maryrose

"When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge."

I love that quote! Who is the author? Do you mind if I borrow it? It covers so many things.

You look soooooooooo amazing!!!! Congratulations! You must be thrilled!

Woo hoo that is awesome please keep us updated!!

That's awesome! I would love to do that sometime! Do you mind sharing how much you have to pay for the panniculectomy to be expanded to the Tummy Tuck? That is what I would like to do in the future.

I came across the post and thought I could add my own two cents. :-)

I have had psoriasis (a bad skin condition) since I was 8 yrs old, and when I was 18-20 and I started dating where there was a possibility of the realtionships becoming intimate, I was scared that my skin would be a major turn off. But I always dated great guys, and I waited until I knew them and was pretty confident that they wouldn't freak out when I told them. And I always told them that my skin was scarred and blotchy before they ever saw me naked. It gave me a sense of power and control over my own reaction when I knew that they could handle it. And I never had a boyfriend that was grossed out or anything. They loved me and wanted to be with me.

Black Cherry, check this out.

http://health.discovery.com/tv/my-naked-secret/

There was an episode on there about a weight loss patient who was ashamed of her body post-weight loss.

I'm just wondering if there was some way you could get help from maybe a PS that was just starting out.

Trying to put on my thinking cap and maybe someone else here can try to figure out something for you.

Like the others said, you only have to please yourself and you look cute as a button!

Don't left any "guy" make you feel bad about yoursef! I am sure there is someone out there that will be thrilled to have someone like you!

This is an awesome post! Thank you for starting this post!

Sula, love your going "amuck" comment!

My insurance changed and I am not covered for my lap band anymore! What a mess.

I have also slid down the path of not taking care of myself as I should. I know I really need a fill because frankly I'm just enjoying a lot of extra food lately...and I know that is not good.

I guess I just have to bite bullet and come up with the money for the appointment and fill.

I also dread calling the doctor's office!

I hope we can keep this post going and support each other!

Thank you so much for your feedback! It really helps a lot....I have my surgery date...Oct 3rd....I am in my 2 week pre-surgery diet and struggling. My stomach does not like the Protein drinks...none of them....after I drink them I feel so sick....but I am doing exactly what the Dr told me so that I can have a safe surgery.

I hope that recovery is easier than pre-surgery diet....at least in recovery I can eat Soup.

Hi There!

Gosh, I'm sorry the protien drinks make you feel sick. What kind of Protein Drink are you using? I would suggest maybe trying another brand? ItI makes a huge difference to me that I enjoy my Protein shake. Most have to expiriment with different brands. There are a lot of links here on that. I like the GNC Protein shakes. Good price.

Good luck with your surgery! LIke the others said, you should adjust nicely if you follow the band rules and have the right restriction. This site is a great resource!

Hey There,

Sorry for the late posing. I haven't visited this site for a while.

I had my surgery there 4+ years ago and they are a great group! I can't find anything negative to say. If you have any questions, ask away!

I had the banding done and lost 70+ lbs. I've been very happy with the whole process.

How did the meeting go?

Hi All!

After spending a totally miserable day yesterday, I wondered if others have hit this bump in the road with illness and the band tightening up.

I came down with a UTI yesterday all of a sudden. I won't even get into it, but I was totally stressed out that my doc cannot see me til today. I think that is totally inappropriate to make someone wait a whole day when you have UTI symptoms. It was horrible.

I was so P'd off they would not see me my band tighened up. I was trying to get all that cranberry juice down, ended up PB'ing. We cannot take Advil, and tylenol does nothing for me.

I just don't think the primary care physicians have a CLUE what we go through when were are not felling well.

Just had to vent.

I find when I have a cold, etc. it's a lot more maintence taking care of myself.

Thanks for listening. I am going to give them an ear full when I do get there this afternoon.

This is a great thread!

I hope we can keep this going. I have definitely slacked off over the Winter.

I only put on maybe 6 lbs., but I was still about 14 lbs. from Wonderland, which I really, really want to get to.

My insurance no longer covers my band. That is a big reason I have slacked off with my dr. visits. Money is very tight and I just could not afford the visits.

I plan to go for my yearly weigh in/ check up though and try to get back on track.

This is a great thread! I hope we can all support each other and keep this thread going!

Back on the Protein shakes and back to basics for me!

I'm so glad I found this thred. I'm right here with you all. Banded in Jan of 2008 I've been down and up, down and back up. For some reason I thought that once I had the band I wouldn't be riding this roller coaster anymore-reality check I guess So my starting weight was nearly 300- I think I was 292 the day of surgery. I got down to 203 at my lowest but over the summer gained 5lbs with vacationing and indulging in summer BBQ's anyhow at 208 I found out I was pregnant with my second baby (first post band) My pregnancy was very smooth, never even needed an unfill, however I gained around 30ish lbs during my pregnancy. I wasn't super concerned with that weight gain as I had gained around 50with my first so I thought I had done well Anyhow I lost almost all of it right after I had my baby!!!! I dont' know how? breast feeding?..I was down to 207 at one point and it just went up from there. Since returning back to work (baby is now 9months old) all I do is eat on the run, eat out at lunch, eat crap crap crap at my desk all day and get ZERO exercise! I'm currently back up to 229! ugg

I don't even know where to begin to get back on track?! seriously I eat whatever I want, even bread-wouldnt even know my band was there except for the times I eat to fast or something my band realy gets mad at and I puke it back up. I just cant seem to wrap my head around getting back on track!! help!

