I have an date

I've often read messages on this board and decided it was time to post. My weight has been an issue for my entire life. Now at age 43 and almost 380lbs. It's time for an change. I'm working with Dr Shah, Lenox Hill Bariatic Group. It's been a great experience. I've decided to spend the next month making some changes so once I have the surgrey it wont be as diffcult adjustment for me. I will start an exercise program and replacement one meal an day with an protein drink or bar. My questions is for anyone who had the lapband. How long did you stay on soft/liquid diet? What problems if any have you had with the band? What advice can you give me as I start his journey to join the losing side. Thanks, Joy

Hi Joy and welcome I got my LapBand on 1/23/06. I was on a liquid diet one week before surgery. After surgery I had clear liquids for 1 week, full liquids for 1 week and then mushies for 1 week. Some doctors recommend different amounts of time. I really have had no problems with the band. I have never thrown up! The only foods that don't agree with me - I get indigestion - are steak and soft bread. I don't find that so bad. I just eat fish or chicken instead of steak. I can eat a little piece of toast or a cracker, just not bread. Everything else I have tried has been fine, as long as I eat slowly and chew well. Remember to drink before you eat and then don't drink again for an hour after. Once you start on regular food, try adding foods one at a time so you know what is OK and what is not. Make sure that you get in plenty of water! I hope that you will have as easy a time as I have had so far. I have lost 48 pounds since January and have gone down 5 pants sizes. I couldn't be happier at my progress. This coming Thursday I go back to the doctor. I am going to tell him that I need a fill because I am starting to get hungry later in the day. Remember the great thing about the band is that it is adjustable! I love my Band and I really hope that you will love yours! Good luck on your journey! Marcia :wave 296/248/125

Hi Joy! I've been banded since January 24. I've lost 50 pounds since then and 27 preop. My surgeon had modified the diet and didn't tell me until I got there-lol, so I was thinking I'd have to be on liquids for a month. But it was only 3 weeks. Then onto pureed foods for another week. Then the next week was soft foods that took less effort to chew, then regular foods. Unlike other bandsters, I was not allowed eggs or cream soups. My surgeon was strict, I think, even with the modifications. You'd have to check with yours to find out how he/she wants you ton eat. I will tell you this. Do not get alarmed if you don't lose a whole lot in the first 6 weeks, and do not get upset if you feel hunger. The first 6 weeks are about healing, not weight loss. You should start to feel some restriction after your first fill. The first 6 weeks are called bandster hell. Since you are prepping now, start practicing eating slow, and chewing your food well. You will need to learn this as a bandster, because if you don't chew well, or eat slow, you might do what is called a productive burp which consists of foaming and/or sliming. It's the body's natural reaction to when you get food stuck in the stoma. I've had my share of episodes. That's been the most challenging thing for me, is the chewing and not eating too fast. If and when you do have one, you may have to be on liquids a day or so, to heal. Best to try to prevent one, but it doesn't happen to me often. Practice makes perfect. Kristine