2012

I have not experienced the acid reflux anymore since surgery, my lapband surgeon has it in the ICF that when he's doing the lapband surgery and runs into a hiatal hernia, he will repair it at the same time, which he did.

Hi everyone, today is my actual 6th year anniversary. I was thinking 6 years ago this minute I was in surgery. And my life is completely different.
First I must say getting the band has been the best thing I've ever done.... But it is something I had to work at to get where I'm at.
I have to say this website was instrumental for many reasons.
1. Before I got the band, it gave me a clear picture of what to expect... The good and the difficulties. I was able to discern between people that were successful and people that had the band for a few years and didn't get anywhere. The successful people journaled their food, exercised and shared their issues to get solutions. When they fell off the wagon... They brushed themselves off and picked themselves off and started again.
I was scared when I read about people that didn't succeed but in reading further, I think they looked at the band as a magic solution rather then a tool to supplement the habits listed above.
2. When I got the band, the site helped me through things that popped up and how to handle. I didn't get involved in the negative comments. I just shared my experience and took others' experiences that made sense to me. We are all different so one persons solution is not another's solution.
3. After losing my weight it also helped me to find a plastic surgeon in my area. And I was thrilled with my choice. The girl that posted her pictures and journey pointed me in the right direction for me.
Since losing my weight, I have to say handling the head hunger has been a pretty big challenge. But I refuse to going back to being the "fatest person in the room". I had that role for too many years and do not want to go back there.
This year I put on 10 lbs and I'm in the process of getting it off. I look at food as an addiction. Having years of recovery in a 12 step program for another issue..... I am applying those principles to food especially sugar. For me it's a physical, mental and spiritual issue. I know physically to reduce calories and exercise. One thing I learned after being banded... 85% of my weight loss needed to come from reducing calories 15% came from exercising. Previously I thought I could exercise my weight to my goal weight.
Mentally I work with a counselor when the journey gets difficult. This helps me to identify why I turn to food when I'm happy, sad, stressed, excited. It doesn't matter what emotion comes up.... My coping mechanism is to turn to food/sugar.
Spiritually... This has been the hardest to develop even tho' I've experienced it in my 12 step program for my other issue. In the past 6 weeks I've made quite a bit of progress. Some of the practices I use to connect to a Higher Power:
1. Daily I read literature related to people that have overcome the food addiction
2. I talk to other people that are dealing with this similar issue
3. Prayer and meditation is key....
Many people are successful with Overeaters Anonymous and I suggest anyone struggling to try it. For me it hasn't helped. I use my other program to apply the 12 step principles and use the OA literature.
Some of the best benefits I've received are:
-Lost 120 lbs, my back and knees no longer hurt from the extra weight. I can breathe better
-I don't have to shop at large size stores. I actually was starting to outsize myself out of lane Bryant. I didn't know where to go after that
-I can sit in a airplane seat and not spill over to the next one or have to have an extension. I used to hate the look on the person next to me when they saw me coming into their row.
I met a wonderful man and got married 2 1/2 years ago. I wouldn't date when I was heavy so I never would've met him.
Most importantly..... I've gained self respect, I'm not ashamed of myself. This is HUGE for me.
Recently, I saw many people switching out from the band to other surgeries. I fully understand and am happy for everyone that finds their solution. I did investigate possible switching to the sleeve but the doctor recommends I stay where I'm at.
I'm not Pollyanna about the band... There are ongoing challenges. Some of them are:
I will always have to make sure I chew, chew, chew and eat slow, slow, slow. I happened to be a fast, large quantity eater in the past. I still have to be reminded.... My band is happy to help me on this ha!
I don't have any fill but I still have restriction. I'm happy about this. But restriction fluctuates when I exercise, fly on an airplane, in the morning etc. I've learned what affects my band and make adjustments.
I cant easily eat some of the things i really enjoy.....eggs, chicken, subway sandwich, peeps, twizzlers. But many of these things got me into trouble....
Is it a struggle? Sometimes....
A small price to pay for the life I have now.
I think as long as anyone considering any weight loss surgery as a tool and not the magic answer.... Can lose weight and have a new life.
I'm very grateful to Alex for starting this website as I'm not sure I would've been successful without it.
Momlambert: congratulations on your Bandiversary . Unbelievable we are still "keep on keepin' on"
I wish everyone success in your weight loss journey
JosieK

