DivaStyleCoach

I'm not at my goal yet, but some of the things I will NOT miss are:
1. Painful dark marks on my shoulders from wearing bras that really couldn't hold up my boobs. I went from a cup size K down to a E / F.
2. Painful sore spots on my abdomen from wearing jeans that were too tight in the waistband, but were the only ones I could find in a Tall size (so they wouldn't be "high waters" AND too tight.
3. Struggling to find shoes because a size 12W is not a guaranteed prescription for comfortable OR cute shoes. I now wear a size 11M and happy about it!
4. Wearing "bulletproof" girdles and briefers because I wanted desperately to hold in the big stomach...now I can go with nothing except undies, or on the rare occasion that I wear a shaper, it's MUCH more lightweight and doesn't make me sweat buckets!
Can't wait until I get to my goal and hold it for a year or more, so i can do another post like this one and come up with more things I WON'T miss!

I'm not at my goal yet, but some of the things I will NOT miss are:
1. Painful dark marks on my shoulders from wearing bras that really couldn't hold up my boobs. I went from a cup size K down to a E / F.
2. Painful sore spots on my abdomen from wearing jeans that were too tight in the waistband, but were the only ones I could find in a Tall size (so they wouldn't be "high waters" AND too tight.
3. Struggling to find shoes because a size 12W is not a guaranteed prescription for comfortable OR cute shoes. I now wear a size 11M and happy about it!
4. Wearing "bulletproof" girdles and briefers because I wanted desperately to hold in the big stomach...now I can go with nothing except undies, or on the rare occasion that I wear a shaper, it's MUCH more lightweight and doesn't make me sweat buckets!
Can't wait until I get to my goal and hold it for a year or more, so i can do another post like this one and come up with more things I WON'T miss!

Hi BandingBeauty,
Congrats on being approved for surgery - I have the band, and I think you're going to be just fine.
One of the biggest keys I've found for lap band patients is that you have to be comfortable with being more self-directed and self-motivated. You won't necessarily find the quick weight loss that bypass patients can experience, so you'll have to have your "head game" right before surgery.
Start eating like a bandster now - change your eating habits to includes foods you'll be relying on after surgery - look into different sources of Protein, for instance. I can no longer tolerate beef (steak, etc) but I can still eat hamburger. I eat fish and chicken, but I also use other Protein sources.
Start now to get used to REALLY chewing your food, weighing and measuring everything you eat, and start trying to slow down the speed at which you eat. Trying to eat fast will definitely cause problems post-op. I underwent lap band surgery in Nov 2008 and lost 85 lbs in 14 months. I rebounded a little - mostly due to my own "head issues" - but I'm on the losing side again.
Because you've been waiting for WLS for so long, I get the feeling that you're pretty motivated - and that will work GREAT in your favor! Feel free to ask any questions as they come to your mind - I'm happy to try and help!

Hi BandingBeauty,
Congrats on being approved for surgery - I have the band, and I think you're going to be just fine.
One of the biggest keys I've found for lap band patients is that you have to be comfortable with being more self-directed and self-motivated. You won't necessarily find the quick weight loss that bypass patients can experience, so you'll have to have your "head game" right before surgery.
Start eating like a bandster now - change your eating habits to includes foods you'll be relying on after surgery - look into different sources of Protein, for instance. I can no longer tolerate beef (steak, etc) but I can still eat hamburger. I eat fish and chicken, but I also use other Protein sources.
Start now to get used to REALLY chewing your food, weighing and measuring everything you eat, and start trying to slow down the speed at which you eat. Trying to eat fast will definitely cause problems post-op. I underwent lap band surgery in Nov 2008 and lost 85 lbs in 14 months. I rebounded a little - mostly due to my own "head issues" - but I'm on the losing side again.
Because you've been waiting for WLS for so long, I get the feeling that you're pretty motivated - and that will work GREAT in your favor! Feel free to ask any questions as they come to your mind - I'm happy to try and help!

