Rockstar_Jen

I took my hubby to the beach at sunset the other night and brought him a picnic dinner. He was not so much interested in the food as much as me thinking about "us" and some private time without the kids and the chaos. If you have a park with a lake, or there is a movie he might want to see. Our whole lives are changing, so we have to find new things to do.

When I was preparing to get the band, part of that was mental preparation, or what I call "getting my head right first". I told myself that the band will only be an assistive device to help me with the lack of dicipline with overeating. iI did not realize it works on the appetite as well until my surgeon explained it to me. Before I got the band, there were certain foods that I knew I needed to cut out or severely limit, such as sweets and Pasta. If you eat sweets, you just want more, and they also drive your appetite by raising and lowering your blood sugar. i eat them only very rarely. I feel hungry at times, but don't want anything. I do Portion Control, and get that warning "hiccup" if my portion is too big and I stop eating. I couldn't stop before the band and always ate seconds or even thirds . I am most proud of myself for sticking to portions and cutting out bad things in my diet and actually have the dicipline to do so.

I agree 110%.....unless you are on the strictest of diets....I have no problems eating the things I enjoy...such as a piece of cake or ice cream....skinny people do it all the time, right?
Difference is, when I was fat, I would not stop at one piece...I would have the whole cake finished sooner or later....then look for something else to devour....
But a normal lifestyle is different....and that is what the band can, and has done for me.....

Sometimes I have to remind myself when I am eating that whatever I am eating is not the last time I will get to eat that food. Does that make sense? What I mean is if there is a bowl of M&M's at work and I take 10. Instead of going back later and grabbing more I try to say to myself to stop because it won't be the last time I get to have M&M's, they will be there again another time so don't pig out on them, save it for the next time. I hope that sounds the way I mean. Like CG said, be smart with your choices.

MALE PERSPECTIVE RANT
Ok, you are ticked with your DH because he is excited that you are doing something about the weight and the unhealthy lifestyle that caused it, Oh and he gets to have a wife who is a hottie now? I suggest professional help.
I love my wife more than life it's self, she is beautiful, inside and out and I would love her no matter what her size, but if you don't think that I thank the Lord God above every time I see her naked, then you are out of your freakin mind.
Lose the fat for yourself, thank the Lord you have a partner who is excited and supporting you, rather than some of the a**hats that some people here have. Believe me, this is hard when you have support, talk to some of the people here who are doing it alone.
RANT DONE. Please feel free to drag out the pitchforks and torches over my crass comments.

Hello....
A year ago today I was banded.....and it has been the best thing I have ever done for myself and my family...It gave me back happiness that I didnt even know I was missing....now simple pleasures are getting dressed and not needing to sit down and rest...bending over tieing my shoes...wearing pants with zippers....buckelting my seat belt....fitting into a resturant booth...wanting to walk every day...loving how proud my husband and family are of me....not feeling like every one is looking at me as I walk into a room saying WOOO look how big she is....Having so much energy now.....
Last year I was so ready to get this done I left for the hospital extra early and my sister and I went to the local park and I walked a mile before going into the hospital....I was determined I was going to do it and d it right....I just want to thank everyone on this furum that has given me words of encouragement..when it got tough....and looking back to some differant storys I have read on here....let me tell you some times some one writes about a difficult time they are having...and I can remember and I thank who ever it was that basiclly told me to suck it up...I thought I wanted some one to say...oh yes you poor thing I understand.....but they didnt....they told me JUST DO IT.....and I was a lil taken back for a day or so.....BUT...I knew they were right so here I am a yr later...120 lbs gone !!!!

Hey. All RELAX, THIS IS A SUPPORT SIGHT! Who cares if someone missed placed a freakin post! We are ALL on the same journey! If I wanted to deal with politics, I'd join a political forum.

I'm not sure that I would use it much b/c most kids menus are fried nuggets or burgers but there are a few menus w/ small steak portions or grilled items. I have also heard you can use them at buffets. I can't eat half a plate of food now much less a large buffet amount. An adult buffet vs. a child buffet price is typically a large amount. We typically eat out once on the weekend & I don't want my family always working around my WLS.

I made it!!! Like NurseKelly I got banded yesterday. Felt pretty crummy the whole day, today is much better - not good but better. The worst thing is it is very uncomfortable to sleep & I am soooo thirsty. Luckily my wife is taking care of me. Too good, she wont let me do anything.

Let me see 3 lbs per week x 52 weeks wow 156 pounds a year. Don't worry follow your program it will happen.

