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Jacqui, My thoughts and prayers are with you for your upcoming surgery. From the first post of yours I read many months ago, I have admired you. I know you can and will overcome any difficulty that come your way. All the best to you. ~Fran

OMG! I thought this article was written by the doctor shown on this page! Taking a closer look I do not see an author at all. Hmmmmm My understanding of the band is that which is explained in Cleo's Mom's post. It also makes sense to me. Mostly because being hungry was never the reason I overate, so having a band without restriction wasn't going to change my appetite per se; although by the time I got to my sweet spot I had changed my diet to the extent that the foods that I eat satisfies the physiological needs of my body AND I see a therapist which helps with the emotional eating. So restriction, eating healthier and therapy have been the keys to my success. Hey, if you are someone that loses without restriction, I am thrilled for you. That just has never been the answer for me. Good luck to all.

Well, if you think this is frustrating ... wait till you get to "Bandster Hell" ... LOL only kidding ... good luck to you.

I think that pre-ops are here because they are curious about what they can expect after surgery ...most have completed all their pre-op prep stuff and are excited about what is to come. Additionally, it is REALLY important to have realistic expectations after surgery and THIS is the best place to get the info first hand. Sorry it frustrates you, but we're here to support everyone that asks -- pre or post op. You may one day be a really big help to a pre-op. ~Fran

Congratulations on your success thus far! I hear those last 10-20 lbs can be difficult (I wouldn't know ... I am still trying to lose the first 100 LOL). I don't know if you've done all these things already, but take a look at this link ... it's short and to the point. Losing that Last 20 Pounds Hope it helps. ~F

Amy, I can understand your thinking when you decided to let this douche-bag do your surgery. Sometimes when we make up our minds to have lapband we are ready to do it NOW! Not always the best way to make a decision, but sometimes that's just the way it is. I get it. But, now it is time to get the H*LL out of there. You shouldn't have to fight with your doc for a fill. This is ridiculous. It is obvious that they don't know how the band works. smh ... Run for it Amy, find a surgeon that looks t you as a patient, not a dollar sign. mdhannant, I saw on your profile that you used Dr. Carson Liu. He is the doc that my PCP referred me to for my surgery. He is wonderful and so is everyone in his office! Lucky you! As it turned out, he was not on my insurance so I had to go elsewhere, but I remember him and his staff fondly. There is a doc in his office that had the surgery, she spoke with me at length. I was soooo bummmed to find out they were not on my insurance, so bummed.:w00t: ~Fran

I had surgery on Monday and I went back to work and sat for half a day on Friday. I was sooo glad to get home and lay down. But, by Monday I was back to my old self and the following Saturday I got my hair done. I wore comfortable clothing and was okay. Your incisions may still be tender so if you can wear a comfortable dress that might be preferable. Some people take longer to return to normal/semi-normal.

Yep, people are amazing. My ex-SIL told me that putting something foreign in your body like the band was "unnatural". I said "you mean like an artificial heart or hip replacement that save life and limb?" ... she just started speaking to me again last Friday. LOL!!! We work in the same building in downtown L.A. and rarely run into each other. When I saw her on Friday, she didn't mention all the weight I've lost. LOL She was alway bigger than me, and now she is even bigger. Oh well. I know a few people that had gastric bypass and gained back most if not all. But, that's not me and there is nothing that says that I have to follow in their footsteps. It is up to me alone to fail or succeed. What I put into it is what I will get out. A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~Herm Albright, quoted in Reader's Digest, June 1995

YAY Arittel!! So glad to hear you are on the mend. I love happy endings! LOL! ~Fran

