chasingadream

You should definitely show off, brag and flaunt it.
You look amazing! And that didn't happen overnight with just good wishes!
Im sure there was some hard work and sweat in there too!
Thanks for sharing ….love to see before and afters!

Welcome…you will find lots of support here!
Perhaps you would want to try a new bariactric doctor since you weren't successful with the last one as far as fills go. Perhaps a fresh start with someone new and explaining the bad experience you had they can help you with a different approach to help you succeed again. Don't let the embarrassment of life get in your way…yes you gained weight back back there was a big change in your life and sometimes those things are just difficult to deal with. See if your PCP has a recommendation for a new bariatric doctor.
You posted here so you are looking for help…we can give you moral support…but you must make that call to help get yourself back on track…you CAN do it.
Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life…make it a GOOD one!
Good luck and keep us posted!

Great job…it is amazing the transformation in even just a few months….
I am 18 months out and am still learning things about this whole process…..there is a huge learning curve in my opinion. And I agree with you….hard to go day by day sometimes…..
You are on a great path….keep it up!

Welcome…you will find lots of support here!
Perhaps you would want to try a new bariactric doctor since you weren't successful with the last one as far as fills go. Perhaps a fresh start with someone new and explaining the bad experience you had they can help you with a different approach to help you succeed again. Don't let the embarrassment of life get in your way…yes you gained weight back back there was a big change in your life and sometimes those things are just difficult to deal with. See if your PCP has a recommendation for a new bariatric doctor.
You posted here so you are looking for help…we can give you moral support…but you must make that call to help get yourself back on track…you CAN do it.
Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of your life…make it a GOOD one!
Good luck and keep us posted!

That's awesome! So good to hear! Happy Bandiversary!!!!

I've been at goal weight for years, I am 11 years post-WLS and food is often still a struggle. Although my weight doesn't fluctuate more than 5 or so pounds from goal weight, which I maintain, it is always a struggle.
I was on a cruise last week and the buffet was like a mermaid singing her siren's song enticing me to shipwreck myself on her fattening rocks. So tempting. And for the entire week she never shut-up!

What I'm beginning to accept is that I will ALWAYS be a food addict and need to remain vigilant at all times. I won't be permanently free of this addiction and there will always be struggle involved.
It seems my only choice is whether I struggle at a healthy weight able to participate in active sporting and life endeavors or whether I will struggle while I return to morbid obesity at 333 pounds and live out my days sitting in a chair in front of the tv gorging myself.

I choose to struggle while healthy and active. I have tools and support for continuing to choose the healthy, active path.
Maybe that's as good as it gets...and that's enough!

This is exactly the emotion I'm dealing with right now. thanks for posting so I don't feel so alone...and struggling
sas

Hi Everyone, I have just celebrated my 13th Bandiversary. I am still doing well with the "old" 4 cc band. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I wish everyone the best of luck in their journey. Mona

I agree with @@Bandista ….get back to your surgeon and nutritionist and maybe even the psychologist (if one is available) to help you figure out exactly what happened and why.
In my opinion, the fact that you are posting here means you want some help….kudos to you! We can only give you some moral support here…you must pick yourself up, stop beating yourself up and move forward.
Tomorrow is a new day….its the first day to the rest of your life…make it a good one and make that call!
Wishing you all the best! Keep us posted!

Lap Band with plication 18 months ago…..no problems with surgery or since.
Counting my blessings!

Great job…it is amazing the transformation in even just a few months….
I am 18 months out and am still learning things about this whole process…..there is a huge learning curve in my opinion. And I agree with you….hard to go day by day sometimes…..
You are on a great path….keep it up!

I saw my doctor every 4-6 weeks post up for the past 18 mos...(actually Physician Assistants--but that was fine with me)
I got my first fill ever on Tuesday. My new doc since my old one left the practice is very hands-on and did my first fill. I have to go back in 6-8 weeks.

I agree with @@Bandista ….get back to your surgeon and nutritionist and maybe even the psychologist (if one is available) to help you figure out exactly what happened and why.
In my opinion, the fact that you are posting here means you want some help….kudos to you! We can only give you some moral support here…you must pick yourself up, stop beating yourself up and move forward.
Tomorrow is a new day….its the first day to the rest of your life…make it a good one and make that call!
Wishing you all the best! Keep us posted!

