mrsto

EVERYONE in these forums has a right to disagree with a post. Retaliating by demeaning that person by pulling LB rank, is completely uncalled for. Though I agree with some of the info posted, when I heard the term "rookie" thrown at Sojourner for disagreeing with a point, I felt a knife go in......even though it wasn't directed at me. Is all this really necessary? Come on people! This is an open forum, and we ALL have a right to post, disagree, etc., without being attacked. Please don't let this interaction digress to a full blown LBT cat fight. We've all seen way too many of them.

Initially, I was told to have a minimum of 60 grams of Protein per day. My daily calorie intake is somewhere between 1000-1200. I say "initially" on the protein, because in the visit with my surgeon (little over a week ago....for a TNE), I mentioned that I was having a hard time getting in enough veggies. I told him (based on our training), that when I eat all of the protein first, there's very little room left for veggies, complex carbs, etc. He told me that at this point, he's perfectly fine with me having a minimum of 40 grams of protein, and bumping up the veggies. He told me that he cannot tell classrooms full of patients this, because with the change in eating habits, they want to make sure that everyone gets in enough protein, and shifts the way they think about eating. I've always been protein driven, anyway, so getting enough has never been an issue. However, many people love (for instance) a plate of Pasta with plain marinara, and don't make protein numero uno. Many (like my BF) hardly eat any protein at all. Disclaimer: I am not advising anyone to lower their daily protein intake from the 60 gram minimum, to 40. I'm just relaying a conversation I had with my own surgeon, based on my own diet plan/issues.

I guess I'm still feeling somewhat "private" on the subject of my surgery. Showing the card would make me feel "different" somehow, and I've chosen to avoid it. BUT, there have been a couple of times when I thought I would show the card, but the kids menu didn't offer anything worthwhile. If I saw good, wholesome food, I would be more apt to "expose" myself

For salmon and filet mignon, I would re-think my position on advertising my surgery

I've had three fills since surgery, and all of them were immediately noticeable. For you, I'm thinking that maybe the fill wasn't enough.....this time around?

I have the card, but have never used it. Aside from the kids menus being full of crappy food, I don't like to advertise that I had WLS. But THAT is just me. I'd much rather order a regular meal, and either take the rest home, or leave it behind. If I choose to leave it, either it wasn't very good, or I'm not going straight home & don't have a cooler in the car.

Me too. Had a root canal and a couple of crowns, without issue.

When doing my research, I read a lot of Simpson's information when making my decision on which surgery to have. I wish all doctors were that forthcoming.

My surgeon is highly reputable, and though he's been doing the band since it was approved in the US; trained prior to its approval, and trained numerous surgeons on the procedure, it's not his first "go to" surgery. He felt the bypass would have been good for me, and I was actually scheduled for it. The extreme nature of that surgery wasn't sitting well with me, so I cancelled it. I did more research, and settled on the band with plication. He told me straight out, his lack of love for the band is the ongoing inherent issues. Although, he also said that with the newer techniques on placement, he sees a lot less issues. STILL - it's not his first choice, and he makes no bones about it. Does that make him a "bait & switch" surgeon? I'm not convinced. However, I do agree that there are TONS of them out there. We read a lot of s-hit in these forums, coming from many patients who went to the "1-800" type of facility; people who were taken in by the advertising, and let dollars and cents be their guide. When taking on something as serious as weight loss surgery, falling into the trap of "discounted rates", is a huge mistake.

It's so true about the other sites being "anti-band". When I started out researching, I went on all of the websites, and found Thinner Times and Obesity Help to be very negative towards the band. I also read many horror stories from people with the bypass, so clearly, the margin for complications is present no matter which way you go. As stated above, yes, there is continuous aftercare with the band, as opposed to the other surgeries. However, the band can be removed if there are major issues, and most all of the time, everything returns to its pre-band state. THAT alone was my reason for going with the band. I was very clear that my work would start the minute my eyes opened from surgery.....and I was okay with it. No matter what surgery, the work has to start at some point, and I was fine having that be immediate. Being 5 months out, I have no regrets, and I'm still thrilled with my choice.

I'm really happy for you, and completely relate to the lifetime of ups and downs (most all of us here, do). The band is a tool. Use it as prescribed, and you will never see that needle on the scale climb to the point of (what feels like) no return. I wish you all the best!

WOW, A-mazing transformation! You look positively fantastic!! Lying, really? Why on earth would someone lie about that?? Geez.....

I can eat just about everything, but the one thing that has changed, is honeydew melon. I used to LOVE it, but now, I get stomach pains rather quickly when I start eating it. Other than that, I haven't had any problems. As ladybandito said above, I rarely eat sandwiches anymore, or a burger on a bun. I order it as is, but end up taking the bread off and eating the meat. If (on rare occasion) there are french fries on the plate, I'll eat about 4-5 if they're thin, and I'm done.

