New to LBT but banded 14 months ago

[LightningRod 1]

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would join this website for support because I need virtual support due to my busy travel schedule for work. I was banded 14 months ago and my surgery went very well. I had surgery on a Monday and was back to work on Wednesday. Not sure I would recommend that to everyone but I did not want anyone to know I had a lapband at work so I minimized my time away. Thankfully, I sit at a desk and it was easy on the body to return to work.

The only issue I had after surgery was my band was actually too tight. I did not know this until I went in for my post op checkup. I had mentioned it was taking at least an hour to drink a Protein drink and I was still having some gas pain. Turns out my band was too tight and they deflated it a bit and all was well again.

I did experience some nausea after surgery but had a gel to rub on my wrist and used that for just a couple days after surgery. I did not take any of the pain medication. I am a bit crazy about refusing to take drugs of any kind so I just toughed out the pain.

My journey so far is going ok. I want to say that my objective to getting a lapband was to regain my active lifestyle that I sorely missed. I missed keeping up and doing active things with my husband and teenage son. Yes, I wanted to lose weight but knew by regaining the lifestyle I wanted, the weight loss would come with it. Even after 14 months, I have lost 65lbs. Many others have lost much, much more. Some of this is my fault and not sticking to plan and some of it is due to my crazy work and school schedule. Since February, I have been traveling every week about 3 out of 4 weeks of each month. As time goes along, I am learning how to adapt to living with my band while on the road.

I have been on this plateau and have not lost any weight in 5 months. But, I have lost a size in pants and shirts. So, I know my body is still changing and the scale will eventually catch up. I used to be a slave to the scale but not anymore. I let my clothes determine how I feel about my weight loss.

I started exercising more about 3 months ago and that is really helping. I feel even better. Sure can't wait to be able to run again.

This is all still a new journey for me. I am always learning something new or learning more about how my band feels or reacts. I am still figuring out what I can and can't eat. I am better at looking at a certain food and determining if my band will tolerate it. I know my band does not tolerate beef, a hamburger or rubbery meat. My band is not a fan of peas either. My band is also sensitive to changes in seasonal allergies and mucus. I learned in support group that liquid aloe vera might help and when I tried it, I found it works great for me and means I can avoid taking medicine - which I hate and avoid as much as I can.

I look forward to learning and sharing.

Have a BLESSED day,

LightningRod

[lellow 1,713]

This is a great place to get support, and to help you learn to live with your band. It is also a great place to meet others like you. I have a busy schedule too and have found ways to work around that so that I keep working with the band. When I was losing, I was working a 10 - 12 hour day, with 4 kids at home, studying part-time at night and travelling once every couple of months. You just have to be creative about adapting your lifestyle.

Being able to tap into other people's experiences have also been invaluable in that respect.

Obviously the more you post, the more you get out of this place, so get out there and start connecting with people! And good luck.