chasingadream

Well, I am coming off my summer hiatus and am returning feeling successful after 11months with lap band and plication. My time away this summer has given me time to reflect and revise my plan as to where I want to finally be as far as my WLS journey goes. I just returned from a trip to Hershey Park with my 4 & 7 year old and am measuring my success in all new ways now. This is the first real get away vacation since I had my surgery last September. I went on rides and was much less fearful of the ride restraints not fitting….they ALL did! I was happy not to be that "fat mom" that I saw get off the roller coaster before the attendant came over to check that the restraint was locked….she could not get the restraint to lock and left her son to ride alone. I silently cried for that mom because that was me a year ago in Disney….but unlike her I was not brave enough then to even try that for fear of being embarrassed or embarrassing my kids. I am not judging her at all but I am glad that I am no longer in that situation, for myself and my kids. I often find myself looking at people (especially ladies and moms) and thanking the stars that I am no longer at "that point". I see myself in others now (the old me)…and although I am not judging anyone because I lived as obese for so so so many years but I find myself thinking…that was you….that is what you looked like…that is how you moved…that is how others saw you….it makes me feel sad at times. But as I look to the successes I've had Im happy to have lost 93 pounds in the past 11months. I look now at reaching that goal number I picked out of the air…off "those" charts that say what i "should" weigh given my age and height and I wonder if 140 is realistic for me. Although I haven't been online on this site I have been lurking around and reading all of these posts about stalls and not reaching your goal and its made me think….I've held the same weight for the past 3 months. I haven't been the poster child for lap band surgery….especially this summer….Im off for the summer and with that comes off schedule. I've enjoyed my summer SO much. I've eaten (sometimes too much and have felt it), good choices (although not always), I've even gained a pound….at first i cried and beat myself up over that pound than I got a grip….in the past…that would have been 10 pounds….i've basically maintained my weight for 3 months while eating and enjoying….what a success that is. People tell me I've lost enough and I look great. What they don't know is Im still about 190 lbs (almost 50 lbs from THAT goal number) and when I tell them that they all say "WOW--you look more like 160. I even had the plastic surgeon tell me how narrow I was…that was nice to hear. I watch people here torture themselves about getting to THAT number…and then they go below it and that is all and fine…but I realized that I am still successful w/o reaching THAT number. I want to eat like a real person and not worry that every morsel of food is going to put 5 lbs back on me. I want to live with food and enjoy it and not be in a constant state of panic….in my opinion there is WAY MORE to being successful than just reaching that number we assign ourselves. My successes lie here….. 93 pounds off my 5'4" frame Biking 12 miles Walking w/o knee or back pain anymore Going on amusement rides (even kiddie ones) with my kids and not feeling panic. Able to walk around museums/zoos etc for 6-7 hours w/o having to sit down every 10 mins. Looking in the mirror and LIKING who and what I see Fitting into size 12 pants and size 16 shirts Feeling ok w/myself to go consult w/ the plastic surgeon to remove the excess belly and skin Eating….good and bad at times Normal BP Not obsessing with the scale everyday Liking to shop for clothes Believe me…I could go on and on. Its been an up and down journey at times. And I don't beat myself up as much over my choices but its all still a learning process for me….and Im guessing it will be for quite some time. But it was nice to go off and live this summer…just to be me, and appreciate me, and cut me some slack….Im not perfect and I never will be…. BUT I AM A SUCCESS!! And it does not matter that i haven't met that ridiculous number that some chart tells me I SHOULD be. SUCCESS LIES HERE:

Well...it has been 9 months and 93 pounds gone from my 5'4" frame. I have been holding steady at my current weight for about 2 months. I am NOT done losing my weight and I am NOT on a plateau and I am NOT at a stall....I AM PLAIN OLD HAPPY. I am not a prisoner to that darn scale. I am eating and enjoying life and happy and feeling very blessed by the success I have had. It has not been magical or any kind of miracle. It has been work and I am happy to say that I can finally look in the mirror and like what I see in the reflection. Yes,I am still a work in progress and would like to lose the last 48 to goal and I would like to have some stuff "fixed" after all is said and done. But I AM HAPPY! I see the weight loss most in pics now and I am amazed....amazed at how far I let my weight go and now that I have let that go, I am amazed at how I have transformed. And this post isnt about boasting about my success or how much I've lost...I hope it helps one person out there who is just starting out like I was on this site exactly a year ago. Looking for support, looking for success stories, looking for people who were out for nothing but to give some encouraging words and support. I received all of those here and have even made some new friendships (some in person and some by text). This does work and it is hard work at times but the results are sooo worth it, in my opinion. So for all those starting out...wishing you alll the BEST.... and for those honest to goodness supporters (and you know who you are) I thank you from the bottom of my heart (and so do my ever-supportive hubby and my little girl and boy)

@@Averiex Now I understand….I am in a similar situation…I can let head hunger get the best of me most days and eat…and eat…and really eat…and I am NOT TRULY hungry.so when I go for my monthly check-ins I have the same conversation with the PA about getting/needing a fill…and this is the response I get…. Getting a fill is not going to make me stop WANTING those things…I have to be pro-active and do other things to not eat…some days I am successful and some days I have that "something"….and for me, personally, I do not want to get a fill for the purpose of not wanting to eat…I want to get a fill when I am truly hungry between meals. I never want to get to the point where I am sliming or stuck. I knew when I got the band it was only a tool….if I wanted it to stop me from eating I would have asked my surgeon to sew my mouth closed. I find when I am truly busy and drinking lots of liquids I really don't need that fill….therefore I am still without it. Everyone is different and i wish you the best in your pursuit of weight loss.

Ok…so I've read your other post…my question is …are you hungry between meals? Are you not able to hold off the 3-4 hours of satiety without eating. Just because you can get a fill doesn't mean you actually need one. Now I am no expert at ALL on fills because I haven't had one yet myself. I guess Im asking do you NEED one or do you WANT one?…because in either post it doesn't say anything about you being hungry between your meals. Guess I'm just curious and trying to figure out the issue. And if your losing (which is good) why do you need that fill??? And, if you don't mind, why is he having you come and weigh every week….i know every doc is different but after the initial 2 week post check up most/many docs are once a month check ins... Hope things get better for you.

I say all of this with understanding and support so…. 1) Stay off the scale…. 2) According to my doc (and yes, they are ALL different)…the first 6 weeks post surgery is for healing and getting your new eating mechanics down…they are NOT concerned about any weight loss….so any loss is a bonus. 3) You had surgery 5 days ago….come now…if I may ask…how long did it take for you to get to the weight that made you choose WLS….it is NOT going to come off 5 days after surgery. 4) This is not a magic wand…it is a tool and it will take you time to find the perfect spot for optimal weight loss for you….. 5) Everyone IS different….you could be retaining Fluid from surgery…give yourself and your body time to heal….its not even one week yet! 6) I agree with @@dawalsh your body has had a big shock with just the surgery alone…then it had the pre-op and now you are giving it very little calories/nutrition. Your body may be holding on to everything you put in your system because it does not know exactly what is going on yet. 7) If you are concerned check in with your doctor or nutritionist…they are the ones to help most right now! Of course we are here to help….but please cut yourself some slack!!!!!

@@loveNlife76 I have not had a fill…...

Good question….it will depend on your doctor….so he/she is the one to ask. Ask questions…lots and lots of questions…. If you see something here but arent sure…ASK YOUR DOCTOR…. Many people, as of late, are saying how unprepared they were prior to surgery…this is YOUR time to get educated, ask any and all questions (no matter how silly). Now is your time to find out every little, nitty gritty thing that you will need done BEFORE surgery, what happens DURING the surgery and what you can and should expect AFTER the surgery. Remember…this IS SURGERY. You are going in for a specific reason and there is no reason why you should not be fully prepared. So, its great to ask questions here but PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE follow up with your doc. It will make your process easier, smoother and in my opinion, more successful. Good luck to you!

