sandi2004

I was responding to a forum posting by someone who was having a hard time. She was wondering out loud if weight loss surgery was the easy way out. Apparently, that’s what she was hearing from people in her life. I know I have worked very hard to get to where I am today, healthy and at a normal weight. EASY WAY OUT? I don't think so. After battling obesity from the time I was 2 years old, the band finally gave me the means to win the battle. Almost 6 years later I am still having little skirmishes although I am maintaining my weight loss. Take last night for example. I made a great dinner- some salad a piece of salmon and some quinoa. I know exactly how much I can eat, but still put too much on my plate. I also knew when I was full, but continued eating past it, and was forced to pay the not so pleasant consequences of a hard stop. Why do I still do that on occasion? I don't know, but every day, with every meal I still need to make the correct choices. And every morning when I wake up I am still amazed that I am no longer fat. Face it- we all have issues with food- I definitely do, and it will continue to be a challenge for me. That's why we are all out here on line supporting each other, learning from each other. I plan to go back to basics today- everything served on a dessert size plate because that's all I can eat! What was I thinking? The point is, I wasn't...mindless eating is what got me to where I needed the band to gain some control and I am not about to let it take over again. So now you have my two cents on Banding- Is it the Easy Way Out? What do you think?

I'm here to help. Is there a support group that you can go to, and/or is it time to go back to the doctor for a fill or a "head adjustment"? In addition to that what I have found that works for me is to go back to basics...3 meals a day, 64 ounces of Water and at least 30 minutes of exercise. Plan the meals around 70% Protein. empty your cupboards of your trigger foods which are either carbs or sweets (or if you are me, both). Put your food on small plates, make sure your portion size is appropriate (the small plate- dessert size - helps) and start writing down everything you eat and drink. As you become accountable to yourself again you will find making your food choices good ones a little easier each day. It takes planning. Plan your meals. Always have protein and water with you so if you get causght somewhere when you are hungry you don't make the easy bad choice, but rather the easy good choice of eating what you have with you. For me it's getting carbs out of my system and back on mostly protein that realy helps. Take a look at my blog on what I did after the holidays to get back on track and see if that is helpful. you can find it at : Maintaining #001: December 26, 2009 or Making It Through My 6th year of Holidays After Lap Band® Surgery You can also email me or send PM's here- sometimes having a buddy to be accountable to also helps. let me know.

PS is definitely worth the investment. If you haven't had the chance you may want to read my blog entries on PS as you start pursuing this part of your journey. You can find them at:I’ve mastered my tool and I am maintaining my success. I hope you find them useful.

I'm here to help

You guys are awesome- so blatantly honest and out there. I admire that. In my sixth year, and maintaining a 250 pound weight loss I sometimes still look for the positive input I was getting every time I saw someone I hadn't seen in a while. I am not getting the - You look great- did you change your hair? Or, OMG you look awesome. My brother who I hadn't seen in over a year at one point told me husband to be careful because in his workds, "my sister looks hot".....great ego boosters, just as the I could do it if I had surgery" remarks are great ego deflators, but the bottom line folks is I DID THIS FOR ME! The outside acknowledgement is great, but the fact that I now fit in size 10/12, do not take any medications, do not sleep with a C-pap machine, and can get my own luggage out of the overhead on a plane by literally hopping on to the seat and reaching up is all the reward I should need. There are days that the knowledge that I am in the best health of my life and I am 61 years old is enough, and there are days that I need someone to remind me how far I have come. I'm not sure I will ever be fully "adjusted" to how I look today in terms of my size. I try, but I still forget and go straight for the handicapped restroom so I will have enough room at restaurants....I am coming to terms with it on a daily basis. The journey continues.

Easy - I don't think so. The decision to have surgery, the surgery, the recovery, the changing my eating patterns, learning not to drink with meals, learning to take small bites and chew everything thoroughly,eating slowly, planning every meal, getting in all of my fluids, adding exercise to my daily routine, giving up foods that are too difficult to eat with a band, not using food for comfort or reward - these are all VERY HARD to do. Feeling full after eating a "normal" size portion,finally seeing hope materialize into the reality of losing weight and keeping it off, having a tool that will give you signals as to when to stop eating- these are Easy by the definition of the word. They pave the way for the Hard things to become "doable". I chose banding, much as the cancer patient chooses chemo over death, as a means to an end. I am happy to say, I made the right choice for me!

