DMJ 0340

I'm June 10 as well. Your story sounds a lot like mine. I had the same thoughts about eating this past week end, do I really want this? I'm not a grazer either, I have a meat-tooth. This pre-op sucks, but I think about my son, and I want be around for him. We got this man, good luck, and thanks for sharing your story, I needed that right now!

Here goes my 2 cents of advise for what it is worth.... I am just shy of my one year ban anniversary. This has been the most challenging and rewarding year in my life! Not challenging with complications or issues but with having to listen to my body and most of all by not giving up! I am finally in the green zone and the weight is steady now. I also have resigned that I am a slow loser which is OK with me as long as it is coming off and I am in good health. (Lost just under 50lbs so far)
My best advise is take the positive suggestions that you find have merit here, (check with your Dr before adding supplements) from this site and do not allow any negative suggestions or stories have a negative impact on your own success.
This is now your story to write, live or tell, so make it something you can be proud of and avoid all negative! It was that negative thinking which got me to this place in life!
For the record I told my Dr today this is the best I have felt in 2 years! I am loving life again! Priceless!

PS: But I would hate to see you walk away from a resource that can help you through....not only your recovery from surgery, but from all the changes that lay ahead.
Stay positive.......you did something really GOOD for yourself

Deacon - PLEASE don't let the complications posted knock you off your foundation. Try to remember that this site is only a fraction of the thousands who have had problem free success with the band. I'm not saying that I don't understand how you feel. At one point, I myself had to take myself off the site, because the negative/complication posts were freaking me out. After about 2 1/2 weeks, I started to miss all of the positive/healthy support, which is a LOT more than the problems. Sure, many with the band will experience some discomfort at some point, but mostly it's from improper eating.
Try & relax & and focus on the positive step you took to improve your life. Honestly, if the negatives you read here are effecting you that badly, walk away from this. It's more important that you focus on your health, and take directives from your doctor.

What TMF said is not untrue. We don't have to be licensed medical professionals, to share what we've learned from our own doctors and self study. He WAS giving support, at the same time, making sure that the up and coming, or newly banded people understand the dangers of your food choices. Not just yours, but anyone making those choices shortly after being banded.
You have gotten a lot of support in the forum, and it would be a shame for you to leave because you didn't like what one person had to say. When you post in an open forum, what comes back isn't always going to be sunshine and lollipops. As pinknsassy above said, take what feels good, and leave the rest.

I am so excited about getting it done, that I tell everyone, lol. Just realize, you need to do this for you, not anyone else. Some are going to understand and others won't. I am grown and don't need anyones permission, lol. Although I have gotten alot of support, there are some who think I can do it on my own without it. My mom even said that all I have to do is stop eating. Thanks Mom, never thought about that!
I have wanted to do this for years and have done alot of research, but even when I met with my Dr. I realized I did not remember everything I wanted to ask, so I would write it down to ask at the next visit. Also, my band coordn.lets me email her all the time.
Good luck!
Ps. The more I talk about the lapband, the better I feel, and the more support I get, don't be afraid to share.

Leave his ass girl... You can clearly do better!!
This is a time where u need the one that's close to you.. It's a scary operation and anything could happen!! Think about yourself now, not him xxxx

I would delay a wedding to this guy and give him the option to change, if he doesn't take that option then the decision is yours, I think losing weight and feeling good about yourself will help u make that decision in the future but my head says dump the selfish git, but my heart says just postpone till u are in a better place to decide if he warrants a place in your life good luck and remember this journey is about you, for you and the person to rely on is you, can a family member go with you or friend if u cant face alone ?

I just made this flavorful dish that is vegetarian but very delicious! You need: 2 tbs of Olive Oil, 4 cloves of garlic-thinly sliced, 2 tsp of grated ginger, 1 tsp seeded, coarsely chopped Habanero chili (which I found at chain grocery store), 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 cup chopped onion, 4 cups chopped Yam, 3 cups cauliflower florets, 28- ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 cups cooked black Beans, 1/2 cup Water, pinch saffron (boy that's expensive!), 1 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tsp of sea salt, or to taste.
1. Heat oil in 6 qt. stockpot over med heat. Add garlic, ginger, habanero, and cumin. Sauté until fragrant (about 2 min.
2. Add the onions, yams, cauliflower, tomatoes, Beans, Water, and saffron. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover (should be simmering), stirring occasionally, for 20-30 min.
3. Add the Cilantro and salt- adjust seasoning- let simmer for 5 more min.
Although it suggests to serve with rice- I had to pass. Another option could be flatbread. It had nice heat- not a summer dish but its been chilly here in New England!

I just made this flavorful dish that is vegetarian but very delicious! You need: 2 tbs of Olive Oil, 4 cloves of garlic-thinly sliced, 2 tsp of grated ginger, 1 tsp seeded, coarsely chopped Habanero chili (which I found at chain grocery store), 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 cup chopped onion, 4 cups chopped Yam, 3 cups cauliflower florets, 28- ounce can diced tomatoes, 2 cups cooked black Beans, 1/2 cup Water, pinch saffron (boy that's expensive!), 1 cup chopped cilantro, 1 tsp of sea salt, or to taste.
1. Heat oil in 6 qt. stockpot over med heat. Add garlic, ginger, habanero, and cumin. Sauté until fragrant (about 2 min.
2. Add the onions, yams, cauliflower, tomatoes, Beans, Water, and saffron. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cover (should be simmering), stirring occasionally, for 20-30 min.
3. Add the Cilantro and salt- adjust seasoning- let simmer for 5 more min.
Although it suggests to serve with rice- I had to pass. Another option could be flatbread. It had nice heat- not a summer dish but its been chilly here in New England!

