gowalking

I responded to your questions but just be aware that my situation is not typical in that I've not had any fills. Because of this, I've never gotten stuck or slimed or any other issue along those lines. I also did not experience bandster hell as I had correct restriction from day one. On the other hand, I have to work that much harder to eat slow, eat small bites, and chew well.

I can't help you in terms of percentages of complications but what I can tell you is that your concerns about the unknown are very common. I was terrified pre-surgery. I couldn't imagine what my life was going to be like without the comfort of food. Well, turns out my life improved so much that overeating was something I didn't want to do even though I could have. It took work, and it's still a temptation to eat poorly or eat too much but when you start to see the success, it gets a whole lot easier to be compliant. I went on a cruise in July and was so happy to be able to walk the ship comfortably and get off at all the ports and go on excursions that I was able to walk away from all that food pretty darn easily. I lost a pound that week. Who loses weight on a cruise? I do. And so will you once you find some success and see how the band works. Good luck to you and keep us posted.

Were we twins separated at birth? Even perceived rejection from the doctor can throw you off, yes? Oh brother do I understand the way your head works. Remember when I wrote about going on a date? Want to know the motivation behind this decision? It's so I can work on trying to not blame myself every time a date goes poorly, or I get a rejection online. I always blame myself....it's somehow my fault because I'm not good enough. I'm working on this now with the therapist. I keep saying over and over again that I cannot control how another person interacts with me and that I am worthy of being loved even if I never find a significant other. I can't even begin to tell you how many times I felt bad after something didn't go as I expected and my first thought was to eat the hurt away. This part of the process is in some ways even more critical than the surgery itself. Hang in there my friend. You did fine today and did not go back to bad behaviors. You will be so proud of yourself tomorrow for not giving into the negative feelings.

OK, can I tell people I know someone famous now?.....

check with your bariatric surgeon. I have joint disease and have been on both anti-inflammatories and steroids. Everything you take is based on risk/benefit and for me, the benefit outweighed the risk.

Just as long as you're OK. I'll have to get out to you to see those pups before they become big ole dogs. We'll have to get a date for the next support group and hopefully I can make it out there to help lead it and to see the doggies.

Congratulations!! This is the real goal. Not a number on the scale but the realization that your life has changed for the better.

Hi cheri. Sounds like you are doing well with the band. Why should you feel alone just because you have friends who didn't have the success that you did? The band seems to be working just fine for you. I would think you would be happy about that and not feel as though you need to move on. Maybe I'm not understanding you post?

Is there anything I can do for you hon?

Just saw this thread. With all due respect, you should consider my home town one of these days Kitt... New York City is unlike any place else. Culture, nature, architecture, food, entertainment...gosh, I could go on and on. Sometimes I forget because I live here, just how spectacular this place is.

Well, let's see...before I was banded, I was morbidly obese and my joints were so bad that I was looking at living the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was already using a cane and walking was getting more and more difficult. I tried to diet with not much luck yet again and finally hit rock bottom and decided to get banded because my pain management doctor told me I would need knee replacement and was at that time, too overweight to have a good outcome. I was very very fortunate. I was banded in January 2013 and followed the post op instructions almost to the letter and had no issues. I could not exercise so I made sure to do my best to stay under 1,200 daily calories. I lost enough weight in six months to become eligible for surgery. Everyone thought it would take at least a year for that to happen but it was a good thing I lost quickly because I had found out that I needed both hips replaced even before the knees. This was devastating news to me but I moved forward as I had no choice and had bi-lateral hip replacement surgery in October. As most of you know, it was a very hard surgery and a long and difficult recovery but I am almost a year out and the quality of my life has improved a thousand fold. I can walk fine now and the cane sits in the corner of my bedroom to remind me of what was. I will not need a wheelchair because my pain is a fraction of what it used to be. I couldn't walk a block without having to stop because of the pain and now I'm planning a trip to China next year with my sister because my sister-in-law is moving to Beijing for a year and The Far East has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I never thought I'd be healthy enough to make this trip but I know now that I can. The band has saved my life. Without it, I might be dead and that's not being dramatic, it's being truthful. I also have to say that I was not in a good frame of mind when I was banded. I expected to fail in this as I had failed in all other weight loss attempts but it worked for me just as it was supposed to. It didn't stop me from making bad choices or being hungry. It eased my hunger just enough to make good choices and to not overeat. Also...as I noted, I was morbidly obese. I needed to lose more than 100 lbs. and my primary doctor said I'd not have success with the band because I needed to lose so much weight. I'd never leave my PCP because she is an excellent doctor but I must say that it gives me great satisfaction to say that I am thinner than she is now. I know that there are many people who do not do well with the band but you asked for success stories and I'm the poster child for success with the band and getting back a quality life again. To say I've been reborn is no exaggeration.

This is a great thread for those folks way too focused on the numbers. It's all about quality of life, not what you weigh, or what size your jeans are.

OK...my favorite thing is the shaker bottle for the protein powder. Until I found out about that handy little gadget, I would stir and stir and stir and still have to break up the clumps.

