Hello!
Any post op gastric banders out there?!
I've got my op on 24th and starting to get a bit nervous but very excited about the future!
I'm on the milk diet and finding it quite tough, not as bad as I thought but I'm struggling with the salty drink as I can't stand gravy or anything like that!
Please help!
X
Hi Rebecca,
I have a gastric band but my advice applies to all weight loss surgery candidates. Please PLEASE make sure you take daily vitamin supplements after your operation, I've been really poorly with malnourishment in the 6 years since my op. I have a history of poor nutrition and tbh the band wasn't suitable for me - I'm having it removed hopefully this year. Being malnourished makes you feel really yuk so please make sure you're getting your vitamins and minerals [smile]
The milk diet really didn't agree with me - I was lactose intollerant as a child and if i eat too much dairy the old symptoms return. I was advised to have a diet of lots of fruit and veg instead and that was much better!
Lots of luck for your op and I wish you all the best for the future - if I can help you any further please don't hestitate to message me.
Regards,
Kat
Hi Kat,
Thank you for your advice :-)
I am already taking multi vitamin and multi mineral tablets daily so I will keep that up thank you for the tip.
Sorry to hear that your band made you unwell, hopefully it was beneficial in some way?!
May I ask if it was very painful afterwards?
Thank you x
Hi Rebecca,
Glad to hear you're taking vitamins already :-)
Initially I lost 8.5 stones in the first 18 months then became very ill with malnutrition which in turn caused a nervous breakdown. I then gained 3.5 stones over 4 years and have managed to lose 1.5 of that since March throuhg
*through Slimming World.
I can honestly say I've never been so ill in my life since having the band. Most days I struggle to eat normal meals and end up having to eat any old junk that'll pass through the band without making me sick. I feel no restriction from the band now and can eat normal sized portions of food (although nowhere near as much as I used to eat pre-band) but when I'm full I get the most horrendously painful stitch in my left shoulder/collarbone area.
I'm not going to lie, yes it's painful. For two weeks I couldn't take care of myself - anything that involves using stomach muscles is out. This includes getting up from a chair, getting out of bed and I had to sleep on my back as any other position was agony. The surgeons fill your abdominal cavity with air during the procedure so they can see what they're doing, I don't know if it's the air dissipating that causes the pain but it feels like you've had a good kicking in the stomach. Also, the keyhole wound just by my sternum became infected because I refused to not wear a bra 
one going bad out of 6 ain't bad going! Other bad points about the band are the burping and hiccuping during and after food and the first time I got food stuck I thought I was dying - the pain!
Gastric bands aren't for everyone, I know two people that didn't lose any weight with theirs and have managed to lose weight through conventional diet and exercise instead. I think if you don't see it as a magical cure-all then you won't be disappointed. Sorry if this is a bit wordy and brutally honest but I'd like you to go into this with as much knowledge as possible.
Take Care,
Kat
xxx
Thank you for your advice.
Can I ask why you weren't allowed to wear a bra?!
Thanks xx
I was advised not to wear a bra for two weeks because it would rub on the incision. I hated not wearing one so went against the advice and ended up with an infected incision!
xxx
Oh I see! Didn't think of that, don't see how it would rub though? I'm fine with not wearing a bra! Thanks xxx
The bra rubbed because I had an incision just below my *ahem* girls in the middle where the piece between the bra cups sits. I think it's called the sternum?
xxx
The bra rubbed because I had an incision just below my *ahem* girls in the middle where the piece between the bra cups sits. I think it's called the sternum?
xxx
Oh I see! That's quite high up isn't it!
I do quite like not wearing a bra at home! Luckily no-one will see me!
Thanks again xxx
Rebecca hi , I am 2 days post op and am in pain which is to. Be expected , it feels like I have had a c section again , coughing is sore but I am coping , am so impatient I just want to feel me again and start with my weight loss , my husband is doing my daily injections and am taking the pain killers prescribed for me but I do need to get some liquid vitimans , good luck for you op x
Thank you for your reply Fiona!
Yes I'm expecting the pain but it will be worth it! Hope it's not too bad for you.
Can I ask what you've managed to eat/drink so far?
Also are the injections post op related? If so....Ahhhh I didn't know there were injections to be done!!
Wishing you a speedy recovery x
I am due my band next Saturday & I start my pre op diet tomorrow!! After reading the most recent comments I am now feeling really anxious & upset!
Hi kb175!
What bit worries you?
I too am getting nervous!
Don't like the sound of injecting myself, haven't heard that before so I'm hoping it's not post op related?!
X
What rose-e-cheeks said about being so under nourished she had a break down! It being too tight & not being able to eat anything or no restriction at all... Infections.... Injections? I was not told about that! I can only book a week and a half off work, so worried it won't be enough time to rest & heal. My partner is so against it & I have gone from feeling positive & ready for a new me, better health etc.
To now feeling scared, worried & very anxious.
The way I look at it is that everyone has different experiences with EVERYTHING in life!
My mum for example had (&still has) a gastric band 8 years ago and she has had a good success! Lost 12 stone and had kept it off. She doesn't eat a lot but still goes out for meals and just has a smaller portion or a starter as a main that sort of thing.
My partner too isn't too keen but he is better now than when I first mentioned it!
It's the price I'm willing to pay to be slim and healthy!
What do you do for work?
I'm a nurse in a hospital and my surgeon said 1 - 2 weeks, just depends what you do I guess x
That is reassuring to hear, a friend of a friend had one and had great results... Four years on 8 stone lighter & able to enjoy most foods BUT there is that BUT & I feel better for your wise words, thanks!
I have a part time office job with the council, Inhave not told my line manager etc & I would like to keep it that way. I have not made this decision lightly & the thought of being slim & healthy & happier is what I want most!
My op is all booked, no going back now..... 8 days to go.
Thank you so much for your support x No one I know understands, I don't at this stage want all my family to know.
So thanks once agin xx
Your very welcome! Maybe we can help each other through this! Mine is next Friday the 24th!
I actually had a bit if a wobble last weekend, thinking about how much I love good! Should I cancel? Should I put it off until the new year? NO! As you say there's no turning back now as it's next week! I could put it off and put it off some more!
I'm in the milk pre op diet as I had to start 2 weeks before the big day!! It is hard and makes you have even more negative thoughts and doubts but just hang on in there! The first few days are tough but just got to keep focused and eye on the prize!
I have only told a few people, parents (not brothers!) grandparents and 3 people at work as my job is very hard going and I may need help with lifting etc! But your manager doesn't have to know, especially if your having it as annual leave?! If you need a sick note then just ask for it to say keyhole procedure. That's what my surgeon said he would do for me and that work don't even need to know about the procedure!!
I can't wait to be healthy, I'm only 23 but I'm so unhealthy and I have about 10 stone to lose - it's disgusting! I am so ready for this!
X