I'm thrilled to announce (13 days later) that my band baby has arrived! She is absolutely perfect. Meagan Olivia was born 1/14/13 and was 6lbs9oz 17.75" long. She is healthy and happy and I couldn't be more thrilled!
I had no problems with the band during my pregnancy at all...in fact, I had no morning sickness because of the smaller and more frequent meals I had to eat. Also did not need an unfill...thank goodness!
So now I'm trying to get back on track and lose what little weight I gained during my pregnancy...7 pounds to go...plus the extra 35 to get to my goal weight. I think breastfeeding will help with that as well.
God bless, bandsters!!
Maggs

I can run along with my 6yo son, and play soccer with him. My 23yo daughter and I share clothes. I can walk for hours with my partner, and he and I went hiking in New Zealand, and he got winded before me. I also realise that big and healthy is better than skinny and living off cigarettes and coffee. I have a healthier relationship with food than I have had in my entire life.

I joined you today in that catagory! It IS wonderful, and another milestone met. I came on to make the same post, but adding on to yours is even better

As of yesterday, my BMI was 29.8 which puts me out of the obesity category & into overweight. I was banded July 23, 2012 & my BMI the morning of surgery was 47.4. I have also kissed the plus size section of clothing stores goodbye!! I am so happy!! A year ago, I thought there was no hope for me, that I was going to live in obesity the rest of my life. Down 97lbs & just loving life. :-)

I'm so excited! I hit ONEDERLAND this morning. I can't believe it. I know I haven't seen a 1 at the beginning if my weight in at least 11 years!!!! I love my band. Best best best thing I have ever done for myself. Thank you everyone for the support you give on here it really helps!!!

I too wanted to keep it a secret, but some needed to know I was having surgery so I told them I was having a hiatal hernia repaired. It's in the same location and many times needs to be repaired at the same time. I did have one, so I didn't feel like I was lying. I've told a few more people than I planned, but selected only those who I knew would support me. Good luck!
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I too wanted to keep it a secret, but some needed to know I was having surgery so I told them I was having a hiatal hernia repaired. It's in the same location and many times needs to be repaired at the same time. I did have one, so I didn't feel like I was lying. I've told a few more people than I planned, but selected only those who I knew would support me. Good luck!
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Under my belly I meant.
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Wow, that's tough!! I was very lucky that my wife supported me 100%. On the other hand I had 2/3 sons that were totally against me going forward. My sons are now very supportive, but, it took awhile. I understand why you don't want others to know. Opinions are broad, especially from loved ones.
Just my 2 cents and only my opinion. I do have to agree with Sojourner's comments concerning your wife, trust and marriage. In addition to what she posted I will add my opinions and please take them as just opinions. As you already have heard that this is a life changing decision and I'm not just talking about the weight loss and health. This will affect both yourself and your wife's life and marriage, in both good and bad. Starting your band journey without your wife's input and yes permission will cause hard feelings and insecurities. Think of it this way, if you went and purchased a new house on your own and did it without your wife's input and approval........... When I say life changes, here are a few examples. You will have physical and mental good days and bad days and you will need your primary support system whom is your wife and you do need her by your side. Your diet and eating habits will change tremendously and if your wife cooks she will have to be sensitive to what you can and can't eat. When the weight loss becomes very noticeable she will possibly feel insecure. Trust me you will get attention. You will need someone to talk to when you are scared out of your wits due to stuck episodes, fills, PB's etc. Whom better than a supportive spouse.
I would have a heart to heart talk with her and take her to one of the seminars and a doctors appointment. As far as others opinions, I would ask her to keep it quiet until closer to your surgery date. All the negative opinions will change - trust me, unless they become jealous of you. If you wish to talk some more send me a pm. Good luck. Jake

I am 100 lbs. overweight (getting banded on 3/4) and have now and have always had a very high libido. Right now working full time, two kids, etc, we are at about 3-4 times a week....I joked with my husband to "watch out" when I lose the weight I am going to be unbearable in a good way
I too went through a phase where I felt too fat and ugly for sex and after about a year, I saw a therapist who helped me seperate my negative feelings with sex. YES...I am overweight....YES...I need to lose weight...YES...I will look and feel better when the weight is gone.......BUT YES....my husband still wants to have sex with me and the connection is super important so just GO FOR IT!
Good luck =)

Tommorow is the day! I will finally be a bandster! Goodluck to all of you who are also getting banded tommorow

Welcome to the family. 3 yrs out so far no substitute addiction. Yes i do have extra skin but i will worry about that at another time. My life has changed so much in the past three yrs. I am pretty proud of what i have accomplished and would not change my decision. Good luck on your journey and remember we are always here for you.
1 piece of advise, well many but most important- Everyone is different. Don't compare yourself to anyone just Celebrate your own accomplishments.
Wendy

When you say it hurts to swallow, do you mean that your throat/neck hurts? Or that you have difficulty keeping liquids down? If you can't get the liquids in your stomach, I'd call your surgeon - you don't want to get dehydrated. If it's just pain swallowing that could be from being intubated or something else they did during the actual procedure. When I had my gallbladder removed a few months ago I was flat on my back for 2 days because my trachea would start to spasm if I sat upright or inclined for too long (longer than 30 mins). Now that hurt!