greytz

I had some doubts as with any surgery but I was so focused on losing weight and getting healthier I truly was ready no matter what. I believe it is normal to second guess yourself on any big decision you make in your life. I had a rough patch in the very beginning because I came out of the hospital with stomach flu. It was when I thought what the He--? But after that, I do what I am told by my surgeon and work at it. I have absolutely no regrets and I love my band. I would not have it any other way.

Yeah for you! That is so inspiring! I will be on a plane the first week in Sept. and that was one of the things I said on another thread that I can't wait to see. The last time I was on one was in May09 and I could barely click without asking for the extender. I was praying I wouldn't have to ask. I sat down, pulled the seat belt all the way over and it barely clicked. I had to suck it in and it wasn't pretty. I think this time it will be different even with 25lbs. gone. I have lost inches also, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. I have decided not to shop in the big girls stores anymore and wait but I am retired so it is easier for me. Congrats! That is such a milestone!

I believe it is every person's personal decision. I weigh myself every morning for my own specific reasons. One of them is that I have hypothyroid disease and I can gain 2 or 3 pounds or more in one day. It helps me determine by what I ate the day before what to stay away from right now. Doesn't mean I will forever just in the beginning of my journey to help me right now. It also helps keep me focused as it seems to help a lot of us on this forum. I know I will be weighing in that morning so I am careful the day before. It has become a ritual for me that I actually look forward to now. I use the scale the same way I use the band. As a tool. I don't obsess over it if I backslide a little, I just pick myself up dust myself off and move on to the next day. I don't think that is a bad thing at all. And isn't that why we are all here? To lose weight? The scales to me are an important part of that endeavor.

Hey Erin, glad to hear from you and you are finally banded. Congrats! The gas will go away and you will be fine. Try the gasx strips and again as bashful said, walk a lot. You will do great. Keep posting so we know how you are doing.

I think I was pretty prepared for everything except the shoulder pain. Mine was severe but I used heat and it really helped. Other than that, I really didn't understand the timing between my first fill and my surgery. I knew all about it but until I experienced it, I didn't understand how difficult it would be. This forum has helped me through it so much. When I get the urge to eat or get depressed, I come on here and type or read. It really helps. I am good now and so glad I got banded. My weight loss is a little slow but I am anxious to hit that sweet spot. Good Luck and let us know how your surgery goes once you feel up to it.

I had very severe shoulder pain for about a month. I began to get worried it would not go away but it did finally. I use a trick my Mother-in-Law taught me years ago. Take an old pillow case and cut it to the size and shape you want to fit your shoulder and sew all three sides. Fill it with uncooked rice about 1/2 to 3/4 full. Sew up the fourth side and place it in the microwave for about 2 mins. Place on shoulder. It really helps and you don't need an outlet and if you fall asleep with it it doesn't matter. I have several different shapes and sizes. They work great for lots of areas like that and are economical. Good Luck.

I don't think there is hardly a soul who doesn't rethink their decision right after they are banded. I too had constipation and got kind of worried after a week went by. Finally it came and I am more regular now that I have ever been my whole life. I am sure due to the fact I am eating properly. For me, the band is much more than the physical. It is a state of mind. I know I went through a lot to get it and spent a lot so, it keeps me in check. I have never regretted it but definitely second guessed myself at first. You will be fine. It takes a little bit to get out of the woods after surgery and then it is like your head clears and you think, wow I am so glad I did this!

It is temporary. I was actually afraid to come out of the mushy stage and I told my doctor. She was like "you have to start solids, you will lose weight". So I did what she said and sure enough, I started losing weight. I am very careful and portion my food and I still get hungry but I just ignore it. I also eat at the same time every day as close as I can. It really helps. Are you getting enough protein? 50 grams a day or as close to it as possible? Also, it is just temporary and when you get a fill, your world will be different. Things are ok. You still have significant weight loss even though some of it was pre-op it is all good. Hang in there.