My surgery was scheduled for 3:00p.m. (actually had it at 5:30) so I took my 14 year old son to school like normal. I could tell he was worried, not much but I could tell...I assured him I would be alright. He kissed me good bye, closed the door and I balled like a baby! Needless to say every thing turned out fine but I too was worried.

Totally normal! I remember laying in bed unable to sleep the night before my surgery I was so terrified...of both the procedure, and the unknown of post op! I even asked my husband WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING???? I can tell you, I have no regrets! I live a life I never imagined...from the size of my clothes and being able to shop in any store I want, to how I can walk without being out of breath, I can actually PLAY with my kids! It's amazing!! You have a whole new life to look forward to, you can do this!

3 years ago at age 53 I had the lap band done. Considered morbid ly obese, at 225 lbs, tired , hated the way I looked and felt, had trouble doing everything. NOT living a happy, healthy life at all !! Existing, not living. Today ?; MUCH better !! A happier, healther, slim mind, body and soul. The recovery was easy, as was the surgery , the next 6 months was FUN because the weight was falling off and the compliments were coming in and I was getting better by the day ! So take the plunge , and 6 months from now you'll be wondering why you were so scared over nothing !! Best decision ever !! Good luck !!!

it's very normal to have anxiety and fear. I almost jumped off the gurney but was determined to follow this through. I can honestly say it went well. No problems except I get nauseated easily from any kind of pain meds so I had to get something for nausea but after that I felt fine. went home the next day and drank and walked. minimal pain. Best of Luck you will be so happy you did this.

Hi there, I think most every one is extremely nervous and excited prior to surgery. I am 53 and had never been an overnight hospital patient before. I didn't know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how much easier it all was than I thought it would be. I think it's because it's a wellness surgery -- not being in the hospital due to accident or illness makes a big difference. My worries had to do with whether it would work for me or would I fail like the zillion diets and programs I had tried. Would I have to give up favorite foods, etc. None of this had any merit -- just those weird thoughts that come bubbling up at times of anxiety. I overrode any nervousness with humor and positivity. To this day I would have the surgery over again In a heartbeat. It has changed my life and I am so happy to be at peace with food. I still love food, but in small amounts at appropriate intervals. To me this is a miracle.

Hi @CC155. I'm not sure if you are scared of the surgery or of the unknown. If your fear is the surgery, the statistics show that you are overwhelmingly likely to survive with no issues at all.
If your fear is of the unknown, all I can tell you is that two years ago when I had lapband surgery, I couldn't imagine what my life would be like without my best/worst friend, which was food. Best/worst because I loved to eat but it was killing me.
So what has happened in those two years? Well, I've lost 150 lbs. and have gotten my life back. I don't miss eating to excess....not any more. Especially not when I am thinner than I've been since I was a teenager. Not when I wore 26/28 slacks and 4X tops and now I wear 6 petite slacks, small petite tops, and 8 petite dresses. Not when I used to struggle to walk because my knees and hips were killing me and now I walk with almost no pain and every step I take is like a miracle to me. Not when I get attention from both sexes. Not when people notice me now instead of looking through me. Not when I fit in the world again instead of being too fat for it.
Hang in there...I understand you are nervous but I'm excited for you. You are starting the most wonderful journey of your life and I can't wait to read about all your future successes.

You sound like you're getting it figured out. That's great. My tastes have changed over the last eleven months but here's what I like now:
chicken thighs
Kale and generally any salad
Croutons
cheese
eggs
Egg salad
chicken salad
Canned chicken
Ground meat of any kind
Steak, broiled and tender
Seafood like scallops or shrimp or lobster
Most white fish like cod
Greek yogurt with granola
Roasted vegetables
Hummus
I can't tolerate:
Dry stringy beef
Dry white meat chicken
Pork chops (exception is breaded pork tenderloin chewed well)
I can eat but try to limit these for weight loss:
popcorn
Pasta
bread
Potatoes
Sweets
As I said, it has changed. I really desire healthier foods now. Good luck to you !!!

