Paigepatches

Hi, all. I was banded in February/14. I lost 50 pounds lickety-split (6 months) and then slowly started to struggle. I now am up twenty pounds and still struggling. I have had some band issues (over fill, de-fill, not enough fills,etc) and I really struggle with emotional eating still (stress, discouragement mainly). My naturopathic doctor thinks I'm not getting enough Protein and fat to lose weight. Hmm.
I certainly know what I'm doing wrong in terms of eating too much...I just wonder if I could actually be eating too little of the right things...and truly, I just need some support from some folks who may have been challenged in similar ways and have won the battle.
Thanks!

Jamie Miles is a lap-band patient who lost 100 pounds with the band. His weight loss gave him the confidence he needed to pursue an acting career. This weight loss surgery hero is an inspirational example of how you can change your entire life after weight loss surgery. He switched careers to pursue an acting career.


He is also a real-life story that we can all relate to. Weight loss wasn’t easy, and he isn’t able to follow his weight loss surgery diet perfectly. Here’s Jamie’s story, complete with triumphs and struggles.
You can read more about Jamie’s acting career, plus see headshots and look at his resume, by clicking here to get to his website. He’s also on Facebook and Twitter. And, don’t forget to watch for his upcoming column, “Regain-ing Control,” in BariatricPal Magazine.
Familiar Story: Big Kid to Lap-Band Patient
For many weight loss surgery patients, Jamie Miles’s story will be familiar. He was a big kid with low self-esteem, and he turned to food for comfort. Later, he tried every diet in the book, from Weight Watchers and South Beach to the grapefruit diet.
Jamie found out about the lap-band surgery when he saw an ad in a newspaper that he was reading in his break room at work. He knew his insurance covered bariatric surgery, and he did not like the idea of getting the gastric bypass like some coworkers had. So, he went for the lap-band.
Time to Chase a Dream
For years, Jamie had dreamed of becoming a commercial model, but his weight was holding him back. Once the pounds began to come off, Jamie began to think seriously about fulfilling a dream of acting. After losing 60 pounds, he landed some “extra” roles. He progressed to some speaking roles in local productions and commercials, and went to acting school.
That’s when he lost his day job in marketing and promotion. While the old Jamie might have turned to food, the new Jamie decided to use the chance to pursue acting full-time. Two days later, he signed with a local agent. His career has blossomed to include roles in commercials and local and national films.
The lap-band may seem far from acting, but Jamie says the entire experience helps him in emotional roles. He is able to apply the feelings from years of personal pain and being called names, dumped, and treated poorly.
What he’s also recognized is the effect of confidence on life. He now realizes that many actors are larger, and the reason he could not dedicate himself fully to acting is that he was not confident in himself. He was afraid others would not see his abilities, and would just judge him based on looks.
Relationship with Food: “Complicated”
Before the band, Jamie’s social life revolved around food and drink. Plus, he was an emotional eater. Since getting the lap-band, Jamie’s relationship with food can only be described as “complicated.” He started to get a bit depressed when he could no longer tolerate red meat, pork, and chicken breast – the very foods he was supposed to be eating!
Now, he tries to focus on what he can eat. He’s able to eat chicken thighs, seafood, and salad when he’s sticking to his diet. Unfortunately, he still loves fast food, and his band allows it. His solution is to avoid trigger foods like Taco Bell and chips.< /p>
The Challenges Continue
A “typical” day for Jamie might begin with some Protein and green vegetables. His Snacks can consist of almonds, a Protein Shake, or a 100-calorie Jell-0 pudding. But that’s when he’s being good.
Just like so many weight loss surgery patients, Jamie let his guard down a little. When it happened to him, soft drinks, fried foods, and other poor foods crept back into his diet. In fact, he gained back 25 pounds when “life happened.”
Jamie still has a lot on his plate, so to speak. He’s pursuing a full-time acting career and working a part-time job in a stressful position. He needs to see his bariatric doctor, and fears his band has a leak, but doesn’t have the cash on hand. And, of course, he wants to lose the extra weight for once and for all.
“Re-Gaining Control” on BariatricPal!
Jamie has learned a lot along the way.
He needs to take care of himself.
He needs to love himself.
He needs to eat healthy and work out.

He wants to help other bariatric surgery patients. He did some public speaking while he was losing weight after surgery, but feels embarrassed to do so with his regain. He can’t wait for this mindset to change once he takes back control.
Jamie is planning to get to his goal weight, and he is going to share his journey on BariatricPal! His column will be called “Regain-ing Control,” and it will be a very real and personal journey complete with weigh-ins and photos. As he says, “some days will be good, some bad, and all very real.” He hopes to help readers get back on track, and for readers to inspire him to do the same. Stay tuned for the new column!
Jamie’s story begins like so many others, but Jamie has worked hard to make it unique. He is living a dream of his by using his new looks to give him confidence to be an actor. Plus, he will be helping thousands of weight loss surgery patients when he shares his journey toward “Regain-ing Control.”

Jennabean, I was SO anxious as well! Heck, I even gave my husband my funeral directions in the event I expired! But I knew I wanted the surgery to get healthier or I wouldn't live long enough to see some grandchildren!
I asked lots of questions and the doctors were very helpful. I prayed and did relaxation exercises while I waited to go into surgery. Honestly, it was the easiest anesthetic I've ever had. After the surgery, if you get anxious, ask for an Ativan. Works like a charm. I am down 37.5 pounds since my pre op diet! Worth every minute and every dollar!! Good luck!

