peacequeen

I too had never seen a therapist...but went reluctantly! I actually went twice..and enjoyed both sessions! I had already been on the program 2 months before going...so I had come to terms with my food "demons". All went well...and I am clear for surgery on Nov. 2nd.
I highly recommend everyone get control of your food habits..the sleeve, band or RNY will NOT help you do this! It is YOU and only YOU that will make those necessary changes...the sleeve (WLS) is a tool..not a solution.
Wean yourself off of your "sugar/food" a little at a time. If you want chocolate, eat a Hershey Kiss instead of a large piece of chocolate cake or pie! If you crave caramel...have a Werthers Butter Cream candy...see how this works? There is a modest subsitute for every craving. Try eating 1-3 (no more than 3) bites to satify your craving.
I hope these tips help you...I know that is how I lost my 50+ pounds before surgery!
God bless!

I found this on another website and felt it not only interesting but it really eased my mind. It amazes me what this little girl was able to endure and survive. I know it's crazy to compare but if I get to keep all my organs but lose a portion of my stomach for weightloss, I'm not near as concerned as I was before.
How Vital Are Your Organs?
Could you live without a small and large intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas?
By Howard LeWine, M.D., Harvard Health Publications

Q: I just read about a girl who had six organs in her belly surgically removed during a cancer operation. Could she have survived if doctors were unable to put her organs back in, or to transplant another person's organs into her body?

A: According to news reports, the young girl's small and large intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, and pancreas were removed as part of a 23-hour cancer surgery. The surgeons replaced her liver and small and large intestines. Her spleen, pancreas, and stomach could not be saved. What if none of the six organs could have been replaced—and transplanting another person's organs wasn't a possibility?

Of the six, the only organ that is an absolute for survival is the liver. She couldn't have survived if her entire liver was removed, unless she received a liver transplant. But healthy liver tissue has impressive regenerative abilities, so if a little of her liver was healthy and could have been left in, she could have survived. Of the other organs, the absence of a spleen and a stomach pose the fewest problems.
The spleen acts as a filter to remove red and white blood cells that are old or damaged. It also helps us fight infections. But it is not an essential organ. Thousands of people walk around without a spleen, usually because they required emergency surgery when the spleen ruptured after a trauma.
As part of the immune system, the spleen acts to boost antibody production when a person gets a vaccine or acquires an infection. Antibodies are molecules that block bacteria and viruses from entering healthy cells. The immune system can work without a spleen, but not as efficiently. In non-emergent situations, doctors give patients who need their spleens removed a host of immunizations. With these immunizations, the body will likely be able to produce normal amounts of antibodies.
As the surgeons did in this case, a pouch to hold food can be created to substitute for a stomach. If the small intestine had not been put back in, she would not have been able to eat or drink. So there would be no reason to create the "false stomach."
Normal adults have about 20 feet of small intestine. To absorb sufficient calories and nutrients, at least 5 feet of small intestine would need to be saved. If less than that is able to be saved, a person would only be able to survive with intravenous feedings.
Moving down to the large intestine, the main function of this organ is to reabsorb Water that is mixed with food. It's not essential for survival. For example, the only option for some people with severe ulcerative colitis is surgery to remove the entire colon.
Many people today live without a functioning pancreas; however, it's a huge challenge. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and hormones, including insulin. This young girl will always need insulin injections to keep her blood sugars in control.
Also, since she won't be making the digestive enzymes that break down food products in the intestines, her diet will need to be adjusted. She will probably only be able to eat simple sugars and Proteins, and just the essential fats. She will also take pills containing digestive enzymes, which will surely help.
Howard LeWine, M.D. is a clinical instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and practicing internist with Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He serves as Chief Medical Editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications.

