greenerpastures

Sunny, thanks for sharing....we can't possibly be the only ones out there who have not experienced euphoric, staggering weight loss. We didn't get big because we were any good at eating the right things at the proper time. Indeed, I'm the one stashing chocolate covered potato chips under my mattress so I can eat them secretly when no one is looking!!! (ok, its not that bad). My point is: I have not successfully flipped a switch and turned off all the bad behaviors. It takes commitment and work and SUPPORT to make that happen. I have found more information out here from people's everyday experience than from the medical providers who performed my surgery. Interestingly, the "aftercare" folks looked at me like I was godzilla when I talked about the behavior of eating. I've been extremely disappointed at the lack of knowledge that the aftercare staff had regarding the band and how it works. The aftercare program looks very very much like the bazillion eating plans I've been on my whole life. I look forward to hear from more of you....

Hello out there.....not good at posting, really more of a voyeur, but this thread struck me....cuz i'm in the same boat. Banded in July 2008, down about 30 lbs and stagnant. I know WHAT to do, just a constant struggle to get out of my own way and DO it. i'm also pretty convinced I haven't found the sweet spot ye. It gives me hope and confidence to hear you all talk about your success. I want to, but need to break it down into moments, the big picture is too big. So today: I exercised this morning. I have eaten well today. I have listened to my body tell me when I've had enough. I will continue this path today. Geez, sounds like a really long mantra.....would appreciate thoughts or feedback on how you all make it through the day with temptation all around cuz, yes, chocolate goes through nice and easy!!!!

Really a bit of a voyeur out here....lots of reading, little participation. Anyway, I've read the gamit of the band being tighter or looser depending on time of day, time of the month, stress etc. etc. Are there any guidelines??? Any truths? Do you guys keep a journal? Thanks for your help.

I'm a new bandit as of July 24th, the first day of the rest of my life. Still pretty sore, but am bouncing back. The dill was taking over my garden so Mr. Wonderful (husband of 11 years) pulled some weeds last night. Well, bending over repeatedly isn't the smartest move on the planet. WEED YOUR GARDEN BEFORE YOU HAVE SURGERY!!! I'm a 44 year old lawyer who has began struggling with "chubby" sizes in my pre-teens. I'm tall and have always "carried it well." yeah, right. With the creep of slower metabolism, less activity, busier schedule, love of chocolate, blah blahb labh albha, you know the story. I also felt pretty much kicked in the head when my joints started to hurt pretty consistently and I realized that couldn't run with my 10 and 8 year old daughters. My 8 year old announced, "its ok mom, you're just a little fat." There is was, the realization that my kids are aware that their mom is less active, less fit and too big in comparison to the rest of the world. Like most of us, I've had varied success and failure with every diet on the planet. I look forward to long term success with reasonable eating and my new secret weapon!

Got banded on the 24th of July, can I still play???

I've been a Curves member for almost three years. I was just banded on the 24th of July (doesn't matter how much you exercise if you keep eating!!!) and am in the transition of being able to go back. My post surgical instructions say nothing strenuous for 4 weeks. Anyone have experience with that out there?? I feel like I could modify the Curves workout and still maintain some activity. Any thoughts out there? We got CurvesSmart a few months ago. Other than a bunch of days when the system didn't function worth a poop, its great in concept and when it works, it provides great accountability. I love the idea of utilizing the weigh and measure aspects of the curves (I've declined so far!) program, mostly because I wasn't losing, just staying active even though my weight kept going up. Wow, really blathering here. Thanks for listening.

Agreed. You need to dig into Aetna's fine print and find out under what circumstances they DO cover. Most things are covered, they just have to be covered for persuasive reasons. In my case, I got another doctor to write a letter in support of how weight loss surgery would slow down the progression of the arthritis in my joints (a co-morbidity). The program coordinator facilitated the approval process with the insurance company. She outlined my growing joint issues and made the case that my bloodwork indicated insulin resistance and a future filled with high cholesterol and diabetes (another co-morbidity). You have to develop your facts to make the surgery a MEDICAL NECESSITY. good luck.

Greetings fellow bandits! I was banded four short days ago on Thursday July 24th. My surgery (my very first...never had any surgery before) went very well. In fact, the anesthesiologist tells me he said 'you're going to get sleepy." I don't recall it, but woke up in recovery. Now, that's the way it should be! Based on the bruises on my tummy, however, I'm thinking something indeed went on while I was asleep. A little discomfort seems a small price to pay for a new lease on motherhood, activity, clothes, body image, self image and confidence. I am back at work today, moving slowing, but back at work. For me, I took pain meds when I needed it, but I also felt like I should get up and get moving a little bit. Its an adjustment today, can't tell yet if I'm sore or hungry (probably a little of both). Good luck to those of you waiting for the first day of the rest of your life!

Fellow NA'ers. Wow, never posted to a site (anywhere, anytime, total rookie) just a voyeur. I have 22 years clean (wow, how did that happen!!) and over time replaced drugs with food. Scheduled for the band this Thursday the 24th of July. Need to know what to expect in terms of pain, meds etc. Mr. Wonderful (with more years clean than me) will be along every step of the way so he can monitor pain medication. Look forward to hearing from you!