• Hi, If you cannot get into the site, be sure to Contact Us. Please be advised that the app is no longer in use!

Eating habits & lifestyle prior to surgery

pink bubbles

New Member
Hello all
I'm Sorry to be asking what may seem like silly questions but I'm trying to find out as much as possible before I go see the surgeon & wondered if anyone could tell me what their eating habits & lifestyle was before either bypass or banding surgery & the reasons why you chose/were advised to have either the bypass or the band?

I will obviously be guided by what the surgeon advises for me as we are all so different but as you have actually gone through it & live with it everyday I really value your opinions & will be such a happy bunny if I can get a bit of a clearer picture in my head before I go.

Is it that in general the bypass is better for people who eat big portions & the band better for people who snack often & have a sweet tooth or vice versa? (crikey I do both! Some days not a lot but big portions & some days lots of snacks! - oh dear I am doomed!!)
I know both must be used as a tool & I know about the vitamins & injections & fills & dumping etc etc


My eating habits are erratic to say the least lol I spent many many years not eating anything throughout the day just drinking what must've been gallons of sugary coffee, then having a large tea with the kids & then a supper with chocolate bars & crisps in between - not good I know!
Then when I was 18 stone I was prescribed xenical, & began using sweeteners instead of sugar, I used semi skimmed milk , never ever ate any fried foods or visible fat, eating only a salad sandwich & an Iceland chicken dinner each & every day I lost weight but it was SO difficult & SO boring so I tried adding & chopping & changing a few things but pow! Within a short space of time back the weight flew!

I also tried to listen to my body only eating when I was hungry, the trouble is when I did & still do eat, I can't stop at a tiny (normal) amount, oh no I have to go the whole hog until I feel full.

My husband eats much (& I mean much) more than me & is so slim it's unbelievable! We look like Jack spratt & his wife! Lol
I know a lot of it boils down to exercise but I simply can't manage it anymore as my tummy measures 55 inches, & as I have small hips & relatively slim legs I get terrible backache etc,( I'm like a weeble wobbling but not falling down !!)

It would be great if you could advise!
Many thanks
Xx
 

alliecat

frustrated bander!
Hi!! Well, before the op I had had appaulling eating habits for many years!! I had trained myself to be able to eat huge quantities, and mainly sweet things too - most days I would have 0 out of my 5 a day!! Life was a round of sweets, crisps, takeaways, ready meals, ice cream, chocolate, more chocolate and a bit more chocolate if you get what I mean. I was a size 22 when I left school at 16 and for almost 20 years yo-yoed between around 14 and 19 stone.
When I went for my consultation with my surgeon I was around 18 and a half stone and I am about 5ft 6. By the time I started my pre-op diet I was just over 19 stone - I thought I may as well make the most of the last opportunities!! (My BMI was around 43 when I started the pre-op diet and 41.5 on the day of the op)
I was very unsure as to which procedure to have. From my reading I thought probably the bypass was better for me as I have such a sweet tooth and ate such huge quantities but after talking to my surgeon, discussing my lifestyle and considering my age (35) and starting BMI I ended up opting for the band.
I had my op on Monday, have felt great and have no regrets so far!! If there is anything else you would like to know just shout and I will try and help - I know how much i was helped by the advice and support of others here. Good luck xx
 
Top