Catherine55

Hi, Ruthie! I am 14 months out and don't have any regrets. This is one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and I am really happy with how the last 14 months have gone and with the progress I've made. I am only about 7 pounds from my goal (gulp!!)! :) In terms of advice, this is the best advice I can give to any new bandster: 1. Make a list of pros and cons to help you with your decision about getting banded. Writing it out is a huge help, and you can go back and look at it if you have doubts. (I posted mine on my blog and there is a link to it in my most recent post); 2. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW! You'll want to be able to count all those inches you are losing once you are banded! 3. TAKE SOME "BEFORE" PHOTOS! Maybe you won't feel like looking at them right now, but it's so amazing to be able to compare your progress with where you started as you go through this process. 4. Size your closet! If you are like me, you probably have like 10 different sizes in there. Go through and put the sizes together so that when you're losing weight, you won't miss out on wearing outfits that you like as you fit into them again. 5. Write out a post-op plan for success. I have a link to mine in my most recent blog post. 6. Think long and hard about who you want to tell about your surgery. You don't really start losing until you get to restriction (the before-period is called "Bandster Hell"), so it can be frustrating during the first month if people know and are like "You had WLS. . why aren't you losing weight?!?" Plus, it's nice not to have the "food Police" watching your every bite! 6. Make a list of all the things you are looking forward to about being thinner. Then, when you go through this process, be sure to check back to see when they each become your reality. It's so amazing to be able to do that! For me, wearing heels again was major -- same with being comfortable in coach on airplanes! The most major one was getting to the point where I actually feel GOOD about my weight and body, instead of beating myself up about it every single day. I hope that helps! Congratulations on taking the first step! Best wishes, Catherine

The best thing about the band is that it forces you to be on the straight & narrow most of the time. A few important differences are that, with the band: You get full quickly, so you don't have the issue with feeling hungry that you have when you diet normally; You can't really ever overeat once you are at good restriction; You have to think about your food choices and plan your meals a bit more, which for me, usually leads me to make better decisions. I am about 7 pounds from goal right now. If I hadn't had the band for the past 14 months, I know that I would not have been able to do this well. I have been able to eat less without feeling deprived and to go out with friends often, without blowing my "diet." It's a great tool, and if used correctly, it works like a charm. You don't have to be perfect with it, but if you follow the rules most of the time, you are bound to get to goal. I hope that helps! Feel free to check out my blog if you want more info on what banded life is like! Catherine

Just wanted to say that my surgery was in Monterrey, Mexico at an amazing hospital, with the wonderful Dr. Rumbaut (who is banded himself). He has a great reputation and was able to get me in to NYU Medical Center for my post-op care before I'd even had my surgery. Can't remember if I responded to say this earlier, but I put photos of the hospital and a full account of my experience at the beginning of my blog! Catherine

I was a "lower BMI" patient, though I started at a BMI of 37. I am 5'6 and was 230. . and I am now just over 7 pounds from goal! I blogged throughout the whole experience (link below -- feel free to check it out) -- it may give you a good idea of what to expect. Definitely take a bunch of "before" photos and don't forget to take your measurements!! You will want that stuff as you progress! Best wishes, Catherine

Mom.on.the.Go totally nailed it -- it sounds like your dad is scared of losing the bond you shared. As a practical matter, you can eat anywhere with the band. I wouldn't even worry about it. At first, it will be VERY HELPFUL to look at the menu on-line before you get to the restaurant and to decide what you are going to order. If you're still on liquids, you can call ahead and make sure they will puree a soup for you. Once you are on regular foods, you can order delicious fish, have some mashers here and there, etc. As for the garlic rolls -- you'll probably be able to nibble a bit of those. But, get stuck once or twice, and I bet they will stop looking as appealing as they once did! You're going to be fine going out with your family. You may even be surprised (i.e. grossed out) to notice just how much they are packing away when you go out. If that happens, try to handle it the way you would want them to handle it if the situation was reversed. Best wishes to you! You are going to do great -- but I would avoid going out to dinner with them somewhere bad while you're in "Bandster Hell" (before you have good restriction) b/c it will be harder then to make good decisions. Catherine

Drasan, that is great news!! Congratulations! :thumbup: Since my last post, I am now in a size 10 and am 8.2 pounds from goal! The band really does work, and I am excited to see all of your progress during the next year! :woot: Best wishes, Catherine

So glad to hear that the pro/con list helped! That was really a big help for me. As of this morning, I'm only 8.2 pounds from goal! Had I known that all of my "cons" would turn out to be so minor, I would have gone into the surgery feeling even better than I did! Catherine

Hang in there! It sounds like you are still in Bandster Hell a bit. Wait until you get to good restriction and the weight really starts coming off! Also, keep in mind that 1-2 pounds a week is a good rate of loss. You'd be surprised at how quickly it all adds up! Best wishes, Catherine

I was worried about my "girls" for a bit -- I started out at around a 40DD (wearing a 38DD), but was really surprised to see them snap back into shape during my weight loss plateaus. I'm 39 years old, so they aren't exactly how they were in my 20s (before I put on all the weight. . ) but I was surprised to see how much my body was able to take care of things on its own. My thought is that you should wait. . . and if you plateau at all, relax during that time and know that you are giving your skin time to shrink back into place. Hang in there! And, get a proper bra to keep things in place! Best wishes, Catherine

That is fantastic!! You have so much to look forward to, especially in 2010!! Be sure to take before photos NOW and your measurements, if you haven't already -- you will definitely want those things to gauge your progress against as you move forward! Best wishes, Catherine