Hi Jackie,

You sound like you have a good handle on it! I am enjoying the nicer weather also. I'm from Mass.

I have been banded for close to 4 years and there will be times when "life" happens and we get a little sidetracked, but this board helps so much!

Keep plugging away and you will be fine.

I had slacked off quite a bit over the Winter with longer work hours, stress, etc., but you have to just try to focus on yourself!!!

Well, the scale hasn't moved for a few weeks....in either direction (which I consider a good thing!!!)

There are a few things that I think have impacted it:

1) my dad, who lives with me, was really sick. He is now home and I found myself cooking more meat and potatoe type dishes so he would eat. I didn't eat the potatoes but I didn't make the best choices.

2) i have slacked on exercising.....the weather is breaking now in Maine so I hope to be able to start walking in the next week or two. My surgeon doesn't like walking (says it is inefficient) but I think it is better than nothing.....

3) I was severely severely constipated.......and I tried to eat differently to make that better......

Any ways....I am not overly upset with this...I know I can get it back on track.

I pushed my fill back two weeks because for the first time, I have had that "behind the breastbone" sensation that so many talk about.....not stuck....just not overly comfortable. I wanted to re-frame my mind about chewing etc before I added more to the band.

There is no rhyme or reason to this post......just staying connected.

HI! I AM NEW TO THE FORUM! WOULD LIKE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THEIR 50'S WHO HAVE HAD OR ARE IN PROCESS OF LAP BAND. I AM TO BE BANDED ON 1/17. I AM ON MY SECOND DAY OF PRE OP DIET. SO FAR SO GOOD! LOOKING FOR FRIENDS TO TALK TO ON HERE! THANK YOU KINDLY!

Hi there Rosey. Welcome to the board! You must be excited with the big day coming up soon. I would enjoy communicating with you. I live in Mass. and have been banded for 3 1/2 years.

You are going to love it! This is the tough part, all the prep, office visits, tests. Once you get the surgery behind you things will get a little less stressful!

Good luck!

Hi Elise,

You have asked some very good questions! I'll be honest, it will take time for you to figure this all out! I hope you get some good responses!

As far as parties go, people don't really notice what you are eating. I actually find I enjoy my food more now. I'll just have a little taste of everything.

The one on one restaurant thing can be a little tricky, but there is usually something on the menu I can have. If you are looking to eat "healthy" while out dining, which I know we all should, I look toward the Soups and anything crunchy. I have to admit the things I pick out usually are not healthy, but I don't go out to dinner very much.

We are all different and toleratae foods differently.

I find people are very understanding and have not had any issues. I do find my friends actually feed "bad" for me having to leave so much food. I often do not take a doggy bag, as the food is just NOT the same warmed over, but that is a personal thing.

As far as alcohol, I have had the occasional drink, but not to excess. I will have an occasional glass of wine mixed with club soda, fruit juice, etc. I know this is shunned on, but a few times a year has not hurt me.

Good luck! I cant' wait to see the responses to this great question!

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum I'm still in the verrry early stages of this journey. My initial consultation is on Saturday! Yay!

I guess my biggest questions are regarding the social impact on your life. I'm a single 27-year-old female and I work in an industry where attending parties and lunches is mandatory for networking and your appearance does make a difference in how successful you are. I love going out and socializing, so I'm a little worried about how the band will affect my ability to fully enjoy that aspect of life. What happens when new people you meet notice your eating/drinking restrictions? Do you feel left out when you can't indulge? What about dating? I 'm not at all worried about ending my love affair with food, but I'm a little worried about being the weird girl who only ate five bites of her meal and didn't drink anything. I also LOVE to cook for friends. How has that changed for you? How about social drinking? Does it ever feel awkward being the only one who can't have a glass of champagne on New Year's Eve? Any insight is appreciated!

Hi There Dune,

First time I posted since this new updated site!

Dune, you picked the perfect place to post your question here! I am 4 years post-op and this is the first page I visit when I am on this site.

I don't see why anyone would tell you you should not post here for your questions.

I love my band. You have to do your homework and make sure this is the way you want to go. Like the other said, there is no MAGIC WAND, but I have lost 80 lbs., which I know I would never have lost without the band.

A friend of mine just had the gastric sleeve procedure done. She seems happy with that too.

The thing with the band is that you really have to keep up with your doctor visits, etc. and really, really watch what you eat and take care of yourself.

If you follow all the rules, you will be fine. If you think you CANNOT follow the rules, then I would probably really want to discuss with in detail with the clinic.

The psychologists are an excellent tool also. If you decide to down down this road, please utilize ALL the resources they have to offer!

