Ladybandito

To help, try to stay busy. Read. Walk. Play video games. Eat sugar free Popsicles. Remind yourself it's only 4 days. You can do it, really!

Um, no. It is not normal. Now that you have, straighten up for the duration.
Sorry if I'm too blunt; no offense intended.

I feel for you Becky. Pre and post op were the worst for me and I live alone so no one was cooking if I wasn't cooking. I'm in awe of you and others who stick to the program when others are in the house and seemingly eating all the time.
I don't have much in the way of suggestions...you just have to get through this...and be able to say no even after you are eating real food again.
All I can do is show you my before/after pic. I'm down almost 130 lbs. and that's only a few lbs. less than your goal. If it helps, try to put yourself in the after pic and know that this could be you in 18 months.
Hang in there and good luck on your weight loss journey.

I hear this all the time....."So What if it is the easy way" What does it matter to anyone else? Only thing I care about is the end result for me...
Should I suffer because it's too easy?
People drive their cars to the store 6 blocks away...why don't you do it the natural way and walk? No...they'll drive because it's easy...
People do things everyday, all day, because it's easy.....but when it comes to weight loss, Oh no...you're not allowed to take the easy way?
The fact is I did do something to correct a serious medical condition....having surgery to make that correction was not an easy decision, knowing it would permanently make a physical un-natural change to my body, thus changing the way I eat for the rest of my life....
Best decision I ever made...
Yet somehow I am "Cheating"?????.....WHO CARES! And why should others care?
Let others think what they want....I did what was best for me and those around me....easy or not....other people can do what they want...if they want to, and are able to do it the "natural" way, then more power to them....I won't criticize their methods.....it's a free world
I for one, am not afraid to admit I could not do it the "natural" way...tried and failed countless times and my health was suffering because of it....
Surgery was the last resort...I wish I did not have to go through this, but I did...I elected to take the easy way....and I cannot be happier....
It boggles my mind to think others can be against something that can do something so good for someone who really needs it...there's got to be a reason...jealousy? Spite?...or maybe it's something they wish they did but refuse to admit it.....Envy?
So what if it's easy....I don't care! I could not be more happy and pleased with my decision.

Thank you that's very kind :-) The band takes some adjusting to that's for sure and I certainly had some hard lessons to learn myself so I'll happily help/share my experience where I can.

Hi back at ya. You look so pretty. Don't be a stranger. Lots of folks here need people like you to look up to. This journey is a difficult one for so many.

Long time no post, just wanted to say hi. I haven't been by for a long time but I'm 6 years post banding and I still weigh 116 pounds. I forget I have my band in for the most part. I did put 4 pounds on recently and when I looked at my diet I knew exactly why. My advice is to look out for those things that become habit, your head has a way of forgetting you've eaten or drunk them because they are routine. As soon as I stopped having that morning latte and the weekly hummus and pitta, it dropped right back off. I'm sorry others don't have such good experiences though.
I love my wedding photos, still can't believe that's my waist!

LOL....TMF, at first I thought you were going to tell me I looked like shrek in my before pic, which I would completely agree with only I perfer Fiona:-).
You're so sweet! You're one of those people I mentioned who have been a huge inspiration and source of encourangement for me along my journey!!!!!
Thanks!

Maybe I read this differently than everyone else
I don't think what she said was so horrendously bad.
Yes she's coming from a place where she thinks that this is a cure and it isn't
But she's also coming from a place where she has suffered an eating disorder and is happy where she is today. She considers your decision a validation of the wasting disorder. Misplaced yes many of her rants are on her blog
But can I say that you are both losing a friend or choosing to end friendship for valid reasons.
Both of you for health reasons. Yours physical hers for mental and emotional reasons.
It's ok to have a friendship end. It's sad and I am so sorry it has happened but it is what it is.
She likes being a large woman and it seems like she has worked hard to get herself into the mental place she is at. We shouldn't hate or judge her either

Congrats to your son, Alex! 2nd place is great, and he's number 1 in our book, too!

