chasingadream

I haven't had any fills yet so I can't answer to the "should I get a fill part" But, I am 6 1/2 months out and can also eat everything just in smaller portions. I think that is awesome. If something doesn't agree (triscuits are uncomfortable--i think they just swell so i have wheat thins instead). I would say thats fine….if you are making healthy choices and staying within the guidelines of what your doc/nutritionist wants you to eat. I've asked the doc about getting a fill too but they tell me that I'm doing well without being hungry between meals and have been consistently losing so they tell me 'no' on the fill part. I dont' want to be restricted so, for me, if i can eat all the foods i love (in moderation of course) and continue to lose…I AM HAPPY…. For the first time in my life….I AM HAPPY TO NOT FEEL DEPRIVED LIKE I AM NOT ON A DIET!

Unfortunately people in today's society are nosy, opinionated, gossipy and uneducated! Not all…of course. But it always seems that those are the ones who want to know the "magic secret" to your success!! And like many others have said, they know what they need to do (eat better, exercise etc.) but I believe they secretly hope that we have the answer to what ails them! No magic wand here! ITS HARD WORK! …and many times I don't think people realize that- which is why I have limited my revealing my surgery to those I trust. Some think that WLS will cure all….you go for heart surgery…they fix it and you are better….you have gallbladder surgery…they remove it and you feel better… ...well in this case, YES, I had WLS but that does not JUST fix it..the weight will NOT be gone tomorrow….it will NOT remove my head hunger…it will NOT get rid of my cravings…it will NOT make good food choices for me. It helps SO much but there is so much work involved….they don't get it…at least many don't! I will help those I feel are genuinely interested …. Im not trying to save the world….just myself right now!

Hang in there all…the pre-op diet is hard…whether its 3 days (lucky devils ) or 2 weeks -- Like @@kbarnett61 said …. IT IS ALLLLL WORTH IT!!!! Wishing you all much success and a speedy and easy recovery!

Great newsletter as always @@Alex Brecher ! Amanda is an inspiration and a wonderful success and it is nice to see her receiving kudos for a job well done! Looking forward to Spring and getting out there and really getting some walking in….although snow in NY on the last day of March was a bit too much today! April is sure to bring us some great weather!

Congrats to all of you….welcome to banded life! It is a wild ride and an amazing journey but so worth it in every way! Wishing you all much success….one day at a time is the way to go! Treat yourselves kindly, follow your docs orders, and reach out when you need support. There are amazing people here to lend you support!

My family, feeling better physically/mentally about myself…and lately….seeing myself in a picture…something I used to dread. Feeling really blessed!

Wishing you all the best…your excitement is contagious!

You look amazing….great great GREAT job! Did you have all of that "work" done at once. I am getting closer and closer to goal and have visions of what I may look like in the "end". Cant wait to see some more pics…thanks for sharing!

What an amazing transformation…but I love the beautiful smile in both pics! You look amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Hello and welcome.....you sound like me about 7 months ago! You are not crazy, weak, or a cry baby!!!! The preop is hard--it just is...some get thru it better/worse than others. It's like detoxing our bodies of every ounce of crap we put in it! The first days are hard. You have abruptly changed your eating habits, the quantity and types of foods that you are used to consuming! It is a shock both physically and mentally. Give yourself a few more days to adjust and get used to it...it is a shock to your system! And I'm not saying it's gonna be awesome in three days but you will hopefully start feeling better. As for beating yourself up about where your weight has gone....think about what you are doing now to fix that...begin thinking and picturing where you will be in two weeks, two months, four months and how great you are going to look and feel. I also have a wonderfully supportive hubby....consider yourself one step ahead with that kind of support! You will be able to have meals again...just not right now...the preop is important for many reasons...stick with it and don't give up. Whenever you waver think about why you are truly doing this! I didn't cheat once on my preop...I'm no better or worse than anyone else who had to do it...I was just scared of jeopardizing my surgery for something I've eaten so many times before....and would be able to have again...and I do just in much lesser quantities! And you will be able to eat again and believe me mushy foods will be soooooooo good....LOL......really good. (And I know for a fact because I had a two week preop AND a two week post op all liquids....it can be done....AND YOU CAN DO IT!!! Hope this has motivated you and given you some hope to remember this phase is temporary...a small necessity to get you to your goal!

