18 months Post-Op - A SUCCESS!

[grandy 0]

This post is for all the pre-ops and newbies looking into gastric banding surgery. I lost 111 lbs in 14 months and have been in maintenance for 4 months now. I was a size 22/24...now a size 6 petite. I have lost all of my excess body weight...Wow...a strange concept...I am still trying to wrap my head around that.

I hope that I can provide some insight into what life has been like for the past year and a half. Please keep in mind that each bandster's journey is unique. I don't think that there are any words of wisdom below...but rather what I did along my journey to make the band work for me. Keep in mind, everybody's journey is different.

Looking back on my mindset back on my day of surgery, Tuesday October 20, 2009, I remember how I was so determined to make this final weight loss attempt a complete success. I had tried everything...Weight Watchers many, many times...Atkins...South Beach...you name it, I had tried it.

Why do I think that I have been successful with my band? Sure, I try to keep on track with the lap band rules, however I'm not anywhere close to perfect, so there are days when I don't follow some of the lap band rules.

Here are some other reasons why I think that I've been successful with my band:

• I tell everyone and anyone that has asked "how are you losing weight?" about the band. For me, this is a way to keep myself accountable. It is also a chance to share info with others that may benefit from learning about different options of weight loss surgery that are out there. My response to that question usually goes like this "Well, I eat about 1200 calories a day of high-Protein foods, exercise about 4-5 times a week, and I had lapband surgery in October of 2009" My hope is that they realize that it's about more than just the band.

• I have a very "black and white" mentality about a lot of things in life...in my brain things are either "right" or "wrong".... and "on" or "off". Therefore, I really threw myself into this journey of being a compliant lapband patient. Don't worry, I am trying to find those "gray" areas in life and on this journey...it's still a learning experience each day.

• My slight obsession with personal finance and budgeting. Suze Orman is my BFF....catch my drift? I don't buy anything over about $500 without researching it thoroughly on Consumer Reports, Cnet.com, and making at least 1 spreadsheet. OCD? Structured? Absolutely. Since my insurance coverage through work is CRAP, I was/am a self pay patient. I was (and still am) focused on the THOUSANDS of dollars that I spent on the pre-op appts, surgery, and aftercare. Can you say E.X.P.E.N.S.I.V.E.? But totally worth each and every penny. From my calculations, that's about $161 per pound lost. I would probably be driving a new-to-me (used) Honda if I hadn't had the surgery. Therefore, I sometimes remind myself of the analogy that I wouldn't put sand in a new car's gas tank, then why would I shove junk food in my mouth.

• A FABULOUS surgeon's practice that is very aggressive with fills: The aftercare is SO IMPORTANT. Sure, I could have found a cheaper surgeon farther away, but I personally wanted to be close to my surgeon's practice in case of any problems and for fills. My surgeon's office is about 4 miles from my house and work. I can get fills/unfills pretty much as often as I want (within reason, of course). I have heard horror stories from my support group where patients had to wait 6 months post-op for their first fill at other practices. yikes! I had 4+ ccs in my band at surgery and even passed up my first fill at 4 weeks post-op because I didn't need it. I love my Lap Band. The Realize band is empty until the first fill in the office. I have learned from others in my support group who have the Realize band that there are sometimes hunger issues early on - before any fills.

I my opinion, the band is not a cure all or a quick fix for weight loss. Here's my take on it:

• The band does about a 30% of the weight loss "task." Keeps me full longer and keeps my portions small.

• 70% is MENTAL. Yep, in my opinion, it's mostly up to me and my mind. There's a lot more mental work involved than I originally thought at the beginning of this journey. I have to make correct food choices, whether to exercise or not, take my Vitamins...etc.

• Am I still tempted by foods that I shouldn't eat? ABSOLUTELY...every day...isn't everyone? Would I rather sit on the couch after work and watch TV instead of going to Zumba or for a power walk? YES. Therefore, one of my biggest fears is that my old behaviors will creep back in to my life and I'll gain all the weight back...

What have I GAINED from this experience?

