KAATNS

shrink my lover....lol I know u meant liver thanks for the chuckle I didn't do the pre-op but they did the surgery anyway and never said a word.

Greetings!
I haven't hit my 2 month anniversary yet, and I'm down 30 lbs. Here are some of the things I've gone through since considering this surgery, which actually has been a long time. Before having kids, I was basically thin, so to consider myself overweight was odd for me. I always thought it would be temporary. But my youngest is now 14, and its not temporary...!
First I knew, I wasn't going to tell anyone. Though, I believe it leaked at work. At first, I was upset about it, then figured, I don't really care what they think. Mostly, I keep to myself there anyways, and for the few I do know, I'll probably tell them. But outside of work, only my family at home know. And they have been wonderful in respecting my wishes of not telling anyone.
During my Pre-Op stage, I was on a stringent diet, as you may know. Prior to this, I was attempting to loose on my own, only to find i was sabotaging myself. What I mean was, I was really trying to do the pre-diet before it was time. I was adding milk, fruit and Peanut Butter to my Protein Shakes. Only to learn later, they make you hungry when doing the pre-diet. Once I eliminated the fruit, milk and peanut butter, oh and tomatoes from my diet...I was fine. These items apparently have carbs which - make you hungry...!!! I was doing my shakes, eating only protein...meat, fish, chicken, eggs, and cheeses, along with non-starchy veggies.
After surgery, sucking down an ice chip was a chore. I was sore. My back and tummy hurt. Everything I felt was normal. After the first week, I was slowly moving around nearly normal. Though, during this time it did make me realize, I really needed this. I guess I finally admitted to myself, I was not just overweight, but obese. Looking at my jeans....they are huge. Within that first week, I barely ate. Maybe I had 1/2 an egg, cottage cheese, or just a shake. By the time I saw the doctor for a follow up surgery visit, I had lost 15lbs! The feeling was immense, especially since my attempts of dieting had failed. I had wished, I would have known to skip the junk diet trends, and basically follow an Atkins diet, along with eliminating, milk, fruit, peanut butter and tomatoes. I can't help but wonder if I would be here now. Of course, you can say, "Eyesight is 20/20!" And, well, I am here now.
Moving forward, after feeling better from surgery, I don't know when the "hungeries" moved in my tummy. But they did. I have to admit, yes, I probably ate more than my regulated portion of Protein. I had to. But...I really did not deviate from the diet. And I have continued to loose. My pants became baggy, when before they were pretty snug, you know the kind of snug when you have to lie down on the bed to close them. My jammies felt as though they were 10 sizes to big for me. So, i attempted to try on a pair of jeans which were the next size smaller. They didn't fit. I couldn't help to think, what did i do wrong, or how was this even possible. Mind you this was just before Christmas.
I thought, I would have a problem during the holidays, and funny, I didn't. But, it was after the holidays which were harder. I had popcorn one day. The next day, I had some more popcorn. Popcorn, is hard for me to pass up. But, listening to my body, it was saying, "Don't eat the freaking popcorn!" It seemed after the second day, I encountered what I call, "the stuffies." I was constipated. Ugh! And yes, I was taking Fiber therapy prior to this. I had to find a softener to assist the therapy which wasn't working, or I should say was clogged.
Once the piping was cleared, I got back on track. Actually, for the few times, I "cheated", I ALWAYS got back on track. I know I'm not perfect. And I know, I have to indulge, sometimes. Even on my journey to getting thin. But, I didn't indulge, they way I used to. That was me, controlling that. Not the band. Mind you, I am not telling you to cheat or how to follow your instructions.
I have given up a lot. Quitting coffee prior to surgery was hard. But what was even harder, was eliminating carbonated beverages all together. I felt like a smoker, or alcoholic giving up their vice. After, a struggle. I did it. And I know, deep down inside, I can do this.
The band is a tool. Though, I have had only my first fill. My tool isn't in full gear. But in a little while, after a couple more fills, it will be. During this time, I need attempt to control myself. For the most part, I'm doing pretty good. Around this time I was down about 25 lbs.
After the New Years, I had a cookie. Oh wow, did that ever taste good. I think I unleashed a demon. I was tempted for another. I didn't today. But, I still wanted it. I didn't have it though. That is my control.
The next day, the little devil returned. I caved. I had a cookie, and another. Was I upset at myself? You betcha. And it showed. I stayed the same weight wise. Was I peeved? Oh yeah! I was almost depressed. I didn't weigh myself. And after a couple of days struggling here and there, nibbling on what I thought I wanted. I remembered, I needed to stay on track. (Mind you, i had not gorged, like I used to. Nibbling, meant a bite of one thing, and staying on the diet) I was mad that I had strayed. But looking overall at my diet, I basically did good.
And you know what? It showed. After a week of not weighing myself daily, I lost another 5lbs...!!!!!! I was 30 lbs down! I was so happy, because I was so upset by the stupid things I was doing. After seeing that, I had confidence. I made another attempt on trying the next size smaller jeans. Not only did they fit, I was able to zip them with no problems!!!! The next morning, I emptied my closet. I sifted and sorted everything by sizes. In the process, I removed ALL what was too big. Not only is my closet clean, it is roomier.
I'm not going back. Period.
Doing this was therapy. It also made me see, how skinny I was. Again...I had always thought this was temporary. But after so many years, it isn't.
I have new clothes, without the cost! Not as many choices, but enough to wait for the next size adjustment. The bigger bonus was my hubby taking me shopping for new pajamas. I did still keep the old jammies, but just for having some variety. I did not want to have to purchase something I will have to throw out. It felt marvelous. What a treat!!!
It also made me realize, I have a long way to go. But, I have made a couple of promises to myself. My first one is, after loosing enough to fit in the next size, I would remove the larger clothing and get rid of it. The second, is to allow a very small indulgence, get back on track, and don't feel guilty.
I'm down 30 lbs! Yes, possibly it could be a tad bit more, and this is ok.
So far during this time, I haven't exercised. I gave myself time to heal from the surgery. When I was healed, I somehow pulled my hamstring. This type of injury was very painful. I could barely walk. It's finally healed. I am going to start in the next day or so. Because of my injury, I already know I will take it slow. Once exercising is added, the weight should melt off more, this I know. But I am going to start. I'm planning on strength training along with walking or a type of cardio. I know, the strength training burns fat while not exercising, and that will be essential on melting the blubber and sautéing it into a leaner and meaner me!
Thanks for listening, for now. I'll be back...!