You are a lucky lady! Good luck with your WLS….keep us posted on how you are doing please!

Wow…that was so nice to read! You are amazing and your daughter is so lucky to have you as a tremendous support! Having that distance between you is tough but just having someone to talk to is a tremendous support no matter what WLS you end up getting! Wishing your daughter much success! And you are right…this is an amazing place with wonderful, supportive, and kind people! There is no place quite like it…. Thanks @@Alex Brecher for creating a place where we can ALL come!

Definitely a life changer….it is amazing to see myself now and then see pictures only 6 months ago! Feel so much better about myself….both physically and mentally! Thanks for sharing that @@catfish87 !

I had my lap band with plication surgery on Sept. 19th. It has been 5 1/2 months since that surgery and life is good and I feel very blessed with the success I've been seeing so far in my lap-band journey. I have lost 82 pounds to date and finally, yes finally, just threw out all the sizes of clothing that no longer fit me...and NEVER will again. So I purchased some new pants and shirts that actually fit and look flattering on me. Well, the compliments have been pouring in from every direction. And although yes, it is very nice to hear and very flattering....it is sometimes a little overwhelming. I dont like being the center of attention especially when that attention focuses around the way I look. I'm learning to take it graciously...say "thanks so much" and just continue on with my day. But today, and I'm not sure why today, it actually threw me over the edge a bit. Besides the normal, "you look great" comments. I had several people tell me that they were sorry they were staring at me but I just look COMPLETELY different. I felt like an alien. I know my appearance has changed but definitely not to that point. I was walking through the halls today and at one point thought to myself...I just wish noone noticed anymore and would treat me like the old me....it is bizarre. And of course in addition to the nice comments....comes the what are you doing? I know it is that curiosity factor of what's working for me may work for them but sometimes people just push that too far. Only 8 people at work know that I had WLS (out of a staff of 70 or so) and that is the way I prefer it since it is a big gossipy rumor mill when "juicy information" is available. I am not ashamed of my decision but I just dont want to hear anything from anyone about my choice. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life (and one of the best I might surely add) but I only want people who will support me to know about the very personal choice that I decided to make...hence the small number of people knowing. Sometimes I just wish people could say you look great and just walk away. Sometimes I feel like I have been untruthful when asked 'what are you doing?'...but my standard answer is small meals, higher Protein than carbs and walking...and that is the truth! With all the pressure just on the weight loss front I would love to not add any more to the plate...so to speak! Only 2 people came straight out and said "you had lap band surgery" and to those people I unhappily said yes (because I cannot lie to someone)....but surprisingly enough they have been kind enough to keep my private business quiet. So, yep...compliments are GREAT...they make me say" yeah it IS working"....and they are bad....to the point of feeling overwhelmed....and they are ugly....when I feel so so uncomfortable that I look SO different I wonder if I've morphed into something so new I wont recognize myself one day! Just needed to share my thoughts...thanks for reading!

Thank you for sharing your story @@parisshel …. so sorry you have had so much pain and have had to go through all of that in addition to your back pain!! Wishing you continued good health as you fully recover. You will make it through bandster hell 2.0 because you already successfully made it through the first one. You are strong and successful and you know what you need to do to help yourself succeed! YOU CAN DO IT…..AND YOU WILL! @@lisacaron …so sorry you've been so sick and glad that OUR great doc….lol…was there to help relieve the issues you were having, at least with your band….like you don't have enough going on! Talk soon!

Congrats…so glad to hear you are feeling better…one day at a time! Congrats on the weight loss too! It's always nice to see those results….gives you that little extra motivation to keep it all moving in the right direction!

Good Luck Will….keep us posted on how things are going for you! @@SillyAuntDi ---love, love, love your new profile pic!

Awesome job….so many positives already…..WAY TO GOOOOO!!!

OH MY….YUMMY!

I TOTALLY understand this…my kids are 3 and 7 and I had WLS in Sept. I had those same awful feelings and when I met with the anesthesiologist and he asked if I had any questions….I flat out said "I will wake up right???" He looked at me and said "most definitely". Hang in there…it will be here soon and you will be ok….I also said a little prayer before I went to the hospital that morning….that couldn't hurt either!