Catherine55

I didn't tell people at work, and that was the best decision for me. It really kept the "Food Police" off my back as I was losing! I've been at goal for 2+ years now, and it's nice to be able to have an occasional cookie without feeling like I'm being judged (as in "OMG.. She had weight loss surgery... What is she doing eating a COOKIE?!") As for work, you should plan to take Monday off if you can, and Tuesday too. You may be OK to go in on Wednesday. I'd just let the office know you are having surgery (it's illegal for them to ask what kind of surgery) and that you need those two days because you'll be recovering. I hope that helps. Congratulations on your surgery!! Take before photos and your measurements ASAP if you haven't yet! Best wishes, Catherine

Hi! I'm nearly 4 years out and have been at goal for a long time (maybe 2 years?). It's so worth it to stick to the post-op diet. You'll be through that phase and bandster hell before you know it, and the weight will really come off! The secret to getting to goal is finding a type or types of exercise you like and sticking to it! (Just keep trying til something appeals to you.) Congratulations on your surgery -- you have so many good things to look forward to!! Just walking around comfortably is major, but even little things like wrapping a normal towel around yourself are pretty major NSVs too!! Be sure to take your measurements and some before pics now if you haven't yet!! Best wishes for much success, Catherine

Awesome!! Slow and steady wins the race!! We are almost band-date twins, by a month. I'll be 4 years out on October 23rd. Congratulations on you for keeping it together and never giving up!! Best, Catherine

Here are some more: What will my pre-op diet be? What will my post-op diet be? How soon after surgery can I exercise? What is your philosophy on fills (i.e., is your doctor stingy or can you come and get adjusted without having to wait a set time if a fill doesn't get you to good restriction) Do you have a suggestion for what my goal weight should be? What are the things that you think most greatly contribute to bandsters' success? (My view... exercise is KEY). I hope that helps!! Take your measurements now and a bunch of before photos if you haven't yet! You will want them later for sure. Also, I found it really helpful to write out (and go back to) a plan for success, as well as a pro con list about why I was having the surgery (which really helped because I had some doubts before I did it, and writing it out really helped to solidify my decision). You can see both HERE if you are interested. Best wishes, Catherine

DO IT!! I'm nearly four years out, and have never regretted my decision for a minute. My life has changed for the better in many ways, and I am incredibly grateful to have found this tool! Exercise is absolutely key to getting to goal and staying there. That is awesome that you're committing to moving, and when you're cleared for exercise, just keep trying things until you find an activity or two that you love (and believe me, what that is will change over time.... it is SO MUCH easier and more fun to work out as you're carrying 20, 40, 60 or 80+ less pounds less than you used to)! More power to you!! I hope that you will really enjoy this process and send best wishes for lots of success for you!! Also -- TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS and a bunch of before photos if you haven't yet. You will definitely want them later. Best wishes, Catherine

I never liked any of those words! It still pains me to admit that I used to be "obese"... it's hard to say that word... Anyway, I just wanted to post to agree with the folks who suggested that you change PAs -- actually, if you can change doctors, maybe that would be better. And yes... the WHOLE POINT of having a band is that you should be able to use it at good restriction! Those people are nuts!! Oh well -- once you get to good restriction, you'll lose without undue trouble, and this will be just a distant memory... Best wishes for your success, Catherine

Don't stress!! When you're farther out past your surgery date, you will be able to eat pretty much anything you used to it -- you'll just eat less and feel satisfied! Seriously... I literally just ate a burger (admittedly, without the bun, but it was great!) You also won't miss the foods you choose not to eat. The very hardest part is the clear liquid diet, then full liquids, then mushies. After that, it's so much better. Hang in there! I'm four years out, and can tell you first hand that it was absolutely worth suffering through this phase. You will not believe how great you are going to feel when you are able to finally get control over your weight, and start really transforming yourself into a healthier, more comfortable and more attractive version of yourself. I put a few recipes on my blog for Soups that I really liked, if you're interested (go to the February 2009 entries and you'll see one of my favorites -- there are a few earlier ones too). It really helped me a lot to cook things that were delicious, since that way I didn't feel so deprived. With best wishes for lots of success -- and for this phase to pass quickly for you, Catherine