GOOD that you're calling your doctor tomorrow. I don't think anyone can really comment on whether or not your band has slipped from this. But continual vomiting isn't good. About three weeks ago, I bought some liquid vitamins. I mixed the dose with some Water, and starting drinking it. I guess I didn't have enough food in my stomach, because rather immediately, I ran to the bathroom to throw it up. I ended up over the toady heaving like crazy, but nothing actually came out. In the five months since surgery, I've never had any issues with vomiting, dry heaves, etc., so I was concerned about the band slipping. I emailed my doctor (on the weekend), and he said that if I was vomiting/dry heaving several times throughout the day, there may be cause for concern. But one episode, he felt that I was fine. So, YES - call your doctor first thing in the morning. Only he/she can advise you. If it's been as bad as it sounds, they may want to take a look. I hope you feel better sooner than later.....

I'm 58, and had lap band with plication surgery on 3/25/13. I'm down 42 pounds so far. As far as it being more difficult to lose weight at this age, yes, for me it is/was. After menopause and a total hysterectomy, the weight started coming on a lot more quickly than before, and it took three times longer to lose the same pound. It felt futile. Thanks to the surgery, I've been able to put that in reverse, and I'm able to eat small amounts, while staying satisfied for much longer. Do I think that I'd be losing more quickly if I was 30? YES, I do. But I'm perfectly happy with my progress, and I'm grateful for my banded plication every single day. Welcome to this site, and please feel free to ask me anything you'd like

Did you talk with your doctor about it? That would be the best place to start.

It is very frustrating when stupid people make the comments they do. They love to criticize things they have absolutely no clue about, and pass judgement as if they were the almighty Himself. One dimensional thinking.... I'm one who rarely talks about having surgery. I'm to a point where I don't really give a s-hit what anyone thinks, at the same time, don't have the time or energy to educate the ignorant. I'm happy, and the immediate people in my world are happy for me. That's all that really matters. I also avoid the subject, because depending on who is making the comment, I could respond in a very calm, but demeaning way. So, I don't even start

You look GREAT! I think that your doctor's goal of 140 is realistic. And based on the way you look right now (which is great), your goal might be pushing it a bit. As far as a tummy tuck, I tend to agree with your doctor, that since you've been stable for quite awhile, it's okay to move forward. The last 7 pounds isn't going to make a difference. If it was 30 pounds, I'd say.....wait. Good work - you should be so proud of yourself

Tara - CONGRATS! That is amazing....good job

How long has it been since you've seen any weight come off? I understand the fear about falling into old habits. Though you are having those feelings, are you staying on target with your food?

Sounds absolutely lovely. I'm envious! Have a wonderful time..... What are the Protein shots that you take? Sounds like something I may want to check out.

Really good idea, Anna.

Thank you for posting your story. I agree with "healthy and happy" above; there are some people who will condemn you, but quite honestly, the way you articulated your experience, I don't know how they can. You clearly take full responsibility for your actions, and your humility makes me just want to hug you We are not perfect people; NONE of us. I've been on this site for about 6-7 months, and it's clear by some of the posts, that some people aren't/weren't mentally ready for this huge life change. It sounds to me like you "found religion" (so to speak), and are ready to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and move down a path that leads to BETTER health. I appreciate your post. For me, it was such a reinforcement on how important it is to follow the rules.

I'm not a young bandster, but I'm going to comment, anyway I am 58 years old, and have struggled with my weight since the age of 6. A doctor put me on Dexedrine when I was 9, and I was on and off diet pills and speed throughout my life. I've lost hundreds of pounds, only to gain the weight back; plus some. All of the diets worked when I worked with them, but eventually, my "need" to eat won the battle. From my lowest to highest, I've had more than 100 pound swing, and I'm only 5'2". It wasn't until my neighbor told me that she had weight loss surgery (I had NO idea....she looks great), that I started seriously thinking about it. From the time she and I talked, to the time I actually had my surgery, was about a year. During that time I gained a few more pounds, and it became painfully clear that I needed to do something serious. I agonized over the decision, and had all the fears you read about in these forums. I was initially scheduled for the bypass, but decided it was too extreme. I settled on the band with plication, because it's reversible, and wouldn't permanently alter my plumbing or organs. My surgery was 3/25/13, and I'm down 42 pounds. At my age, this would NEVER have happened if it weren't for this surgery. I'm now able to eat small portions, while feeling completely satisfied for long periods. Pre-surgery, there was no way that I would get through even one week, eating like I do now. And I feel GREAT! Ellexaye, you are doing the right thing by thinking this through completely. It's a life altering decision; one that you have to feel comfortable with. Just know that it's not a cure, and not always easy. You have to work with it; eat as prescribed, listen to the signals, and be willing to put the fork down when you get those signals. The band helps with hunger and satiety, but it does nothing for our heads. If you eat for reasons other than actual hunger (as all of us do), that is where you will have to do most of your work. As they say, the band goes around our stomachs, not our brains - LOL! And lets face it, most all of us who get to this point, have a problem with food. Normal people DO put the fork down when they're done, and they don't go scavengering for more food to numb their feelings. I'm glad that you posted on this forum. You will hear from many people; most of which have had success with the band. Think it through long and hard, and make the choice you can live with. I wish you all the best in whatever decision you make.