This is a really brief run down of the stages of banding, as I see them. I got alot of this information from people who led me through the banding process, but in no means is this a clinical process or anything. Just my personal observations. Most people I've talked to go through a similar process, but it might not be identical to this one.
Pre-Op | Post-Op | Long-term
| Desperate Curiosity | After every diet and growing desperation about our weight, we stumble on to the Band, often when researching WLS in general. |
| Investigative Excitement | After 'converting' to the band, many hours are spent researching and asking folks questions. I found it hard to sleep at this point. |
| Ante-Op Jitters | Shortly before the surgery, it hits home that this is a *medical* procedure. Bad scenarios and nagging doubts plague you. |
| Post-Op Adjustment | Figuring out all the new physical sensations and emotional feelings. Drudgery of the liquid phase. |
| Post-Op Euphoria | After seeing some weight fall off, and realizing how much less hungry you are, it feels like the band is a miracle. |
| Plateau Blues | Eventually the weight loss stalls or stops, a sign a fill is needed. Can be a little depressing. Some people mourn comfort eating. |
| Post-Fill Adjustments | Relearning how/when/what you can eat. Reduced portions, more weight loss. Often a repeat of the Euphoria. |
| Long Haul | Many people have 100s of pounds to lose. Eventually it takes daily work and emotional strength to make the lifetime changes |
| Rejoining the World | Getting at or near normal weight, losing your Fat Identity, starting new relationships, moving on from the Food Obsession. |
Before and After Menus
Prospective and newly banded people often ask, "How much can you eat?" This is a complex question to answer because the AGB reduces intake over a period of time. I've found it helpful to break it down into stages, so that people understand it's a progressive thing. Personally, I love that it's so gradual -- makes the physical and mental adjustments much easier. Listed below are some of my common 'eating scenarios' -- places or times when I normally eat. It's only when I look back over my behavior at each scenario that I see dramatic reduction in the amounts I eat.
Notice how each step in itself isn't terribly dramatic, but taken as a whole it's pretty amazing. Also notice how my food choices often became healthier as time went on. Yes, I can eat meat if I want to, but it takes so bloody long to chew that it just doesn't seem worth it now. Finally, notice how pre-op I wasn't eating alot more food than 'normal' people do. I was eating 'normal' portions of everyday American food. This shows me two things: I didn't get fat by being a huge greedy pig, being a freak; American eating styles are so out of whack that we think these gargantuan portions are nomal. I literally get ill looking at people wolf down huge meals now.
McDonald's
I have two young boys, so we find ourselves at McDonald's more often than I'd like to admit
|
Pre-Op: |
A Quarter-Pounder w/Cheese Value Meal -- Coke and Regular Fries |
| Post-Op/Pre-Fill: | 1/2 - 3/4 of a Quarter-Pounder, a few fries and a regular diet Coke -- defizzed. |
| 1st Fill: | 1/3-1/2 of a Quarter-Pounder, maybe 1 or 2 fries, a few sips of diet Coke |
| 2nd Fill: | 2-4 Chicken McNuggets -- can't be bothered trying to chew the bun, maybe a sip of Coke to wash it down. |
| 3rd Fill: | 1/4 of a McChicken sandwich. I find a little bit of the bun helps me feel full quicker and longer. |
Chevy's -- Fresh Mex restaurant
This is the home of my favorite fajitas, one of my all time favorite foods.
|
Pre-Op: |
1 entree portion of beef and/or chicken fajitas -- usually 3-4 fajitas with rice and beans; margarita |
| Post-Op/Pre-Fill: | 1 lunch sized portion of fajitas -- usually 2-3 fajitas, no beans or rice, some sour cream and guac; margarita |
| 1st Fill: | 3/4 lunch portion -- 1-2 fajitas; diet rum and Coke |
| 2nd Fill: |
4-6 bites of grilled shrimp or chicken, no tortillas, some grilled veggies, half of a lime rickey (club soda, vodka and lime juice) |
| 3rd Fill: | NA -- haven't even been back in months! |
Ed's Diner
A favorite workplace eatery. Traditional American Diner Cuisine.
|
Pre-Op: |
Entire tuna melt, with bacon and cole slaw, diet coke |
| Post-Op/Pre-Fill: | Most of the tuna melt with bacon, some cole slaw, diet coke |
| 1st Fill: | Half of the tuna melt, no bacon, 2 bites of slaw, diet coke |
| 2nd Fill: | 1/2 cup of chili with cheese and onions, 2 pieces of bacon, water. |
| 3rd Fill: | same |
Typical Cafeteria lunch
So, I'm lazy and don't make my own lunch! But here's a typical cafe meal.
|
Pre-Op: |
Entree -- meat, starch and veggies; coke; dessert (piece of pie, etc) |
| Post-Op/Pre-Fill: | Most of a grilled chicken sandwich; frozen yogurt |
| 1st Fill: | 2-4 oz of cold cuts -- roast beef, chicken or fish; some grilled veggies, frozen yogurt |
| 2nd Fill: | 1/2 to 1 cup of chili with onions and cheese, 1/2c of fresh veggies with olive oil -- shredded carrots and cucumber pieces are wonderful! |
| 3rd Fill: | 1/2c soup; 1 oz of shrimp or chicken with some lettuce and chick peas -- all from the salad bar |
Sunday dinner
Yes, I cook for my family sometimes!
|
Pre-Op: |
Huge London Broil steak for the family, fresh veggies, potatoes or rolls, pie -- 5-10oz of meat, loads of sides and dessert for me |
| Post-Op/Pre-Fill: | Baked chicken, veggies, rolls for the rest of the family. I'd eat a chicken breast, some veggies and a taste of ice cream. |
| 1st Fill: | Baked chicken -- I'd have about half a breast, a few veggies and share a popsicle with my toddler |
| 2nd Fill: | Poached salmon -- 2-3oz for me, some veggies, shared popsicle. |
| 3rd Fill: | 1/2c of romaine hearts and 1/2oz of chicken |