adorkbl

Aha! I knew that title would get your attention! Are you thinking that Jean, a very vocal, longtime band fan, has finally lost her mind (on which she never did have a very firm grip)?


No, I haven’t lost my mind. I still think the band is grand and I still wish I still had mine, but because I want everybody to succeed at weight loss, I feel duty-bound to tell you some reasons not to have adjustable gastric band surgery.
So here goes, in no particular order.
Don’t have band surgery if…
You’re phobic about needles. Right now, a needle is the only way to get Fluid into the band. The fill needle is not a big, scary one, and you don’t have to look at it at all if you prefer, but it’s still a needle.
You believe that band surgery cures obesity. Obesity is an incurable, chronic disease with the very real potential for recurrence. Weight regain can happen to anyone.
You think that once you get to your goal weight, your weight loss journey stops. Nope. It’s only just begun. Next you’ll have to maintain that weight loss for the rest of your life, and that takes vigilance and hard work.
You’re a self-pay planning on having surgery in Mexico or elsewhere out of country. What are you going to do if you have a problem or complication or just need another fill or unfill? Travel back to the Mexican clinic? Try to get help locally? Finding a US-based bariatric clinic that will accept patients who had surgery overseas is not easy, and once you do find one, you’re probably going to have to pay a non-refundable program fee, from $200 to $2000.
You can’t afford the time and expense for frequent follow up visits for fills, unfills, and other medical care. Even if your insurance covers those visits, you’ll have to take time off work, arrange for child care or pet care, fill your car’s gas tank, and shell out a co-pay.
You're a self-pay and don't have money or plans for dealing with fills, unfills, and possible complications. See above.
You hope to lose weight without getting any fills. Sorry, but it probably won’t work that way. See above.
You expect to lose a pound+ a day. Average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds/week. That average includes people who lost weight faster as well as people who lost no weight at all. Rapid initial weight loss is usually related to fluid retention, not fat loss.
You believe that slow weight loss with the band will prevent sagging skin. According to several plastic surgeons I’ve asked about this, your age and genetics have the most influence on how your skin will respond to massive weight loss. The rate of weight loss has little or anything to do with it.
You expect to experience restriction and lose weight steadily from the moment you wake up after surgery. Most band patients need several fills to achieve optimal restriction, plus more fills and unfills (or adjustments) to maintain that restriction, and virtually no one loses weight at a steady rate. My weight loss was extremely uneven – down 1#, down .5#, up .75#, down 1.75#, down 0/up 0, down .25#, and so on.
You believe in the sweet spot or perfect restriction. Restriction is constantly changing, just like our bodies, because of dozens of quite ordinary factors (food choices, eating and drinking habits, weight loss, time of day or month, illness, medications, stress, etc.). If you think you’ll lose weight only at the mythical sweet spot, you’re going to spend energy on frustration that could be better applied to changing your eating behavior.
You’re not willing to follow pre- and post-op liquid and puree diets. No, liquid and puree diets are not fun, but they’re short-term. When I was banded, I had 36 years ahead of me, assuming that I live as long as my mother did. That’s 12,672 days. My pre- and post-op liquid diets used up a whopping 17 days. Do the math. Even if you add in post-fill liquids and purees, those liquid and puree days represent a teeny, tiny fraction of my life.
You believe you’ll never be hungry again. Maybe, maybe not. The fact that you feel hungry 5 hours after a meal doesn’t mean your band isn’t working. It just means that your body needs fuel. And part of your ongoing work as a bandster is going to be figuring out whether you’re feeling physical hunger or “head” hunger.
You think the band is going to do all the work for you. The band has no magic ingredient that triggers weight loss once it’s wrapped around your stomach. All it does is affect your hunger and appetite. The band is not going to make good food choices, practice Portion Control or banish the demons who make you eat when you’re stressed or bored. Nor is it going to exercise for you. Success with the band is the result of a joint effort between you, your band, your surgeon and dietitian.
Have a don't-have-band-surgery reason to add to this list? Post it in the comment section!