1. make it up the 3 steps of the camper easier
2. fit into the camper recliners more comfortable
3, more room in the camper shower
4.wear a nice sundress not a MOOOMOOO !
5 fit into an outside recliner
( Ya we love to go camping/rving)
6 ride my bicycle
7 walk around Cedar point with my family (no rides artificial knees would take a beating)
8 not sweat like race horse
9 buy clothes in a regular store. I think all of us have that on our wish list
10 fit into booths again
11 fit into small cars without the seat belt gaget point me in the arst
12 fit into the beautiful rockers on my front porch
13 spend a saturday afternoon in the hammock. AND get out of the hammock!
14 take a bath in my jacuzzi tub AND get our of it!
15 kneel on my artificial knees, ( don't know if this is possible but the less weight on them
should lessen the pain. even if I can kneel on one momentarily would alow me to get out of the jacuzzi
16 IF one of the young adult children should get married look good as the Mom being ushered up the aisle
and in all the wedding pics.
16 live to see my grandkids if there is any in my future
17 take care of business in the bathroom a little easier (those are the things we don't like to talk about but do exsist)
18 walk along the beach in the sand
19 dress up on halloween
20 get a massage without being embarrassed ( usually give a huge tip hopefully making up for my size)
Well that s 20 things on my wish list.
My daughter is also getting sleeved. She will be 21. I am making her a basket with all these wishes and using several others I am getting from the forum and listening to her wish list on individual cards that I am decorating up, so when she hits those I HAVE I DONE TO MYSELF moments she can go thru them and focus on the bigger (smaller) picture.

Sorry to say but people that love each other as much as you say you both do do NOT treat each other like that and be non-supportive. I'd re-evaluate your relationship. That is NOT love.

I am young so mine are a little different....
-i can't wait to shop at VS
-i've never been able to cross my legs like a girl, so that will be crazy
-i can't wait to go out to clubs with my friends and not have to pay cover like the other skinny girls!!!!! (i don't go out AT ALL because of this)
-i have decided that when i get under 200 lbs that i will finally get a tattoo (i've wanted one since i was about 17, i'm now 19)
-can't wait to have a variety of stores to choose from....not just 2-3
-can't wait to get compliments from guys....that has NEVER happened!!!!
-i want to go on a beachy/tropical vacation
-i just graduated in may....i can't wait to see people from high school and see their reaction....

I am 4 weeks from surgery and I am constantly thinking of things I want to do that I haven't been able to because of my weight. I'm sure this has been posted before, but for us newbies, lets keep track of the things we want to be able to do after we have lost our weight....
I want to...
Buy underwear & bras at Victorias Secret instead of Lane Bryant

Feeling cold is so much better than me being fat ans=d not being able to tolerate the heat of a California summer anymore. I used to always be outside. Now I huddle inside with the A/C on.

Hello,
I am having surgery this week and have also dealt with both good & bad reactions from some of my co-workers. My family is very supportive thank Goodness and most of my co-workers as well. But, there's one that told me not to do this, that I was having elective surgery and that I should just join her at the gym 3 x a week instead. She told me that I should just diet etc. I told her that I had done all of the research, this was Dr. supported and insurance approved and that I had prayed about it, etc. God has been there every step of the way and will continue to be. Also, I have lost and gained over the past 20 years and it has gotten me where I am today. Nowhere.
I made this decision (an informed one) after 6 months of researching every option prior to ever going to a seminar, etc. I am ready to move onto the next chapter of my life and leave these co-morbidities behind. The pre-diet is rough but each day it gets easier. I know in my heart that I am doing the right thing.
Go with your gut, trust your instincts. You are the one that has to take this journey. Everyone has weaknesses, mine is food. My friend (the one with the advice) smokes 1-2 packs a day but is rail thin. You can be thin and still not be healthy. I am doing this for my overall health. Sure, it will be nice to buy something off the rack in a regular deparment store but that is not the reason I am doing this surgery.
I want to live and be here to see my son graduate, get married and hold my grandkids in my lap. I just keep the end goal in mind when some days are rougher than others and keep God at the forefront of my mind and He has never failed me.
Best of luck to you and hope to see you on the loser's bench. I'll save you a seat.

