Sharpie

Liz Lisa is right sometimes it takes a little time. I am in North Florida sadly . Weather here is nice hope it is the same when you arrive. I am actually going to my first support meeting tonight in a year. I realized after my husband's death that I need to get back in touch with my group and get back in the game. My purpose in having surgery was to be healthier and I feel I am slipping with the stress of my husband's illness and the grief I am not eating well. Hope you have a wonderful trip .

I am with B52, small portions of everything. I will be cooking the turkey and dressing, other family and friends will bring sides. last year I had a small portion of everything. didn't overeat which was wonderful. I did save some room for pumpkin pie which is my favorite. since I had surgery I have felt reborn. I can enjoy Thanksgiving without guilt. I have tons of energy and can cook all day and still enjoy everyone's company.

I am short too and don't like booths. However, I would have told them to sit in the booth by themselves and I would have sat alone or left. how disrespectful to you. Your husband needs an attitude adjustment. No one should treat someone the are supposed to love in that manner. Sorry for you sweetie. doesn't matter if you are heavy or thin if you prefer to sit at a table instead of a booth your feelings should count.

I am short too and don't like booths. However, I would have told them to sit in the booth by themselves and I would have sat alone or left. how disrespectful to you. Your husband needs an attitude adjustment. No one should treat someone the are supposed to love in that manner. Sorry for you sweetie. doesn't matter if you are heavy or thin if you prefer to sit at a table instead of a booth your feelings should count.

I am with B52, small portions of everything. I will be cooking the turkey and dressing, other family and friends will bring sides. last year I had a small portion of everything. didn't overeat which was wonderful. I did save some room for pumpkin pie which is my favorite. since I had surgery I have felt reborn. I can enjoy Thanksgiving without guilt. I have tons of energy and can cook all day and still enjoy everyone's company.

I am with B52, small portions of everything. I will be cooking the turkey and dressing, other family and friends will bring sides. last year I had a small portion of everything. didn't overeat which was wonderful. I did save some room for pumpkin pie which is my favorite. since I had surgery I have felt reborn. I can enjoy Thanksgiving without guilt. I have tons of energy and can cook all day and still enjoy everyone's company.

I am with B52, small portions of everything. I will be cooking the turkey and dressing, other family and friends will bring sides. last year I had a small portion of everything. didn't overeat which was wonderful. I did save some room for pumpkin pie which is my favorite. since I had surgery I have felt reborn. I can enjoy Thanksgiving without guilt. I have tons of energy and can cook all day and still enjoy everyone's company.

I am with B52, small portions of everything. I will be cooking the turkey and dressing, other family and friends will bring sides. last year I had a small portion of everything. didn't overeat which was wonderful. I did save some room for pumpkin pie which is my favorite. since I had surgery I have felt reborn. I can enjoy Thanksgiving without guilt. I have tons of energy and can cook all day and still enjoy everyone's company.

Liz so happy you posted this. Everyone who hasn't had the struggle with obesity seems to think it's all mind over matter. I know that without my band I would still eat too much and would be back to my former overweight obese self in no time. The fill itself will not cure the mental problems but it gives you control and a good deal of self confidence. I went to my surgeon on Monday, thought I might need a small fill but he decided to wait a little bit because my emotions are not good since losing my husband last month. My surgeon is a very wise man and a compassionate man, I won the lottery when I found him. I am getting back on my eating plan so I won't slip back into my former bad habits. You have been successful but seem to realize the pitfalls of thinking you can do it alone. Best of luck, the fill process by the way is nothing to worry about. Take Care

so sorry Stephanie for your loss.

excellent testament to the success you can have with lapband. I too had my band surgery on January 15, 2013. I am 5'0 and possibly shorter as I age.. lol. however I weighed 200 lbs when I started my search for resolution to my health issues. I was 66 years of age and had diabetes, type 2 which was getting worse every day, on the verge of starting insulin and added problems with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My mobility was a problem as I could barely make it around the store to shop. I spent most of my days in my recliner or in bed because my knees and back hurt constantly. After having my surgery I am a new woman, haven't felt better in many years. I still have days I am not as compliant as in the beginning but for the most part I am good, I have maintained my loss for several years. Just went back to my surgeon just for a checkup since it had been a year since I saw him last. He said you are doing good, no problems and seems like you are maintaining your loss. All I can say to anyone considering weight loss surgery, do your research and find out what you want as a long term goal. I am still extremely happy that I chose my lapband .

