A.C.E of Hearts

How do you know when you hit your "Sweet spot or Green Zone"? I am in my 5th month post op. I have had fills and 2 unfills. And refilled. Disappointed with my WLS group- especially nutritionist. I keep asking for menus or food ideas. No info given. And one nurse fussed at me for fills and unfills. Said I was eating too much ; that was my issue. Me; personally feel like I am not eating enough. Very discouraged. Glad I have lost 45 lbs. But last visit gained 6 when band was unfilled.Frustrated in the morning not being able to eat. So I drink too much milk. I stumble through my day guessing what to eat. So I have returned to this website for guidance. I have my next appointment on May 24. Not looking forward to it. I don't journal. (I know no excuses) But I could tell them what I eat. I eat the same things over and over. Getting in a bad habit of drinking ice cream shakes because of too tight symptoms. I cook for my family things I can't eat. I don't know what I am doing. Was exercising; got depressed over the fill/unfill deals. ANY ADVICE WELCOME.

I gave up Coke Nov 24 2011. I still miss it. Get tired of flavored waters. Drink Hi-C or lemonade sometimes for something different. Know the sugar is bad for me

It's a relief to know others have decided to keep their surgery private. I told My husband and My Aunt. Haven't told my children age 13/10. My Daughter is recovering from weight issues so her therapist thought it was best not to at this stage. Finally told my Mother in law. Didn't tell her prior she would of worried too much. I have told a handful of co workers/friends. So far they are very supportive and keeping it private. I don't expect forever. If I had it to do over I wouldn't tell them. I will always have to worry if they decide to share my secret. One of BFF told one our co workers and I pleaded her to respect my privacy. Like I posted on FB if you want a secret to remain a secret only tell God. I had surgery in December and have lost 33 lbs. Very satisfied. I didn't want my job to know because I feel people don't understand. They think you are taking the easy way out. I didn't want people looking at me like an experiment.. like what is she eating? can she eat that? how much weight has she lost? etc... I can already tell how much better I feel since the weightloss. I can walk without getting out of breath. My clothes are getting loose and I am exercising again. Had my second fill - have some difficulty eating : ( waiting to see if it improves. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings. it helps

Hi Your post sounds familar. I started pre op the day before Thanksgiving. I had to have a hernia repaired during band surgery. And yes, I woke up with alot of pain in my chest... ow ow ow & ow. My sweet hubby felt so helpless in recovery with me. But my surgery was out patient. I think most of my discomfort was from the hernia. Congrats on the 12 lbs. I haven't weighed myself yet. Surgery date Dec 6. Look forward to your future post. Good luck.

Wow!! You look great. Thanks for the tips. I am pre op and nervous about making this commitment. Your tips help me see it's possible to make this a lifestyle and works! Congrats to you.

Dear Afraid to Fail group, I guess that's what keeps me from committing to this procedure. I have researched WLS for 9 years now. I have two relatives and three co workers that have had WLS. I have been to probally 5 or 6 seminars. In the beginning my insurance covered it then did not for several years. So I thought the cost was just out of my reach. A year ago my insurance company started covering it again. And another co worker/friend took the step to get the Lap Band. I was so excited for her and jealous. So once again I went to another seminar. But this time book an appointment! Contacted my insurance. Did the 6 month required diet and joined an exercise club. Then my "recent Lap band friend " contacted me... trying to talk me out of THE BAND. Then a co worker that had Gastic by pass tried to convience me to do the Gastic by pass procedure because many people are not satisfied with the Lap band. I was about to have my last supevised diet visit and my Mother dies in a car accident. Now my head is spinning. Is this another sign I am not supose to do this surgery? I had to take the money I saved to pay for her funeral etc.. She did not have insurance. So I ask the WLS staff to give me sometime to straighten things out. Then a friend of mine just 4 years older drops with a heart attack. I think now I MUST DO THIS SURGERY. That will be me... Now I would have to borrow the money to pay what my insurance doesn't cover. But I am afraid to commit! To take the step..AFRAID to FAIL.. And Afraid not to try. A group at my work had found a diet center that gives him pills. They are dropping 15 lbs a month and say they have lots of energy. I am jealous of their weightloss. One reason I wanted the band was to help me keep the weight off. But that's not a guarentee is it? I AM AFRAID TO FAIL ... I didn't know that until I read this posting topic. *** But if something doesn't change they can print that on my headstone "She was afraid to fail". Sincerely, Ace Of Hearts

Thank you for your honesty. I have been researching weightloss surgery for 10 years now, My Aunt had the Gastic By pass in the past, I have a friend the had the Lap band. And a second cousin that had the Band but had to have it removed; then had the sleeve. I just completed the 6 month supervised diet required by my insurance. And my paper work is being resubmited to them for approval, But I am having second thoughts about WLS for myself. My Aunt regained about 60 lbs of her weight. Not bad considering she lost almost 200. Seems to be living with the WLS ok. Except she still misses ice cream; she can't eat it. My friend is very unhappy with her journey with the band. She is one year and a half post op and only lost 50 lbs. Now she is taking some kind of shot from her Band office. Each shot is $500.00. That's worst than the 100.00 fills, She very unhappy with her band journey. And told me if she had to do it all over again she wouldn't. My second cousin had lost of success with his band. But the family said he barely ate anything. On Thanksgiving he cut a grape into small pieces and that was his dinner. He had to have his band removed. Immediately gained 70 lbs; then the Dr did the Sleeve. Now he is getting back on track. Another person I know had the Band. She lost about 40 lbs. Then she got a Trainer; and unfilled her Band, Told me she doesn't even use it, I was so excited about my decision and ready for a new life. But now I feel like I am getting negative vibes everywhere I turn. And now reading the lapband support page... well, every post I ready is discouraging. Either someone is in pain. Or they haven't lost much weight after a year of being deprived and discouraged. I have been doing my supervised diet at the office where I planned on getting the Band, And the Dr treats me like it's an asembly line... He wasn't like that when my Aunt had Gastic bypass, He was so compassionate, Now he acts too big for his britches, As you can see,,, lots of negative vibes, I don't know what to do,,, I have been exercising. I had lost 14lbs, Thought I was on the right road,,,, I expect the office to call in soon to continue this process after they receive the insurance's approval. My mother recently passed away unexpectly and I had to use the money I saved for the surgeon's fee for her funeral, So that's gone,,, See ! Everything keeps telling me this isn't for me. What do I do ? I still sit here about 290 lbs. I have to get healthy, I thought with such a large amount of weight to lose surgery was my only hope,

It's nice to know everyone feels the same way on this subject. I haven't had surgery yet. Waiting for insurance approval. But I feel very private about this decision too. I asked my husband not to tell his family. None of them have ever had weight issues. And my in laws would be frightened by the procedure. And as far as my co workers... I don't want to be watched like a science experiment. "What is she eating... how much weight has she lost... All she had to do is go to the gym and exercise!" I , like many of you - I am looking for a better life. Help out of my obesity state; this jail sentence. That NO ONE can understand unless you have been there. I just found this site and look forward to your support as I take this journey.