Good morning Sophie139,
First, BREATHE...I understand your nerves - I had them too!
I want to encourage you to go back an review your information on the lap band and the surgery - you may have read that everyone's experience, though similar, will be DIFFERENT. We are all different - anatomically, psychologically...no two band experiences will be the same.
I've been banded nearly 6 years - my bandiversary is in a couple of weeks - and I would DEFINITELY do it all again! I am in SO much better health now than I was 6 years ago. Is it an all hearts-and-flowers experience? No - and primarily because I haven't done everything I need to do. I am doing MUCH better now - because I've taken responsibility and made proactive steps to "tighten up" my HEAD GAME. My body is ready to do what it needs to do - with me sticking to my eating plan (not a DIET - hate that word now), incorporating exercise into my life on a regular basis (just coming off a foot injury that threw me for a loop), and working on improving / strengthening my self-esteem (a constant journey), I am doing MUCH better.
I've been as low at 180 lbs - pretty near my goal - and I'm headed back down there again. There will be ups and downs, there will be good days and bad days, but overall, it's the single BEST thing I've done for myself.
GO FOR IT! And get ready to Celebrate your new, healthier life and your fabulous, stronger and healthier body. I'm rooting for you! :-)

Congratulations on your surgery date! Looking forward to hearing about your positive progress and your journey. Keep putting YOU first and making those great steps toward your healthier, stronger future.

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Gowalking is right on the money ! Um, yeah, what she said ! To say that the band literally gave me my life back is not an understatement ! It will be 3 years this December, and I couldn't be happier ! I was slim all my life until I started gaining around 30 yrs old and it just got worse, even a year on Weight Watchers did nothing except a 12 lb loss . Thats it for a year ? But following the band rules got me down 65 lbs to a happy healthy me ! Go Lap band !!!!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Hi Kitt,
I'm sorry the negative posts are getting to you...sometimes I just don't want to read them, either. I've been banded since 2008 - and as of right now, I'd do it all over again!
I'm not saying everything is perfect, but I haven't had any serious complications or problems. I have rebounded a bit, weight-wise, but that is MY fault and not the band. When I eat according to the 'bandster rules' and exercise, I am able to lose weight and keep it off. I haven't experienced the level of success I have right now with the band with ANY other method - including Weight Watchers, liquid Protein, fasting, excessive exercise, or any other method.
If it's working for YOU, keep on going - keep on doing what you are doing. I feel for the people who are having problems, but one person's problem may just be another's lifesaver...
Hang in there!

Well, let's see...before I was banded, I was morbidly obese and my joints were so bad that I was looking at living the rest of my life in a wheelchair. I was already using a cane and walking was getting more and more difficult. I tried to diet with not much luck yet again and finally hit rock bottom and decided to get banded because my pain management doctor told me I would need knee replacement and was at that time, too overweight to have a good outcome.
I was very very fortunate. I was banded in January 2013 and followed the post op instructions almost to the letter and had no issues. I could not exercise so I made sure to do my best to stay under 1,200 daily calories. I lost enough weight in six months to become eligible for surgery. Everyone thought it would take at least a year for that to happen but it was a good thing I lost quickly because I had found out that I needed both hips replaced even before the knees. This was devastating news to me but I moved forward as I had no choice and had bi-lateral hip replacement surgery in October.
As most of you know, it was a very hard surgery and a long and difficult recovery but I am almost a year out and the quality of my life has improved a thousand fold. I can walk fine now and the cane sits in the corner of my bedroom to remind me of what was. I will not need a wheelchair because my pain is a fraction of what it used to be. I couldn't walk a block without having to stop because of the pain and now I'm planning a trip to China next year with my sister because my sister-in-law is moving to Beijing for a year and The Far East has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I never thought I'd be healthy enough to make this trip but I know now that I can.
The band has saved my life. Without it, I might be dead and that's not being dramatic, it's being truthful. I also have to say that I was not in a good frame of mind when I was banded. I expected to fail in this as I had failed in all other weight loss attempts but it worked for me just as it was supposed to. It didn't stop me from making bad choices or being hungry. It eased my hunger just enough to make good choices and to not overeat.
Also...as I noted, I was morbidly obese. I needed to lose more than 100 lbs. and my primary doctor said I'd not have success with the band because I needed to lose so much weight. I'd never leave my PCP because she is an excellent doctor but I must say that it gives me great satisfaction to say that I am thinner than she is now.
I know that there are many people who do not do well with the band but you asked for success stories and I'm the poster child for success with the band and getting back a quality life again. To say I've been reborn is no exaggeration.

Hey Everyone!



The New London / Groton / Norwich Support group was scheduled for a meeting tonight, but the library is under construction, and it's a bit hairy getting in and out of the building right now, We're also at the end of our series of meetings at the library (they have a limit on the number of times any group can use the facilities) so I'm working on a new location.