Liz so happy you posted this. Everyone who hasn't had the struggle with obesity seems to think it's all mind over matter. I know that without my band I would still eat too much and would be back to my former overweight obese self in no time. The fill itself will not cure the mental problems but it gives you control and a good deal of self confidence. I went to my surgeon on Monday, thought I might need a small fill but he decided to wait a little bit because my emotions are not good since losing my husband last month. My surgeon is a very wise man and a compassionate man, I won the lottery when I found him. I am getting back on my eating plan so I won't slip back into my former bad habits. You have been successful but seem to realize the pitfalls of thinking you can do it alone. Best of luck, the fill process by the way is nothing to worry about. Take Care

I love how wise you are. I love how honest and self-aware you are. I can't wait until your fill, too, and to read that you are back down the scale to your former weight. I have no doubts this will be the case.

Liz so happy you posted this. Everyone who hasn't had the struggle with obesity seems to think it's all mind over matter. I know that without my band I would still eat too much and would be back to my former overweight obese self in no time. The fill itself will not cure the mental problems but it gives you control and a good deal of self confidence. I went to my surgeon on Monday, thought I might need a small fill but he decided to wait a little bit because my emotions are not good since losing my husband last month. My surgeon is a very wise man and a compassionate man, I won the lottery when I found him. I am getting back on my eating plan so I won't slip back into my former bad habits. You have been successful but seem to realize the pitfalls of thinking you can do it alone. Best of luck, the fill process by the way is nothing to worry about. Take Care

excellent testament to the success you can have with lapband. I too had my band surgery on January 15, 2013. I am 5'0 and possibly shorter as I age.. lol. however I weighed 200 lbs when I started my search for resolution to my health issues. I was 66 years of age and had diabetes, type 2 which was getting worse every day, on the verge of starting insulin and added problems with high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My mobility was a problem as I could barely make it around the store to shop. I spent most of my days in my recliner or in bed because my knees and back hurt constantly. After having my surgery I am a new woman, haven't felt better in many years. I still have days I am not as compliant as in the beginning but for the most part I am good, I have maintained my loss for several years. Just went back to my surgeon just for a checkup since it had been a year since I saw him last. He said you are doing good, no problems and seems like you are maintaining your loss. All I can say to anyone considering weight loss surgery, do your research and find out what you want as a long term goal. I am still extremely happy that I chose my lapband .

Good for you for coming on this forum and asking for help !! I didn't have any if the "I'll never be able to eat normally again !" because I knew from talking to others and my research that I WOULD be able to eat normally, but it would be a "-new" type of normal and one I could easily accept. To put it in perspective, think if you were making vegetable Soup and it called for veggies like big carrots, 1 cup of celery, and 2 cups
onions etc. You have baby carrots, 3/4 cup celery, and 1 and 3/4 cups onions. Would you give up on the whole recipe ? Or would you just adjust a bit and substitute a little ? Thats what WLS is for me personally. I did give up most fast food and junk food (slowly), but learned to adjust my meals in a healthier way that I was still satisfied. Almost 4 yrs later, im still VERY happy that I got banded. Healthy, happy and love how I look and feel !!

YES, DO NOT GET THE BAND IF: You cannot and/or will not follow the instructions or rules provided to you by your Surgeon. Do Not Get the BAnd if you will not or cannot control your urge to overeat no matter how much it hurts or makes you sick. I sometimes think the psychiatric counseling pre-op doesn't go far enough for some patients. I do agree that the band is not for everyone and I am always sad to read the negative posts. My problem is the way it's written to scare potential patients away from the Band. I could do the same thing with the sleeve which removes 80% of your stomach, forever or the re-routing of your intestines by by pass but I think people are better off making their decisions on gathering information themselves from credible sources. I was banded in January 2013, have no problems, no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It was not easy, and I had to re-learn eating habits and how to recognize true hunger from maybe emotional eating or eating from boredom. The band has helped me control my eating and I am extremely happy with my decision. There are legitimate problems for some people with the band and also the sleeve and bypass. Not all problems are caused by non compliance. Do your own research.

