Sharpie

And to look at this from a different perspective than I wrote from above ... I've seen / known WLS patients who gained all their weight back because they couldn't give up sweet tea. Or wheat thins.
Jeez.
Louise.

I have to be one of the bluntest people on this forum.
But 20-year-olds actually are immature. And many of them are far more impulsive than they'll be 5-10 years hence. Hell, their brains aren't even finished cooking yet. Bless their hearts ... and I don't mean that in the Southern way.
Likewise, it's sometimes hard being older and wiser with more experience and more insurance. Therefore, on a forum like this I can sometimes forgo cutting a young person's throat virtually.
And yes, later in the thread, she did rethink the subject and clarify her position.
For older people who whine repeatedly (not that we don't all have the occasional bad day) about pizza+beer, stalls, I simply realize they're probably not going to "make it." They probably don't have the proper nutritional education, counseling or therapy, intellectual or emotional intelligence, or other attributes that WLS requires for success.
Don't be mean. Those of us who do get it and are successful long-term are lucky in many ways. I also remember that this journey is never over, and that a challenge I stepped over easily last month could trip me up next month.
Finally, I'm feeling unusually charitable this Fourth of July as I think about the great fortune I had to be born in the United States and about all the opportunities freely available to me as a woman that I'd not have had if I'd been born in a number of other places and times.

not many ppl lose a lot of wt. until they start getting fills. I would check with your doctor's office about your diet. you might be able to move to a regular diet by now. you maybe a bit more depressed because of the limited diet. believe me we all go through emotional roller coaster ride during the first months after being banded. it will be okay. but do call your doctor about getting on more of a solid type meals. my incision hurt more where the port is. icing it did help. check and make sure you have no redness, swelling, or warm feeling to the site. is your temperature staying normal? please try and remember that you had anesthesia and that medication could be the cause for your blues. you are healing give yourself a chance. I wish you well.

Hey there, hope you're doing better today ! Im glad you have a Dr.s appt today, tell him/her everything you told us so he can help you. I will say getting banded was the smartest and best thing I could of done for myself. But you definetly have to go through stages (foodwise) to be sucessful, but remember those stages are TEMPORARY ! NOT forever ! And yes , you must walk ! I have dealt with depression too, its.not. fun., and no its not a "pity party" , but walking did help me both mentally and with weight loss. With following the food rules ( not. hard, to.do.) and walking and swimming, (easy!) the weight started coming right off ! You.can. do. this ! Come back here for more support if needed, have a good day !!

If you are having trouble motivating when it comes to exercise, try taking classes. They helped me tremendously because I enjoyed the social aspect of getting to meet the others in the class and it helped to make me feel an obligation to get to those classes. Especially when I started to make friends and they would ask if I was OK if I didn't get to a class. Guilt is a powerful motivator..lol. I take Water exercise classes by the way. Great way to move around with minimal discomfort as the Water keeps you buoyant.

catfish , thank you for posing important points. I think our lapband group has been hijacked a long time ago. I sent Alex a message last night asking if there is a way he can stop all of the negative comments on our site. I am not sure it will help. I am amazed at how the "sleevers" get on the lapband chat area and tell people "dont' waste your time" with the lapband. I think it's a shame.

This subject is getting so tiresome on here. first of l purposely choose to be on the Lapband Surgery portion of this site. I don't know about the sleeve, don't care about the sleeve and I don't want to know how "great" the sleeve is vs the lapband every single day. The original poster stated they were having a lapband and hey wanted to know how we chose our surgeons. Didn't say I am considering getting a sleeve or anything like that. immediately band haters start posting their negative opinions. If you are so opposed to the lapband than go on the sleeve section and quit worrying about us. I feel like we have to constantly defend ourselves with all of the people on here to seem to make it their mission to bash the band. BTW I don't care what type of surgery you had and I really don't care what your surgeon does. My surgeon is very well respected and experienced and has done thousands of Lapbands.. I have talked to Sleeve patients and bypass patients who are not happy with their surgeries also. So giving advice and offering help are one thing, being negative and trying to convince people that your surgery is best is another. I LOVE MY BAND, DON'T WANT TO CHANGE . please stop commenting on all of the band posts. It would really be helpful .

so now you are walking back your original post? You have the freedom to post whatever you want but when you are called out don't lie about it. You made the statement below when someone just asked about how we picked our Surgeon. The original poster did not ask your opinion or mine about lapband, sleeve or RNY. Just how you picked your Dr. There was no need whatsoever to post that we wasted our time by getting the lapband.. I think the sleeve is a dangerous surgery, I know many who have stretched their little stomachs back to big stomach. Bad side effects etc. but I do not tell the people who have had that surgery that they are wasting their time. Frankly I'm tired of even having to defend my decision as if I am an idiot and can't make a good decision about my body without some know it all telling me how stupid I am... If you cannot understand why people are upset, I'm sorry.

