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Will be 8 years post op next month!



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I have not posted on here in a long time, ( a few years) I used to be a regular post on Obesity Help too, until all the band bashing made all the veteran bandsters leave. It seems like a place now for people seeking revisions from the band to something else, and it is no longer a place where anyone with a lap band or seeking a band should post, in my opinion.

I also got busy with life, marriage, traveling, etc, living a great post op life, and I have not posted in any forum for a while, and thought I would come back home to LBT to share my journey /accomplishments and struggles and help newbies.

I had a hiccup in my journey last year due to an un-diagnosed hiatal hernia that was never repaired during my first band placement, which also contributed to a small pouch dilation (surgeons were not routinely repairing hernia back in 2005), and had my old 4cc/10cm lap band replaced with the new AP small band.

I had to switch surgeons to seek a highly qualified revision surgeon because a lot of surgeons are now moving away from the band which in my opinion, at least until a "new buyer is chose for the lap band" which is a disservice to those who really want bands, and what I've read and researched, those who are really wanting lap bands need to search carefully for band-friendly surgeons to offer great aftercare, which is more important than getting the band.

Aftercare is the key to success with the band, and having a surgeon that believes in you, and will follow your progress.

I was on vacation recently for about 3 weeks out in California and Vegas and I put back on some pounds by eating sweets and I want to take those pounds back off. I started my journey in a size 26 8 years ago, and my lowest size was 8/10, I maintained my weight in a size 10/12 for a solid 6 years until I got married and started having band issues last year but, I settle around a size 12/14, which is not too bad considering where I came from.

I am overall happy with my new band, however my old 4cc band felt tighter, and I got restriction quicker with my older band, than with this new AP small band, but I am happy with my new AP band because I have never PB, or had any real issues so far, and I am very optimistic with my new "improved AP band".

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Thank you! Small world, Dr. Moazzez placed my first band, are you still in Northern, VA? By the way you look great! I think I was Dr. Mo's 10th band placement, so I guess I paved the way for so many....

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Thanks for posting for us pre-banders! Have gotten such great information and support here.....

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Your are welcome! And congrats on your upcoming surgery!

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I was banded in September 07 with the 4cc band and so far the band is doing ok.

The only problems I have are based on my own poor choices.

I too left the board but came back in March. Best of luck with your new band

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Thank you Joe! I really loved my 4cc band, wished I could have kept it, but in order for my surgeon to repair my hiatal hernia they had to removed the 4cc band since they don't unbuckle without destroying the entire lap band system.

I've had my new band going on 10 months and I am hopeful!

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    • 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. 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💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
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