OK- so I'm here to help - having started out at 424 I definitely feel your pain. The ONE thing I learned for sure from this journey is that I have to stop beating myself up for whatever- bad food choices, gaining weight back, whatever. Being hard on ourselves and being negative doesn't help. You can't take back the food choice you made yesterday, but you certainly can make a better one today. Also, I go back to basics when I have strayed and it helps me get back on course. Please email me or PM me with any questions or just to chat. You may be able to find some useful information in my story which I am blogging at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story The whole purpose for my blog is to give some encouragement and hope.. I think it may be useful for you. Please let me know. I'm interested in your feedback.

You are incredibly fortunate! Most everyone I know here in California has had to dig very deeply into our own pockets to cover PS

Regarding insurance and paying for plastic surgery that is a very delicate subject. Some insurances MAY offer a little coverage for removing the apron of skin left at our stomachs after weight loss in certain situations, but for the most part they will not. It certainly is worth the effort of trying though. I was lucky enough to get some coverage for this after I had my lower body lift, but it didn't even begin to cover a big part of the cost. I was grateful though, because anything is helpful. I had to send the insurance company pictures taken by the plastic surgeon as well as his records, the records of the surgeon who did my banding and my primary health care provider's records- all to support the fact that the apron of skin was causing rashes, infections, and impinging on my movements. You can find some of my plastic surgery information on my blog at I’ve mastered my tool and I am maintaining my success. I hope you can find some useful information there or feel free to email me.

Wow, lots of mixed feelings here, but what comes through loud and clear for me is that banding is "easy" in that it works, but not "easy" in terms of what I (or each of us) has to put in it. I think the agreement is that the band, along with changes in what each of us do helps us lose weight, and, for the first time in our lives, keep it off. Also, easy is not a bad thing, and may actually be the wrong choice of words. I was suggesting easy from the point of view of what people who have never had our struggles see as out choice to have surgery. I know, because I thought that way too - I would never have weight loss surgery- it's the easy way out AND it is dangerous. Well, here I am, almost 6 years out, having had the courage to have surgery, and the motivation to learn and implement new habits and make them a part of my life. I could not have done this without the band..Nope, not easy, but the RIGHT way. Congratulations to everyone who has had the courage to make the choice. The journey continues for me.

Hi Meg: Yes, I still feel like it's a dream and I have managed to lose the 250 pounds already. i wake up every morning and run my hands up and down my body to make sure it is real- that I am actually a normal weight and no longer over 400 pounds. So, I guess, it never goes away. The one great thing is that when I'm done, and I realize there is actually empty space in my bed (as in, my body no longer fills it), I look at my husband sleeping and then get up (easily I might add) out of bed with a smile on my face. Dream, yes- Impossible, no! Check out my story - I have started a restrospective blog of my journey at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story You may find some inspiration and encouragement to help you along your journey. I'd be interested in your feedback.

Some other ideas for mushies could be cottage cheese, yogurts, oatmeal, beans with a bit of shredded cheese melted on them, mashed potatoes or yams, or, as Majj suggested, blended just about "anything". I never had any problem with scrambled eggs or poached eggs- and I liked a dab of cottage cheeses with a poached egg over it and a bit of sale..hmmmm - it's 7am here and I haven't had breakfast yet..think i just figured out my plan for breakfast..:w00t:

This is truly a journey and it takes time and committment. It starts when you begin exploring the possibility of surgery and continues for the rest of your life. When I looked at it as the beginning of a new phase in my life it helped me be a little more patient with the process. Another thing I kept reminding myself was that I did npot put the weight on overnight, that took years, so why did I think everything would resolve instantly? You have a hectic life, but it does sound full and rich. I found this journey only enriched my life. First by improving my health tremendously, both physical and psychological health, then by virtue of all of the wonderful people I have met and continue to meet along the way. You are doing the absolute right thing by reaching out. You'll make it to the next phase in the journey sooner than you think! You may find some of my stories about my journey interesting. You can find my blog of my journey from 2004 to now atSandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story I'd be interested in your feedback.

Hi Jeri: You have made a great decision for your health and happiness. With every pound you lose moving around becomes so much easier. at 61 I am now in great shape- it's fun to look at my muscles in the mirror- and off of all of my meds- blood pressure, asthma, arthritis and my C-Pap machine is gone! I work out 6 days a week and actually look forward to it. I am here to help any way I can. sounds like you have started out with a great attitude and some instant success- that will keep you going- but remember to reach out for us as questions or concerns come up- you are not alone- that is the most important thing I learned when I started this journey in 2004. Good luck!

