fericito

I just found out I had it. It's weird that I didn't know but I thought it cost extra (self pay here) and they never said anything about including it. At my last support group they mentioned something about all our plications. I said I didn't have one. They said he does it for everyone and if you were banded in 2012 you did have it. Afterwards they took me back and showed me pictures. I was kind of upset just because I hadn't known but really, I didn't feel any different afterwards. The difference between knowing and not knowing is just that - knowledge. I've read up a lot on it and I'm glad he did it and they explained all the benefits. Plus I think they just didn't realize I didn't know - it wasn't about them keeping a secret. So I stopped being mad and just am grateful. Hope it works out for you to feel okay about it too.

This journey has been way more emotional for me than I ever expected and I figured myself to be a emotionally healthy. It's really hard. Losing something (food) that brings you happiness will make it harder. If you find what makes you happy and can cling to that before you have surgery it will help a lot. Having the surgery and what follows will NOT make you happy - but the life changes you make in order to make it a success definitely could. I have experienced my first bout of depression in the last month - first in my life I think. It's been a struggle but I'm finally coming out of it and so please don't think that WLS will fix anything for you that you haven't already been working on fixing before you started. Best of luck in your decision.

Very cool - best of luck to you!

In my support group they've advised us to drink right up until we start eating, like you said it helps you feel faster. My understanding is that drinking during food makes it slip through more so you don't feel as full long, it moves lower. It's been one of my greatest challenges too. My dr. says 2 hours after eating, I keep trying for that and have yet to make it but have at least moved from 1/2 hour after til 1 hour after. With time it will come. For me the hardest part has been "bandster hell". I've been depressed about not losing faster even though I KNEW I wouldn't but still HOPED I would. I've been discouraged about eating only what I should and still being hungry and moody. It's getting a bit better and I'll be having my 3rd fill soon and hoping it brings me closer. I have 1.5 ccs in my band right now. Being good about vitamins and exercise and journaling has helped me feel better and trying to get over the hard times. Don't give up.

You SHOULD feel good about yourself. AWESOME!! One day at a time...

Welcome! Lots of great info and support on this site so look around and enjoy the journey. It's not always easy but it will be worth it. Best of luck to you!

I have really been struggling the last month too. Mostly fears of the band not working. I knew it would be slow but secretly hoped it'd go fast. I'm only a few months out and am stuck around the same 20ish pounds lost. I had to reevaluate what I was doing. For one thing I know I haven't yet hit the green zone so maybe you could work on getting there? That will make a large difference. For another even though I was obeying the rules I wasn't yet really serious about things like exercise. As I've been getting better about that it's better on my spirits even though the scale hasn't changed yet. In fact today is my first day back to the site in awhile... I also decided I need the support and I can't do this journey alone. You're not alone. There will be ups and downs but this is YOUR journey (my lapband friend reminded me of that) not anyone else's. Hang in there. Our support and love is with you.

