Julie norton

Happy to see some of us are just working our program as life goes on
Nothing is perfect, yet we are still here. Wonderful

I have worked hard for years.
Knowing it’s a different lifestyle...
you might be hungry for a few hours. You might not want to move much... but it works. And Water. Still hard for me. Protein Shakes help me a lot
Best to all that try! It is a lifestyle balance for me

hey world!!
7+ years PO
i do fluctuate a bit - but for awhile now, i am actually 1.3 lb BELOW goal!!
who would have thunk?😉
kathy
congrats to me!!!!

How much would you have to lose to get to your goal weight (whose goal weight exactly)?
I'm asking because results regarding weight loss seem to be quite mixed when it comes to revisions.

Agree with Rick Fluffy Julie Journey and all. I use a PS locally who specializes in weight loss folks. Researched the heck out of PS - many PS and hospitals. It hurts - really bad. Also down time from work is a consideration - I can say taking 3 to 5 weeks off from work twice has dented any build of sick time. I just booked what hope is my third and final round. My body will have loose skin in spots and scars but my skin will fit rather than be a few sizes too big. It is also the best thing I did physically not including WLS. An aside is research correlates sustained weight loss positively with individuals who pursue plastics. All that and not one mention as to cost. 🤠

Thanks for the sensible advice, Alex.
It helps some of us older banisters to hear a fresh voice.
Please share, if desired, your path these days.

Thanks
Jules Norton

Truth be told: most or the threads are not interesting anymore once you're a while out. The plastic surgery threads are only interesting for those living in the US, not e. g. European countries.
As for "vet advice": I've become quite a cynic about that.

Many of us are successful with banding
. Least invasive and returnable
I’m 12 years in and still living a wls life.
Lots of us left due to such negative and loud feedback from those who did not have luck ( for many reasons)
Some of us stick around....

Surely there are many vets out there.
It is nice to chat with anyone who works with wls and the years that follow?
Please post

I love my band I have been able to keep my weight off by being diligent and exercise. I bike a lot and during the winter do a lot of spin. No complications at all, keep it pretty tight but that is what I need to do to stay in control. A couple of times my weight started to creep up but I put the brakes on and go back to plan. Retiring in May bought a new road bike for my retirement and do a lot of gardening. Life is GREAT!

Happy New Year! Always glad to see another bender who is happy!
I too got a bit crazy over the holidays! Time to get back at it!

I've had a lap band for 3 and a half years. One of my New Years resolutions is to recommit to the rules of banded living and get back to the conscientiousness that I (and a lot of us, I'm guessing) had back when our bands were new. Its not like I'm totally running wild with my eating and drinking; its just that I had gotten a little sloppy with the basics, like eating slowly, taking small bites, chewing thoroughly and drinking at least 64 oz. of Water a day. A new year is a great time to resolve to do better.
Wishing you all a successful 20191

Kathy
I am horribly saddened by your news. That is not the correct order for family to lose a member.
Grieving will be a long and windy road.
I can just say: I’m so sorry for your family. Please take care of yourself. And. Yes. WE LOVE YA BABY

Kathy
I am horribly saddened by your news. That is not the correct order for family to lose a member.
Grieving will be a long and windy road.
I can just say: I’m so sorry for your family. Please take care of yourself. And. Yes. WE LOVE YA BABY

to all my bariatric pals
thanx to all who are thinking of me and my family
i feel all your arms hugging me in support
thank you
kathy

It is such a personal decision.
Myself, I waited years after wls, and was happy to see that pouch flap taken off.
As above, it hurt like hell, but after a month or so, I never looked back .
Ps i was in my sixties when I flattened my stomach and mom’s pubis.

We seem to be a diminishing group; rest assured that many are here and successful years and years . Please don’t hesitate to ask for options. Everyone is different, but finding your formula is priceless!! Jules

Hi Meez - I would maybe get your band totally unfilled to let your stomach rest, to see if the swelling subsides, and also so you can drink and eat. I've heard of bands "slipping" not emplying that is what it is, but could be possible. Seems like I had alot of trouble when I rushed to eat, or ate the wrong thing. At one point 8 yrs ago when I got a fill I did get overfilled, and that night I couldn't swallow my own saliva, not fun. Went next day and he took some out. I go next Wednesday for my first fill in 8 yrs super nervous but excited. This forum reminds me how difficult it can be, but well worth it. It's a great tool. I've thought about the sleeve as well, but going to try this again first.
Hope it gets better for ya.

You should go to a bariatric doctor to see if all is well with your band and your stomach. Also, do some pondering on whether you are now ready to commit to living within the rules of post-bariatric surgery life.

I'm not sure what you mean by can't hold down liquids. If you literally can't get liquids down past your band, I'd go back to the doc because you will soon become dehydrated or worse. If instead you mean liquids go down slow and taking a huge gulp would not be comfortable, I personally would not be alarmed if this was occurring the day after a fill.
Either way, I would call the dr's office and describe what's going on and get their advice on whether to come back in or wait and see.

I was banded in 2014 and actually loved my band. Even though I didn’t make goal, I counted my experience as a success because I was probably on my way to my very own episode of M600PL and the band prevented it with also an associated weight loss!

I was recently revised to a sleeve because I was diagnosed with esophageal dilation due to my band (scary stuff). That part...not so good. At the time I elected to get the band, I wasn’t at a place where I would consider anything more invasive.

It is definitely a tough and personal decision. There are folks who are wildly successful with many years under their belt and those where the band has to be removed for whatever reason (even if all of the rules are followed), with significant symptoms and comorbidities due to the band.

Have a thorough discussion with your team about the pros and cons for you and do extensive research. If I had to do it again, I would still get the band because I wasn’t ready then. If my first surgery were today, I would have opted for the sleeve instead, but I now have a different mindset (can’t distinguish if my mindset has changed based on my experience with the band or just overall wisdom/lack of fear of the other surgeries).

I wish you well with your decision.

Best of luck... I have read so many posts from ladies whose weight is around 250....and their desire to be
150-170.
Many have done exactly that. ( myself included)
I think that sweet spot may not be exact, but it is much easier to navigate this world from a smaller size.
It seems to be relative to where you start.
400 starting weight may be happy with 250... all about comfort and control for me.
So thankful

Not everyone feels restriction. But this is EXACTLY what the band is doing. By forcing you to eat less and better, THAT is what is causing the weight loss, nothing else. As far as how slow, that's common with the band too. And it's one of the reasons that most surgeon's don't even offer the band anymore. To be honest, it surprises me every time I see a new person getting the band.

I had mine done on the 14th of Dec and So far really appreciating this tool (I know it is like coming into week 4)
For me i didn't have (or need) the other options and given a few other medical issues / history this was the best option for me. I have family friends who have had this and they stressed the importance to keep maintaining and listening to your body to not cheat the system!!

I have had a few things where it has been a learning curve (like i drink way too fast and need to slow that down) and eating too fast too - i use my phone to time and i talk more when out between and listen - you learn so many tricks to make it seem more 'normal' because it is like teaching yourself again how to eat and drink

If you have any questions feel free to reach out and best of luck for the op!

I hope you are finding success! Your eating and drinking hopefully has improved. Yogurt, refried Beans, and cheese sticks. All helped me. We all are different .
Try try try is true! (Sometimes a heating pad and laying on my left side helps if things don’t feel right)
Mostly it seems like good behavior wins a lot. And... jumping right back in when there is a whoopsie .
Best of luck. You can change the rest of your life by immersing yourself.