JourneyGirl

Banded 2/22 and get my first fill April 1st. The swelling has gone away because what restriction I had after surgery has gone away 2 days ago. I can't wait to get a fill and hopefully have that restricted feeling again!

I don't think that you ruined anything. It is going to happen at some point. Even if you are 4 weeks out, you may try new food and have this feeling. Just go back to the liquids and see what happends when you meet them on the 22nd. Each of us are different. I didn't have alot of swelling and I was eating puree'd foods 4 days out of surgery for dinner. And on the 10th day post op I was cleared for 4 days of soft and then onto regular. It just depends on each individual and how we are healing. I was also told that if at any point that things feel uncomfortable to go back to the stage before it. So this is normal. Good luck!! Wendy

You are very welcome. Anytime!

That is great that you had such a great experience and you love your doctor! The good ones need to be raved about!

It is really important for you to make your decision and not let the doctors tell you what they want you to do. The sleeve is so new, how do they know that it works the best yet? Why are they pushing it so much? That would be my first questions to them. I looked into both the GNY and LapBand. I was scheduled for GNY, knowing that it would be easier for me to loose weight because if I ate the sugary foods I would get sick so I would stay away from them. You drop a ton of weight fast, but have mal-absorption for the rest of your life. The day of my pre-op I canceled my surgery. 1.5 years later I started the process of the LapBand and got banded a little over 2 weeks ago. I am very happy with my choice and know that it is the best for me. Bottom line is any WLS is going to help you loose weight but not do it for you. You are going to have to eat healthy and work out whether you like it or not. Really look into the options you are thinking about. Research, research, research! Look at both sides of each surgery. You are going to have success, failure and struggling stories. Don't let it scare you off, it is people being honest about there journey and that is what is going to help you make your decision. Get informed! Knowledge is power! Some WLS won't work for some people, no matter how much we may want it, it may not be the one that we will be most successful with. You need to find out what will work for you, not what the doctor is trying to sell. Good luck in whatever you choose to do!!

You will be able to loose some w/ walking but will not be able to maintain the weight loss over time. Unfortunately our bodies need both cardio and weights to maintain weight loss. Have you ever used the exercise bands? You can do your cardio and then use the bands to workout. Once you feel good enough to move on then use weights. This can be as simple as 15 minutes daily or every other day. But to sustain weight loss you will have to eat right first and foremost, do cardio and weights.

I agree with Jack. I know how much you want the surgery but something seems really wrong here. Until you find out just what is going on and just what they expect as far as payment from you I wouldn't let them touch me. I am seeing, through this thread, just how blessed I am. My insurance requires no co-pays, no deductibles, no out of pocket costs what so ever. My doctor (and his practice) have been so up front. We have access to them 24/7 and get to have the nutrition class, exercise class and as many support group meetings as we want at NO CHARGE! Check into this guy and his practice. Something isn't right. Good luck!!

YEAH!!!!! Hope all went well!!

I don't recall once saying that I did exactly as I was told prior to being banded. Obviously or I wouldn't have needed to resort to WLS! Of coarse there are expectations! Do you think one would resort to WLS without some sort of expectations? I am assuming that you would like to know what they are? The band is a tool that I choose to have implanted. It is going to help me with portion size. Now that can be brownies, ice cream or dense Protein. The choice of what is put into my mouth is mine and mine alone. Will it stop the "head" issues as so many refer to? Nope, how could is possibly? And to think it would would really be foolish. Will is stop cravings of food that I shouldn't have? Again, foolish thinking. I will have to work my a$$ off and workout! I am fortunate enough to have a really good doctor who was up front about all of these things. The band cannot and will not loose weight for me. The band will not stop cravings of foods I should not have. The band will not stop one from thinking of food all the time. I have to work out a minimum of 5 days a week, eat high protein, fat free and low sugar. It is going to be alot of hard work on my part, ALOT. Is it going to be hard, you bet it is! But I know that and am not going in with blinders on because I was aware of all the possible "bad" things that could happen too. Again, I have a GREAT doctor who has a great support group and alot of honesty. IF the band doesn't work for me, yes I would be back to where I was pre-band. So what? Would I be any worse off for trying? No. For me there are way to many successful people that I choose to consult with to find out what I should and shouldn't do. I know my body, I loose weight when I eat healthy and exercise. That is what works for me, always has. I just didn't want to do it all these years. I am also a firm believer that if we aren't ready mentally (and in the past I wasn't) has a big part of not being successful with any form of trying to loose weight, wether it is WLS or just a "diet". When I became ready mentally as well as emotionally something clicked and I just new it, I new that I was/am 100% ready to do give it my all and succeed. You can argue me about it but it is what it is. I am not saying that those whom the band didn't work for didn't try 100% or even 90%. I am not saying that you "failed" etc... I am telling MY STORY. My thoughts of MY JOURNEY. No one else's, only mine. So please don't say that I am saying others didn't work hard, etc. That is NOT what I am saying at all. I am sorry that the band didn't work for you. But look what YOU and you alone accomplished! Your weight loss rocks! No matter how long it took (I have no idea). I don't believe that the band not working though is what caused you to choose higher caloric sliders. There are many foods that we can choose that will satisfy us that are low cal and healthy. Again, it is our choice as to what we eat. Now maybe being frustrated and upset that what the band was portrayed to you and wasn't what you were finding it to be got you upset and you ate unhealthy (emotional eater, like I am?). But the band itself didn't make you eat that. That was the impression I got when I read your post, if I am wrong then I am sorry, I don't mean to sound rude or uncaring. I NEVER said that we should only post "happily ever after fairy tale" stories. I am not sure where that is coming from! I also never said that both sides should not be told. As a matter of fact I argued that same statement when someone who was struggling and posted (another thread) for help got replies from others who are finding success and some had a problem with it. I got grief from a few too about feeling that way. These boards are not just for the OP to read the replies. We have people from all walks coming and reading. Those who it didn't work for, those it did, those who are struggling, those who have questions and those who are researching. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BOTH SIDES ARE TOLD! Knowledge is power and the more knowledge we have the more power we have. What I don't understand is why someone can't post without being "challenged" by others. It gets very annoying very quick!

