gingerjane

AMAZING story! Thank you for giving me hope! Been there, done that - got the t-shirt. I, like you, am the one trying to get everyone else to forget that I'm the fat girl. Sigh...

I had a co-worker who told me that I would be very miserable. She was like "I don't think you should do it" and she sort of blew me off. I've lost a little over 46 lbs and she has not acknowledge it at all. She doesn't ask, or anything. I also had a friend that was totally against me getting it and thought that I was rushing into it and we had dinner the other day and I think she was shocked at how I enjoyed my Protein filled dinner, and was happy. She also marveled at the weight I've lost. I think I could see her looking at the alternatives later and maybe considering it but she hasn't said anything. Then there are the family that constantly ask how much you've lost, if you can eat that, if you can eat that much, etc. People just have no clue. And I agree - the mom is overfilled. I went to my doc on Friday and they did not give me a fill because they want me to go another 6 weeks on the 7 that I have. They think I'm pretty close to my sweet spot. The goal is to NOT eat but to be able to eat protein without sliming and PBing. The band was the best thing I've ever done for myself. I still stand by that one.

I'll jump in here and give you my honest opinion. It was the best decision I've ever made for myself. This time last year, I was depressed about my size and ate more to make myself feel better. I can remember HUGE lunches and 3:00 candy bars every day. I can remember fantasizing about what my dinner would be like and how everything revolved around food. I had my surgery in March and since then, things have CHANGED and for the better. I no longer HAVE to have foods - it's like I realize that it's fuel for my body versus a way to make myself feel better. I've lost weight, I've lost sizes, and clothes fit better. Am I skinny? No - not yet. But I feel a lot better. I no longer huff and puff walking around the corner. Taking two flights of steps is not a dreaded task. My back, knees and feet don't hurt as much. The recovery time was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I had surgery on a Monday and went back to work on Thursday. (I have a desk job) The worst part in my honest opinion, was the 2 week pre-op diet and the carb detox. But, now - I don't crave carbs NEARLY like I used to. NO WHERE NEAR. So, I swear by it. I know some people have complications and I think it's all an individual situation. But, go into it with an open mind and make sure you choose a surgeon who has a team to help out. I love my surgeon's office because I literally have him, a nurse practitioner, nutritionist, assistant and more. They encourage me at every visit and this past visit they feel I'm at my sweet spot and are not pushing me to get fills so that I don't eat anything. I really appreciate how they treat me as a person and not as some number or machine. So, my answer is YES - do it. :cursing::thumbup: Can I tell you that you won't have pain. No. It doesn't tickle. But, in the end - it was worth it ten fold for me. And if you ever have any other questions, feel free to message me. I'll answer them openly and honestly. Ginger

Hey Jamie - I thought I would also chime in here because I find that the band, just like with anything else, needs to be approached with a totally positive attitude. It's like when someone is pregnant and they get all of these horror stories. Yea - labor hurts, but in the end it's worth it. I feel that way about my band. Here are my thoughts. 1. loose skin--how much worse is that that fat, stretched out skin? I had fat, stretched-out skin but would rather have the loose skin. I bought some firming lotion (not saying it's going to work miracles but it might help) and I know that lifting weights helps tighten that back up, too. 2. my abusive relationship with food. it has been a long road but the things that I have to give up are not really good for me anyway. I have done a lot of planning for this part. I am as ready as I can be for this. Girl - food and I are BFF. Especially baked goods. But, what is funny is that for some reason, I don't CRAVE these things like I used to. It's odd but on occasion I'll have something but it's not an every day must-have. I never EVER thought I would say that, but it's true. I also like to refer to what I call "transferring addictions". Whenever I would get upset before, I would turn to food. Now, I go window shopping. Looking at cute outfits that I might one day fit into stops the food abuse and knocks my butt back into gear. :w00t: 3. More wrinkles, I assume some are hiding under here;-). We all have them. Wear them with pride. You don't want to look like Joan Rivers, right? 4. The pain of surgery and recovery. Honestly - I did not think it was that bad. I had surgery on Monday and was back at work on Thursday. (I have an office job) Truthfully, I think the worst part is the air that they pump into your stomach but after about a week, it was all gone. It really was not as bad as I was expecting. Here are some things that I don't know if I can deal with: 1. hair loss- I have already lost so much hair from Metformin (anti-diabetic drug). I know this sounds vain but I just cannot go bald here! Ok - I'm with you here. I have/had thicker hair than most, but I KNOW I'm thinning right now and sort of freaked out about it. But, I upped my Protein, cut my hair (regular cuts help hair health) and added Biotin to my Vitamins I take and it's getting better. Not going to lie - I did freak. It does happen, much like what it does right after you give birth. They say it tapers off. 2. The gas!!! I am extremely conservative about this issue. I cannot be walking around passing gas all the time for the rest of my life or even the next year. I just starting going back to school and I am horrified enough being the fat, old girl in class with a bunch of 20 year olds! I cannot be the fat, old girl who passes gas in class!!! I just cannot. This is another thing that I think has gotten WAY better for me. I don't have gas NEARLY as much as I used to. I used to always feel bloated, but now - it's a rare occurrence. Besides, that's what Gas-X is for. 3. The obsession that seems to come with surgery. I don't want to weigh myself everyday and worry that I am able to eat and not losing enough weight. I just don't want this to define me. I realize it will from now until a while after surgery but I just don't want to obsess about it all the time. I weigh myself daily but it's because when I don't weigh myself, I don't pay attention to what I'm eating or doing, etc. I went on vacation and didn't weigh myself and couldn't wait to get back home and do it. I think it can be bad either way. You can weigh so much that you think "Well, I'm down x lbs so I can have ice cream" or you can become obsessive. It's a catch 22. I wouldn't let that deter you. I know this can be different for everyone but I am seriously considering cancelling the surgery because why don't I just eat less and exercise to lose weight. Yeah, I know, I have been doing that for 10 years without success and I have 3 small children who need a healthy, active mommy that will be around as long as she can be. I am just FREAKING OUT!! CAN SOMEONE TALK ME OFF THE LEDGE??? I have a support system but not one that understands fully what I am going through. I really hope you do go through with the surgery. I have people ask me all the time how I'm doing, do I regret it, etc. I tell them it's the best thing I've ever done for myself with the exception of marrying my husband and having my kids. I don't regret it ONE bit. I hope that helps and you have a lot of people here who will help you through this. Ginger