I have some good news about breaking up with bread. For me, the fewer carbs I eat, the less I WANT carbs. Really! I'm not just saying it. It's hard the first few days, but after a week of reducing your carbs you really will feel better- less in a fog, less likely to just jam something in your mouth because your body is screaming for more and more carbs.
I also know now that if I have a day where I eat more carbs again, it immediately starts the cravings snowballing and I also feel gross by the end of the day. Eating more carbs makes me feel yucky and grumpy, and that feeling makes me want to eat carbs, and on and on. So it's nice to be able to say "oh wait, this is not THE WORST DAY EVER, my whole problem is I ate xyz this morning."

I keep reading posts where people are saying their doctors, friends, spouse, trainers, parents,,etc are saying that weightloss surgery is "cheating". I don't understand it. Cheating life? Is that what they mean? Do they think we should bust our asses to the point of no return,,even if we are sick and diseased and can't function like they can? So if a man uses viagra,,does the pharmacist or his wife tell him he's cheating? If anyone uses a battery powered tooth brush verses the manual ones,,is that cheating? I'm sorry, I have to vent..it just pisses me off..pardon my french! My sister has such mixed feelings about getting wls..even though she is diabetic, has blockages in her carotid arteries,,has barretts esophogus, sleep apnea, pitted edema,,,etc..etc....all because she thinks people will think she cheated or took the easy way out. Easy way out? Why in this world does it matter how a person loses weight?? I think I'm at higher risk of disease because I'm on a constant yo yo if I continue trying to lose weight the way I have my whole life. Some people just aren't mentally or physically capable of losing weight the traditional way..I'm one of them. My sister has health issues and so do I. I'm not wanting the weight off to impress anyone, surprise anyone,,look like a super model or anything else. I just want to live again, why can't people shut up and just say...do what you have to do to get the weight off? Life long skinny people need to keep their mouths shut because they will never know what this is like,,never. And fat people who want to talk smack about the surgery are just jealous because they didn't have the idea first. So then all they can do is cut it down or tell you it's cheating because they don't want you to be thin because then they will be the "fatter one". It's like the perfect excuse for people to talk you out of having the surgery,,never mind I'll end up dying young because I'm ill and getting the fat off will help me live.

Shirley, please quit giving these crack pots the satisfaction of trying to make you look stupid. I do not care about your grammar. I think many feel the same way. I think it's perfectly appropriate to post in caps when you are upset. You owe them no explanation.
I'll apologize now for any spelling or punctuation errors, your highness, doctor of the universe. Oh, should I have capitalized any of that?
Yeah, I'm a smart a.. but I have no respect for people who don't give respect.

you wouldnt believe the difference 100lbs can make, even 30lbs makes a big big difference.
I dont sweat anymore even when Im not moving around
I dont get back ache
I can stand for half an hour without leaning on something
I can stand and prepare a meal
I can reach all my cheeky bits in the shower.
I can buy clothes all be it in a fat shop, but now Im within their size range.
shoes are 2 size smaller
even jewellry I can buy an 18" chain instead of a 24" chain
I sleep right through the night instead of sleeping an hour wake for 2 hours etc
I can get a bath instead of showering all the time, cos I fit now.
I can get out of the bath and in the bath !!
I can wrap a towel around myself
I can dry all my important little parts !
I can kneel down to clean the hearth
I can get up again !!
I can fit comfortable in a plane seat and get the tray down (still need an extender though)
I needed an emergency operation and was told if Id been the weight I was they would have just had to let me die !!!
in otherwords ITS FANTASTIC

