hopeful_janna

I was banded in September 2008. My starting weight was 433 lbs. Even at 5' 9", my BMI was over 60. I was wearing size 34-36 clothes, and they were tight. If I gained any more weight I would have to wear mumus! Before my decision to get the lap band, I thought I would never be able to lose the weight and I would die morbidly obese. When my sister-in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and I thought of her children growing up without a mom, it made me realize that my children could easily face the same fate. So I vowed to do something about it.
I chose the lap band because it is reversible and adjustable. I knew that I am young enough that if a better bariatric technique comes along I want to be able to take advantage of that. Whereas if I had a gastric bypass I might not be able to do so, since part of my stomach and/or intestines would be cut away. I had to wait 6 months from the time I made the decision to the surgery date. Waiting was hard, but it gave me time to prepare and get other health issues (undiagnosed Type II diabetes, high blood pressure) under control with medications.
My lap band surgery went smoothly, and recovery was not difficult. Afterwards, sticking with the liquid diet for several weeks afterwards was a challenge. And waiting four weeks for the first fill, and two weeks in between fills, and four fills before I got to my sweet spot was a BIG challenge. I was so anxious to get the weight loss going, that it was hard to wait so long to get this tool in my hands after I had made the decision to do it.
The nutritionist I met with before my surgery told me that the lap band is not a panacea, it doesn't do the work for you, but it gives you a great tool for you to use. It's like I had been trying all my life to dig a hole with a teaspoon. I got frustrated and gave up, who wouldn't? Getting the lap band is like trading in your teaspoon for a backhoe. I still have to do the work, but now I have a great tool for the job. I found this analogy to be extremely true in my case. Once I got to my fourth fill, and the lap band really started working for me, then the weight really came off. Although the rate fluctuated, over time my weight loss was a pretty consistent 2 pounds per week.
Basically, I lost 200 pounds in the first two years. Those were two years of amazing changes in my life. I did a lot of work on the inside as well as the outside to get to know myself better and learn to love myself and accept myself, faults and all, even as I strive to make myself a better version of me. I did a lot of exploration, pushed a lot of personal boundaries, and even changed careers. I do believe that this internal work is a critical part of the weight loss journey for anyone, in order to be successful in the long run.
Backing up a little bit, I had a pretty severe pannus even before I started losing weight. Once my weight loss got going, all my health issues got better (Type II diabetes and blood pressure came under control without medication) but the rashes under my pannus got worse! As I lost weight my pannus kept dropping lower and lower! Finally I sought out a plastic surgeon and we got insurance to cover a panniculectomy. He cut off 14 pounds of skin and fat! I had lost about 80 pounds by this point, so we knew that the band was working for me. The recovery from the panniculectomy was initially easy, but later I developed some pretty severe seromas, that required my surgeon to go in and pull Fluid out several times a week. But after the first month I was very glad I had the panniculectomy. No more rashes, clothes fit me better, and it was a lot easier to exercise!
I have to admit, though, that I did not exercise regularly at first. I'm not proud to admit it, but most of that 200 pounds lost was through diet rather than exercise. After losing 200 pounds my weight loss stalled. I spent about a year and a half between 220-230 lbs, wearing a size 18-20W. At this point my life was already transformed, I had already achieved and exceeded the goals that my doctor and I set out for myself (my initial goal was to get into the "low 200s" which I later defined as 249 lbs.) and I thought that was all the weight loss there was for me. I was satisfied, but I still longed to go lower, to get out of plus sizes, and to be eligible to have a full set of plastic surgery procedures to transform me into the beautiful woman that I felt myself to be inside. I set a new goal, 199 pounds.
So a little over a year ago I finally decided to get serious about losing the extra weight. First of all, I went in to have my band tightened. I discovered that my band wasn't holding a fill very well. After a series of tests, my doctor discovered that I had a leaky port, and I went in for port replacement surgery. That surgery was a piece of cake, and after I got my port and tubing (it was actually leaky tubing) replaced my band worked as good as new. So getting a properly working, properly adjusted band was the first step towards getting back on track.
The other thing I had to do was get serious about exercise. All my life I had hated exercise, and had only ever done it out of obligation or guilt. But some friends were raving about a small yoga class, including one friend who also struggles with weight and body image issues, and I thought going to yoga with friends would be more fun and make it easier to stick with it.
I struggled mightily with voices of self-doubt at first, but eventually I really started getting into yoga. At first I was going only once a week, then twice a week, and now I am going five days a week M-F. Now I love yoga! I have learned so much about myself as well as greatly increased my strength and flexibility through yoga. I can't recommend yoga highly enough. I only wish I had gotten into it sooner.
Oh, and weight loss! In the last year I have lost another 50 pounds or so. As of this writing (2/25/2013) my weight is 185 (size 14-16), making my total weight loss 248 pounds. My current goal is to get down to 180, then have plastic surgery. I figure that will take me down into the 160s.
Currently I am consulting with plastic surgeons in my local area (San Jose, CA) as well a few in Los Angeles, CA and Tijuana, Mexico. I am looking to have a lower body lift (probably with fleur-de-lis/anchor incision), liposuction, breast lift with implants, brachioplasty, and medial thigh lift. I still working out how I will pay for all of this, as well as find the time for these multiple surgeries and the recoveries from each. But it is a priority for me!
I have been more than thrilled with my weight loss journey. The lap band has been an incredible tool for me to help me achieve my goals. I wish everyone similar success in their weight loss journeys.
Before lap band:
After lap band (I've actually lost more weight since this picture was taken. I'm not HOLDING my old jeans, I'm WEARING them!):

