atgoalgal

In my fouth year, and maintaining a normal weight, I recently did an interview "The 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-Band Surgery." This comes from the persective of looking back, 4 years after the fact. I've posted about it before but wanted to share the list. Here goes: 1. With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. 2. Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. 3. Don’t underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. 4. You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. 5. This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. 6. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. 7. If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery. If you are interested in the full interview, go to http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com and sign up for the audio or video download located on the right-hand side of the page, just below my before and after. Please let me know if you find it useful.

For those of you who got something out of my success story, I wanted to let you know that I recently did an interview "The 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-Band Surgery." This comes from the persective of looking back, 4 years after the fact. I've posted about it before but wanted to share the list. Here goes: 1. With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. 2. Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. 3. Don’t underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. 4. You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. 5. This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. 6. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. 7. If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery. If you are interested in the full interview, go to http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com and sign up for the audio or video download located on the right-hand side of the page, just below my before and after. Please let me know if you find it useful.

In my fouth year, and maintaining a normal weight, I recently did an interview "The 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-Band Surgery." This comes from the persective of looking back, 4 years after the fact. I've posted about it before but wanted to share the list. Here goes: 1. With a band, everything we have always known about how to lose weight finally works. 2. Finding the right surgeon is even more important than I realized. 3. Don’t underestimate the adjustable nature of the band. 4. You can eat a wide variety of the foods you love with a band. 5. This life-changing decision really impacts spouses, partners, and those close to you. 6. Learn from others who have bands and who have been successful. 7. If you do decide to have a band, prepare for surgery. If you are interested in the full interview, go to Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story and sign up for the audio or video download located on the right-hand side of the page, just below my before and after. Please let me know if you find it useful.

My mentor and friend Sandi and I recently started blogging about our experiences as long-term successful Lap-Band® patients. Sandi who has been maintaining a 250 lb weight loss with the help of her Lap-Band®, (yes, you read that correctly, 250 lbs lost, and maintaining) is writing about her experiences with plastic surgery. These are her tips for anyone considering plastic surgery after weight loss surgery. 1. Interview several doctors. You have to know what the possibilities are before you can make a selection that works for you. 2. Access is important - you will need follow up care for drain removal, etc. so you need to know before surgery how you will handle your follow up. 3. Experience with Weight Loss Surgery Patients is important. We come with our own unique challenges to plastic surgeons so the more surgery after weight loss your selected surgeon has done, the more familiar with our population your surgeon will be. 4. You must be totally comfortable with this doctor. You want someone who is compassionate, skilled and available. You are entrusting your life to this person as well as your emotional well being. If you want to learn more about her experiences, here’s the link to her first post about plastic surgery after WLS: Maintaining #002: Plastic Surgery After Gastric Banding Or……. To Nip And Tuck Or Not To Nip And Tuck

What I've always heard is to wait 4-6 weeks after your surgery. For me the time between getting my band, and getting good restriction was the hardest part. I felt "unbanded" although I wasn't feeling that way as early as you are. You are not missing an opportunity. It's really important to follow your doctor's insructions so that you heal corrrectly. I was self-pay too (although what I paid incuded all my fills, and visits - my doctor is super-committed to aftercare). I can tell you that I am not a patient person, and I hated the period of time waiting to get to good restriction. You also need to understand that it may not come with your first fill. That being said, I'm here to tell you that I'm in my 4th year, and maintaining a size 4. I love my band. You may want to check out my blog at: Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story . It's my way of paying it forward to the people who helped me out. Lots of people are telling me that it really helps to read my story and understand what I went through. Let me know how I can help.

Pretty cool; love the kid stories. It seems like a few of us following this thread have 8 year olds. It was definitely a wow moment, when my son (sho is now 8 of course - LOL, said he could wrap his legs all the way around me when I picked him up! NO REGETS!!! Kids are proud when I volunteer in school.

OMG, getting my band was one of the best decision I ever made. I'm in my fourth year, maintaining a healthy weight for over 2 years. What you need to understand is that this is a tool, and you need to learn how to work it. You need people to help guide the way, your surgeon's practice (especially their aftercare program), others who have bands and have been successful, support groups...I'm blogging about my journey, so is my mentor. The link is in my signature. I hope it helps.

BTW, I responded but didn't respond to you poll, I really think you need to answer some of the questions in my last post and talk with your doctor aobut your answers. That's where this decision needs to be made (based on my experience asking myself these question DOZENS of times). I hope my last post helps.

You GO GIRL! Based on your ticker, single digits are coming your way....

