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Originally Posted by mokat76  I'm starting to have serious second thoughts about going through with my banding (June 8). In addition to the considerable cost, since I'm self-pay, I picked up a copy of my center's pre- and post-op food plans today. As I read through it, all it could think of was it was way too extreme. Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but no milk after I'm on "normal" food? A lifetime of food choices that sound like a monk would start complaining about the austerity? For all of you who have had the surgery and are doing well, is this (my freaking out) normal? How do you re-educate your tastes? How long does it take to adjust? How long before you can even hope to eat normal food so you don't look like a dietary freak show in public? I'm a very private person and really don't want to broadcast my surgery, but how do you get around that in the first several weeks?
Like many of you, I'm sure, food has always been a part of socializing. Do you get over that?
Thanks. Please help talk me off this ledge! :help: |
You should spend some time reading this forum on this particular question. Run some searches like "second thoughts." You'll see that most people have second thoughts before the surgery. Very few people avoid that phase.
Regarding your food questions, it's not that bad at all. Most people find that they can eat most normal foods, just in smaller portions. But the smaller portions is not based on "willpower," it is just that you get full much quicker. Depending on your doctor's post-op plan, you'll be on "normal" foods about 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Many people also find that there are certain things they "can't eat." Some people can't eat bread, or fish, or chicken, etc. You'll find what works for you. But if you "can't eat" something, you'll find for the most part that you really just don't want it anymore.
Another thing that has come up a lot is how to avoid letting people know if you want to keep the surgery private. I managed to get the whole thing done without anyone at work knowing about it. I recommend that approach, but then, I'm a private person like you. But try to find threads on this forum where people have discussed how to attend parties and social events and what to say so you can keep things private.
The last thing I want to mention is that it's not really about "re-educating" your tastes. Once you get the band, most people find that they just start to prefer different things. You have to battle cravings a bit, but not nearly as much as you would think looking at the bandster menus. Mostly, you just eat less because you get full faster. Being hungry all the time is not what the band is all about. There may be some of that feeling in the few weeks you are on the post-op diet. But in general, you just get full faster.
Don't rush into the band if you are not ready. But just know that most people have the feelings you are having.
Once you get the band you will have to work at it a bit. If you just drink McDonald's milkshakes all day you can find a way to gain weight even if you have the band. But in general, the band is not about suffering and deprivation. It's there so you can control your food intake without having to feel the deprivation.
Julie 
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