I think it is easy for all of us to get discouraged if we hit a plateau for a few days or a few weeks. We start thinking something isn't working. For me, in the past. I would start thinking bad thoughts about how I was going to fail again. The thing I forgot to do is to love the journey and to remind myself that our bodies have an amazing ability to heal. A plateau may look discouraging from the standpoint that we aren't seeing the scales move but if we take a second look, it may be our bodies way of protecting us. It may just be that our bodies slow the weight loss to allow the skin to have time to retract. When we loose a lot of weight fast, we know that we stand a chance of having sagging skin. I used to get so mad when I would plateau. Now, I just keep on keeping on and remind myself that my body, mind, or both is processing the changes that are going on inside of me, my skin is tightening up to conform to the weight loss and my mind is adapting to make sure the changes are what I want and that all is safe for me. Since I have had this change of mind and continue to send myself love and acceptance instead of getting mad for not seeing the scales move, I have noticed that my plateaus are fewer and they don't seem to last as long. Keep picturing your end result. Let your mind fully grasp where you are going to end up and then just be full of joy that you are not where you started out. If I start to have a discouraging moment now, I turn on my radio for the day and just dance around and allow myself to feel good, even if I don't understand everything that is going on with me. I am in smaller clothes. My face is smaller. Sometimes it truly is all about how you look at it. Good luck on your journey guys. We are all amazing. Take some time to love where you are today and where you are going.
God, thank you today that I am working to get another pound of weight off of my bones and that I am not fighting cancer or another terminal illness. Thank you that what I am losing is weight and not a limb. Thank you for walking with each one of us to give us hope and insperation as we go to places we have never been before in mind, body, and spirit...........and God, thank you for the new image you have given me of my body when I reach the top of this mountain, even if somedays all I can take is a baby step to get there.

Heavenlei, you seem to be a beautiful woman, and I know once you lose the weight you’ll be even more beautiful. Your friends and family care for you deeply, but when it all boils down, you are the one that has to live this life. I am in the beginning stages of the “lap band process”. I decided that I would only tell a few, trusted people about the surgery because people mean well but may not be wise.
No one is there with me when I don’t have enough energy to do my laundry, go to the park, or clean the house because of this fat body. Do you think they are coming over to lend me a hand? NO!
When I go to the Dr. and they tell me that I have an enlarged heart, High BP, and other crap going on because of this fat; is any of them helping me cook, going to the gym, or offering me encouragement? NO!!
When I look in the mirror and see these rolls of fat are they there with me? NO!
When I wake up 3-4 time a night because I have to pee (pre-diabetic) and I can’t breathe are they there? NO!
When I look into my daughters eyes and pray in my heart that I live long enough to see my grandchildren, no one feels that fear but me. So I have to do this for me.
Be encouraged Heavenlei, GOD has given you the wisdom to make the right decision.

That is soooooo true ! You can go back and fourth all day long about the spelling lesson. But it's not exactly what this site is about.
It's a LAP BAND SITE , Not a SPELLING BEE SITE ! So it can go back and fourth, it still doesn't matter all that much to me.
I mean yes, If my posts get under your skin, like loose vs lose? Then sure I'm sorry about that, but GET OVER IT! "yes I was speaking out."
But like I've said,, I believe that most of these people are just regular folks. I know I'm no Dr.... So if I screw it up,, It's my problem. You don't like or approve of what I have to say! Then don't read it.
Thanks, Shirley.

Yeah I don't think I had a cath either but I did have an issue going after the SG. My Doc requires that you go at least once in the recovery room (to make sure you can ambulate, etc) and my SG took like 1 hour, it took me 3 IV bags and 6 hours on a fast drip before i could ever pee lol. Apparently I am part camel

