GoingforGoal

Hello Again I too am a Master's Prepared Registered Nurse, Nurse Educator, and patient advocate. As nurses, we understand the importance of unbiased evidence and educating the public on complications to ensure they make the best medical care decisions for themselves. I am very receptive to learning about all the complications pertaining to the band and am aware these can arise at any moment. However, what we don't have going for us is strong or comprehensive statistics to truly gauge the following: 1) # of complications patient induced (noncompliance issues, preexisting conditions etc) 2) longevity of the band (old bands vs new bands) etc These forums are not an appropriate gauge for frequency of complications as most bandsters (and patients of any surgery for that matter) are not participating. So I am just inserting that there can be an offset in good vs poor outcome stories especially if you are only exposed to the stories from ex bandsters getting revised. Again, I have no qualms about any procedure. I do not claim the band is the best, just the best for me. I have alot of information to share, just want a fair opportunity to share it And if it makes you feel better, I know all about getting lost in the medical system (snicker). I reside in Canada, can we say socialized medicine was created to lose patients. (snicker)

Oh yes, that too ahhahah. That's the other thing. This is the time to prepare for winter/holiday sabotage ahha. I live off the principal of moderation. So I'm already prepared for that once a week gathering whether it be thanksgiving dinner, company party or or or. I eat pretty clean during the week to compensate for these high cal splurges. And I limit my splurging to that one dinner or event. I don't carry it out like the old days where I would say "ah hell, I messed up bad might as well eat more." lol Best of luck and HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Hello all you sleevers It's been fun getting acquainted with everyone from all the different forums. I am a bandster and wanted to reply to this post In no way am I going to minimize your experience- at all. I feel horrible that you have undergone so much pain and complications. That is not what you signed up for and I get that. I also understand that when we have poor experiences and outcomes we have nothing but our own experiences to share and typically use that experience to advise, educate and mentor others. But I want to stress that these severe complications are still in the minority. I don't know what it is, but our bodies are unique enough that some will accept while others will reject everything from foreign objects, organ donations, and a long list of surgeries. It's complete crap when our bodies don't 'cooperate' but for many, these procedures are still live saving and they suffer no complications. It's how the dice rolls as they say. I will not try to sound off as any expert when it comes to the sleeve or bypass procedures. But they too pose their own risks and issues, some temporary some long term and some unique unto themselves that bandsters would never suffer. Not trying to compare/contrast, nor take the position the band is better/best. Just that no matter what surgery we have, we must be diligent to the fact that complications can arise. I wanted to chime in mostly because after speaking w/ many sleevers this past week, I have an impression that they have heard nothing but the horror stories with the band. But with this site merger, I think it's important that everyone understands that there are many successful bandsters (me me me lol) and newbies who are either getting or have recently had a band placed and we are in need of support just as much. Please take the time to listen to their stories, their successes and understand that there are just as many good stories, if not more. (One last note of the day (snicker) Also remember that many band failures are not band related, rather patient induced. Just like with other wls, if you are noncompliant you can't blame the doc, can't blame the apparatus/procedure. Each surgery has rules. We were all educated on the rules, the risks etc and despite this, some will fail themselves in the process. So please let there be a distinction between random and patient-induced complications because I feel there is a huge gap between the two). Thanks for listening. Best of luck in all your wl goals.

Hi Frederic, It's not uncommon for people to gain during the winter months. My speculation is that we stay indoors more. Which means we have alot more down time to contemplate things like food, hunger etc. Head hunger, boredom etc lends to more snacking or eating more frequently/off schedule that we are normally accustomed to. This is when you need to get busy, new hobby perhaps. Sometimes we don't notice how much more sedentary we become. This is not saying you were uber swamped, were an exercise nut and can never find time for meals. Rather, simply getting out for lunch meetings, going to stores more frequently, visiting friend or having weekend plans kept you busy enough that meals worked around your life rather than the opposite. Just be mindful of any of those subtle changes and make up the lost time/busyness.

Yep, sounds like they'll fit you for a CPAP And you are absolutely right, it's a check box for insurance approval. I too was lower BMI and when I got diagnosed w/ sleep apnea, that was my only comorbidity and was enough to get approved.