Don't get down. The weight loss has been slow for me, too, but you know what? It's a LOSS. That is the best NSV if nothing else. Plus, when you have less to lose (less than 100 lbs in your case) it's not going to come off as fast. I had the same problem. I have about 100 lbs to lose and I will sometimes look at other profiles and they had their surgery around the same time I did but I've lost less, but in the grand scheme of percentages, we're about equal. So, don't let it get you down. I recently started to really push myself to exercise more and I think that it's making a big difference, too. It's hard to work out constantly if you work, have a family, etc. but just small little changes can all add up. You're doing great. Don't get discouraged!

It will all be done before you realize it and you will be SO happy! Trust me. Getting through the two week pre-op diet was definitely the worst but it gave me a great jump-start on my weight-loss and it prepares you for post-surgery and other things. Even now- I'm about 4 1/2 months out and I still love to drink protein shakes for breakfast. LOVE Muscle Milk! Good luck to you and can't wait to join you on your journey.

My big incision took the longest to heal for sure. Maybe call him to see if you can put some neosporin spray or something on it just to prevent infection. Did you keep it covered so that no sand got in it? Regarding the diet, I did mushies and liquids for about three or four days, then I moved to soft foods and just chewed, chewed chewed. My doctor was a bit more liberal about the food, so I did push it a bit. I do with my fills, too. LOL! But, do keep an eye on that incision. You do not want it to get too infected. And I still sometimes have pains in my left side and it's where I've overexerted and there is "pulling" inside. They told me to take it easy because it takes a while to heal.

Don't get discouraged. It takes a few fills - I was banded on 3/22, and have had 3 fills and my office is a bit more aggressive. I have 7 ccs in a 10 cc band and I believe I'm at my sweet spot. But, before that - even up to 6.5 ccs, I was not having that much restriction. You'll hit that magic spot and it will be great. Give it time. And the weight loss is slower with the band - but I think it will be more permanent. Just give it time. I promise.

I was banded about the same time as you and I'm having the SAME problem. I've started taking Biotin, trying to up my Protein but I swear, it comes out in HANDFULS. My husband can't get over how much hair comes out every morning. It's everywhere. I cried the other day because I swear, you can see where it's thinning at the top but my friends think I'm being paranoid. I asked my niece (who's a stylist) to get me some nioxin the next time she hits the comso prof store. (They can pick it up for you a LOT cheaper than buying it OTC) Last night I caught myself looking at Rogaine. Does it stop? Please tell me it will.

I have an occasional pain on my left side, opposite of my port. My doctor said that even three months out (which is what I am, too) that your body is still not completely healed so if you do anything strenuous it can aggravate some of the internal workings because they did a lot of moving around in there. But, I do agree that it comes and goes with constipation, too.

Sorry I haven't been posting. I think I'm in "Band denial". LOL! I go for my third fill in the morning and I am looking so forward to it. I still eat pretty much anything without any issues. I was having a slight pain in my lower abdomen on the left-hand side. It only happens whenever I do a lot of movement or lifting. Anyone else ever have that? Its like a dull ache. I did read somewhere, where the tubing can "rub your muscles sometimes. I'm going to ask my doctor tomorrow but still have no idea. For the past two weeks my weight has hovered at the same - plus or minus a pound or two. But, it is 10 lbs less than my last weigh-in with the doc. It's like I lose quickly right after the fill and then plateau until the next fill. I have 6.5 ccs in there right now. I don't want to end up too tight. Congrats to everyone on their successes so far! I need to get a swift kick in my butt and get back in gear!

I'm curious as to how everyone else is setting their goal weights. I've seen very successful bandsters be just outside of the normal BMI and originally I was trying to get inside the BMI but at 5' 8" (sometimes 5' 9" depending on who's measuring) and an x-large frame (I know it's x-large because the doctors measured that, too) I don't know if 155, which was my original goal, is that realistic. Even my nutritionist told me to be a bit more conservative. LOL! So, I reset it to 170 thinking that if I hit that, maybe I can re-evaluate to see where I am. I have a long way, still, but the road doesn't look AS long as it did. I'm curious to hear - what are your goals for your height? I'd love to know! I just think it helps me to hear from other bandsters and know that ultimately it's probably the NSVs that really matter. Ginger