I have never once seen a commercial promising that the band will make me loose weight with no work at all. And remember that it is an commercial and commercials are advertisements to get one interested in a particular product. It is up to us to research and talk to our doctors. If they promised the band to be the cure all then there would be alot of law suits I would think. Even the booklet I have says that it "applies to the general population of individuals who MAY benefit from the band." and "Ultimately you are responsible for your transformation to better health. If you follow these guidelines, you can enjoy the benefits of success. But if you snack between meals, eat high-calorie foods, do not exercise regularly, and do not see your health care team regularly, you MAY FAIL TO LOOSE WEIGHT OR MAY REGAIN WEIGHT." and "it cannot do all the work for you" and so much more. It doesn't say that it will take away food cravings and obsession over food. I haven't been banded that long, not long enough to see if this will work for me or not. But I will say that I have 100% confidence that if I do EXACTLY what is told of me then I will be successful. Will it be hard, sure it will. I don't want to watch every thing that goes into my mouth. It didn't work before so why now? Because I have this TOOL, that has been implanted to HELP me and I can do it. I am sure that we all had different thoughts of how this band will work. Honestly I didn't realize just how much work I would have to do until I got to this site and read up even more. My girlfriend can eat EVERYTHING, and I mean everything!!! Brownies, candy, Cookies, cake, pop, etc.. everything that if I look at I gain weight. I, at first, thought that I would be able to loose w/ the band and still eat whatever. NOT SO!! I have found out in this last 2.5 weeks that I have to watch everything in that goes into my mouth, I have some bad habbits to over come! And I have to work out! For everyone who was mislead by the advertising and there doctors I am so sorry that you were. It STINKS! But what I, personallly, been told and have read says that I have to do the work, that the lap band is just a tool. As far as the "head" issues, that is up to me, not the band.

I was banded 2/22 and doing great! My pain was extremely minimal, only gas pain. I was on full liquids w/ purees for 10 days then soft foods for 4 days and now regular. I have lost 16 pounds so far and can't wait to get the ok to work out! My first fill is scheduled for 4/1. Good luck everyone!

Romaine lettuce!!!!! I love, love, love my big salad at lunch and dinner but the doctor said to wait until I am 4-5 weeks post op before trying the lettuce. I have had to give up bread because it gets stuck. Which is a wonderful blessing since my body and carbs don't go well together. But I just want a tuna sandwich and I tried it topless (the sandwich, not me ) and even that doesn't work. So I miss it, but my body is gonna kick a$$ without it!!

Romaine lettuce!!!!! I love, love, love my big salad at lunch and dinner but the doctor said to wait until I am 4-5 weeks post op before trying the lettuce. I have had to give up bread because it gets stuck. Which is a wonderful blessing since my body and carbs don't go well together. But I just want a tuna sandwich and I tried it topless (the sandwich, not me ) and even that doesn't work. So I miss it, but my body is gonna kick a$% without it!!

Welcome! Great news on the weight loss, you must feel so good!! Congrats! Keep up the good work, it will pay off! Wendy

I am very picky and want something that tastes good. I don't wan to have to chug it down, I want to enjoy it. With that said I LOVE the Bariatric fusion shakes. http://www.bariatricfusion.com/ So far I have had every flavor and they are all great. I have tried many others and they don't compare. You can get sample packets too so you don't need to buy a big tub if you don't want to. Hope this helps, Wendy

WAY TO GO!! That is a huge accomplishment!! You must be so proud! What an encouragement to others. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work.