My surgery date is 1/11. I'm getting excited, but also a little nervous...2013 is going to be a great year for all of us!!

It's my biggest fear!

My surgery is on Jan. 11th and I'm on day 5 of my pre-op diet. I've been losing one pound per day and it feels good! I'm so ready for the 11th. Good luck all.

Yay January 2013! My journey started in October so this actually seems like a whirlwind for me. Luckily had been thinking about it for a long time before. My date is January 9, and I'm super excited and nervous. I hadn't really thought about all the steps of this journey until recently: pre-op, op, post-op, fills, losing, and, finally, maintenance. It all seemed so impossible--I kept wondering if I could even lose weight, or if there was no way I could ever be thinner (just paranoia I know). But now, on day 7 of my pre-op diet I'm down 8.8 pounds, which seems like a miracle. And now I know I can do it because I am. And that certainty in myself a bigger gift than the weight loss. Being able to believe myself is what will get me through all the ups and downs this journey will have.
Good luck to us all. 2013 is our year!

Gosh, after reading everyone's positive comments I hesitate to add anything but here it goes. My husband is overweight, very. On one hand he is very supportive, on the other hand he can also work hard to undermine me, although he would deny that 100%. He had every reason under the sun for not going with me to any pre-op appointments or support groups. He will not read up on any information. He says he is being supportive, but he also comes home with all kinds of food I can't eat. Just this morning we got in an argument because he tried to insist I could eat hashbrowns with him. I know he is scared, but I was the thin when we got married 30 years ago. I lived his style and gained 100 pounds. I'm down 60 pounds, with 40 to go, just started running again, and have signed up for a 5K this spring. He is against it completely. He is really freaking because I'm going to parachute this summer also I just have to recognize that all that is his problem, not mine, and power on myself.

I thought I would have trouble with this, but luckly I haven't so far. We will be saving money by not eating out as much though. My daughter says she feels bad for eating in front of me, but it really hasn't bothered me yet. I do try to have a shake before I start cooking so I'm not hungry while in the kitchen. My husband has helped with cooking more too.

I think it's the majority of us pre banders think that. I mean we're all use to failing. And we're going into this without a guarantee that it will work. In my opinion... No weight loss surgery is going to work if we don't change our lifestyle. If we continue to put the same crap in our mouths we can't expect different results. Eventually the weight will come back.
I think we just have to look at the lapband as a tool to help us stay on track. It's just a tool, (a very expensive one). Most weight gain or loss is a mental effort. If your addicted to food, as I am and I'm sure many others then that's an addiction that you have to break.... Mentally.
I'm going with the lap band because I feel it's a tool that will help me stay on track. As many others too. I've lost the weight before and know what it takes. Deep down under all this fat there is a fit person that loves being at the gym.. And looks at food as energy. I think we all can change to that..
Sorry for the rant... This is just a question I've been battling personally as well

I do not like it when I get stuck. I need to be better at chewing.
I do not like that I can feel the port.
I do not like fills. (It hurt the first time; I have not been back in for another.
I wanted to be as honest as possible about all the things I do not like about band, I am having a hard time coming up with items that are negative.
I bet I could list way more things that I love about the band.
I can now cross my legs.
I can wear smaller sizes of clothes.
I can shop in any store for clothes (not the plus size)
I take way less pills, I am down to one.
I can now stand naked before my husband and not feel embarrassed.
I can now sit in the middle seat of an airplane and not feel I am crowding out the person next to me.
There are so many more but you get the point.
I would do it again and wish I had done it sooner. Of course there are times when I wish I could eat something my husband or friends are eating but it passes so fast. I occasionally have something that is not on my new way of eating list. (At the movies last week I had some chocolate raisins) the movie was Argo it was very good. J
Good luck on your journey and it is a journey.
Hugs
Lassie

honestly...dietiing with out the band is wayyy harder, because you COULD eat anything and everything, now, I just know that I cant, and its ok...alot of my cravings have gone, alot of the struggles have gone, and I just feel new so happy...soo friggen happy!!!!!! :wub:

Yay! January 11th for me. Best wishes to you!!