Newbie Q&A

Marjorie took this one with her iPhone. . . I was being silly and demonstrating some of my sassy Zumba moves on New Year's Eve . . :)

A pre-op bandster posted some good questions on Lap Band Talk, and I wanted to re-post my answers here. I broke down the questions a bit differently than she did and added a bit more below.

1. Would you do it [getting banded] over again?
Absolutely. The band has changed my life in countless positive ways, and the things about it that I thought would be hard have not been a big deal at all.

2. How long post-op until you feel normal again?
This is a really interesting question. For me, I was only obese for 6 or so years. So, it's only been since I lost about 30-50 pounds (and beyond) that I felt like had rediscovered my "normal" self once again. It has been the best feeling in the world.

In terms of recovery from surgery, I was well enough to do a city tour two days after my surgery. I had shoulder pain for a few months, but it was at lower and lower grades and less and less frequent as time went by. My incisions never hurt at all.

3. Do you ever "forget" you had the surgery done?
No, I don't think you ever forget completely that you were banded because it forces you to think out your food choices. That said, I no longer stress when going to a restaurant or to dinner at someone's house. I know how (and what) to eat without getting stuck.

Seeing the photo from 2008 in my last post showed me something interesting though. I had let myself "forget" that I was ever so heavy. I feel right and normal at my current size, and when I see my before photos, it is a little painful to me to see just how out of control I let my weight get. But, it reminds me to be grateful for how far I have been able to come with my band (now let's get that last few pounds off!!!).

3. Are there any foods you CAN'T eat post-op? )I heard veggie and fruit skins, pastas, popcorn?)

I can eat all of the above, but the type of bread that gets soft and gummy when you eat it is totally out of the question. Toast or the crust of a hard roll is fine though. I also am hesitant to eat steak in a restaurant if I am with people who don't know I am banded or if the band is feeling tight, since I sometimes have trouble with red meat. I generally go with fish, which I love, so it's no hardship.

4. Do I need to give up coffee and soda?
Doctors' instructions vary on this, so you should follow the instructions you are given. I still drink coffee every day, but I did give up diet soda and sparkling water. I do still have sparkling wine on occasion, and it's never been a problem.

5. Do you deal with heartburn or reflux regularly?
No. (But once in a while, I do have a feeling that might be heartburn or reflux, but it's pretty minor -- I'm not sure what it is exactly and will ask my doctor about it during my next visit.)

6. Can you have this surgery and NOT tell your whole family, friends, and co-workers?
Hell yes. You may want to tell a select few so that you'll have support, but you do not have to. It's harder to keep confidential at the very beginning if you have to eat with people. But, if you have your surgery in winter, you can just have soup all of the time when you are post-op.

I was VERY selective about who I told (and am glad about that in retrospect) and I eat normally enough that people don't tend to question it.

7. How is it you DONT lose weight immediately after surgery?
You have to go through a "healing" phase before your doctor will fill you to good restriction. During that time, your band is (generally) wide open and you can eat as you did before. Many people gain during this phase -- it's called "Bandster Hell" for that reason. But, the weight comes right off soon enough.

As for me, I put on about 5 pounds during Bandster Hell. Cut to today, and I'm less than 10 pounds from goal, wearing a size 10. So, don't stress about it!

8. What type of band do you have and are there any differences in the manufacturers?
I have an Inamed 5 cc band and my sweet spot (which has remained good for me through the past 9 months) is 2.85 ccs. I don't know about differences between mfrs.

9. No liquids with meals, whatsoever?
This is the one bandster rule that I've never been able to follow. I probably would have lost faster if I did, but I'm OK with my rate of loss.

10. Post op diet consisted of?
2 weeks of full liquids, 2 weeks of mushies, then regular food. It was like heaven to be on full liquids after my 3-day clear liquid pre-op diet! There are plenty of good things to eat during this time, and it wasn't very hard at all. It just required a few advance calls to restaurants when I had plans to eat out!