Hey everyone,

Glad to see some of the questions being answered by differnet people. I had my band done on June 16 2005 so I am probable out from surgery the longest. I have never regreted my decision to do this. I started my resaerch in 2004 and came accrossed the adjustable banding. The only places that you could get it was in Florida and California. I was not willing to travel. From start to finish it was less than 4 months. Only because I took a vacation first.

I was never nervios about the surgery just very excited to know I would have the tool I needed to get my weight under control and actually be comfortable doing things. I was at the hospital by 6 and home by 2. I drove myself to the hospital the next day for the upper GI. I stayed out of work for 1 week because I work in a hospital and wanted to make sure the incisions were closed before I returned to work. I did not take any of the pain meds. Never got the script filled.

If you have not had your banding yet start taking 30 minutes to eat all of your food. This will only help post surgery. Fast east after banding is not an option!!  The foods I tolerate vary at times. It can not be dry. The moister it is the easier it is to eat. Breads are a big no no for me. They feel like they get stuck and are very uncofortable. They really don't get stuck but it feels like you just eat 10 times the amount you thought you could eat. The higher the protein intake is the fuller you feel. It hangs around longer. Make sure you are drinking plent of liquids.

I also did not tell many people I was doing this. I feel it is none of thier buisness. My immediate fmaily does ot even know. There are only 5 people out side of the support group that know.

 I had my last fill under fluro and hope it will be the last. I currently have 3ml in a small band.  I also played it conservative with some of the fiils and if I had it to do again would not have done so. Dr. T was right about the fills every time. Trust him  completely he knows what he is doing.

I have found that working out is the best way to keep me motivated and focusedin the right direction. I work out every chance I have , usualyy 3-5 times a week.

I connot think of any other questions that were aked. If I missed one or you want more in depth answers let me know and I will be happy to tell you.

 

 

dede

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                 ndoval <amiefletch@...> wrote:

The rule of thumb is chew, chew and chew some more!
You will have to eat more slowly and chew your food
well. Yes, some people do have trouble eating meat.
Again, I think it partially depends on your fill
level. Each person seems to have different things that
don't go down easily!

--- helen cameron <hcameron11@...> wrote:

> Thanks Amy,
>   you mentioned eating protien first then veg then
> carbs. Does the protien have to be minced up or
> mashed in some way? I would have thought it would
> get stuck in the band otherwise. I've heard others
> talking of the difficulty of eating meat.
>   
>   It is inspiring to hear your experiences. I'm
> definitely going to have the surgery. I've spent so
> long battling with my weight I really want to learn
> new habits.
>   
>   cheers
>   Helen
>
> Amy Sandoval <amiefletch@...> wrote:
>   I would say that I wasn't really hungry for the
> first
> week or so while I was healing. And I remember
> eating
> real "food" for the first time and feeling full on
> just a couple of bites - I was probably still
> swollen
> from surgery and had a bit of restriction.
>
> Right now, I've had two fills and I'm about three
> and
> a half months out. I'm not quite at the perfect fill
> level and I do still feel hungry sometimes. I'm not
> starving though - and I've learned to "battle" the
> hunger more wisely than I used to. (Smarter
> snacking,
> etc.)
>
> One thing I didn't really "buy into" before the
> surgery was the difference eating mostly protein
> would
> make. Now I'm a believer. If I focus on eating
> enough
> protein during the day, I find I'm much more
> satisfied.
>
> I'm looking forward to getting another fill and
> getting closer to the "sweet spot." I think it's
> pretty normal to need a few fills to get to the
> point
> where you're truly going 4-5 hours between meals
> without getting hungry. (I hear that's the "sweet
> spot" - when you can go 4-5 hours on a small meal
> and
> be satisfied.)
>
> I was incredibly nervous about the surgery for a lot
> of reasons. But I honestly haven't regretted it at
> all. And, I've found the whole process to be easier
> than I'd ever anticipated before surgery. I remember
> reading lots of other "bandsters" who said they were
> thrilled with their band - and wondering if thye
> were
> all being honest. Now that I'm banded, I understand
> why they were so happy. It really does work. It
> takes
> some patience and some mental work sometimes (you
> can
> be "head hungry" but not really hungry) - but it's
> been a good experience. (And I'm not a super-fast
> loser, but I've been pretty satisfied with my weight
> loss.)
>
> Good luck, you'll do great!
> Amy
>
> --- ambrosia_23456 <ambr168787@...> wrote:
>
> > Hello all,
> >
> > I am scheduled to have surgery May 9th...I am
> really
> > very nervous just
> > as Varonica stated...I am excited as well...I
> would
> > like to know how
> > others fared after the surgery...Did everyone feel
> > hunger until the
> > first fill?
> >
> > Thank you all for the support!!
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
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