Hello all

I am in the process of completing pre-op testing and hoping to have the lap band surgery just  after Christmas. I am still conflicted about this decision and am concerned about old habits being difficult to change. I am an emotional eater and eat out of boredom. I am not a predominantly a sweet overeater or food overeater, I eat everything. Food is a huge part of my day and on my mind a lot. I also drink a lot of fluid when I eat and hear that will have to change after surgery...also, eating protein 1st, then veggies, and last a little bit of carbs. That all kind of freks me out cause it is a big change for me-I like the flavor of mixing foods. I excersize 30 mins 3-4x a week already so I think that may be good for a start. Please let me know if anyone else had these issues and how you made out. You all seem to support each other well...I hope you will allow me to join you. 

 hi and welcome!!  (no advice/help for ya cause you are ahead of me in the process- but I just wanted to welcome you!)

Thanks for the welcome... can work our way through this together. How far along are you? I am hopeful...would love to be successful. My daughter is getting married next Sept. and I sure don't want to be this big by then.

I've finished my pre-op testing and just waiting now for insurance and a date but I'm a lot like you. While I'm not really an emotional eater (I tend to NOT eat when I get upset).I'm not a big sweet eater, and I eat a lot out of boredom and bad habits. While I cant give you an experienced reply I can tell you that I've spoken to tons of people who have had the surgery and expressed similar concerns. The reply I keep getting is that the surgery really helps you to retrain yourself. You have to want to change your habits and be willing to watch the diet, but if you do then you will succeed.  One thing to keep in mind is if you get into an emotional situation when you would normally eat then maybe coming here and posting might help you work through that.  Good luck in your journey!

 

Hi Angela, I read some of your story. Are a lot of these posters gastric bypass people or some of both? I am glad I happened on to this website...I think it will be helpful. Thanks for the welcome...good luck to you too.

Geesh ,I dont know how I missed your reply, I'm so sorry I'm so late in responding! I've spoken to both. I've become pretty good friends with a woman who had lapband last Sept and we go to Roger Williams support group every month so you get to meet lots of people there and we usually stay around and talk after the meeting as well. I've also spoken to people who are a few years out with bypass and are friends of my father in law. When he found out I was going to get this done, he wanted me to be able to talk to others who had been through it so he put me in touch.  The one common thread I keep hearing over and over is every person I've talked to has said they have no regrets and only wish they had done it sooner. This surgery has made such a difference in so many peoples lives. Of course, there are going to be people who fail, sometimes for reasons not of their doing, but I honestly believe the majority who fail, do so because they either werent ready to make the commitment or they didnt have the drive. Thats just my personal opinion and please take it with a grain of salt.  But regardless, I wish you only the best of luck and please feel free to contact me at any time if I can be of any help.

Hello and welcome!    I am still Pre-Op and have no advice on success yet. All I know is what battling insurance is like and wanting something so bad my heart aches. I have done all my testing, except for 1 thing and hoping for an answer from my appeal by 22nd. Then off to Dr. Roye for my surgery date.

Hello, Just wondering, have you already met Dr. Roye? That is one thing I don't feel comfortable about...not meeting the surgeon till I have my testing completed. I am surprised you did the testing before getting accepted by insurance. They didn't even give me that option. I hope you get good news soon. Joy 

 

 

Hey there, I don't post too much over here, I hang out on the lapband board mostly.  Everyone here is supportive and I do pop in to check things over here. I am 1 year post op from the lap band and I am or should I say was...an emotional eater...same as you it was not one particular thing sweets, foods and I didn't eat a lot of quantity but I was a chronic crap eater.   I am a slow loser but I was on the lower end for my BMI and was on insulin which most times slows down weight loss.  Don't go by my loss, everyone is differrent.  I have lost 35 pounds (as of today...yay me!!) in about 1 year.   Just to let you know, it does take time to get full restriction they fill you slow until it is optimal for you.  I have a friend (MS. Paris) who is on here often who has lost over 70 pounds in a year with the band and there are some who have lost even more than that with the band in one year...everyone is different. I absolutely LOVE my lap band.  It took me a while to get to optimal restriction but  am there now and it is wonderful.  As far as not drinking with eating, it is not that hard, you may want to just prep yourself prior and cut down on drinking with meals.  I never drank with meals so for me, it was not that hard. For me it is not hard food wise either...I have about 3 oz of protein, 1-2 oz of a veggie and maybe a teaspoon of a starch like mashed potatoes just to feel like I am eating a regular meal.  Buy the time I get to the starch, I am sooo full I have to throw it away.  As far as other carbs, I totally avoid bread and not by choice, my band HATES bread!!  A lot of carbs don't agree with me anymore which for me is a good thing.  It sounds hard, but once you get the hang of it, it is pretty easy following the rules...you can "cheat" and have a sugar free jello pudding...omg ,YUM...great for the sweet fix.  I sometimes have a little piece of chocolate..as long as you mostly follow the rules, exercise and get your water in, you will do fine...trust me...I am a grazer and always have been, but you do stay full for a lot longer with the band and protein. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me...I will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have about the band...or at least I can try....LOL Pop over to the lapband board too and look at some of the topics you can get some great info there from just reading some of the posts... Good luck Kristen

Hi Kristen, Thanks for all that info.. It was really helpful. I have a lot of doubts and insecurities regarding the the surgery and I can use all the encouagement I can get. I would love to go on the lapband board...how do I do that ? I know the surgery  is not an end all to my life long eating disorder but I am hopeful that it will help curtail some of the bad habbits I have formed through the years.  I think it will be hard to give up the bread but necessary no doubt. Sweets at the end of a meal is something I enjoy...is a bite or 2 of desert something that can still happen? Well I thank you again for the info...that is really the best I've had so far. Good luck to you and congrats on your success thus far. Joy