Surgery in 4 weeks and scared to death

vannav12 · 12-17-2006, 09:00 AM

Hi all. I am new to this site, but so far from what I have read, it seems totally worthwhile! I am having my surgery Jan 16th, 2007. I'm trying to read all the info I can from people who have actually been through this. I can tell you all that I am scared to death. Oddly enough, I am not scared of the operation, but of being hungry for the first 6 weeks+ !!!! Obviously, I am not good at hunger or I wouldn't be where I am today...
I feel like I have so many habits that need to be changed, I'm not even sure where to start. It seems like I am getting ready to go mountain climbing in sandals! OK. Enough of the "whoa is me". Thank you all for posting so far, b/c reading them has helped me set a realistic view of post-op. Good luck to you all !!!!

Vanna

**Alexandra** · 12-17-2006, 09:18 AM

Welcome to LBT, Vanna! Stick around and you'll find all the support you need to get through surgery and the first 6 weeks. And beyond! :biggrin1:

shutuplena · 12-17-2006, 01:27 PM

I was nervious as anything about starving after the surgery and what in the world I was going to eat. I was obsessing over it. But I just kept reading and asked my nutritionist and people at the support group meetings that I went to before the surgery. I am now 4 wks post-op and to be honest it's not that bad. I wasn't hungry at all the first week but then after that I thought I was starving. Most of it was all in my head but I just keep eating the pureed, mushy stuff and lots of broth and it wasn't awful. Eggs were great for me. Keep reading!

flabuless · 12-17-2006, 02:57 PM

Welcome to LBT vanna
I was also really nervous before I had my band...the lifestyle/habit changes just seem so overwhelming at times. but my motto is take each day at a time...if I slip up one day I always have tomorro to make it right... I slip up quite a bit!!!! but the Lap Band is my tool not my enemy so over time I am learning how to 'use' it and make the right choices to encourage the weight loss. Best wishes on your surgery date...keep us posted.
:) becky

vannav12 · 12-17-2006, 07:59 PM

Thanks Flabulous (love the name). I think thinking of the band as my friend (tool) and not my enemy is a great way to go!!!! I'll keep posting once I get the surgery. Hopefully, I won't be dying from hunger...

marjon9 · 12-17-2006, 08:29 PM

I don't have much to add to the posts above but I just wanted to say howdy since I'm having my surgery on 1/16 also. That probably makes us bonded for eternity in the cosmos, or something like that. I feel like I will have a good experience with the band if I can get through the first six weeks and then on to the place where restriction is relatively accurate for my needs. But I am quite anxious about the process leading up to that. I work long hours and I don't want to be starving or sliming or whatever people do who have these things. I hope I am able to get to the right fill level fairly quickly. Overall though, once I get through the "setup and installation" phase, I am really optimistic that this is going to be very helpful to me. The best thing is, you can eat as much as you want of anything all the time and still lose weight!!! (just kidding).

beachgirl · 12-17-2006, 09:05 PM

You'll do great. It really isn't as hard as you think. You'll be so excited about your new life that I don't think food will be as important as you think. It wasn't for me and I use to love to eat and now I eat just to survive. I really don't care for food like I did at all.

smilliegal · 12-17-2006, 11:15 PM

Hi Vannav12 and Marjon9, I'm getting banded on January 15th. It will be great to have companions on this journey of fighting the fat in our heads
as well as on our bodies. Best wishes and keep posting
Smilliegal

juliegeraci · 12-18-2006, 12:58 PM

Its normal to be scared. Get excited. You will love your Lap Band. Good luck.

Sunshine2 · 12-18-2006, 03:32 PM

Hi Vanna, I'll be banded a few days after you. I know how you feel. I am scared and excited at the same time, weird feeling isn't it.

I think it is natural to feel this way and I just keep telling myself how great I will feel 1 year from now.

PS - at the bottom of my signature is link to a group of January bandsters, feel free to join us.

pinky12202 · 12-18-2006, 03:47 PM

Hey, i'm getting banded on the 16th too! Where are you going to have your surgery? I'm not really nervous yet, just super excited, i've actually kind of been waiting for the "what have i gotten myself into" feeling to kick in, but so far so good. We'll do great though, keep us posted.

chubster808 · 12-18-2006, 04:00 PM

I was banded on 12/13/06, just a couple days ago. It is going ok so far. I havent really felt hunger yet. I am getting by with my protein drinks, broth and cream soups. My doctor said I could start the mushy stuff as soon as I could tolerate it. Cottage cheese is sounding really good right about now. Be sure to get in enough water. I went on a 3.6 mile walk yesterday and was feeling faint towards the end. That was because I was water deprived. I am still not sure if I did the right thing but I am looking forward to the weight loss. Good luck!!:rolleyes

**Iluvharleys** · 12-18-2006, 07:02 PM

Don't worry about that part, you really don't get that hungry! You get jello, broth, popcicles, juice, etc, and then some mushies. The mushie stages really keeps you more satisified. It really is worth it in the long run!

transformer · 12-18-2006, 10:02 PM

Hi there!

I'm getting banded tomorrow morning! I can't say that I'm worried--more excited than anything.

I think if I do what the doctors and nurses tell me I'll be okay as far as hunger is concerned. We'll see! I think I'm more worried about exercising. I think that maybe I'll feel more optimistic about it once I lose some weight. It's been difficult to exert myself for so long that I've gotten used to not being able to do anything.

Just keep focusing on the prize and you'll be okay! :first:

bosteph · 12-18-2006, 10:14 PM

Tomorrow will be my 7th day on a 7-day clear liquid diet. I am so excited to get this done. The journey has been pretty long at this point.

I am also very excited to add cream soups to my diet after my surgery.

The fear of starving will be alleviated with your pre-op preparation. I promise that you won't starve. I lost 8lbs in my first 5 days on the liquids but I lived - others in my path were in danger but they made it out okay too.:p