the lap band has helped me/give me...
Hi all I know there has been a lot of negativity towards the band as of late but I just wanted to share what the lap band has done for me:
1. given me the chance to BELIEVE in myself. The lap band is only a tool- I've worked damn hard to lose the weight... I DID it... no one can take that from me!
2. strengthened my relationship with my husband, family, and friends. When you lack self confidence and are constantly down on yourself, others don't really want to be near you. I lost a lot of friends that way, but now that I BELIEVE in myself, I'm rediscovering relationships with people.
3. opportunities. I was a staff nurse on the bariatric at the hospital where I had my surgery. My patients would talk me up so much that my surgeons felt the need for a person to guide future patients and help them along with their journey. They have helped me get a job at a different hospital where they do surgery and I am now the bariatric surgery coordinator. I have a greater opportunity to help patients who are looking into WLS and guide them from seminar to the rest of our lives. I keep in touch with all of my patients on a weekly basis.
4. learn myself... self-discovery. I never knew that I was a volume eater and a stress eater until after surgery. The surgery made me dig deep into my soul and figure out what triggered my eating patters. I learned what my trigger foods are and now know that i can't keep them around or they will be gone in a heartbeat!
5. the opportunity to say I don't always have to finish my plate. Growing up that's all I heard... "finish your plate, your parents and grandparents worked hard for that last grain of rice" etc. Now I know that it's ok to not fini**** I want to live long, not die young!
6. the ability to MOVE. I admit it... I was a slug, couch potato, door stopper, etc prior to surgery. If you had asked me to talk a walk with you prior to surgery, I would make every excuse in the book not to go with you. I would BEG my husband to find the closest parking spot at the mall. I would take numerous breaks in the mall scouring the closest bench/seat I could find to rest (and trust me this happened a lot!). NOW... I am a runner... me a RUNNER! Runner a 10 miler in August.
7. happiness. I am truly happy. Sure I have my good days and my bad days but for the most part, I am happy.
8. the ability to ride a roller coaster without worrying whether or not I would fit in the seat.
9. learn about food. We are so caught up in processed foods and fast foods that we forget what mother nature has given us. Fresh foods are my staple.
10. I don't have to hear "you have such a pretty face." ugh. Enough said! LOL
what has the lap band done for you?
1. given me the chance to BELIEVE in myself. The lap band is only a tool- I've worked damn hard to lose the weight... I DID it... no one can take that from me!
2. strengthened my relationship with my husband, family, and friends. When you lack self confidence and are constantly down on yourself, others don't really want to be near you. I lost a lot of friends that way, but now that I BELIEVE in myself, I'm rediscovering relationships with people.
3. opportunities. I was a staff nurse on the bariatric at the hospital where I had my surgery. My patients would talk me up so much that my surgeons felt the need for a person to guide future patients and help them along with their journey. They have helped me get a job at a different hospital where they do surgery and I am now the bariatric surgery coordinator. I have a greater opportunity to help patients who are looking into WLS and guide them from seminar to the rest of our lives. I keep in touch with all of my patients on a weekly basis.
4. learn myself... self-discovery. I never knew that I was a volume eater and a stress eater until after surgery. The surgery made me dig deep into my soul and figure out what triggered my eating patters. I learned what my trigger foods are and now know that i can't keep them around or they will be gone in a heartbeat!
5. the opportunity to say I don't always have to finish my plate. Growing up that's all I heard... "finish your plate, your parents and grandparents worked hard for that last grain of rice" etc. Now I know that it's ok to not fini**** I want to live long, not die young!
6. the ability to MOVE. I admit it... I was a slug, couch potato, door stopper, etc prior to surgery. If you had asked me to talk a walk with you prior to surgery, I would make every excuse in the book not to go with you. I would BEG my husband to find the closest parking spot at the mall. I would take numerous breaks in the mall scouring the closest bench/seat I could find to rest (and trust me this happened a lot!). NOW... I am a runner... me a RUNNER! Runner a 10 miler in August.