Well, yesterday marked the 3 month anniversary of this journey for me, and I am THRILLED to be down 48 pounds! I have dreamed of the day I could write something on the success stories thread because I spent a whole lot of time reading here during the dreaded pre-op diet, the post-op gas pains, and the bandster hell period to help remind me that this will be worth it in the end. I can say so far that I absolutely do not regret this decision.
On Thursday, March 15th, I went to the plus size clothing store on my lunch break to find something to wear for a college preview day my daughter I would be attending that weekend. I left the store nearly in tears. Even a 26 was tight and everything made me look like I was wearing a tent. Right there in the parking lot, it felt like I was hit by a bolt of lightning and "get a Lap Band" just came to my mind out of nowhere. I truly believe it was one of the "God moments" for me.
Over the next two weeks, I researched all I could on this and how I could make it happen. I learned that I would have to give up my 2 liter a day diet soda addiction because carbonated drinks stretch the pouch. I was pretty certain I was going to use one particular surgeon with a great success record, and he requires under 50 net carbs a day. OMG! How would I ever do that? I thought I would just eat the same as always, just a lot less, and I have to eat slower, chew how many times, and not drink with or after meals?? I wasn't sure how I would be successful but I knew I couldn't keep going this direction, and I was feeling my rock bottom.
Knowing I had to kick to soda and do the initial "carb detox", I decided to do get a jump on the pre-op diet and go back to Weight Watchers, so that I do not have to deal with such a drastic change all at once, and I am glad I did. So, on April 2nd, I went back to WW, with goals of getting off soda, cutting carbs and getting a new mindset. I did this for 1 month prior to starting the pre-op diet and that made the pre-op diet a little more tolerable and jump started my weight loss. I has initially lost 12 lbs by the time I had the 1st visit with the surgeon.
On May 14th I was banded, everything went well. No Fluid was put into my band during surgery. After the intial swelling went down, I felt like I could eat a house, and I struggled with this til I got my first fill on June 14th. I even gained a couple of pounds and this was so discouraging. Even though I was following the carb and Protein guidelines, I decided I was eating too much fat and calories, so I started tracking 5 things about everything I ate: WW points, fat, calories, carbs and protein, and I weighed everyday and wrote in on my log (a simple MS Word table). The negative feedback of a weight gain motivates me personally. If I stall, I can easily see what the problem food was and avoid it next time. This has been the most successful thing for me and I am learning to live with and work with the band. It is a huge priority for me to write everything down. Instead of pouting and wondering what I did wrong, I can easily identify it, learn from it and move on. Since I have done this, the weight has literally fallen off.
So, yesterday, July 2nd, was officially 3 months since I walked back in WW with my head hanging low. I walked in with my head held high and stepped on the scale to see a 48 pound loss. It was more than I ever imagined. I'm so glad I had that God moment in the parking lot that day.

Umm yes I think I did!
In the past two years i have lost and gained the same sixty pounds. Well its now off again! Woooo!!
When i had gained it again i was back to the old me id try to get ready to go out with my husband and friends and nothing fit right. I looked bloated and frumpy no matter what! So id try on ten outfits lock the bedroom door and cry off all my makeup because i hated how i looked and was so embarrassed with myself.
But two days ago my hubby took me to see magic mike (thanks babe) and i did my hair, did my makeup, got dressed looked in the mirror and went lookin good and walked out! No wardrobe changing session, no negative comments! I was satisfied with how i looked for the first time ever!
Now im still far from my goal but this was such a big deal for me to not hate what i saw in the mirror!

Congrats I guess? Lol. I have one too... but I am 4 years post op. I am having mine repaired Monday and my band will be repositioned then. Luckily my insurance is covering it!! I was self pay and worried they wouln't cover the repositioning.

I have lost 64%!!!! Even I am shocked at that number!

When I decided to have the surgery my husband freaked out! He likes larger women and told me that he wouldnt be physically attracted to me if I lost too much weight. I went back and forth with him yet he still refused to accept it until ... a neighbor lost her husband to heart disease recently. He not only left behind his wife but a 14 year old daughter. Sitting through the funeral and reception he was able to see how much being over weight and unhealthy affected everyone. We went home later that evening and told me that no matter what I had to do as long as it meant me getting healthy and being able to grow old together is what mattered. I assured him that I would always be a larger woman (standing at 6'1") with plenty of curves for his liking. Make sure you let your hubby know that this is a choice not only for your self-esteem but it is a choice to spend a long life with him!

Jim is right (I get what you are saying), the full feeling is not the same. You are not going to get that full belly I just ate the whole Thanksgiving turkey feeling. It is much much more subtle.
My most frequent soft stop signal is a sigh. If I ignore that one I might get a runny nose. Of I really push it, I get the hiccups. And by push it it, I mean ignore my soft stops.
Sometimes if I just take too big of a first bite, I get stuck right off the bat. And that is a miserable miserable experience.
I can't overeat like I used to unless it is slider foods or I am eating and eating and eating over a long period of time.
You need to concentrate on satiety. Stop eating when you get that soft signal. Listen to your body and not your brain. My brain always wants more. Because it tastes good. Because it is there. My brain is what got me to 384 pounds.
Sounds like you need more restriction if you are able to overeat.

I just have to say, I havent bought any new clothes since I started this journey. However, all my pants are getting VERY big on me (They are all 20-22's). So, I decided to clean out my closed/drawers and have 3 HUGE bags of pants that are all too big. This is great, except I needed some new pants. So, I went to Old Navy last night and grabbed a pair of 18's, tried them on and even those were too big. So, I tought, there is NO WAY that I can be down to a 16......but I tried some on anyway and they fit! not only did they fit, they looked great! I am so happy.....I can fit into a 16 again. I havent seen a 16 in over 8 years!!!!!

