gowalking

I had to give myself shots after my hip replacement surgery. You get used to it. The needles are small and you usually don't even feel it. It's just a little weird to hold the needle to your skin knowing you're gonna stab yourself. Once you do it and depress the plunger, it's done and that's it...no big deal. I had to do that for about ten days I think.

Some folks don't do any carbs. Others like myself do carbs in very small amounts. Alot of it depends on what your band can tolerate and what works best for you related to your weight loss. The doctor is correct about one thing....you really do have to watch how much carbs you are eating. They can be calorie laden and don't fill you up the way solid Protein does.

I see most of you are from NY and I also see you've been banded at NYU and I see a Dr. Geiss patient as well. We're going to have a support group meeting on August 2nd in midtown. If any of you are interested, feel free to PM me or LisaCaron...my co-leader for the local support group here in the city.

Why oh why do you feel like a failure? You've lost 50 lbs. And you have to remember that without WLS, you likely would have gained quite a bit of weight so add that to your total. Also...get off the scale. It's just a number and you can lose even if the scale doesn't show it. Look for the NSVs instead of the weight loss. Are you wearing smaller sized clothing? Do you have more energy? Can you fit somewhere you couldn't before? These changes are as if not more important that the numbers. Don't concern yourself with what you thought you would lose...only concern yourself with what you have lost. 50 lbs. is nothing to sneeze at. Try to pick up something that weighs 50 lbs. I bet you can't. Remember...this is a lifelong journey so don't get bogged down in the time it takes to 'get there'. Good luck my friend!

Well doesn't this broad seem to have an agenda, huh?

Boy do I get this NSV. To not have to worry about fitting into the gowns, or a robe at the spa... I was always so mortified to be reminded of just how fat I was...

Well guess what... I'm probably going to Japan in October. It's a business trip but so what? I'm getting to the Far East on the company dime. If this had happened before surgery and the weight loss, I'd have been so worried about what I could wear, and what kind of impression I'd be making to my Japanese colleagues, that I'd be miserable. Now, I'm just excited. Thank goodness for this band and my new hips.

yup. that's what it is. so psyched just knowing I won't have to be concerned about fitting into the equipment. I love being normal sized!!

..and I'm trying snuba diving on my cruise. my DIL doesn't llke the Water and my son wants someone to go with him and now I can. two years ago, I couldn't get off the ship because I was in so much pain and now I'm going snuba diving. I know just how great you feel readysetgo. No exaggeration when we say things like how we've gotten our lives back since we lost all this extra weight.

I remember when you first came on this forum. You have come so far in your journey and it is truly inspiring. I'm so very happy for you Di.

Looking for info on location/ date/ time of July meeting? No July meeting planned for BariatricPal Local Support Group. We will have a meeting on August 2nd likely at the same location as we had in June at The Atrium in NYC. Update with details on time/location to follow.

My doctor pushed me towards WLS. She wanted me to get sleeved or bypass as her experience was that folks who needed to lose 100+ pounds were unable to with the band. Now she knows that it's absolutely do-able as I decided to get the band and have lost half my body weight. I hope she now advises her other patients that the band is very much a viable option.

yes I did...spent $43.00 too. I hope it was worth it...I'm a $19.99 type of gal...lol.

Same here!! Was talking with friends a couple of weekends ago and we're thinking maybe New Orleans at Christmas. If we actually pull it off, I will surely let you know.

I've got a pair of 12 and 10 sized jeans and they are getting too big. I usually wait till I go to Jersey or Florida to buy my jeans in Walmart. I'm not getting to either state for a while so I went into the jeans store by my apartment where they actually have salespeople who can suggest sizes and styles for you. The girl was probably 22, thin as a rail and likely no help to me at all but she was the only one there and I told her I needed jeans that fit better and I showed her how they were sagging everywhere. First thing she did was tell me I should try a size 8. OMG....a size in the single digits? No...not me. Well...sure enough, they fit no problem. Then she says they are still too baggy and brings me 'skinny' jeans. No...not me. I tried them on and they were tighter than any pair of jeans I've worn in years but even I could tell that they fit well. I'm not in mom jeans anymore. How's that for a NSV, huh?

West Village. Banded 1/14/13 at NYU

Colleen is right. This is just post op swelling. You might still feel restriction without a fill but it's unlikely.

Great post Bandista. And I get what you're saying. I too have found this weight loss journey not nearly as difficult as I imagined. Eighteen months and down 130+ lbs. I noticed today because I'm wearing a dress, that my thighs don't rub against each other anymore. I'm still working on my 'new normal' but I swear I haven't been this happy about my appearance and subsequent mobility and health improvements in more years than I care to remember.

Interesting observation this holiday weekend. I was with my son and DIL in the mountains and ate things I haven't eaten in a long time. It was BBQ/grilling for four days...hot dogs, burgers, ribs, etc. No veggies unless you count the salad in a bag I made sure was available to me. There were no really healthy or light choices and while I didn't eat much of it, I ate things like macaroni salad, baked Beans, and peppers & onions with sausage. Not surprising...I was not feeling well yesterday after Breakfast. I knew it was coming out one way or another and fortunately, I didn't puke. I was however, in the bathroom for some time and all I can say is that it wasn't pretty. I bet my tummy simply revolted from the food I gave it. What a difference now....I can't eat that type of food all weekend...I just can't. I'm fine now. I was even OK last night because I got home later in the afternoon and had some hummus for lunch. Then simple grilled chicken, steamed green beans, and quinoa. Tonight...grilled salmon. I guess I'll have to be more careful in the future if I know there will be several days where good choices are not available. I'm not worried about the cruise though. I know I can make very good choices on the ship and now I have even more incentive to do so. Last thing I need is to feel sick on vacation because I'm not eating smart.

Spectacular!

How about a pretend boyfriend. preferably one who agrees with everything I say. Lol!

Can Dr Fielding help? I used his wife for my surgery. It can't be healthy for you to not be able to eat solid food.

While you should take your husband's concerns into consideration, you need to do what is best for you. Most folks decide between the two surgeries based on the invasiveness. If it's not a concern for you, the sleeve may be the way to go. If you are uncomfortable with losing most of your stomach, the band might be better. I did not want my stomach surgically altered so I went with the band. I'm 18 months post op and have lost more than 130 lbs. For me, this WLS has been a great success....no issues whatsoever. Just be aware that I have followed my doctor's protocol and have not 'tested' the band by eating around it or anything else that could be considered detremental. I think that's the key with any WLS. Follow the rules and you will likely be successful. Good luck and wishing you a successful weight loss journey as well.

I think for most folks, it comes down to how invasive you are comfortable with. Personally, I did not want most of my stomach removed or my intestines re-routed. I wanted something reversable in case I changed my mind...for whatever reason. And typically, you can be as successful as you want to be if you put in the work regardless of which WLS you go with. Note that I said typically. There are always those few who do everything by the book but still have issues unfortunately. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Hey Alex...pin that 'open letter' part. Folks need to be reminded of all the points that were made. I still see too much on here about which type of WLS is better and why XXX surgery didn't work for me so don't do it. I've even commented on some posts and I usually stay out of those topics because it's a no-win situation for everyone.