babbs3772

I am of a personal opinion that maybe, just maybe if I share what I have been through that I can help someone else who is obese like I was. I have told anyone and everyone, is it my personal mission to make sure everyone knows? Nope, but I am a very open and honest person and could never say I only did this with diet and exercise. It wouldn't be true. I really truly believe by sharing my experiences, that I too was obese and cried myself to sleep almost every night hating my body, hating my life, not living to the fullest capacity that knew was in me some where's buried under fat and shame, maybe I can help someone else with my honesty. This is your decision just as the decision I made to share was mine, it is your right to decide what you want, only you will walk in your shoes, no one else will

I understand how hard this must be for you, and although I was one of "those" who told everyone - yup everyone I have had moments where I was scared of what I would eat, how I would eat, would I get stuck etc. when I went to a party, barbecue, out to a restaurant. Those are still very scary thoughts to me. But never was it because I didn't want someone to know that I had surgery, that was not an anxiety that I personally had - not saying that you do by the way. Of course I am also one of those people who doesn't really give a rats arse what others think, if they see me eat something they think I shouldn't - whatever, people will always judge you no matter what, stand up and stand tall and if that doesn't work you can always flip them the bird and trot your skinny butt away Each of us is a different person who will handle things in the best way we can, therapy is wonderful, talking it out can help put things in perspective. Good luck to you!

Hi, I have some of mine on here, nothing extreme or too hoochie, I had them done by a photographer friend - so I guess I was lucky and very comfortable.

I understand where you are coming from and I have been there many times. I did attend Over eaters anonymous and it was very helpful, I have considered attending again, we shall see I find (like what everyone is saying) that when I journal my foods and move just a little bit it helps me. Of course I have a good sweet spot in regards to my fill and that is really key for me. I make bad decisions, I try to move on, take it one day at a time, or more like one meal at a time, I try not to beat myself up - lord knows I did that long enough. good luck to you!

I was reading some posts (ok a crap load) of people saying they don't want their band anymore, they feel it isn't "working"... Thankfully I then saw responses from others...are they journaling all of their food? That is so key! Even if you are a slower loser than the fast one you should still be counting calories, listening to your pouch, stop eating because you can etc. It really does come down to the adage my surgeon touted...10% Band and 90% you

I was reading some posts (ok a crap load) of people saying they don't want their band anymore, they feel it isn't "working"... Thankfully I then saw responses from others...are they journaling all of their food? That is so key! Even if you are a slower loser than the fast one you should still be counting calories, listening to your pouch, stop eating because you can etc. It really does come down to the adage my surgeon touted...10% Band and 90% you

Hello, I had my second port revision on Monday, I have another profile port like last time but now it is on my left side of my abdomen instead of my right side. I am feeling ok, typical post op pain and just trying to manage it with Vicoden. I am trying to make myself stay put a little more as I have a tendency to try to do too much. Just thought I would share as I haven't been on the site too much lately.

Hi Saundra, you are not being nosey at all and I don't mind people asking I had a low profile port that replaced my original one six months after my first surgery, it has been fine for six months or so, sitting low and not causing me pain like the first one. Now, for whatever reason it isn't sitting right and hurts all the time, they have poked and prodded trying to figure out why, the only thing that could be causing this is the fact I have had two port surgeries in that same spot and a tumor surgery (years ago) very very close to the same spot - possibly scarring that is causing this to happen. So, if we switch to the other side where I have not had surgery maybe it will sit better and stay put

Your post made me reflect, think and finally chuckle, not for your pain they caused by being nasty, but because I had a pretty horrible experience on the boards there as well, so bad in fact that I was actually crying afterward. However, I know now that I was dealing a group of narrow minded women who wouldn't have been happy no matter what :biggrin: Some things (and people) never change...thank god I did.

I understand this as well and it isn't in your head at all. I had a woman who was going to be doing my ultrasound (had an ovarian cyst) she was really kind of weird with me, I was smiling, being nice, playing the good patient, she pulled up my gown to put the ultrasound goop on and said "oh! did you have weightloss surgery?" (the scarring and all that jazz) I said I did and she became so comfortable with me, asking questions and smiling as well. Now mind you I have lost nearly 50lbs and I still about 40 pounds away from goal, but I think some times people will judge you for the way you look - skinny, fat, in between, whatever and it is hurtful some times. Good for you to feel good about yourself, your weight loss and your surgery, your commitment to keeping you happy, healthy and feeling great is what really matters.

