mrsto

Yep.....I think we all have. For me, WLS was my last resort; certainly not my first

I'm so with you, Jim. That's why, even with the band, it takes thought and diligence. Sometimes it's much easier than others. Though the band may be a constant (per B52), what happens in our lives is not. And how many times have we stretched our shrunken stomachs? Let's face it....we're addicts, and and such, can never become too complacent.

And I wish you continued success....

I understand how people drop a good chunk before surgery, because they're highly motivated to make this life change. But that "high motivation" is just like any other diet we've been on.....IT DOESN'T LAST. As far as comments about being in complete control? Well, we all know the answer to that one My pre-op diet was pretty lenient...two weeks on 1,200 calories per day; lower carb & low fat. Did I follow it? Well, I tried, but didn't follow it closely. I probably ate closer to 1400-1500 cal per day, but managed to drop 5 pounds during that time. Depending on people's age, and how long they've been on this vicious cycle, they might "think" they're in full control, but don't have the number of life years to give them the vantage point where you know from zillions of failed diets, that we're NOT in control. When I was 25 years old, I'd get pretty excited, too.....seeing large amounts of weight coming off, thinking that I had it licked. I haven't sung that tune in a good many years. I'm 58, and know as sure as I'm sitting here typing this, that I will never have it licked, and I will never be cured. The band is my last hope, and so far, so good. But it's not a cure, either. And it concerns me when I hear some people say that since being banded, they'll never be fat again. I say.....think again. Band or no band, it's very easy to get sloppy. And one huge emotional upheaval, could easily dismantle what has been a somewhat smooth road. When I hear people get cocky on this site, I say.....proceed with caution.

It's a lot to put your body through; surgeries so close together. I had a total hysterectomy less than a year prior to my band surgery (but not in the same calendar year). I need back surgery & thought the same thing......that I'd like to do it this year since all my deductibles have been met. Not going to happen!

Donna - just curious..... Do you ever get ringing in your ears? My dad has Miniere's disease, and the episodes are a lot like what you went through. He was carted off by ambulance a few times, and after ALL the testing, that is the diagnosis he was left with. Certainly better than a brain tumor, but still very hard to manage. Keep us posted of the outcome. I hope it's nothing life threatening. VERY scary when we're out of control with our bodies.

Sweet Spot - when the band is at optimal adjustment, which signals satiety on small amounts of food, and you do not get hungry for at least 4-5 hours. Green Zone - same as sweet spot Sliders - foods that slide through the band without sending the satiety signal. Things like milkshakes, ice cream, candy, frozen yogurt, etc. For some, popcorn is also a slider. The slider food list goes on, but keep in mind that the band does its job best with dense Protein foods.

PS: I've had a crappy eating weekend, and today wasn't the best. Glad I read this thread tonight. Overall calories weren't catastrophic, but WHAT and HOW I've been eating is just so far off my game. Tomorrow.......back to it!!

In my early Weight Watchers years, I always remember something one of the leaders said. Something along the lines of that a holiDAY does not have to become a holiMONTH or a holiYEAR. Really stuck with me.

Before I finalized my decision to add plication to my band surgery, I made an appointment to discuss possible complications with my gastroenterologist. Turns out, his wife is banded, and went to my surgeon. At that time, she'd lost over 100 pounds, and was still losing. Although he didn't really sway me either way on the plication, I was SO happy to have that extra confirmation on my decision, AND that I was in excellent hands with my surgeon of choice

Susan - can you take those night time meds with a bit of milk instead of food? I also take something at bedtime that requires food, so I take it with about 4oz of low fat milk, or a few sips of a Protein shake. I have not had any issues.

Me too...... Been on Synthroid for many years, and haven't had any problems since surgery. The only thing that may happen, is that once your weight starts to drop, your thyroid medication dosage may need to be adjusted. That's happened for a lot of people, but some, not.

Pre-band, I had ulcers once, and the pain just about brought me to my knees..... The only one who can diagnose what exactly is going on with you, is your doctor. The type of pain you describe can be many things. I would put a call in to your doctor first thing in the morning. Feel better......