He came in 2nd place. He's #1 in my books!

When I had the surgery done I remember during one of my check ups they asked me to set a short term goal and a long term goal. My long term goal was to be 120. The nurse smiled and said that I should do something a little more realistic and asked me to think about aiming for 160. I agreed, but in my head I promised myself I wouldn't settle for anything less than what I wanted. ... I made it! I stayed focused. I followed all the rules. Never chested. Never ate things I shouldn't. Never over did it. Never ate and drank at the same time. ...but I freakin did it! That nurse was happy for me but I so badly wanted to shout I TOLD YOU I COULD DO IT

"It feels like I don't have a fill at all but I still get stuck"
I've always equated getting food stuck with restriction and along with it came satiety? Do you not feel any satiety?
What feeling are you looking for?

Yah, the fluro was interesting. I knew I had a lot of Fluid in the band, holy cow! And I was definitely eating around the band big time. The past couple of days being unfilled have been kind of fun, I ate a sandwich for the first time in a couple years, ha ha!
You have done so well, I would be happy to get to 165 or so! I know I'm going to have to watch it with no fill. My hernia surgery is scheduled for 7/2, and luckily it is covered (except for our huge deductible, oh well). The doc said that the kicker will be when they start refilling the band to see if it will work the same way, or if it was too stretched out. Who knows, with all that fill in it, if it will bounce back well, but honestly I think it will- and even if I just get a bit more of the full feeling without being so super tight. Time will tell!
I am glad to have this tool- and the doc said I am a band success since I did get down to 201- and am now 213. I just need to get back to exercising and logging my food. even though it's hard.
I will private message you my info so even if I fall off here, we can still keep in touch!
Nicki

POSITION AVAILABLE: Hours: M-F 24/7. No vacation pay. No sick days. No experience required, but must be willing to learn on the job… and put forth a tremendous amount of effort. GREAT BENEFITS.