I'm still looking for pre- and post-surgery interested parties who would like more support and some like-minded folks to talk with. No matter which surgery you have had (or are considering) what will bring us all together is sharing our wisdom, our successes, our trials and our questions.



Watch this thread for an announcement about the next meeting in October - and if you have questions or concerns before them, please feel free to drop me a email.

I also agree with what HealthyNewMe had to say. I investigated Weight Loss Surgery after having a serious health crisis and decided on the Lap Band because it was less invasive.
I've been banded since Nov 2008 and I will tell you that I'd do it all again. My biggest struggle hasn't been with the eating or the workouts - it's been changing my MINDSET. Start NOW to work on your emotions and your mindset - they are critically important to your level of success.
Work on your self-esteem and self-confidence - decide why you want the surgery and what you are willing to do (and NOT do) to succeed. Boost your positive energy, make plans, and stick to them - no matter what. Treat this as if it's a case of life or death, because it IS.
Decide now to change your habits for the better - figure out what you need to do to support yourself and build a stronger, healthier you, and then do it - even before you make a final decision about surgery. It will help you to be even more prepared and to achieve your ultimate goal of being a better YOU.
Sending you all the positive energy I can...and applauding you for making the decision to work on YOU.

I also agree with what HealthyNewMe had to say. I investigated Weight Loss Surgery after having a serious health crisis and decided on the Lap Band because it was less invasive.
I've been banded since Nov 2008 and I will tell you that I'd do it all again. My biggest struggle hasn't been with the eating or the workouts - it's been changing my MINDSET. Start NOW to work on your emotions and your mindset - they are critically important to your level of success.
Work on your self-esteem and self-confidence - decide why you want the surgery and what you are willing to do (and NOT do) to succeed. Boost your positive energy, make plans, and stick to them - no matter what. Treat this as if it's a case of life or death, because it IS.
Decide now to change your habits for the better - figure out what you need to do to support yourself and build a stronger, healthier you, and then do it - even before you make a final decision about surgery. It will help you to be even more prepared and to achieve your ultimate goal of being a better YOU.
Sending you all the positive energy I can...and applauding you for making the decision to work on YOU.

Well, in my opinion, you're not "giving up," but you are "TAKING CHARGE." You've realized, like all of us, that DIETING does not work for you (or us), so you are deciding to take charge of your health and mobility by getting a TOOL to help you lose those pounds. You will read positives and negatives about all three WLSs. My opinion only......... I wanted the lap band because it is the least invasive surgery option. It is also adjustable, and if needed, removable. Negatives...... You MUST change your eating habits...... no gobbling, must eat very slowly, tiny bites, chew, chew, chew. You must also be patient bc for most, the weight loss is sometimes slower than it is with the other surgeries. It is such a personal decision. My only regret...... waiting till I was 53 to have it!
Best Wishes!

Hey Everyone!
The New London / Groton / Norwich Support group is scheduled for a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Otis Library, 261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360.
We're looking for pre- and post-surgery interested parties who would like more support and some like-minded folks to talk with. No matter which surgery you have had (or are considering) what will bring us all together is sharing our wisdom, our successes, our trials and our questions.
Come on down, enjoy the air conditioning at the library, and bring your questions - we'll try to help as much as possible.
I'm looking forward to seeing the group tomorrow night!

Hey Everyone!
The New London / Groton / Norwich Support group is scheduled for a meeting tomorrow, Wednesday, from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Otis Library, 261 Main Street, Norwich, CT 06360.
We're looking for pre- and post-surgery interested parties who would like more support and some like-minded folks to talk with. No matter which surgery you have had (or are considering) what will bring us all together is sharing our wisdom, our successes, our trials and our questions.
Come on down, enjoy the air conditioning at the library, and bring your questions - we'll try to help as much as possible.
I'm looking forward to seeing the group tomorrow night!

OMG - this ex-friend sounds like a certified psychopath...I underwent weight loss surgery because of a family history of diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure that would likely have KILLED me had I not lost as much weight as WLS helped me to lose. I was seeing health effects in me in my mid 40's that affected my Mama in her late 70's!!
Brush yo shoulders off and keep it moving, girlfriend - you made the right decision for YOU. She's gotta make her decision her way, and you've simply OUTGROWN her!