Mind Set- The MOST important tool/enemy we have!

Well, here I am nearly 3 years post op and I feel like I have experienced so many different mind sets about my lapband since I got it. In the early days (up to about 18 months post op) I was an avid lapband fan. By around year two I started experiencing difficulties(ulcer, and several months unfilled) and gaining slowly. I wasnt neccesarily anti-band but I certainly struggled with maintaining a positive attitude about it. I felt like a failure and I started wishing I had gone with something else. Now I am completely unfilled once again after only 3 months with restriction and having gained 20lbs in the last year (32 total from my lowest weight) I have to remind myself that my mindset has either been my best tool or worst enemy. When I am motivated I can get through so much more. Just 3 weeks ago when I went in and learned my band and esophagus were prolapsed I wanted to know all of my options for revision to another procedure. In the first week unfilled I gained 6 lbs (which is faster then I have ever gained in my life). This week though I hopped back into the game, got my mind set in the right place and feel really ready to do this...AGAIN (famous last words, right?)

Anyways I am tracking my foods after a really long time of no****ching it at all. I am exercising (3 days this week already when I havent so much as considered it in months) and I am taking my vitamins (huge for me since I suck at this). I really feel like if I can get through the prolapsed band and start over again in the next few months with slow fills I might just be able to do this again. Here's to me keeping a positive mind set and everyone else here as well!!

Thanks for sharing! It's a nice reminder that our bodies will only do what our minds tell them to do.

One question: Can prolapse correct itself without surgery? How did your doc know it happened?

Thanks!

 My doctor didn't do much explaining but I am pretty sure prolapsed means I stretched my pouch so the hope is that while I am unfilled for 3 months it will return to normal. It was found because even though I was too tight I was getting hungry often and needed more than 3/4 of a cup to feel full so I had an upper GI which confirmed it. The hope is that being unfilled for 3 months will allow it to self correct but I'll have another upper GI before I can start getting filled again. Just to clarify I got pretty off track for awhile with my band after having an ulcer so I wasn't measuring and was eating more than I should have been. I don't think prolapsed bands just happen when you follow your band rules. 

 Thanks Sarah!  I am three years out too and struggling to get back on track.  Your words are a great reminder that our head needs to be in the game!

Toni

Sarah-

You and I were banded days apart...we were close in our "starting weight"... and I too am struggling at this point.  I have not had any problems with my band, however, I had to stop exercising due to a back injury.  I have gained 25 lbs back.  Running was my "preferred" exercise, not because I loved it but because it was effective!  I cant run anymore, so I just quit. Quit measuring, quit tracking, quit the protien (which is vital for me), quit it all.  I never "overate", but really did learn to love the sliders....

So...here I am, 175 up from my lowest of 150.  My goal is 140. 

This week I am beginning again.  Exercising again.  Starting my protien supplements again. I just cant get enough protien without them.  When I dont get the protien, I end up gravitating toward the sliders...

Feel free to message me to talk.  PM me and I will give you my personal email if you want.  Maybe together we can get and STAY back on track!!!

Mandy

 I sent you a pm

Hi Sarah!

Long time!  Good to see you back on here eventhough you're having issues.  As I understand it,  a stretched pouch is a dilation, a prolapse is something different.  Maybe one of the experts will chime in, but I think a prolapse is when the stomach comes up through the band.  I would definately ask your surgeon more questions.  Hopefully it is only a stretched pouch and esophagus.  While serious enough, I've heard they can go back into shape with a total unfill.

You're in my prayers!

Lisa O.

  Thanks for the welcome back Lisa. It's good to see familiar faces here. Also thanks for clarifying the difference. I don't know why I said "prolapsed". What I think my doctor said was dialated actually. He seemed pretty confident that the unfill would fix it up so we'll see. For now I'm working on my brain and hopefully that will get me back on track just in time to start getting fills again.