LOL - great thread! I've thought this SO many times, and I'm to the point where I don't even bother with the run on sentences, or the grammatically ignorant posts. I'm always glad to give support, but if it's too much work to decipher the question or comment, I'm gone When we're typing a lot of thoughts & info on these sites, certainly, we're going to slip on a word here & there. But there are a couple of posters in particular, that I wonder if their keyboard didn't come equipped with a period, or if when they press the period, it comes out as a comma. Boggles the mind......

I get sick of eggs too, so sometimes I'll have a small lean hamburger patty, and melt a slice of 2% American cheese on top. I can't eat much in the morning, but for blood sugar issues, I have to eat something. The patty is about 2oz of meat. Another alternative I do, is have 1/2 Aidell's chicken Apple Sausage with an egg. LOVE that. I get the sausage at costco.....much cheaper than the market. http://www.aidells.com/products

You look amazing! I know how good you feel Though the margin was small for serious complications after sleeve surgery, it was a risk that I couldn't afford to take. The worst being, leakage from the staples, which could put me (anyone) in the hospital for 4-6 weeks. I'm self employed, and that type of absence from work would ruin my business. Aside from the health risks, I couldn't put my business in jeopardy. Again, small chance that would happen, but the reality is.....it does happen. I do like the idea of minimal aftercare.....if any. The band certainly requires a lot of follow up. But it was the choice I could live with. Who knows what will happen down the road. But for today, it's been better than I ever dreamed it would be. Thank you for your post. Very articulate and informative.....

I had constipation issues long before I was banded. After surgery, I took MiraLax and sometimes Milk of Mag to get things moving. I tried the gummy fiber, but it did nothing. But I've noticed over the past few weeks, I'm more regular than I've EVER been. And I'm pretty sure it's from the Quest Protein bars. I love them! Now that they're helping me in the bathroom, I love them even more!! They've got 21 grams of protein, 17 grams of fiber, with around 190 calories. Here is a link. I get mine at the Vitamin Shoppe.....chocolate chip cookie dough. I don't know if they'll do the same for you, but I'm thrilled that they clearly kill two birds with one good tasting stone; lots of protein, and lots of fiber :-) They come in lots of flavors, but so far I love the cookie dough and the vanilla almond crunch. Just drink plenty of Water http://www.vitaminsh...dg#.UmAShiSE6AE

The band isn't designed to stop you from eating. It's a tool to help you stay satisfied on small portions, for longer periods of time. I would venture to say that all of us here were in the same boat as you; many failed diets. I too, have had over a 100 pound swing in my weight; lost and gained the same weight so many times, I've lost count. I had the band with plication, which has been a Godsend for me. I've lost 53 pounds since mid-March, and at my age, never thought I'd see this kind of weight loss again. In a nutshell, the pre and post op diets will be the most difficult time. Depending on your doctor's protocol, you may have to be on liquids for a period of time before surgery, and for a period of time after. Then, you slowly progress to soft/mushy foods, then to various solid foods, etc. When you start eating again (after liquids), you have to take very small bites, and chew everything VERY well. Eating at a slow pace, allows you to feel the signals the band sends.....that you've had enough. In time, you will ultimately be able to eat whatever you want, just in smaller doses. But it's still important to choose high Protein foods, and eat clean and healthy MOST of the time. That doesn't mean you'll never have a piece of cake ever again. But when you do, your portions will be smaller. I think the most important thing to realize, before you go into WLS, is that the band goes around our stomach, not our brain. The compulsion to eat when bored, depressed, happy, sad.....any of it, does not go away. It's hard work, but it's so worth it! If I eat a bit past the band signal, I'm miserable......don't feel well. Also, since I have the plication, my stomach capacity is also limited. In case your not familiar with it, it's where they fold the stomach in on itself & make two rows of non-dissolvable stitches. Then they place the band on top. Essentially, what this does, is make the stomach the size & shape of the sleeve, without cutting, removing, rewiring, etc. Like the band, it is reversible. I do not have a reference point as to what the band would be like without the plication. I just know that I'm SO HAPPY that the weight is coming off, and I feel great! But it's certainly a lifestyle change, and you have to be ready for that. Aside from the diet adjustments, you will have to incorporate regular exercise as well. I walk through the hills about 5 days a week, and that has been perfect for where I'm at. Anyway, I hope some of this helps. Please feel free it message me if you'd like anymore info. You will get a lot of good response on this site, from the seasoned veterans who post on a regular basis. I wish you all the best

A twist on scrambled eggs is to make egg salad. I used to love it at that phase. I made it with Hellman's low fat mayo. If you're able to eat tuna fish at this phase, you can make tuna salad with the low fat mayo, and it's easy to bring to work. I also made a small baked potato & put cottage cheese or melted cheese on it. Refried Beans with a bit of melted cheese was great. There are a lot of soft mushy things to eat.....you just have to find things that you like, and things that your band likes Good luck.....

