kbliss78

Hello Bandsters, I had my surgery May 2012. I am 5 months from 2 year anniversary. I am very happy with my choice. I used to be on these forums sometimes daily. I desperately sought out advise and looked for "long timers" who were still successful because I needed to feel more reassured that it is the right thing to do. I never saw that many people that had years after surgery. Now I know why.... In my case, I am happy. I feel normal. I am 25 pounds from my goal. It has been slower than I wanted and imagined but I am still happy. I cannot imagine life without my band. It is such a normal part of my life and now that I don't even think to come back to the boards to read and post. I just did today b/c a friend had the procedure this week and it made me thing back. What I love about the band is that I can be a normal person. I do not get sick like bypass patients (or what I have heard and seen with bypass patients - my aunt had it 10 years ago). I am healthy, I do not lack nutrients that my body needs b/c for the most part I am a normal eater, just a lot less. I cannot imagine eating like I did post band and I cannot imagine having the obsessive thoughts about food and dieting and losing weight that I did before. Now I just live a normal life. It is freedom. I love it. I gain from time to time but it is just a couple of pounds and it comes right off. I am still going down each month. It is slow and I am now okay with it bc I know I will get there over time. I have lost 85 pounds so far. Problems: I have only had a few problems. I have had a few "sticks" that took a long time to get out. Once I got over filled and didn't listen to the warning signs and it caused a dialation. However, since I continued to go in for monthly aftercare (my choice), they caught it early and it was so easily fixed by a slight unfill for 3 weeks. I considered it a learning lesson to not get overfilled and to follow my rules better (smaller bites and eating slow). I got back on track and it was a mere speed bump. The few painful stuck episodes where b/c I did things I shouldn't like eating cold fried chicken skin. Any baster would know that is just stupid. You cannot chew that well enough. I deserved it. I didn't have to have anything done to fix it, just a long time in the bathroom to contemplate my mistake. Basically, any problem I have had has been b/c I wasn't following the rules. I tested what I could eat and learned the hard way. I tend to do most things that way but I learned my lesson. Sometimes I would try again and have to learn about. I have now learned that steak and I are not friends. I would have thought that would make me sad but I don't really care about it. Bread is a testing thing. I am VERY careful when I try bread. White tortillas are off limits for me. I can eat Pasta (but I only eat angel hair and I am very careful and slow). Other than that, I am fine with anything and I just eat slow and follow the rules. Changes since surgery: Things in my life have changed for the better. Since I am freed from the bondage of obsession about weight loss, low self esteem, and all that goes with it, I am able to just be happy. I have confidence, my sex life is better, my relationship is better, my work is better, I have more energy, I love to work out (I know that sounds crazy). Life is just good. I did have to learn how to deal with a few things differently. I learned that I really did use food to comfort myself so when I have a bad day now, I cannot turn to food. I have to go for a walk, work out, or just be okay with feeling shitting over a bad day. I cannot eat it away (I could with sliders) but not in the same way I used to do. Now I just have to find a different way to self soothe so to speak. That took time to do. It was a learning process but now I am more in touch with my feelings and what I need emotionally. That is a great thing also. I am also surprised when men notice me. It is such a weird thing. I will be walking or shopping or anything and I see a guy looking at me. I think "does he know me.....do I have my zipper down.... is food in my teeth, " then I realize, "no Katy, you just look nice today". I never thought that would happen. Overweight people have told me "you just don't know what it is like to struggle with weight loss". Then I am happy to tell them I know more than they ever could imagine and I share my story. Clothing: I love shopping. I am not hung up on what size I am b/c any size it is in any given store is still 5 sizes smaller than before. I was a 22 and only at Lane Bryant. Now I can shop anywhere I want to. Some styles don't fit but body types are all different. I am either a size 12 to a 16 depending on the store, style, and cut. I feel good in all of it. I got to a goal of mine to buy skinny jeans and tall boots. I wear it last least once a week and feel sexy as hell. I got to buy lingerie and in normal sizes. I bought a bathing suite in Target and it looked good. I love to wear jeans and they are comfortable. I used to hate it b/c they felt horrible. Now it is like wearing sweat pants to me. I got to buy bras and Victoria Secrets and panties! They only down fall is spending too much money shopping. But I will take that! Skin: I do not have loose skin like I thought it would be. There are areas I wish were tighter but I don't hate the way I look. I will likely save up for a tummy tuck later but I am happy where I am at. I just feel it would be the final thing to being different. I don't like my upper arms that much but workout out and lifting weights and short sleeve shirts do the trick. My boobs got smaller but it fits my body at were I am. I was a 44 DDD and I am a 36 D. I usually wear a tight spaghetti tank top under all of my clothes just to hold in any jiggle. It makes for a smooth look. But again, it isn't that big of a deal to me like I thought it would be. Eating: As far as eating goes, it is easy. I don't think about it anymore. I sometimes get physically hungry and then I want to eat more, but I serve myself the 1/2 cup, promise myself it will fill me up. It always does but sometimes I have to wait for 10 minutes after eating for that feeling that I am satisfied to hit. But for the most part, 1/2 cup always does it for me. I have forgot to eat meals.....that concept was crazy to me before. I will say that eating Protein really matters. If you are eating carbs, you are going to feel hungry and want to snack more. Make sure you are getting protein. I can eat at restaurants, holidays, out with friends, have drinks, and no one can tell I am different. I am always the last to finish and if I haven't had time to eat my full 1/2 cup by the time everyone else has scarfed their food down, I quietly get a to go box and eat what I need later. I usually don't even want it then. Eating out took time to learn. I got more stuck food at restaurants b/c I wouldn't eat slow enough or I would try stuff I knew I shouldn't. But now it is very normal to eat out. I feel like what I always imagined non-over weight people to feel like. I eat to get what I need, I don't think about it, I live my life and I don't care about the scale anymore. It is more freedom than I can imagine. I don't fear I will fail at this. I know I can go back to my Dr anytime and get assistance if I have issues. I will always go in 2x a year to ensure things are safe and I am happy with that. One weird thing for me is that I will get the hicupps when I have eaten a little too much (if I didn't measure my food or I am eating out). I have learned that is my body's stop sign. I obey it. If I don't, I get too full. It is a nice warning sign for me. If you are blessed to have a "warning sign" like hiccups, listen to it. Forums: If you are searching for long time bandsters on this site and fearful that it is a sign that many fail, I think it is the other way around. It is just that banded life becomes so normal and good for us that we do not need to turn to the support of the boards. We don't think about it. We are just out their living our lives, shopping at Victoria Secrets, eating out with friends, having drinks, working out, feeling happy. It is a new normal and it feels great. I would have never thought about coming back to the site if it was not for my friend going through this process. It made me recall my last 18 months and recall how I use to spend hours on this site searching for answers. I would advise if you are going to have surgery just to go to all of your aftercare appts, follow the rules, have patience (especially in the beginning few months) and welcome a new life. I just wanted to post this for anyone that it might help. If it doesn't or you have had a bad experience with the band, I am sorry. I am not judgmental of anyone's struggle. I just wanted to share a few thoughts. I may not respond b/c, like I said, I just don't come here often. But I will try to do so if anyone wants or needs help. Best wishes to everyone searching for their own freedom from obesity. Lots of love! Katy

