Kflower84

This was a great story to share!! Kuddos to you for following your own instincts on this one. I have not been banded yet, but I come on this forum daily and am continuously reassured that I am making the right decision. Keep up the good work!!

It can help the pouch shrink, but not always, it greatly depends on much it's already stretched.
As for liquids, your best bet is stick to low sugar and low sodium.
Once you're back on solid foods again, be sure to eat no more than 1 cup of food per meal. If you're still hungry, talk to your doctor about needing a fill, but if you want to avoid stretching the pouch again definitely stick to band sized portions regardless of hunger.
Best wishes

I was banded in January 2012, and within months of me, two of my real life friends had Gastric Bypass. One had it in October 2011 and the other February 2012. We all started out with over 200 pounds to lose. I was originally scheduled for Gastric Bypass, too. But, I canceled the surgery because I simply couldn't justify permanently rerouting my internal organs without trying something far less drastic first. So, I got the Lap-Band instead.
Like so many others on here, I heard endlessly how I was a fool for choosing the Lap-Band over Gastric Bypass. "Oh you'll be lucky to lose 50 pounds with Lap-Band"... "You should have Gastric Bypass, you'll dump a ton of weight much faster"... "why don't you stick with the sure thing, Gastric Bypass, rather than waste your time with Lap-Band?". Believe me, I heard it all, so much so I even began to doubt myself and my decision. What if they were right?
But I researched not only the Lap-Band but the Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass thoroughly. I knew the pros and cons of each, I knew what the surgeries entailed, and I knew that regardless of which one I chose the work would be mine to do and I'd have to make diet changes for a lifetime. I knew Lap-Band was right for me, so despite the naysayers, I went through with it.
Fast forward to now, July 2012...

My friend who had Gastric Bypass in October 2011 has lost 64 pounds. She lost all that in the first 3 months and hasn't lost anything in the last 6 months. She never really changed her eating habits because she figured she didn't need to with the Gastric Bypass. She did cut back on portions in the beginning, but currently she admits that aside from vomiting occasionally from eating fatty foods or sweets, she eats pretty much like she did before surgery.
My friend who had Gastric Bypass in February 2012 has lost 14 pounds. She hasn't changed a single thing about her eating habits and is vomiting multiple times daily from trying to overeat.
I, who had Lap-Band in January 2012, have lost 121 pounds. I am far from perfect, I struggle with head hunger almost daily, and I definitely have times I eat unhealthy foods. But the majority of the time I eat very healthy and follow the portion and nutritional guidelines my nutritionist gave me.

My point isn't to gloat, or to say "See, Lap-Band is better!" My point is the fact that it doesn't matter which WLS you choose, you MUST DO THE WORK YOURSELF. I don't care if it's Gastric Bypass, the Sleeve, or Lap-Band. The surgeries are tools not magic pills. If you don't change your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime you simply will not get the results you desire. Period, no exceptions. I hear people say all the time "Oh I got the band because I don't want to diet". Of course, we all did, but guess what? You do have to eat healthy, not just for awhile like a diet, but for a lifetime.
Ultimately, no matter which WLS surgery you choose, your success or failure depends on you not the surgery itself.

Great NSV, I too have bought things, wore once and found next time too big!!Great for the ego, no the pocket book!

I too had to get rid of clothes with tags that are now too big on me. I never got to wear them but Im happy about that!!

I am not aware of any, but I am sure that are some. I do know that there are many cons to this surgery and for many different reasons. It is a hard choice to make, and an even harder one to live with. You see, it is not a magic wand that makes the pounds disapear, it does not make chocolate chip Cookies good for you. It also does not stop you from eating more than you should. Many people learn to eat around the band, against the band and gain. Or they choose to live with their bands to tight, loose major pounds but wreck their bodies because they are constantly vomiting or not getting proper nourshiment.
The band is a lifestyle change, at least IMO and that was why I choose it. I didn't want to have my tummy cut in bypass, and I needed to know that it could be adjusted to help keep me on the right path. I also didn't want to give up all the foods I enjoy, I just needed to be able to have some controll rather that it controlling me.
Depending on your reasons for even considering WLS it might not be right for you. I needed to get the weight off because of my health. HBP just wasn't enough; being told that obesity had a side effect of cancer was what sent me searching. I did well my first two years, I feel better, sleep better and I even feel better about myself. Or at least I did until today. I had a medical procedure today and was told not to take my BP meds, well my pressure was up enough that I had to be given something so the doc could do my screening. I have been lazy the 6 or so months and have gained about 8lbs. Well I hadn't reached goal but was maintaing in an area I was happy with. I now know that the party is over and it's time to get back to it. I haven't done enough yet to be as healthy as I intended, I just got thrilled that I didn't have to shop at the fat shop.
Make your choice for you as you need it. Everything has a con, I know of people who died from yo yo dieting.