I flew back from Ontario to British Columbia the second day after surgery (6 hour flight, plus 1.5 hour wait in airport, then another 30 minute flight). I was uncomfortable (but that is mostly because I have a ruptured disc in my back that bugs me), but it was doable. My dr said I could take gravol if I wanted (to knock me out perhaps?) but I didn't feel it was necessary, and all I did was take my pain pills before I got on the plane, and then after I got home.
My only suggestion is that if you are in a large international type airport, consider having someone wheel you in a wheelchair. It was much easier, and I didn't have to wait in line for the security check, which was nice as well.
Good luck to you!

I don't consider anything as "cheating". I don't view how I live and eat as "on a diet" either. I am one of those people who doesn't do well with being told what I can/cannot eat because it just makes me want something even more.
You really need to figure out which way works for you. I had this discussion with my doctor at my last visit when I dropped 6 1/2 lbs in four weeks with no fill since July. Some people need to have rules and stick hard and fast to them for success and others work best taking the approach that I do.
Good luck either way!

HOLY CRAP
i have received FLAK for me saying just 94
let me redo my post please before a certain number of gals i know hang me from the highest cactus tree so sammy hagar cant reach me..
I have lost 94 pounds since June 6.
how f***ing great is that.
is that better my peeps??????????

Thanks for the insight everyone!
I bought baby utensils prior to surgery. Disney princess set
Do you wait to take another bite after you have swallowed? Or take another bite right away, and swallow after another 20-30 chews?

Well I'm on the other side. Not much pain so far. Just feels like period cramps. No left shoulder pain at all starting to burp a little though from the gas.
Hoping for a smooth recovery!

I am a person struggling to become aware of my unique body's needs and to treat my self and my body with loving kindness.

Well I'm on the other side. Not much pain so far. Just feels like period cramps. No left shoulder pain at all starting to burp a little though from the gas.
Hoping for a smooth recovery!

Thanks for the insight everyone!
I bought baby utensils prior to surgery. Disney princess set
Do you wait to take another bite after you have swallowed? Or take another bite right away, and swallow after another 20-30 chews?

Well I'm on the other side. Not much pain so far. Just feels like period cramps. No left shoulder pain at all starting to burp a little though from the gas.
Hoping for a smooth recovery!

Well I'm on the other side. Not much pain so far. Just feels like period cramps. No left shoulder pain at all starting to burp a little though from the gas.
Hoping for a smooth recovery!

