KEEP IT REAL!

Hi Indie~ Thought provoking questions! Here goes: 1) Name something aobut your post op experience that you don't like. Hmm...this is a tough one. Lap band patients need to reach adequate restriction (though filling the band's "inner tube" with saline) in order to lose optimal amounts of weight. I am still trying to find good restriction--have had only one "fill" (saline solution) so far, and need a little more saline to help me consume less food. So I guess trying to find that "sweet spot" of great restriction is what I don't like...BUT I know it will eventually be achieved. I'm pretty close now, and will have a second fill in April to "tweek" it a bit. 2) If you were told that WLS surgery would make you healthier, but not skinnier, would you still have had the surgery? Yes. My primary reason for having WLS was my deteriorating health. I carried so much extra weight, for so many years, that it took a toll on my health (high b/p & sleep apnea). I want to be healthy FIRST-b/c if I can get back a decent energy level, I'd likely be able to lose the weight (keeping it off is another story --that's where the lap band is REALLY valuable--keeping us at goal weight and not regaining!) Don't get me wrong--I love the thought of looking good in jeans and a tight top, too! 3) Knowing now, what you didn't know then, would you stil have had the the type of WLS surgery you chose? Absolutely. I am convinced this is the safest, healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off. And I will maintain some modicum of control over my WL journey, because I can kick up the speed of weight loss through diet and extra excercise, if I choose to be more disciplined. It feels less as if something was done "to" me to make me lose weight, and more like I have a partner inside (my band) to help me achieve my weight loss goals. 4) What are some things that people didn't tell you pre op, that you wish you would've known? I felt really well prepared for surgery, both from the OH Lap Band Forum and from two friends who'd had band surgery last year, so no real surprises. I think that compared to most other forms of WLS, lap band journys are generally pretty similar to one another. Some people might have a lower tolerance for post-op discomfort, or a hematoma, or other minor issues, but since there's no internal cutting or reassembly, the surgery and post-op experiences are pretty textbook. There are always exceptions, of course, but that's the general rule. I realize I probably sound like an ad for banding, but the reality is that so far, it's really been a postive experience for me. The help and support from the forum also provides daily inspiration and a ready source of information. Good luck on your Weight Loss Journey! Bobbi

1.) Name something about your post op experience that you don't like? I lose weight in a spurt-and-plateau fashion. I can drop 6-7lbs in a week and then nothing for 3 or 4 weeks. VERY frustrating! 2.) If you were told that wls surgery would make you healthier, but not skinnier, would you still have had the surgery. Not sure how to answer this as weight loss is what was clearly needed to improve some of my health conditions: diabetes, irregular cycle/PCOS... would I have done it if I wouldn't have lost a pound? Not likely. Would I have done it to lose the 58 lbs I've lost so far even if I never lost another? Yes, absolutely (even though I am far far far from skinny!) 3.) Knowing now, what you didn't know then, would you still have had the type of wls surgery you chose (i.e. Lap band, RNY, DS etc..) Why? Yes! If anything, I am learning to appreciate the aspects of lap banding that I worried about pre-op. For the first time in my life I (and not my food addiction) am in charge of my eating, my body and my weight. I was afraid pre-op that I wouldn't be able to follow all the lap band guidelines because there seemed to be so many (how to eat, what to eat, when to drink, when not to drink...) and they seemed pretty rigid (I have always rebelled against rigidity!). What I have learned is that the guidelines are there to GUIDE me but I get to choose how to adjust them to meet my needs, to make my band journey successful. 4.) What are somethings that people didn't tell you pre op, that you wished you would've known? That some people lose in fits and starts. All I heard about was the average lap bander losing 1-2 lbs a week on average and I went for a while plateauing without realizing that some of us just lose weight differently. I felt VERY frustrated. To be thrilled with the weeks I lose 7 lbs I need to accept the weeks I lose none. It's still a struggle (intellectually knowing something doesn't always satisfy the emotional feeling side of me) but one I'm learning to deal with. Caeli 348/323/291/under 200

