Paulax

Ah yes, another case of 'doctors are just people' I was SO scared to ask my doctor for a referral to my lap band surgeon. In Canada, that is how we have to do it, even though we are self pay. Anyway, she referred me so easily, I could have kissed her I was so relieved. I though she would really give me the gears, but I guess the fact that she herself is obese and has an especially beautiful daughter who is obese, was in my favour. lol! But ah yes, many will react like your doctor did. Don't let him get to you, HE DOESN'T KNOW EVERYTHING.......hugs and good luck with your upcoming surgery.

Yes, great topic. I am of Italian decent, I went to Italy expecting to see big mamas. I was the big mama and they were all THIN.... I am Canadian and our fatness is quickly catching up to the US, reported to be the fattest nation. I blame lifestyle, commercials from the food industry trying to get your money and willing to put all kinds of crap, fat and sugar in food to get you hooked. Also, recently I read an article on people in cities actually being in better shape than people in less populated areas. I live in a small town, live outside town and have to drive absolutely everywhere. In cities many people walk to work, school and shopping. Here in the great white north, we have to drive EVERYWHERE. I tried very hard to find a house close to our kids' school so they could walk, didn't happen. ALSO, I talk about his with many moms with young children. We are so fearful of our kids being abducted, we don't send our children outside to roam the neighbourhoods anymore. Kids rely more on tv and inside activities to entertain themselves, get lazy and hey, what else is there to do but eat. ALSO, ALSO, many homes have a hard time preparing meals from natural unprocessed foods. I have a neice, who was a teen mom, who thinks pulling a meal out of a box in the freezer is the 'norm' would NEVER buy fresh meats and prepare them with fresh vegetables for dinner. I will also never forget going to Denmark, seeing thin teens going to the beach with rye bread and stinky cheese sandwiches. NO chips, NO POP... I couldn't believe it. It is a sad, sad state of affairs we find ourselves in. I myself, fight the prepared food thing. I feel as though my slim kids deserve a treat and often will make or buy muffins, Cookies, granola bars, (which apparently have more sugar in them than cookies) yet, by making a choice like granola bar, I think I am making a good healthier choice. I am absolutely sure my kids are addicted to sugar. And I work hard on keeping it out of the house, and dh and I work hard on keeping our kids in an active lifestyle. sigh. But for my children's sake, I will continue to fight this battle. I do NOT want my children growing up with the shameful feelings of being fat that I grew up with. Boy, I am long winded today....I'll shut up now:nervous

Pre op here. I too have searched and searched for long time bandsters. Have found stories around 5 years, but none more than. One of my first questions on this board was this very topic. One thing that keeps me feeling good about my decision, which I intend to go through with, is my surgeon telling me that the band is made of the same material that EVERY other internal implant is made of, he mentioned heart pacemakers adn now I am curious about knee and hip replacements. If I needed a new hip, I wouldn't worry too much about how long it will hold up, I would just get it for the relief it could get me. I have a cousin who had a hip replacement around my age, 40something. Without it she'd be in a wheelchair and in a lot of pain. I too reaaaaaaaaaally appreciate your honesty. I wonder too, if I am going to regret it in some way. I still believe it is a better route than RNY or permanent cutting and rerouting of intestine. I HAVE a friend who had gastric bypass probably 20 some years ago. She constantly suffers in many ways, but still says she would do it all over again. Anyway, we all react differently, so it is expected that we all will have differing experiences. hugs to all awsome post

I'd love a sticky for people to share their recommended post op food plan. My surgeon, and I am still preop, suggests 30 days of Clear liquids, followed by a lead into mushy foods. Other people on this board are having Protein drinks their first week. I PLAN to follow my doctor's advice, but it is curious that every doc seems different. What are your doc's recommendations?

Silly post but I am curious to know who in the world is banded. I heard Sharon Ozborn is banded. I was surprised because I thought she got the RNY. Anybody else you know of?