I am proud to say that I was able to put a sports bra on, a size small shirt (just testing to see if I would need a totally new size wardrobe) and my jeans on for the first time (although they are my larger ones adn I cant button them fully because of tummy swelling). Went to the corner store to get out of the house (literally 5 min drive), walked around and bought a few essentials and returned home. I almost felt human again lol. Recap on healing: Breasts- Funnily enough, my breast lift and implants are the least of my worries. There is a stiffness from the implants stretching the muscles but the most significant thing I am focusing on is how unusual they look. I got 550cc impants which are pretty huge (lol). They are very high on my pecs and will take months to settle in and look normal. But after putting my shirt on today, at least I didn't feel/look dysmorphic the way I was preparing for. I'm eager to see what everything looks like in 1 & 2 months but so far so good. Tummy Tuck/Lipo- ok so this reminds me of my previous 3 c-sections. Same kind of pain/restriction. The doc does complimentary lipo on the flanks but told me he really didn't need to do much. This area (lipo area) hurts the most and is the most bruised. So when standing or laying down, I feel pain here before anywhere else. But I've been up and walking since day 1 and it's getting less and less painful each day. Arm Lift- I can't say it enough. I am already 100% pleased w/ my arm lift. Although it is tight, I really can't appreciate the swelling. My arms looks exactly the way I want them as an end result. Disregard the scars which are wrapped in tegarderm and have blood from day 1 so I have no clue what they look like yet). I feel the most pain right at the elbow and the armpit where the incision starts and ends when I try to gently push up when standing up. Other than that I'm not aware of the arms. HooHaa- Ok had to add this. I asked the doc if it was possible to lift the pubis area and he said he would. I just want to say I love my new hooha. Enough said ahha From day one I took pain meds on schedule, but am now taking it no more than twice a day, but always once before going to bed for a better nights rest. I also take colace and a muscle relaxant. I do have nausea meds but only took it once the day after surgery. I no longer feel nauseous. I take the mus. relaxant to just help the pecs relax so the implants can fall into place. I don't actually feel muscle tension and/or spasms. I am surprised how mobile I am. I am nto in as much pain as I thought I would be having so much surgery done in one procedure. I thougth w/ the arm lift I would not be able to use my arms to assist, but that's not the case. Naturally I limit their use, but I can still do small things on my own. I get lots of rest, but make sure to walk periodically. I am walking straighter each day. Naturallly I check up on my LBT friends and want to share the process with those considering cosm. surgery. Although I will post pics, it will be awhile. Day 1 pics will not inspire anyone to get CS. So I will wait a month and share ALL my progress pics as to not scare anyone away lol. Hope everyone is well

Eating her popsicle ... I don't get it (ahahhahaha)

Twig or berries ahhahaha I'd say berries, you have a back up <snicker>

Oh my! Beautiful...

LOL All I saw was... one GOOD thing I have to say positive... next week, I will not have the time Oh I am so going to be online next week 24-7 soaking in the quiet

hahah Can't help it, just got a boob job (I'm just playing of Nana's reference of giving it tit for tat) lol

Whhhhhaaaatttt? Condescending? Say it isn't so. We are too stupid to be right. Better ask NaNa hahahaha PS Having a great band today? How's everyone doing with their bands/sleeves/bypasses

Do you sleevers have elite level sleevers? Man, I hope to get there one day. I wonder if the administrators send us a gold plated pen?! I will flash my shiny pen in your faces, everyday, because us elite bandsters can do that you know ahhaha

HAHAHAH Amanda, we are dramatic arent we hahahah. I personally see it as a great distraction to food and has kept me in tip top shape LOL (jk) It's not normally like this. We are having a..um... flare up if you will. The fire just won't die.

AHAHAHAH AHHAHAHHHAHAHAHHAAH (chocking on slime) AHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAH Nana, your crap is worse than getting stuck. OKOKKO on a serious note, and this is for the sleevers and bypassers. There is no reason you can't venture in OUR TERRITORY, and give US advice, or comment on our ARROGANT attitudes. (Was that enough caps NaNa?) Because in the end, we talk about a wide variety of issues and they are not exclusive to one surgery type or another. Case in point, this post is all about NaNa's tirade on giving and getting advice. Clearly this is not a 'for bandsters eyes only' kind of post. One must remind my dear delusional friend, that if you put it in public it's for the public's viewing. So may I kindly request all nonbandsters to please frequent our posts and join in the conversations. I'd love your insight/feedback. And disregard any pushback you get. We are not 'teams' playing surgery wars. I'm far to consumed with the tit for tat game to indulge in that MUAHAAHHAHAHA

May I add how wise, beautiful and open minded you are Seela. You bring up a valid point. Sometimes we just need to exercise some introspection to understand why we finally find ourselves standing in a circle of haste. No problem saying sorry or doing some damage control. It's what we do when we have humility and are mature to admit either our mistakes or that we were in a funk and acted inappropriately. PS I <3 my small town girls

I think you doled out your fair share of abusive and insulting slanderous comments yourself "Angel". We only need to look at THIS post to see the beast rearing it's ugly head once again. Exmple: What does coming from a small town have anything to do in respect to the band or sharing opinions? Pretty damn vile insinuation here. As if the only open, liberal, rational and educated people come from cities. I dont' think anyone shares where they are from, you are just assuming, because that's what prejudice people do. They stereotype and discriminate based on their generalized assumptions. Yet you are the one so elite, intelligent and superior that we should all soak in whatever you have to say. No thanks! In my town (big or small is none of your business) we call your type bat shit crazy. Tit for Tat my dear, most of us know the game well.

