Those who are already banded, if you could go back and change something about your banding or the time since, what would it be and why?

I'd exercise more from the start because I do think I have lost muscle and am now working to build more and more and become fit.

I wouldn't change much of everything..I just wish for the first 8 month that i exercised and REALLY watched what i ate..if i did that i probably would be at goal already..But i LOVE where i am at..

What a great questions, I can't wait to see all the responses!

This is a really great question, indeed.

I don't know that I would change anything, except possibly to have waited longer for my first fill. I wasn't really hungry, I was losing weight slowly, but the holidays were coming and I really wanted to have some help avoiding my annual 10 lb gain. So I had a fill 8 weeks after surgery.

The only reason I say now that I might have waited is that now there seems to be a growing body of evidence that the more slowly people get fills the better they tend to do in the long run. This is an informal impression my doctors have gleaned from their practice (which is large), but I can see the sense in it. And since my goal was never to lose weight fast, but to lose weight permanently, I think I might have agreed to wait had they made that suggestion back then.

Beyond that, I'd always say "exercise more, eat healthier" but that's got nothing to do with my banding journey, per se. That's just about life. :peep:

I think I would of changed the time of the surgery. My mom died 2 days before the surgery date and I went through with it anyway, only because I thought I could not do that starving thing that you go through before the surgery, I did 2 weeks and thought I would die. Well when the funeral was over and my mind set on the fact I would never see her again, the stress of that and other things came up that would of made an anorectic person start eating!

Carol

My deepest sympathy for the loss of your mother. I too, lost my mother and know it leaves a void that can never be filled.

I don't mean to preach, really, but...........I KNOW my mother would be proud of me for taking this often difficult and stressful journey. My mother struggled with her weight all of her life and always made me promise I would not repeat her mistakes. I kept my promise until she passed away 8 years ago.

Now, I am taking control over my health again.

Good luck on your journey. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.

I would have taken more seriously the task of learning how to take tiny bites and chew well more seriously pre-op.

I'm still struggling with it and have had a few golf balls as a result.

I would have asked my family to help me remain anonymous.

I would have postponed my second fill. I was averaging one - two pound loss a week and wanted to see the scale move quicker. I'm just now getting over frequent PB's and the fill was mid August. I'm hungry as a bear, but I'm waiting for the next fill until after Thanksgiving and maybe even Christmas.

Carol

I am sorry for your loss. I'm sure your Mom would love to see your accomplishments. How can we know, but what she does?

I would have asked my family to help me remain anonymous.

I've heard so many people say that they wish they didn't tell anyone about it. I've made the decision to keep it a secret from everyone except my DH. I was even going to "try" and keep it a secret from him, but I figure there is no way with the puncture holes. So I finally came clean to him last night.

All this advice I am writing down. Especially about not being quick to get fills too. I need to remember that!

Hey Sunshine

Our "stats" are the same, very interesting.

I too, chose to keep this a secret. Of course, you can't keep it from DH but I did not tell him until after I met with the surgeon and the psychiatrist/therapist. I wanted to be sure I was sure before I talked to him about it.

I had my surgery close to a month ago and today am down 29 lbs, no fills yet. I totally think I made the right decision to both have the band and to keep it to myself. I have a close, supportive family including 4 siblings but I still feel most comfortable keeping it hush hush.

Good luck! Keep us posted on your journey

Threebeauties and Pinkylee: Thanks, I agree with you Threebeauties the void will never be filled, ever.

On a better note I would never of told anyone of my surgery if I knew what I knew now.

I would have waited 2 months longer for my surgery. My employer changed ins. companies and I was afraid the new carrier would not cover wls. Bottom line is, the new carrier does cover it, but my doctor does not take my new insurance and now I have to pay out of pocket. The worse part is that if any complications arise, I would be up a creek because no doctor wants to touch another surgeon's patient. I have tried to switch doctors, but they all say no.

I work at an office that tends to use others personal lives as topics for discussion.....that's a really nice way to say their a bunch of gossips. I haven't told anyone but my wife and kids and one other coworker who I've known and trusted for years and is considering the same thing herself. I haven't told my brother yet but I will after I lose a little weight. I only see him about twice a year so I have time. I know he'll be very supportive, I just want something to show him when I tell him. It's such a personal decision for everyone but a very easy one for me.

Those who are already banded, if you could go back and change something about your banding or the time since, what would it be and why?

I'd exercise more from the start because I do think I have lost muscle and am now working to build more and more and become fit.

I wish I had done a little more research. I have lost slower than I thought I would but I am getting there. I AM NEVER ABLE TO EAT BREAKFAST. That doesn't bother me during the work week but it does bum me out on Sundays.

I wish I had expected this. I figured 3 small meals a day and I swell after each fill so that has not happened.

I would still do it all over again and I am glad I did it.

I am self pay and that can be worrysome also.

This is a great topic for those of us who haven't been banded yet. Thank you so much for starting it. I also have chosen to keep it quiet only because I'm afraid of failure and I don't want anyone who doesn't really love me to know. I don't think I could stand people wondering why I had surgery if I wasn't losing weight faster then this. I have told a few who I feel will support me no matter how fast or slow I lose. I'm afaid my dh will be the one saying you aren't losing very fast. But then again I may be wrong just when I think the worst of him he's the best. I had to smile when I re-read that line about dh - when I diet he always snuggles up to me in bed and grabs my butt and says wow you're really losing weight. LOL I love him.

The only thing that comes to my mind was the same thing that some others have mentioned. Sometimes, I wish I hadn't told anyone. I've had it thrown in my face a few times. But, on the other hand, if I was secretive about it, it would almost seem that it's because I'm ashamed of it. And I'm not...not at all. I'm proud to have taken charge of my life in this way. Plus, I'm glad to share my story with others. I wear my lap-band bracelet with pride!

So, all in all, I can't say I'd change a darn thing!

Tami