rosettag

you look so much younger.! And happier. Congrats on your success. You must Feel much healthier on a daily basis. In my opinion, life is easier when you feel more "normal". Whatever that means to each of usKeep it up!

@@Ceradad I would go back in and I would have Fluid removed. Sometimes even 1cc can make all the difference. I was having some of these issues very mild, and I went right to the Dr. at the first indication and I had a dilated pouch. I didn't just take their word for it either, I saw the x-ray's and the fluoroscope and the Fluid was just sitting in the pouch and not going past the band faster then a drip. . I had to have nearly all the fluid removed from my band and then be on a liquid diet again for 3 weeks!! That was ROUGH let me tell you. I am still not back at my fill level or even in the green zone and battling it every day so I don't gain back weight I have lost.
Don't hesitate you don't want to cause damage to your organs. You can lose the weight, keep working out and eating sensibly, sliders are not the answer eventually they will drift from shakes and bars to ice cream, Cookies, pastry or other soft high calorie foods. Don't risk it, have them take out a little fluid now and save yourself a large un-fill later if you have problems.

I would go back earlier due to the reflux. Also because new habits take three weeks to become routine, and a new habit of eating sliders for three or four weeks may not be a good idea psychologically. Good luck.

You've been through a lot. Remember how good you felt when you were losing weight and were in fit condition. You'll do this. Your tool is still there waiting to be used and adjusted properly. Never give up on yourself. I admire your determination and I know that by posting here you're already seeking out the support systems you'll need. Good job!

That is exactly what happens to me.I' ve been banded for 3 years and a half.
I lost 50 kilos the first 10 months after surgery.
My surgeon filled my band with 1.5 cc during surgery and that was enough for me.
A year later, when I had already lost 50 kg, he added another 1.5 cc.
He says that our stomach gets slimmer too, and the bend gets loose just like a belt around our waist.
I haven' t needed more fills.
If my mind lets my band work, I don' t need further restriction.
If I wanted to eat the "wrong foods" , I think that the tightest of the bands could not prevent me from doing it

I'm with you guys -- love, love, love my band and would do it again in a heartbeat. And I wish I had done it in my thirties rather than fifties but I suppose there are medical advancements, etc. I would also choose the band again rather than something more drastic, but that's just me. Hopefully I am not in any danger of losing my band, but if so and it could not be replaced for any reason, I like it that there are more options available.

I had tried 'everything' save RNY.
In 2004 there were far fewer choices than now.
And had I know what was coming, I would have done the Band in 1994 in preference to 2004!!!

That is exactly what happens to me.I' ve been banded for 3 years and a half.
I lost 50 kilos the first 10 months after surgery.
My surgeon filled my band with 1.5 cc during surgery and that was enough for me.
A year later, when I had already lost 50 kg, he added another 1.5 cc.
He says that our stomach gets slimmer too, and the bend gets loose just like a belt around our waist.
I haven' t needed more fills.
If my mind lets my band work, I don' t need further restriction.
If I wanted to eat the "wrong foods" , I think that the tightest of the bands could not prevent me from doing it

I too felt something right away. I did however get one fill of about 2 cc six weeks after my surgery. I haven't needed one since. I think there are a lot of differing opinions on exactly what restriction is. For me, my band slows me down. I get backed up very easily so I have to eat slowly. This gives me time to make the decision for myself that I don't need to eat any more. If I really wanted to take the time, I could eat as much as I want. Now, I do say that my band is a fickle b****h. Sometimes she doesn't slow me down at all depending on what I'm eating. But she does it often enough that I'm okay with leaving my fill where it is. It's a personal decision to make along with your doc. If you're having success, you may want to wait until you feel you really need it.

A few Banders never need a fill. Talk to your doctor and be observant about your eating patterns.

