chasingadream

@@Galaxy Sorry you had a bad experience right from the beginning. Any surgery should have a lot of research and questions asked prior to going through it, in my opinion. From your description you didn't meet the surgeon until you were being wheeled in for surgery--that is unfortunate especially since that is the person that should have been answering all of your question and concerns. As far as scarring goes, I would think any surgery would leave some type of scar. Laproscopic procedures tend to leave much smaller and not as noticeable scars. As far as not having the right procedure in regards to WLS…different surgeons will consider/recommend different procedures for the same exact person. I was a food grazer….I didn't even know what hungry felt like anymore until I started on my pre-op diet. Any WLS can be a success if the patient puts the work into it. I work hard and listen to my hunger signs more now. Do I still graze all day, no --my band and plication have helped to curb those habits. Do I still eat treats now and again, yes…even when I may not be hungry. I watch the # of calories going in and the # of calories I expend. I walk and walk and walk some more!!! This surgery (lap-band) has been a success for so many people on here…people who are grazers, emotional eaters, high BMI'ers…all sorts of shapes and sizes with all sorts of emotional, personal, and health issues…it can be done….but work MUST be put into it. This surgery has been a tool for me…and one that I work day in and day out and it IS working. Wishing you luck and hope you find the peace you are looking for.

The port site can be sore for a while…my doc said it takes a good year for all that to fully heal up. I was only allowed walking in the beginning so I can't really speak to the working out you are doing. What are you allowed to do as per your docs orders at 3 weeks out? If in question give your doctors office a call….they are the best ones to answer your concerns. Wishing you the best….let us know!

Got my order from Quest and am working my way through them….LOVE LOVE LOVE the cinnamon roll…and the chocolate chip cookie dough was good. You are right they are not "candy-bar-ish" like the pure protein. Something new to add to the food pantry. Always good to add to the good food list arsenal!

Congrats to you….can you explain a vertical extension…thanks

@@wadeg7 What a wonderful job you have done and not just at losing weight! You have changed your life in such amazing and powerful ways and I loved reading your story. You are truly an inspiration….not just for the pounds you've lost but for the attitude you have developed towards eating and giving yourself a break on some days. I feel like you were speaking to me…so I thank you for that! You look amazing and yes, seeing the pics always adds that element of WOW….. Continued success and happiness!

Yup…rule follower here!!!! Stop 15 minutes before and 30mins-1 hour after…. NO EXCEPTIONS! I don't even bring a glass to the table anymore…that ends that problem!

I don't really track (except in fitness pal-but thats more what i eat for the day) but I don't "count" my carbs for the day. I have some crackers with lunch and maybe a little bit at dinner. Hasn't had an impact on weight loss for me. I try to concentrate on healthier choices….protein first always…and VARIETY….after all it is the spice of life…lol For the first time in forever I don't feel like Im on a diet so Im with you @@enjoythetime i don't really focus on counting and tracking it!…and we've done okay!

@@JustWatchMe So happy for you…to be reunited with your daughter…having wonderful family time together….living your life….getting yourself healthy…and truly enjoying life as it was meant to be. Congrats on enjoying and handling all of those wonderful food experiences in such a positive and exciting way. Look forward to hearing more chapters in your adventure abroad. Having fun and living life to the fullest…YOU GO!

Congrats…you are doing awesome…and the pics definitely help us see it when our own eyes don't!

Some days are harder than others but you can get through this... Look how far you have come…you have had a great weight loss and stalls/plateaus whatever you want to call them are going to happen at times…especially when you arent making the best food choices. I know for myself, in the past, when I hit a bump in the dieting road I would have gained weight back….you said you have at least held your own…that is an accomplishment all by itself. Would the pre-WLS you gained weight in a situation like that? As for making poor food choices, I understand. I had surgery in september and some days I get a little complacent…lets see how far I can "push" things. Noone is perfect…each day begins anew for a reason. Just take one day at a time and do not beat yourself up for the past. It is over with and cannot be changed but you can focus on the here and now and make the best decisions you can. As for the Protein shakes…I know my nutritionist says to get rid of those, I know many people use them, I do not. I eat all solid foods and it hold me so much longer. If you are exercising that much more maybe you need to up your protein a little more…could that be why your hunger is worse. It sounds like you are still trying to find the green zone…..I hear it takes time…and patience. You can do it. Look how far you have come…I always say to myself…"go ahead and go back to old ways….see where that will get you….how happy will you be then?". I hung a before and after pic on the kitchen refrigerator and in the bathroom….sometimes I just need to see it and remind myself how far I've truly come. Hope that helps you in some way…keep us posted…good luck!

