goddesscordelia

Hi! I had lap band surgery 6 yesrs ago and am thinking of switching. I'd love to hear from some vets who've switched if you're willing! Thanks! Btw. Lost 100lbs, need to lose another 80.

I weighed 308 in November 2011: 300 on the day of my revision to sleeve 12/11/11
I hit my personal goal of 158 in Feb 2013
Today April of 2014 I weighed 145.
I feel very successful with the sleeve after 10years of poor results with the band....never got under 200# when banded.

After my first year when I'd cough and cough to get something out- now I just do the unglam thing and stick my finger in my mouth until I "expel" what's stuck. Then it's usually back to liquids for the rest of the day
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Sorry if this sounds jaded- it has been 4 years for me- I've learned how to handle it quietly in the bathroom- took a while but glad I did
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Sorry if this sounds jaded- it has been 4 years for me- I've learned how to handle it quietly in the bathroom- took a while but glad I did
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

It stands for productive burping- not sure who came up with that stupid term but it refers to when you expel particles and material that gets stuck in your band and the stuff that's in you pouch above it
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Meet my sweet condom baby

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I wish it was tighter at night!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Well, to my mind the Protein focus of a bandsters diet does compete with the veggies a little bit - for me personally, especially having had bowel cancer, I am NEVER going to eat all my meat to the exclusion of vegetables. I always mix my Protein and my vegies on my fork.
If i make a smoothie - usually with an Optifast base, I always add frozen spinach. Makes it green or a weird colour if you have red fruits like berries, but its pretty much tasteless and adds a good whack of nutrition - I have a Vitamix, so it gets blended up to no texture at all.
I eat lots and lots and lots of Soup, soup that I make myself with fresh vegetables. Soup would be my lunch four or five days of the week and probably for dinner once or twice too. I often eat things like baked Beans on toast for lunch. I always add things like kidney Beans, chick peas and/or loads of finely grated veggies to a bolognaise sauce, when we eat Pasta, I usually skip the spaghettie and have mine on stirfried zucchini ribbons.
I make so much effort with veggies because I just really dont like fruit much.
Trouble is, my diet is a more carb focussed, higher fibre diet, which I need with my particular health issues. Red meat is linked to bowel cancer and things like ham and salami are off my diet forever. So I probably get less protein than a lot of bandsters. However, I lost 130% of my excess weight fairly easily, have kept it off for years and dont have any problems related to lack of protein.

I love my mom and I know she loves me very much. I told her again today how her words make me feel. She replied with saying how I always told her I was overweight. But she understood that she stepped outside of her boundaries. She didn't apologize but she did tell me that she loves me very much and she lives for me and my two brothers. She said that everything she's ever done in her life was for us. She said that she lives and breathes for me and loves me greatly. I don't think she will bring up my weight in a negative manner again. I could never cut my mother out of my life. I agree with the user who said something about her saying things like this for me to try and and lose weight, but it's just the opposite. It makes me sad and frustrated and makes me wanted to bake cupcakes! I told her how she always complained about my weight and I could tell she felt remorse. I know that deep down she wants me to be a healthy and beautiful individual. Sometimes, our emotions get the best of us. She's said many beautiful and loving words to me and has been very supportive, however like I said in an earlier post, these are the words I'll never forget she said. I'll forgive her though.

Cut her out. It took me 3 years after my band
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

To cut my mom out. She has to be nice to me and my kids or she is cut off. She is toxic. My mother has always been mean to me about my weight too ( not as bad as yours though). I would also suggest therapy. Love yourself enough to set boundaries with her or get help doing it.
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Meet my sweet condom baby

-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I have friends who tease my husband about other guys wanting me now that I "look so good." They mean it all in fun. I make sure my husband knows how much I love him. He is the one who has loved me through "thick and thin." It doesn't take much to reassure someone that you love him, especially if it is true.

I don't think I'll ever get mine out- talk to me in 10 years!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

If you just had surgery, it might be a risk but otherwise your fine.
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I don't think I'll ever get mine out- talk to me in 10 years!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I don't think I'll ever get mine out- talk to me in 10 years!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I don't think I'll ever get mine out- talk to me in 10 years!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

I don't think I'll ever get mine out- talk to me in 10 years!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Hey all. I've been banded since April 09,2009. I have went from 255 pounds down to 125 pounds. I no longer have diabetes 2, high cholesteral, high blood pressure, no longer sleep with oxygen or a cpap. I move around more and have less pain. I'm doing things I would have never even tried before surgery...like trying to climb to the top of a rock wall AT THE FAIR, yes IN PUBLIC. II'm 44 y/o and moving more than I did in my 20s. I've went from a size 4x top to a girls size 16 a 24w pant to a size 2 in adult or a size 16 girls, my hoodie is a boys size 10. From granny panties to cute boy short panties and a 44DDD to a size 34 A, even my feet and fingers are thinner. I eat better, sleep better, hurt less try and do more than I ever have. I still love food and cooking but am more likely to try new foods, recently I tried calamari..love it and escargot...can take it or leave it...I actually like the taste3 of some vegetables I would never have eaten like carrots..since I've changed my lifestyle and eating habits they are sweet now not bitter like before. I can walk all day without getting tired and I take the stairs not the elevator. I no longer have pain shots once a month as the pain I have is bearable without the extra weight on. I want to thank all the old timers that helped me pre and post band. The best advice I got from them was top remmeber this is a new lifestyle not a new diet, food can still be enjoyed even the rare sweet. Don't limit your diet, limit your intake. PEACE AND HUGGLES!!
Bonnie

Im far from Goal....but today I went to weigh in with my nutrionast.....and I weighed 173....a year ago today I was 257.8....
I cant tell you all how good I feel now...Im doing things with my children I never tought Id be doing..
A yr ago when this date came up I almost called and cancelled it thinking...look at me and at my age...its to late....well am I ever glad I kept that appt...It was a life changer....
It hasnt always been easy...at the begining I couldnt walk to check my mail with out huffing...and I would of never thought of getting down on the floor to do exercizes....now I can easily walk 3 miles..I use a stationary bike and do floor exersizes.
Thank you all who share your stories be they good or bad...they all help me...and I want to thank my sister who keeps me pushing....Its been a great year...I have 49 lbs to be at goal...so still walking...
thanks all

I told next to no one the specifics of my surgery. I told my work I was having surgery and left it at that. For people who asked what I had surgery on, I said my stomach and no one pushed any further! I chose to keep it private because I didn't want to hear anyone's opinions. I didn't want people to ask me how things were going, because if they weren't going well I knew I wouldn't want to talk about it! I didn't want people talking about me and my decision to have surgery and my successes/failures behind my back. I had the surgery for me and it was no one else's business! Once my weight loss became noticeable, people began asking how I was doing it, and mostly I would say small portions, high Protein, low sugar and exercise! Now that I have been quite successful, I'm more comfortable with sharing, but I am glad that I kept it so private in the early days!

Ive talked to people who told everyone, some few people, and no one. Do what feels right - as long as YOU are supported. Also, even though the medical procedure is short, the recovery may not be. Just follow your gut!
-Cordelia, banded 1/08

Call your doc about flipping. My first port was very intrusive. I had to have revision surgery for a different reason and my doc put in a new smaller port. Much better.
-Cordelia, banded 1/08