7. happiness. I am truly happy. Sure I have my good days and my bad days but for the most part, I am happy.
8. the ability to ride a roller coaster without worrying whether or not I would fit in the seat.
9. learn about food. We are so caught up in processed foods and fast foods that we forget what mother nature has given us. Fresh foods are my staple.
10. I don't have to hear "you have such a pretty face." ugh. Enough said! LOL
what has the lap band done for you?
all the weight has been lost post-op..I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
highest weight: 333 pounds (I know I gained after my last "weigh in" in the doctors office so probably it's more like 340 pounds)
current weight: 151 pounds (7/12/11)
I've been at goal (165 pounds) for 6 months now and now on maintence. I tend to go up and down depending on time of the month and such! 
Jan,
You have done so well with your band I'm so happy for you !!! Look at all the things you have accomplished so many things to be proud of you . Your patients are darn lucky to have a person like you on their side :o) Makes me want to move where you are lol
The band has done alot of things for me I think my biggest thing for me right now is it helped me to quit smoking. I was a 2 pack a day smoker if not more and I had to quit . (cold turkey) to get this done and if I can do that I can do anything because that was ten times harder then kicking this eating of mine .
PS I responded back to you on the other post to fed up. It's kinda long and I hope I made sense lmao. I had so many things going through my little brain of mine lol.
You have done so well with your band I'm so happy for you !!! Look at all the things you have accomplished so many things to be proud of you . Your patients are darn lucky to have a person like you on their side :o) Makes me want to move where you are lol
The band has done alot of things for me I think my biggest thing for me right now is it helped me to quit smoking. I was a 2 pack a day smoker if not more and I had to quit . (cold turkey) to get this done and if I can do that I can do anything because that was ten times harder then kicking this eating of mine .
PS I responded back to you on the other post to fed up. It's kinda long and I hope I made sense lmao. I had so many things going through my little brain of mine lol.
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
(deactivated member)
on 6/10/11 1:43 am - Des Moines, IA
on 6/10/11 1:43 am - Des Moines, IA
Congrats on your list! You have worked hard and you should be proud, I know I am. My list would be pretty long, so I will list a few.
All of my blood work was normal! My blood pressure is great. Reflux gone, I had it prior to my band and never again! I feel great.
I have become so active and love trying new things.
Climbed to the top of the climbing wall at the gym.
Went zip lining on 4 lines.
Ran a mile in 10:15
Ice skated.
Enjoy doing the 30 day Shred.
Exercise 1+ hours a day.
Size 12 pants compared to 26 or 28's
I'm eating so much healthier foods.
I can handle working my 12 & 1/2 hour night shifts at work better. ( RN )
Now I want to have some family pics taken. Realized when putting together a photo slide show for DS graduation party, that I was not in any pics with our kids. It made me really sad.
Now I feel like I won't embarrass my DS when he goes off to college when we visit.
Okay I will stop....
All of my blood work was normal! My blood pressure is great. Reflux gone, I had it prior to my band and never again! I feel great.
I have become so active and love trying new things.
Climbed to the top of the climbing wall at the gym.
Went zip lining on 4 lines.
Ran a mile in 10:15
Ice skated.
Enjoy doing the 30 day Shred.
Exercise 1+ hours a day.
Size 12 pants compared to 26 or 28's
I'm eating so much healthier foods.
I can handle working my 12 & 1/2 hour night shifts at work better. ( RN )
Now I want to have some family pics taken. Realized when putting together a photo slide show for DS graduation party, that I was not in any pics with our kids. It made me really sad.
Now I feel like I won't embarrass my DS when he goes off to college when we visit.
Okay I will stop....
My band has given me my life back.
32 on the brink of diabites already on high blood pressure pills, no regular periods, no real chance of getting prego .. (not sure I want too but I didn't like the odds against me at the weight I was... I rather it be my choice)
I have NONE of those issues ... my first goal was co morbities taking care of those .. I don't snore anymore.. I can walk around with my friends and not worry if I'm going to be breathing heavly. I can shop at any department store.. not any store LOL but any department store before I soley could shop at plus size store.