You guys are amazing- there are more and more of us over 50 every day- When I was banded in 2004 I was the exception on 2 counts- my age was high (56) and my bmi was high- (68+) and here I am now, living life and loving it- today in a pair of size 10 jeans, pink sweater, tucked in with a belt studded with pink crystals..who'd have thought that about a 424 pound lady 6 years ago- and now I'm 61 and catching up for all those years of sedentary living- there's no holding me down... Themoral of the story here is _ GO FOR IT!

Hi all: I'm Sandi and I am 6 years post op and maintaining a 250 pound weight loss.My desire to give back to this community which has supported me in reclaiming my life, has inspired me to start a retrospective (reverse) blog of my experiences on my journey. One of my most memorable experiences was the morning after my surgery. Please share it with me at Recovering # 002: What Have I Done? Or – The Day After Lapband Surgery – May 29, 2004 Please let me know if you find some useful information.

Easy way out? I don't think so. after battling obesity from the time I was 2 years old, the baand finally gave me the means to win the battle. Almost 6 years later I am still having little skirmishes althouh I am maintaining my weight loss. Like last night for instance, I made a great dinner- some salad a piece of salmon and some quinoa. I know exactly how much I can eat, but still put too much on my plate. I also knew when I was full, but continued eating past it, and was forced to pay the not so pleasant consequences. Why do I still do that on occasion? I don't know, but every day, with every meal I still need to make the correct choices. And every morning when I wake up I am still amazed that I am no longer fat. Face it- we all have issues with food- I definitely do, and it will continue to be a challenge for me. That's why we are all out here on line supporting each other, learning from each other. I plan to go back to basics today- everything served on a dessert size plate because that's all I can eat! What was I thinking? The point is, I wasn't...mindless eaating is what got me to where I needed the band to gain some control and I am not about to let it take over again.

Hi Debbie: You are so right- it's not easy, it takes alot of work, but be assured, it can be done. I am almost 6 years post op and have been maintaining a 250 pound weight loss. every day I still have to think about what I am going to eat. Don't get discouraged.Every single one of those pounds took work and planning on my part. I am up in Ventura so we are close. If you like send me an email at sandi@bandedliving.com and we can start a conversation. Where are you on your journey? If you would like to read about my experiences you can find my blog at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story You are not alone.

The windy city deal can last for a while...just be patient- it's the drastic change in diet probably. And the restriction you feel when you drink is probably due to swelling...but I felt restriction and didn't require a fill for a long timeso who knows. Just take it one day at a time right now. I am so glad you're feeling better. Every day keeps getting better- just don't overdo it. I have started a blog (a retrospective) of my experiences over the last 5+ years and you will probably get a kick out of this post Recovering # 002: What Have I Done? Or – The Day After Lapband Surgery – May 29, 2004 I'd be interested in your feedback.

I was also worried that I wouldn't wake up from surgery, or that the doctor would not be able to band me because I was too big. These seem to be normal concerns, so I guess we're normal. regarding the pain and the gas post surgery, 2 weeks later it seemed like a distant memory to me. The brain is a wonderful thing. Now here I am, almost 6 years post op maintaining a 250 pound weight loss and my only regret is that I didn't do this sooner! I am so passionate about my new and improved life of Banded Living that I am blogging my experiences from the beginning of my journey at I’ve decided on a band and I’m working with my surgeon to get ready for surgery. See if you can find some words of encouragement to help the next 9 days go a little faster for you. I'd be interested in your feedback. Good luck on your journey!

I think a "refrigerator magnet" for the 10 Things... is a great idea. what a perfect place to keep all of us thinking about what we're doing.

Welcome Christine, You have made a great decision. I have been on this journey for almost 6 years and would be more than happy to share my experiences with you. I have been successful (250 pounds lost) and am feeling great for a 61 year old woman - certainly better than I did at 50! How are you doing - are you still on liquids?

OK- I only met with a dietician once before surgery and I do not even remember what she said- but then it was a long time ago. What I've learned is that every doctor has a diferent set of "rules", of what they want their patients to do before surgery and immediately post operatively. It is important that you follow the instructions you get from your doctor. I know this sounds a bit "straight-laced" but you will find all sorts of, let's say "interesting" information on various boards and you may find yourself so overwhelmed with information you may not be able to distinguish what your doctor told you vs what you read somewhere. That aside, I have almost 6 years experience with the lapband, I am now 61 years old...ughhhh...and have successfully lost 250 pounds and am maintaining that weight loss. I would be delighted to share my experiences and help you any way that I can. I feel so passionate about "paying it forward" that I have begun a blog of my experience. You can find it at Sandi's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story You may find some useful information and tips there. I'd be interested in your feedback.

One final word- the results are worth it! (ok- that was 5 words) Best of luck to you!:thumbup: