Did I do the right thing?

[hopeandhealing 0]

I really felt completely at peace leading up to the surgery. I KNEW in my heart it was right for me at this point in time and life. Today I wonder...................DID I DO THE RIGHT THING??

I am less than 3 weeks out but have really been struggling the past few days with *did I do the right thing by having WLS?*

I have only lost a total of 4 lbs so far. I am scared that I will be one of those people who will fail at this too. I wanted to eliminate future health issues. As although I am fairly healthy at this point, I am almost 60 and am at least 60+ pounds overweight. My knees hurt, my back hurts, I have high cholesterol. The handwriting is on the wall. But now I wonder if I am just going to make things worse not better, as I read about ALL the problems people have with their band, and then after going through all of this, it not working in the end. I guess I am scared.

I started this process about a year ago and did TONS of research, so really feel like I went into this with eyes wide open. Now I am not so sure:frown:

Has anyone else gone through this? If you had it to do over again, with the same results, would you? Dyanna:crying:

[RestlessMonkey 7]

The first weeks post op are for healing, not weight loss. Think logically; your body is struggling to repair, to replace, to "fix". That is NOT when you want to lose.

Further, many people DONT lose until they get adequate restriction. At my surgeon's office that's usually 6 months or more out.

I think you may have researched getting the band....now you need to research living with it. If you read on here you'll see over and over people post "OMG I've been banded 2 weeks and am up a pound since surgery" or whatever....I think that's human, because most of us think of "getting it" and then living happily ever after; but we kind of gloss over what we'll have to go through (like what you are now) to get to that "happily" part.

You're doing fine, you just have a knowledge gap! I didn't start really losing until after my 8th fill 5/7/2009 and I got my band 8/29/2008. That's way longer than it takes most people, but it happened for me on my own schedule. It takes as long as it takes; but keep the faith and let yourself heal; it will happen.

[josiegirl 0]

OMG. I thought I was the only one. I had lost 47 lbs. and then I gained 20. I was so depressed that I didn't go for another fill. I had had 3 previous ones. Finally, I went 5 days ago and have since lost 6.5 pounds. I am finally at the right place with this whole thing. Like Nike says, "Just do it", and be very aware of your body. I couldn't understand why I was still eating regular portions and was always hungry. If that happens to you, see your doctor!

[lkarelee 0]

So glad to see other people doubting their decision - I am 7 days away from surgery in Mexico (I'm a self-pay), I'm 61 and swing back and forth between anticipation and fear.

I don't want to fail another weight loss attempt.

I don't want to throw my money away

[09Freedom 0]

Just take a deep breath and slow down and enjoy this journey. You have done your homkework, and went into this with knowledge and for the right reasons. Health issues. I am 60, was banded 7/21/09... Best decision I have ever made in my life. I've decided to follow the rules (first time in my life) and let this band do its work. BUT...you've got to work too. This isn't a miracle cure. It's a tool that we have never had before. Portion Control. We must make the right decisions as far as what we put in our mouths. I am not a seafood fan. I'm in the soft food stage, so I am eating salmon and baked fish. I'm learning to like it. I put salsa on it and to my amazement, I'm beginning to like it I even went out to a restaurant and ordered fish!!! Being overweight, and as the years go by, I've developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholosterol, not to mention years of yo-yo dieting. I decided I missed out on soooo much, that hey, I'm going out with flare and black boots (which I never have worn before but always wanted to) If you follow the rules, this band will work. You can do it. You've heard the saying, "If I can do it, anyone can" Believe me, that applies here. My biggest challenge will be exercising. I dragged myself out the door last week to the gym, and I will this week. Everyone's body is going to react differently. Don't look at those who have lost fast or whatever.....Like they've all said, this is a healing time for our bodies, the pounds will come off. Every morning your get up, remind yourself how excited you were to start this journey. It's not easy, but we will do this. Some may get there quicker but we will get to our goals. You take care and take it a day at a time.

[Catherine55 43]

Hang in there! This is the best decision I've ever made for my overall health and appearance. The band works. It's not a magic wand, but it's pretty freaking amazing what results you will have by this time next year if you just work with it and follow the rules as best you can.

To fail with the band, you'd actually have to try to fail (e.g. drink milkshakes, fail to get fills when you need them, ignore your doctor's instructions). So, if you are committed to putting effort into this process, you will succeed.

The healing phase is such a bummer because you don't really see results for a while. Just make it through these few weeks and I am sure you will be amazed.

Also -- if you haven't taken your measurements yet, be sure to do so. It's so great to be able to see how many inches are coming off (especially when you are exercising and building muscle -- during that time, inches are a better way to see progress than the # on the scale).