All I can say is ... the haters can kiss my (thanks to my band) cute, small(er..) bee-hind!! I find that kind of thing so ridiculous. All of these kinds of surgery seem to work really well when done by good surgeons and on people who work the tool they are given. I don't view one as better than another -- I think it's really a matter of personal situation and preference. That said, I'm hearing good things about the sleeve from a few former bandsters who had to revise to the sleeve due to complications. But, otherwise, I don't know too much about it. The band worked very well for me -- I'll be 4 years out in October, and I've been at or under goal for more than 2 years. Best, Catherine

I really recommend being very careful about who you decide to tell about your surgery. After you get banded, you won't start losing until after you're out of the healing phase and have decent restriction with your band. So, it takes some time for people to see the results. It can be very upsetting to have people question why you're not losing weight, especially since that first phase can be a little frustrating! (Don't worry, once you're at restriction, you'll lose just fine!) The second reason to be careful about who you tell is to avoid inviting the "Food Police" to comment on every single thing you eat. Now that I no longer have an issue with portion control and also work out regularly, I really don't want anyone saying "Gee.. you had weight loss surgery... should you really be eating that??" -- or making any other comments about how I chose to eat. I am nearly 4 years out from my surgery date and have been at or below goal for a long time now! I am really glad that I chose to restrict who I told to just some family and only closest friends (and not work people). It really let me keep my privacy and avoid a lot of the annoyance that comes along with naysayers, the food Police, and having people who've never struggled with their weight act like they know more about what I should do than I do! Be careful! And... take lots of before shots and your measurements! You will want them later, to be sure!! Best wishes, Catherine

A good friend of mine who is also banded had the same experience with her husband. She showed him my blog and the blogs of a few other people who have gotten to goal with the band, and that helped him to get more comfortable. She's been banded for more than a year, and he's completely changed his take on it and is now a big fan of the band, and really proud of my friend for how well she's done. I think it was fear more than anything else that made him not want her to do it. He loves her as she is (and as she was), and didn't want her to take any risks. Also, it's hard for people who haven't struggled with their weight to really understand just how hard it is for us to lose -- and how impossible it would be to keep off any lost weight -- without the band. I'll be four years out in October, and it is one of the VERY BEST decisions I have ever made. I'm including a link to my blog and a before/after shot below. Sending best wishes to you for a wonderful outcome and much success! BTW, be sure to take a bunch of before photos and your measurements now! You will DEFINITELY want them later! Best, Catherine

Awesome!! You have so many incredible and wonderful things ahead of you!! If you didn't take before pics and your measurements before your surgery, be sure to do that as soon as you can -- you will want that info later. Do your very best to stick to your post-op diet, and try to keep it on the straight and narrow during "Bandster Hell" as well as you can (that's the period when you're on normal food but don't have restriction yet.. I gained 5 lbs during it... mine fell during Thanksgiving...). The band really works. Embrace it, make a plan for success, and get ready to finally stop feeling bad about your weight and what you eat. With very best wishes for your success, Catherine

Thanks! They're obnoxiously large -- but since I always love seeing people's before & after pics and found them really motivating and inspiring when I was a newbie, I decided to keep them on there! Catherine

Hi! I hope that you got everything done you needed to do, and that you are feeling much better. Sending a big hug!!

This is exactly why I didn't tell that many people about my surgery, and told no one at work. I didn't want to open up myself to hear those kinds of things -- comments like that are not helpful at all! Keep on fighting the good fight!! And, you can always come here if you need support and encouragement! Best, Catherine

I totally agree with the others who suggested an unfill. So glad you are going in! I'm 3 1/2 years out, and had some reflux issues now and then during the last 6 months. Not eating late is a HUGE help to me in avoiding this. But, if you're not doing that, it sounds like you're probably too tight. I hope your doctor can get you sorted out with a quick visit! Best wishes, Catherine