Bandsters - Dieting question

Hi all!! I am HOPING to get a lap band in the near future. (already say my PCP, and talked to CORI - hope to get update on Monday on a Consultation). That said - I noticed that peopel tend to gravitate to a high protein diet after surgery. My question is - how is it different for you now? I tried Atkins a few times - but had trouble staying on it. Of all the low protein diets - I liked Somersizing best - but - I just want to know how it's different for you now after banding? And again- I would love to meet with people in the North Canton, OH area - bandsters of course - but even others who've had WLS - I just need all the info I can get. Basically - I guess I am afraid of not noticing much of a difference from doing low protein pre-op and low-protein post op - can you all share? THANK YOU!! Tina

http://www.uclabariatrics.mednet.ucla.edu/recovery/recovery_ldiet_intro.htm Hi Tina! I did a little research on the lap band-the above link will show you the post-op diet that UCLA recommends (each dietician is different). It is very similar to the lifelong diet gastric bypass patients follow. Protein must be eaten first and is essential. UCLA's link also shows the post op diet for gastric bypass and you can compare them. I also saw on Spotlighthealth.com, today (Mon Sept 8) at 9pm est Ann Wilson (the singer) will be chatting live regarding her lap band procedure and results. Should be a great chat! I bet there will be many pre-op banders on there asking questions. (Ann looks great post-op BTW) Good Luck to you on your exciting journey!

actually - after researching at length, I am looking into the Lap RNY. I was looking at CORI for the Lap-Band - there are only 2 surgeons in all of ohio that I could find that Did the Lap band - maybe 3 - and I was hoping to find someone who had a few under their belt (more experience). That landed me at CORI - however, after researching - I decided I'd be better off with the RNY. I know from what I have read that it is tougher for people over 50 to get the surgery, but I hadn't really looked into that much as I am 34 now. Since I decided to change to the Lap RNY - I am looking at going to the Cleveland Bariatric Center at St. Vincents - and Dr. Ben Mier. I have a consult with him on Friday - wish me luck. He's done over 200 lap rny's so I hope things go well. Take care - and the best of luck. Tina

well, you have to go to one of the seminars before you can get an appt., and I know they said Dr Ben Mier was booked pretty much through the rest of the year (however, I did get in fairly quick -maybe from a cancellation?) That said - my insurance fell through so I cancelled my appt anyhow. I don't know if I'll be able to pursue due to insurance issues or not, but for right now it's on hold. For my decision - well, My suggestion is for you to get the Dr.s Guide to Weightloss Surgery - its a book that outlines all the surgery types, and the pros-cons to each. It will help you make an educated decision on what is best for you. To simplify it - MY preference, and I stress MY - mainly because for different reasons other options might be better for you - was to do the lap RNY. Why? 1. Lap because of faster recovery time and less scarring (and yes lap carries its own risks) 2. RNY because it has an overall better success rate than the VGB or the Lap-band (although that may be debated here - the general rule is that as lap-banding has only been approved in the states since 2000 or 2001(dont remember off hand), there haven't been enough long-term studies to really state it's sucess rate - but the ESTIMATE is that it will be less successful long term than the VGB - again- this is from the research I did - so it could be debated) 3. The dumping syndrome - well - at first it sounds horrid, but I have a strong history of diabetes in my family, so the idea that I would get sick and be deterred from sweets now may prevent me from dealing with insulin shots later in life 4. The port on the lap-band scared me - I read of many people who had problems with it, and some said if they stretched a certain way they could feel the stitches pull, theres' a tendency for the saline to dissapear from the ring (this was stated as a known thing and that there was no known reason why), the multiple dr.s appts to refill the band and check up on it througout the year at a location that was 4 hours from my home - I just wasn't sure if the lap-band was worth all the hassle (AGAIN My personal opinion). It DOES have it's advantages, mainly you won't have to worry about vitamin/ nutritional deficiencies and the surgery is far less complicatad and easier to reverse. 5. This decision is such a personal thing. You have to weigh what is important to you. Is it ULTIMATELY fast and permanent weight loss? Is it to not worry about malabsorption issues? Is it not worrying about Dumping? I didn't even mention the Duodenal switch (there's another name for it as well) - it has the highest success rate of weight loss and keeping it off - but there are far more negative side affects (malapsorbtion of minerals and vitamins, and apparently alot of GAS) Success is relative. What do you term Success? I want to have kids someday soon - the lap band is in theory better for nutrion when pregnant because there isn't the malapsorbtion issue. So I had to weigh the risks and benefits before I made my descision - but I can guarantee you this was part of it. Also the lap band can be adjusted to allow more food for when you are pregnant or nursing. So you see - I may not have helped you much. You need to determine what is best for you. I'd advise getting that book - it should answer all of your questions - and even make you ask a few of yourself. If I had already had all of my kids and that wasn't an issue anymore - I'd probably go with the Micro Pouch - given by Cori in Michigan. It's the RNY, but the pouch is smaller and supposedly created from the tissue of the stomach that won't stretch, and they claim there have been no revisions in the 7 yrs or so that it's been done. Thats a good record. Ultimately - keep this in mind - you can 'eat around' just about any of these surgeries, and they are just a tool. i.e., I remember when I was on prescription diet drugs, and you can still eat and gain weight on those - I did - the point is, if you really want to eat you can find a way around the "TOOL" and not lose weight. Drinking milkshakes, or eating 15 tiny meals during the day - the surgery itself is not a magic pill or a guarantee of success. MAN DID I GET ON A PEDASTAL just now.. LOL Sorry if I am dumping all this info. oh well - I imagine I'll get slammed pretty well by people who disagree - but this is what my research found - and I think I was pretty fair in relaying the info. anyhow - good luck and take care, Tina