Lapbandster

Did anyone ever feel that since your overweight it sort of "excuses" you from accomplishing things/being the best you can be? Like for example "the reason i don't have a boyfriend is because i'm obese" or "i have a sucky job but can't switch because i'm obese and who else will hire me?" The list goes on and on. I truly think that so many people "fail" WLS, and/or can't keep the weight off because they hide behind their obesity and use it as one big excuse, because if they were thin they would actually have to face the facts. For example, I just graduated (degree in Biology) but am stalling applying for grad school because I think "well i'm too obese to be a success anyways and everyone will hate me" also, I am avoiding dating even though at least two guys like me and want to date me because I keep telling myself "just wait, when your thin you'll be a better date". So it's almost like losing weight will strip me of my excuses to be a 'nobody". Obviously this is all denial and it's tough to battle Sometimes facing the facts are tough and "hiding behind" our weight in the shadows gives an "excuse to not try. When I feel like I might want to cheat I have to tell myself (sometimes loudly) "stop being afraid to be successful" I don't know, maybe this makes no sense, but in my head it sort of did

Name, real or screen~ Lapbandster Goal weight for September 29th~ 225 Weight on September 1st~ 232 Age~ 23 Dietary goal for September~ To learn to eat slow in prep for my first fill Exercise goal for September~ to continue going to the gym at leat 4 times a week Personal goal for September~ To stop being so afraid of failure Date banded~ 8/17/2012 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~ 12 lbs What is your favorite Fall Activity?~ wearing sweatshirts and feeling cozy

as always Mis73's insights are awesome I too, had a very bad day today and am feeling horrible. BUT if we continue to feel sad/miserable about the fact we cheated, we will be even MORE prone to fail. Keep your head held high and remember tomorrow is another day. Be honest with yourself about why you cheated and write it down. That way you will be more aware of your pitfalls and how to avoid them. According to your ticker you ALREADY lost 24 LBS!!! THATS AMAZING!! Just remember that now you are 24 pounds lighter forever

I think you can! Just look at your profile pic

20 lbs doesn't feel like a lot, especially for those of us who need to lose a ton more weight, but here's what i recommend to get some perspective: Take 4 5lb bags of flour/sugar and try lifting them all. when you see how much 20lbs feels like, you will be euphoric with excitement that it's GONE!!!

yes thats great! I'm 3 weeks out and only lost 14 lbs IN TOTAL!!

yah i totally understand where you are coming from I'm very frustrated these days (lots going on) And the weight is coming off super slow (bandster hell!!), which my family constantly keeps reminding me of. Everyone expected the weight to magically melt off!

do not fret! if you listen to your doc, you will be fine!

Very well said. I'm practically speechless that this doc can post such misinformation publicly on youtube. My doctor warned me that some other docs may try to spin the information that sways you from LB (possibly for their own personal reasons) but this guy is something else. Again, not saying that sleeve is a bad choice (and i know a guy who got sleeved and is thrilled), but c'mon. Docs should at least have the decency to relay (somewhat) accurate information

One of the most respected surgeons in north america? I have been researching lapbands for 2 years and never once heard of him. He says "I know this sounds like really really cool" when referring to the LB. no offense, but talking like a teenager doesn't make a doctor respectable in my eyes. Of course i'm not trying to stir pots over here and for someone who already decided on the sleeve please don't get mad at me, but i don't know how doctors (like this one) can chant about the sleeve's better "long term success" being that the sleeve has only been done for a few years (the band has been done since the '90's). how can ANYONE know the long term success rate of ANY wls (I'm talking 40+ years down the line), he's quick to make funny faces at the thought of erosion's/slips but conveniently doesn't mention how research is showing that losing the hormone ghrelin can be dangerous, how people with sleeve's may end up suffering with tremendous reflux for life, and how the stomach can perforate causing life threatening abdominal leakage/internal bleeding. I would never trust a doc who promises "no long term risks" how can he (or anyone) possibly know that?? I just get really offended that any doctor can talk like this with such obvious ignorance/cockyness

My doc only required a low card diet. I too felt guilty reading how everyone was suffering through weeks of liquids. But just listen to your doc and don't worry about what everyone else is doing

The band is much less drastic. Any way you slice it. Now if your older, and have a hard time changing your eating habits, or don't want to ever have children (and worry about getting enough nutrition), and need to do a "quick" weight loss without being patient about fills/getting to the green zone, then the sleeve may be for you For me, I want very badly to have kids and the LB is the least invasive, most controlled WLS out there. if for whatever reason, i need to eat more, i can always get an unfill. that is not the case with any other WLS. BEWARE of some doctors!! Some will try to sway you into sleeve or bypass even if that's not the best option for you- that is because these are the surgeries that make them the most $$ (they bill 2.5 times the amount they bill for LB) AND they dont have to "waste" their time on follow ups/fills (follow ups and fills don't really make the big bucks-surgeries do). My doctor himself told me this, so just be careful One last thing- as mis73 has said: I just couldn't bare the thought of removing 3/4 of my very healthy stomach. It just made me feel queasy. Obviously, if the LB didn't work i might try something more invasive, but I knew i needed to try the LB first

Good luck! Keep us posted fyi, I also get a pain when i take deep breaths after eating too much (not really stabbing just like a stitch. hope yours is also nothing!)

Also, remember to get enough sleep! We burn fat in our sleep so making sure your getting adequate rest is essential!

Cool! We should meet up one time!

I chose my band for two reasons 1) I want to get pregnant and I figure that the less my body is "rerouted/cut out" the better it will be for me (btw, every doctor will tell you something else, but this is something that I truly felt- it's just common sense after all) 2) I see my mom who had gastric bypass. Yes, she lost weight fast without trying (no working out etc) BUT, 8 years later she is anemic, ALWAYS TIRED, and eats very poorly. She lost the weight so quickly and uncontrollably that her skin sags everywhere (especially her arms, and her face became "droopy") Yes the band can be scary- I get that- but the thought of gastric bypass scares me a LOT MORE

Yes I'm from northern chicago Which part are you from (or where are you near?)

wow I was on the treadmill 4 days post up. Jumping on the trampoline a week post op No sit-ups for about 2 weeks But I was feeling excellent after surgery- didn't even need pain meds or anything so my doc wasn't too worried

I barely lost any weight, yet my skirt is falling off. I look like a total fool and should not be wearing it! But I just can't seem to wrap my head around the fact that my skirt is big. I guess it just takes time!

Anyone here from northern Chicago? Near lincolnwood/skokie etc

Try chewing gum or chewing on ice maybe it's lame, but for me just having something to chew/crunch helped!

You hit it on the head! Right on! 100% I think (and my doctor has told me this too), that the band works a little differently for each individual. We need to learn how to work with it in a way that we can live with and stop getting so nervous. After seeing the videos of the famous Dr. O'brian, I realized that this is not black and white, heck its not even one dimensional. Every doctor has their own ideas/theories, and many overlap and contradict each other.This is something that we each have to define for ourselves and work with it the way we can. (obviously within reason, and without being unwise)

Your doing great! As long as your not gaining, your in a good position, especially now while your body is healing and you don't have restriction lol i'm gaining like crazy and i'm 9 days post op- no idea why

Thanks Elcee I just reported my post with a message to the mods/admins

Avicii, levels is awesome!!! David guetta rocks too!!