Awesome progress! I have also gone from a tight, tight 22 (should have been a 24, but vanity and pride prevailed) to a loose 16. It is an amazing feeling and each time I moan to myself about slow weight loss, I remember the 6 clothing sizes I've dropped.

I can't wait to go shopping in mine you could only imagine the clothing with tags I have in there that don't fit!

Congratulations!
I've also been dropping clothing sizes lately, and I've found it nice to be able to 'shop' in my own closet again.

Congrats,
Today I went shopping for new shorts have been putting this off till the last minute before our vacation. Not smart because apparently July is the end of summer. LOL So selections were limited but on sale. So first I went and got shorts at Target and got into a size 24, then tonight I went to Lane Bryant and was hope to get some jean shorts but all they had was one pair of size 22 I thought well let me take a chance and see if they fit. To my suprise I got them up, buttoned and zipped. I was SHOCKED, before my surgery on May 29th my LB jeans were size 28 so excited about the drop in size.

I am just as guilty as the next about feeling chained to the scale sometimes. I know that I am a slow and steady wins the race type of weight loss patient. I exercise at least 5x a week to help things along, record my food journal, watch portion sizes, don't drink my calories, etc. Sooooo...when the scale slows down, it is frustrating to see just ounces when I want pounds. However, a few weeks ago I decided to go get a few new outfits to reward myself for working so hard.I was so pumped!! No more plus size! For the first time in over 13 years, I didn't have to pay $2 extra!!! As exciting as that was, I also picked up a few clearance fitness tops and shorts that I found on clearance. There was a couple that were 12/14 tops that I went ahead and got even though I couldn't wear them yet. A girl can't pass up a good deal! Well, today I decided to try it them on before my workout! Success!!! In just that short time, even though the scale didn't show much of a change, my body definitely has!!! WooWoo!!!!Since March I have dropped from a 24 pants to a 16/18 and my tops from 22 to a 12/14! Such a great feeling!!!!

I love it! I would also say if you are not used to wearing heels, just buy a pair of dressy flats or the 1" or less heels. I wouldn't want to test high heels on such a big day

Oh..... ya, I see that now.
No, you are right. All the "shows" say that hides or takes away from flaws. Ruching???? I think it is called.
You only paid 20.00? Wow, looks way more expensive.
Yup... I'd wear it!

I find that certain...positions...are not as comfortable because of my port placement. Not pain per se, just uncomfortable. But only when I'm bent in half or scrunched up. Okay, yeah, TMI...

About a week for me...
And as long as you brought this up, I can share up a very private little NSV! Last night, the first time in about 9 years, I could see over my belly enough to watch. woo woo!! :-) hehehe... It was like my own little porn movie!

I propped pillows under my stomach to reduce until it no longer bothered me!

I agree about 1 week that was how it was for me....

I was turned off for about two weeks cause I was just so tired. I am a stomach sleeper and couldnt get comfortable. Just see how you feel and take it from there. You might have to get imaginative but that the fun part.

I had some port soreness because of the stomach muscle use but nothing bad at all.

If it doesn't hurt, go for it. I did and had no problems.

I'd say for at least a few days to maybe a week you may be too sore, but I don't remember having to wait too long after. :-)

My husband calls me from work yesterday and says, "I thought I would tell you that Bill ( husband's best friend) was at the grocery store the other day and he thinks he saw you wanted to say hi, but wasn't sure it was you...how much weight has she lost? She was unrecognizable." Ok it has been one year since he has seen me. Made my day and I guess I'm realizing that I have changed my body! ( his sister is heavy he is kind about the weight issues)

all I want is to get back into my original wedding rings. I out grew them years ago. I never got them enlarged because I always planned on getting back into them.

After I lose about 40 pounds or plus I'm looking forward to the huge shopping spree my hubby doesn't know he's paying for yet. lol.

I'm not a pre-bander, I'm about 9 weeks post op, but I do have a "bucket list" for when I'm at goal.
The little celebration I've already had was losing enough to fit comfortably in my Victorias Secrets. Funny as it may sound, I bought them a long time ago and never got to wear them, so I did a happy dance when I finally had the nerve to try them on and they were almost too big.
On to serious goals - when I hit 160 lbs I'm going to go skydiving. I'm going to buy a whole new wardrobe. I'm going to buy that "little black dress" and hit the town with my sister-in-law. I'm also going to do some sort of organized run - not a marathon by no means, but something smaller.
I figure mixing fun rewards in there, along with my serious ones, I'll stay motivated. So far so good.