Can you get more session time with therapist or perhaps switch to a psychiatrist that can prescribe meds? You said you are pulling out your hair. That seems like a high level of anxiety to me. It's so hard to lose weight when there are other things happening in one's life. I always try to remember that it's about being healthy overall not just the weight loss. Best wishes to you in getting back on track.

My wife said she doesn't care how much weight I lose, I had better not start dating again. Good luck on your efforts

Just have to tell. I made it. I made it!! I'm at my goal weight!
It took 2 and 7 months to lose 178 lbs.
I'm not skinny by anyone's standard. I'm normal. Normal! HOORAY!!
I can shop in the front of the store, I can walk great distances.
I can leap tall buildings with a single bound.. oh wait. Can't do that just yet.
But give me a couple of months! Haha!
You guys helped me all along the way. Thank you so much for all the support.

fruit isn't so bad for you. Yes, you do need to be mindful of the sugar and calories, but the Fiber and Water is great.
Something else that helps if you are tempted to eat more after you know you are at your stopping point- brush your teeth or use a strong mouth wash- nothing taste good after that and will deter the desire. It actually works for me if I am really craving.

Awesome! Thanks for sharing & congrats! To see that scale under 2...anything is amazing! Please share any tips or encouragement for us that are just beginning our journey

One year ago today took the first step to change my life. I got the lapband and started my journey to loose weight and change my life. The last year has been a challenge to say the least but today I stand here 115 pounds lighter and amazed with all I accomplished this year. I started my journey at 314lbs. Today I weigh 199lbs, and still aiming for goal:)

It will get better in time. Don't keep that crap in your house if its too tempting. You shouldn't be eating that a week out anyway. Give your poor body a chance to heal. Its not a miracle. Its a tool. It was surgery and the port was stitched to your muscle of course its going to hurt. Mine did for two weeks but every day it got better. Just keep your chin up and take pain meds.

Hello all I've been on my pre op diet for 2 days and I've lost 7 pounds woooo hooo!! Getting my surgery on Friday! Can't wait how!! I've seen a lot of posts in people being down on there selfs! C'mon we can do this!!!!!!!!!! Think positive!!!!!!!! Good luck everyone xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

For me, I just couldn't justify re-routing my internal organs or cutting off 3/4 of my stomach without trying something far less drastic first. With the band, you can always have it removed if something goes wrong. With the Sleeve or Gastric Bypass, you can never get that chunk of your stomach back or intestines routed back the way they were. Plus, I didn't want to deal with malabsorbtion or dumping, either.
No matter which WLS you choose, the work will forever be yours to do. None of them are a magic fix for fat and none are a guarantee to lose weight. They're just tools, but when used properly, the results can be amazing.
I've lost 181 pounds since I was banded in January 2012. For me, getting the Lap Band was the best decision I've ever made for myself.
Best wishes to you on your journey with whatever you choose. Just remember, at the end of the day, you have to do what's best for you.

Least risk, simplest surgery. Period.

Today I hit -65 pounds!!! So excited!!! 5 months and 1 week was my surgery!!! STOKED . Hope to b at goal by July

Hi Mark.
First, depression is very natural after surgery. The chemicals in the anesthetic really effect some people. I know they do me big time. The physical issues you're dealing with will subside, too. You're only a week post op and your body has been through an awful lot but I promise you in a very short time you'll be feeling great again.
You talk about never having what you love again. Why would you think that? The only thing you "can't" have is carbonation. Otherwise, there is nothing you can't have in moderation once you're back on normal food and past your post op diet. In fact, I just had chicken fried rice for dinner tonight. I eat out at restaurants fairly often, too.
I believe living with the band is all about moderation not deprivation. If someone told me I could never have Chinese food, or pizza, or even Pasta again I'd never make it. If I feel deprived, it's like a trigger for me to binge and go nuts. I allow myself to eat what I want, I just don't eat unhealthy food daily and when I do am careful to track my calories so I still stay in my daily allowance. But I still eat everything I love, I just eat much less of it.
If I were you, I'd seriously consider counseling. Food addiction is very real and very difficult to deal with. A good counselor (or even a good support group) can help so much. There's a saying around here "the band goes around your stomach, not your head". The band will help you control hunger beautifully but it can't change your mental/emotional issues with food.
You can do this, Mark. You just have to look at it realistic (moderation not deprivation), focus on your future (how healthy you'll be), and get your head into the game (counseling).
Don't give up. You got this.
Best wishes.

Try taking a stool softener, like Colace, every morning. It will help you get more regular without all the cramping of a laxative. Once you're not so bound up anymore, stop the stool softener and switch to a fiber supplement to keep things continued moving.
Oh and drink LOTS and LOTS of Water. It really does help a lot.
(btw, I have the same problem and this is what I have done to help it)

Have your shake before you cook for your family. It helps if you are not starving. You will have many meals with them in your future, it's only 14 days...
Good luck! You can do it!