It's so good to see such support when someone is struggling. I can't say it enough times how lucky I am to have found this site and to have gotten to know so many wonderful people.

Same here. It was the best tasting soup ever after all that horrible plain broth.

I just love reading these kinds of posts and I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!

I know just what you mean sleepingarby. I'm one of the very successful folks on this forum and it's still not second nature to me and likely never will be. I went food shopping yesterday and found myself looking way to longingly at foods I know I should not eat. I haven't been tempted like that in a long time but it was a good lesson for me. Do not assume you are cured. Food is an addiction for me, of that I am convinced. And like any other addiction, the craving can sneak up on you no matter how successful you've been. I do believe that the only thing one can do at these times, is to fight the urge however we need to until that craving or feeling goes away. If you give in to that 'I've been good and deserve a reward' mentality, you will find the weight creeping on. Maybe try to find another way to reward yourself for good behavior? That's what I did last night. I'm an avid reader so I bought a few books on Amazon. I still have a half dozen that I haven't read yet, but there was one in particular I wanted to read, so I bought it along with a couple others. It could also be something as inexpensive as a manicure. This was a good idea as well...coming onto the forum. If you find it keeps you accountable, good. Keep coming here and we'll help to support you.

Don't sweat it. Meeting with the surgeon is no big deal. You'll get more overwhelmed with the paperwork and process than meeting with the doctor. Just make sure you write down all your questions so you don't forget to ask everything you want to know about.

That's terrific. Sounds like you're doing just great!

I've flown many many times since being banded and I've never had any issue going through the scanner. My metal hips will set off some scanners but my band has never set anything off. I'll have to get some kind of note in case this ever does happen to me. Thanks for the heads up.

In a heartbeat. I don't know that I'd wish that I had done it earlier though because I do believe I had to hit rock bottom first. I'm coming up on my one year anniversary for the hip replacement surgery and I'm reminded of how much has changed this year and how grateful I am to have gotten my life back.

I think it was easier for me to tell people I had WLS because I had so many physical issues and my friends and family were so encouraging. As B-52 notes, if you are successful long enough, people embrace the new you as the 'normal' you. I've met several business associates recently who did not know me when I was obese. I like that they only know the thin me I think even more than those who knew me when and shower me with compliments. It tends to remind me of what I used to look like and I do prefer obviously what I look like now. Once you are feeling better about yourself, you may find that you are more open about undergoing the surgery. Just do whatever makes you feel most comfortable. There is no right or wrong with this decision.

I read this all the time. I'm able to eat blah blah blah. Doesn't matter what you are able to eat, the fact is that we are all able to eat whatever. Meaning...the band as I understand it, shouldn't stop you from eating nearly anything and if eaten slowly enough, shouldn't stop you from eating way more than normal. When you are able to eat more than you should, or food that is not the best choice, that's the time when the mental resolve must kick in. The band is just a tool and the change needs to come from within. I think because my weight loss has been so significant, people don't always realize I have plenty of moments where I want to eat more than I know I should or make poor choices. It's at those times that I know I just have to tough it out. Thankfully it's not all the time like when I've dieted in the past. But I have my moments as do most of us. You must remember that just because you can overeat, doesn't mean the band isn't workinig correctly. If it doesn't allow you to overeat, I suspect the band might be too tight. I typically don't address this kind of issue because I haven't had fills. As such, I feel that I have no right to talk about it. But I do know from what people say, and what I've seen with a friend of mine who was too tight, this is not the way to live with the band. And it's not the way to have long term success. I want to be this size for the rest of my life. Not for the next few years...but till the day I die. That means I have to find other ways to cope with head hunger or even real hunger when for whatever reason, my band does not give me the restriction I usually have. I'm not naturally thin but I'm trying to think like a thin person. It will never be second nature to me...I am a food addict and will always be one I believe. But just like any other addict, I take it one meal at a time, one day at a time. Today is one of those tough days. I'm sipping iced coffee because I know I need the extra help today. I'm just tired of being so angry at myself for giving in to my addiction and that's what I focus on so that I am OK in the morning regardless of what the scale says. Sorry for the ramble but I have come to realize that often my thoughts are shared by others and I know it helps when you find out that we're not alone in our issues. Have a great Thursday everyone.

I just wanted to go home relax and sit on the couch and eat something I was really hungry but my older step son stopped by for a visit and I couldn't very well eat in front of him and I did not have enough chicken to say hey are you hungry. He's a BIG boy he would laugh at my tiny bits of chicken strips...so I didn't eat I entertained him till I had to eventually throw him out at 9:30 b/c I have to get the pups and myself to bed we are up at 5 AM! I was still hungry and I know better then to eat right before bed...but I ate the chicken and about 5 minutes later it all came back up, and I didn't feel or sleep well the rest of the night..hence today's bad mood and cranky band. I just commented on your status regarding the above. Read it!

This has not been my experience but I do know from what others have written that throwing up is not normal. Maybe you should discuss this with your doctor?