Courtney, I understand what you are going through. Sometimes the whole world will come against you when you are trying to do something to turn your life around. I know this all to well. I have only been banded a few days now but the struggle with my weight has been a long time. I am sorry to hear about your brother but I know how the loss can have an effect on your eating. about 7 years ago my mother committed suicide. My youngest sister then tried to commit suicide. I lost two grandfather's and a grandmother the same year and as the year was coming to an end, my first husband walks in one day and says that he can't take the drama of all the deaths in my life and he wanted a divorce. In addition to my agony, I lost a lot of friends during that time. I didn't know why at the time but now I understand that I had so much come against me that many of my friends just didn't know what to say to me. Some where just worried that they would say the wrong things so they just stayed away. That left me with my unstable emotions and my eating. The stress of it all ended up causing me to have some health problems and I ended up being diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I thought the medicine they gave me would be the magic answer but it wasn't.
Long story short, I have spent the last couple of years soul searching and the conclusion is that I have to focus on taking care of me. I took a year to really read and study my bible to find out what it says about me. All my life, I have taken care of other people and what little time was left over, I would do something for myself. Usually I would reward myself with some sort of food treat. That made me feel better until it didn't. It didn't work any more when I couldn't wear the clothes I wanted to wear. It didn't work any more when I couldn't get the job I wanted because I knew they were concerned about my weight. It didn't work any more when I got remarried to a wonderful and supportive husband but sex as an issue for me because I was ashamed of my body. Then I would have the other things that went with that. You know, how you fail to loose a pound even though you have been trying really hard to watch what you eat all week and so once you get on the scales, the day is shot and you are permenantly depressed for the rest of the day and wonder why you even bother.
I decided to have the lap band because it is time for me to face the elephant in the room (me). I have to make me a priority no matter what. I posted this on another post but I will repeat it. I have to let joy fill my heart and I have to start celebrating my life instead of being so filled with dread that I wait for the next devastating thing to happen. I take time now to Celebrate everything. I have walked around my house for the past few days just a giggling because I got my band. This was such a blessing for me. I don't care it it takes me 2 months to loose a half a pound. I set my goals short in front of me. My last goal was to weight 252. This morning I was 251.4 and so I celebrated by taking my Vitamins and doing a little "I did it" dance. I am choosing to allow myself to feel good no matter what goes on around me. I Celebrate going to bed on time. I celebrated tonight taking a pea size bite of the pizza sauce that was on my husband's pizza. I celebrated today because I got off my pain meds and I walked 30K steps on my pedomiter. I celebrated getting out of the house for the first time since my surgery and going to the grocery store.
There are still crazy things going on around me. I just found out last month that my son's father went missing. The police believe he was murdered but cannot find the body yet. I also got a call a few months ago from my oldest sister that her husband is divorcing her after 25 years of marriage and she was newly diagnosed with steriod induced type 1 diabetes. I also miss my mother dearly as I am sure you are grieving your brother. The thing I have to remember every day is that I have to celebrate my victories even as I encourage those around me. I was mad at my mom and other's for dying and leaving me but how can I fault them for going to a place that we are all living to get to one day ourselves. I still my mother's around me from time to time and I am saddened by the things going on in the lives of those I love. All I can do is encourage them to celebrate their victories along their path in life. It's the victories that make it all worth while but if we never celebrate it then we live in a really dark world. Sunshine, I encourage you to take as much time as you need to to grieve the loss of your brother. Then put a smile on your face and celebrate your band and the progress you have made. If you and your brother were close then I am sure that he would want you to get back on this horse and carry on girl. Life is so short. Make your next goal a pound under where you are today and when you reach it sometime later in the week. Put a big smile on your face and do that "yes" dance. Yes, I did it and yes I can keep going. If you have to live from moment to moment, Live from moment to moment. Best of luck to you.

Wow. Someone read my post and hit me with a negative mark, maybe they were just trolling, maybe they didn't like that I agreed with Cleo's mom. Maybe they were just being spiteful because they are one of the hateful posters. I don't know, but it's not cool.
I just keep thinking about the post that reminds me that a child could be on this forum and we would never know it.
Think good thoughts everyone - Karma happens!

I think there are reasons why some posts are annoying or rude, and others that say similar things aren't taken so badly. A lot has to do with the reader, and their frame of mind when they come across a post like that. I've found that some posters who annoy the heck out of me aren't so bad on other days. I figure it's all about how I'm reading things.
As for why posts like that exist, I think it's because of the anonymous nature of forums like this. People say things on forums like ths because nobody knows them. They adopt a certain attitude or online personality, and they live up (or down) to that persona. If the same person was in a room with you, chances are good they wouldn't say things like that to your face, or at least, not in the same way.
As has been mentioned, reading a forum does not give you the option of expressing body language. And a post that may be meant to be strong, heartfelt concern easily comes across as rude and insensitive. You have to step back and take it all with a huge grain of salt.
Another point is the intelligence and communication skills of the person leaving the rude post. They may not have the vocabulary to use "softer" words to express themselves, and the phrasing they choose says something much harsher than they intended.
Now, having said all that, I've also taken to staying away from this forum for more than a cursory review every few days. I rarely post anymore because I know there isn't much I have to say that would be a new thought. There is plenty of redundancy here, and I don't need to add to the confusion. If I can offer something helpful to the OP, I'd recommend reading the forum at "arm's length," and take away the advice you need, while not taking the other posts too seriously. In the end, your goal is probably to learn what you need to know to live with your band. The social arguments and negativity don't contribute to that, so don't take it away wth you.
The one thing I think everyone here wants is for everyone to do well with their band, and to be successful with their weight loss. Everything else is just drama, emotions, nerve, moods, and bad social interaction. Focus on the right stuff, and let the other stuff go. Life is too short to let it bring you down.
Good luck!
Dave

