DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

Oh that's totally normal. You'll bounce between "yay I'm getting banded!" and "oh hell what am I doing?" over and over between now and then lol. We all go through it! Definitely keep posting, this is a really great source for support and information

Welcome! It's normal to be nervous. I know I was downright scared to death. But, the surgery itself wasn't bad at all. In fact, my recovery time was pretty fast. I had my surgery on a Friday and was back to my normal routine by Wednesday. In fact, I didn't even take painkillers after my first day home because I didn't feel I needed them. You'll do fine. Congratulations on this big step towards health

Keeping my fingers crossed for you! Good luck!

No don't feel terrible. You have to do what is best for you, especially where your health is concerned. If you go see doctor 2 and still like doctor 1 best, great, stick with doctor 1. But if you find you like doctor 2 better, you owe it to yourself to turn your care over to doctor 2. Good luck with your decision!

As far at the plication, I really wouldn't worry about it. You can lose just as much without it as you can with it. Now, as for the program fee.. $500 and that only includes ONE fill? Granted this is just my opinion, but I don't think it's worth $500. I would expect more fills, at least one dietician visit to be included, and a Facebook support group as "included" in a fee is kinda ridiculous. Is the one charging the $500 fee a Center of Excellence? If not, honestly I'd go check out the competitor that is. At the end of the day, you have to choose the best surgeon, but it wouldn't hurt to check out all your options before making a decision. Just my opinion.

This is my first monthly challenge but I've been on these forums for over a year. My major goal is to hit the 200 pound loss mark this month. I want to be able to say "I lost 200 pounds" so badly! Name, real or screen~ Missy (Mis73) Goal weight for March 31st~ 221 Weight on March 1st~ 228 Age~ 39 Dietary goal for March~ Eat more Protein Exercise goal for March~ Walk more despite the cold, snowy weather Date banded~ January 6, 2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 193 pounds What is your good luck charm? My faith in God, which I guess isn't luck but rather a blessing

Did you find out why they stopped doing plication? How much is the program fee?

Perhaps that changes once you're a little further past surgery? If not, can you realistically stick a diet like that long term?

Wow really? Not even beans? She may not mean net carbs, then. That's super strict.

Ok so it's not just me. I didn't see where she called him anything either.

Usually it's net carbs, but you'd have to ask her to know for sure.

It's highly unlikely one bad day is going to stretch your pouch. Plus, liquids will just leave you feeling weak and hungry, making another binge day way too tempting. If I were you, I would just go back to eating the way you know you should. Really, you didn't do anything *that* bad. You're human, you made a human mistake. If anyone claims to never mess up they're lying. It's midnight there so it's a new day. A fresh start

Don't make yourself sick, vomiting will only cause more problems and can potentially cause a slip. Unfortunately you're going to just have to wait for the food to digest and pass. Just look at this as a learning experience. You've learned first hand why we often say "just because you can eat something doesn't mean you should". You ate too much and you now know why it's so important to stick to band sized portions. Hang in there.

Unfortunately it's not uncommon after surgery. Many of us take Biotin to help combat it. I personally take 5000mcg daily. Increasing your Protein intake can help, too.

I agree with you totally, but I also understand why some people simply can't deal with the stress and stigma that comes with telling people you've had WLS. It's a very personal decision and some people just aren't in a place emotionally to take that on. When I first had WLS I didn't tell anyone at first. To be honest, I was so afraid of failing under a microscope. If people knew I had the band and I somehow failed, the fallout would have been unbearable. It wasn't until a couple months after surgery I realized "hey, I can do this!" and started telling people. Now, everyone knows I had WLS and I am quite proud of it. But it took me some time to reach this place emotionally where I could tell others and use it as a chance to educate others.

Congratulations!

I didn't tell anyone except my parents, best friend, and brother at the very beginning. But now absolutely everyone knows. As time went on I started telling more people now anyone and everyone who knows me is aware I got the band. I see it as an opportunity to educate others on the band and WLS in general.

You definitely can, it all depends on your insurance. Some will cover it every 100 pounds weight loss. Others cover it based on skin rashes, how it interferes with mobility,and whether or not it hangs past the pubic area. Still others base it on a combination of this. Usually they will cover a panniculectomy, which is strictly skin removal. Others will cover an abdominalplasty (aka tummy tuck) but that is more rare. I can only speak for myself on this one, but I have HUGE apron of skin. I had a huge apron of fat before I was banded now I just look like a Shar Pei naked because I have so much excess skin. I seriously considered having a panniculectomy after I lost the first 100 pounds but I decided to just wait until I lost more weight. I know it's going to be a rough healing process and I just didn't want to go through it twice. Now, I'll be having an abdominolplasty this spring or summer. I've said all along I was going to do it after I lost 200 pounds and I'm only 7 pounds from that goal now. I'm nervous as heck because I know it's not going to be fun but I'm also very excited to get rid of all this ick hanging off my gut. Best wishes!

You're not cheating at all. Look at it like this: The band is just a tool. Everyone uses different tools for different jobs. When a painter is complimented for a beautiful piece of art, do they respond "Oh thank you, but I cheated, I used a brush to paint with". No! You're not cheating. You wouldn't be losing weight if you weren't eating right and changed your relationship with food. That is 100% YOU. That's not the band. Look around these boards, you will see post after post of people still eating like they did before surgery and not losing weight as a result. That's not the band's fault, that's their own fault. The band is just a tool to control your hunger, it is YOU that is doing the work. When someone asks what you're doing, tell them with pride! "I've changed the way I eat and watch my portions". That's not a lie, it's the truth, and it's a truth you should be proud of. The fact you used a tool to do is irrelevant.

Unfortunately you can only buy Unjury online. Some bariatric surgeons carry it but they usually mark up the price.

Ok that is a great story, thank you for sharing it

Be patient with yourself, you really are very newly banded. Not only are you still healing you're trying to adjust to a new way of thinking about food and life in general. It's not easy at all. Learning to live with the band is a major learning experience. Perhaps you should focus on one phase at a time. Like for instance, right now I'm going to assume you're on liquids being as you're only a week post op. Focus on what you're supposed to be eating for this phase and this phase only so you don't get overwhelmed thinking about what comes next. You might also find getting out all the information your doctor gave you and re-reading it. I even kept mine on my dresser for quick reference. Increasing your protein will help your hunger for sure. Maybe you could try other brands of protein shakes? If you find one you truly likely you'll be more apt to actually have them. I know I had to try 3 or 4 brands before I found one I actually liked. Hang in there, and remember, just focus on one step at a time. It does get a lot easier.

You're doing really great! The average is 1-2 pounds a week and you're way over that average. Btw, I started out with a high BMI too. I weighed 421 the day of surgery.

wow that is just awesome!! Congratulations!!