My band has been me the opportunity not to be skinny and beautiful per say but to be normal
I love my band :)
32 on the brink of diabites already on high blood pressure pills, no regular periods, no real chance of getting prego .. (not sure I want too but I didn't like the odds against me at the weight I was... I rather it be my choice)
I have NONE of those issues ... my first goal was co morbities taking care of those .. I don't snore anymore.. I can walk around with my friends and not worry if I'm going to be breathing heavly. I can shop at any department store.. not any store LOL but any department store before I soley could shop at plus size store.
My band has been me the opportunity not to be skinny and beautiful per say but to be normal
I love my band :)
Hi,
Yesterday was the first time I got on these boards to find out, and get info on the lap band.
I'm scheduled for 6/27, Why so many replied w/negative remarks about the lap band. Reading yours you seem really happy about the lap band. Any advise on anything would be appreciated..
My sister had the bypass, but being the lap band is reversible, and not altering I thought this would be a good choice. I haven't done alot of research, on it as you probably can tell.
But again, you seem happy about the outcome.
Thank You, Christine
Yesterday was the first time I got on these boards to find out, and get info on the lap band.
I'm scheduled for 6/27, Why so many replied w/negative remarks about the lap band. Reading yours you seem really happy about the lap band. Any advise on anything would be appreciated..
My sister had the bypass, but being the lap band is reversible, and not altering I thought this would be a good choice. I haven't done alot of research, on it as you probably can tell.
But again, you seem happy about the outcome.
Thank You, Christine
Christine,
I'm going to be blunt. You really need to research. The band IS altering. It can be MAJORLY "altering," especially if you have complications. It's truly not reversible. It's removable. I'm not the same after band removal, that's for sure.
You NEED to read the Revisions forum. You need to know more before you go in on the 27th. Honestly, I'm trying to help you, not rub you the wrong way. And I only say this because you asked for advice on everything. Please take it in the spirit intended... to help.
Best of luck to you, with whatever you end up doing.
I'm going to be blunt. You really need to research. The band IS altering. It can be MAJORLY "altering," especially if you have complications. It's truly not reversible. It's removable. I'm not the same after band removal, that's for sure.
You NEED to read the Revisions forum. You need to know more before you go in on the 27th. Honestly, I'm trying to help you, not rub you the wrong way. And I only say this because you asked for advice on everything. Please take it in the spirit intended... to help.
Best of luck to you, with whatever you end up doing.
Avoid kemmerling, Green Bay, WI
Christine,
I just replied to you on the main board. Us lapbanders dont go over there to much. There is no support over there just telling you what a mistake you will be making or you are doomed to fail .
People need to realize that not everybody will have problems with the band. Each surgery has its risks and there is no surgery 100% risk free. None of them and dont let anybody tell you other wise.
There are so many banders here that are happy and have lost tons of weight with their band with no problems or very minimal problems.
Do your research and do what is best for you , in the long run that is all that matters anyways.
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
LOL It's ok!
Sorry I haven't been on in a few days... had to round on patients!
Sorry I haven't been on in a few days... had to round on patients!
all the weight has been lost post-op..I LOVE MY BAND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
highest weight: 333 pounds (I know I gained after my last "weigh in" in the doctors office so probably it's more like 340 pounds)
current weight: 151 pounds (7/12/11)
I've been at goal (165 pounds) for 6 months now and now on maintence. I tend to go up and down depending on time of the month and such!
Mine gave me a healthy pregnancy after which I left the hospital only weighing 4 lbs more than before I got pregnant. Those 4 lbs were quickly lost as well.
Banded 03/22/06 276/261/184 (highest/surgery/lowest)
Sleeved 07/11/2013 228/165 (surgery/current) (111lbs lost)
Mom to two of the cutest boys on earth.
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