mrsto

Congrats on your continued success! It's really good to hear :-)

I just looked at some posts about your doctor on ObesityHelp. There are a lot of negatives on the first page; all in sequence. My impression is that the same person did those postings, using different user names. What they say about him in each post is similar to the one before. People do that sometimes, when they're pissed off and want to scare others away. But you really do need to do some research. Call the AMA (American Medical Association), and if possible, find out what happened with him in Canada. There are some good bariatric surgeons in Florida; many posters on this site live in the state. If there are too many negatives with this doctor, I'm sure you can find someone with a better reputation. I can't emphasize enough how important it is to have a good bariatric doctor and team.

I would also be concerned. This is a huge step, and it's important to feel confident that you are in the best hands. I agree with all above......do your research. And if need be, go to another surgeon with a better reputation. I wish you all the best.

MorrieKins - here is a link to info on the procedure. These days it's popular to have the band along with the plication....which is what I have. There are others on this site who have it also, and are doing very well. http://www.tlcsurgery.com/education/bariatric-surgery-houston-tx/gastric-plication/

Here is another thought..... I don't know if they do this in Canada, but have you considered gastric plication? I had it done with my band, and it's supposed to dramatically reduce many band (alone) complications. I have not had any issues, but it's still early for me. At least with plication, they do not remove and staple 75% of your stomach. They fold it in on itself, and suture with two rows of non-disolving stitches. Basically, the size and shape of the stomach is that of the sleeve, without the permanence of removal.

Whatever direction you choose, it all boils down to compliance. It doesn't matter which surgery. I understand how miserable you feel, and the fear of me going against my surgery & gaining back weight, is a quiet fear that sits in the back of my mind. When I go off on a mindless eating spree, that fear comes right to the front and freaks me out. None of these surgeries are a magic wand. But (as you already know), if we're compliant 85% of the time, we're successful. I wish you all the best with whatever decision you make. This disease we all share, is relentless.

Bandista - exactly.....EVERYthing you said!

Enjoy - staying in the present is hard to do; I have the same issue. I'm better now than I was years ago (I'm 58), but still find myself projecting what's to come. Just a suggestion.... When you find yourself reeling out of control mentally, pull back and focus on your breathing. That should bring you back into the present. Do it as many times as you need to do, to keep pulling yourself back. Worry is the illusion of control, so just focus on today I think the reality is, for most of us, that there will be times when we DO gain a pound or two. That is just life. The band doesn't make us perfect people, but it's a good tool to keep us in check. I was a lost cause and couldn't lose any substantial amount of weight to save my life. But now I'm near goal, which would never have happened without the band. A couple of weeks ago I saw a 2 pound gain on the scale. That was the first time since surgery. I know why I gained, but seeing it in black & white was a slap right back into reality. I've since lost those 2 pounds, plus another 2, and I'm back on track. Getting right back on track has always been my biggest issue, but I've done it over and over in the last 10 months. It's a fricken miracle! It sounds to me like you are doing just fine. A doctor said to me years ago, that long term weight loss isn't about being a perfect dieter. It's about being able to get right back on track when you go off. I think it's important to focus on making continual small changes, and keep your eye on the ball. Regarding tracking food, with the band, I think calories and Protein are the two most important things to track. If you have other health issues that require you to watch sodium, sugar and carbs, then certainly track those as well. But generally, calories and protein are the two major keys. At this point, I'm like gowalking....I no longer track my food because I eat the same most of the time.

Congrats, and welcome to the other side :-) The pain is normal, and will subside in the passing days. If you have a recliner, try sleeping in it until the pain subsides.

Congrats! I know you feel GREAT!

I think many of us had the same fear; will this work, or be yet another failed attempt to lose weight? Only with surgery, the stakes are much higher because it is a drastic step to take. But at 10 months out, and 63 pounds lost, it is the best decision I have ever made. That, and marrying my wonderful husband My best advice, from my own experience is.....continually work on your head while you move through the pre and post op diets, and during the time it takes to get the proper band adjustment. I would venture to say that all of us here have failed hundreds of diet attempts. If we were good at it, we wouldn't have resorted to WLS. I felt the same as you.....what if I fail? And months out, I have done some mindless eating, and paused my weight loss for a few weeks. But the band (I have plication too), jumps in and helps me stop before I go off on a binge like I used to be able to do. The band isn't our obstacle; it's our brain. Even with the band, you still have to fight the fight. But it's a heck of a lot easier!! I'm so thankful for this tool......wish I'd done it sooner. But we do things when we're truly ready, and 10 months later, I'm only 12 pounds from my goal. Even with some slips here & there. With the band, it's so much easier to get back on track. THAT was the missing piece for me before surgery. Take a deep breath - you will be fine. I can't wait to hear more about your progress. Please keep posting

Shel - so many of your posts mirror my same feelings and experience. This post included.....to the T

Missy, are you able to slightly elevate the head of your bed? Not with pillows, but the actual bed. That is supposed to help with reflux. We have an ergo-pedic adjustable bed, so I just press the button when I'm having issues. But you can do it with pieces of wood cut to the right thickness. Just a suggestion..... I also saw a post on this site from someone who swears by a particular probiotic. It's made by Metagenics. I think it's called Ultraflora. Interesting about the peppermint oil. I've had issues with reflux the past few years, and all the "things to avoid" lists from the doctor include peppermint. Here is a blurb I found online..... But whatever works for someone, great! Peppermint may increase your chances of heartburn because it relaxes the sphincter muscle that lay between the stomach and esophagus. This allows stomach acids to flow back into the esophagus.

