Regrets?

[IndioGirl55 32]

just over 48hours post-op and I'm gonna have to say no. Not yet...lil' soon, but I knew what I was getting myself into.

It gets better - I woke up from surgery (my 2nd in my life) and said WTF have I done - by day 3 I was just fine ;0)

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Even if I were to not lose another pound I'd still have no regrets. Seriously.

[JoJo1 0]

I did tons of research but did not know some stuff. I am happy I did it and would have done it anyway, however in terms of advice, I would say read read everything you can but try to stay positive because that is the whole key!!!

[Laura Lane 0]

nope no regrets at all....it´s difficult the first weeks of liquid diet....plus Dr. Aceves and his staff were great.

[catmom50 0]

Hi, Ruthie! I am 14 months out and don't have any regrets. This is one of the best things I've ever done for myself, and I am really happy with how the last 14 months have gone and with the progress I've made. I am only about 7 pounds from my goal (gulp!!)! :laugh: :w00t:

In terms of advice, this is the best advice I can give to any new bandster:

1. Make a list of pros and cons to help you with your decision about getting banded. Writing it out is a huge help, and you can go back and look at it if you have doubts. (I posted mine on my blog and there is a link to it in my most recent post);

2. TAKE YOUR MEASUREMENTS NOW! You'll want to be able to count all those inches you are losing once you are banded!

3. TAKE SOME "BEFORE" PHOTOS! Maybe you won't feel like looking at them right now, but it's so amazing to be able to compare your progress with where you started as you go through this process.

4. Size your closet! If you are like me, you probably have like 10 different sizes in there. Go through and put the sizes together so that when you're losing weight, you won't miss out on wearing outfits that you like as you fit into them again.

5. Write out a post-op plan for success. I have a link to mine in my most recent blog post.

6. Think long and hard about who you want to tell about your surgery. You don't really start losing until you get to restriction (the before-period is called "Bandster Hell"), so it can be frustrating during the first month if people know and are like "You had WLS. . why aren't you losing weight?!?" Plus, it's nice not to have the "Food Police" watching your every bite!

6. Make a list of all the things you are looking forward to about being thinner. Then, when you go through this process, be sure to check back to see when they each become your reality. It's so amazing to be able to do that! For me, wearing heels again was major -- same with being comfortable in coach on airplanes! The most major one was getting to the point where I actually feel GOOD about my weight and body, instead of beating myself up about it every single day.

I hope that helps! Congratulations on taking the first step!

Best wishes,

Catherine

Catherine-What great ideas for all of us pre bandsters. Thanks-

[catmom50 0]

I did tons of research but did not know some stuff. I am happy I did it and would have done it anyway, however in terms of advice, I would say read read everything you can but try to stay positive because that is the whole key!!!

Jo Jo-Does anything come to mind that you can thin of about "not knowing some things? I have been reading and reading everything since I started the supervised diet back in Spt.

[JoJo1 0]

Jo Jo-Does anything come to mind that you can thin of about "not knowing some things? I have been reading and reading everything since I started the supervised diet back in Spt.

It was a case of only taking in the information that supported what I wanted to do. I am sure the info was there but I didn't take it in until I needed it. I didn't know much about the handling of food. What foods slipped through and what foods were considered good Bandster food. I processed it when I needed it. I didn't know that bands have a "shelf life" so to speak. They most likely will have to be removed many years down the road. I did not understand PBing or anything about upchucking when food got stuck. Some of it, you can't know until you need it even though you read about it.

On a little different note, I talked to a woman who had her stomach stapled 25 years ago. She lost down to her desired 120lbs and found that she did not like it. She scared herself when she looked in the mirror. She gained some back but still feels like she did the right thing. I have made the point here and in other threads that you have to be mentally ready to be thin or your brain will figure out a way to fail. Even though you think it is what you want, you may find yourself in the same position as the woman who told me that story. She has kept more than 100lbs off but prefers to not be thin. Personally, I have a 150lb goal but I don't want to look too old and raggedy. I may gain a few to stay looking healthy, but won't know until I get there.