I just realized that it posted my old attachment of current weight. That is all wrong, for those that noticed that, I started at 280 and I am at 195 and have about 25 to goal now...... I forgot how to change that thing that attached with the weight ticker.......it has been so long. Thanks for all of the comments.

I think you need a fill too. But a s for sliders, chips, popcorn, crunchy stuff, ice cream. Chocolate. Those are real sliders for me but everyone is different. 6 cc is not A lot. Try a small fill.

I don't know an answer to your question but I would be scared to take it out too. Can he switch it to the sleeve to maintain? I am so sacred of a slip. I am at 5 mo post and already have a flipped port.

I told a few people and now many know. At first I was embarrassed but now I have decided I love my band and could care less what others think of me. I'm happy and getting healthy and my husbands happy, so screw everyone else. When they ask I proudly talk about my choice.

Am mad bc I have loved my band, done well, never vomited, and feel great. I am self pay so I am currently paying payments for the surgery and now I have to get another one at the cost of 3000.00. Anyone know what causes a flipped port?

I didn't work out until released. But I did not ask why it was 3000. Insurance won't pay anything. Do you know what others pay?

I ran an entire mile without stopping for the first time in 10 years. I am three months post opt, down 35 lbs and running again. I feel so blessed.

3 weeks and 2.5 cc for me

My dr said when you feel like it then you are fine. Your body will tell you what you can do and what hurts. I think it was 2 weeks for me. Have fun.

100% was at two weeks...

Severe acid reflux is a major sign of a major complication. You need to get checked for a slip. They ask me at every visit if I have had reflux. It can also mean you are too tight.

I had my surgery through True Results in Austin, Texas. They were great. Also, they do fills much more agressive than anyone else which helps you get throught the "bandster hell" and get to green zone quick. They also provide good pre op instructions and a book that was helpful. I read it twice. I would recommend them to anyone. Katy

I have heard too that if you are too tight, your weight loss will suffer. Sounds like the right choice.

I had a 45 minute ride home. But i was still on so much drugs that it didnt hurt. I asked for more pain releiver before we departed and they gave it to me so I slept. I also slept alot when I got home. I woke up every hour and walked. The second day was same for me. I think I would ask my hubby to be there day of and drive you home. You will be okay home alone the second day and may even enjoy the rest. If you have kids to care for, you will have to have someone home.