My feeling of restriction comes and goes. I've had about 5 fills, and have 7.5 cc's in a 10 cc band. There are days I feel like I can eat as before (even though I really can't). Then there are days when I'm signaled after 4 bites. I can't quite figure it out, but I just know that sometimes I have to work harder than others. The only thing I can surmise, is that the daily changes our bodies naturally go through, effect sensations with the band. I've pushed far past the faint signal, and it scares the s-hit out of me.....that the scale will start going in the other direction. I don't know if I could live with that.....it's a struggle sometimes. I had my last fill last week. My doctor always gives me the "talk" about how I have to work on my head, and not lean on the band to do the work. I HAVE been working on my head; not always successfully, but it's a continual work in progress. It's very confusing when you lose that clear/loud signal to stop eating, at 10 months out from surgery. My doctor said that maybe this is the time for him to remove all the Fluid from the band, so I can see what THAT feels like. He said that we get used to the band, and don't realize just how much it really is doing. He also said (always says), that we have to work on changing our habits, in order to have life long success. I get it.... But even still, miss the LOUD signal I got in the first months post-op. As we've all been told ad nauseam, the band is a tool, not a cure. It's work....but SO worth it!

It is difficult, but SO worth it! Once you get past the pre and post op diet phases, you'll be on your way. Try & keep busy, and just drink as much of whatever you've got to keep the hunger away. Are you on clear or full liquids?

Wow - fabulous! You look amazing!!

Did your nutritionist have you confused with a gastric bypass patient? Geez......I cannot imagine why he/she would say something like that, given the numbers you've posted here.

You're doing very well so far. What were your expectations going into this? I'm concerned that your "glass half empty" state of mind will sabotage you in the long run. Three pounds a week is great! I lost at that same pace in the beginning, but it's slowed down quite a bit. 30+ pounds in two months is amazing. Please try and work on realistic expectations, or this will be a very disappointing journey.

I agree that WW is one of the best out there. But it's so easy to use points for high carb foods. I love their chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream dessert, but I would save up and eat the whole box. I'd start out great the first few days, but would veer so far off track, I'd be done with the whole thing before getting through a full week. Sharpie - the point thing drove me absolutely nuts too. It was MORE bookkeeping, when I already DO bookkeeping for a living....all day long - lol!

My doctor told me the same thing.......most all people gain when the band is removed. I hope that is a decision I never have to make.

Wish I would have thought of this as I was struggling through this phase. I love egg drop soup!

Yep, we all went through it. I guess I don't have to tell you how important it is to stick with it, no matter HOW hard it is. In a relatively short time, this part will be a distant memory :-)

Julie - I had a total hysterectomy eight months prior to my band surgery. I did not plan it that way, but that's how it worked out. At the time of my hysterectomy, bariatric surgery wasn't even a thought in my mind. I had female issues, and had to resolve them. It wasn't until a few months later that I decided to move forward with WLS. As far as what to do first, you need to work that out with your gynecologist and your bariatric surgeon. Depending on the reason for a hysterectomy, that might be something you need to do first. Whatever is best for your health, is the way to go. Only your doctors can provide you with that direction. As for sleeve vs. band, that is a very personal choice. If you are okay having 70-75% of your stomach removed, then maybe that is a good option. For me, I wanted something that I had more control over. I also had plication done with my band, which, I believe, has made a tremendous difference overall. But I do sleep much better at night knowing that the whole thing can be reversed. One other thing to keep in mind..... Weight can be gained with each and every one of these surgeries. I'm at the 10 month mark, and already having times where I push it. I saw my doctor last week and got "the talking to". After time, we get used to the new "setup", and (if we're so inclined), find ways to eat around it. The same goes for the bypass, sleeve, band.....all of it. My sister works with a woman who had the sleeve, and she's put back quite a bit of weight. She can't eat a lot at one time, but she grazes on crap all day long. No matter which surgery you choose, it's ALL up to you/us. If we don't change our heads, there is no miracle out there to make us lose weight. It's a big decision, so just make sure that you do all the research. As you already see with your sisters, you can't go on any particular person's success with any surgery, because we are all different. I wish you all the best :-)

Ditto.....

Unless you're independently wealthy, that's not most people's life.....unfortunately! I wish I could have a chef to cook perfect meals on a daily basis :-)