Belle, you must be one of the nicest people on earth ... and I'm not being sarcastic. Or, I suppose, in the alternative, I must be really mean. LOL I don't consider for a moment that I have to "explain" to my server why I am not eating my meal. For one thing, I don't think they actually care, as long as I leave a tip. LOL Last weekend one of my neighbors was celebrating his birthday in the common area where I live. Just to be polite, I went over to say "happy birthday". Well, one of my other neighbors got it into his head that I should stay and Celebrate with them. I had been to the grocery store and was anxious to get upstairs and sautee my boneless, skinless chicken. Never knew I would be more excited about boneless, skinless chicken than enchiladas! LOL Anyway, Steve kept insisting that I have a drink/join him for enchiladas. Hmmp! I stood my ground and ever so politely (smiling all the while) kept repeating "Thank you, but no thank you. I am fine." He was getting really pushy and, admittedly, I was getting a little uncomfortable. But I remained polite and stood my ground. Sometimes it's not easy, but well worth the battle to get to goal weight. As for vomiting, I also scope out the restrooms when I arrive at a restaurant and more often than not will have Soup and/or a salad (salads seem to slide down easily for me). On occasion if I am very hungry I will order an appetizer as my meal, but sometimes they are hard to get down too. ~F

I have no regrets. I had gas pains that were no fun, but overall no complaints. You mentioned back problems and I can relate to that. I had back surgery in 2004 and since then developed spinal stenosis. The back surgery helped but with all the weight I was carrying I still had problems and had to have spinal injections and cortizone shots. BUT, since losing weight I am able to do so many things I couldn't do in the past. I am unable to run due to the screws in my back, but I can walk for MILES. I couldn't do that before. Lapband surgery did more for me than the back surgery and all the injections in my spine ever did. Good luck on your journey.

Arittel, I am so sorry to hear that you are in such pain and being IGNORED by medical professionals!! I cannot fathom this. Who ignores a person that is spitting up blood???? This is insane. Please continue to be proactive. Also, make sure that someone close to you knows what is going on in the event things get worse. Do you know how hard I fought to stay out of the hospital before I got my band??? Every time I turned around one of my docs was putting me in the hospital! I was begging to go home! And I WASN'T BLEEDING! But they kept me for what I am sure was more days than needed, running every test in the book! So what you are going through is really hard for me to imagine. You know your body better than anyone. Pay attention and trust your instincts. Don't suffer in silence, you are NOT being whiny or complaining about something minor. Please take care of yourself, because if something happens to you as a result of their negligence all they're going to be is "sorry". I pray that things get better for you soon. Please keep us posted. ~F

Cleo's Mom, You may have followed the rules ... but your original surgeon DID NOT. He did you a big disservice. The original poster of this thread is not talking about you or others like you. I am really sorry that you went through such a horrible experience and I wish you the best. ~F

My story is about the same: I can lose it ... again and again, just couldn't keep it off. But with my tool (i.e., lapband), when I lose my drive to "eat right" I can get back on track quickly because I have restriction. It is good that you are doing your research. Please keep reading so that you know and understand what the labpand does. It is a "tool" that helps us, we still have to do the work. But you will hear from me, and many others that it is well worth it. Good luck! ~F

Congratulations! It just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it! Keep up the good work! ~F

Congrats Kimmy and everyone else too! So nice to have a noticeable difference. This morning I put on a pair of slacks and a blouse for work ... I have been tired all week and not paying much attention to my attire ... whatever is easy, you know? But when I put these slacks on and headed for the kitchen to make Breakfast I noticed that they were dragging the floor. ??? I'm like what the heck??? Why are my pants so long? I don't remember them being this long before ... finally I took a look in the long mirror and noticed that they were big all over and the blouse too .. duhhhh ... This week I have only been making a cursory look in the mirror before rushing out the door to get my kid to school and me to work. I knew my pants were loose this week but THIS is getting ridiculous -- in the best possible way. YAY! I think a shopping spree is in order!

I agree, but ... I would add one more thing: LEARN ABOUT THE BAND: Understand that it is a "tool", not a magical device (you still have to participate in your weight loss); learn exactly how it works (i.e., without restriction you are the same as you would be without the band); it will not stop you from eating ice cream, Cookies and cake; it will not change you mentally and emotionally (that's part of the work YOU have to do - once you get this under control it will help you work with your band) ... ultimately, you need to read, read, read so you will know what to expect and then act on it. The band is a TOOL and it works if YOU work.

