Lose100

Congratulations on starting over. I can understand your frustration. Some days I feel like I don't even have a band because I can eat a large meal without any problems. Some days, if I eat to much, my band will give me a soft stop sign (hiccups). That is when I know that it's time to stop eating. I discussed this with my surgeon last week and he said that this was normal because some days my band is tighter than other days. He said the band is not designed to stop me from eating but to help me feel satisfied. I had to realized that just because I could eat a large meal does not mean that I should!!!!!!! I had to stick to Portion Control and follow the rules of the band. I also had to realized that I had to get my head in the game. This is NOT a diet but a LIFE STYLE change. The band is only a tool and a tool is only as good as you work it. The most important thing is to discuss this with your doctor. Maybe have test done to make sure your band is working properly. I am proud of you. I know that starting over is not easy but YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!!!!

I think part of the problem may be you're expecting the band to do things it's not meant to do. You say you don't feel "full" and can eat a lot. The band isn't supposed to physically stop you from eating anything and this is exactly why it's so important to stick to band sized portions. If you are getting fills trying to get the band to stop you from eating too much, you run the risk of accidentally ending up too tight. The other thing is, if you're eating until you're full, you're likely eating too much. The band is about satiety and hunger control not fullness.
What the band is supposed to do is allow you to be satisfied on less food for longer periods of time.
Here's a great link that explains it all. I really think it will help you. Having realistic expectations of the band will really help you to be successful: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html
Best wishes. Don't give up!

Yeah I don't relish having had so many operations myself, and despite my post above, I did understand that you were posting out of concern. I wasn't going into it with my eyes closed, though, and I wanted you to know that.
I am still unsure though what you had hoped to achieve with that last post you posted. Was it a discussion you were after? Because I think that's what you got. If it was just for information, then it may well be that the content you posted actually came across as a little bit condescending to those that chose the band.
Either way, I personally have never had anything but support here in the complications forum, so maybe, just maybe, what you posted came across in the tone you didn't intend (or did intend), in which case, people responded to the tone of the post more than to YOUR specific complication(s). I hope you geniunely seek and get support here in the complications forum for your complications, and that you find peace in whatever happens in the future for you.

I look forward to reading ALL posts on this forum, good and bad, positive and negative, providing they are true and factual....
That is what this and any forum is about...people sharing their own stories and experiences....what they know to be from day to day living with WLS.....
What the content of any post is does not bother me, As a matter of fact the posts containing information about complications interest me the most...I want to know these things to possibly help me avoid the same in the future....
What does bother me is when people get offended and take issue with someone simply because they don't like what they have to say....no matter how true and real it may be....
These are the same people who have to give their opinions on issuses even though they themselves have never any experience with, yet they make themselves out to be experts.....
People need to know everything they can about something that can have such a large impact on their lives....whether they like hearing it or not....it does not make it any less a reality....that's just life.....
Ignoring something (denial) does not make it go away and be any less true.
People need to realize when they say something, it can be influencing other peoples lives, especially those new to this WLS, so it is best to speak the truth, and simply share what their life experiences are.....

I love your new hair do. You look good!

I went from a size 10 to a size 9. I had to replace A LOT of shoes: boots, sneakers, church shoes, work shoes. Now, I have to buy new sandals.

I cannot find the post where someone reccomended the Protein Shots but I just wanted to let you know both my doctor and nutritionist told me not to use them. Something about the type of Protein and the ability to absorb the protein. I have also seen posts in the past where people were told the same thing. I am just asking that you make sure your doctor is ok with using them.

Depends on if you want to lose weight.
If you want to lose then avoid the chips. If you don't then feel free to eat as many as you want.
Remember there is no LapBand God that say's you can eat this or can't eat that. It is up to you to make smart choices.

Aaaawwww nice. I don't think we really realize how our obesity affect our children. I am so happy for you. What a VICTORY!!!!

I never tried it but it sounds dangerous to me. Like flirting with disaster.

You shut her up for good! Great job, what a wonderful feeling that must have been. I have an entire drawer full of clothes that I will one day fit into, very upscale summer clothes from closeouts and store closures. I can not wait to get in them, sounds like you would fit in them now - you've motivated me, I want to feel that way. Thanks for a great, feel good post, there's no stopping you now!

Wow thank you everybody for all the encouragement! Ever since I gained weight nobody wants anything to do with me I walk down the halls in school and my old team mates don't say hi ! I want to do it for myself but I also want to do it to prove people wrong ! It's going to be hard for me to adjust to the diet I can imagine haha but like you guys said its definitely worth it

Agreed, and by the same token we're not responsible if you don't like our responses. It goes both ways.

I had saggy skin everywhere, but i had lost 237 lbs, theres many factors that contribute to sagging skin, amount of weight u lose, age, hormones, genetics etc, if u are going to get it theres not much u can do about it, is saggy skin worse than skin filled with fat ? i wore my saggy skin like a badge of honour till i had surgery to get rid of it all, but even without the plastic surgery losing weight was far more important. You have to ask yourself why u are worrying about saggy skin, but didnt worry about stretching it by being heavy
concentrate on things u can change and not things u cant ( not without money and surgery anyways )

Great NSV!!!!!!!

My insurance (BCBSM) said covers lap band, but have to have BMI of 35 with a comorbidity (sp)....
My BMI is right about 33... Should I discuss with a lap band dr or just forget about it?

That's funny! It's just the opposite of how we dress and behave when we go in for our post surgical visits, isn't it? I know I wear my lightest shoes, wear lightweight shorts and t-shirt. I hold off on drinking any water 2 hours before I go in so that scale is as low as it can be? tmf

Bye Bye cane!!!!!!! I am so happy for you. Good health is priceless. You're having a Tummy Tuck, look out world.

Excellent point!!
Maybe a band journey together is something she would have enjoyed. Hard to say seeing she isn't talking to you.
On the flip side....the road of life goes in one direction. There is a start and an end and how much time we have in between is always an unknown. I got banded at 45 and wish I had just done it when I was 25 (not that bands have been around that long). I wasted a lot of my younger years severely obese and a short 10 years ago I thought surgery was taking the easy way out so I tried Atkins and was successful with it but couldn't stick with it (like any fad diet). Fast forward 8 years I had put all my weight back on plus an additional 90lbs.
Maybe at 46 years old it is easier for me to say goodbye to a friend over better health opportunities and hope of extending my travel on the road of life but I say if she doesn't talk to you again then all you can do is keeping moving forward. Do not let her lack of communication deter you from reaching your goals. If your friend cannot support you in this journey and is going to cause adverse affects then maybe you need to cut the ties move on without her.

Just take one day at a time. I am happy you are starting again.

I will continue to pray for you. My husband is not support either. This forum has been a great source of support. We will get threw this journey TOGETHER!

Welcome back to bandsterville. Don't be afraid to ask questions even though you're an oldtimer by your surgery date. Contrary to what some may tell you, there is such a thing as asking a stupid question!
For instance:
Why can't I eat candy? That's a stupid question! Duh!
Is it OK to stick my finger down my throat and make myself throw-up? That's easy, no, it can cause your band to slip so it's a stupid question!
Is it OK to guzzle an entire 2 litre bottle of coke? No, it's not OK. The bubbles will make your pouch explode( ).jk
So now you know some of the stupid questions not to ask and any other questions are OK
Welcome again and let's get readddddyyyyy to RUMMMMMMMMMMMMMBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLE!
TMF

I am glad work went well.

I Finally Believe in Someone I have not Believed In Years!! Myself!!
Philippians 4:13
I can do All Things Through Christ Which Strengthens Me!!!
Love All of You!! Happy Monday!!