chasingadream

It is a process to get to the finish line….but very worth it!! I also had a 6 month supervised diet and was told the insurance would take 4-6 weeks but it came back only a couple of weeks after submission….hopefully yours will come back sooner too! Good luck and hang in there!

Congrats and welcome to the journey!!!! It's a wild and wonderful ride!! Feel good and rest up!

Great article….I have 2 little ones 3 and 7….the 7 year old boy is a picky eater but as thin as a rail…my daughter is more like me although her eating habits are much healthier then mine ever were- she is already "chubby"…..I worry, as most parents do….I just want what's best for them. Having the lap-band with plication has turned things around for me and I plan on doing that for my kids before they ever need the possibility of WLS!!

Great article….just because we have this great "tool" doesn't mean its going to be a piece of cake! (Yes, a pun ) At nearly 6 months out I'm seeing more obstacles in the way that I need to be more mindful of so that I continue to be successful….and I can't make anyone accountable for that success BUT ME! Thanks Alex!

That is my new worst fear... Hope you are feeling better soon…that really does wipe you out!

Sorry to hear that you are struggling….but in the end you are sabotaging yourself and maybe its a good time to look at the reason why? I am not trying to be mean in any way….I understand….I had a 2 week all liquid pre-op followed by a 2 week all liquid post op followed by 2 weeks of mushies before finally going back to solids. (Plus I had a 3 and 7 year old and a hubby to cook for each day). If you asked me 7 months ago if I could survive 6 weeks without actually chewing one piece of food I would have laughed in your face and said no way….but i did it…and I did it without cheating….and believe me that does not make me any better or worse than anyone else on here struggling with their weight. For me….there was no cheating because I REALLY had a good look at myself and my life and why I chose to go this route in the first place. This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make and it turned out to be one of the best. But it hasn't been easy…there has been self-doubt and endless worry and days (when i returned to solids) that are better than others. There is a big learning curve with the band and the long and winding journey I am on is bumpy at times…but, in my opinion, so worth it….at least to me. I've learned to take things one day at a time and one meal at a time and I have learned that I am NOT perfect and have learned to cut myself some slack. So, I say don't beat yourself up….but look at why you are sabotaging yourself…the fact that you are able to acknowledge it for yourself is a good start…. And most importantly, have a candid conversation with your doctor about what you have done on the pre-op diet….not being honest and up front with your doctor will NOT benefit you! Wishing you the best….let us know how it all goes!

Hello there….I also used Dr. Geiss…. PM me if you have any questions or want to chat!

Banded Sept 19th (almost 6 months ago) and I've lost 83 lbs to date!

So true...and I am learning this more and more everyday....my husbands st. patrick day entemanns cupcakes were calling my name the minute I saw them...you know the GOOD ones with the thick mound of frosting on top. I cut a small piece of it....two bites worth...and said "mmmm" and left the rest of it (3/4) in the box for him. I don't ask him not to bring treats into the house but he is mindful to keep them out of my line of sight or only bring in something small...but i had a taste and now its done. Great job....thanks for sharing that....

The coat looks great on you and is gorgeous....but not as gorgeous as that great lady inside of it! Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment!!!!

Congrats on starting an amazing journey. I started with my primary doctor and it was his recommendation that I went to the surgeon I chose. I went to a group seminar through my surgeons office...after that I made an appointment for a consult with the surgeon...got all of my testing requirements and just got started with all of them. The most important suggestion I would make with all of the pre-op "work" is to first check with your insurance company and see if they require any kind of monitored (supervised) diet. Some people don't know about this requirement and it pushes things back for them by months . Mine required a 6 month supervised diet where I had to visit my PCP each month...weigh in...have a talk...and have paperwork filled out as documentation. As for kids...I have a 3 and 7 year old. I also have the most amazing and supportive hubby who is an incredible help to me with all of this. I took off the day of surgery and 4 work days after that....so I went in for surgery on a Thursday and went back to work on Thursday. It IS surgery and you need some time to heal...both physically and mentally. In the beginning I was tired and sore (the only pain meds I took was liquid Tylenol)....remember everyone is different...I'm just sharing MY experience. I was not supposed to lift anything over 10 pounds for about a month or so...so lifting my 3 year old was off limits but we managed. I would sit on the couch and she would climb onto my lap...and like I said my husband was there to help out. After a few days I was feeling much better....the sore part lasts a while but it is very doable. Wishing you much success in your journey...hope my experience helps you in some way...keep us posted!

