lellow

I think after a while we all get complacent. Bad habit creep back in, we get used to life with a band and learn to eat around it if we want to. So to me, the trick is to recommit to the band lifestyle. Go back on the 'diet' for a while, and in the meantime, get in to see your surgeon and see if your band could use a bit of 'tweaking'. Or even if you may have a small dilation or some other thing go amiss. Like B52, when on maintenance mode, I was able to stick to the band lifestyle for 3 years. When my band sprung a leak and I lost restriction, I reverted bit by bit to my old eating ways due to the increase in hunger and I gained. But I recommitted to losing weight and seeing my dr, and I lost 15lbs in the 5 months prior to my full band replacement. It may not sound like much but it was going in the right direction for once, and proves that you can recommit to losing weight if you want it. And if you want it, then the change you have to make starts NOW, not tomorrow, but right now, with band sized portions, and making healthy choices. Just on the aside, my best friend (who is not banded) has been following the same portion control as a band patient since I was rebanded in May, to see if following my lead will help her lose. As of today, she's lost 15lbs, in just over 6 weeks. Weight loss is 30% the band, and 70% YOU, and she is proof that even that 70% makes a huge difference.

I agree dehydration can happen fast! Always make sure you're having sufficient liquids and if you can't, you need to go to see your dr or the emergency dept immediately. It only takes a day to get dangerously dehydrated.

I had complications too. My band was leaking for 15 months. I gained weight fast and I struggled with hunger. BUT I stopped and took stock, and started focussing on losing again. And I did - 15 lbs in 5 months until I got my band replaced. Gaining and over-eating is not the band's fault, no one controls that but you. The band is there to try to help you NOT over-eat but it won't do it for you. If you want to lose, you can do it with or without the band. I won't lie, it's HARDER without a band, but it's not impossible. I know it's frustrating having complications and not ever knowing if you'll have a functioning band, because it's something you can't control. I understand, I've been there. But there is ONE thing you can control, and that's whether or not you manage your weight in the meantime, while you're waiting for answers.

Wow no offence but he sounds like an ass. He's not living it so how the hell does he know if it's easy or not? And besides, shouldn't he just be happy that you're getting healthier? Or is the problem that he worries that if you lose the weight you won't put up with him being an insensitive moron anymore?

Thanks so much for posting your experience and letting me know it's normal. OMG the itch last night was driving me batty. I'm taking benadryl and it's helping a little, but it doesn't take it away completely. Oh well, this is the price we pay, right?

I had lipo done to my tummy, back and inner thighs two days ago and have been in manageable pain, but today I've started to itch EVERYWHERE that I've had lipo. Scratching it does nothing because I'm still pretty numb in those areas. Is it normal??

That looks great!! I was stalking your thread yesterday to see how you'd gone but couldn't find an update! How much did the surgeon take out? I'm only 3 days out today but he removed very little from my thighs so as not to leave me with lots of loose skin, but it's an improvement nonetheless! My thighs still touch but they don't really rub anymore.

I've actually never fasted before a fill. Not on purpose anyway! I usually make sure I eat well before a fill because I know it'll be a few days before I'll eat well again. In fact if I haven't had time to eat before going in for my appt, I'll stop at a cafe along the way just to pick something up to eat. I've even told my doctor I do this and he didn't think anything of it.

I counted calories when my band was leaking in order to lose, but I don't count them when my band is working, because when it's working well, it helps me manage my intake all on it's own. Having a band changes the rules for me: I eat well, Protein, veg then carbs in that order, and I exercised til I was dripping with sweat 30 mins 3 times a week, and I let the band tell me when to stop eating. And I didn't count the calories that went in or what I worked off. I don't drink shakes to 'up' my calorie count. I just live life with the band and let it do it's thing. That seemed to have worked well for me. And thankfully for me, is a lot less complicated. I really hated counting calories!

I'm so sorry you had to go through this! Right now I completely understand you feeling like just throwing the towel in, but give it a little while, and get that second opinion as to whether they can help you or not. You've been through a lot right now and you have every right to be pissed off, but don't give up just yet, you're so close!

Thanks Debpaige! Sascha, sure feel free to add me! Just to give you a run down, I first had a lower body lift to remove excess skin, then breast augmentation and now lipo to finish off. These surgeries I did over a 4 year period, not all at once. Mind you, I was 38 when I was banded so while losing the weight was awesome, my body didn't survive it so well, especially my tummy and boobs. If I were you though I wouldn't worry about excess skin until you get closer to goal - I know plenty of people who have been heavy all their life whose skin bounced back just fine. By all means save the money but you might find you'll need less surgery than me in the end.

when in the green zone I wasn't hungry either. But after several occasions where I came home from work and my whole body was trembling from a dip in my blood sugar, I started setting an alarm at work to remind me to have lunch. I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat much but I ate something, because you may not be hungry, but your body needs some food.

Before After So I'm 2 days post lipo. I'm feeling really good! I called work because I was supposed to go back tomorrow but they said to take another day, so I am. Haven't needed pain meds but have got some swelling that is pretty uncomfy so I appreciate having a little more time off. I'm so pleased with the result. I had a panicked moment just before I went into surgery asking myself why the hell I was doing this, but now, seeing that I actually have a waist for the first time in as long as I can remember, I'm glad I went through it! I have lost so much weight trying to get a semblance of a waist, but even at my thinnest, I was just straight up and down. And being a BMI of 21 meant that while I was slim at the waist, I was also slim in the hips and my butt was flat. I looked like a little boy! This time, with lipo and a little bit of extra weight on, I have that womanly figure I've always wanted! Boobs, butt and a waist! Now just to get a little toned up in general! My home gym is arriving in 2 weeks so after that it's on! I am going to be the strongest 43 year old I know! P.S my cat photobombed my 'after' pic. Lucky she's cute!