If you saw that employment ad, would you apply for the job? Most of us would probably be curious…but that business about no vacation days and no days off may lead us to say, “No, thanks!” What if the job opening was for…MARRIAGE? Let's say you would be applying to be a wife or husband? Would you take the job?
What if the job opening was for PARENTHOOD? You'd be applying to be a mother or father. Would you sign on the dotted line?
Those two "jobs," spouse and parent - fit the job description above. You don't get days off from being a mom, dad or spouse - not if you want to be a really good parent or want your relationship to be healthy. You have to show up every day -- whether you feel like it or not.
In 2007, Cari (the Post Op of A Post Op & A Doc) accepted a position that was neither spouse nor parent (although she also held both of those positions). Her new job had the same requirements: 24/7, 365 days a year. Her new position was as a WLS post-op living a life in Recovery From Obesity. Oh, she didn't know it at the time, but living healthy is a full-time job. The benefits have been incredible for her – being able to enjoy improved health, wear cuter (and less expensive) clothes, enjoy activities she couldn’t when carrying excess weight (biking, hiking, and kayaking to name a few), being able to travel with ease, and enjoying an improved self-esteem leading to a more enjoyable work and social life.
Those benefits come with responsibilities, because being healthy is a JOB. Being healthy doesn't just happen. You have to show up and do the work. You don't get to "take a break" because you're tired and you don't get to play hookey or take sick days. If you're sick, you still need to take care of yourself.
Are you treating your obesity like a full-time job, or a hobby?
Recovery From Obesity is a full-time job. What sort of performance evaluation would you give yourself? How would a real-life employer deal with you if you weren’t performing the job duties you signed up for when you accepted the job?
Most employers would give you a warning and expect you to improve your efforts and performance in order to secure your position. If you continued to put forth minimal effort and consequently didn’t meet even minimal performance criteria, you’d eventually be fired.
When you made the decision to have weight loss surgery, you were made aware of the requirements for keeping your weight off: eating healthy foods in healthy portions, drinking lots of Water, and getting exercise on a regular basis, to name a few.
If you’re not following through with the job criteria you accepted when you decided to have weight loss surgery, who’s going to give you a warning? Maybe the doctor or nutritionist – if you attend your follow-up appointments. If you continue to treat your weight loss surgery like a part-time position or hobby, the benefits won’t be part of the package. But who can fire you?
A better option than quitting is to go after that great benefit package the job of healthy living offers and get some ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. Get to support groups, make an appointment with your nutritionist, get into therapy, find a mentor who lives a healthy lifestyle, and commit to your job/yourself. In order to perform better on your job, you need solid instruction on healthy living, eating and thinking.
This on-the-job instruction requires a whole lot more than a single visit to a nutritionist, a stopover at a support group meeting, a session with a surgeon and a 1-hour psych-eval. Yeah. A LOT MORE.
It might take a solid year or more of working with a life coach or personal trainer. It might take regular attendance at 12-Step meetings. It might take annual attendance at educational conferences, targeted toward living fully in Recovery From Obesity. It might take 3-5 years of therapy (we vote "highly likely" on this one)…Heck, It might take ALL of these things, and more.
THINK ABOUT IT: In the past, most obese people did a horrible job of managing a healthy weight. In fact, an employer would have fired The Post-Op (Cari) after moments of observing her on the job, based on how she took care of her health when she was at her highest weight. The idea that anyone would magically and immediately be able to perform the job of taking good care of their health simply by having weight loss surgery seems a bit…far-fetched. Don't you think?
To live fully in Recovery From Obesity, people need regular and ongoing ON-THE-JOB TRAINING. If you want a certificate suitable for framing or perhaps a 90-Day chip from OA, and a smiley face on your lab results as rewards for your efforts – go for it! Positive reinforcement… in non-edible forms!
Recovery From Obesity is a full-time position that requires ON-THE-JOB TRAINING for a long, long time. Understand that the benefits are the result of your very own effort and investment (of both time and money). What sorts of "training" programs are you involved with aiding your "job performance" in Recovery From Obesity?
A Post Op & A Doc have a copy of the Gotta Do ‘Em’s (and a lot more free handouts for you) on our website and on our Facebook page.

toooo busy (living my life and riding harleys) to listen to those ignorant people rant/ramble on and on (about band makes your feet fall off and cousin zeek didnt lose a pound and one WLS is better BS)...call it cheating, call it a new life, call it whatever....but this ole gal calls it getting your life back and getting healthy......

Many of you know of my journey from very limited mobility, joint pain, and morbid obesity to a nearly normal life. Things are still new for me and I'm continuing to find amazement when I can do or participate in normal activities.
I know alot of you run, do strenuous exercise, etc. I'm not there yet and I may never be. But I know that right now my version of a 5K is when I can step over the tub to get into the shower. When I can move comfortably in the small half bath in the kid's vacation home. When I can climb up onto the picnic table to take a picture with my son on Mother's Day. When I can get in and out of their Suburban. When I can simply walk and keep up in Walmart. When I can shop for clothes and change in and out without sweating like it was 100 degrees in the store.
I'm not being dramatic here people. I'm telling the truth. I've been reborn. I've gotten my life back and I will be grateful for the rest of my life to have this tool I've been given. I can't believe how many years I wasted eating to excess and watching my world shrink as I got heavier and sicker. I try to justify it by saying I'd never appreciate what I have now if I didn't hit bottom first. Maybe...I don't know, all I see is how much time I wasted. Ugh.
OK, on to a more positive thought process. I just wanted to say again that I'll always be grateful for the caring and support I get on this site. You've all been a part of my success and I thank you for that.
Have a great Tuesday everyone!

before lapband

After 14mos later

Banded December 1, 2010 - down 102lbs!!!


Banded December 1, 2010 - down 102lbs!!!