Hello all…. Hoping you can answer some questions for me…. I am interested in any information you can give me on DS from your experiences (good, bad and possibly ugly) What is the protocol to get to surgery? Pre-op and post-op diets/experiences (I know this will be different for all depending on doc) How long is the surgery? How long were you in the hospital? How was your recovery? How long before back to work? Are there foods you can/cannot eat? Side effects from surgery? Why did you chose this surgery? This surgery is the one I know the least about and I have a family member who this procedure has been recommended for. I had WLS surgery back in Sept (lap band w/plication) and am looking to find out more. Thanks in advance for your responses!

I agree with everything @@gowalking has said. If you are not comfortable with your surgeon or the answers you are getting than you should surely try to find a new doctor. That person is the one that is going to perform surgery and give you the after care you need. In my opinion, you must trust that doctor 150%. As for what to eat…doctors vary as do individual results. I eat everything in much smaller portions. Pasta sits very heavy with me post surgery so i choose alternatives when my family eats theirs pasta. Otherwise, nothing is off limits….but i do eat my Protein first followed by veggies and YES some carbs. I even have a treat now and again. The great thing is I am NOT dieting and I am NOT deprived. I eat to live and not the other way around. And for me, I grazed for the past 30 or so years…so these are some really new eating habits for me but they are surely doable. Wishing you lots of luck AND success!

Awesome job…I LOVE the visuals! Good for YOU!

GREAT story- congrats to you! Glad to know DMV just won't pop out a new ID to someone (especially when they don't look like the person)

@@apespayne It is doable so don't stress over it. I was a volume eater my whole life. It is an adjustment but sometimes your tastes and appetite change so much after banding…you will have to wait and see since there are such different results for everyone. I was banded on 9/19/13 and after the 2 week all liquid pre op and the 2 week all liquid post op and the 2 weeks of mushies….it was awesome to eat solid food again…and I thought all hell would break lose when I really ate again and it did not. @@Colleen C And 8 weeks after surgery I not only enjoyed all of my favorites at Thanksgiving (turkey, homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, and even a bite of cornbread)…oh and some dessert too. It was heavenly and delicious and just like it is every other year….EXCEPT….i didn't have to be rolled away from the table…I wasn't so stuffed I thought I would explode. It was a totally different and amazing feeling and accomplishment. And on top of all of that I was the one who cooked the darn meal…lol. So it is all doable. I eat out more now than before banding (and that still isn't a lot) but i eat what i want and just bring home the extras. It is quite a freeing experience. And 9 months later I now eat to live I don't live to eat. Do I have weak moments…yup….do i always make awesome food choices…nope….do I still eat too fast and too much(on occasion)…yup…am I still learning….yup…. but most of all I am 93 pounds down and living my life in a way that I haven't for about 2 1/2 decades (and Im only 44). Greatest decision ever…hope yours will be too. ***And if you think talking to someone will help you get to the root of your eating habits--kudos to you and go for it…it can only make you more successful*** Wishing you ALL the best!

@ I've followed you from the beginning of your journey….especially since I was starting out a few months after your surgery date. Congrats to you for all you have accomplishment and for being a success in SOOOO many ways! You are an inspiration and I love to hear the successes from those that were just starting out when I was. Thanks for checking in…..and yes, life does have a way of "getting in the way" of being here…and that is the best feeling EVER….. ….AHHHH LIVING LIFE…..TRULY LIVING LIFE!

Awesome post @@Leepers - love your story. Honest and supportive--what great success you've had and you have apparently worked hard for it. I also, feel very grateful, for the success that I've had. With a 4 and 7 year old and working as a teacher….I am always on the go…and besides not having time for the gym….i have NEVER liked the gym…so for me I try to walk ALOT. Love that you gave kudos to your supportive hubby. I also have one of those and it is a game changer, in my opinion… and big congrats to him on losing 80 pounds with you! I agree with you, I like using Fitness Pal…keeps you accountable in a easy and quick format. And yes, this is a long term trip that is becoming a lifestyle change for the better. Love that you commented on how fickle your band is…although I have not had a fill yet, I feel like you that some days I can eat fast (not on purpose) and it stops me and other days its like its not even there….sometimes i think Im the only one that experiences these things…. Thanks again for sharing your story…and GOOD JOB!