Great, you'll fit right in. I just had to make it obvious because there are some who are 'sensitive' to everything so, ya know... Anyway, I think it's equally comical the bypass and sleeve patients are chiming in ahahha. It's not rocket science but it sure feels like it some days lol. Thanks for joining our comedy relief stage, we always like improv the best

You look fabulous. Great job on all your hard work AND maintaining for an equal amount of time. I too miss Pig Outs, but I have learned to love the fact that when I indulge I no longer have a desire to overindulge. What a difference a silly lil band can make ey? Congrats again

This is where sliders are actually used in a positive manner. I typically eat dry or thick meats with some kind of low cal sauce that gives the meat just enough moisture that it doesn't coagulate into a solid mass when sitting in the pouch. Examples are chicken cacciatore (tomato sauce, onion and peppers), tuna/chicken/egg/turky salads and hamburger bolognese, I deduct the calories but rarely does that pose an issue. I never have issues with meats when I prepare them this way.

I think it's a valid discussion to talk about post weight loss reality. I've been overweight my entire life, I had nothing to compare to. However, after being 100+ lbs overweight for a good duration of my life, I had expectations I would have lax skin etc. So when the weight finally dropped off, again, no surprise that I was left a fistfuls of skin where fat once lived. But I was not prepared for how it made me feel. That lose skin made spanx a requirement just so my body shape was not oddly distorted. That lose skin still made me feel overweight 1) because there was still mass where they shouldn't be and 2) I still felt restricted (like wearing tank tops or a dress was a NO) That lose skin was just a daily and permanent visual reminder of where I was. Now you can flip these into positive thoughts, however... I think (just from my perspective) there comes a point when you lose all your weight, and you maintain and you finally BEAT the battle of losing weight once and for all and it's time for a new chapter. I didn't want the daily visual reminder. I was so frustrated with getting to goal and still feeling just as self conscious as I did 100 lb heavier. I wanted my new life to give me not just my health, but the mental freedom to no longer worry about my physical self. Cosmetic surgery was a must and that was the final phase of my journey. It gave me everything I just described. Sure I can nitpick on my body, but there is absolutely nothing I dread or won't expose even nekkid. I put clothes on now without spanx and I wear dresses (never did my entire life) and I know everything looks great. Perfect nah...but that's NOT the goal. Being comfortable in your own skin is important. Some can do that with excess skin, especially if it's not bad. For others, it means getting rid of skin to be comfortable in it (smirk). I hope this discussion just brings some awareness so everyone is prepared one way or another. This is a very real consequence of losing heaps of weight. Nothing will ever take away the + side of being thin. This all comes down to aesthetics, but I was just taken back by how much those aesthetics made an impact on my overall feeling of success. Love ya saggy and all

She doesn't realize you are responding to me. This is the BEST feature ever- ignore someone and they no longer see your posts even though you can see and respond to theirs. LOVE this feature (snicker) Lipstick, don't take anything NaNa says personally. It's always asinine to assume someone knows less than them and than challenge them to prove their knowledge as a way to imply they are stupid. She's still on her high horse... And yes, everyone, follow your doc's orders ahahhahaha

Wait wait wait a minute. Nana said our stomach's are banded...which means? anybody anybody? That the food does NOT sit in our esophagus afterall. This thread is completely entertaining because as long as she wants to insert her attitude and/or misinformation I feel compelled to moderate this nonsense

I actually did it, and it's my first! And not only did I try bikinis on, but I stepped out of the dressing room to see what the hubs thought at that. Just crazy I tell ya. Since I just recently had cosmetic surgery I hesitated between a bikini and full body. My biggest insecurity are the arm scars. But I figured you could see those no matter which one I wore so I'm taking a gamble Anyway, I got a whole education on how to fit a bikini today (thank you sales associates!) and feel confident that I and the girls will be looking our best on our upcoming trip to Florida and the Bahamas. (Now someone play the steel drums, I'll pour the rum&punch)