chasingadream

Feel better and rest, rest, rest. A fall like that like is traumatic....glad there were people there to help you. Take one day at a time...it will get better!!

Toot all you want! What a great job you are doing....feels awesome doesnt it! I agree with you about the fills. I have yet to have had one and often wonder if I should or shouldn't....as you said why mess with something when what you are doing is working!!!! So I say "no, thanks" at my monthly appts and leave a happy and contented girl. I am 2, YES 2, pounds away from one-derland...and I can't wait to see that number on the scale! Keep up the good work....this site is awesome with some AMAZING people on here! Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing your story. I agree with you 200%....nothing is more important to me than raising my little girl and boy (3 and 7)...watching them grow into wonderful adults...experiencing all there is to experience with them. They were a big factor in my decision to get this surgery...and so far I couldnt be happier with the results!

Your band should not be an issue. And I don't feel they could exclude you because that would be discriminating against you for having it. And seriously, if they are that concerned about people getting healthier why would you attach a monetary value to it....yes, i understand that is the "incentive"....but that would be the other peoples "tool" in my opinion....the $$ outcome is the tool they are using to want to lose weight.... You should have the same right to join the program and participate as anyone else and if someone else doesnt like it they should not do it.

I agree, what a great accomplishment...55 pounds lost!!!! Hang in there!

Sorry to hear about all of that....I am only 5 months post surgery so dont have any great words of wisdom except to ask.....is it possible to switch to another doctor in the practice (if there is more than one) or can you find another doctor to help you. I can only imagine how hard this journey would be if my surgeon was as unsupportive as your sounds to be. Wishing you luck..let us know how it works out.

Good luck to you...let us know how it all goes!

So agree with you on this one...the band and plication has really helped control my hunger/appetite and even my many cravings seems to have dimmed. However, I, unfortunately at times, find myself eating,...no im not hungry...no im not bored....but i just want it....and it is an old ugly happy of mine that I must recognize when it creeps in and fight it and i WILL conquer it!! I am only 5 months out of surgery and believe there is hope for this. I know what I am doing and just need to change it...but it does happen. The band is not a magic wand and i know it will not make old habits just vanish! But I am in a better place than I have been in decades and so because of that I am willing to notice when the habit creeps it and fight it to the end!...and I know that I WILL WIN!

Welcome...and this whole process is alot to take in and digest...so many decisions to make...it is hard...before and after surgery. Personally, I chose Lap-band (and my doctor offered plication in addition to this which is basically the added benefit of the sleeve without removing my stomach...it is folded in on itself and sewn to look like a banana). I had dieted (many WW) for over 30 years and finally a bell went off at 44 that it is never going to work. My own sister had gastric bypass and i watched her recovery, and her anemia, and her Iron transfusions and now 5 or so years later she is doing WW to get the last of the weight off and is struggling. For me, that helped my decision to look at the lap band. It has been 5 months since my surgery and the weight has come off nicely so far....i am in sizes i haven't seen in decades. I feel better physically and emotionally about myself. Its not perfect though....I have not needed a fill as of yet, and am able to eat everything I want. Yes, my portions are controlled and I feel it in my chest if I try to eat too much at times, and im not hungry but old habits can and do creep back in. Before my band I was a constant food grazer...i never knew what real hunger felt like because i was ALWAYS eating. I am happy to say that food does not control me anymore but I am finding myself picking and eating things that I can ( a chocolate chip cookie or a brownie) but I'm eating more of it than i should...maybe testing to see how much my band can take. I am aware of those old habits coming back and am working like a dog to get them under control....i will not fail this time....this is a lifetime change.....one that takes work..... Hope that helps in hearing someone else's story. Make the best decision that works for YOU....follow YOUR heart and desire....wishing you much success.

Well....you've joined a great group of supportive people!!! Wishing you much success!

What a wonderful feeling...congrats to you!

I understand your thought process....I am 4 pounds away from 199 and am in awe of the loss so far. I have my goal listed as 140 because that is what I am SUPPOSED to be at 5'4" according to the charts. Never thought I could get there since I never have been able to before...but some days I wonder. People now comment on how much I've lost and tell me I'm good where I am...some are floored when I tell them I have another 65 to lose. Who knows if I can or want to get there. Guess I will just take it one day at a time to see where my weight loss leads me. You are not alone....it is such a process...and not an easy one!

Sorry I can't help you but to send lots of good and fast get well wishes your way! Hoping for a speedy recovery...and soon this will be behind you and you will be on your way again! Hang in there!