@@Apryl1957 Anticipate success and it may just come your way! The beginning is hard…lots of changes…lots of unknowns….just take one day at a time….ask questions when they come up….make the best choices for you…follow your doctors order to the 'T'….cut yourself some slack…don't be a slave to the scale (in fact put it away)…don't compare yourself to others….and remember…we didn't get to our highest weight over night and it will NOT come off over night. One pound down is one less you carry around….be proud of each and every ones of those pounds and be realistic when setting goals. Congrats on making a decision that will change your life….it surely changed mine!

You have helped many Im sure. Personally, I have followed you since joining. I know I reached out to you about someone I knew who is the same exact weight as you were when you began and I showed him your before and after pics and let him read your story and now he "sees" more now than ever that someone in his shoes can make the changes needed to be healthier. Yup, he knows everyones experience and success will be different but you've given him hope when things were getting a bit bleak. And he is moving forward to have the WLS that will work best for him. So thank you @@Jim1967 you are awesome and amazing and a true inspiration. Have a great day!

I hear you there…especially with little ones. I have lost 93 pounds and put a before and after pic up on the refrigerator and one in my bathroom…just as a reminder where I NEVER want to be again….and to motivate me to lose the rest!! My 7 year old son asked my why I did it and when I questioned him on the differences in the two pics, he pointed out my clothes were different….LOL….now thats UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

Yes, knowledge is power so they say…. However, you had the procedure done and not drinking a little before/during/after a meal is not life altering, in my opinion. I had the lap band with plication (imbrication) and honestly not a big deal. You have the information now and need to make the best decision for yourself. Give it an honest try and see if it works or have it reversed. Yes, you were shocked but now you know. Make the best of it….its not like you can never drink Water again!

That's awesome…good for you! It is SO nice to live life again! Yesterday, I sat next to my 4 yr old daughter on the swing set and ACTUALLY began to swing….wasnt afraid I was gonna break the darn thing. Amazing how the little things are the ones that mean the most these days…and make me realize how truly far I've come! Thanks for continuing to share your amazing journey!

Congrats on the wedding and on enjoying life! You look wonderful..and although not ready to show off your bikini bod just yet- you are ready to show off how far you've come and how wonderful you look. Congrats on a wonderful job and thanks for sharing!

@@momma2vincent and @@Zoco --- get that fear of failure out of your vocabulary!!! You made the decision to have this surgery to change your life for the better and failure is not and will not be an option. It is hard in the beginning and fear of what you can or cannot have ever again is daunting at times. Well, let me tell you, I can still have whatever I choose…just in much lesser quantities…and I do. I do not deprive myself…i do not diet….and life is SO much better. My cravings for all things sweet and fast food all but disappeared….the sweet one came back a bit but I control it and live my life. This was the hardest decision I have ever made (to have WLS)…….AND THE BEST! My advice…take one day at a time…follow your doctors rules to a "T"….call your doctor if in doubt or if you have questions….give yourself time to heal (it is surgery after all)….do NOT be a slave to a scale….take it one day at a time and one pound at a time….it took me 44 years to hit my max and although it will not take me another 44 years to get it off it will not happen overnight either…..but with hard work, determination, and belief in oneself…it just may happen quicker than you think. I have been blessed so far and truly take it one meal and one day at a time…so far….so good! I have a whole new lease on life and living and its not just about what I can consume anymore. Wishing you all the best….

NO carbonation NO straws NO gum Protein first, veggies, than carbs if room Eat solid food to hold you longer 4-5 hours between eating should be doable 8 glasses of water/ day NO drinking with meals NO drinking 15 mins before a meal and at least 30mins-1 hour after I'm a rule follower…working for me…so far so good. Good luck…. Maybe a trip to your doctor and/or nutritionist would help as well. Good luck!