• An incredible network of support and friendship that I never expected to find in all the online community.
• An understanding that for me, the band is for appetite suppression and not extreme restriction to the point of only being able to get liquids down. If I eat a sensible small protein-based meal (1/2 a cup to 1 cup), I will not get hungry for 4-5 hours after. That's what the band is for me.
• A huge amount of respect for those who can make exercise a daily part of their lives. No days off, just "gotta do it" attitude. I still struggle with exercise, but I know that it is the key for me to keep the weight off.
• The concept that there is no "done" on this journey. There are goals to achieve and check off my list, but I will never be "done"....there is only "now"

What have I LOST from this experience?

• 111 lbs!
• The need fo prescription blood pressure meds
• Knee pain after walking or up just one flight of stairs
• Waking up in the morning with back pain
• Swollen ankles and feet at the end of the day
• The need to sleep all of the time...I was so tired.
• My size 22/24 clothes
• My size 44DD bras (yikes!)

What do I wish that I had done differently on this journey?

• Taken my measurements (waist, hips, thighs, neck, wrist, etc) pre-op. When the scale was unkind to me at a weigh-in, it would have been nice to see the measurements shrinking.

• Better understood that each bandster's experiences are their own and we're all unique in our journey with this band. I wish I hadn't compared my self to other bandsters.

My recommendations for pre-op bandsters:

• Ask your surgeon to take pics of your band when they're inside you on the OR table. My band photos that I keep on my fridge is a daily reminder of this lifestyle that I chose. It might be a little gross/graphic, but it's a good reminder for me.

• Find a chewable multi-Vitamin you can tolerate the taste/size of...I still haven't found the one I like. I keep bouncing back and forth between Bariatric Advantage, Bariatric fusion, and the powders?utm_source=BariatricPal&utm_medium=Affiliate&utm_campaign=CommentLink" target="_ad" data-id="1" >unjury brands.

• Find a way to make yourself accountable. I do this with my Friday weigh-in posts on my blog. I weigh in and post it every friday...good or bad...I post it. Find your method of accountability. Maybe a good friend? I have even heard of people who tweet their weight loss/gain for the week. Whatever works for you. I have a friend that will occasionally ask for me to text her a photo of me from the Gym/Zumba Class/etc to keep me accountable to exercise.

You can do it too!! Check out my blog for more details! (link below)

[grandy 0]

Thanks so much for this blog. You have worked so hard and you deserve success. I was banded 1-1/2 years ago and only lost 60 lbs. initially from pre-op, post-op and liquid diet. I never felt restriction from the band and the doctor and his nurse have steadfastly refused to tell me what my fill volume is. You are right about the band being 30%...in my case, it has been less than 20%, and that's not what I expected. I expected what the commercials and billboards in Texas say..."Tried every diet and failed...then the lapband is for you." I am starting up once again, but I will probably try to do it on my own, like I always did before. My dietician told me 3 months ago (my last supposed fill after gaining back 20 lbs.) that according t my chart, my band hardly had anything in it...when I asked the nurse after the fill, she said I didn't really need to know how much was in there...I pray for the courage and perseverance to do half as good as you have. I work out 2 or 3 days each week, but am close to 60 years old and work 50 hours a week also at a high-stress job. I would love to hear how you are doing. Your success is a real boost!

[Meliwriter 9]

Thanks for the amazing post and congratulations on your success! I had my surgery in 2009 and have had a very long weight loss journey thus far. One of the most important things that I have learned is that this journey is different for everyone. I love your point about not comparing yourself to other bandsters! So much of this journey is a mental journey and I really struggled with that my first year and became a bit depressed about my lack of progress compared to other individuals who had surgery at the same time. For a while I stopped getting fills and just sort of gave up until I remembered why this surgery was so important to me. I came back at it with more passion and determination than ever. I changed doctors, (because that was also a big issue that was holding me back) and I've lost all of the weight I gained and another 8 lbs thus far since. I have a long way to go and know it is going to continue to be slow for me, but being a part of this online community and learning from and sharing with my fellow bandsters helps to keep me accountable and focused on what I have to do each and every day to keep moving forward. This is my new life and I have embraced it! Your post is great for newbies but also a nice reminder for those of us still pushing towards our goal. Your reflections are really spot on!