I had often told myself during my journey that even if I were to ever possibly hit goal I would never post a success story. Maybe I was being modest or perhaps just really hard on myself or…just not able to forgive myself for ever letting my weight get out of control as it had. I guess a lot of it no matter how you sum it up is really just embarrassment.
Well I had a change of heart. That change of heart came because I can remember so vividly the feeling of the hopelessness and despair. At times I felt I was knocking on deaths door and that there was nothing I could do about it. So I am writing this tonight in hopes that if I can help just one person even if only one tiny bit then it is my responsibility to do so. I believe in paying it forward and giving back. If it wasn’t for the people before me that helped me then where would I be? It would be irresponsible for me not to do the same. You are not alone and there are people out there, really good decent people who can help you but YOU have to want it and at some point you need to swallow your pride and ask for the help. Help will not come to you. YOU have to seek it out.
I have told my story several times and you can read it on my profile. I lost 170lbs doing Atkins between 2003 and 2004. I went from 393 to 220 and felt great…and then I got sloppy and let my guard down and weight started packing on. I went from 220 to 488 in 8 years’ time.
At 488lbs doing day to day activities was quite a chore. My knees were taking a beating carrying so much weight on a 5’6 inch frame. I developed arthritis and serious sleep apnea. Walking from the parking lot to my office was a real task and that was even with the use of an elevator. I had to sit out in the car and have my Wife do the grocery shopping because I couldn’t last more than 10 minutes on my feet. I had to sit and fold laundry sitting in a chair. This list could go on and on about the limited mobility. My amazing Wife stood by me and encouraged me to make a change but we both knew until I was ready to commit to change it would not happen. I am not sure how many other women out there would have put up with what she did. My weight affected us both physically and mentally. I did not feel like much of husband at times and I am sure there were plenty of times she felt more like a caregiver than a wife at times although she never said so or complained.
Something had to give and it finally did and in September 2011 with my wife at my side I attended a local seminar for WLS. We listened to the Doctor discuss all the surgical options available at the time and being new and somewhat naïve we decided Lapband was the way to go. It was reversible and probably the least invasive of all procedures. I signed up for a one on one consult with the Surgeon that night. October 2011 I met with the Doctor and told him I ready to make a life change. He told me he wanted to see me lose 24lbs and work on shrinking the liver. Insurance required me to do a 6 month monitored diet so instead of losing 24lbs preop I lost 38lbs. My Surgeon was impressed and after completing all the preop requirements I finally got a surgery date of April 16, 2012. I weighed in on surgery morning at 450lbs on the button.
So there I was April 17th and getting discharged from the hospital and all that went through my mind is why the hell did I do this? There was no way it would work and I will be known as the fat guy who couldn’t lose weight with WLS.
As much as you research and prepare for this new life it seems at some point you say OK well I had the surgery why is the weight not coming off?? This is so frustrating!!! Well apparently I had never heard of bandster hell. Bandster hell is that time from when you have the surgery to the time you actually get the necessary fills to get the need restriction to control your portions. Some very few people are lucky they have the surgery and automatically get that restriction. Not me, it took me 6 months. 6 months of frustration.
Probably one of the most difficult pieces for me to learn was patience. Lack of patience made this road even longer. I stepped on the scale almost daily these last 2.5 years waiting on a large drop in numbers that never happened. How on earth could you possibly see a large drop if you’re stepping on the scale daily? Do yourself a favor and don’t do it. To this day I still step on it daily but now it is about accountability not so much weight loss.
Always look for other measures to success. We call them Non Scale Victories or NSV’s. Losing weight is not just about numbers. For a while I was buying new clothes every other month because I was shrinking so fast. I went from a size 62 waist to a 34. I went from squeezing into theater seats to have padded space on each side.
I could go on and on here rambling about all sorts of stuff weight and band related. If you’ve read this far then thank you and thank you to those who helped me get here. I would like to especially thanks @@Alex Brecher without him I wouldn’t have a home here and I perhaps would’ve remained lost.
If anyone has any questions or comments or just need someone to talk to don't hesitate to message me regardless how personal you think your question may be.
My name is Jim and I am junk food addict. I have lost 300lbs and the lapband saved my life. 2yrs and 8 months 488 to 188.
Peace!!

I should retake pictures. After my TT I have even lost more inches. I love my band.

Hi Tracy!
I think only superficial and silly people are completely sure they are making the right decision.
Enthusiasm and motivation are elements that lead to success, together with self reliance and self esteem.
But having doubts is human, healthy and wise.
You are weighing the pros and cons. Your well balanced approach to WLS will help you to achieve those results which you haven't achieved so far.
Hugs!!!
( my English/American might sound odd..I'm Italian. )

You can't answer that question.Neither can I.

I've read your post as if it were the first chapter of a novel
The novel of your life, many more chapters to write.
I wish you luck, happiness, recovery

Unfortunately you will..But you won' t want, most of the times, at least.
Our rebellious mind is our enemy, but the band is a friend ready to help.
I don't mean I no longer crave for "forbidden" foods, but much less than before. Maybe because you are easily satiated, but it is easier.
That is my personal experience.
Best luck!!!