I don't know if you'll still get this but I am not so happy with surgery right now. First to answer your questions: 1.I'm not losing weight or inches. Haven't in almost 7 wks. I am just now 2wks from being 3 months out so look at the time between surgery and now. I'm not losing no matter what I do! 2. NO 3. At this point maybe DS 4. That you may not lose. Can't find anything about it anywhere I'm really pissed and I'm doing most everything right. Get around 600-800 cal/day and still not losing. This has made me feel worse than before surgery. Marti-24 lously pounds

Marti -- I was just browsing this board because I'm 4 weeks pre-op and noticed your post. I'm very sorry that you're not happy and I don't know if I can help but I'm just gonna throw this out there. I read a piece of your profile where you mentioned that the doctor said "don't worry about protein." I admit I don't know much about your procedure (I'm having Lap RNY), so I'm not sure how your body absorbs differently, but I'm relatively certain that, except for banding patients, ALL others should be loading up with protein. So you might consider seeking out another surgeon for some help. You have been through a lot of pain, time, money and emotional stress and not all doctors are good. Just my two cents. I wish you the very best. Dawn

1.) Name something about your post op experience that you don't like I am in a different place... some say I have lost too much. Using the height and weight BMI scale on this (and every other site known to man) I am of normal weight. However, I lost over 100 percent of my excess. I went from a size 30 to a size 4 (sometimes even a 2). Sadly, some of the people I know (that have had surgery and others who have not) are convinced that I am suffering from some type of eating disorder, when all I did was follow the rules. So, I am kind of pissed off that I did what I was supposed to, and got the right results, feel fine, and remain the subject of controversy and or speculation from a group of people who could really care less, but want something to talk about.... 2.) If you were told that wls surgery would make you healthier, but not skinnier, would you still have had the surgery. No. I was extremely overweight >300 lbs and needed to lose weight. I did not have any chronic illnesses or morbidities, other than the weight and the associated aches and pains. I guess I was lucky in that my body was able to withstand over 200 pounds of excess weight with relatively no long term damage, other than varicose veins, which I have since had fixed. I don't think anyone who is honest can say that they would have subjected themselves to a couple of hours of surgery (that one in two hundred people will die from), if the expectation was not weight loss. After all, I have not met anyone pre-op who was not desperate, and using this surgery as a last resort. I know that is what I did. 3.) Knowing now, what you didn't know then, would you still have had the type of wls surgery you chose (i.e. Lap band, RNY, DS etc..) Why? I had the RnY. I never wanted the lap-band, would not even consider it. As for the DS, I may have had that, had it been an option. But it was not, so I took what my insurance paid for. Ironically, since my operation, the surgeon has modified his technique, and now does Fobi, which he would not do for me or anyone else who got the procedure early on in his practice. He said he switched up to increase complaince; it is harder to outeat the Fobi apparently. At first, I felt robbed; I wanted the Fobi and did not get it. But, I have surpassed goal, and that is what matters. Making the operation more aggressive suggests to me that he has a large number of non complaint patients, which is a seperate issue. Personally, I don't think that enough time is spent on pre-op compliance to the diet they recommend. If you can't lose weight pre-op on his diet, chances are you will fail post op, too. Just my opinion... 4.) What are somethings that people didn't tell you pre op, that you wished you would've know? This is the most important one... you will still be a prisoner of food, but in a different way. That is so important, yet nobody ever bothered to mention it to me. It is what I tell all pre-ops who want honest answers. I spend so much time carefully selecting this or that, preparing it, eating little bits, etc... Also, I think about food a lot. Which to try, which to not try. How much, how often, is the pouch stretched out, can I eat too much, should I ask for an x ray, does this food have too many calories, too little calories, did I get enough water in, did I get enough protein in.. Should I dare to try this or that? This is a full time job, believe me. Another thing... people will change. As you lose weight, you will, too. I became more confident, and a bit more outspoken. At the same time, I felt kind of uncomfortable in my new body. I did not have fat to hide behind. But, I had a great support system...at home. Work is another story. Lots of jealousy there, I think. That is where all the eating disorder stuff started, shortly after I was featured in a magazine as a successful WLS patient. Although I though it was great to be featured, the hurtful comments would have made me think twice. One last thing.. sometimes it get tiring to be a post op patient. Lots of vitamins and sppliments to remember. Support groups...yea or nay (Nay for me, I am tired of the whining and *****ing, and the need for constant reassurance from strangers, and the bragging). I know from reading posts on this site that there are excellent support groups out there. My doc split his into pre and post op sessions, which helped. They work very hard on these groups, and should be recognized for their efforts. But there are a few of his post op patients who use the support group as a means to get some kind of gratification... They grandstand, brag, and make a general pest of themselves. I stay away, so that I can follow the old saying of "if you can't say anything nice..."

