You Don't Need Surgery...

[justathing2me 146]

I started my lap band journey almost 6 months ago and during my 6 months insurance required supervised diet I have lost almost 20lbs. Those I have told about my surgery keep asking me the same question "Are you still going to get the surgery?" "You don't need surgery." It's driving me crazy! Maybe I should have just kept my mouth shut but I am a pretty open person and it's hard to keep this a secret because I am so excited!

Maybe some people just don't understand. I have been overweight my whole life and Yes, I have lost weight and gained it back but I want to keep it off and therefore, yes, I am going to have surgery!

Whoo hoo! I just had to say it again!

How much weight did you lose pre op? Did people think you were crazy to still want surgery?

Just curious, yes I am going to have surgery!

[difa 114]

only my wife knows...but there was one time where my mother did say (perhaps jokingly) "perhaps you should get the lapband too)....still though..its a private matter to me..so only my wife and surgeon's office needs to know for now.

[jen_1381 446]

In my moment of doubt, the day before surgery, I almost cancelled because I had lost over 18 lbs on the pre-op diet. I thought - - I can just keep dieting and do it myself, again! Then reality slapped me in the face and I realized that there is no way I could do it on my own. I had too many bad habits, most of all the fact that I never felt full.

Even now, I'm down over 30 lbs and 4 weeks post-op, I get asked all the time why I had it done, I was barely overweight. I just reply that it was a personal choice and I wasn't comfortable in my skin. If they persist I change the subject

[mylynn1377 93]

I'm waiting to get my surgery and trying really hard to revamp my lifestyle in the meantime. The other day my fiance asked me if I still want to get the lap band because I have lost about 12 lbs. I looked straight at him and said yes. I want the extra help. Sure I'm doing pretty good most days but its the days we go out to eat and I have 6 oz of beef, a large baked potatoe, cole slaw, and that piece of garlic bread that's calling my name, are the days I need the band..to catch me when I fall. To back me up when I stray, to stand gaurd on days when I'm weak and want to eat 5 tacos or enchiladas instead of 1 or 2. That's why I need the band. I can do this but not long term or I wouldn't be this heavy.

[pcosmommyof4 13]

My answer is to that is, I have lost 70 pounds three times on my own. However it only took me a month to put it all back on, plus an additional 20%. Everyone knows that i have had the surgery. I have a public blog about journey that connects to my Facebook. I am PROUD to be willingly to be banded, not ashamed. I am more ashamed when people think that I am not trying and they don't understand my diesease (PCOS).

[bandedtobegood 6]

I just got my first adjustment today...5th week post op....the first two weeks after surgery, were great...did't really want food.

However, As hard as I've been trying to stay on my diet, my band still had no Fluid yet and I fell off the wagon a few times.

I NEED this band...its the ONLY way to keep me from overeating. So I feel you. I hope the adjustment today helps me to eat less, and if its not the right amount, I'll get some more until it is...SOOOOO excited to get in the green zone...

Good Luck!!!

PS..for those of us who haven't told everyone, I don't think its about being ashamed. Its about not wanting to be judged. I'm glad for those who aren't affected by the critical people in your'e life. And I am empathetic with those who are.

[iammisslinda 10]

Before my surgery I told very few people because I didn't want to hear people trying to talk me out of it or saying anything else negative. I lost 40 pounds pre op and am still happy to have gotten the band - though I am nly 2 weeks post op. And for those who say we have taken the easy way out, they couldn't be more wrong. Tell all those people to mind their own damn business and butt out

[2muchfun 8,927]

I didn't have a pre-op diet plan.

I've been quite open. The UPS guy came to the door a couple of weeks after surgery. I raised my shirt and said, Hey, look what I did.

Then my little inside voice said, you're a moron Dan. So, I've kindof backed off the overtly openess I had the first 30 days.

tmf

[rayanne 283]

dan your awesome...that made me laugh and I have done the same with family and friends they are curious about the port to so I have laided down and let them feel the port its funny...My hubby calls me his Matrix girl..

[alexa_nj01 18]

I decided to go back to the gym and watch out what I eat last year. I had a baby January 2011 which I gained 60 lbs with the pregnancy. When I had the baby I ended up on 242, then lost to 238 then I got very stressed with personal problems and gained to 250 that has been mu highest weight. This was when I realized that I needed to do something about it and decided to workout. Now 10 months later I have lost 21 pounds and still counting. I am currently at 229 and still have 2 weeks left till surgery which I want to lose about 5 or 6 more pounds. But yes yes I really want to get banded and be at 160 lbs which I really don't remember last time I was weighting that. Sooooooo excited...

[lassie 247]

I didn't have a pre-op diet plan.

I've been quite open. The UPS guy came to the door a couple of weeks after surgery. I raised my shirt and said, Hey, look what I did.

Then my little inside voice said, you're a moron Dan. So, I've kindof backed off the overtly openess I had the first 30 days.

tmf

I have also not told anybody, and I like it that wayt, but you sound like a very neat person wish I had your openness

[Jim1967 3,569]

Almost everybody knows and I wish I handled it a bit differently. Now I am constantly fielding questions such as "how much are you down", "How much do you want to lose?". I actually had someone ask me what I am going to do about the excess skin when I reach goal...rude!! And I don't easily get offended. Wish I handled differently. I told my parents about it and then a few weeks after surgery I am getting get well card and proud of you cards in the mail from Aunts and Cousins...

I got nothing to hide but I wish I thought it through....

[Cazzy 725]

To be honest losing weight is the easiest part, keeping the weight off and maintaining the weight loss is the harder part ... this is a medical proceedure for a medical problem why would u not have it done just because u lose a little bit of weight , i lost nearly 40lbs pre-op i still needed help .. weight loss gets harder as u lose weight not easier

[Jim1967 3,569]

To be honest losing weight is the easiest part, keeping the weight off and maintaining the weight loss is the harder part ... this is a medical proceedure for a medical problem why would u not have it done just because u lose a little bit of weight , i lost nearly 40lbs pre-op i still needed help .. weight loss gets harder as u lose weight not easier

So true....I dropped 170 over the course of 19 months. Yea, I gained all of it back over the years plus another 89. Not fun and at times downright depressing...

My concern isn't losing weight with the band..it's keeping off which is going to take a lot of commitment.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I have also not told anybody, and I like it that wayt, but you sound like a very neat person wish I had your openness

My openness has got me in trouble at times. One of the downsides to being open with this lapband is the constant barrage of people curious about how well you are doing. Even my 23 year old daughter asked me how much I had lost over Father's day dinner and then commented, "that's all".

I've learned to shut my mouth now and let the smaller clothes do the talking.

tmf