The weeks after lap band surgery are for healing…and that really means sticking to your doctors orders especially when it comes to diet. Yup, that liquid diet just plain old sucks but it is done for a reason. From how you said it above, it seems that you were a little premature on eating those mashed potatoes. I would call your doctor in the morning and let them know what you ate and let them be the judge of what is going on... Please be careful and give your body time to heal…that is what this period is for! Good luck.

I am a teacher and went back 7 days after surgery. It's doable….I was a little tired but each day got better and better and right back to my old self.

I stopped using mine a few months back. I tried it but it kept falling off…I think like @@terrydumont46 said I think I needed it adjusted…so after many nights of it actually waking me up I just stopped and feel ok….my hubby says I'm much quieter…. I don't feel tired like I used to before using it. I am going to go see the pulmonogist for a follow up and to ask about having the sleep apnea test again just to be sure…..its on my to do list. Good luck @@Bandista

Call your doctor…that is what they are there for. Everyones experience and pain level are different. Reach out to the people who know best. Let us know how you make out….good luck

This is your decision to have or not have WLS…and it is a BIG decision. One that should be made by you and you alone….since you are the one that must go through it and live with it once the surgery is completed. Hopefully you have support that can listen to your concerns and help along the way). Your friends have no idea what it is like to live inside an overweight body, at least thats been my own experience….you need to do this for you…and only you know if its right or not. You said you have been trying with your mom for 2 weeks (am I to guess it is a diet??). If so any diet or even WLS will not be a magic wand and the weight will just not fall off in 2 weeks time. We did not get overweight in 2 weeks and it will most definitely not come off in 2 weeks. You must have realistic expectations to be successful. Wishing you all the success in the world…you can do it! I am 8 months post surgery…I consume about 1000 calories per day (some days more and some days less--but never more than 1200). As for exercise…i have bad knees and back so I do walking only….Have never liked the gym. It is all working for me…it is a very individual experience!

Plication is when they fold the stomach in on itself and stitch it so that your stomach is much smaller. Its like the sleeve without actually stapling and removing the stomach. (looks like a banana when done).

Yup..lap band with plication…its been a great experience so far. Yes, port was very sore after surgery and for a while…just be kind to it. As for it being noticeable after weight loss….even after losing 92 pounds I still have a lot of fatty-ness in the belly section so mine is still hidden. Although I do feel it more now. I do feel it more after the weight loss since when I wear jeans now the waste band isn't as forgiving as the stretchy waste bands I was so used to….not painful just a bit annoying on some days. All in all…i will take a little annoyance at the port site to feel (and look) as great as I do today….what a difference. Good luck to you!

@@Sharpie Just ordered a sample of single bars and got free shipping at Quest site…can't wait to try them….thanks for the info!

@@Sharpie I've only tried the pure Protein because i could never seem to find another that was lower calories and higher protein(pure protein is 20 and 200 calories)…these sound yummy will have to go get some and try them…thanks!

I second @@lisacaron when it comes to these boards…. I almost backed out too because of what I read on here…I was panicked and having such anxiety. So I went back to my doc and asked all of my questions and had them answered and knew for sure I was in the best hands possible. Had my hubby for support who said he would have never supported me if he didn't think it was a good idea to have WLS. Then I stopped reading so much or at least focusing on the positives. Yes, its surgery and lots of things can happen….and lots of things can go just as they are supposed to. Try and look at the glass as being half full…it helped me a lot. I had my surgery 8 months ago and I've been so happy with my results…best decision ever. Some hard work involved and thats okay….its been worth it every step of the way. Best of luck to you…and hang in there!

love my pure Protein bars….20g protein 200 cals….peanut putter and chocolate chip are my favs also soft baked chocolate and vanilla 190 cals and 17g protein…. they are DELISH!

Sorry to hear that this has happened to you. Don't beat yourself up over it not "working"…if you had heard of band intolerance before would you really have thought it would/could happen to you! ? You didn't purposely have the band not work…. You did all the right things to make yourself healthier and for some reason this was not meant to be. I know that is no consolation but I would like to believe that there is something in the future that is meant to help you with your struggle…right now it is just not the band. Wishing you much luck and success and hoping you find some peace and answers to help aid you with your weight loss efforts.

Wonderful article…thanks! I realize every day that my WLS is a full-time job on top of the full-time job I have as a mom, wife and teacher. But I am worth it and I will work at whatever support I need to continue to learn and change and grow and SUCCEED!