JanetMM1967

Hello, 
 
Today is February 17, 2016, and I came across Bariatric Pal by accident.  I was on Facebook and pictures from 1 year ago came across my news feed.  I always look because of my kids and grand kids.. it's fun to see them change.  Then I came across a lap band post about a forum on Facebook.  I clicked on it to see what was up with them, all the while wondering why I never "liked" them and followed them in the first place. 
 
It has been just over a year since my lap band surgery and  I have done very well.  My weight loss has not been fast like I've read about others doing, but I didn't want to go fast.. I didn't want to have surgery to have skin removed.  I am so afraid of surgery to begin with.  
 
Dr. Kent is my physician and has been wonderful.  He is very encouraging and asks me lots of questions as gives me  great advice.  My nurse, Suzanne, is wonderful.  I can call her any time, leave a message, and she will give me all her time.  
It was three years ago, coming this July, that I was scheduled to have  lap band the first time.  I panicked six days prior and backed out.   Suzanne called me several more times that year to check on me, to see if I was ok.... I lied.. I said I was fine.   After failed attempts...again... and even heavier than before, I called and asked them to take me back.  With out hesitation they were on the ball.  I had to go through the process again to satisfy insurance needs, but it was a learning experience.  I was able to compare my ways of thinking and see where I improved and where I got worse.  This time, on my own, I did the pre surgery diet for two months.  I wanted to be ready to go at a moments phone call.  I lost 20 pounds in the process.   I got the call on a Tuesday and was set to go for Friday, Feb. 13, 2015.  I was a little bit nervous about "Friday the 13" but I decided to change that thinking and decided I was giving  myself a "Valentine's gift" instead.
 
I went through surgery perfectly and had no, thank God, complications.  I made sure to follow his directions to the letter.  I took the melt in your mouth, mint flavored GAS X, which totally took all those bubbles they talk about away... I never, ever felt the pain from those things.  If I can suggest to anyone who is going to have the lap band.. TAKE THE GAS X!  It will save you. I never needed more than a 12 year old's dose of liquid Tylenol for the first three nights.  Like I said, I followed the post op directions to the letter.  I had a perfect recovery time.  You may feel like you can eat... DO NOT STRAY from their post op list.. there is a reason for the three weeks of basically liquid.  Your stomach pouch just got a band put on it... it needs to heal.  
 
It has been a year and I have lost 20 pre surgery and 35 post op.  I have had to work hard on my emotions from time to time.  I am an emotional eater for EVERY emotion.  I've had to physically remove myself from a situation and cry to my self sometimes.  We are  human, we are healing and we need to be kind to ourselves.  I have had chocolate, I have had weak moments, but I don't let it take me over... I make the next choice my healthy one...  This is what we need to do even though we have lap band... we have strong help now but we still need to make the right choices.  This is why I am here on BariatricPal... to continue to be encouraged while on my journey, to read, help, and share with others.  I thank you all who will share with me, from the bottom of my heart, for taking time out of your day for me.   
 
Another thing that helped me is to make sure to make your room or any spot in your home a safe place, a happy place.  A place filled with comfortable, encouraging, and peaceful things.  Make time for you, no matter if it's just for a few minutes.  You are important, very  important and need taking care of too.  Get dressed, fix your hair, little bit of lip gloss or cologne for you sweet guys out there.   If you feel good and put together you will carry that with you all day.  Always put in at least a few minutes for work out.  You don't have to kill yourself in  a gym.  If all you can do is walk, that is better than you did before, right?  I have months when I'm all work out lady and then I have weeks go by that I just work out by working hard in the home.   Beating your self up for not keeping up with fitness is not something you need to do to yourself.  WE just quit carbs for goodness sake... that was big in it self!  Keep reading all you can, talk to others and we can help get each other to our goals.  
 
All God's blessing to each and every one of you. 
:)