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Do you tell people you're banded?



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i told everyone.

i want a t-shirt and maybe a licensce plate cover thing or key chain...

I wouldn't mind having a band key-chain.

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<p>was banded on the 8th Oct and still haven't told anyone. I've told people I'm on a new health plan and I started with a strict detox (week 1 and 2). I've told everyone that I am 'being good' for the month of October. When Nov hits I will be on normalish food but just smaller portions.

I don't see the need to tell anyone but if they ask me outright if I've had WLS then I will say yes. However it's not that common in the UK so I don't expect to get that question :)</p>

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I just received my letter today from the ins. saying that I've been approved so I'll most likely be scheduled in Nov. I didn't want to tell anyone because I'm worried that I may not work or that I wouldn't have the freedom of changing my mind. Also, I lost 125 lbs on my own over two years ago and it was very very hard work. I didn't want to tell people because I didn't want their ignorance of what the procedure involves and the effort that it requires to stick with it to be minimized by then thinking that "the band" did it. I know this sounds weird but it really bothered be before and I know this is more their problem and not mine but it made me not want to share. Anyway, I was a sucker because my aunt who is very overweight started talking about considering the procedure and I cracked because I had done all this research and she knew nothing. Now, everyone knows - argh!

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Papaya enzyme tablets can help dissolve food that is stuck and won't go through the band.

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I am a closet bandster. Only one friend knows. The only thing I wanted to say is that I am not ashamed. I am a very private person and I don't tell people my business as a rule. I have friends, co-workers and family who have had WLS and I'm sure they would be supportive. I have been fairly successful, so I don't think it has anything to do with a fear of failure. I just don't tell people my personal business. It is a personal decision whether you choose to share your experience with others.

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I have been telling everyone as I want to be surrounded by lots of support.

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I agree that it's a personal choice. I told the people I thought would be supportive and who I am really close to.

The rest see that I have lost weight and I tell the truth but leave the band part out. I am making better food choices, eating smaller portions and exercising regularly.

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I've told Everyone!!! And happy that I have. Everyone has been very supportive!

I have people come up to me quite frequently knowing I have the Lapband, because I've attended the graduate meeting a couple times and then went to the Pre surgery meeting and spoke to the audience as a graduate of lapband surgery. So I'm known all over the state. I meet people all over that recognize me, from curves, grocery store, even at work!

I'm not shy and I'll answer anyones questions. I felt like telling the surgeon today when I went for my fill, that I should start getting a cut because I've been sending a lot of people his way!!!

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I only told my hubby and mom and one close friend before the surgery. Since the surgery, I have "come out" more to a select few. I just didnt want any naysayers to try to give me negative comments or feelings beforehand. I also didnt want to have to broach the subject of being self pay and others judging me for spending that kind of money.

Those that I have chosen to tell have been really great. In fact, one of my coworkers told me she had the gastric band (a little different from Lapband) about 10 years ago.

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I told everyone! I only had one person who was not supportive! I figured they are going to know what is up when I am losing 10 lbs a month... only lost 25lbs total on my whole year on WW hahaha!

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Since my surgery I have told more and more people and they have been supportive of me. I have even had a couple say that they would like to get the band. A lot of people have notice the change in the way I look. One of the reason that I did not tell everyone was that I did not wish to here about the negative things.

Chris

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I just was scheduled for Nov 15th today and I want to sing it to the whole world!!!!!!!!! I am so excited and I find people are very supportive and excited for me....

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Heck yeah! Why shouldn't everyone know?! Then again, I have no secrets, really. I'm very open about everything in my life (except finances - that's probably the one private thing I keep). Probably drive everyone batty blabbing on about my shrinking self! LOL

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      1. Selina333

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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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