Wishing you all the best...hang in there!

Congrats on a great weight loss so far....remember that sometimes, (most times for me), I dont "see" the weight loss on myself...so be kind to yourself...if you are having success and seeing it in ways like the scale not reading error and your super loose jeans than hang on to those things and enjoy every minute of the success. Sometimes it takes our own eyes and brains WAY more time to catch up to the way we really look. Keep moving forward --you are doing amazing!!!1

Its a tough decision for WLS no matter what your age....i had my surgery at 44 (after swearing off any type of WLS to help me---more from fear than anything else)...and after about 30 years of trying to diet unsuccessfully (or successfully and then putting it back on)... So good for you for taking charge now...it is a wild and worthwhile journey. Do your research and truly understand what you are taking on...it is not a quick fix and it is a big change in lifestyle both physically and mentally but sooo worth it! Best of luck and keep us posted!

You are entitled to every little feeling coursing through your body right now....and yep you hit all the cliches on the head!!!! You've lost 15 lbs already and that is awesome...give your body AND your mind a chance to heal. If it helps any....my doctor told me not to think about losing ANY weight for the first 6 weeks...it was all about healing and getting the mechanics down. Not something you want to hear when you just put yourself through surgery....you want results and you want them NOW! I do understand! Our minds play some wicked games with us...dont let this one get the best of you...I know easier said than done...but dont let the mind games impede your weight loss! You deserve more that that! Try and take it one day at a time and focus on each accomplishment along the way...and it doesn't always have to be a scale victory for it to be a victory. I am 5 months out and still learning new things about this band inside of me AND about myself as well! I do believe its going to be a long term learning curve....and I will learn it all darn it. Hang in there...give it some time...treat yourself well...and it will come off...IT WILL!!!!! Wishing you much success AND peace....keep us posted...and vent anytime!

Welcome...from NY and glad to meet ya"!

CONGRATULATIONS...what a wonderful accomplishment....you look fabulous! Enjoy this moment...but it seems like there will be many more of them for you in the future!...Way to go!

What a great job!! Congrats on 6 years of banded life and maintaining your goal for so long. You look wonderful and I appreciate your coming here and inspiring me....only banded for 5 months I look forward to reaching goals such as yours!

I kept it simple...my go to's were tuna, egg and chicken salad with light mayo....in a magic bullet it was a perfect consistency and has lots of Protein. I had the same meals as my family I just magic bulleted it to the right mushiness (chicken w/ mashed potatoes and gravy, 93% ground beef made into taco meat, wendy's chili blended w/ sour cream.) You can puree anything...it doesnt always look appealing but tastes soooo yummy after being on liquids!

Congrats on getting to this phase... You look wonderful and have such a positive and focused attitude on what you need to do for you to continue to be successful. Love hearing about the process of how you are transitioning to maintenance because I know this time around I WILL be reaching that milestone too....somewhere down the road. Right now I am a few pounds away from one-derland and Im waiting with anticipation...its been a good 25 years since I've seen a number under 200 and I am looking forward to it! Looking forward to the nice warm Spring weather when we can plan another get together for NY bandsters. Hope you are weathering the last round of snow okay!

Congrats on being banded and with your weight loss thus far. I agree with Bandista....there is quite a learning curve. I am just about 5 months out and am STILL learning...and I believe I will be for a long time. But it is the best thing I've done for myself in well, forever! Wishing you continued success!

Just a question...do you think you are too tight that you are struggling to get solids down. I have not had a fill yet so I have nothing to compare your experience with. Also, if your body thinks its not getting enough caloric intake it will hold on to whatever you put in it so it doesnt feel that it is starving... and dont forget--all those soups and broths are loaded with sodium that may be causing you to retain Water which will affect weight loss. Dont be discouraged...it will come off....maybe a call into your doc or nutritionist may help you. Best of luck...keep us posted!

Congrats on your surgery ...glad it all went well and that you are feeling good! It is an adjustment for everyone. I have the best supportive hubby ever and 2 small children to feed and its been a process....but it is doable. It is hard for others...they think we can't eat or we can't eat certain foods. It is a learning curve for everyone...just have patience. I know in the beginning my husband would tell me I couldnt have something and I would get mad at him and tell him that I can have whatever I want just in smaller quantities. He is just so used to helping me during the "diet" mode that it is just natural for him to say that. 5 months out and he's finally getting it and my kids are now used to mommy eating on a smaller plate without questionning it. Wishing you all the best...keep us posted!