Thank you Missy, I agree with you, but do still kind of feel the same way as Ashleigh. Since I've lost 85 lbs, I get a lot of attention, even from people I never talk to at work and when they ask, I just tell them I eat high Protein, low carb, and track every little morsel that goes in my mouth and that I'm walking for exercise. But in the back of my mind, I know my little friend around my stomach is helping me too. Yesterday was insane though,I finally wore pants and a shirt that fit and everyone, and I mean lots of people, were calling me skinny, I just wish my head would catch up and sometimes I really don't like all of the attention, I know they are being nice to me, but I'm not one that likes to be the center of attention; although, I left a very happy person from work yesterday, so maybe I do like it a little after all, lol.

Great job, I'm happy for you!

Woohoo, Chili is a metabolism food, that's good news! But back to the post, have you tried journaling to see what you are putting in your mouth just to be sure? I know it opened my eyes in a lot of ways. And getting in your liquids is really important too, according to my nutritionist your body needs it to help flush out the fat it is burning.

Don't forget they have the luxury to work out like 8 hours a day and do you ever watch the "after" the Biggest Loser shows? Not trying to be a downer, but it's hard on your body to lose it as fast as they do and you don't learn for the long term on how to actually eat and keep it off. And I'm not sure what you mean by pureeing your food forever with the band, you make sure you chew well, but eat solids. If you aren't ready for this, don't do it. But personally I needed my own reminder on a long term basis to keep the weight off, not just lose and gain like I've done all my life. You can do this if you want it bad enough.

Don't forget they have the luxury to work out like 8 hours a day and do you ever watch the "after" the Biggest Loser shows? Not trying to be a downer, but it's hard on your body to lose it as fast as they do and you don't learn for the long term on how to actually eat and keep it off. And I'm not sure what you mean by pureeing your food forever with the band, you make sure you chew well, but eat solids. If you aren't ready for this, don't do it. But personally I needed my own reminder on a long term basis to keep the weight off, not just lose and gain like I've done all my life. You can do this if you want it bad enough.

Don't forget they have the luxury to work out like 8 hours a day and do you ever watch the "after" the Biggest Loser shows? Not trying to be a downer, but it's hard on your body to lose it as fast as they do and you don't learn for the long term on how to actually eat and keep it off. And I'm not sure what you mean by pureeing your food forever with the band, you make sure you chew well, but eat solids. If you aren't ready for this, don't do it. But personally I needed my own reminder on a long term basis to keep the weight off, not just lose and gain like I've done all my life. You can do this if you want it bad enough.

Don't forget they have the luxury to work out like 8 hours a day and do you ever watch the "after" the Biggest Loser shows? Not trying to be a downer, but it's hard on your body to lose it as fast as they do and you don't learn for the long term on how to actually eat and keep it off. And I'm not sure what you mean by pureeing your food forever with the band, you make sure you chew well, but eat solids. If you aren't ready for this, don't do it. But personally I needed my own reminder on a long term basis to keep the weight off, not just lose and gain like I've done all my life. You can do this if you want it bad enough.

Walk away, just walk away . They have good stuff in the break room all of the time and I just walk away with my Water. You can do this! Some people sniff the food, but that just looks silly, haha!

Walk away, just walk away . They have good stuff in the break room all of the time and I just walk away with my Water. You can do this! Some people sniff the food, but that just looks silly, haha!

I used my car and refinanced it and got lucky and had enough value to finance enough to pay for the surgery at only a 3.5% interest rate.

We've lost over 125!! Let's go let's finish strong!!