Best wishes for your success,

Catherine

[ThinknHealthy 0]

I remember the nurse, before surgery, explained that it is natural to have a little "buyer's remorse" after surgery. So just know that you are not alone. This journey is your journey, it is different for everyone so don't start with a lot of expectations on how you think it will go for you. As soon as you do that, God will reveal he has other plans for you. So, just know that you've done something very positive for yourself and you have equipped yourself with an effective tool. It is not time for you to use that tool yet so just be patient and rest easy that it is there ready for you when you are ready to pick it up and use it. When will that be? Some time after your first fill, or maybe your second. Like I said, it is your journey.

[Headhunter 6]

Dyanna;

I'm known around here as someone who had a bad experience with the Band. But those experiences don't happen a lot, and a LOT of miracles HAVE happened as result of people taking the step to have the band installed.

You said that you have spent the last year doing research, and you ended up feeling that the Band was the way to go. If that's the case, you simply need to put all of the fears and anxieties aside, and simply move forward in this process.

If you've spent much time on this board, you will see that many, many people have some discomfort and problems right after their surgery, but they almost always pass through it and move on to achieve success. And there is NO reason to think that it won't happen for you.

You may also note that it takes a while for some people to actually start losing weight post-surgery. That would be considered VERY normal. There have been several posts here lately about that. So, you're in good company.

So simply kick back, relax, enjoy your pain meds, and know that in a few months you will very likely have an entirley new body. AND a new life. That's just the way that it works!

:thumbup:

HH

[Tranquility 0]

My answer to your question is, No, I would not have done this.

We are very similar in that we are both ...over 50 and about the same time out (3 weeks).

I've had many problems with eating, drinking and even breathing, so we might be different in that area...how are you doing with these things?

I have lost weight, but it was almost all preop, which was under my own willpower.

Tomorrow, I am going BACK to see the doctor, at my insistance, to have whatever test it takes to prove that the band is in place and all is normal.

SO, if I had only known then, I would have used this hell as my motivation and lost the weight...

But, then again...that is not possible.

So, without the knowledge that I have today...the answer is NO, I could not have lost weight on my own.

This is the only idea that gives me comfort now...and sometimes the trade off is not worth it.

You definitaly will lose weight and that will help your knees and also help you to be more active and strong, which is always a good thing.

Let me know how you are at each stage of your recovery.

good luck

[schristiansen73 0]

:smile2: :wub: I am so glad that I found this site!

I had my surgery on 4/30/09 and first fill on 6/16/09, I go tomorrow 8/11/09 for my 2nd fill I hope it helps. I am struggling, not losing so much now, pretty much just maintaining. I was scheduled for my 2nd fill 6/28/09 but had to cancel because of my work schedule. Now I am having a hard time going to the Doctor because I am not doing well. I guess I feel like I am not ready for a fill because I am not loosing as much as I "should". (I know that doesn’t make since, because if I was losing, I would not need the fill) I am guessing that is the pre-programmed mentality. For the record that is frustrating. I do feel hungry a lot, I don’t over eat, I keep thinking I am eating so much less than I was before but not losing. I seem to be tired all the time. I have just started to drink my Protein Shake, because my hair started falling out and to help with the energy. Yes, it took my hair to start falling out to start drinking them because they are horrible. FYI, in case you care…Special K Protein shake are my preferred to dated.

My support group meets once a month, while I am working. I am starting to feel pretty alone. I am looking for someone to correspond with to keep me from going crazy. I am sure that my family would appreciate the help there too. I am sure it helps to talk to people that really know what I am going through and feeling.

[123crod 170]

Sometimes I wake up in the morning and and say “Did I really do this or did I dream it” I have to look at scars to believe I really did it. But glad I did

[123crod 170]

The first weeks post op are for healing, not weight loss. Think logically; your body is struggling to repair, to replace, to "fix". That is NOT when you want to lose.

Further, many people DONT lose until they get adequate restriction. At my surgeon's office that's usually 6 months or more out.

I think you may have researched getting the band....now you need to research living with it. If you read on here you'll see over and over people post "OMG I've been banded 2 weeks and am up a pound since surgery" or whatever....I think that's human, because most of us think of "getting it" and then living happily ever after; but we kind of gloss over what we'll have to go through (like what you are now) to get to that "happily" part.

You're doing fine, you just have a knowledge gap! I didn't start really losing until after my 8th fill 5/7/2009 and I got my band 8/29/2008. That's way longer than it takes most people, but it happened for me on my own schedule. It takes as long as it takes; but keep the faith and let yourself heal; it will happen.

Restless Monkey I have read alot of you post and I enjoy them. They are informative, THANKS