cinward2001

I agree with recognizing if you're prone to depression or self destructive behavior, but NOT about being able to recognize and deal with the psychological changes that occur post WLS. Because in MOST instances, people don't KNOW. Oh, sure, we can read boards, listen to other people, do research, talk to counselors, etc...but even then, it's not the same thing as experiencing it yourself. And sometimes, you can do all the right things and then, post WLS, realize it's an entirely different ballgame. So yeah, I'm agreeing with you in some ways, but I don't think people should NOT get WLS just because they're having trouble making the mental adjustmens/changes pre-op. Because, after all, if we could do that and stick to do, we wouldn't need the WLS in the first place.

Sharon, have you had any type of WLS yet? It DOES make a difference...what you can't do psychologically BEFORE WLS, you can often do AFTER WLS. My "addiction" is sweet tea. Good ol' cane sugar sweetened, Southern tea. Before my Lapband surgery, I promised myself over and over again that I'd quit drinking it. I drank sweet tea until the day or two before my surgery (didn't have a pre-op diet). After the surgery? I didn't drink it for almost 2 YEARS. Now, guess what? I can't seem to "kick" the tea addiction again...but then, the band has lost its effective, which is why I'm converting to the sleeve. I'm not saying we shouldn't be responsible for our actions, thoughts and feelings...I AM saying that weight loss, hunger, obesity, etc, is a very complicated cycle. With so many hormones and feedback mechanisms in place, it's NOT just a matter of "deciding" to do it...the WLS helps because it helps to "interrupt" some of those cycles and mechanisms pushing us to eat. So for those of you still pre-op and struggling with food choices...it DOES get better at WLS. Is it a cure-all and a fix for everyone? Nope. There are people so addicted to food that they simply can't give it up...even with WLS. But those are the minority. What does this mean for smokers and weightloss? Well, it's 2 different critters. Just because you can't quit smoking is NOT a predictor of your potential success with weight loss post-op. WLS is for WEIGHT loss, not smoking addictions. To kick the smoking habit, you might very well need to get help through nicotine Patches, medications, etc...but that's why the HELP IS AVAILABLE. As a group, we really need to quit blaming ourselves...that somehow, we're not strong enough or committed enough or have enough willpower. Sometimes, it truly IS your BIOLOGY working against you. So

For many of us, food is a love affair, an addiction, comfort when we're feeling down, a celebration when we're feeling good! Essentially, it's almost like you've lost a loved one by having this surgery and you're grieving. PLUS...you're grieving after having had major surgery, so you have the emotional AND physical changes to deal with. But as others have said, you no longer have a choice! First priority...DRINK YOUR WATER! If you're dehydrated, everything else will be worse. Take tiny sips all day. If you truly can't do that, then you might need to check with your doctor...dehydration can kill you so if you need IV fluids, you need IV fluids. Remember, food really isn't as necessary right now...you have plenty of calories in storage. No, it's not ideal to not get your Protein in, but you're still early in recovery...you're not exercising or pushing yourself physically. If you can get protein IN your Water, that's even better though! So if trying to eat pureed or soft foods is causing irritation so you can't drink...focus on drinking!! You can, eventually, get back to eating small amounts of the foods you love...and you know what? You might decide when you do that you really didn't love them that much anyway. They were a substitute for living a full, active, healthy life! Last...let yourself grieve. It's normal, it's natural. You made a decision to lose weight..maybe you weren't expecting such a drastic change, but focus on the "little" things right now and it will get better!

Christy, I don't have any clothes that I can send you, but have you thought about heading to the local Goodwill? You can often get decent clothes for very little money and then when they're too big, just donate them back and buy some more!

Depends on why you're anemic. It could be a B12 deficiency, iron deficiency or something else. You should see your regular doctor to try to figure out what's causing it. It could be something as simple as needing B12 to something a lot more serious (NOT trying to scare you...just trying to say you need to follow-up!).

I hope/think so! I honestly think that my band is interfering with my health right now. Not anything that a medical professional could probably "see"...no slip or erosion, etc. But lack of sleep, having some reflux and then just feeling "icky" the rest of the day...mild but persistent things that I think are directly related to the band. It's time it's gone. I also remember the days of not being hungry, eating for nutrition only...and I'm NOT one of those people who love food. The less I eat, the happier I am (if I'm not hungry). The thought of going back to really small means focused on Protein is very appealing! When I was first banded, I weighed 260, lost down to 175 (my original goal), back up to about 200 (maybe 195-205...I don't weigh). I think this time, I'd like to drop to 145...and that's STILL less weight than I lost with the band. Back then, hitting 175 felt "skinny" to me (from size 26 to 12), but I've been this size (14) long enough now that I think I'm used to a "smaller" me. Sorry, didn't mean to hijack your thread! It's great that you're loving it!