I totally had doubts, self-questioned. . wondered if maybe I shouldn't call it all off and just go back on WW. But, I wrote out a pro/con list and kept it with me up to the point I went in the OR. When I set out all of the pros and cons on paper, it was so clear that this was the right thing for me. I am now just over 13 months post-op. . . and only ten measley pounds from goal (!!). This year has been so well-spent, and I love my band. This is the best decision I've ever made, and not only did it make losing easier . . it's also great to not have to fear every second that all of the weight and more will come back on. Check out my blog if you're interested. I posted my pro/con list a few monts ago, before/during (not "after" yet!) photos, etc. My best advice for you is not to worry so much about these fears and to take the time out now to take your measurements and a bunch of "before" photos. You will definitely want them as you move forward! Best wishes for your success! Catherine

Congratulations on your decision! If you haven't already, be sure to take some before photos and to take your measurements as soon as your stomach goes back to normal after the surgery (mine was totally bloated afterwards from the gas they use). You'll want those things later! I hope it goes very well and wish you all the best! Catherine

I absolutely had those fears before hand. But now I'm just over a year out . . and only 10 pounds from goal! I want to second the recommendation for Weight Loss Surgery with the Adjustable Gastric Band. That was the best of the books I read pre-op, and I still open it every now and then. The best advice I took from it was to write out a post-op plan for success, which I found to be really useful (I posted my plan on my blog a few months ago, as well as my pro/con list about doing the surgery and how I felt about the "cons" post-op). Other pre-op advice that I want to share is to take your measurements right away! And, take a bunch of "before" pictures -- you will want them later. I just put up a comparison of photos from 11/15/08 and 11/15/09 on my blog. . unfortunately, I cropped the heck out of the 2008 one back then. I wish I had more full length ones for comparison purposes! Best wishes, Catherine

If you get the stomach flu badly and need to throw up, you need to go to your doctor or the ER to get your fill taken out. As a practical matter (and I am not a doctor), if you stick to liquids until you feel better, you'll have a much easier time if you do need to throw up b/c it can come through the small opening. Definitely call your doctor now and ask what they think you should do. Best, Catherine

Welcome!! And get ready to have an amazing year! :thumbup: Be sure to take your measurements and a bunch of before photos ASAP if you haven't already! You are going to want them later! Catherine

I've heard those stats too -- but I've already lost 86.6% of my excess weight -- and I see tons of bandsters on here who are getting to -- or are already at -- goal. I think the stats get messed up by the select few bandsters who don't get proper fills, don't change their eating habits at all, and don't wind up losing. You can absolutely lose it all with the band. It may take 2 years to get to goal, but you will get there if you try. :thumbup: Best wishes, Catherine

I agree with Jacqui -- I don't feel any pain at all with the band (even on the occasions when I slime or get stuck, it's not painful . . just a bit uncomfotable). I am definitely aware of it. The thing she really nailed is that feeling you get in the morning -- when you wake up, stretch, and feel so good about your body! (And I mean this both from a fitness/health perspective and an aesthetic one!) It's a pleasure and a total joy. :tongue_smilie: Catherine

Definitely ask your doctor. I would avoid eating any of the hard part if you do indulge (no kernels). Popcorn does dissolve pretty well in your mouth though. Again-- ask your doctor -- but I think it would work. Don't rely on me though! Better to follow your doctor's instructions! :tongue_smilie: Catherine

Don't worry about too much right now -- when you get your next fill, you'll start losing much more quickly. I put together this post showing my progress through the last year. I felt like I lost slower than many other bandsters, but it will give you a good idea about rate of loss. I started at 230 lbs and am 5'6 tall. Chronicles from Band Land: Year In Review. . . Best wishes for your success!! Catherine

Some people are get their doctors to count recent time on WW or another diet toward the 6 month period. If you've been doing one of those programs, it's worth asking. Good luck! The time will be over before you know it! Catherine

Congratulations -- and welcome!! I just hit my one-year bandiversary, and have had a really positive experience through the past year. This board and the blogs are a great source of support, information and encouragement! My advice to you is to take your measurements ASAP if you haven't already -- and to take a bunch of "before" photos. You are definitely going to want them as you go forward! Best wishes, Catherine

I agree -- it's daunting to think that you could be one of the people who this doesn't work for . . but it does work for the vast majority of people! Why shouldn't you be one of the ones who makes it work? We all came to this process after lives focused on weight struggles (and failing the battle of the bulge in every other attempt). But, just about everyone does well with the band -- and it makes this process SO MUCH easier. I agree on the soul-searching front. Consider if there is a reason you don't want to get your weight under control? For a lot of people, the thought of being thinner and getting more attention can be scary. If that's not what's holding you back, what is? And, how were you able to come this far if you didn't want to succeed. Maybe you're just having last minute cold feet. This is a big undertaking and it's good that you are seriously thinking about it. You absolutely can do this if you want to do it. It is not that hard to work the band, and I have not felt deprived during this whole process (I'm 63 down, 12 from goal). As someone who has failed on every other diet (eventually) and who has sabotaged herself many times in the past, I can tell you that this is a great tool and that it can help you break the bad cycle of overeating and feeling bad about your weight if you are willing to do your part. Am sending you very best wishes for your success!! Let me know how it goes if you go forward. Best, Catherine

It gets better really quickly -- every day you will see a big improvement! The shakes are just yucky yucky yucky!! Just drink as much as you can and let your Dr. know if you're way off the mark. Congratulations on your surgery and all the great things you have to look forward to! Catherine

Me too -- 167 and 5'6. . I'm in a 12, but it's just getting loose. . I ordered size 10 jeans from The Gap. . they arrive today. Can't wait to see if they fit! Scale is stuck at 167 though! I think it's going to be slow going to get the last 12 off! Catherine

Congratulations, Tracy!!! You have come so far and are doing so great!! Thanks for the nice mention of my blog -- I am so glad that it helped! :thumbup: Catherine