It's one of the hardest stages but hang in there and be prepared because depending on when your first fill is there is a ways to go. When you start soft solids is when it really kicks in but I just portioned out my food and ate no more than that. My stomach growled but I just let it growl. I tried to do things to keep my mind off of it. I came on here a lot and wrote some. I also got out of the house and went to the Mall (shopping therapy). I love tuna and chicken so it was kind of easy for me but you can mush up sweet potatoes, peas, there is cottage cheese, yogurt, jello, also stuff liked refried beans or I liked the bushes original beans. There is also regular mashed potatoes, etc. Do you have a Magic Bullet? They are supberb for this stage. You can get them at Walmart or Bed, Bath and Beyond. Good Luck!

Congrats on being banded! Keep us updated on your progress.

Jennifer, I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I am 51 so I can relate. I have told this story before on here but I am going to tell it again because it kind of feels good to get it off my chest (and my butt, etc. Ha Ha). My older brother's wedding was May 23rd. I knew it was going to be a swank affair. I spent money on my hair, nails, clothes right down to the shoes. I really wanted to look as nice as I could. I went thinking I looked good. Within the first few hours, I felt like a complete frump and just faded away. There were loads of "beautiful people" there from LA, New York, you get the idea. There was so much bling I practically needed shades. Anyway, the photographer they had hired stayed through the wedding and even into the night for the party afterward at the house. I noticed he kept away from me and felt that was fine. But, unfortunately, everyone else noticed too and kept dragging him over. I finally had to go upstairs to get away and cried my eyes out the rest of the night while everyone else was partying. The bride just recently sent me pictures of the wedding including the entire wedding album on email. I was in two pictures out of 271. That about says it all. I went to my last seminar on May 27th and was banded on June 17th. I don't regret a moment of being banded and can't wait to reach my goal and then have my picture taken. I am actually going to use one of the two pictures for my before photo. LOL

I am so sorry you thought I showed a negative attitude towards being overweight. I think I was saying quite the opposite. What I was trying to say is and as I stated before just my opinion: I believe I am still the same person deep down inside that I was before. I just approach things a little differently since I have been overweight. I was trying to say how much I appreciate the people on this site and yes some of them are funny, intelligent and from the pics I have seen beautiful too. But yes, I am embarrassed to be overweight and I am working toward my goal of thinning out again. I will not be as thin as I once was, but I am older now and don't expect that. But I am still me. That is why I have a strong marriage for the last 20 years. It's not about what's outside necessarily.

Congrats on your band! I figured if I didn't die on the table I was ok. Seriously though, my biggest worry was anesthesia but since then it was blod clots and infection. I do have blod clots (5 of them) but they were from a damaged vein that the nurse used for my IV. The things my surgeon looked for afterward on my follow up were redness at the injection site and swelling where I shouldn't have it. My follow up was about 3 weeks after surgery. Not saying there aren't complications associated with the band. But I was wondering were the deaths due to Gastric By Pass or the Band? Also, there may have been a lot of other medical conditions and complications that the patients had that caused their passing. It is unfortunate when you read about problems with WLS but try not to dwell on them and concentrate on getting well and beginning your new life. Good Luck!

RM, I am so happy for you. The fact that you could have a day of total abandon and then get right back into the routine the next day. That is wonderful! When I hear interviews of people who have lost a lot of weight and someone asks them how they do it, most say they may be bad one day and then get right back to eating right the next day. It keeps you sane and allows you to do a little bad without ruining everything. But, you should be so proud of yourself for going back to your routine. These things may seem small but to me they are a true testament to your committment to your bandlife. I am 51 and like you struggled for a long time and already I feel so good. I had a small victory today. I was able to wear a blouse that I only wore under another shirt without anything over it and I looked good! I went to put it on and had my other shirt laid out to put on over it and thought, wow this feels loose. So I went to the mirror and couldn't believe it! It was good. I wore it to the mall with my hubby and we went to visit my girlfriend who is a great supporter by the way (she is beautiful and thin) but our age. She just couldn't get over how I looked. It felt fabulous. Anyway, you are a wonderful supporter for people on this forum including me and a lot of us look to you for your ideas and thoughts on things. You are doing great! Keep up the good work!

I have completely cut out everything fast food and my diet cokes whiched I loved and consumed a lot of. I tried a drink of my husband's diet coke the other day and almost gagged. Yuck! Good Luck to you and hooray for your positive changes.