You're right, it is a struggle, especially when you don't have restriction. Sad to say you still have "bandster hell" to look forward to (unless you are one of the rare lucky ones - I wasn't). I would suggest that, if possible, you see an eating disorder therapist to help you sort out why/how you eat. It can be helpful to you while waiting to get to your "sweet spot". Also, a week out from surgery your body is still healing. The reason the docs give us a food plan is so that we don't do damage while healing. Don't beat yourself up. Do take whatever steps necessary to get the help you need to understand and help you eat healthier so that you can reach your goal. This is a great forum. Great suggestion/recommendations for any occasion. LOL Be kind to yourself. ~F

In your initial post you ended with "any ideas?" A myriad of experienced and caring people responded with support, recommendations and sympathy/empathy. You thanked everyone, but you also shot eveything down as not being possible for you. I said to myself "I think this is something he will have to work out on his own, right now it seems he can't hear anything others are saying." So, I decided not to respond until you posted this: "Obesity is a disease and according to research may even be brought on by a virus and it is contagious!!! It is not a habit, not a mental issue, and not cureable and may never be." I imagine you are speaking of the "adenovirus 36" which may actually be rewriting fat cells in children, causing them to gain more weight. I suggest you keep reading because even with the parts that could be valid it still does not apply to EVERYONE that is overweight. Not everyone is overweight because they have "a virus". Seriously? And, if it's so contagious why am I the ONLY "fat" person in my immediate family. Afterall, I shared a bedroom with my sister for many, many years as a child. When she got sick, I got sick (and so did my brother) and vice versa (measles, chicken pox, etc.) and yet today my sister is 5'6" and weighs 124 lbs. Hmmmmm, curiouser and curiouser. But okay, I'll bite, we have a virus and while it is not impossible for us to lose weight it will take work. Still, according to you "You are 100% right that you control what you put in your mouth. My point is you should not have to worry about that..." Seriously? You think that food/weight issues are the only thing that challenge people in life? How about the dyslexic? The person with dyslexia is NEVER, EVER going to see words the way you and I do. No one is going to change the way books are printed to suit them. Yet, they learn to read and write. Is it struggle? YES! But, they know they have this disorder and still they OVERCOME it no matter that they may struggle the rest of their lives. Overcoming their struggle enhances their lives (just as losing weight - no matter the difficulty - improves our health). So, even if I have a "fat" virus that makes losing weight a challenge, I think it is worth it to lose the weight, no matter the struggle. I also have spinal stenosis with NO option for cure. But you know what helps? Strengthening the muscles in my back. You know how I strengthen the muscles in my back? By doing PAINFUL exercises until my back is stronger AND THEN I continue to exercise so that the muscles STAY strong. Who said life had to be easy???? Hell, my back problems are just the tip of the iceberg ... but I won't go into that because IT DOES NOT MATTER. Life goes on and I, for one, am SO glad it does. I am happy and thankful for my life every single day. The good AND the bad. Do I wish I had the same attitude about food that my sister does? Sure. She can forget to eat for an entire day and think nothing of it. But hell I'm almost 55 years old. Where would I be if I had spent my life lamenting the fact that my sister doesn't even think about food while, during periods of my life, I could think of nothing else? If you want a reason to give up on yourself, you're not going to get it on this forum. No matter how much sympathy and/or empathy we may have for your plight, THIS is not the place to go to find people that believe that "all is lost". That's not what we are here for, not this site. WE come here to support each other and to help each other when we are struggling. We never say "okay, you're right, you should just give up". AND, we are NEVER going to believe that obesity is not curable, mostly because ... IT IS curable. So, you can bring every pseudo scientific study under the sun to this forum that you can find, but you will NEVER convince the HUNDREDS (if not thousands) of successful lapbanders that have lost hundreds of pounds, that there is ANYTHING they cannot achieve. Please know that I do not intend to be mean, but you struck a nerve with that comment about it being impossible to cure obesity. Pish-Tosh! LOL I sincerly wish you well and hope you have a happy life.