This subject is getting so tiresome on here. first of l purposely choose to be on the Lapband Surgery portion of this site. I don't know about the sleeve, don't care about the sleeve and I don't want to know how "great" the sleeve is vs the lapband every single day. The original poster stated they were having a lapband and hey wanted to know how we chose our surgeons. Didn't say I am considering getting a sleeve or anything like that. immediately band haters start posting their negative opinions. If you are so opposed to the lapband than go on the sleeve section and quit worrying about us. I feel like we have to constantly defend ourselves with all of the people on here to seem to make it their mission to bash the band. BTW I don't care what type of surgery you had and I really don't care what your surgeon does. My surgeon is very well respected and experienced and has done thousands of Lapbands.. I have talked to Sleeve patients and bypass patients who are not happy with their surgeries also. So giving advice and offering help are one thing, being negative and trying to convince people that your surgery is best is another. I LOVE MY BAND, DON'T WANT TO CHANGE . please stop commenting on all of the band posts. It would really be helpful .

This subject is getting so tiresome on here. first of l purposely choose to be on the Lapband Surgery portion of this site. I don't know about the sleeve, don't care about the sleeve and I don't want to know how "great" the sleeve is vs the lapband every single day. The original poster stated they were having a lapband and hey wanted to know how we chose our surgeons. Didn't say I am considering getting a sleeve or anything like that. immediately band haters start posting their negative opinions. If you are so opposed to the lapband than go on the sleeve section and quit worrying about us. I feel like we have to constantly defend ourselves with all of the people on here to seem to make it their mission to bash the band. BTW I don't care what type of surgery you had and I really don't care what your surgeon does. My surgeon is very well respected and experienced and has done thousands of Lapbands.. I have talked to Sleeve patients and bypass patients who are not happy with their surgeries also. So giving advice and offering help are one thing, being negative and trying to convince people that your surgery is best is another. I LOVE MY BAND, DON'T WANT TO CHANGE . please stop commenting on all of the band posts. It would really be helpful .

I can sympathise with many on here as it seems the lap band is posed as the "underdog"
I will be having lap band surgery next month and I believe I have made the right choice it really is down to personal preference whether you want a simple non evasive surgical procedure or a stomach removing stapling session
Both of course carry their risks band slipping or stomach stretching!
Non of these choices are bad they are just different!
The common goal we all share here is the desire to lose weight via whatever aid nessesery
Good luck to all whatever procedure you have chosen or thinking of choosing remember everyone is different and their problems may never effect you, some carry bias views whist others promote negativity
Ultimately it's your decision
Pro weight loss, pro living life to the full pro whatever means nessesery to achieve your "happy"
Oh and pro band!

Opinions are like Navels everyone has one. Don't be afraid or concerned by the negative nellies on here. What they don't tell you sometimes is some of the failures of bands are their fault. Not All but if they were honest with themselves and you they might admit some failure on their part to follow the instructions. There are people on here and other sites everyday who talk about drinking soda, eating pizza, on and on then can't figure out why the band isn't working for them. So, they make it their mission to discourage and scare people away from the band. I think it's mean and I can never figure out the pay off for them. There are failures in every type of weight loss surgery. Sleeves and by pass patients have failures as well as bandsters. Stay Calm and talk to your Dr. Ask questions and my advice for now stay off of these sites.

A lot of people are very successful with the band. I just got mine done, and I've lost almost 50 pounds. What do you mean by "don't waste your time?"

It is truly remarkable that a short time ago you were on the verge of becoming immobile. Now you are going to bike through Central Park.. Amazing Liz. Thank You for reminding me to keep being happy with the progress I've made and not get too bogged down by the scale . I know you will have a great trip.

I try to appreciate someone even if they are not really complimenting me but rather being nosy. I have chosen to be very honest and upfront about my surgery. I don't think it pays to be mysterious or dishonest. It has started to get normal for my friends and family now so they rarely comment. I did have someone ask me recently if I was sick but that was someone who had not seen me in a long time. I told her why I looked thin and left it at that. At this stage of my life I don't really care what people think of me or how I got healthy. I am the winner for having the sense to stop destroying my health. Liz you are living proof that his can be done. Keep on enjoying it No guilt, No Regrets is my motto.

