terrydumont46

Hello Everyone. I thought it might be a good time to post a before and after picture of my journey so far. I started my 3 week liquid diet on May 23, 2013, had my surgery on May 12, 2013. My starting weight was 360 pounds and as of today I am down to 263 pounds. For anyone who is struggling it can be done. I still have another 63 pounds to go before I hit my goal of 200 pounds. I know I have many challenges ahead but I now have the confidence to meet them head on. Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey so far.

Have you tried juicing? That's the only way I get in enough veggies. Green juice is really good.
4 stalks of celery
2 handfulls of spinach
1 carrot
1/2 green apple
a thumb of fresh ginger
The ginger really gives it a nice zing. My kids even like it. And all the scraps from it can get composted or go to chickens if you have them.

So yesterday I am on the treadmill doing WK9/Day3 of the 10K program and my ipad that I am watching keeps wanting to fall off of the treadmill. I have never had this problem, ever! But I just could not get the thing to say up there and I couldn't figure out why. Anyway - I am about 1 min from the half way point and it finally falls, hits the treadmill belt and shoots like a rocket between my legs. So I have to stop the treadmill and pick my ipad up. Some of you may read this and think "ok - whats the big deal", right?
But for me mentally it was a huge deal. I tried to get back on, but mentally I just couldn't get back into it. My time was now messed up since I technically didn't run the full 10mins stretch and I was going to have to redo wk9/day3. I know it seems a bit extreme, but I am a perfectionist and this is the way my mind works. I tried to reason with myself that I knew I could do it, I had done it twice before during wk9/day1 & 2, but to me that felt like cheating. That the 19mins that I had done was a waist. I finally gave up and left the gym and I was so mad and upset with myself....until.
It finally hit me on the way home. I had just ran 19mins! That in itself was an accomplishment, hell a workout even! Nine weeks ago I couldn't run 3mins. My running mishap and not being able to finish didn't define me! The fact that I had just ran 19mins should be what defines me.
I guess my point is that I think sometimes we are so busy being hard on our-selves that we don't take the time to appreciate and even Celebrate our accomplishments! That instead of finding things to use as our reason to quit or give up we need to look for reasons to keep going! Celebrate even the small stuff. The positive is there we just need to look for it sometimes.

i went to the dr the other day and weighed in at 185 and since I have surpassed my goal by 15 pounds he actually did an un fill he took out 1/2cc so I will stop losing but he told me to be careful because a lot of people the get some out gain a lot of weight real quick so if I start to gain get in to see him right away and he will put a little back in the nice thing was he told me not to be embarrassed if I gain he said he understand and he is here with me for the long haul and we will get it right it has been a week and im holding steady

There's probably less than a 1% chance of erosion and mostly, that would be self inflicted imo.
I had a 100% chance of continuing to be miserable and in constant pain if I remained obese. My odds of dying early were greatly increased due to my diet and large amount of body cavity fat. My painful knees wouldn't allow me to walk over one block. I'll take the small chance that I might have an eroded band, or a prolapse, dilated pouch, slipped band, over living the life I led 2 years ago.
I've never questioned my decision and would not want to go back. I'm one happy camper.

It is normal to feel apprehension when you are moving forward to have surgery of any type (especially if you have never had any surgical procedures). Banding is not just surgery, it also means a commitment to a lifestyle change that will allow you to move towards a healthier life and all the benefits which come with it.
I viewed my band placement as an opportunity to regain the health that my weight was taking from me. My surgery had to be postponed for over a year due to medical reasons, and that made me even more motivated to move forward with my band and changing my life.
Truthfully, there can be complications, and all surgeries have risks associated with them. The odds are overwhelmingly in your favor that your surgery will have no complications. Post op, if you are determined to follow the instructions from your surgeon, eat proper portions, make healthy food choices, and exercise, you will minimize your odds for post op complications.
Complications do happen, and the key is to not ignore the messages your band is sending you. Knowledge is power, and the more you learn about the band and the lifestyle changes a successful weight loss journey require the more successful you can be.
We all know the realistic long term risks to remaining obese. That was where I was when I decided to have my band placed. The amount of weight one loses is not as important as the health benefits one gains with weight loss.
As the saying goes, you will never know what there is to discover if you do not have the courage to lose sight of the shore. The band is a highly self empowering tool, as your motivation and compliance will be the key factors to the level of success you achieve.
Though I have had complications post op, I would definitely choose to have my band placed again. It is vital to understand that not all of the complications one may experience are the fault of the patient.
Best wishes whatever path you choose to take.

I had approval in 3 days after my surgeons office got my letter from my pcp and surgery 2 weeks later. Relax, it'll happen. Just remember the surgeons office is masters at dealing with the insurance on this and they don't make any money until they do the surgery. As for the psych exam....piece of cake. My surgeon told me this is just a formality that he wished he could get rid of but unfortunately the insurance companies want it. It was a total waste of time but it satisified the rules.

i fell and broke my arm 1 month exactly after i had the lap band done. i had to have surgery pins and screws. it didn't seem to affect my lap band at all except emotionally. my doctor said the anesthesia used in both surgeries takes time to leave the body. i told him to call it what it was, depression because i couldn't exercise anymore so my weight loss would stop. i had a big pity party going on. but i don't believe breast reduction will give you the gas that lapband did. to do the lapband they filled your belly with air. but i agree with missy. wait until after you lose the weight.