Really? This is a support group! We all have a problem with food, that is why we have had or are looking into WLS! Go read a book? DreamCrazy - You come here anytime you need support. There are so many here that will help you get through what ever you are facing at the time. You will find some that just don't get it but please don't let yourself get discouraged. There is a big group of people here that want to help others. Don't beat yourself up for cheating. I did to post-op. It wasn't every meal, just dinner I had my first post-op appointment and told the doctor just what I had ate and they told me it was perfectly fine ( I was eating purred and soft foods when I should have been on full liquids). Everything goes down just fine w/ no feeling of restriction. I was moved at 10 days post op to soft foods for 4 days and now onto regular foods. I thought I had no restriction what so ever because everything went down just fine. Now that I am allowed all "normal" foods I have found that I do have some. The hunger will still be there until we get filled, from what I am told. I struggle with that as well. I don't know about you but I am realizing just how many bad eating habits I actually had/have that I am really working on breaking. I am a huge bread person. I will have the kids and husband eat the pizza and I would eat the crust. So I understand what you are going through. I am finding that it is hard to have the foods in the house, because then I will want them. I don't look at pizza all that bad though. You can make it rather healthy. I make whole wheat pizza dough and roll it out as thin as I can get it. I barely put sauce on it and then add ricotta cheese, spinach, peppers, sun dried tomatoes, etc... Maybe something like that would help, or maybe not. I just thought that I'd share with you what I found worked for me. Good luck with your journey!! Remember we are here to help you with whatever we can!! Wendy

It really stinks to not have the support of your family and friends. It is hard when they don't have anything positive to offer. And in a time when you really need it. I know how hard it is but try to let it go in one ear and out the other. You know that you did this for a healthy you and for your family. Good for you for making the best choice for you! Good luck and keep up the good work!

@ CM as far as fearing one day the I will fail at the band and not coming back to read this thread: I forgot to unsubscribe to the thread, grrrr. So I did get your reply. I choose not to come back to read because I have no desire to argue like I was in middle school again. It isn't fair to readers, they don't want to see/read it and neither do I. This is a support forum, not a hot topics forum. To clear what you said up, for the last time, I have no fear that someday I may fail at the band! Could it happen? Sure, it does to many. I have already been successful, only 1.5 weeks out of surgery. I am mentally and emotionally ready for the band (that is why I got it). I WILL succeed and my success story will be found with the others! Whether the band works or not, I will beat obesity. I am sorry you feel I was attacking you. I merely asked you a question and you fired back all defensive. I then took what you wrtote and answered what you said. Not attacking at all. But again, I am sorry you feel that way. I am not one to attack! I ask so there isn't misunderstanding, I don't like to assume anything. But in this case I seem to have been right. Good luck.

Sounds like things are going great!! Very jealous of the cruise you are going on! lol

Actuallyl what I said was "I can understand where you are coming from by saying that the OP doesn't want to hear about others success when they are struggling." So why ask me why I don't understand? If I don't agree with you 100% then I must not understand any parts of it.... OK! I clearly said "What I don't understand is why you seem to have something (not positive) to say to many people who are for the band?" Not about the band itself but to the ones posting success. And not because you feel they are insulting the OP! You are clearly mad and bitter and taking out the fact that your band didn't work the way you were told it would on others who are successful with it! But hey, that's not rude or insulting in any way right? As for the contribution to the post? Well, the OP isn't the only one who reads the posts! There are all different people who read it. Those who have failed with the band, those struggling, those who are finding success and those who are researching! So those who are researching the band should be able to hear success in the same thread. Why not? Oh yes, because there is a "rah, rah, rah" section, that's right.. And no one came out and insulted the OP. Yes I understand (and yes I can understand it, you don't need to make some smart remark about it) YOU feel that it was/is an insult to the OP. So that means that you can get up on your high horse and speak to others like you do? Nope, that's not smug. And yes, I have noticed that you do not insult struggling posts, only the poster of something you don't like and those who say it is a "tool" and are being successful. That I got!! Also I never said you had to defend the band, go back and reread it. I wrote "So telling others of how it doesn't work for everyone is fine, that is your opinion." I said " I don't know your story and don't need to know it." That is different from saying I don't want to know your story. The point was that I don't need to know your band story to get that you aren't a fan of the lap-band, it is obvious. And yes, I did miss your "story" because you seem to be rude to some posters and I skip over your replies because I don't want to read the way you talk to others and they provide me with nothing positive, which as a new bandster I would like as opposed to the insults being flung around. As for what you have been through, I am sorry. Loss isn't easy, I know that first hand. As for not liking you, this is what I wrote "Maybe I am misunderstanding/reading your posts. I am sure you are going to try to slam bast me as well but I am only asking so I can understand when I read the replies by you instead of ... honestly,,, starting to dislike you, when I don't even know you." PARDON ME for asking you, to see if I was misunderstanding what you wrote before I decided that you were one I would skip over. How awful of me to not assume I knew how you meant things to come across and think of you as aggressive. I didn't read a single post to this thread where anyone was kicking the OP in the pants. You had a bad experience and are bitter and taking it out where it doesn't belong. Don't bother responding unless that is what you need to do to make yourself feel better. This is a thread that I will not be reading anymore. Putting others down because you feel the OP was insulted and you have that right to "condemn" them isn't something I want a part of. It's a waste. I want the support, not all this ugliness, oh yes, I must go to the rah, rah, rah, in your face section! And Humming Bird - my point in the post I made first wasn't to be rude to the OP! Telling her I knew someone who gained all their weight back with the GNY. If you would have read more it also said that I knew someone who lost all her weight but only gained back 20lbs. Continue on with the post and it talks about much more. How quickly we forget.