Firstly - you are doing GREAT - congrats I feel like I am the queen of fills after 3 1/2 yeras, so I have to answer your post. Sorry if it's long, lot's of info Tight in the am is common. You are losing weight, so you may want to hold off, if its easy enough to get back into your doctor if you feel you need to. that being said, here are some things to try to make sure you are being totally honest with yourself. 1) lunchtime or at dinner, try eating, 1/2 cup of plain (no food lube) chicken If you have a hard time eating it, you probably can wait. If it goes down easily, I would definitely consider a fill 2)What are you eating for dinner, have you eased up on follwing the rules of your band - i.e. food lube, liquids with food, Soup for dinner...; If so, it's probably not the fill, it's probably your choices. If you are following the band rules closely and are getting hungry early - make sure your doctor understands thiis specifically - (I was in the situation) 3)Head hunger vs. physical hunger. Soul searching required here. Has the excitement of the band, like the last diet you were on worn off? Can u distinguish physical hunger from head hunger. 4)Does your feeling of tightness fluctuate with your period; mine does, and it also seems to fluctuate randomly 5)Think really hard if another fill would make you too tight - been there, done that, NOT fun, but I needed to learn 6) Be super-honest when you talk with your doc; he/She needs all the facts to five you the best advice. Let me know if can help. Interested in hearing how this plays out... I think I'm going to blog about this topic... I have so lived this

Hey Guys, My opinion is that men have been under-served by the Banded community (I don't mean on this board, I mean in general - like you guys have to listen to women's issues at support groups..). That's the feedback I get from guys I've helped mentor. I need your help. I am in my fourth year since getting my band; been at goal for over 2 years, and my mentor and I want to share what we've learned. I'm doing a retrospective blog, beginning with when I first started explroing surgery. Here is the link to my blog Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story This is what I need a guys perspective on: 1. Is this site useful to you? 2. How can I make it a better experience for you? 3. Please go to the 7 Things I Wish I Someone Told Me Before I had Lap-Band surgery - Is This Useful to You; Am I Missing Anything That is Important to You? I really appreciate your input on this. Keep the feedback coming, brutal honesty please.

I love your honesty. I don't know if I was as honest with myself when I started my journey. What I can tell you now in my fourth year since surgery, and maintaining a normal BMI for more than 2 years, is that this tool can change your life, if you are willing to be honest with yourself, and really learn how to use this tool, and surround yourself with other people who are learning or have learned how to use the tool. I stayed "in the closet" about my surgery but decided that I needed to put my story out there, especially for folks like you on this thread, who need to know that there are successful people out there, who can help make the journey easier to navigate. Please check out my blog (it documents my journey from the time I first started thinking about WLS, exploring the options ( I was scared and confused), preparing for surgery, recovering,transforming and finally maintaining). I just started to post, so you can follow the journey. Please check out my blog at: http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com. Make sure to sign up for the download - 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-Band® surgery. There is also a list of grocery items to have on hand before LAP-BAND® surgery. I'd really appreciate if you guys would give me feedback on my blog - Is it helpful to you? This is a labor of love. Hey February folks - Good Luck on this phase in your journey! Just think, by valentines day next year, you'll be looking in disbelief at your before photos!

great question, great answers from everyone here. I'm in my 4th year since surgery and took a hard look back to answer this question, based on what I had learned over the years. Thought it was so important that my mentor and I actually did an interview on this topic. Follow this link to my blog to find it http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com/7-things/. I hope it's useful.

Glad you found it helpful. When I was first exploring surgery in 2005/2006, I found the process so confusing. It was hard to find people with long-term success. I really struggled between band and bypass. I am so happy to pay this forward. Was there anything in the 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Lap-Band surgery that surprised you?

I thought I'd put the list up here to make it easier to find: Protein shakes, and protein powders (taste–test and find the ones you like best before stocking up). Water Broth and other clear soups Clear, no-sugar added juices Sugar-free non caloric beverages (NO carbonated beverages) Light sports drinks Sugar-free popsicles Sugar-free jello Creamy soups Applesauce of sugar-free pudding cups (if, and ONLY if your doctor permits you to take your medications with a spoonful of these) Sugar-free hot cocoa Decaf and herbal teas Decaf coffee Chewable vitamins Small 2-4 oz plastic cups A strainer (for removing chunks from creamy soups) BTW, Intentionally didn't include anything about prescription or non-prescription meds, since you need to work that out with your doctor. It's also not a bad idea to have adult liquid tylenol - but talk to your doctor; you don't want to be taking tylenol with your prescription pain meds. If you find this useful, you can find more on my blog at Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story Good luck on your journey!

I'm reaching out on this pre-op board to see if I can help. You may have seen me on some of the other boards, if you are looking around like I did when I was exploring surgery. I've started a blog to pay it forward. My blog includes a list of grocery items to stock up on before surgery that my mentor and I put together. Here's the link: http://www.gloriasbandedliving.com/preparing-001-things-to-stock-up-on-before-the-day-of-gastric-banding-surgery/ If you do go to my blog, you can also check out the 7 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before Lap-band Surgery. :thumbup:My goal is to help others by sharing my story and my personal experiences. My deepest personal hope is that other people will find something in my journey that is useful. If you do check out my blog, please let me know if you find it helpful.