I was self pay, however, my Dr office did a good job of informing me of the requirements. I also feel that people should do some investigation / research on their own before jumping into a life changing proceedure. I certainly did. In doing so, I found this site and ready alot! The posts here really helped me prepare and understand what I was going to go through. I think people should take more personal responsibility and try to educate themselves more. I am suprised when people post "what is green zone". If that is the whole goal of surgery, i cannot beleive they are not being told this information by their Dr's! Good post.....

I kept wondering, "am I in green zone", is this it yet" "how will I know". Then I had my third fill.....(first took me to 2cc, 2nd fill took me to 5 cc, third fill took me to 5.6 cc). At 5cc, I found it. I dont have to wonder what green zone it. I literally realized at 12:30 today that I hadnt eaten anything all day....still wasnt even that hungry. I ate 1/2 cup and was fine. I was able to walk past a try of chocolate and donuts and not even struggle. The hunger and thought of food just disappeared. It is so wonderful. I finally am not doubting this band. If it stays like this, I will drop all of this weight b/c it is so nice to remove the hunger and food obsession. What a blessing. If you have to ask if you are in the green zone, I would argue that you are not. At least that is my experience so far!

Valorie, Welcome to the site. I use to read this site every minute of every day when I was waiting for my band. Sometimes it would make me feel excited and other times I would get scared. However, I check about every 3 days now that I am banded and doing well. I love my band. The first month I was not happy b/c i was hungery and not in the green zone or losing. But I have lost 30 or so lbs now and I feel and look better at 2.5 months out. I feel like I am in the green zone and it is nice to eat little, feel satisfied, and not think of food. You will get alot of support on the site. Best wishes on your journey. It is a big leap of faith but a good one to make. Katy

Go to the thread / topic section called Lap Band Success on this site. There are several popular, long threads on successes and 100 + losses. It was helpful to keep me on track with my choice. I feared the same about band vs sleeve. But I am happy and I know my body is still not altered. People want to defend the choice they made and bash the other choices.

I think it hurts less that a shot. It is different but not painful at all. The first one makes more swelling b/c they pull Fluid out and put it back in but the others are even easier. Still, with that said, the first one is easy also. Dont worry. Dont expect any difference in hunger or restriction either. It takes most 3- 5 fills to get there. Took me 5. I am now at 6.5 and feel the green zone.

I have to be around 900 to 1000 to lose. But I have heard you should fluxuate your numbers so your body doesnt adjust. For example, one day I would eat around 800, then 900, then 800, then 1100...... Everybody is different. I would be happy if I could eat 1500 and still lose!

My family noticed at 20 and coworkers started commenting just recently when I lost over 30 lb mark. It is fun!

The same thing happened to me. I lost 12 in my first week. Then nothing for 3 weeks! I was so mad and upset. However, on the fourth week, the weight loss started again. At each fill I started losing more. I then consistantly have lost 2 or more pounds a week. You are in the phase reffered to as "bandster hell". When you eat mussies again, the weight loss stops. It is slow or non existant until you get closer and closer to green zone. Try to be patient, try to follow the rules as best you can, and put the scale away for a little while. Only weight at Dr appts until you get closer to green zone. However, I know exactly how you feel. But now I am 2.5 months out and 30 - 25 pounds down. Not as fast as others but I am happy b/c it has been steady (all except for week 2 - 3 post surgery).

I beleive it has helped my hunger tremendously. I am not so hungry and when I eat I dont feel like I am in a panic. I eat slower and easily turn the rest away. This has never happened for me. It does take 3 - 5 fills to get to that point so the beginning is difficult and requires patiences. I dont have to think about dieting as much and the daily obsession and thoughts are gone. I use to wake up telling myself today I would eat good. Then I would be hunry and eat a Breakfast taco at 9ish and feel like I was failing so then I would eat a big lunch and by the end of the day I had totally messed up. Now I eat less and at the end of the day, if I think about my meals, I am suprised how little I ate. The first 6 weeks I logged everything I ate but now that I am in the green zone, I havent logged as much b/c my meals are where they need to be and I am not snacking. I love my band so much. I am scared of future complications with the band. But I hope it just doesnt happen. Most complications are induced by patient non-complaince with the rules. Other surgeries dont require such dedication to rules and the fill process is not needed. However, they alter you anatomy forever. I am happy that all of my body parts function just as they did before. I just eat less, am hungry less, and I eat slower. Hope that helps.

The goal is three meals no Snacks but they told me until green zone I would need to eat snacks. It was recommended to yogart cottage cheese, string cheese. Small but filling protien snacks. It will get better