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Back on the "Band" wagon!



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I am new to this site and thought i would give a little background before sharing my concerns.

I had my surgery back in FEB 2009. I had immediate success (50 pounds in 3 months). I currently hover around 300- down to 290 back up to 310.

What happened? I had a great surgery and post 4 months, then the wheels fell off. I never considered that band maintenance and my doc was over an hour and a half away. So I used that as an excuse to not go back. I settle with the initial success, then my job moved me to northern Maryland, I really thought I had a good excuse for putting it off. However, i found out there was a doctor in my town who could support me.

Problem 2 - $$$$ my insurance - like many others i assume - treated every adjustment as surgery and it cost me $150 each time. The first fill was too small, then next was better but not perfect, the one after that was a disaster- way over filled and couldn’t keep anything down. A fourth visit-emergency bc I was hurting so badly- in so many months was required. I had just spent $600, plus time off from work and in the case of the last one a ruined day of a vacation.

I became jaded and said forget this band I will just stay here in this weight range and deal with life.

I tried working out more- even got into running- but something would happen and I go eating poorly. Before you say it- i know- the band will not stop stupid eating choices- but i know when the band is full i don’t eat badly bc i can’t stand the pain.

So here I am, nearly 14 months removed from band adjusting. I feel terrible, it hurts again to play with my kids ( 3 girls under 8 ), I am sucking down food like a black hole.

I am ready to change- and I want to stick to it- for me , then my family, but most importantly bc of me.

I am scared bc it has been so long I will not remember the nutritional stuff- food options- how to eat and function after an adjustment. I would really appreciate any links, feedback or suggestions you may have. I very much enjoy reading your posts- they are incredibly encouraging. I really look forward to using this forum to support this oh-so-needed healthy change in my life.

thanks all

I am new to this site and thought i would give a little background before sharing my concerns.

I had my surgery back in FEB 2009. I had immediate success (50 pounds in 3 months) followed my dismal failure (since gained back 20ish). I hover around 300- down to 290 back up to 310.

What happened? Had a great surgery and post 3 months, then the wheels fell off. I never considered that band maintenance and my doc was over an hour and a half away. So I used that as an excuse to not go back. I settle with the initial success, then my job moved me to northern Maryland, I really thought I had a good excuse for putting it off. However, i found out there was a doctor in my town who could support me.

Problem 2 - $$$$ my insurance - like many others i assume - treated every adjustment as surgery and it cost me $150 each time. The first fill was too small, then next was better but not perfect, the one after that was a disaster- way over filled and couldn’t keep anything down. A fourth visit-emergency bc I was hurting so badly- in so many months was required. I had just spent $600, plus time off from work and in the case of the last one a ruined day of a vacation.

I became jaded and said forget this band I will just stay here in this weight range and deal with life.

I tried working out more- even got into running- but something would happen and I go eating poorly. Before you say it- i know- the band will not stop stupid eating choices- but i know when the band is full i don’t eat badly bc i can’t stand the pain.

So here I am, nearly 14 months removed from band adjusting. I feel terrible, it hurts again to play with my kids ( 3 girls under 8 ), I am sucking down food like a black hole.

I am ready to change- and I want to stick to it- for me , then my family, but most importantly bc of me.

I am scared bc it has been so long I will not remember the nutritional stuff- food options- how to eat and function after an adjustment. I would really appreciate any links, feedback or suggestions you may have. I very much enjoy reading your posts- they are incredibly encouraging. I really look forward to using this forum to support this oh-so-needed healthy change in my life.

thanks all

Kyle (aka creativebond)

Currently: about 312lbs

Max: 355lbs NOV 2008

Low: 284lbs JUN 2011

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Best of Luck on your journey - dont be to hard on yourself (as we all tend to be) - remember the important part is what you are doing now - so forget the guilt of yesterday and focus on the future.

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I fell off for several months myself. I saved money to get my last fill (also $150). I went back on Protein Shakes for Breakfast and lunch, snacking on fruit/raw veggies when I feel hungry. For dinner, I just eat whatever I cook for the family. However, I do not eat more than 1/2 cup! I quit snacking at night and I make sure to have dinner done by 6pm. I even limit my Fluid intake after 7pm. I do drink Water all day long. I also do the hot water, lemon and apple cider vinegar with "mother" in it before I have my first shake of the day. I am 13 pounds away from my goal weight and I am more determined than ever to get their before summer! Good Luck with it all and I am here to support you =)

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Thanks all- appreciate the encouragement.

Peach- great info- will have to look up "mother" you stumped me on that one. thanks again!

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I am curious about the morning drink also. I was banned on 09, lost 40 pounds, gained back 20, and need/want to get back on the wagon.

I have a spinal cord injury that Lumia my activity, wish it had limited my food intake instead. Lol

But, I want to get back on track!

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Hi! I recommend you looking on the net and research Braggs apple cider vinegar with "mother"! It promotes weightloss and burns fat!

2 tsp Braggs acv

8oz Water

I also put 1/2 tsp local organic honey

I make sure I drink this quickly lol it will make you pucker :) I do feel so much better when I drink this! ACV has so many of great benefits! Also do a search on local honey and cinnamon! It is another beneficial hot drink for the morning! Again, the honey/cinnamon also has many health benefits!

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      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
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