Hi everyone,

I am new here.

I am going in for a consult on Mon. with Dr. Jerry Simpson in Phoenix.

I have been reading as much as I can on the Band. But what can I expect? Will I be hungry? How long is long recovery, really?

I had a TT/MR 2 yrs ago and my dr. said it would be about 6 wks recovery, it was more like a few months before I could work out.

I am self pay so this should happen fast.

Any one else in AZ?

Oh, how do you survive the pre-op diet?

Welcome! Go through my profile and read my blogs as I tried to post things as they happened. Basically I was self pay, but in Tijuana and did great. Pain for me was a lot of gassy pains, left shoulder, etc. Not everyone has pain! My Dad breezed through his as did my sis-n-law. Recovery, again some people 1 - 3 days, me a little longer, more like 2 weeks. It is a wonderful surgery, I would do it again today if I had too. Stay on this site and get support! Good luck!!

Hi ArizonaGirl,

Being a self-pay, you may be a bandster by the end of next week. A relative of mine went that fast, but she had a gastric bypass. Anyway, I'll bet there are as many different stories about how people fared as there are people who have had the band put on. It seems to be so individual, as you will read on this site. Personally, I have been very fortunate. I was banded July 3. I took pain medication for about 2 days, mostly because they stressed at the hospital to take it when the pain was mild so that it wouldn't get out of control. Most of the pain came from the gas going to my shoulders and back, but walking helped, along with the medication. After a couple of days, I was pretty comfortable, if a little less than energetic. It's not nice to sneeze or cough, but it won't kill you. I went through the two-week liquid only diet and was really bored with it by the time I "graduated" but again, it wasn't that bad. I'm on soft foods now, and that really is easy. I'm beginning to get at least half of my Protein (70 grams required) from food like baked salmon and cottage cheese, and the rest I still get from a shake made with powdered protein. I got my protein in a 6-lb bag at costco. ($39.95 for the bag of 72 servings = $.55 per serving, which is a lot cheaper than most protein drinks) Mixed in a blender with some Splenda and ice cubes, it's not bad.

I'm not feeling any restriction when I eat, so I probably eat larger bites that I should; and probably eat faster. I will regret it after my first fill and I get some restriction. I'm trying to change my eating habits, but it takes Concentration! Even though I don't seem to have any restriction, I am not terribly hungry. Head hunger gets to me sometimes, but I try to ignore it. It was three weeks Thursday since I got the band and I felt ready to go back to exercising (aqua exercises) last Monday. The doctor had said o.k. at my 2 week check, so that's my exercise.

Hope this gives you an idea of what to expect, but remember, everyone is different. I wish you the luck that I've had.

Hey Arizonagirl,

Im in AZ too and I have Dr. Simpson also. I am scheduled for surgery on August 12 and I am kinda struggling with the pre-op diet. Do Not, I repeat, DO NOT go on an eating binge after your consult! You will regret it when you have to go on the pre-op liquid diet and you have gained weight since your initial consult.......that is what I did and I do regret it. The bariatric coordinator told me that my BMI has to be under 50 and my weight has to be under 280 lb or the hospital WILL cancel my surgery. I was at 288 lbs at my consult, so today I am at 287 lbs, down from 290 again. Sheeesh! I am so mad at myself.

No one told me about the pre-op diet when I was at the consult......i read about it on this message board and then asked the office about it about 3-4 days after my initial consult, they emailed me back and said NO PRE-OP DIET. Then the next day she emailed me back again and then said that it was a mistake and that I DO have to be on the pre op diet. So, it was a little frustrating and I was mad that I gained 2 lbs since the consult......so long story short, ask them about pre-op diet AND try not to over do it "saying goodbye" to your favorite foods.

I am glugging along on my Protein shakes.......and looking forward to checking back with you as our journey proceeds.

Good Luck and keep in touch.

Judie