I went out to lunch with my Lap Band Angel the other day... and I was left to wonder...

When will be banded be less of a focal point in my life??? Sure... we talked about other things BUT... the way we ate... the slip of a sip of Water DURING the meal... the eventual need for a "to go" box... the look from our waitress of distress that we ate so little... all of that seemed so obviously present. It led me to wonder... will a time come that I won't think about my band and live without feeling banded? Do I want to stop thinking about my band? Will I forget that there is a foreign object stitched around my stomach and just live a healthy life???

My sister had the bypass... she says she rarely even thinks about the fact that her anatomy was re-arranged at this point... says she sometimes forgets that she ever had surgery. Hmmm... will I ever feel like that? I'm just wondering from those that have been banded longer than I... does the constant focus on being "banded" fade with time???

Darcy

I don't think about mine that much. But this last week, havng fill removed for pain, scared me. I don't want to lose my band! I am thinking about it a lot right now. I've eaten w/ a couple of bandsters lately and found it comforting that we didn't have to "explain" anything to each other.

Marie...

Having my fill removed scared the noodles out of me too... the worst part was my fear that removing the fill would not take away the pain. I knew I could not live longterm with that type of pain and was worried that I might lose my band as well. I will have my fingers and toes crossed that removing some of your fill will take care of the problem and that your band will stay right where it belongs... snuggly hugging your tummy.

(((hugs)))

Darcy

Darcy..... thats a good question! Ive wondered it myself, but more on the line of taking too big a bite. When will I take smaller bites without thinking of the consequences, just doing it naturally, out of habit!

I forget alot and just start eating...boy do I need a fill. Fade with time, or the sensations of restriction to remind me to eat as a banded person? But habits of over a year, I hardly ever drink with my meals and go for protien first.

Darcy, Your angel Nicci how is she doing since her stomach was "un-twisted"?

Does your sister have any side-effects with sugar dumping? Has she modified her diet or eats what she wants? Is she near goal?

Paula... You know what... I thought about this more today and guess what... time has already changed things. I used to worry constantly that I would do something to "wreck" my banding... make my band slip... etc... now I rarely think about that. I used to think about every bite I put in my mouth and have to really focus on chewing well... now it's just a habit. I used to manage one bit too much ALOT and end up with pain because I couldn't seem to heed the warning signs... now I just stop and throw what's left away. So... time is changing the way I relate to my band. I guess it's like being a diabetic... you can't forget, but tools to control the disease become part of your life.

Miss Vera... I think Miss Nicci is feeling much better. SHe was still having problems after her surgery but I think that she is now on the mend. She looks absolutely awesome... I told her that she looks like she should be on the cover of ELLE. She really has had a tough time of it... I pray that her rough times have come to an end. My sister reached her weight-loss goal in less than six months after her surgery. Her recovery was awful and that helped me opt for the banding! She does have the dumping syndrome but has learned to eat around it a bit... she's coming up on her 2 year post-op anniversary and has gained back about 20% of her excess weight. Needless to say she is freaked about that and is trying to make the changes to stop the gain. She does say that she would still opt for the bypass but she is encouraging her hubby to go the banding route if he decides to have WLS.