I think you are the only person who will wish me a happy mothers' s day. I have a 37-year-old son, but I am sure he will forget it
So THANKS!!!!!

Well, you're so welcome. I love to take credit for things that other people do
We couldn't do it without your cooperation

It's crazy to have a requirement to lose weight before the surgery. Aren't we doing this because we don't have the ability to lose the weight unless we have the surgery?

Well the door is open now and it's time for some honesty. Withholding info is one thing but making something up is another. You will be relieved to build some trust. Ask him if he will still want you when your thinner. He will! And the whole band thing is so fascinating -- he will be curious how it works. Not restriction, but signaling the brain for satiety, a signal that so many have lost. Let him know you want to be healthy. He will be glad!

I hope things continue to go well for you and your sweetie, when the time comes I would keep it casual, something like "I was struggling with a weight problem for x amount of time, and my Dr. and I decided that wls was a good idea, so I had it done and its been very good for me combined with healthy small meals and exercise ! " Keep it short and sweet , unless he ask's for more info. Good luck !

During my graduating year in High School (1977) I got the biggest kick out of the TV commercial featuring the winners of the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. The two mild mannered, plainly dressed, farm folk declared (with more drawl and twang than Gomer Pile) “What luck! We Mays are in luck. We have just won a million dollars! Our lives will never be the same!”
Yep, they are lucky, I thought. I am a May too, so how come I’m not so lucky? Though many spend a considerable amount of time, effort, and energy entering sweepstakes – hoping to get ‘lucky,’ I have adopted a different philosophy. “The harder you work the luckier you get!” Time and time again that has proven to be the case.
Following my weight-loss surgery in 1995, I recall mustering up the nerve to call a few of my friends to tell them what I had done. The first call I made was to a long time nurse friend. I will forever remember her immediate reply after I told her where I was and that I had just had a gastric bypass. “You are so lucky!” she exclaimed. “Lucky?” I replied. “What do you mean lucky?” I have spent my entire life fighting my weight and finally, finally, I had the courage to make this gigantic commitment. It took great thought, planning, preparation, prayer, not to mention a support of my family, and a 2nd mortgage to do this. Luck had nothing to do with it!”
The first year was a dream come true. The weight seemed to fall off. I lost 125 pounds. No complications, no bumps, and very little effort on my part. Wow was I lucky! I would find myself eating something I shouldn’t. Or skipping a few days of exercise only to weigh in to find that I lost another pound! “Dodged a bullet this week; Man I am so lucky!” I thought. And then…. I found that the next month, was not so lucky. I learned by experience that I was not invincible, and that maintaining my weight loss requires much more than luck. It requires dedication, commitment, thought, focus, and constant effort. Indeed I found, that in weight issues too, the harder I work, the luckier I am.
It has been over 19 years now and my weight continues to fluctuate up and down 20 pounds or so. Interesting, when I work hard at it, I lose - when I don’t, I gain. Go figure.
It seems that this weight management thing will always require effort. Throughout your journey, you too, will have ups and downs, good days and bad days. We have a remarkable tool, but we will always reap what we sow. As you work to reach and maintain your weight-loss goals, remember to stay committed to your Success Habits, stay in tune with your body, work hard; and oh, good luck!

You will find someone who loves you for you. When the right one comes along it won't matter where you are in your journey. When it's right, it's right. Be patient. And in the meantime you'll get to figure out who you REALLY are inside! Many of us are hiding behind our weight. We find new confidence, self assurance, and self discovery! When you love yourself others see you differently and will love you too. Each pound lost allows a little more of that special person to shine through... :-)

only YOU can allow yourself to divert back to old ways so dont
get back on track now....you are still thinking in diet terms
you are not on a diet.....eat as good as you should (and you know how and what are better choices)......and exercise....only you can do that......
3500 calories is a pound
if you eat more than you burn off, you will gain
no matter if you have a fill or bypass or sleeve or no WLS
and if you get on the scale, what if you lose? see what i am trying to say?
you could be PMSing, eating out has alot of salt so i see Water retention or
you need a big poop who the freek knows......so if the scale goes up, it will go down
once you get back to doing what you need to do
dont use (no fill or not having one (me for instance) as a reason to go back
to eating like we did before surgery....we do not have to do that.....banster hell is
in our minds in my opinion just as rosettag said........

Smart man. He knows not to ask and he also knows that if the time/relationship is right, you'll tell him.