I think I'm looking forward that almost more than anything! LOL I haven't been able to sleep on my stomach for a long time...when I stretch out, I'm sure to have reflux and coughing in the middle of the night. In fact, recently, I've had to start sleeping propped up almost all the time and I hate it. I want the sleeve revision more due to sleep deprivation than weight loss, I think! My surgery is the 14th....

Here's the thing about having WLS and, indirectly, about quitting smoking, too. It's NOT about what you can "get away with." So all those folks saying they smoked the entire time, that it didn't impact their healing, etc are rationalizing what they did based on false assumptions. Sorry folks, you *can't* know how much faster you might have healed without smoking. Just because you didn't have any major complications does NOT mean it's ok to continue to smoke. But lets leave the smoking issue behind for a moment. If YOU lost 100 lbs while drinking milk shakes and eating French fries, would you still recommend that to someone wanting to lose weight? Hopefully NOT! Because you would know that wasn't a healthy way to eat and even IF it worked for you, it's not going to work for a lot of other people. I wholeheartedly agree that we shouldn't "beat anyone up" for smoking either before or after WLS. It is, after all, your choice. But wouldn't it be more supportive to encourage someone like the OP to stop vs saying "Well, I didn't, but I was fine!" Unless, of course, you're wanting to feel better about your choices...sort of a "misery loves company" attitude. With WLS, you need to have the mindset that you'll do absolutely the BEST that you can. You're not going to be perfect, you don't changes the habits of a lifetime just because you had surgery. It takes time and work. BUT...if you have the attitude that you'll see what you can "get away with"...you'll push boundaries, see how much you can eat and how soon, etc. So do your best to stop smoking and/or cut back as much as you can. Same with the pre-op and post-op diets and living life with WLS...don't look for excuses (well, someone else did it!) for poor choices, don't see how far you can bend the rules...instead, see how close to perfect you can get!

John, I'm converting on the 14th, too! I'm not having any "major" issues with my band, but it's getting more "fussy." As in, everything will be fine for months and then the next day, I'm pbing. I'm also coughing more at night and just think that band is causing some irritation. I'm almost 8 yrs post-op so it's not being very effective any more either. :\ Can't say I'm 100% confident in my decision, but I'm pretty happy with it. We'll be fine.

Yes, I'll be returning to MX. My insurance pretty much makes it impossible to qualify for WLS and my current BMI is 31, no co-morbidities, so no way they'd cover it as a "preventative" step.

I have a slightly different perspective on WLS. In January, 2006, I had Lapband surgery. Best thing I ever did for myself and it WAS for ME. I was self-pay, went to MX, and paid $10k out of pocket (money we've saved for our children). I hit my goal weight and up until fairly recently, kept it off. I KNOW that WLS can work. I know what it feels like to struggle my entire life to lose weight...yo-yo up and down, up and down, feel like it just must somehow "be me," as in, not enough willpower, not enough exercising, etc. *I* didn't change when I got the band...I followed the bandster rules (not any harder than doing WW, Body for Life, etc, and I'd tried them all), and lost the weight. It felt really, really GOOD to hit my goal and pretty much stay there all this time (from size 26 to 12...currently a 14). I've gained about 30 back now because the band just isn't being very effective any more (I'm also going through menopause) and I'm starting to deal with some reflux and other issues. I've fought and fought the slow creep up again...and accept that without an effective WLS "tool," I'm going to continue to lose that battle. So I'm returning to my original surgeon to convert to a sleeve. Do I feel a bit guilty that I'm spending so much money on me again? Yup. But you know the saying...if Mama ain't happy, NO ONE is happy. My family is happier when I'm not constantly worrying about my weight, thinking about food, walking around hungry and hating it. And I know that if I don't do something NOW, I'll have even more weight to lose next year or the next. All that to say...it is NOT our personal failings that make it so difficult to lose weight. WLS is not a "magic" cure and it requires work and commitment...but it makes weight loss DOABLE. Can there be complications? Sure...but being obese has its own set of complications. If I have to choose potential complications while thin vs potential complications while obese...well, you can guess which one I'm choosing.

Here's a list! If you're not on the list, just copy/paste it in your reply and add yourself! I'm scheduled for May 14th! Maybe we can each check in after our surgery. 1st: mswanda9577, cejiogu 6th: BethAnn77, tigerbelle, JoannLz, mustangsally193 7th: ChristenOnAmission 10th: JillianMarie73 13th: natedinsmoor2, shellsheck 14th: glitter8er, lucieloo79, cinward2001 15th: boomarienewme, AmyinMI 16th: Chivon32, elliscoastie, victoria77 17th: Lawrence Washington 20th: misslady, randee 21st: musiclover, Bellanthin 28th: csmiles, tiffs3, kc82, Aline728