Becoming active in my banding

I've really had a crappy time with my band--- much of it is me, some of it is my lack of restriction. Actually I should call it my often lack and fickled occasional restriction.

I decided tonight that alot of it is my sense of doing this alone. Don't get me wrong I have fantastic people I have met who are also wls people...but to be honest, I talk very little about my wls with them.

I noticed some of the people who are "successful" check in and are active in their prospective communities. I don't do that...I've been coming here for about six months and post very little. So if I feel alone, it isnt because others havent reached out to me, but rather because I havent reached out to others.

I want to start checking in daily to get my head in the right place, not for "accountability" but for support, being active in my own physical recovery and to give support. I don't want to feel alone, or hide behind my blog alone to discuss my stuff.

I surgically altered my body, am I going to blow off this chance to change or treat it like a dress that doesnt fit?

Chrissy ----

My 'toolbox' for success includes alot of tools.

I consider my Realize Band to be the biggest tool, but I also use

1.  local Band Support groups (I have access to 3 Band groups monthly, but am active in only 1 of them).

2.  Weigh****chers -- I attend weekly and I reached my Lifetime status with them in Feb 2011.  I love the accountability, the friendship and support

3.  OA - I belong to 2 OA e-mail loops -- one specific to WLS, and one general one.  OA helps keep me focused and centered.  It has been my choice to make a list of 'trigger foods' and abstain from them since before my surgery.

4.  On-line support groups (this one and a Yahoo Group) --- friendship, support, a way to 'pay it forward' by sharing my journey with others

I honor your committment to come back here and check in and reach out for support.
Welcome back!!!!

 I had just come home from an OA meeting when I posted! AND Im also on two Yahoo support email loops but , again, not very active there and began yesterday to post a little more.

Thanks so much for sharing what works for you. Im taking your suggestions and putting them into action today.

Chrissy,

I check this forum several times a day. I helps SO MUCH to interact with others who truly understand this struggle - there is a lot of inspiration to be found here! It helps me to remember to not give up - and that there will be ups & downs.

Come to the forum often and take it one day at a time - you'll be successful!

 Thanks so much! I have seen the support users give each other and I think you're right, the interaction really allows people to have hope.

Hi, I come to this board daily.    I received so much support waiting for insurance approval and post op.  I hope to help others and give encouragement to people with bands.  I don't get involved in the surgery wars. I am here to support the people with bands.  I wish anyone the best that is fighting obesity.  I believe that I also gain support just being active on this board.

I go to monthly support meetings when I'm not working the weekend.

Hope your journey gets easier for you!
Kristi

 Great focus. Thanks so much! I have lurked, I have my blog, I tweet...but, like you said, I think being here daily would be the connection missing. I have seen the surgery wars and other melodrama, I remove myself, period. I have enough *$@% fests in my life without diving into a few more :)

Congratulations on taking control of your own destiny and WL success!  Like many have already responded, this forum has been key to my WL success because where else can you go to have access to so many others that have walked in your shoes!  We all know what it's like to live with a band.  We also all know what it's like to be morbidly obese!  Together these two things are really important because nobody can give the same advice as someone that's been there, done that!  You'll get a huge variance of methods and opinions, but ultimately you choose what works for you. 

Early on I clung to some of the people on this forum that seemed to see things the same as myself.  You can usually tell who you "click" with and who might be like minded or have the skills, outlook and attitude that you can relate to.  Connect with those people often.  Friend them, read their blogs and ask questions.  I've developed some lasting friendships by doing just that and it's been really invaluable to my progress.  When ever I travel on business or pleasure I reach out to other OH bandsters that live where I'm visiting.  I'm met Elena and KathKeb that way as well as some others.  Who would have thought I'd want to visit Iowa, but I do because I'd really like to meet Kristi!

I also started my own live support group by reaching out to others on this forum that live near me.  Now we have a goup of 20 or so women that meet monthly.  It's awesome to have that live connection as well as the on-line tool!

Keep doing what you're doing and never, never give up!  If I can do this, you can too!

Best~
Lisa O.

 Wow, thanks so much. I came home after a rough day and really needed to read that...there are no coincidences.

I'm seeing my surgeon tomorrow, and he is hesitant about giving me more fills...but I found out I have 4.5 ml in an 11 inch AP band which holds 14 ml. He said at one point "We're really getting up there" about my last fill, which I find odd.......so I am seeing another surgeon for a consult on Thursday. I am very happy with my surgery, it went text book and I had a great heal time. Im just not sure how I feel about the after care and his acting weirded out abiout another fill. He is awesome though and a gifted surgeon. (I don't want anyone to think I am bad mouthing him because I most definitly am NOT. I just feel some doctors are better at one area of their feild than others, so maybe his strong suit is the surgery part)

I believe you would be well within your rights to request that he measure exactly how much fluid is in your band when you see him next.  If it's really only 4.5cc's that's not much.  I keep 5.25 in my band and it gives me great restriction, but I know MANY who need more.  I believe the average is 7 cc's for optimal restriction which can vary greatly per individual.  The amount isn't really that relative though.  What matters is how you answer these questions:

1. Are you hungry between meals?
2. Can you eat more than 1 cup of solid food at a time?
3. Has your weight loss stalled?

These are the 3 questions usually asked to determine whether or not you need a fill.  If you answer yes to 2 or more you probably need a small fill.

Keep us posted.  I'm in your corner!

Lisa O.