LOL, okay "outside", what do you mean by your kids got "boo'd" and why do you have to buy more candy so your kids and "boo" other kids???? LOL I've never heard of this, but it sounds fun -- for the kids -- lots of candy to be bought. LOL Please explain. :smile2:

My sister (who has always been thin, 5'6", 124 lbs) brought over a bunch of miniature halloween candy on Sat for the "kids" (they are 20 and 21). All the good stuff: reeses PB cups, almond joy, heath bars, bubble gum, snickers ... Initially I thought, "oh nooooo you didn't!" But, amazingly -- and I don't know whether to credit my band, or healthier eating or what -- but I ate 2, count'em 2 pieces of candy last night and that was it! I don't even know who that person was that could just eat 2 miniature candies and be done!!! I could have brought some to work with me this morning .. .I didn't ... I just ate a piece of fruit!!! OMG! I don't even know who I have become ... BUT I SURE DO LIKE HER! I will not pretend that I don't still enjoy chocolate candy. I don't use "willpower" and deprive myself. But, with the help of the band I am able to eat 2 miniature candies and be satisfied. For me, that is amazing. I am almost 16 months out and I am thankful every day (even on the bad days) that I have my band. I have been slow to get into the groove of healthier eating and consistent exercise, but I never gave up. And I continue to lose weight. Take heart newbies that are being challenged by halloween candy, in a year you may feel very differently about candy -- especially when you get to choose between a chocolate bar or a size 6 or 9 or 12 dress! LOL

You felt restriction after your first fill??? CONGRATULATIONS! I don't think I felt any restriction at all until maybe my 4th or 5th fill. You will be on your way to the sweet spot in no time! But seriously, if you compare yourself to others it is a slippery slope to self-sabotage. Learn everything you can about how this tool works. I have read here that people have been told that having the lapband was "taking the easy way out". Nothing could be further from the truth. It takes work, and your success depends on how much work (i.e., exercise, healthy eating, etc.) you put in. Some of us have physical issues that slow our progress, some have emotional issues (i.e., emotional eating, compulsive eating, sugar addiction, etc.), bottom line is you have to keep working at it. Don't give up. Your doctor has an eating plan for you, figure out how to make it work in your favor. (Unless you are like me - my doc would give me a fill and say "tomorrow eat solid foods, no alcohol, no dessert". LOL Funny, but true.) Take your time, learn what works for you and do it! The band takes time and effort. You can succeed. This forum has a lot of support, take what you can use and leave the rest behind. Oh, one more thing, when I kept gaining and losing the same three pounds ... I STOPPED WEIGHING ALTOGETHER. Now I only weigh at the doc office. I let my clothes do the talking. And, believe or not, they are talking prettly loudly lately. YAY! Don't let things psyche you out. Keep a positive outlook and surround yourself with supportive people. You can do this! All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

Glad to hear you are up and out. You know my doc has talked about that "strengthening the muscle" thing too. What I want to know is, how long will it take and how much walking do I have to do to get to that point. LOL Yeah, it's hard but I'm going to keep trying. My plan tomorrow morning is to park about a mile from my therapist's office and walk to my session then walk back. Wish me luck! :biggrin:

I totally agree with the previous posters. That gas pain can be a BEAR! I will add one thing, if you are not feeling well enough to return to work you might consider speaking to your doctor about giving you a written medical excuse/letter for a few more days off. Not everyone recovers quickly, so if you need more time and can take it, do so. I had my surgery on Monday and scheduled myself to return to work on Friday for half day. Fortunately, my workload was very light but I will tell you this, I was sooooo glad to get home after working half a day! I spent the weekend resting and felt much better on Monday. If you need more time, if at all possible, take it. Good luck. ~F

Have you considered using the Protein Shots to get more protein? They are 2.9 oz with 25 g. protein. It might help you have more energy and will also keep hunger at bay. You can take them temporarily, until you are able to drink more fluids. Hope it helps. ~Fran