Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Wishing there was a 5 year post surgery forum



Recommended Posts

So wish there was a better veterans forum. Some place that us "seasoned" bandsters (or any post WLS) could chat about years down the line. Maybe how things change in year after year of working with our post surgery body. It is a bit dismaying to have advice from others who haven't had surgery or read a book and are giving advice. We actually have lived it! Just a thought. Anyone else want to comment?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Most veterans do not stick around here very long. perhaps it is for the reasons you give.

It can be frustrating to see and hear from all the experts...then look at their profiles and see they've barley scratched the surface.

I don't claim to be an expert, nor should anyone else on this forum.......What people should do is share their experiences, what lessons they have learned about themselves good and bad....and let readers see.

When someone asks a question as to what should they do in a particular situation....just watch how many people feel it's their responsibility to play Dr. and tell others what they're doing wrong and what they should be doing.

Where is their knowledge coming from???

If it's something your Dr has instructed you to do, then say so...."My Dr. has told me if that happens, I should...."

As a veteran I will never give a direct answer to such questions. Only thing I can do is share what has happened to me in a similar situation. And if i have never experienced it myself, then I keep my mouth shut and let someone who has experienced the same thing share their story.

Forum for 5 year+ people?....be hard to find people around here to participate.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm for it. Nothing irritates me more than people posting in the veteran's forum that shouldn't be there! Like, as you saw, they haven't even had surgery or haven't even been out a year.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've seen several threads like this in just the recent few months.

And given how full one's life becomes pursuing the Dream once our WLS goals are more or less attained, the motivation to post becomes decreased, IMHO.

Then again, after posting the same stories numerous times, the urge to do such decreases as well.

I'm impressed with the expansion of the site into so many other forms of WLS simply not available 10 years ago.

And of course I wonder the potential advantages vs/risk/cost of the newer Bands vs my Model T version 4cc now nearly a decade in service. People talk of 1-2-3cc fills, while mine simply will not tolerate .5cc fill, and the range of .1~.2cc is maximum fill at any one time.

I've hovered around the 1.6-1.7/4cc range much of the past 6 or 8 years. Anything higher produces marked distress.

Still, my own results while limited from what my Goal may be, remains a tribute to the fact I no longer feel on the verge of death or blindness due to various co-morbidity factors.

We see a slice of suffering humanity that seeks resolution and relief from our torment of being Morbidly Obese.

Regardless of the issues along the way, my impression is *most* of us have considerable benefits from whichever procedure we've chosen.

Cheers to us all in our jounney!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

banded in 2004! Looking for experienced bandsters. I am having big problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Please read some forums and posts. Lots of people have had ups and downs .... There are also some "reset" ideas from some seasoned bandsters

I think This is a great site to help with ideas,sorrows, laughs and inspiration. Please let us know how you are doing.

Keep trying and reading and maybe set a dr appt?

The most common ideas here are Protein, Water, exercise and awareness from what I see posted

Best of luck

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi and thanks! I am seeing my surgeon about 2 x a week trying to sort it out. What do you mean by 'reset'? I am happy to have found you all and look forward to learning and sharing with you veterans! I will read through more posts.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have seen posts about starting over with 3 days of liquids. Seems to shrink pouch a bit. I don't personally know about that but please read others who discuss this. Glad you have a dr to work with

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you! ????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hello, my name is Sarah. I am in my 4th year being banded. I'm happy to chat. I'm like a unicorn in my surgeon's support group, I'm the only banded person :)

Edited by Spooky Little Gurl

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi - Nice to hear from you! How is your band performing?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sara

I am one of 2 banders in a large group. I know what you are saying unicorn... Funny analogy

VSG is the most common WLS in our group 90%. Some bypass. Lots of good stories and nice group

Happy to hear others have the same experience

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I'm glad I downloaded this app. I love my support group but there are specific differences in managing the band that others can't relate with. Also, I often wonder if some of the strange band encounters I've had were normal. After skimming the posts I see that the "slime" issue isn't "weird" lol, just a gross occasional byproduct of a finicky band.

I love my band, it's been an invaluable tool in aiding me to keep weight off. I am still working on the last 40lbs. I'm down 120 and am now a certified yoga instructor.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm in

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jean

Join us! Tell us a story about your journey. We are pretty harmless women who seem to be thankful for the change in our lives!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×