Desert Blossom

PattyGirl, I think that girl would get unfriended or at least hidden from my newsfeed if she were my fb friend! Lol, there's always someone annoying on fb. I didn't tell too many people before I got the band. I made my decision and didn't want naysayers. My husband, mom, and one sister knew about it at first. Post-surgery, I told some other friends. I have regretted telling anyone but my husband though because I feel like I'm always being monitored and they make comments about people who have weight loss surgery failing, etc. I just have to try to educate them that the band is a tool and it won't work unless I use it correctly. I haven't lost weight like I should have due to my own choices.

How are you all doing? Have you made your goal weights yet? I was just thinking about how my two year bandiversary is coming up and I haven't even come close to the progress I had hoped for on surgery day. It's totally my fault. I know what to do to lose the weight but have chosen not to all the time. I was all gung ho during 2011 and then lost motivation often during 2012. I have never regretted getting the lap band. I felt so out of control before. I was gaining weight every year and hadn't changed my eating or activity levels. I was scared. Post lap band, I have such a sense of control and security knowing that I won't balloon up despite good eating and exercise efforts. I'm embarrassed for people to know that I had it done and to seem like a failure. They think the lap band is ineffective and that it was a waste. No, it's all me. It's not the lap band. The most I'd lost was 70 pounds. I was so excited about fitting into clothes at regular stores. I was doing it! I then got discouraged about my appearance under clothes. Also, my fertility didn't seem to improve so fell into depression losing motivation. I ended up regaining weight over time. So now my total weight loss since beginning this journey is 42 pounds as of today. I want to get back on track and start losing again. I just have to discipline myself and make good food and exercise choices.

The band is a tool and it's not going to work unless we use it correctly. We can do it! We just have to keep ourselves motivated. I am already seeing that number on the scale go down little by little. I just have to keep at it. I love myfitnesspal! I do make better choices when I log my food and exercise on it. I also like the little posts announcing my weight loss every so often.

Hmm, sometimes the evening is the only time I can eat. Earlier in the day, I have difficulty sometimes. I do love the tips though.

Loved the article! My head always wants more than I should have. It's a daily struggle.

Are you flying? I flew about 5 or 6 weeks after my surgery and had no problems. I didn't try to eat on the plane, though because I was worried. I would've been fine to do a road trip after 2 weeks. It's different for everyone, though. Good luck!

>>>I just wonder how I would know if i have already caused damage to the pouch or not. Oh also, it's not as easy as it sounds to stretch your pouch. I was worried about damaging the placement of the band especially after I'd eaten too much or too quickly and was in pain. They said it would be very dramatic pain and I'd have to go right in if it slipped. At my first fill, they had me do a barium swallow to check that everything was okay. I'd had a few regrettable episodes of eating and was just fine.

Hello there. I felt exactly the same way at that point of time. I was so hungry and the first fill helped a bit...for a while. It wasn't too much of a difference and I looked forward to my second fill. I finally felt quite a difference with the second fill. They told me that right after surgery, your stomach swells. As the swelling goes down, you feel hungrier. Then you need Fluid. We were also told that as you lose weight, you lose fat around your stomach too so you will need to be adjusted at different points. I don't know. I've heard so many differing factoids about lap band life. With each fill, you should feel less hungry. The nurse told me it's kind of a guessing game and they are conservative with each fill to try to avoid putting me in the red zone. I drank a lot of Water trying to fill myself up. I also had healthy Snacks (yeah I know we shouldn't have snacks) sometimes to tide me over to my next meal. This tends to be my routine when it's close to fill time. Hang in there! It's not an easy time but you'll get through it.

YES!!! I have already started a box to donate! It's been very exciting having to retire clothing that are actually TOO BIG I can't wear them any more! I have a renewed interest in fashion and accessories. I agree that we need to let go and look forward to smaller sizes and not anticipate getting bigger again.

My husband was 619 when he went to his first consultation with the lap band surgeon. They referred him to a special diet doctor to help him get down to a more acceptable surgery weight. Since Nov. 29, 2010, he's been able to get down to 516 lbs. They want him to get down to 490 in order to get the surgery. He's very determined and they feel he has a good chance of being successful with the band. Good luck to you! I think if you're very motivated and will do everything as directed, it will work out!

Hi there. I totally know how you feel! I just got the lap band surgery this morning and am doing better already. I was so apprehensive but the staff was so great. I checked in at 5:45 and left by 11 am. It seemed so fast from the time they were getting me ready to go into surgery and then when I awoke from it. I got up and got dressed very carefully. The car ride home was NOT fun. I wish I'd read about taking a pillow. I was the worst back seat driver! Once home, I used my spirometry bottle and went to sleep. I've taken the pain and anti-nausea meds as directed and have been feeling okay. I do have to take it really slow when getting up and sitting down, etc. The laparoscopic wounds are not hurting me too much. The one that seems to be hurting the most is where they put the port but it's manageable. My 2009 surgery to remove an ovary and fallopian tube caused a lot more pain and recovery time so this one doesn't seem so bad in comparison. I was so nervous but tried to focus on being positive and remembering why I was doing it. I knew I was in for some discomfort and just took it one step at a time. I hope the best for you too! Good luck!

I'm right there with you! I'm scheduled to check in at 5:45 am on the same date. I'm one of the first cases of the day. I am really nervous and excited. I can't wait to get it over with and be on my way to being a healthier person! I'm trying to be realistic but as positive as possible. Best of luck to you!

The top factor driving me to get the lap band in March is the hope that I will be able to conceive in the future. We've been ttc for over four years now. When surgery to remove my ovarian cysts didn't help us conceive, I knew I had to lose the weight. It's my last resort before attempting IVF. I'm planning on getting the lap band this upcoming March and hope it all goes well. Thanks for sharing your story that gives me renewed hope.