See..... this is the difference between men and women. If a guy friend noticed I lost weight, he'd say.....What's up dude.....you been working out?? And if I answered, "some, and I got weight loss surgery too". Then he'd say ...."hey, whatever works dude".....!! That would be pretty much IT.
Oh, I forgot to add.....if that same guy happened to notice a female it would typically go the same with one little addition....."Wow girl you look good, wha'cha been up too?" girl responds: I had WLS.
guy answers: "Damn, it sure worked....you look hot!!"
See....being shallow does have it's upside....

I hope someone finds this information useful.
Yesterday, on my way home from after a long day of work, a gentleman in a pickup truck pulled along side and got my attention. He said he almost hit me because my brake lights weren't working.
Got home and with my husband's help, found out--yes my brake lights weren't working. My turn signals and running lights were working.
My first thought was a fuse. Dug out the owner's manual from the glove box and found the fuse. Fuse appeared to be OK.
Drove to Lavernia, small South Texas town and found all automotive places closed. Drove to closest larger town, Floresville and went to auto parts store. Even though they were very busy, the nice gentleman explained that if your turn signals and running lights are working--probably not the fuse but the bulb. He said even if just one goes out--often they both won't work.
He showed me how to get the light fixtures off and I used their screw driver to do so. He had the bulbs in stock and suggested "bulb grease" to prevent it from happening again. It's just a little inexpensive packet of grease that you put on the ends of the bulbs before you install them. He even applied the bulb grease and put the new bulbs in for me. I put the light fixtures back on and all is well.
Just wanted to let everyone know if your brake lights don't work but your turn signals and everything else works--could be your bulbs. Glad to have them working again! We're actually going to get a rare meteorological event in South Texas today--RAIN.
Blessings,
Kathleen

Wow. Just wow. People can be so judgmental sometimes! Easy way, uh, no. Effective, yes. One of the reasons I just don't tell most people about my WLS. :-(

Wow. Just wow. People can be so judgmental sometimes! Easy way, uh, no. Effective, yes. One of the reasons I just don't tell most people about my WLS. :-(

Had to log in in response to this one...going through it right now....
Been banded for 3 -1/2 years, have been in the green since 5 months after surgery, have been 100% successful for 2-1/2 years now.
New lifestyle, new eating habits, all hunger, cravings and portion sizes under control, lost all possible excess weight and body fat.....all as a result of this Lap band surgery....
Been this way long enough, I started to forget I even had the surgery...everything became day to day,. Might as well have had knee replacement 3-1/2 years ago and have returned to my normal life. Or better yet, someone who has a pacemaker, and after 3 years forgets the pacemaker is even there....
Here's the pitfall...I started to think it was ME that was doing this, that I am in charge of all of this....it has become so easy and thoughtless for the past few years, I was starting to think the surgery perhaps was not even needed, I had the power and could have done it all the time.
Just needed this surgery as a "Training" period, a tool to get me re-educated...that's all.
So my last visit, against the PA and Dr.'s advice, I had 1/2cc removed....thinking if that went well, I would get another 1/2cc removed later...and so forth....
Well, 1/2 cc threw everything upside down, totally knocked out that perfect balance I have been enjoying, and it has been a disaster...I now know it is the band that is in charge, and not me...I now know, and had to remind myself the hard way perhaps, the reason I had this surgery in the first place.
It has been 2 weeks and I have been struggling, fighting off hunger and eating everyday....started to gain weight after being rock steady for years....My Glucose #'s jumped a few digits....
Again, imagine someone having their pacemaker removed after 3-1/2 years because everything is so easy and good, they take it for granted......same thing...I forget just how much this device is doing in the background....
I finally get back in today to have that 1/2 cc replaced....it's been 2 weeks and I don't like it.
So yes, I KNOW it is the lap band Surgery, and no matter how good, successful I may be, I had to be reminded it is not me doing the work....there was a reason I had this surgery. A real medical need!
I learned my lesson the hard way!

If more people would see it as a JOURNEY, and not as a QUICK FIX, they would be more at ease with the banded life. You are very wise..... and successful...... Best Wishes for continued success!