Haha - heard all I need to hear. Gonna tell my boyfriend doc said he has to buy me a ring can't argue with a doctor after all

bakers chocolate is half the sugar as regular chocolate. melt some add nuts of your choice, dollop on a cookie sheet cool and than put in freezer bag and put in freezer. enjoy a piece when you just need candy.< /p>

Good luck tomorrow. I know you'll be great!

This site is free. If it takes a lil longer, oh well. I'd rather that it work right than be rushed and become a cluster.

my doctor wants me to wear a ring. if the ring is tight so is the band. the idea is to eat accordingly.

I know it's frustrating but you're going to have to be patient. It takes time and you're much better off easing into the Green Zone than blowing past it into too tight then trying to back into it.
As far as fills, you can only be as aggressive with them as your doctor allows. Some people may get crazy aggressive fills and do fine whereas others (like me) get very conservative fills. Your doctor knows what's best for your body so if he says small fills, trust him. You trusted him to do your surgery so trust that he also knows what's best for you after.

Whoa!!!! Cardiologist says I'm clinically stable!!' I do have the start of CAD I'm sure from all the butter and deep fried foods. He states that's I can turn the clock back yay surgery is a go 10-22-13 thank god and you guys support!!

#1 ask the anthesiologist to give you antiemetics prior and during surgery and after. this should control vomiting and nausea. #2 if you didnt have digestion problems before you more than likely wont after, if you keep to small meals. chew your food throughly. dont eat fast and don't gulp. #3 you still enjoy all the foods you love you just won't want to eat as much. we are all still on diets. low fat, sugar free and mostly carb free. by having surgery you are confirming that you cannot lose weight on your own. you have tried and cant do it. your weight is a health issue and you should be thinking about a new attitude towards food. if you arent there than perhaps postponing your surgery is the right thing to do. i think most banders on here were looking forward to their surgery. worked hard to have it done. i know i felt like it was my last resort. and i have to tell you that losing weight is a high in itself. wearing clothes again that i haven't been able to wear, to have energy that i haven't had for years. lap band surgery is a blessing. not a curse. good luck to you

Emotional eating is a tricky beast. I too am a stress/emotional eater. I simply cannot focus on a diet when I am overly stressed. It is my absolute #1 go to to get distracted or to calm down. All the while I know I'm sabotaging myself, but there's an override in logical sensibility at that moment.
Here's some tricks I use:
1) I eat on hard things like carrots. Reason being..I think in addition to sugar and endorphin releases associated w/ high carb foods, there is also an oral habit going on. Kind of like when you are nervous and you have to tap your pencil on the table. If you have to put hand to mouth, make it a healthy choice and one that takes a crap load of time to chew down. It eats up time, it satisfied the need to chew (oral) and depending on the food can even satiate you during hungry periods or satisfy cravings.
2) Get active. Exercise releases endorphins. I know it's the last thing on your mind, but take that stress and/or frustration out on some boxing and/or running. You'll feel great and more balanced afterwards
3) Get distracted. Sometimes if we have to much free time we can be consumed w/ our thoughts/emotions. Get a hobby, meditate, volunteer, whatever floats your boat. The busier you are the less time you have to snack away.
4) And if you are in emergency emotional meltdown and you know it's going to persist. Remove EVERY item that is your go to food out of the house. Replace with less than desirable food (like pickles, rice cakes and mustard ahahah). None of these foods are going to give you that release and will help break that addiction of using food to curtail the emotions.
Hope this helps hon. <Hugs>

Just remember, it is all 100% in your control. You can lose as much as you're committed to losing and you can keep it off forever if you're willing to change your eating habits to healthy ones for a lifetime.
Best wishes.

Glad you're better Terry and that warm liquids helped.

Glad you are better. I just got stuck for about 20 mins...not a good feeling at all! This was the second time, but the first time I was able to wait it out...this time it all came up. I had just taken my first few bites of Breakfast and now I am starving, but I will wait. I know I was eating too fast so lesson learned! Great Advice Everyone!

I'm glad you're feign better. The longest I've been stuck is 20 minutes.... Can't imagine spending hour stuck.

yes it is normal. try walking when your pressure starts. i walk after every meal. but keep a journal of foods eaten and your response to them. take with you to your doctor appt. it is valuable info for your doctor on whether to do a fill or not. also smaller sips might be in order. gl

OK, I've always had this one pet peeve. It's not loosing weight, it's losing weight. It's not loose weight, it's lose weight. Loose means something is not attached. OK, I'm done.

i used to be able to lose weight easily. of course i would gain it right back and more. but when i became diabetic and on insulin no diet plan in the world was helping lose weight. i opted for weight loss surgery when i decided enough was enough and didnt want to lose weight and gain it back. i am older and losing weight was a nightmare. you know you better than anyone else does and they don't live inside your head or body. it's a personal decision.

If you tense up it makes it worse. Have you tried a heat or ice packs yet on your pouch area? A few years ago I alternated them when I had the stomach flu after a major projectile vomiting day. It helped so that I could get Water in. I would think it would help with pb and sliming. Then the first thing to drink should be hot tea or something else warm.
Hope this helps