Wow, that is wonderful, you must be SMOKIN' Congratulations and I see you are near goal. WOOOWWWWWWeeeeeee!

Awwwww, poor you. I am pre op but there was a post recently that said get on your knees, put head on bed and bum in air. You might be too sore for that position. Don't know what else to suggest. I hope you get some relief and some sleep soon. hugsssss..... And congratulations.....

Boy, I wish I lived in a town that was big enough to HAVE lap band support group....

Just popping in to give you a big cyberhug and congratulations on going over the rainbow....rest, sip and be merry!

Awwwsome accomplishment! As I have said to a friend who lost over 100 pounds being banded, I don't see less of you I see MORE of you. Your beautiful self just pops.

And I am pre op so I am just insanly jealous. Good for you and enjoy each and every day......

Oh yaaa! That was bloody brilliant!:clap2:

Wow, that will be an exciting experience. Good for you, I look forward to that issue.

That IS interesting, but some of the doctors here aren't banded, just here adding support and information. I like to hear that a doctor is banded, then I know they feel it is safe enough for themselves.

Feel better pycca. Keep us up on how you are doing.

How are you all moving out there? I went for a walk today, it made me feel much more positive and energetic. :clap2: OK I'll shut up! I am pre op and would like to hear how you are all moving our bodies. Is it easier with less weight? Is it impossible if you are in the liquid phase? Tell me your story.

Hugs, I have many of the same feelings and even family stories as you. (Italian) Can we talk? I am pre op and wondering why the hell I want to do this to my body one minute and wondering why the hell I can't do it myself. Then I remind myself that it is my brain chemicals that dictate what and when I want and need to eat and that is not my fault and not in my control and I am sick and tired of feeling like a failure and like it is my fault that I am fat. I am tired of feeling like a lazy person because I am not an exercising fool. I am tired of feeling stupid that I don't know what to eat or how much. I am not stupid. I am not lazy. I am not an unsuccessful person. Weight is the only thing I have failed at. I am going to do this surgery and stop feeling like a failure. We will all do it for our own reasons. Good luck with yours, but for now please stop beating yourself up.

Through my own experience and things I have read, it is not a good idea to eat before bed time. (my favorite time to eat also) I understand the digestive system shuts down while you sleep, so if there is food there it just sits, ferments and probably doesn't allow for a good nights sleep. When I am feeling right on plan and losing weight, I practise stopping any food or Snacks after 7pm. If I MUST have something, I drink tea. Remind me of that at 8pm tonight when Survivor is on will ya? Dd and I love to sit, watch and eat popcorn. I guess once in a while isn't bad, but to make it an ongoing habit is something I will constantly try to break. Hot herbal tea warms my tummy and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, then I am less likely to eat for emotional reasons. Good luck and thanks for the reminder.

I am so happy for you. It sucks waiting until July 14.....

I tried googling. This will take some time. One thing that does make me feel good about having this devise for a lifetime, is that it is made from the same material as any other implanted device. I'd sure appreciate anyone who can point me into the direction of more info. Thanks

I asked here who has had their band for a long time, this board was started a few years ago, so there are some bands here that were placed 3 - 4 years ago. I still want to know of any cases where the band has been in place for 10 years +. I want to know about long term weight maintenance and long term effects of having the band in place. I am going to go google now, if anybody has any info I'd really appreciate it. Thanks all..... You are all a great support here....

Newbie here, looking for the meaning of NSV. Oh now I see it, non scale victory.... Congratulations, I look forward to a few myself.

HA, that made me laugh. Now, seriously, does it make you beep every time? My underwire doesn't. I guess I will have to do the whisper the lap band explanation and just pray that they believe me. :nervous

Great post Valhallahusband. Thanks for sharing.

Oh you adorable girl you...I am so happy for you and to see that you are doing this at such a young age. I am glad for you that you never had to suffer 20 some more years of obesity before you actually got help. Like me, 42! You look so happy. Keep us in touch with how you are doing.