Hi Indie! Here are my answers to your very interesting post... 1.) Since I get very sick with any type of sugar, I would have to say that NEVER getting to have ANY type of cake or pie (other than special sugar free low carb things) is really a bummer. I turned 40 on 5/13, and I really would have loved to have a little piece of birthday cake - I mean as a special treat. But I am learning to live without these things entirely, because getting so sick is just not worth it. 2.) Well, before my surgery I couldn't walk and I was always really ill. So, if you are saying that my SIZE and weight would not change, but my HEALTH would improve, then yes I still would. I mean, if you can't walk, then you might as well give up, you know what I mean? Now, I can run, climb, jump, and I can also finally breathe very easily. 3.) While I truly believe that all forms of WLS have their own share of successes, I would say that I would still choose the RNY - especially since RNY has the larger track record of a better successfull permanent weight loss, when compared to other procedures such as the lapband. 4.) I wish I had been better prepared for the hernias (I had an open surgery and I have developed hernias along the incision), and that they were more common than I thought. Also, I wish I had been better prepared for the sheer amount of skin that would be hanging around my waist - I am now well past my goal (goal was 200, I am at 170), and the skin really puts a damper on it. Also, I wish I was told that I would have this horrible mental thing of seeing myself as such a fat person still in the mirror (no matter how much weight you lose, when you have so much skin hanging, you can't help but feel fat). I am having plastics finally on 9/21, so I hope this will help with that problem. Also, there are times when my dumping was SOOOO horrendous and painful, not just the usual nausea but really bad pain, caused by the stupidest of foods (don't always assume that a food is "safe" - different foods affect different people in different ways) - just a few of the things that come to mind. There you go, I hope this helps a bit. Take care! Michael

I agree with some that posted here. When I was 1-2 weeks out I regretted everything.But on Tuesday it will be 1 month. i've lost 40lbs and 2 dress sizes since i started this.I can walk better and i have more energy.I would do this all over again where before I said I would never do this again.I had the surgery for both reasons,to lose weight and to be healthier,which I am feeling now. I would do the same procedure(RNY) again,i've heard stories about the others.The only thing I didnt like was the liquid diet plan and the pain after the OP. The first 2-3 weeks is very hard. xoxo roser

After much research, I chose the lap-band. I was prepared for the possibility of erosion, slippage, BP, vomitting, etc, and even death. What I was not prepared for was not being able to banded. I wish they had REALLY made me aware of the possibility of waking up from surgery WITHOUT the lap-band (according to my DR due to abnormality in my anatomy for which they do not test pre-op) and that the scar tissue from the first aborted attempt at placing the lap-band would make the second attempt at surgery to place band unsuccessful. 2) I also was not prepared for the adverse reaction I had to the derma-bond (the surgical glue my surgeon uses to close wounds). All things considered if I had the opition of trying to have a band palced a 3rd time, with a VIABLE possibilty of it being successfully placed, I would do it again.