I've tried so many Protein drinks. Here are a few of my favorites - if you live near a trader joe's, try the worldwide protein - in a can. I perefer the 21 gram formula to the 35 gram forumula. The cans are great for on the go. I also make a smoothie that I really like as is not too sweet. I use Designer whey Brand Protein powder, a splash of soy milk, ice and sometime 1T of organic Peanut Butter. Run it through a blender (I love the magic bullet) with lots of ice for a thick, and in my opinion delicious smoothie. Keep in mind however, that when you are off liquids, you don't want to be drinking your calories, and the calories in a smoothie like the one I'm suggestion are a Meal Replacement. Let me know if this helps.

that's awesome. One of the things I learned on this journey is just how incredibly important it is to find the right surgeon with the right after care program. I'm convinced that it really ups your chances of success if you find a practice that you want to be a part of. Good luck!:eek:

Your story is like so many of us who have decided to get a band. Getting my band and learning how to use this amazing tool has put an end to my yo yo dieting. Best thing I ever did for my health, self esteem and quality of life. I was banded in So Cal - Ventura. I can't say enough wonderful things about my surgeon and his aftercare program. If Ventura or Thousand Oaks is an option, I would defintely recommend Dr. Helmuth Billy. You can also check out my blog. I'm in my 4th year and loving banded living. I've blogging my entire journey, going back to the time I first considered lapband surgery. I hope you find it useful. Here's the link: Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

from the main blog page, on the right hand side, beneath my before and after you'll see a box that says sign up and I'll email you my interview the 7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Lap-band surgery. I'm glad you liked what you saw. Would appreciate feedback on the 7 tips as well.

Boy was I scared. I had failed so many times before. You name the diet, I did it a few times. All I can say is that this really is different. If you haven't cheked out my blog - follow the links - I tried to be really honest about how I felt exploring surgery. You may also want to try the download - T Things I Wish I Knew Before Lap-Band Surgery. My mentor and I brainstormed about what we wish we knew before we started. Please continue to ask away.

I was seriously overweight since childhood. I spent most of my life life yo-yo dieting. On August 16, 2006, I got a Lap-Band. Learning to use this tool has helped me transform my life. I have been maintaining a healthy, normal weight for nearly two years now. I am now the fit girl at the gym. I am the active mom at school, I am the confident presenter in business, and I am a more loving wife, because I no longer carry the burden of my weight on my body and in my heart. I am a different person today, and I love “Banded Living.” I feel confident that I will be able to maintain a normal weight for the rest of my life. When I decided to get my band, I didn’t tell anyone except for my husband and a few close friends. I was afraid I would fail again. I was afraid of the stigma associated with being obese and “resorting” to weight loss surgery. I've decided to start a blog, sharng my journey from the time I first began exploring Lap-Band surgery. My goal is to help others by sharing my story and my personal experiences. My deepest personal hope is that other people will find something in my journey that is useful. Here is the link: Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story. Please let me know what you think.

I am on the east coast, so geographically I'm far away...but I'm in my fourth year. I can tell you that I really struggled with my decision. I recently started a retospective blog of my journey, starting with when I first started exploring surgery. Check out my blog. You may find some answers (link is in my signature line). You may want to download the 7 Things I wish I knew before lapband surgery from my blog. My mentor and I put that together to try and help others through this journey. Good Luck.

I applaud you. I didn't have the courage to share my story publicly when I first decided on surgery. I'm in my 4th year since surgery and decided to do a blog as a way of paying it forward and sharing my journey from the time I first began exploring surgery hoping that some of you who are earlier in your own journies would find it useful. It's a labor of love. Please take a look. I'd really appreciate feedback. Gloria's Banded Living — My Lapband Weight Loss Success Story

I had lost and gained 40, 50 pounds or more so many times, I struggled with this also. I was used to keeping a wide range of sizes in my closet. (I'm in my 4th year and have been maintaining for over 2 years). It took a while for it to sink in that this time it was different. I finally started giving my "fat" clothes to a close friend - I felt like I could get them back if I needed them. Also schedk to see if your support group has a clothing exchange. I also packed up boxes of my favorite, most expensive things and put them in the atttic. When I realized I had been maintaining for a year, I was finally able to let go and get rid of all my old clothes. It's a really weird experience, but it's incredible to realize that my favorite jeans are a pair I've been wearing for over 2 years, and they've never gotten tight. This band is really different than all those diets we've been on before. It can take time to get comfortable with that fact, but it's true! Best of luck!