I saw a video of an interview with Dustin Hoffman today and it really rang true for me. I think I am so lucky because I was a big girl most of my life and lost the weight, and in the process I went from being invisible to being visible to society. The thing is, I didn't even know I was invisible when I was heavy. How would I when I'd been heavy all my adult life? But when I lost the weight, and the level of attentiveness, regard and interaction people wanted with me increased out of sight, I realised how little people reached out to me before. That SO many people who think I'm amazing and wonderful now, wouldn't have given me the time of day 5 years ago. An old friend and I were talking today, and he said he was so shy when he first met me coz I was thin already and he was 'still the fat guy', and he didn't understand why I reached out to him. I told him of anyone he'd meet, I'd be the one who would never see his weight, because unlike most people, I know better. I know that a person's weight doesn't define them. Because my weight should never have defined me. Anyhow, it makes me wonder how many people have missed out on meeting the most amazing people because they stereotype them in their heads. Which is why Dustin Hoffman's interview struck such a cord. I hope it's ok to post it, because it really moved me, and I hope it moves you. http://www.upworthy.com/dustin-hoffman-breaks-down-crying-explaining-something-that-every-woman-sadly-already-experienced-3

Thank you! I'm really happy with it! As for what I needed to do, I actually didn't really need to do anything. I looked up lots and lots of reviews of surgeons in my area and went with someone I thought looked like he had loads of experience. I then went to the consult and he talked me through it, and then I paid for it and waited for my surgery date! I would say you probably don't have to be at goal to get lipo, because he reckons he only did 'slight' lipo on me, whereas he usually removes a lot more fat in one go, but he did say that the more fat he removes at one time, the more likely complications will arise and lumpiness can occur, or skin rippling. So to get the best result, being close to goal would be helpful and not having too much loose skin as well. I actually am at the point of not wanting to lose anymore, and even so he warned me about possible looseness in my skin, especially in my inner thighs.

Those of us who get stuck and stuck often are probably just pig headed and take longer to learn . When I was losing it wasn't uncommon for me. I would try new foods or forget I have a band and eat too fast, or just swallow something fast coz I was hungry. I've also been too tight on occasion and that means stuck on EVERYTHING. Just yesterday I had goat curry and after one bite I was like so good work never getting to that point!

I'm 2 days post op now and swollen but HAPPY with the result. For the first time ever about 30 mins before my surgery I had a massive panic attack and wondered what the hell I was doing but they walked in, got me in my gown and I didn't really have time to protest! Now though, I'm so glad I went through it. It hasn't been nearly as painful as any of my other surgeries, in fact I haven't had one painkiller yet! Just feel like I fell off a bike - kinda bruised all over. And most importantly, I now have that waist I was so longing for. I know it sounds silly, having lost so much weight and looking "alright" by most standards, but I've never had a waist, ever. I have lost weight to the point of being too thin trying to get a waist but all I got was a flat butt and small hips and I looked like a boy (with boobs). I always wanted the hourglass figure, and the lipo has given me a little bit of that now, and I instantly feel more womanly as a result. For that alone I am glad I did this. Thank you to all of my great friends who encouraged me along here too. I really appreciate it, how much you'll never know!

Missy I just stumbled on this and I wanted to just pipe in too to say how amazing you look. The before pic and the after pic are worlds apart! You have done a great job and so did your surgeon!

It's all luck and genetics. I had areas that didn't bounce back and areas that bounced back very well. You won't really know how you're going to go until you get there.

Today I was telling myself how good I've been eating all week, so what did I do the minute I got to the shops? Buy a cheesecake when I got my son a cupcake. We are honestly our own worst enemies! But the good news is halfway through the cheesecake my band kicked my butt, so I stopped eating it. Saying no is SO much harder than saying yes. I can hear myself talking myself into it too "You can probably spare the calories" or "it's no good depriving yourself" but both you and I know it only makes you feel like crap when you give in. So we need to stop giving in, and stop feeling like crap about ourselves because we gave in. Saying no gets easier the more you do it, so we just need to start doing it more!

Shoulder pain can actually be a soft stop for some people. So it doesn't always mean it's a sign of a stretched pouch. If everything's ok, then maybe it is your soft stop, which means it's probably a good idea to stop eating before you get to that point.

Honestly for all the hassle I've had with my band, I'd still do it again 5 times over. It has completely changed my life. Be prepared for something to go wrong, but chances are, nothing will. You've made such progress already! Imagine your life in a year, and in 2 years. Focus on your goal and you will get there, I believe it.

It takes ages for your brain to catch up, and it's kinda nice coz you go into shops thinking you're bigger than you are, and get pleasantly surprised. I think it was at least a year into maintenance that I started being able to tell if something was about my size by looking at it. Before that I always picked up something that was 2 - 3 sizes too big! You've done a great job, enjoy it! And don't worry about your brain catching up, it will eventually!