So far people think I look younger so there again, time will tell. Have a great New Year!!!

[catmom50 0]

thanks for your reply

[JoJo1 0]

thanks for your reply

I notice you are from Central Oregon. I live in the central mountains of Idaho!!!!

[wisconsin jen 0]

No regerts at all - only that I didn't do it sooner - I feel 10 yrs younger - have tons more energy and hopefully added a few more yrs to my life... Icing on the cake - I love going into a store any buy size 4 pair of pants (was 18/20)

Catherine55 gave you great advice -

WTG Catherine 7lbs to go - Congrats !!!!

That is awesome loss...... I am in a 16/18 and am shooting for a size 10... 8 on the "i have a dream" side:)

I have never been under a size 10 so I got the feeling I may get really motivated towards the end.....

You give me hope:thumbup:

Jennifer

[Spaz80 0]

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread so far. Your information is very helpful.

[Ruthie1974 34]

I am thankful to allof you who replied to my post. My reasoning for the surgery? To get my life back, both of my parents have diabetes, hypertension and have boyh had strokes. If I don't loose the weight and keep it off I know what my future looks like. I don't want to live like that. Do I want to look better and feel better, you bet! But more than that I don't want to be a burden to my hubby or kids, I want to walk without pain, and love life again. I think the band is a tool to help me accomplish that. Right now, how I feel if someone told me I had to X I would do it. I know I have to work at this and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get permanent change.

[montanagirl_2010 0]

Regrets? Sometimes, yes. I had lap band surgery in July of 2003 (6 and 1/2 years ago). I was only 21 at the time and was desperate to lose weight. I did have my surgery in Mexico, and from what I understand, the bands they used 6 years ago in Mexico are not as nice as the ones they are using now in the U.S. My band is smaller and tighter (more uncomfortable) than the bands they use now. I have had a lot of bad things associated with my band, but I've had a lot of good come out of it as well. There are days when I want to rip it out with my bare hands because it makes me so uncomfortable sometimes. Other days, I'm so thankful that I've had the opportunity to get my life back.

[catmom50 0]

I notice you are from Central Oregon. I live in the central mountains of Idaho!!!!

Yup, just a hop skip and a jump over the hills from you. In fact I have family over in Boise & Meridian. Great areas we live in right? We just got 6 inches of snow last night, with a storm approaching tomorrow with more...& heading your way later on!

Your "story" sounds so familiar. I have always said I should have never gone a diet when I was 132 #, which was ages ago. Wish I could have done this when I was younger, I can't imagine how different my life would have been.

Edited December 31, 2009 by catmom50

[Desdemona 48]

Ruthie--You said you want to be healthy and get your life back. We can identify with that. I tried and tried for years to lose weight and keep it off. It didn't work ---and the heavier I got the sicker I got. Now ---no more sleep apnea. It's gone. No more high blood pressure. It's gone. No more Protonix. I don't need it anymore. All blood levels that were too high are now perfectly normal. I can climb up and down steep sand dunes on the beach again for the first time in 20 yrs. I don't hold on to the banister for dear life as I'm walking down stairs anymore. My back doesn't hurt. I can stand on my feet all day to cook Christmas dinner or walk 6 miles and be as fresh as a dasiy at 11PM. I sleep all night. I'm calmer and happier. People treat me better --- and I suppose I act better.

Just make sure you get a GOOD MD who really has a LOT of experience and really knows what their doing. There are a lot of MDs racing into this to make money and they don't have the knowledge or experience. Once you get a GOOD MD - do exactly what you are told to do. You will see a lot of people on the board who do things they aren't suppose to do. Don't listen to them. They usually are sorry in the end. Listen to people like Indigo. Good luck.

Edited January 1, 2010 by Desdemona