Originally Posted by
QuiltE
Thanks VickiG for all the added info.
First of all, please don't get me wrong in thinking that I am saying it's wrong or that it's easy to lose weight. Believe me, I know that all too well.
I come at this from the "experienced" weight loss/gain scenario myself and having worked in the industry for almost ten years as well. Add to that, a friend who is having the lap band done next Tuesday. So I am trying to learn and understand more about it all.
So for the first weeks after surgery it's only a teaspoon or two at a time to eat? How often? Were you hungry thru this? I know my friend is virtually not eating the two weeks pre-surgery, and only on a supplement drink, mixed with water and from what I understand will have that post-op for a spell as well.
As with all weight loss, nutrition is key. For most of the population, we get the nutrition we need, just by eating and with no planned menus. It just kind of comes together by the odds. The main problem is eating too much. Cutting back to virtually nothing, definitely I can see why the nutrition concerns may arise.
Interesting that you said that you have to watch bread intake or else the pounds come on ... hhmmm? no different than most of us, right? So, the surgery really isn't the resolution then, UNLESS the patient changes his/her eating habits. Again the parallels.
It's good to know that you are now eating semi-normally! Is it a matter of just eating less for all, post-op? or are certain foods no-no's? or totally restricted? (bread already mentioned)
From what I have read and understand, it still takes a lot of commitment, change and patience. I'm not sure that my friend has those, and whether she truly understands what's ahead. And I will admit, I fear for her. I hope it works for her. I really do. Though from what you have said, it's no magic cure-all ... you have to work at it, work hard and be ready to change.
I'm glad for you that you have seen progress and recognize the importance of patience in the process!
Here's to continued better health and more results for you!
Again, please do not think I am criticizing this ... I am just trying to understand more.
P.S. ... as for your husband ... we'll both just be envious!!
did not take your message as critical. it did sound like you just want to be more informed and that's the main key. I was concerned about not being able to eat anything and becoming "sickly" looking. I saw so many at the doctor's office who looked like death warmed over as they say and I definitely didn't want to look like that. Nutrition has a lot to do with this issue.
If you are not eating properly, you will get sick. Part of the reason for having the psych eval is to make sure you are mentally ready for this type of change. We are in love with food and the thought of giving of that love affair can be very devastating for some. I'm glad I can't eat all that food anymore but, like I said, I couldn't eat much at a time anyway because of the hiatal hernia. The surgeon fixed that during the surgery. That was worth the surgery alone!! The constant acid reflux was horrible and it's now gone.
Since I've had to watch my weight my whole life, getting used to the new way of eating wasn't much different other than eating mostly protein and veggies, then if there's room, a carb (potato, pasta, rice, etc.). I still eat a little carb regardless during my meal. The biggest change is not drinking anything after a meal. This is so you don't "wash" your food out of your little pouch too fast.....hence, staying full longer. If you drink with a meal, the food gets washed through faster and you get hungry sooner.
My prep for my surgery was 2 weeks of nothing but protein drink. The main reason for this is to shrink your liver so the surgeon can easily move it out of the way. I did have an enlarged liver but the surgeon said it was nice and plyable (spelling?) for the surgery. I also lost 18# during those 2 weeks. That part was pretty hard...not being able to eat real food but the protein shake was very healthy and I really wasn't hungry. After the surgery, you will have to drink the protein drink for several weeks as well....a few ounces every 30 minutes or so. This gives your stomach a chance to heal and not have to work very hard. The first month or so, I was never hungry. But it seemed that when I started getting back to regular food, my appetite came back. This surgery was not a fix for the hunger unfortunately.
We got an eating plan to cover the first 6 weeks after surgery. Every week, we added a little more food until we get to the point of eating meat (chicken, fish for several months). This is because these are easier to digest. Then move on to hamburger (about 6 months). I was able to eat pork chops and steak, stew, etc. red meat at about 10 months. Some people NEVER are able to eat red meat.
As for nutrients, I now have to take a B vitamin, calcium, multi-vitamin daily and get a B12 shot every month. My body no longer absorbs these vitamins from my food intake so this will be life long now.
My stomach signals me when it's getting close to meal time so other than that, I'm not hungry. If I wait too long to eat (typically every 4 hours or so), I start to get dizzy (I guess like low blood sugar) so I try to have a little snack of some carb and protein about 2 hours.
I did have some problems in the beginning and ended up back in the hospital with a couple of hernias but I'm ok now.
The lapband is a totally different procedure so your friend won't go through the same issues. My insurance wouldn't pay for lapband which I didn't think would be in my best interest anyway.
Knowledge is power so feel free to ask whatever questions you have. I wish I had someone to help me understand this surgery better before I had it done. Although I thought I did plenty of research (several years actually), there's so much they don't tell you because each person is different.
Tell your friend good luck!!