[Lap Band Gal 41]

Thanks everyone for your kind words and positivity

I am almost 6 months at my goal weight. It's a lot of work everyday, but totally worth it.

[Woodslass 22]

What a great post, thank you for sharing your story and insights! I made sure I took the time to have before pictures taken, and measurements too. I am really looking forward to seeing those shrink!

[mcteri 3]

This post is for all the pre-ops and newbies looking into gastric banding surgery. I lost 111 lbs in 14 months and have been in maintenance for 4 months now. I was a size 22/24...now a size 6 petite. I have lost all of my excess body weight...Wow...a strange concept...I am still trying to wrap my head around that.

I hope that I can provide some insight into what life has been like for the past year and a half. Please keep in mind that each bandster's journey is unique. I don't think that there are any words of wisdom below...but rather what I did along my journey to make the band work for me. Keep in mind, everybody's journey is different.

Looking back on my mindset back on my day of surgery, Tuesday October 20, 2009, I remember how I was so determined to make this final weight loss attempt a complete success. I had tried everything...Weight Watchers many, many times...Atkins...South Beach...you name it, I had tried it.

Why do I think that I have been successful with my band? Sure, I try to keep on track with the lap band rules, however I'm not anywhere close to perfect, so there are days when I don't follow some of the lap band rules.

Here are some other reasons why I think that I've been successful with my band:

• I tell everyone and anyone that has asked "how are you losing weight?" about the band. For me, this is a way to keep myself accountable. It is also a chance to share info with others that may benefit from learning about different options of weight loss surgery that are out there. My response to that question usually goes like this "Well, I eat about 1200 calories a day of high-protein foods, exercise about 4-5 times a week, and I had lapband surgery in October of 2009" My hope is that they realize that it's about more than just the band.

• I have a very "black and white" mentality about a lot of things in life...in my brain things are either "right" or "wrong".... and "on" or "off". Therefore, I really threw myself into this journey of being a compliant lapband patient. Don't worry, I am trying to find those "gray" areas in life and on this journey...it's still a learning experience each day.

• My slight obsession with personal finance and budgeting. Suze Orman is my BFF....catch my drift? I don't buy anything over about $500 without researching it thoroughly on Consumer Reports, Cnet.com, and making at least 1 spreadsheet. OCD? Structured? Absolutely. Since my insurance coverage through work is CRAP, I was/am a self pay patient. I was (and still am) focused on the THOUSANDS of dollars that I spent on the pre-op appts, surgery, and aftercare. Can you say E.X.P.E.N.S.I.V.E.? But totally worth each and every penny. From my calculations, that's about $161 per pound lost. I would probably be driving a new-to-me (used) Honda if I hadn't had the surgery. Therefore, I sometimes remind myself of the analogy that I wouldn't put sand in a new car's gas tank, then why would I shove junk food in my mouth.

• A FABULOUS surgeon's practice that is very aggressive with fills: The aftercare is SO IMPORTANT. Sure, I could have found a cheaper surgeon farther away, but I personally wanted to be close to my surgeon's practice in case of any problems and for fills. My surgeon's office is about 4 miles from my house and work. I can get fills/unfills pretty much as often as I want (within reason, of course). I have heard horror stories from my support group where patients had to wait 6 months post-op for their first fill at other practices. yikes! I had 4+ ccs in my band at surgery and even passed up my first fill at 4 weeks post-op because I didn't need it. I love my Lap Band. The Realize band is empty until the first fill in the office. I have learned from others in my support group who have the Realize band that there are sometimes hunger issues early on - before any fills.

I my opinion, the band is not a cure all or a quick fix for weight loss. Here's my take on it:

• The band does about a 30% of the weight loss "task." Keeps me full longer and keeps my portions small.

• 70% is MENTAL. Yep, in my opinion, it's mostly up to me and my mind. There's a lot more mental work involved than I originally thought at the beginning of this journey. I have to make correct food choices, whether to exercise or not, take my Vitamins...etc.