Definitely hard work no matter how you look at it. And RM is right, we have all done the diet yo-yo and most more than likely have failed or they wouldn't be banded. I am one of those. Also, I had not been able to lose weight for a long time and now I have already lost 25lbs since being banded. I am working hard to see that it continues. For me, it is also a state of mind. I went to all the trouble and expense of the band and I really, really want to make it work.

Congratulations on your band. My thoughts are this: I grew up skinny all my life and did not gain weight until I was in my early forties and then slowly and steadily until I am where I am now at 51yrs old. Other than the fact that I have matured through growing older I am still the same person inside with just a few changes which are, my insecurities obviously grew when I began to gain weight and I began to make excuses for my weight, etc. I also changed in the way I approached people, bought clothes and ate particularly in public. They were not good changes but necessary in my mind. I don't think anyone on this forum thinks of themselves as not funny, smart or beautiful. But it is a place to speak my fears, thoughts, motivators and share ideas and to get much needed support from people who are in the same process. I have met some wonderful and interesting people on this site and feel blessed to have known them even if it is just through email.

RM, when in Nov.? Our's is on the 16th. It is an unusual month to be married. I loved it. We still love it because it kind of opens up the holiday season.

I have been married for 20 years and when I was first married I was much much thinner. My husband has also had medical problems. We have stood by each other through more than some people do in a lifetime. We have an extremely strong marriage and love and support each other through everything. When I first decided to embark on this journey, I talked to him about it. About every thought that was running through my head. When we were through, he was so supportive and for anything that will possibly give us more years together. For us, it isn't necessarily about how we look but about how we are together. I am so glad I have him in my life. If you have a strong marriage and your husband supports you then you have no reason not to take it at face value.

Good Luck and keep us informed of your progress.

Good Luck and keep us informed of your progress!

A lot of times people are afraid of what they don't understand and are afraid for you and it comes out like they are being critical. Maybe you can email them the video that shows the procedure and what it takes to go through this. If you feel they are worth the effort. If not, ignore it and move on. You have so much healing to do and so much other things to do that are important to your success that you can't dwell on what the naysayer's think. If they are family, I hope they come around for you. It can be miserable being around them if they are negative all the time. Good Luck.

There are so many people in my life as I am sure in all of yours. Unfortunately, if you think about it there are a lot of posts on here of people who have a really hard time getting through this process mentally and physically. As I am sure there are jealous friends and acquaintances I think we also must look at the psyche of the person who is displaying the bad behavior. It must really be difficult for them particularly if they have shared their life with you during the time both of you are overweight. Even though you have had fun together and felt comfortable with each other, there was a certain sense of sharing an insecurity which sort of bonded you together. Deep down just about anyone who is overweight is insecure but it isn't discussed just secretly shared. Now, all of the sudden we have decided to break out of that shell, shed our insecurities and do something monumental about our weight. Your friend, co-worker, family member all of the sudden has to accept the fact that you are no longer the same person inside and out. You can't possibly be if you are going through this process. In my mind, you have to be changing (for the better of course). That must be a huge shock to the people around us. For the people who are secure in themselves, it is a good thing and they will support you, but unfortunately for the people who are not secure, it will be a bad thing and they will not support you because they do not know how and cannot fathom what we are doing. For those people, you may not ever have the same relationship again. I think it is important not to get defensive about it and either move on or try to understand how the person who is on the outside looking in must feel. Just as you are going through a life change, so are they. It makes them look in the mirror and think why her, why not me? or now I have no one who knows how I feel. I have too much to look forward to and too much at stake to use up your energy on the negativity of a failed relationship. I hope my friends who don't believe in what I am doing come around but if they don't so be it. The funny thing is, most of my friends are thin and a few of them feel just the way a couple of the overweight ones do and don't want me to get thin.

I have insurance and from my phone call to the surgeon to the surgery date was less than a month. I was really motivated though and did all my preop in one day and stayed on top of the insurance company. Also, it depends on your surgeons schedule. My surgeon had a cancellation on my surgery day and worked me in.

That is so fabulous!! Congrats to you on your accomplishment. I am sure you can make it to your goal. I am 13 pounds away from onderland and cannot wait. Good Luck! Way to Gooooo!!!!!!