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Hello to everyone. This is my first time and I have many questions. First of all, I am a 47 year old female with degenerative disk disease, Fibromyalgia and Adult Respitory Disease. I no longer work due to my disabilities, but I was a Sales Manager for a software developer before I had to give it up. I used to travel a lot and of course, eat out a lot. However, once I stopped working and endured a series of back surgeries, I was very inactive, and that was what really put me over the top. I am allowed to walk for exercise only, and I have to use a cane or walker depending on the terrain. I have passed all my medical tests to qualify for the surgery and have to meet with the dietician in two weeks. After that, I need to wait for the insurance approval and my lapband surgery will be scheduled.

I have been to some post-op support meetings to get a better handle on how living with the Lapband will be once the surgery has healed. I am very interested in finding out what those of you who have been successful with the Lapband eat on a daily basis. Are there any particular foods that you can never eat again? I know many people still drink coffee after being banded, has anyone found this to be a problem? I drink three cups of coffee at the most in the mornings, then I switch to Diet Coke with Lime. I do drink Water too. But coffee with french vanilla Creamer and diet coke with lime are my staples. I wouldn't have a problem drinking the diet coke flat. I guess right now, the drinks are my biggest hindrance. Does anyone have any input that would be helpful for a new person on the forum? Thanks!:thumbup:

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My surgery isn't until the end of this month, but they made me give up all caffeine and carbonated drinks weeks ago. Caffeine stimulates your appetite and carbonated drinks fill the pouch up with gas too much. You can't drink 30 min. before you eat and you can't drink until 1 hour after you eat. I think that will be my biggest problem. But, if you drink with your food it will wash it down and through the pouch too quickly and you won't feel as full. Good luck to you!

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Welcome to the forum and congrats on your decision to pursue the lap band. I'm sorry to hear of your health issues - hopefully with some weight loss, some of them will be reduced.

There certainly are some foods and drinks that you would be wise to avoid after the band. There are few that you "cannot" have, but many that you should not. I was also worried about giving up some of my favorites. But let me encourage you! You will be amazed by how many things you will be able to give up after you have the band.

First of all, your tastes will change a bit, and you may find that there are things that tasted great before, that suddenly aren't so good. (soda was one of those things for me) Second, without the constant hunger that comes with most diets, you'll find your willpower is much more....well, powerful. Since you aren't physically hungry, it is easier to control your cravings. And finally, the first time you get food stuck because you've eaten something on the no-no list, or you've eaten more than your new tummy can handle - you will learn that it is less painful and uncomfortable to just follow the rules.

I also had a coffee addiction. I've switched to one large mug of half caf coffee in the morning with fat free vanilla creamer (yay for that yummy stuff!). I've switched to iced tea or Water for all the rest of my fluids.

Hope this is helpful info, and keep the questions coming - there are a lot of people here who have experience and will want to help!

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Hi and welcome to LBT! I am pre-op, so can't answer some of your questions, but I am going to give a couple of others a shot.

First off, I would check out the FAQ sections. Those threads will answer a lot of your questions. Also, if you can't find the answer to any of your qustions there, post away! There is always someone hanging out here willing to lend a hand.

Good luck!

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    • LeighaTR

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    • 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!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • 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.
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