Jane so good to see that your letter had a positive outcome. I have family members and friends who doubt that WLS is the answer. Although they have been on a diet as long as I can remember and lose here and there, none have maintained it very long. (sadly) That is why I try my best to stay on track and make sure that they see the positive side of WLS. If even one of them would get inspiration by my experience I would be pleased.

@@Annek2014 I would suggest that you could enlist the help of the other adult in your family in grilling some lean meats and vegetables! You could even do kebabs. Skinnytaste.com has a lot of really good kebab ideas but I'm sure you can come up with your own combination! Then for dessert, do some fruit or watermelon. ( These look fun!: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/03/rainbow-fruit-skewers-with-yogurt-fruit.html ) Maybe a tossed salad and you've got the makings of a fun and healthy 4th! Good luck! Hope you heal soon from your surgery!

my family does 4th of July big.. bbq ribs, chicken , baked Beans , potato salad, watermelon and some kind of dessert. I no longer stress over holiday menu's. I eat what the band let's me which isn't anymore on holidays than usual. I will probably eat some chicken thighs and baked Beans. might try a small amt of watermelon. I don't think the rest of the family will care what I eat. My first Thanksgiving after being banded was great. I ate some dark meat turkey a spoon full of potatoes with gravy and some green beans. Nobody cared . I was happy as a lark and wasn't stuffed like previous years. It really is powerful to keep control.

explore your options. the sleeve is radical surgery, you lose 80% of your stomach, the band is less invasive but comes with some rules that you should consider. Bypass of course is a major surgery where your intestines are re-routed. All WLS come with risk . I was banded because I did not want to have major surgery , I have so far had a good experience and I hope to continue without problems. It is more work on your part to keep the band healthy and maintain your weight. I agree with your Doc about long term effects of sleeve, not been around long enough. I do know we have many long term band patients around and I know a few who have had band's re-done for one reason or other. I also know band over bypass patients.

Area.i would love to attend. I had my sleeve surgery may 21.2015. i am down 58 pounds.

I try to appreciate someone even if they are not really complimenting me but rather being nosy. I have chosen to be very honest and upfront about my surgery. I don't think it pays to be mysterious or dishonest. It has started to get normal for my friends and family now so they rarely comment. I did have someone ask me recently if I was sick but that was someone who had not seen me in a long time. I told her why I looked thin and left it at that. At this stage of my life I don't really care what people think of me or how I got healthy. I am the winner for having the sense to stop destroying my health. Liz you are living proof that his can be done. Keep on enjoying it No guilt, No Regrets is my motto.

GNC has sales on the Quest bars buy 3 get 1 free. If you have a gold card you will also save. I have used the Quest bars most of the time for a way to get Protein if I am on the go. Not all of the flavors are great but I do like the chocolate chip cookie dough, dark chocolate chunk and coconut . Good calories to protein ratio . lowest amount of sugar.

I try to appreciate someone even if they are not really complimenting me but rather being nosy. I have chosen to be very honest and upfront about my surgery. I don't think it pays to be mysterious or dishonest. It has started to get normal for my friends and family now so they rarely comment. I did have someone ask me recently if I was sick but that was someone who had not seen me in a long time. I told her why I looked thin and left it at that. At this stage of my life I don't really care what people think of me or how I got healthy. I am the winner for having the sense to stop destroying my health. Liz you are living proof that his can be done. Keep on enjoying it No guilt, No Regrets is my motto.

I totally agree with all . Everytime I come across a band basher I wonder what is the pay off? Why would you purposely scare people with your horror story? I know some say I want to make sure the newbie's get all the facts, I want to educate them, I want to make sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. I know I am thankful that I did not read any of that before my surgery. I had enough fear of the unknown before surgery without adding to it. I will say my Doctor and staff were pretty thorough and explained in detail what I should expect. I realize everyone is different and I do not for one minute think a band failure is all the patients fault, but before coming on here and bashing , consider what you are saying and how that might affect others. Information and knowledge are the key. On the flip side of this issue is whether we as patients should really take advice from a chat site. Unless you are a physician with experience in lapband surgeries you should not give advice on whether someone has slipped or damaged their band. Opinions are like navels everyone has one but it doesn't necessarily mean it's correct. Successful lapband patients are here and I am thankfully happy with mine, it has enabled me to become healthier and more active. If we all had the answers regarding our weight, we wouldn't have needed weight loss surgery. Just Sayin...

I went to a high end dept. store, got measured, found out I was wearing a totally wrong size bra. I bought two Waacol bra's . they are the most comfortable and best fitting bra's ever. I already had old lady sag but when I lost weight they really hung low. the waacol bra's lift em up and getting professionally measured made all the difference.