Jennabean, I was SO anxious as well! Heck, I even gave my husband my funeral directions in the event I expired! But I knew I wanted the surgery to get healthier or I wouldn't live long enough to see some grandchildren!
I asked lots of questions and the doctors were very helpful. I prayed and did relaxation exercises while I waited to go into surgery. Honestly, it was the easiest anesthetic I've ever had. After the surgery, if you get anxious, ask for an Ativan. Works like a charm. I am down 37.5 pounds since my pre op diet! Worth every minute and every dollar!! Good luck!

Maybe it was the type of anesthetic used. Talk to your dr about this and they can let you know what to expect and what they can do to help. Take care and keep posting!

Yes, this is normal. I had lots of bruising for awhile. Congratulations on coming to the banded side!

Yes, this is normal. I had lots of bruising for awhile. Congratulations on coming to the banded side!

Take care, Mikee57! We'll figure all this out together. I'm also so grateful for all the info I've learned on this site.

Hi there, Mikee57. I am only 5 weeks out and have had no fills yet, but I can help you out on the exercise question. I recently tore my hamstring (a long and stupid story:) and so I have been doing chair aerobic videos by Paul Eugene. I found them on youtube! There are short ones of about 10 minutes, and I just did a longer 30 minute session. They are straightforward and do get the heart rate up!! Good luck!

Hi there, Mikee57. I am only 5 weeks out and have had no fills yet, but I can help you out on the exercise question. I recently tore my hamstring (a long and stupid story:) and so I have been doing chair aerobic videos by Paul Eugene. I found them on youtube! There are short ones of about 10 minutes, and I just did a longer 30 minute session. They are straightforward and do get the heart rate up!! Good luck!

Hi...Andy1, I have been in a battle with the BM since just after my surgery!!! Yes, the dietary changes have definitely upset that system! I started drinking Metamucil every morning:)
I will be 3 weeks out this coming Wednesday. I'm feeling good again ( except for the digestive woes) and have very little pain. I am now able to sleep on my right side, but not the left where the port is. My jeans are loose, which feels AWESOME!!! I am down 23 pounds since starting my pre op diet.
I'm still on soft foods but really enjoying some variety. I do get hungry every 3 or 4 hours. So, things are going pretty well. Nice to hear about how all the other February bandsters are doing:)

Hey Hon, hang in there. I'm glad you posted here by mistake..... Sounds like you need süpport. Try sipping a variety of liquids.... Milk, crystal lite, juices, whatever...just get in your liquids! Dehydration can also contribute to fatigue and depression. Post here any time....we'll be here for you, too.

Hi, Andy1.... That's funny, I was thinking exactly the same thing as I lay on the table all wired up!!! "What the heck am I doing?" But I'm not sorry I did it, just wish I was one of those folks who didn't HAVE to:)
I'm taking Vitamins every day-I've always been a big believer in quality supplementation.
So I'm 9 days post op and down 6.5 lbs from surgery day...nearly 20 since starting pre op diet. Feel good about that! I still have some gas pains but it's so much better! Started walking for 20 minutes slowly on my treadmill again...which kind of tires me out, but I guess that's ok when surgery is so recent.
Anyway, glad to see Andy1 and fattie2hottie on the banded side! Take care all! I'm so glad to have this forum for advice and support:)

Hey Hon, hang in there. I'm glad you posted here by mistake..... Sounds like you need süpport. Try sipping a variety of liquids.... Milk, crystal lite, juices, whatever...just get in your liquids! Dehydration can also contribute to fatigue and depression. Post here any time....we'll be here for you, too.

Hey Hon, hang in there. I'm glad you posted here by mistake..... Sounds like you need süpport. Try sipping a variety of liquids.... Milk, crystal lite, juices, whatever...just get in your liquids! Dehydration can also contribute to fatigue and depression. Post here any time....we'll be here for you, too.

I would ask your current surgeon if they could recommend another doctor closer to your school. if not than perhaps a early morning Monday appointment. until you get adjusted and get the right fill amount you will stay in bandster hell. and if we could diet we never would have had wls. you need to work something out, either a new doctor or miss a day of school. but just to put another bug in your ear is that if you get a fill from your present surgeon and it is a over fill and you develop some problems you are going to be quite a distance from the doctor. and as many have found out not many er's know how to unfill. something to think about. I live 2 hours away from surgeon and that is if there isn't any traffic. so I know how it feels to have to travel to see your doctor especially when a fill takes min's to do. I wish you luck.

Hi everyone! Had my surgery this morning and back to hotel by noon. I have some shoulder pain, muscle tightness, and my incision sites are a little sore....but nothing horrendous. Everyone at the clinic was very nice.
I've been napping off and on today...sipping lots of Water. So grateful the surgery is over and now I enter the next stage!,

Well, showingmyinsides, guess it's you and me tomorrow morning! I am booked for 830. I have sympathy for the cal mag problem...I just tried my liquid version and it's not great!! I am nervous, mainly just want it over and done with. So I will be sending prayers your way as I head off in the morning! Hope we feel well enough to post updates later tomorrow.
Minimom, I did a two week slim fast and low glycemic veggie pre op diet. It was ok after the first couple days...the shakes are really good.

Hi all. Secret Bander, congrats and keep being good to yourself! Neggie, I am on day 7 of liquid and veggie diet and I can tell you I'm getting used to it! Days 4 and 5 were a b@$&? Because I was just feeling sorry for myself and getting all emotional about having the surgery. But as I've watched the scale go down (10pounds so far), I've been thinking, wow, I can actually do this... And maybe I really can lose weight with the band!! I think it's been hard to believe I can succeed at this losing weight thing. So, if you have bad days, come here... We'll listen and get you thru it!!