initially get your band you may not be hungry. After a couple weeks the hunger may return in full gear. As your healing progresses it will be time to get a fill. The fills really do help the hunger. It took me 5 fills to reach optimal level of restriction. yes, it can take some time to get there. I eat anywhere from 1/2 cup to 1 cup of food. I can eat everything, even bread. My relationship with food has changed completely. I no longer eat fast food because when you eat so much less you really need to get in the most nutrition. I also don't binge eat anymore. I am really glad I was banded. The other surgeries sound so much more invasive. That was why I didn't go that route. Best of luck to you on your journey. Don't look back, just forward. Julie

Hi Jeremy--

Your preop diet sounds unconventional to me. Just three 2 oz. cups of pudding? How do you get Protein, nutrients, etc.? I'm on day 3 of my preop diet (surgery Jan. 7). I have much more than you and am still pretty hungry so I understand you must be really struggling. Are you sure you got the diet right? Hang in there!

Jim

Yeah i get three 2oz packets of pudding a day. He said i could have jello and sugar free pops too. But doesnt really help im on day 5 and have 16 days to go. I have lost 17 pounds in those 5 days. Ill make it though.

I don't understand why they are having you eat pudding! If you are going to eat only six ounces of anything, why not make it something healthy? Why not six ounces of chicken? Six ounces of cottage cheese? At least there are some nutrients in those. Interesting...I feel really bad for you and hope the time goes by really fast!

I was on a liquid Low Carb protien preop...... Protein shakes, sf Jello, sf pops, sf pudding........

You have made a great choice! Especially since you are so young! The band is the least invasive and ONLY reversible surgery...... the others have adsorbsion issues that don't go away... a friend of mine lost 120 lbs but gained back 60 and is working on relosing... she is 5 years post op of the RNY.

Don't freak out.. you will be fine!

I had second thoughts too, especially when my doctor had my start Phase II of the diet 3 days before the surgery. This was 4 days before the surgery, so I didn't have time to have my last big meal.

I had some pudding, but I also tried to get some Protein. I had a high-protein smoothie one day and I tried to eat fairly well the other two days.

I know you shouldn't go into lap band surgery thinking it can be reversed, but that's what kept me motivated to do this. In my opinion, it is far better to do the band than the bypass. That is reversible is one thing, but far more important is that you can still get your nutrition whereas with the bypass it is much more difficult to get the proper nutrients.

Good Luck and I hope you stick with the band. It is the healthier alternative to the bypass.

hi

I had second thoughts minutes before banding, it might be normal. But, I went ahead with it and am dealing with the loss of my blanket, food. Banding is the less severe of all the surgeries and to me, gives me a chance to take control of my life instead of my stomach taking control over me. Hang in there, drink lots of Water and pray, it helps get over the hump. And if you dont pray, meditate, and if you dont meditate, just close your eyes and take three breaths. And if you dont breathe?? grins. Just come here and read the posts it will help you get thru this part.

wishing you good luck and I pray so I will pray for you

Jo Ann

Hi Jeremy,

I'm also being banded on the 15th. I'm not having second thoughts, I just keep thinking about why I am doing it in the first place. I went shopping today and dreamt about buying clothes in the regular section, I called my mum and I even placated my mother-in-law who asked if I was doing the right thing!

Keep in touch, we can be buddies if you like. I don't have a pre-op diet, which I praise whoever, but I can send you thoughts and encouragement.

Good luck,

Jen

Jeremy, having second thoughts is normal for many of us. You are making a trip into the unknown. Personally, the pre-op and and liquid post-op diet did get old, but it's not forever. I eat well, albeit differently than I used to, which is a good thing. Since my band, I make better food choices, I'm looking better, I no longer hurt all over, my clothes fit, and I am so much happier with myself! Hang in there. You'll be glad you did.

jeremy, i too am having second thoughts about the procedure. i've already had my consult and so much of me feels like this is going to save me from my horrible relationship w/ food, but another part of me also worries about the actual surgery, the port, fills, etc. and i start to wonder if im doing the right thing.

Oh my. I feel the same way. I am currently 19 years old and I know that I want to be banded, but it is such a big decision. I mean, I'm going to have to deal with this decison for the rest of my life, but I guess this is all better than dealing with being overweight for the rest of my life.

sarah, i completely agree and understand. have you had a consult yet?

I know what you are going through. I was on the hospital bed, waiting for them to wheel me back for surgery and all of a sudden, I got this wave of fear. I looked at my husband, told him to call the nurse and take out my IV because I KNEW I wasn't going to wake up from the anesthesia. He hit me in the head with a hammer and told me to relax JUST KIDDING!......

He had me call my mom and she prayed with me. When I hung up the phone, the surgeon and team was standing at the end of the bed, ready to take me back. I laid back, the anesthiologist put something in my IV, and the next thing I remember, I woke up in the recovery room.

I am so happy I did it. I have lost over 40 pounds since surgery on Dec 13, 2007 and I am NEVER hungry. It is normal to have those feelings. Remember, for many of us, food is like a drug,and when you stop eating, you may experience these feelings. It is like a form of withdrawl.

The best to you and stay strong.

Jeremy-I am a Registered Nurse and researched the options for over a year. Through my experiences as a nurse I personally would never have gastric bypass. You will have to decide what's right for you. I reviewed many,many research studies. I have taken care of many bypass patients. Some have died. What you are experiencing is normal. This is a big decision. I have co-workers also that have had bypass. It would have to be life or death for me personally to ever choose bypass. Remember too that the band is reversible and you could choose to have bypass later if the band does not turn out to be the right choice for you. Please, please look at the statistics for both before you reach your decision. Look at the morbidity rate for bypass. Having all the facts will ease your decision. But remember, it is your decision and your body.