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. I just gave you all ++++++++ until they stopped me and told me I had reached my quota for the day. You know I need to get a life when I got so much joy outta doing that...Lol

I looked at mine and it's a 10. I will not stress over it or dwell on it. This journey is challenging enough without having to worry about whether someone likes what you write

I think what we're dealing with is because we are trying to not only improve our health but because we want to feel good about ourselves and look good too..people are going to compare WLS to cosmetic surgery. They think it's a selfish act on our part and that we don't need it and throw all these risks out to make us feel guilty. I really do believe that's the issue. Society looks at fat people as if we did it to ourself, that we are lazy. I think I would tell them, on top of the physical and mental health problems that being overweight has caused, the stress of not having family to give support is a big disappointment but..I'm going to do it anyway and they'd have to deal with it. This is a life or death decision and it's a shame they can't be there to help support you for wanting to live! I've only told a few people and I've told them my doctors have recommended it for me. I have a large list of health problems and I tell them I don't have a choice and so far, I've either gotten silence or support. Good luck sweetie, you have support here!

I have not had my surgery yet but for me I am going into it as this being something that will make it a bit easier to do the right things to get healthy. I still need to make the choices and this will not prevent me from making bad ones.....but it will make it a bit easier for me to make good ones. At the end of the day though....I still need to choose to do the right thing right. If I am not going to, why would I even bother to get this done is the way I look at it. You can do the right thing wrong and still it will not work....it only happens when you do the right thing right.

Veronica - Hugs for your stuggles - Sound like you have restriction.. If you really want this to work then you have to be prepared to do the work cuz girlfriend the real work is up to you..

Being full w/the band is a different sensation that pre band - well at least it is for me - I will be physically full (eat 4 oz of Protein - then sit and think about your pouch ) I bet you 10 to 1 you will be full - Are you following the rules and eating pt 1st..

How much do you eat - what are you eating - are you exercising??

Go back to the basics - do the 5 day pouch test (google it) then when you move back to regular food - make sure you keep a food diary – track your pt – calories and exercise - keep your calories between 900-1200 and vary them daily and get minimum 4 days of exercise..


Besty - I really feel that WLS is advertised to be the fix all to our fatness - that it's the answer - when it's only a tool - to help us lose the weight -
I feel that so many pple think that the surgery is going to do the majority of the work for them - so you aren't along in that presumption


IMHO I have done 75% of the work by changing my eating and exercise habits and the band did 25% with it's restriction

For me my band doesn't take away my hunger - ya it keeps me full on a smaller amount of food (as long as I follow the rules and always eat hard Protein 1st) - but that doesn't stop my brain from wanting more food- it doesn't stop me from craving sugar and fried foods and I can eat all the candy in the world and the band isn't going to stop me..

If I chose to - I could eat around my band 24/7 and I am at my sweet spot - so truly yes restriction helps but it's more about your food choices - I eat healthy 98% of the time and allow for indulgances 2%

The band is about restriction yes - but it's also about making the commitment to eat healthy and exercise - You got banded to lose the weight to become healthy - well being healthy is more than being able to eat 1 cup of food per meal.. It's about what you are eating and what kind of exercise you are doing -

Peeps losing weight is simple math - consume less calorie (not by restriction alone but by combining it with healthy food choices) and burn more calories by exercising..

What worked for me - Follow the rules - No drinking w/meal - 60 grm of pt a day - low fat - sugar free - limited starches - tiny bites - eat slowly - chew - Always eat pt first then follow w/veggies and if any room have a starch.. Exercise 4 days a week