• Am I still tempted by foods that I shouldn't eat? ABSOLUTELY...every day...isn't everyone? Would I rather sit on the couch after work and watch TV instead of going to Zumba or for a power walk? YES. Therefore, one of my biggest fears is that my old behaviors will creep back in to my life and I'll gain all the weight back...

What have I GAINED from this experience?

• An incredible network of support and friendship that I never expected to find in all the online community.
• An understanding that for me, the band is for appetite suppression and not extreme restriction to the point of only being able to get liquids down. If I eat a sensible small protein-based meal (1/2 a cup to 1 cup), I will not get hungry for 4-5 hours after. That's what the band is for me.
• A huge amount of respect for those who can make exercise a daily part of their lives. No days off, just "gotta do it" attitude. I still struggle with exercise, but I know that it is the key for me to keep the weight off.
• The concept that there is no "done" on this journey. There are goals to achieve and check off my list, but I will never be "done"....there is only "now"

What have I LOST from this experience?

• 111 lbs!
• The need fo prescription blood pressure meds
• Knee pain after walking or up just one flight of stairs
• Waking up in the morning with back pain
• Swollen ankles and feet at the end of the day
• The need to sleep all of the time...I was so tired.
• My size 22/24 clothes
• My size 44DD bras (yikes!)

What do I wish that I had done differently on this journey?

• Taken my measurements (waist, hips, thighs, neck, wrist, etc) pre-op. When the scale was unkind to me at a weigh-in, it would have been nice to see the measurements shrinking.

• Better understood that each bandster's experiences are their own and we're all unique in our journey with this band. I wish I hadn't compared my self to other bandsters.

My recommendations for pre-op bandsters:

• Ask your surgeon to take pics of your band when they're inside you on the OR table. My band photos that I keep on my fridge is a daily reminder of this lifestyle that I chose. It might be a little gross/graphic, but it's a good reminder for me.

• Find a chewable Multi-Vitamin you can tolerate the taste/size of...I still haven't found the one I like. I keep bouncing back and forth between Bariatric Advantage, Bariatric fusion, and the unjury brands.

• Find a way to make yourself accountable. I do this with my Friday weigh-in posts on my blog. I weigh in and post it every friday...good or bad...I post it. Find your method of accountability. Maybe a good friend? I have even heard of people who tweet their weight loss/gain for the week. Whatever works for you. I have a friend that will occasionally ask for me to text her a photo of me from the Gym/Zumba Class/etc to keep me accountable to exercise.

You can do it too!! Check out my blog for more details! (link below)

[mcteri 3]

Thanks for this great post. I was banded on Tuesday. I am starting to go through the" oh my gosh, what have I done? Can I really do this?" reality freak out.. Your post was exactly what I needed this morning. I had been reading a lot of post about stuff that goes wrong and I was starting to get a little scared that this was just another very expensive scam that I had been sucked in to. Thanks for the hope and inspiration. I hope 18 months from now I can inspire people as you have today.

Thanks for sharing your journey!

[Lap Band Gal 41]

Just checking in to see how everyone's doing...I haven't been on this site in a very long time. Ooops!

Anyways, I'm STILL at my goal weight now. It's a lot of work but TOTALLY worth it.

[shues138 35]

I read your blog religiously it is such an inspiration! Thank you so much! I didn't know you were on these forums too, good to know

[Lap Band Gal 41]

HI Shues! Thank you for the kind words Is there anything that you would like for me to blog about? I'm running out of ideas. I wish maintenance was more interesting. Thanks again!

[shues138 35]

I put so much thought into ideas to give you because I always have questions for other lap banders....one of them was how to deal with co-workers who want to put food in your mouth practically? I work with three other women, one is a very thin woman who works out at least 5 days a week and eats very healthy. The other two are old school Italian woman who are like "eat!!!" the other day at a meeting they said to me "are you going to be the food police too?" I really wanted to say "no, I just want to live a long life and be healthy" I don't know it's hard to deal with people like that.

I had another idea too and forgot it....obviously from rambling from the prior idea!