March Challenge_Lucky to be Losing.xls

I have not and I'm like Sue and have to mix something in my Water. I also keep a pitcher of Crystal Light Lemonade and a pitcher of one of their tea mixes in my fridge at all times .

Since you are stuck at home, do you have any prune juice? This might help you.

He either gets it or he doesn't. I would give him the space to come around. If he doesn't you will soon be so gorgeous there will be plenty of replacement offers. Being healthy is the most important part of life and enjoying life. You made a decision for you, hooray. Now he can get on board or the train will eave the station.

Hi, if you consider 35 young, I'm on here pretty often . I know when I was your age, I did not consider my age young, lol, but now that I'm here, I don't feel any different than I did at your age. And you're right, I do keep it a secret and have only told my mom, dad, (not my brother), and 2 ladies (older ladies) at work that would be understanding, supportive, and not tell anyone. Let me know if I can help, congrats on your surgery, I had my 07/09/12.

I would like to join, this is a great idea and I didn't think about a second Facebook page, I have not joined other LBT facebook pages because only 4 people know about my surgery and I would like to keep it that way .

Hopefully next week makes up for this week!! You are doing awesome!

I found it at Kroger recently.

Wow, great job!
And on the smoking, have you checked out vaping? I quit smoking over a year ago now I'm titrating down the vaping to get off of vaping, but the transition was easy (dare I say that ), I don't stink, my chest stopped hurting, and I feel great.

Thank you all for your support and encouraging words. This type of thing used to send me into a downward spiral, which is not happening this time around, but it's good to hear the input of others, especially the great people on LBT .
LoveTheNewMe, I've entertained that thought too, that I need more calories and I'm shooting for 1200 right now and it's just not happening consistently, I'm just not hungry, but hey, next week may fare better.
And 2muchfun, I agree, I've been very lucky, but it's been consistent. Wish my search in the forums found this post you are referring to, it didn't come up, or maybe I did it wrong .
I feel much better and I appreciate it!

I got banded 2/25/13 and it's been nothing but an up hill journey. I'm so thankful to have people around me to push me and also encourage me to do my best. At this point in my life I really don't care what people think or say...I've learned that what God has for me is for me. To be honest some people will say and do anything to try to steal your joy! I know this was the best thing that I could have ever done to make me BETTER!!!... I'm also so happy that I was able to find a site that can support me during my transformation. I tell people that I'm a butterfly that is coming out of her cocoon!! The bottom line is keep your head up and most of all keep the faith!!!
Good Luck!!!

Thank you Lap Band Master. So far I feel so great its almost too good to be true! I was banded Wednesday and I haven't had in nausea and I've been able to keep everything I eat down. My goal at the moment is to surround myself with nothing but positive people that will support me on my new journey. I could fill a page with all the negative things that I'm told....from slippage to "you won't lose all the weight you want to lose with the band". I am really glad to have found this site and I plan on being a very active member on the board. Thank you guys in advance for the support and advice.

I'm surprised this is only the second time you've had a small plateau? Sorry, but I copied one of my posts from earlier in the day and I'm just going to repost it here:
Your post is similar to so many every day. So yes, nearly everyone(99%?) has experienced going a few days and did not lose weight and maybe even gained a lb or 2? Losing weight vs losing fat are two different things entirely.

The band is not a magic wand where we lose fat or weight every day or even every week. Your scale does not separate the two main factors of losing weight. Fat vs fluids!
The scale does not know that it's your TOM or that you ate chinese with a 1/4 cup of soy sauce, or a lean cusine with 750 mg sodium, or 2 cups of chicken Soup loaded with sodium. Your scale does not know you've exercised rigorously for the last 2 weeks adding muscle to replace lost fat.
You can lose 3 lbs of fat in one week but the scale may not indicate any loss of fat at all if you are retaining fluids.
It's so easy for our bodies to retain 3-5 lbs of water/fluids if the environment presents itself. Eat a lot of sodium, TOM, medications or illness make our bodies retain fluids. That's weight and lots of it. You can expect wild 1-5 lb fluctuations every day or week. No one is immune. jmo