This post is half sharing of my experience with the band, an half question (see down below!).
I'm still new to LapBand, and working to get into the green zone. I had surgery in November and after about 3 weeks of healing I could eat the same foods and portions as I could pre-surgery (this is normal). After my first fill I didn't feel any restriction yet (also a normal occurrence). After my second fill I finally started to get restriction. I found that I could still eat all of the same foods as before as long as I was slow and mindful. If I took a bite of something while distracted (this happened often at work -reading emails while eating- or sometimes at home -watching TV-) I would get stuck. That food would have to come up before I could continue my meal. After surgery, and after my first fill I was gaining weight (up to a pound a week). After my second fill my weight gain final stalled and I was stable. Now I've gotten my third fill and the restriction is upped again. I'm hoping to start tipping the scales in the right direction!
I feel like I finally have the band I did all of the research on, and mentally prepared myself for, before surgery. The one that changed your eating habits, made you eat slowly and carefully, and might give you some food restrictions (like doughy bread or dry, tough meat).
I'm wondering, for all of you out there with properly adjusted bands, what are your favorite go-to foods?
My food habits pre-band included bread at Breakfast, fruit for Snacks, and usually veggies with Pasta for dinner. I think I now might have trouble with bread, fibrous fruits (like citrus, which breaks my heart since it's one of the only in-season fruits during winter) or veg (like cooked cabbage, less heart breaking but slightly annoying since I had just cooked up a large head of it for use in some freezer meals).
I'm looking for help to reshape my food habits and find healthy, delicious foods that are band friendly so I'm not relying on processed or soft foods. Thanks for any tips!

My original AP Lap-band slipped a few years in. I had it repositioned and it's been great since. At the same time, I also had my port replaced but that was for cosmetic reasons. The original Lap-band ports looked like a periscope sticking out of my belly I moved over to a low profile port and you can't see it sticking out any longer.

Hi there, glad you're here -- if it were me I would make an appointment ASAP with your medical professionals. They want you to succeed. You are showing up for yourself and your health -- whatever you do, don't beat yourself up. We've all done enough of that. The links in my signature below might help -- they helped me understand better about how the band works by dimming the appetite. For this the fill has to be right, and to get the right fill you have to go to your appointments. For me this process provided accountability -- I would weigh-in, etc. and discuss any issues that were coming up. Plus the stages getting there gave me time to address behavior modification issues. Good luck -- you know you can do this!

Hey all. Thought I might introduce myself and tell a bit about my situation. I was banded back in March 2008. Starting weight at 340 pounds. I got all the way down to 210 pounds. I went through a divorce about the time I hit my lowest and then figured how to cheat and went back to binge eating. I have been on a steady gain ever since then. I quit going to the doctor after 3 bad fills where I could not get Water through. I went to the ER and they took Fluid out then. I never went back. So fast forward to the current. I am at 282 pounds. I really want to get back to the program. I need support in a bad way. Hope to make some friends and maybe be an encouragement to some one on what NOT to do.. Hope to hear from you!

I am 3 months in and I have great days and bad days. There is still so much I have to learn, or relearn as the case may be, but on my good days, I feel stronger than ever. I definitely still have issues to work on, but it feels so good to know that I did this for myself and that hard work is paying off. I am such a results oriented person that it is hard to take things day by day, sometimes. Having said that, 3 months is a great time to reflect on where I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I weighed the most I ever have. Today I am almost down to my lowest adult weight.
3 months ago I was a collective 24 inches larger than I am (arms, bust, waist, hips, thighs).
3 months ago I had knee pain severe enough to make me finally go see an ortho for him to basically tell me there was nothing wrong with my knees and that I needed to lose weight. For the record I think he is way wrong - knees don't hurt for no reason, even if I am/was overweight. Today my knees only hurt if the weather is doing something crazy (true story) or if I have been particularly active.
3 months ago I was 20 pounds heavier. Today I still battle with the word "only" - I "only lost 20 pounds, etc, and "should" - I "should" be further along than I am, etc. But today I am more capable of giving myself grace when I make mistakes.
3 months ago I overate constantly, exercised very little, and was very lethargic. Today I still battle motivation to a degree, but I go walking 5 days out of the week and I use my band to help control how much I eat. Today I am that much closer to my green zone than I was 3 months ago.
3 months ago I took antacid medicine on a regular basis. Today I have zero heartburn or gerd issues. In fact, I haven't had heartburn once since surgery.
Last but not least, I will attach some pictures. I am very self-conscious of these, but they tell my story more clearly than any words I could say. 3 months ago I said, "it's hopeless; I can never change." Today I say, "yes, I have a long way to go but it IS possible. I CAN do this. I WILL do this."