YES, DO NOT GET THE BAND IF: You cannot and/or will not follow the instructions or rules provided to you by your Surgeon. Do Not Get the BAnd if you will not or cannot control your urge to overeat no matter how much it hurts or makes you sick. I sometimes think the psychiatric counseling pre-op doesn't go far enough for some patients. I do agree that the band is not for everyone and I am always sad to read the negative posts. My problem is the way it's written to scare potential patients away from the Band. I could do the same thing with the sleeve which removes 80% of your stomach, forever or the re-routing of your intestines by by pass but I think people are better off making their decisions on gathering information themselves from credible sources. I was banded in January 2013, have no problems, no longer have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It was not easy, and I had to re-learn eating habits and how to recognize true hunger from maybe emotional eating or eating from boredom. The band has helped me control my eating and I am extremely happy with my decision. There are legitimate problems for some people with the band and also the sleeve and bypass. Not all problems are caused by non compliance. Do your own research.

If the band didn't work, neither will the sleeve. The band has worked for me tremendously and I didn't have to get half of my stomach removed!! Also, I was able to have my restriction removed when I was diagnosed with cancer and needed to eat. I recovered from cancer and gained some weight back so went back for a fill and lost the weight again.

I'm sorry you have not been successful with your band and that you haven't been able to get the fills you need to make it work. The purpose of the band is to dim your appetite so you can make good choices but you have to do that part -- not eat whatever you want. Please don't discourage my choice in getting a band as I have been very happy with it for two years. It's one thing to have it not work for you but to tell other people not to have one surgery or another based on your singular experience is misleading. Meanwhile, best wishes and hopes that you are able to work with your doctors to find whatever is right for you.

Burps, puke, reflux, too tight, not tight enough, stalls, ect.....that WAS the hardest part of all....first 6 months or so adjusting myself to the demands of the band....NOT the other way around.
But once I got that down, and changed my life long bad habits, it HAS been the easy road....and still is.
Been at my optimal weight for over 3 years now, not gaining or loosing, a process finished, a success complete...no fear of gaining any weight back as long as the band is there doing what it is doing.
Why all the negativity???? It's only my opinion but I think many people rersist change, refuse to adapt. So getting through all the Burps, puke, reflux, too tight, not tight enough, stalls, etc...is too much and they back away?
It's also why, again my opinion, is the reason many Dr.'s are staying away from the band...the patient has too much influence....with other surgeries it is what it is...no adjusments. Deal with it.
Coming up on 5 years and I could not be more pleased with my life changing choice to have this surgery...

I love my band, December 2015 will be 4 years ive had it. Negatives ? Having to rethink my food habits, lots of Water , exercising 3-4 x a week. That's it for negatives !!! Positives ? Loving how I look and feel from rethinking my food habits, lots of water, exercising 3-4x a week. That is all.

so happy to see something positive regarding the band. I've had my band for almost 3 years. not easy at all, some days I wondered what I was thinking but overall I have adapted to a new way of eating, how I think about food and I enjoy much better health as a result.. No more diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure it's a wonderful thing not to have that burden of bad health. I recently lost my husband as some of you might know, we were married 39 years and the last few years have been very hard physically for him. Thank God I was healthy enough to take care of him . He had major heart surgery last year and prior to that he had a partial knee replacement and esophageal cancer so taking care of him was my full time job. It takes a lot of energy and determination to care for a loved one and with the help of my band I was able to do it . I promised him I would continue to stay healthy as long as possible . He was my biggest fan and was very proud of my successful weight loss. I hope I can continue to make him proud.

keep trying to post my picture just not good at it..

wasn't really in Halloween mood but managed to get something together, had a group of friends invite me to a get together .