Debbie3sons

That is awesome...honestly that is exactly one of my goals...i have a 3 and 6 year old....going to disney soon and dreading it a bit hoping i can ride everything with them...nothing will make me sadder that if i can't!
Congrats to you...you look so happy! It must have been soooo much fun!

This is just way too cool and too fun!! I love it!!
Btw, I haven't been to Great America in decades. Next time I'm back in Chicago visiting family and friends I'm definitely going.
You look wonderful too!

super duper!!

Thanks everyone! It was a great day indeed. It felt soooo good to be a part of the fun, not put on a happy face and be hurting or sad inside, and have the endurance to walk the park all day.

Very well spoken post! I'm so glad you have taken it upon yourself to not only do the homework but talk to your doctor. If more people were as smart about this as you are, there would be lot less band failures and ignorance.
As far as the scary threads and "you're doomed, doomed I tell you!" posters: Just remember, it's sad but misery loves company and ignorance isn't bliss. The ignorant won't be happy until they've made everyone as miserable as they are.

Good job on doing your own research and asking your Dr. questions.. No matter what anyone else says or experiences you have to worry about you. The dramatic posts are a cry for attention and perhaps they feel some kind of pleasure in scaring people.. but everything in life has risks, but I figured my health was worth a risk.. Take care and keep us posted.

Bless this Blog/Post! I am so glad to see YOU are making YOUR own decision...YEA for you!
I'm pretty sure i might know the "crazy" post you're referring to...I just read all the drama and shake my head. What a waste of time!!!! Some people must think prospective banders won't think or do the homework for themselves!!! If someone comes on here and spouts info they don't agree with, they must be a "troll" or a liar! Its their way or else....In reality, I think thats what "those" people are looking for......attention. .You've heard misery loves company....HAHA! I aint gonna be their company.
Anyways, GOOD for YOU! Do what's right in your mind after getting all the info you can and then discussing with the professionals. Best wishes on your decision. Never, Ever give up!

Good for you to go ahead with the surgery. I had no problems at all except food getting stuck which was my fault.

I am very proud of you for writing, "what not to do". I was told no driving for about 2-3 weeks after surgery and being a passenger for not more than 1-2 hours for 3-4 weeks.
It is sad you learned the hard way. Just remember about not lifting anything either until the doctor gives the ok. Each doctor has their own views.
Feel better and stay cool in this terrible weather.

My doctor sounds like CG's. I always say listen to your own doctor and dietitian because they all have their rules and ideas. But we all know don't cheat on your before and after surgery diets until you are told you can have the food.

first of all i would like to say congrats, and this is an awesome thread and very encouraging, and thanks for sharing the ideal about taking your blender and protein powder in snack size bags, keep up the great work..

Isn't nice that you can go to a store and not worry it is not going to fit or have to go to a plus size for (women) or big & tall or larger size specialty stores . good for you and if you, your wife ,kids and band(mistress) are giving you the bells & whistles sort of speak then keep on keepin on biking and doing what you do I know you are feeling good .

Isn't nice that you can go to a store and not worry it is not going to fit or have to go to a plus size for (women) or big & tall or larger size specialty stores . good for you and if you, your wife ,kids and band(mistress) are giving you the bells & whistles sort of speak then keep on keepin on biking and doing what you do I know you are feeling good .

This is common during the liquid phase. Liquids in liquids out. It does get better I promise. When you start eating protein you may have the opposite problem lol

If these things bother you so much, then why make yourself more aggravated by coming here and reading it. We all have had our times and our days of people in general getting on our nerves but for the most part those of us that have been banded for a long time certainly are not going to sit back and watch other fill their guts with pizza and cake three days post op and not say anything. Some people just need a swift kick once in a while.

Hello all! I am a bit new to all this and I find this site rather helpful in helping me make my decision. I just wanted to hear honest experiences (good and bad) from everyone so I know what I am getting myself into. As with anything... everyone may have a different experience which is why I think this is a pretty good site.

I think it's unfortunate that some people have to drone on and on about their misfortune. I have found nothing but good advice and encouragement on this group... no one has purported themselves to be experts.. That being said I do find it easier to take information from successful people on here than people who have a hard time understanding the rules.. I don't think everyone who has had problems is at fault but I do think there is a fair percentage just like anything else that like to place blame on anyone but themselves. so, my advice to you is to go to another board where you can whine and gripe... we've all seen and heard enough negativity and frankly it's tiresome.. so if you are happy then act like it and move on..

I don't understand why you hang here, if you loathe everyone so much?
We really don't mind hearing about bands not working, but when ppl start posting old out of date info and claiming it to be true, kinda gets under our skin.
Fact is there are a few complications , ask msmaui, that are no fault of the patient. But the majority of complications are from non compliance.
So if you want ppl to say, its ok, eat & drink whatever you want and as much as you want and the problems you are having with your band is the bands fault, not yours. That's just not going to happen.

Oh no they didn't!!!!

I appreciate you sharing the reality of banded life. None of us are perfect and this is a great example of what we can do to help ourselves. We are human and having our own strength is great; however, we need that support system too. So glad you were able to open up and allow them to be a support system for you.

I absolutely love this. I swear it sound like you look in my home and told my story. Good Days and Bad Days. Congrats on getting back on track.

I have days like that too. Almost like I traded one anomaly for another, but I just put one foot in front of the other and remind myself that size 8 is a whole lot better than size 24!

I definitely have those moments. I see my family going to town a big, fatty bowl of pasta or mowing a giant cheeseburger and I have these moments of "ugh I wish I could just have an hour to eat normal".
...but then I remember that's how I got to over 400 pounds... and suddenly that dripping burger doesn't look so appetizing anymore.
You're doing so great!

They Rearange your insides with the sleeve and bypass and if you really don't watch what you eat then most of or al the weight you lose does come back ,the band is not a fix all it is a tool to help you adjust and when you adjust to it then you start to know and feel when you are full and when you have that stuck experience then you really know not to do it again, I am saying this cause my Aunt was a R. N nurse and she is about 67 and she has had 4 different surgeries 2 of them we're getting her stomache stapled ,cause that's what they used to do ,the one was the bypass and of course she gained back quite a bit the last one she had was the sleeve and she lost ,however I watched as she ate a double quarter pounder ,lg fri,1/2 a small watermelon then had popcorn and a big glass of soda ,she has lost but she could not get the band cause her stomache iwas connected to her liver so their we're complications when she went in for surgery for the band so when she woke up they told her that she got the sleeve so just becareful please and make sur it is your decision not anyone elses, cause your the one who has to adjust and live with it , not trying to scare anyone just ask as many questions as u want and make sure they don't u don't feel like their blowing you off also you might want to see some of the Surgeons patients in real life who have had success on the different ones and ask them questions I know I did so that's how I decided hope this helped in any way sorry for it being so long .