I started this list called 150 means... and I wanted to have 150 things/meanings to finally weighing 150 pounds (what would bring my bmi to normal for my height, that's actually the highest end of the scale haha) So imagine my surprise when I actually sat down to write it and I can't come up with that many... I've been trying for a few weeks now. Here's what I have so far (yes this will be long) but does anyone else want to help me? I want to have something to look at when I'm feeling really discouraged... TIA! 1. 150 means feeling like me inside and outside. 2. 150 means healthy 3. 150 means liking to have my picture taken 4. 15o means within BMI range 5. means hiking in Moab 6. means swimming 7. means hiking timp cave 8. means hiking the Y 9. means possibly more babies 10. means RXing at CrossFit 11. means no swimsuit embarrassment 12. means being an example to my kids 13. means I feel sexy 14. means training for a marathon 15. means to run and not be weary (scripture) 16. means physical matching my personality 17. means new positions 18. means dh can pick me up 19. means playing with the kids 20. growing old 21. healthy blood pressure #s 22. liking the mirror at the hair salon 23. tagging myself on sibling pictures on fb 24. more than 1/2 my size 25. 1570 dollars (a bet with my dad) 26. great boobs 27. all 3 pieces of wedding ring fit 28. spanx in my size 27. off medications 28. living the word of wisdom 29. not standing out in the crowd 30. shorts 31. cute clothes 32. wearing the seatbelt in dh's truck 33. going to high school reunion 34. dirty dash 35. seeing old friends 36. seeing mission friends (they knew me when, I don't see them now, don't want peeps to know I'm fat) 37. I never gave up 38. riding disneyland rides 39. respect from the guys (I work at the PD, the cops tease me 40. smaller work uniform 41. new hairstyle? 42. camping comfortably 43. romantic get aways 44. proud to meet dh's coworkers 45. country dancing 46. airplane rides again 47. participating in life 48. winning a race, first in my age group 49. passing PT eval 50. rock climbing 51. wearing chokers again 52. no wearing a box (the way my fat makes me feel) 53. wear my i-kept-forever clothes 54. going to Lagoon again 55. throwing a 100 lb party 56. riding dad's motorcycle 57. climbing the backyard tree 58. tramp jumping with kids 59. being in the church choir 60. fitting in movie seats 61. fitting in play seats 62. cute maternity outfits (if I get pregnant ever again) 63. getting a second look for the right reason 64. motivating others 65. being an "after" 66. no more "butt front" (what kids call my front flappy thing) 67. making Jeff, Kenny, Jason proud (my trainers at CrossFit and BootCamp) 68. accomplishing a dream I'm stuck now...

I'll be one of the last because my surgery date isn't until the 29th but I start my pre-op diet in two weeks and I know I'm going to need support. Anybody want some buddies? A bit about me, I'm 35 years old, nearly 300 pounds and done every diet out there - finally saved up enough to get the surgery and can't wait for my "life" to start. Several friends have done bypass or banding and they are all in their 50s and 60s and I just feel like I need to take care of me now instead of waiting another 20 years. I have a hubby, two kids (9 girl, 6 boy) and keep thinking there might be more but certainly won't be if I can't lose weight. Look forward to meeting the rest of you, I'd love someone to talk to and go through this with. Haven't even told my banded friends I'm doing it, only hubby know so far and I don't know why I am nervous to tell. Oh yeah and I live in Utah. Me in a nutshell, what about you?

Be sure to let us know how it goes after you talk to him. I too think you should be pleased with where you are and that your dr. is crazy!

lol sounds like a yucky way to break it in but glad you're ok!

hope you recover fast!

What a great thread!

We all worried and it was scary right up until it's over. Then it's hard for a few days and then it's WONDERFUL. It's ok to be stressed but just take breaths and you'll get through it. You'll be so glad you did it!

I haven't lost very much either (about 6 weeks out) and my surgeon said that most of this first month was a healing time. I've only got one fill and have only lost 2 pounds since having it. It's achingly slow BUT I figure it will just help me in the long run. Don't get discouraged and if you're doing everything they said then no, you're not doing anything wrong. The perfection of the "green zone" will bring regular loss and it won't come until after a few fills probably. Hang in there and keep following the instructions and it will come.

You could die but you won't . That was my big fear and my surgeon actually laughed when I told him. It will go great and tomorrow you'll be on the other side. Best of luck to you!!

It will go well!! Best of luck to you

I agree see what the dr. suggests. I'd go back to soft foods or liquids for a few days too while you try to figure it out. Best of luck to you!

I would've suggested also that you might need meds. I don't agree necessarily that you need carbs in your life but fiber yes, you could take fiber or find a way to add it. Ask your dr. what he thinks? I'd be interested to know how it turns out...

It's taking care of yourself!

Be sure to get regular fills too and practice the tools that will help you once you finally have restriction (not drinking with meals, not eating too much, etc.). I'm about the same out as you and have been a bit discouraged that now nothing (yet) seems different. But I'm still obeying the "rules". Restriction will come and hopefully I won't be puking and pbing etc. because I'm already "dieting" until the band is working well for me too. Don't give up but also don't give in. Best of luck to you.

I'm going to check both out!

It flies by too once you've been through it. Congrats to you and yes next year will be awesome!

Variety will help you get through it. Try soups, popsicles, protein water, protein drinks, etc. You can do it.

Keep up the good work!