People are always very quick to tell everyone about the bad. When all is good, people are happy and complain less. Keep that in mind as you do your research.
There are plenty of success stories. I'm living mine! A couple months ago I was 243 lbs. Today, just over 3 months later, I'm 204 and steadily headed down.
I do recommend really getting your brain "in check" before surgery, because success with the band not only depends on the food you chose, but you have to exercise. Find something you're comfortable with. I, myself, HATE the gym. I do not want to go work out with skinny people. I do, though, LOVE jogging and doing workouts with the Kinect (I'm currently doing the UFC Trainer and it's kicking my butt!!). You have to find your active niche or else you may really struggle.

I am 2.5 years out, within 4 pounds of my goal weight, and there are still times I wish I could just sit down and eat one meal of whatever I wanted.
But one meal of whatever I want is never enough and that's why I got the band.
I am content. Mostly.

I've also heard of folks mixing it with laughing cow cheese wedges instead of mayo, that's something I plan to get after I am banded.

I made my goal !! I was 303 on June 1st.today I'm 296 that was my goal !! Yay me !

They have every good intention behind it. Dont read into it as a negative thing. I get told all the time that I look thinner and that I look great, I dont take offense to it. Choose your reaction and choose not to be offended by it. It will change your whole outlook on things

Two and a half weeks, two and a half months, two and a half years?? If it's weeks and you've lost ten, wow!!! If it's months and you've lost ten, still not too bad considering all the swelling and healing from surgery. If it's years, then you've got something to be down about!

I drink very rarely, always have. I have not changed my habits with alcohol because of the band. Every few months I have cocktails with girlfriends or the occasional glass of wine with hubby. No difference for me.
Congrats on the new job. Have your drink to celebrate!! Enjoy your life.

I'm finally under 200lbs. It feels so good

Checking in on this final weigh and I am happy to say that I went from 327.8 on June 1st and I am now 318.6 on June 29!!! Yay Me!!! 9.2 lbs down in a month and I met my June goal. Bring on the July challenge!

Mine was repaired when my band was put on and it changed my life. I literally never have heartburn anymore, ever.

Mine didn't flip but developed a leak. I had mine repaired under local anesthia. It was not a bad surgery at all. I chatted with my surgeon and joked around about how I was a malpractice lawyer *wink*.
Now the recovery was pretty painful. I don't remember having that much tenderness at the port site the first time around. Still nothing that couldn't be handled with Advil and frozen peas.

I had my first banned placed in August 07 and developed an infection in my abdomen in January 08. While the surgeon was operating to see what was going on with the infection he removed the band. I had lost about 60lbs and was somewhat indifferent about having it removed until I started gaining more and more weight. Last February I quit smoking and have continued to put more weight on. I now am about 30lbs heavier than when I had the first band surgery. I feel discusted with myself, I have no energy, my back hurts constantly and exercising is so difficult. On Tuesday June 26th I am having surgery to have another band placed. I am hoping and praying this will help me to get back to feeling good physically and mentally.

Met with Dr. John Vonkersburg... he was great... his office staff were very friendly and I was so pleased. He was friendly and informative. I got a fill and so far I am doing really well. I have been logging all my food on the livestrong websit and following a great diet. I feel good about myself again for getting back on track. Thank you so much for asking.

Sorry to disagree but i dont see anything wrong in weighing yourself every day, everyone is different but for me i got to 400lbs by not weighing myself there is no way i am going to make that same mistake again. If you feel bad when u weigh yourself u will still feel bad whether u weigh yourself every day or every week.. if i put on a lb overnight i work harder the next day to lose it. the last thing i would want is to get to the end of the week and find i had put on 3 or 4 lbs .. i dont want shocks and i want to be in control of my weight .. the scales like the lapband is a tool, learn to use them correctly and they will help and motivate u not hinder you.
I would suggest Rockie that u seek some therapy and get to appreciate the weight u are losing

If you feel it is detrimental to your progress mentally... chuck it. Get weighed at your appointments only.
Everyone is different when it comes to the scale. For me, if I avoid it, then I don't have accountability. I weigh myself daily, but only chart my Thursday weigh-ins since I was banded on a Thursday.
I know my body really well. I know the amounts I fluctuate throughout the day and overnight. It gives ME peace of mind to weigh daily.
25 pounds in three weeks is amazing. Really truly amazing. If you can't see that, then yes, you need to step away from the scale.
I wish you lots of success. Hang in there.

Last weigh in: 501.6 lbs
Today's weigh in: 494 lbs!!
Down 6 lbs!!!
And surpassed goal!!!

Very sorry to read of your father's death...a very difficult event to cope with under the best of circumstances. Being just post op I'm certain made it more challenging.

You have gained some insight into the triggers which contribute to your eating choices, and that is valuable to know. Change is a process, when it comes to revising old habits and patterns of thinking. It takes time, patience, and practice. As others have written, there is no valid reason to beat yourself up with feelings of guilt...you had some difficult events to cope with.

Most important is that you recognized that you were not in compliance, and then made the conscious decision to get back on track quickly.

Condolences, and best wishes...