I had my lap band surgery June 16, 2008, had a port revision done November 19, 2008 and had my low profile port put in instead. And here we are now a year later from my orginal surgery and I having my low profile port removed from the right side of my body and a new one put in the left side. Why you ask? Beats me, it isn't flipped, isn't leaking...but causes me pain again, now mind you I have had two ports put in on the right side and a tumor removed very very close by at that site as well, so the thought is too much going on over there perhaps and too much scarring? So, July 20, 2009 I go in to have the two surgeries done, I am comfortable with this as my band is a life saving measure to me as far as I am concerned. I love my surgeon and the staff at the hospital are fantastic, I am always in good hands :biggrin:

Thank you for the welcome and the well wishes for my surgery, great to meet you :tongue:

Hi, thank you for the congratulations I bet you will do wonderfully and will lose the weight, thank you for thinking I have done well, I am proud I posted below about why the port site is being changed, nice to meet you :tongue:

Hi, I guess that side of my body just isn't cooperating anymore, I have had two ports there and a long time ago I had a tumor removed from the same area, possibly scarring is the issue, they just don't know really. But, the other side of my body hasn't had any surgeries so it will be a "fresh" start I guess you could day I had a regular port put when I first had the surgery, but it was too big and caused me pain in my ribs, so they put what they call a low profile port in that is smaller and thinner, it was great for six months and now it is pushing out. Nice to meet you by the way :tongue:

Hello all :sad: I use to frequent this site and had made many wonderful friends and contacts. Due to some personal issues I found myself having to deal with for the past 6 months I had gone missing action here. I am happy to be back, feeling pretty good - although I have another port surgery in July, I am happy to say I have lost close to 50lbs since surgery and feel very healthy. So, I thought I would reintroduce myself, posted new pictures on the photo page and will spend countless hours perusing the boards to see what I have missed.

I wouldn't do it, a simple decision for me personally. I won't blast you because I do not know you or your financial situation, however, I just couldn't let people believe a product worked when I had done the work with the band. Let your conscience be your guide.

Is it at all possible you can get time off? I work at a desk job and while it may be possible (depending on you of course) to go back that soon, I myself needed more time. I had surgeries before that were laproscopic and not nearly as invasive and still need more than two days off. Good luck on your surgery and take really great care of yourself!

Banderoo, none of us can be your conscience - only your sounding board. Do what you feel best about, really evaluate what will be the right thing for you in the long run. I think that some times we are so afraid of failure, of judgments, of being laughed at or ridiculed that we forget that it doesn't matter really what others think - if you tell them so what? If you don't, so what? It is a huge step in your life and you will have to determine who you want to share it with - if anyone. Let no one and I mean no one ever dissuade you that your decision wasn't the correct one or the important one. Stand up and be proud regardless Good luck to you and I will think great thoughts for your surgery day!

Good morning, no need to be concerned If you had hard core restriction and were vomiting 5 days out from surgery then you should be concerned. This is the time to heal - I had a hard time with this too - I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact it would still be a while before I was at my sweet spot - I wanted it yesterday lol. It took me 3 fills and 6 months to get to where my band is at its sweet spot, some people take less and some take more of both time and fills - it is all so very different.

*Disclaimer - this is my opinion and simply my opinion :thumbup: I never kept it a secret. I am completely open about my weight loss surgery and I have inspired others by being open. However, it is my right to tell any and everyone as it is your right to not tell people. It is a personal choice either way and as I shouldn't be condemned for telling and sharing, you shouldn't ever be condemned for not sharing and telling. I have no worries of failure, I am not embarrassed because I had surgery and for me it is not a personal choice - it is my only choice. Do what you want, do what you feel is right and make your best decision for you :cursing:

If I can quit smoking you can quit soda! Simply as that :cursing: Ok so not so simple right? But you will do what is best for you and your band, you will learn to eat slower (trust me on that one) you will learn that sugar can send you into a tail spin or that you can enjoy it in moderation (whatever works for you) Do what you need to do to take care of you and do it right! Congrats- you had a baby!!! :thumbup:

I would suggest that you keep your mind open - to the problems that can happen but also to the wonderful things that will happen! Educate yourself for sure, but remember that there are a lot people who have had some issues - I myself had a port revision - but I love my band, I wouldn't change anything. Only you and your surgeon can decide what is best for you Good luck!

Thank you for the recipe, I have made crab cakes like that before. I do purchase salmon patties from Costco, they are in the frozen section and I literally eat one for dinner about 5-6 times a week.

I understand your excitement! I am so happy for you:) After losing 42 over a year I get to shop in my closet as well! I have been frequenting second hand stores in my area as it is silly to purchase "new" items when I am losing weight at a really good clip these days :thumbdown: