stevegoad

I don't tell them. I say that I "restrict" the amount I eat, and I eat a high Protein diet. It is not their business as to how I lose weight, and definitely not their business to judge the validity of my choice to have lapband. So 5 1/2 months post op, my wife, my pastor and 3 friends know. My mother doesn't know. My family doesn't know. Many of my friends don't know. My Water aerobics class doesn't know. My co-workers don't know. My boss doesn't know. And certainly, no strangers know. And that's the way I like it.

Well, lets be honest in the talk (getting past the retoric for a bit). It is common to be nervous, both before and after. I was, it seems, one of the easiest cases to get my surgery (made the call to ask questions on July 6, had initial consultation on July 10, had surgery on July 25), I was, it seems, also had one of the harder recovery times. Lots of pain, lots of gas for about 10 days. As things go, the surgery is one of the easier, but you are still having surgery, going in and placing a band around your stomach, using general anesthesia. All of the complications that go with internal surgery can apply. As such, you have reason to be apprehensive. Then there are the lifestyle changes. Some, like me, have only slight changes in what they can eat. I don't have a lot of problem with what some call "trigger foods." Some people have lots of problems with Pasta, rice, some meats. But there will be lifestyle changes. NO SODAS, less caffeine. You must eat slower, smaller bites, and smaller amounts. That makes restaurants a challenge, some social situations might be changed. And still, you might have times of throwing up, gas, and other "not so social" behaviors. But in the end, if you stick to it, it can make it work, and it can be a great thing. I don't regret being banded, but it is because I was willing to make some big sacrifices to do what is best for me. If you are willing to make it work, then in the end, I think you will be pleased too. Now on to those who want to give the cheerier side of LB.

Well, occasionally cheating on the preop diet won't get you cancelled... so don't worry about that. It is just a couple of weeks work, so do the best you can, take it one day at a time, and don't beat yourself up. Remember, this couple of weeks preop is just the start of a long road (and a few months from now, you won't even remember much about it). But the idea of Slim Fast being vial.... It is still one of the better tasting shakes, so you might need to make yourself learn to like it. :wink2:

Hang in there, Greg. For me, I was one who could lose - my problem is that I couldn't keep it off. My hope is that the band will help me keep it off. It is definitely making it easier to lose. Glad you're here, stick with it, and I, for one, am looking forward to you challenging me... who knows, I might not be as easy to take down as I see. Looking forward to the challenge!

A very, very blessed one to all. Ho, Ho, and all that stuff. :thumbup:

Started at 412 - Water Aerobics and swimming (I have bad enough arthritis in my ankles to where I have been advised not to do running type things, no matter how slim I get). I also do walk, but it is mostly water things.

Well, I am in the same school of thought of others... I don't show it... I have it in case of medial emergiencies, but never take it out. The way I see it, I don't want special treatment because I made the choice to be banded. If the restaurant doesn't allow adults to order off the children's menu, then I should respect their rule, just as I would expect the restaurant owners to respect my rules if they came to record a CD at my recording studio. I certainly would not ask a minimum wage employee such as a waiter/waitress to bend the rules, and ask them to see their supervisor if they didn't. That is just rude (I know no one in this thread has gone to this area, but I am anticipating, since these sort of conversations usually get to that point). So no, the card stays in my wallet. Personally, I am a former buffet eater who hasn't been to one since banding, just because I don't see a way to get my money's worth. If I go to restaurants, I get a doggie bag. But since I am a great cook, as is my wife, I am enjoying us having more family meals at home. In that way, the band is bringing our family closer together. Getting off my soapbox now.

Well, docs that do both surgeries will often recommend bypass - it is more money for them. As a 48 year old man with bad knees, who was 470 at surgery, and so far as lost over 70, I would say that the lap band would be a good first start. If you stick with it, it will work.

Well, I have heard variations of this one a dozen times - always hated it. But if he sends that, whether or not it is good, at least it sounds like he enjoys whatever life he has. If he sent that to you, he is not saying he wants you to have a mess of a life, but wants you to enjoy life as it is. Like I said, I dislike that quote, but it is nice to have someone wanting you to have fun.

Well, I went through TR in Houston - Nothing going on the TR chat line about this one, but I will keep my ears open.

Nothing to add... but welcome to the group. Glad you're here.

Well, the way I see it, Ricki Lake was never one of my top 2,000,000 most admired people anyway, and I was never on hers. So her opinion doesn't matter.

I don't know you, I don't know your current size (though I am assuming around 260 by the way you phrased your first note). The charts are usually flawed and way to skinny for most people. If you use the band right, you will certainly lose more than 30 or 40 pounds. The charts tell me I should be between 150 and 180. Totally crazy for me, who has weighed at one point nearly 450. I am keeping a goal of 230, and then going from there. That is way over my chart, but I have been 180 before and hated it (of course, I was in the navy, so maybe I hated that). :smile2:) Don't worry about what some strange doctor says. Don't worry about what some chart says. Don't worry about what anyone says. Just do what you need to do. If you get down to 150, great. If you make it to 112, and you really feel good about your self, great. But unless your 4'9" tall (like my daughter who weighs about 112) I would shoot for a higher goal.

Well, my first question is why did you let this go on 20 months? The band is "unnatural. No doubt, all of us if it works right, have to change our habits. But I am getting the feeling that something else is going on. You say that, when you had it at 2 CC's you could not eat or drink anything, and yet at 1.5 CC's there is no restriction? Please know that I don't want to sound to insensitive, but on Thursday, you need to check ask them in no uncertain terms what is going on. Get the X-rays, the swollow test, etc. But you also need to be checking what you are doing. You admitted when you can eat everything, you do. That is common, but wrong. THe band, even when it is working correctly, will not do it for you. You have to make the right choices to make it work. If you don't, and I have to assume you haven't been, then it won't work. So find out what they have been doing, and what you have been doing, and go from there. Remember, the fight is not over until you say it is.

Well, today, December 16, marks 2 big goals met. First, today, I hit 300 pounds! I am there! Second... 300 pounds makes me at the half-way point to my goal! Down 70 with 70 to go! It is not the last goal in this effort, but it is a big one all the same! So let the party begin. The Protein shakes are in the punch bowl, chewable Vitamins in the candy dish... grilled chicken on the plate! :blushing: A great morning!

I told my wife, my pastor and two friends. My family doesn't know, most my co-workers don't know, most friends don't know, my Water aerobics class doesn't know. None of their business. They can rejoice with me in losing weight, but it is not their business as to knowing how. (and it is certainly none of my mother's business as to how I financed such a surgery).

I've been using my CPAP for going on 11 years! It is my best friend at sleep time, next to my wife, of course. I brought it to surgery, though they didn't need it. I slept with it the first night I was banded. No problems at all. Don't worry about it at all.

What you initially said, Nick, was exactly right. The band is a great tool, but in the end it is still completely up to us whether it works or not. No tool will do it for us. If I eat ice cream, the band won't stop me. If I eat high fat foods, the band will let the fat right on through. The band does control our portions and our appitite, but it does not control our minds. We make the choice whether it will work or not.

I did liquids for a couple of weeks (I only do some over the counter stuff). As soon asw I was full diet, I quit the liquids, and have had no problems with pills (Tylenol, benedryl, etc).

And he did something wrong... how? Sorry to sound insensitive, but to me, your boss acted very professional. He probably wasn't sure if you wanted details spread around, and odds are, he is not sure of the details of lapband anyway. I have spent much of my adult life working in churches and non-profit organizations where privacy is not only expected, but essential for people. I would expect a boss, if faced with saying a person will be taking disability leave, to say something like "it is not serious." and leave out the details. Many of us consider it a private surgery anyway. Instead of getting upset with your boss for trying to be sensitive, be happy that you have a boss that cares about your privacy.

I stayed on - maybe ate a bit more than normal, but the things I ate were healthy - more veggies, NO DESSERT.... NONE... NADA. NO BREAD *even though it was my own, family recipe, homemade bread that I spent 5 hours baking* So I came out OK... no loss, but no gain, and glucose was 108 the next morning.

Well, my weigh-in - no loss, but no gain. Cool enough. )

I wouldn't worry about what might be overeating a bit, even if you throw up, causing the band to move. While anything is possible, the odds are quite small. And I also wouldn't worry about if you overate (though if the band is going to work, you shouldn't make a habit of it). You're working on a lifetime change... and in the course of a lifetime, one day is not a large thing.

Well, I didn't weigh my food, but I did reasonably well today. We had a family reunion, so there was lots of food. I was in charge of making the bread (as I am the one who inherited the secret family recipe). Before going, I had my Protein shake. At lunch, I had a small portion of turkey, what was 2 bites of dressing, 2 bites of green bean cassarole, salad, potatoes. No dessert, no sweets, no snacking after lunch. For supper, I ate a dill pickle, since there was little I really wanted after a somewhat larger than normal lunch. So over all, though a bit large at lunch, I think all went well. Going to Water aerobics in the morning (exercise is more important than sales - besides, Guitar Center's sales don't start until 8:00 - after aerobics ) So while only the scales will tell, I think I did OK.

Well, I am at a good time in the band, so I am hopeful about today. Yesteday, I made my homemade bread for a family reunion (Three recipes = 6 large loaves) I am taking 5 loaves to the reunion. I let my wife do the tasting of the one that is staying at home. She tasted the first batch, since it didn't rise very well, and said that it was great, so the others should be much better. Still, I did not partake, and I lost a pound (a great blessing on a baking day). Today's the reunion. Not scared. I'll do fine! (Positive thoughts). So I am blessed and happy. I pray all of you are equally blessed on this Thanksgiving day.