My surgery is tomorrow morning. Close enough to valentines day, I figure

it's all going to be great. The next step is only a moment and the band will help us for the rest of our life. Of course, we have to use it properly, but there are so many success's in front of us. It's going to be a great journey and I look forward to helping you Celebrate every pound you loose, (coming from a fellow Feb banster)
Cheers to tomorrow

I use spaghetti squash, as mentioned above, and I also use zuchinni. Take a julienne slicer (you can get them for about $5 at a kitchen store) and slice them into spaghetti noodles. Super yummy! They don't need to cook very long, or you can eat them raw and they will be crunchier. If you google it there are tons of recipes.< /p>

I've been a member of this forum for just about a year now...and have definitely found that reading about the experiences of others and discussing topics related to best practices about adjusting to the new way life with your band to be beyond helpful. They have saved me many a phone call to my surgeon's office.
My concern is that there are some forum members who seem to have taken it upon themselves to venture beyond the spirit of the forum and write in terms of "this is the way you do that". My perspective, which I realize is tempered by my professional training and experience, is that each of us has the right to read what we choose, and can either accept/try the "advice" of others, or ignore it and move on.
When it comes to the area of the "bandster diet", there are many variations, and the best approach will be to follow the instructions you were given by your surgeon. You can choose to modify them, however I feel it is important to discuss your concerns with the physician or nutritionist, and only proceed with major changes with their knowledge. My concern is that the "low carb" or "doesn't matter carb" or "cheat day" regimen has the risk of confusing newer members of this community as to what guidelines they should follow. This is a good topic to discuss with your own nutritionist.
I have great concerns when someone posts definitively that "your doctor does not care"...or "all insurance companies follow the same practices", is just simply inaccurate. Stating broad generalizations about the guidelines each insurance company follows is way off the mark of reality. I know that much definitively...as I have dealt with them for years as both the consumer and the provider of services.
Most concerning to me though is crossing the line to give medical advice in response to some of the questions posted on the forum. I believe that we have paid for the medical expertise of our medical team, so we should utilize their knowledge. I understand that some of the members of this forum have received different levels of pre op and post op education, however it is important to understand that we are not physicians here, and all medical questions are best discussed with your surgeon or medical team. Your well being and health are far too important to be entrusted to other forum members. Peace of mind is a priceless commodity...so call your medical team for your answer!
In the medical field, and other allied professions, we are educated to understand that we must remain within the scope of our specialty. To go outside those boundaries and advise patients in an area beyond your expertise is considered to be unethical. Such actions are considered to be serious violations, and one could possibly jeopardize their professional license to engage in such practices.
The bottom line? Unless you have the proper credentials issued by your state's medical oversight board, it is advisable to not give medical advice to others, even if offered in the spirit of well meaning and only wanting to help others...
IMHO...others mileage may vary...

Thanks guys! I have scheduled my first massage for about 3 weeks after my surgery, so I am hoping that is enough time for any pain related to laying on my stomach to dissipate. I will make sure to speak with my surgeon about it as well.

I think you have a really good grasp of it all overall, you're doing very well, especially for someone not banded yet! Nice!
I'm not sure if I'd go as small as a pinky nail, maybe more like an index fingernail. And I'm not sure anyone waits a full a minute between bites, if they did, as you pointed out you'd never get more than an 1/8 of a cup per meal.
What my nutritionist told me, and I still do even after a year of being banded, is I put my fork or spoon down between bites. So, I take a bite, put the fork down and my hand off it, chew thoroughly, and not reach for my fork again until I've completely swallowed the bite. This way I'm not accidentally shoveling food in mindlessly and not piling food into the pouch.
As for time, I was told 20-30 minutes max. After a half hour, you're done regardless of how much food you have left.
I hope that helps. Best wishes to you!

I am getting banded on February 13th. In preparation, I bought a kids set of utensils. Disney princesses. I am pretty excited to be using them!

I am getting banded on February 13th. In preparation, I bought a kids set of utensils. Disney princesses. I am pretty excited to be using them!

Just wondering what you saved on your groceries after being banded. I don't eat out too much, so I wouldn't really save much from that, but am wondering how much my grocery bill would decrease.....