MandaMom23

Only YOU can decide what will work best for you! I just wanted to say that when I sat in my consultation appointment, I was asked what my goal weight would be with the surgery (I was 296lbs at the time). I said I'd like to be 175 within 2 years of surgery. She sort of laughed, and said I needed a more realistic goal, and based on my weight should expect to lose about 40lbs the first year, and 20lbs the following. Well, I reached my initial goal weight of 175lbs in under 9 months. With any of the surgeries, you'll get back whatever you put into it. Wishing you the best of luck with your decision!

I love reading posts like these!! I LOVE my band, and it does it's job beautifully! The band has changed my life, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without it!!! I, however, still struggle with the mental side of food (I still have to stop and think "do I need this", "should I eat it"...blah blah blah), and need to remember that the band is there for a reason, and I need to learn to trust it!

Sounds like you're doing great!! Don't let all the holiday temptations undo all your hard work. Something that's been helping me is eating it if I *really* want it (I actually stop and think before eating, and don't just mindlessly grab it), staying honest and recording the calories towards my daily allowance, and moving on! You've got this!! 200's here you come!!!!!

Sorry to hear that! I had to have my port replaced after 4 months, due to a really bad kink in the tubing. It sucked, but all is well now! Happy to hear all went well with your surgery, and you're back on your journey.

You look great! Congrats!

I can totally relate, and often feel the same way. I too find myself feeling guilty for telling people I'm losing weight by watching my portion sizes, track all my calories and Protein, and no longer drink soda...and not mentioning the band. But, like my husband reminds me, that IS why I'm losing weight. That little plastic band doesn't stop me from making poor food choices. It may tell me to slow down, or that I've had enough, but even then *I* have to choose to listen to it. It's truly a TOOL just like any other weightloss method...counting weight watcher points, having nutrisystem meals delievered to our door, even joining a gym. Only difference is we can't just take our bands (or any other WLS) off as we please, or because we get annoyed with it! It's always there with us! I really wish others could see WLS as a tool, and not as a quick, easy fix.

I, too, have issues with chicken/turkey. Seems to be pretty common. I still eat a lot of chicken, but I have to slow myself down, take tiiiiny bites, and chew chew chew...which isn't such a bad thing, because I still tend to eat too fast!! I also use gravy, or a bit of mayo sometimes to help it go down better.

I just need to start exercising!! I hardly exercise at all right now. I've started the couch to 5K about 5 times in the last 6 months, and never make it past week 2. My goal is to find some sort of exercise I really enjoy, and stick to some kind of regular routine.

I only told those that are closest to me, my husband, parents, siblings, and my very best friend. I'm a very private person in general, and don't share much about my personal life anyway. However, I did learn that my kids are hearing everything I say! Last weekend I went shopping with my sister in law, and I decided I would tell her about the band. She was like "yeah, I've known for awhile. Your daughter told me you don't drink soda anymore because you have a band on your stomach now!" OY! haha Now, I can't help but wonder how many other people my daughter shared that with??

I was banded February 1st of this year. Starting weight was 291 (my first appointment with my surgeon in June 2012.), I was 268 on the day of my surgery, and I am 166 today. I had a really hard time with deciding on a goal weight. I randomly picked 175 when I decided to have the surgery, and I wanted to get to that goal by my 2 year surgiversary. My dr actually told me that goal might not be a realistic goal in that time frame, as weightloss with the band is usually slow. Well, I reached that goal in under 9 months. Now I've chosen 152...which will make me a normal BMI.

Awesome!! Congrats!

For the first 6 weeks, or at least until your first fill, focus on healing and not on the scale! If you're following the band rules, and doing what you need to do, the weightloss will come!

For me, the other options were just too invasive. I also liked that the band is removable if absolutely necessary, and I can have it adjusted as needed for the rest of my life. With the sleeve/bypass, if you stretch your stomach back out there's no simple adjustment to fix that, and once you're insides are cut out/ and or rerouted, you can't just put that back. It's obviously a very personal decision for each individual. Just keep doing your research to find which tool you feel will work best for you...for both the short and long term. Wishing you the best of luck with your decision!

Yup, very normal. It took almost a month for my port site to feel completely healed.

We did Thanksgiving with my side of the family yesterday. I'm not going to lie, I was really nervous! All that food, and temptation! I wasn't sure how it was going to be. I just took a tiny bit of everything I wanted, including 2 tiny pieces of my favorite pies...pumpkin and pecan. YUM! My band totally did its job, and I was perfectly satisfied with my little plate of food! Unlike my pre banded days, I didn't even want to go back for seconds!

AWESOME!!!! Congrats!!!!

You look amazing! Congrats!!!

Congrats!

Same here! We're losing our insulation! haha I used to just wear a sweatshirt, even when it was 5 below!! Now, I'm bundled up, and wearing my heavy winter coat when it's 40!

That's great! Congrats!

Thanks! I'm going to try them out!

I love all different kinds of salads, Soups, meatballs with marinara and a bit of parmesan cheese, reuben with out the bread (I just cut up corned beef lunch meat, top with sauerkraut, 2tbsp fat free thousand island dressing, and top with a slice of swiss cheese, and microwave).

Mine went from a 10 wide to a size 9, and I no longer need a wide

Wow! I'm so sorry you had to go through all that! I would be super pissed at the surgeon. I'm so happy to hear you're doing well now.

Awesome! You're doing great!