It is hard....very hard...especially in the beginning....just hang in there and remember why you chose to do this in the first place.....I'm gonna guess that amazing 1 year old is one very important reason....I understand that 'cause I have 2 little ones also! I went through the liquid diet pre-op and post op and it was sooo hard....but you will be that much more proud of yourself when you get through it and look back and say "look what I REALLY did"....you can do this....just hang in there...dont give up on your choice to have WLS...and most importantly...dont give up on yourself! Just take it one day at a time! YOU CAN AND WILL GET THROUGH IT! Good luck and come back whenever you need to vent or for support. There are some great people on here who will support you!

Many over the past few days....nice warmer day in NY so ran out to do errands with a little sweat jacket on...tons of extra room on the car seat plus so much room between me and the steering wheel I had to lower it...went for a mammogram and that teeny tiny little half-shirt gown actually closed shut with wrap around to boot!! Went for a pedicure and when I walk in the girl says "why theres half of you now"...what a weekend!!!!

It is a big decision and a life changer to have this (or any) surgery. Feeling nervous is normal...everyone feels it to different degrees. When I was panicked and ready to back out I always thought about WHY I was doing this in the first place. It had to be a REALLY good reason for me to make the choice to have WLS. And yes, you will definitely be out of your comfort zone...there is a big learning curve with the band and everyone is so different from how they do with the surgery itself, the recovery, the diet and lifestyle changes and the journey with the band. I had "buyers remorse" after having my band and I cried and cried for several days questioning what I had done to myself....i thought i had made the biggest mistake of my life. And then one day passed and I felt better and then another....and then i was finally off the liquid phase and onto mushies....and I kept continuing to feel better...and then onto solids....and then the scale began to move down, down, down, and my clothes are too big. It is a day to day journey and that is how I take it...some days are better than others but overall, the BEST decision I ever made. I feel so good both physically and emotionally about myself. Hang in there....be prepared....remember why you chose this route....ask any and all questions you have with your doctor....follow their instructions....and take one day at a time and you will be just fine! Good luck and keep us posted!

I had my lap band with plication surgery on Sept. 19th. It has been 5 1/2 months since that surgery and life is good and I feel very blessed with the success I've been seeing so far in my lap-band journey. I have lost 82 pounds to date and finally, yes finally, just threw out all the sizes of clothing that no longer fit me...and NEVER will again. So I purchased some new pants and shirts that actually fit and look flattering on me. Well, the compliments have been pouring in from every direction. And although yes, it is very nice to hear and very flattering....it is sometimes a little overwhelming. I dont like being the center of attention especially when that attention focuses around the way I look. I'm learning to take it graciously...say "thanks so much" and just continue on with my day. But today, and I'm not sure why today, it actually threw me over the edge a bit. Besides the normal, "you look great" comments. I had several people tell me that they were sorry they were staring at me but I just look COMPLETELY different. I felt like an alien. I know my appearance has changed but definitely not to that point. I was walking through the halls today and at one point thought to myself...I just wish noone noticed anymore and would treat me like the old me....it is bizarre. And of course in addition to the nice comments....comes the what are you doing? I know it is that curiosity factor of what's working for me may work for them but sometimes people just push that too far. Only 8 people at work know that I had WLS (out of a staff of 70 or so) and that is the way I prefer it since it is a big gossipy rumor mill when "juicy information" is available. I am not ashamed of my decision but I just dont want to hear anything from anyone about my choice. This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life (and one of the best I might surely add) but I only want people who will support me to know about the very personal choice that I decided to make...hence the small number of people knowing. Sometimes I just wish people could say you look great and just walk away. Sometimes I feel like I have been untruthful when asked 'what are you doing?'...but my standard answer is small meals, higher Protein than carbs and walking...and that is the truth! With all the pressure just on the weight loss front I would love to not add any more to the plate...so to speak! Only 2 people came straight out and said "you had lap band surgery" and to those people I unhappily said yes (because I cannot lie to someone)....but surprisingly enough they have been kind enough to keep my private business quiet. So, yep...compliments are GREAT...they make me say" yeah it IS working"....and they are bad....to the point of feeling overwhelmed....and they are ugly....when I feel so so uncomfortable that I look SO different I wonder if I've morphed into something so new I wont recognize myself one day! Just needed to share my thoughts...thanks for reading!

Done!