For me, the band was the right decision for me!

Banded 3.6 yrs - not your 5 yrs - but almost 4 ;0)

They band our stomachs not our heads - The band will stop you from eating 20oz steak but not a gallon of ice cream.

The band is just a tool - You do have to make the whole lifetime lifestyle (eat healthy & exercise) change if you want to be successful with any WLS

I have had no problems (knock wood)..

I imagine they must be similiar to the wrap treatments you would get in a spa.

I would be willing to try them if I had an event to go to, etc. where I wanted to look slimmer, but I do not see this as being a permanent fix, unless you wanted to wear them daily, and I personally would not wanted to be wrapped up all the time.

Also, another thing I have done is wear my exercise belly wrap over my saggy belly. This really holds in a lot! You can purchase them at Target, Walmart, ect. for about 7.00. They are made out of a rubber material and are supposed to make you sweat. They really do hold you in. I have two of them!!

Thank you all soooo much! I just can't believe how humiliating it is to get fired. I'm still so upset. I woke up last night at 3:15 still thinking about it.

I am a perfectionist, and to have this happen to my ego is just so darn painful I can't even begin to explain. I am better off though because the women were nasty to work for.

Tommy, thanks for your support too, but I do need this second job. My hours were cut down on my first job, I probably didn't explain it properly. My pay was cut in 1/2. I am a medical transcriptionist, and the doctors are all going voice technology and were are all getting laid off.

I applied for an entery level position at the local hospital where I am still on per diem and I could not even get that because things are sooo bad right now, and me being over 50, it's just very very stressful.

I don't want to get into an whole other topic regarding age discrimination here, expecially with women over 50, but thank you all sooooo much.

I'll get over it.

It's just very stressful on my band right now too. It's 11:30 AM and I still have not eaten yet.

All I can think about is the loss of income, and going over and over again in my head how I can work on my budget and get my bills paid. I already made a switch with my phone service to cut down on my bill, and cable is next!

Thanks again. You are all great!

Ok, I should be happy, I am finally approaching the 200 lb. mark. The problem is that I am totally stressed.

Somehow, this is taking the happiness out of my losing weight again, as yesterday I was so upset I didn't even think to eat until about 3:00 PM, and I felt dizzy at that point.

The major stress right now was this 2nd job I took on to make some extra money. To make a long story short, the woman that hired me probably did not take a liking to me from the start. I had no idea she was not happy with my work. I am a hard worker, but computer issues on the job (not my fault) caused a lot of stress and where she did not want to deal with the computer issues, it was easier for her to just fire me out of the blue. It was very humiliating.

I can't stop thinking about it and can't sleep. I am soooo furious.

Has anyone ever been let go at work?

How did you deal with the anger???

Thanks for listening.

I have read quite a few posts here where women (could be men also), stayed in a not so great/happy marriage before the weight loss because of confidence problems, etc. After they had lost some weight and gained confidence, they did find themselves feeling that there could be something more for them out there.

There is quite a lot on the subject.

This does not only apply to marriage, but also other things in life such as job opportunities, etc.

Thanks Elcee and Jachut for your input.

I really think it is stress-related and a way for me to unwind.

I read a great book years ago that delt with "recreational" eating. Can't remember the name, darn it.

Hi All,

Well, a pretty peculiar thing happened last night. My cable went down. I have settled into this BAD habit of watching late night TV and doing a little (a lot) of snacking.

I came to this conclusion last night as I really did not know what to do with myself. I realized this really is a bad habit that I have to break in order to lose that last 30 lbs.

I work from home and usually don't turn my computer off til about 10 or 10:30 at night..then the sneak attack of the munchies starts in.

I'm going to try tonight to not turn the TV on and will let you know how I make out.

I'll take a quick shower, maybe read a little and go to bed.

Hi Mel,

I am a mom and bandster and I have disagree that she's just being a Mom unless she has never had to battle with her weight?

I am always very sensitive to what I say to my daughter about food because I know it hurts her feelings and vice versa.

Maybe she just does not get it.

My husband does not get it either.

Like someone else said, just don't make any comments. Keep them to yourself.

Take the weekend off and make a date with a bottle of prune juice. That will do the trick!

If it's "pitting" edema, your doctor should be addressing this. If not, I would be looking elsewhere. If you press in with your finger and it leave a dent, that's Fluid.

How is your blood pressure?

I used to have this problem, but since losing weight, it's not as much an issue any more, but I agree with the others and would have this looked into.

I agree, a desk job really causes swelling in the legs after long periods. It happens to me.

Kooaburra,

Have you every watched the show called "Ruby". It's a reality show following Ruby through her weight loss journey. It's a great show. She weighed over 700 lbs. at one time. I think she is down in the 300's right now.

It's similar to your story. She has blocked out years of memory because of something most likely traumatic happening to her when she was young. She is seeling a psychologist and delving into the idea that her weight gain is acting as a barrier.

You have gotten some great advise here! :thumbup:

Hi

I can't believe how much free stuff I get. Sad but true.

What free stuff?