After surgery I was only able to take small sips. Now I can pretty much guzzle Water the way I did pre-op. When you're newly post-op, there are a bunch of oddities that subside with healing and time. Good luck!

I'm so with you on this..... If I say to myself that I'll never have "x-y-z" again, I'll sabotage the whole thing. Though eating after dinner is a huge no-no, I have to be realistic on what I'm willing to give up. An evening snack isn't one of those things. I plan for it, enjoy it, and it helps keep me sane (if that's at all possible) - LOL!

I think that the thread header "how to cheat on your band", sounds more like a lesson on how to eat around it & do everything we were trained not to do. The header is misleading, and I go back to what I wrote in my original post..... I wonder where everyone's head was at in their education classes. If this is more of a thread about choosing not to make the best choice in any given moment, then YES, I think we've all done it. I find it hard to believe that after an entire life of failed diets, that someone goes through this surgery & doesn't know what's loaded with sugar, and what isn't. Not to mention pureed pizza and whatever else.

Same here..... I was initially scheduled for the bypass, but freaked out two weeks before surgery. I ended up with the band + plication, and haven't had one second of regret. Hot - I think you're right on about why they push the other surgeries. The long aftercare is one big thing, and the other is that the other two surgeries show a more rapid weight loss in the first year. But after that, no matter what surgery you do, everyone ends up in the same boat......having to CONTROL what they choose to put in their mouth. There are absolutely no free rides with WLS. If we don't learn to change or control our habits, we can gain the weight back. For me, I knew the work would start the minute I opened my eyes from surgery. And I was completely ready for it. At least I sleep much better at night knowing, that if necessary, the surgery is reversible. Can't say that with the others......no thank you very much

It seems to me a lot of people either weren't #1-properly educated pre and post-op, or #2-slept through all of those classes. When I hear that someone pureed pizza & thought that it was okay, I wonder.......wasn't that outlined in the education classes? When I hear of people drinking carbonated drinks because their band hasn't acted up, I scratch my head & think......don't they know that the issue is potential band erosion? Did the education classes not cover how to read food labels? When I hear some of these things, I just wonder what the mindset was was when they moved forward with this surgery. Please understand that I'm not passing judgement on anyone here. I've made my own mistakes. I never tried to "cheat the band", but I've maybe eaten a little bit more than I should have, or chose something that wasn't the healthiest choice. One night at a concert, I drank with reckless abandon. At the time I felt fine. The next morning, the calories were the least of my problem. The fact that I threw up was the HUGE issue. Lesson learned... I rarely, if ever, throw up from drinking. But clearly, my body no longer processes alcohol the way it did pre-band. Was I trying to cheat the band? No, I was not. I think, possibly, the thread header "How to Cheat On Your Band" maybe isn't exactly what you meant? If it was, then no, I do not understand why anyone would "intentionally" push the envelope straight into the danger zone.

I feel for you.....I really do. Band or no band, the propensity to return to old habits is always there. As well as I've done over the last six & a half months, I never delude myself in thinking that old habits won't return. Have you been in to see your doctor? Maybe an appointment with the nutritionist would help get you back on track? Possibly a therapist to help you deal with everything on your plate (no pun intended). I really wish that I had some pearls of wisdom for you, but the reality is (as you already know), that this is a mental thing; your head has to be in the right place. I think that the first place to start, is an appointment with your surgeon. Tell him/her what you're going through, and take the next step after that. Self sabotage is one of the strongest dynamics we deal with. Whatever it takes to reel this in, try & do it. Wish I had a magic wand. Been through it so many times, and banded or not, fear that it will return for me as well. But just because you've slipped, doesn't mean all is lost. Try & focus on all of your success, and keep a positive mind that you deserve every bit of it! I wish you ALL the best.