I went out to lunch with a friend today and barely ate half of my meal (packed up the rest and had it for dinner) But today I realized something....I was more interested in the company and conversation than actually eating the meal. That's NEVER happened before in my life....EVER!!!! Always had to finish my meal plus some....conversation between bites was an extra. So I say go out and enjoy the company and make the eating part just what it is...eating a little. See where they want to go and make it work for you...it is doable. Good luck ....let us know!

Definitely varies by person and job description. I teach small reading groups so no stress or strain physically. I had surgery on a Thursday and was going to go back on Monday....I decided to give myself a few extra days and went back the following Thursday....was very glad I did. It is not only physically tiring but mentally as well. If you can use an extra day or two to get yourself feeling better I say go for it...but sometimes you just dont have that time. Hope my experience helps in some way...good luck! And as for pain....the strongest pain meds I took was liquid tylenol....and I am no super-woman when it comes to pain tolerance. You know yourself best and will have to be the "pre-judger" of what you may experience pain level wise.

I watched for the first time last night....2 episodes back to back no less...it was an eye opener and made me feel so grateful to be where I am in my journey....and to know that I stopped myself before reaching such a point of desperation. And , OH YEAH YES, it was frustrating and annoying to watch him go thru the drive thru the way he did and to treat his wife in the manner he did....the end results were good however...and I guess that is all we can hope for....is a good outcome in the end!

I started with my primary care physician and it was his recommendation that led me to my doctor. I went to a group informational seminar with the surgeon, then called to schedule a consult and the rest moved right along from there. As for other research, I reached out to people I know who had the procedure done. I researched on line by just "googling" lap-band. And I researched online bookstores for books to read. I really liked Alex's book (he's the founder of Bariatric Pal) The Big Book on the Lap-Band....I found it very helpful and informative. Wishing you much success on your journey!!

You've come this for....had WLS surgery...got some fills and lost a nice chunk of weight...GIVING UP NOW IS NOT NOT NOT AN OPTION! Hang in there. I understand the whole thing with poor food choices...I'm there right now and struggling. Every day is a struggle and a decision but I can't and won't go backwards....im trying to take one day at a time and move forward and some days are easier than others....but i refuse to give up.....I hope you will hang in there too. Go see your doctor and get the help that you need. Like someone else above said that is what they are there for. Get there now and seek help so a 1 lb gain doesnt turn into something bigger that will only make yourself feel worse. YOU deserve only the best...but you must reach out to help yourself...you CAN do it! Keep us posted!

My pre-op diet was 2 weeks all liquids and I did lose 20lbs...I was focused and determined NOT to cheat on it AND myself...and I didn't. Plus I didn't want any problems with my surgery by cheating....wasnt worth the risk. Since every doctor and pre-op and person is so different, I'm sure you will get a multitude of varied results!

Right now...my goal is to find peace....peace with myself and the decisions I make. I had WLS to lose weight, to feel better and so far it is working. The 82 lbs off my 5'4" frame feels amazing and I look in the mirror in awe most days...as a dieter since the age of 16 who knew I could begin to achieve the elusive idea of losing weight AND keeping it off AND not being miserable, dieting or denied. But I'm now at a point where I beat myself up over every decision I basically make. The biggest one of course is my WLS....happiest decision I ever made and then the fear creeps in...how long will it last? what's happening inside of me? was this, IN FACT, the best long-term decision? Then there is the issue of food choices. I did not get to be 280 lbs by not knowing I have "issues" with food...and now at 5 1/2 months post surgery some of the old habits and urges and feelings about food are creeping back....should I get a fill (haven't had one yet)....will that help--I dont believe so...and I dont want to ruin what is working right now. I find myself feeling down on myself, feeling sad at times, and mostly angry at myself...am I sabotaging myself ONCE again???? If I eat too much I panic did I stretch my pouch, did I do this or that.... I am an educated woman. I did my research and I went into WLS fully understanding the choices I made...but sometimes the worrisome thoughts take over the reasoning part of my brain.... So as I stop my ranting about my bit of craziness ....i hope for true inner peace and WAY less worrying in my life. Thank you Jean, for helping me take a good long look at what I truly want and how I am going to get myself there....because I WILL!!!

You look amazing...great job...keep it up...can't wait to see the face that goes with the toned body!

You are a success and you've made your band work for you...one day at a time...one pound at a time! As you said --it was hard but you see better days ahead of you now because of your tremendous efforts and accomplishments! I am glad that I have gotten to know you more and that I was able to meet you in person and truly see how wonderful you look and what a great person you are...you are an inspiration!