My Band Is 4 Years Old Today! (long, but with pics)
4 years ago, today, I was so damn excited I couldn't contain myself! I was going under the knife to have a a little band wrapped around my stomach.
Once filled to the proper level, this medical invention would make my world perfect! I would no longer be fat, I would love to exercise, I would choose healthy foods to eat, and I would live happily ever after.
What?? It doesn't happen that way?
The first mistake was to pick such a lousy surgeon. (Not that I had too much of a choice here in New Mexico, where we had NO, NONE, NADA WLS surgeons) This man was horrible. Talk about a band mill....sheeesh. For my first fill, he didn't even bother to weigh me in, he never even weighed me before surgery....he only weighed me at my "seminar" visit to make sure my BMI was high enough.
That surgeon never once cared if I was really losing weight. He skipped the state of Texas (where I would drive for fills) a few months after my surgery, and I was transferred to a different surgeon, in a different town in El Paso. This man is great and I am thankful he is my doc.
I really never experienced too much of a "normal" band experience the first couple of years (whatever normal is) because my band was poorly placed. I had restriction from the beginning. I PB'd before ever having my first fill. However, I was able to lose 100 lbs by the 18 month mark. By this time my band had severely slipped, I just didn't know it. I kept blaming myself for the acid reflux and not being able to keep down much of anything. I figured it was just stress, as I was going through a separation, learning a new job and dealing with some financial problems.
I had surgery to correct the placement of my band. During the waiting time to get my surgery (unfilled) and the year before I attained a helpful restriction I regained 45 pounds or so.
I take ownership of it, fully.....but it was so depressing. I finally kicked my own butt last year, and have lost about 25 of that. So, I will get back down where I really would like to be....just doing it very slow.
I have learned several lessons the past 4 years. First of all, no matter how motivated and prepared you THINK you are, if you are a food addict, THIS WILL NOT BE EASY.....not even close.
No matter how much you couldn't wait to get to a good restriction level, it ticks you off once you get there. "What do you mean I can't eat the rest of my lunch?? It's healthy food and it tastes good!!"
Just because you have a bit more energy after losing some of the weight, does NOT mean you will instantly want to become a gym rat. I had to make myself go.......eventually, I learned to really like it, but I still find excuses not to go....just get lazy.
Being a more normal weight has not made my life instantly better. In some areas, it definitely has. Feeling stronger and better about myself led me to question my cir****tances, and how I was allowing myself to be treated.....this led to the end of marriage and few toxic friendships. However, feeling stronger and better about myself has led me to forming very good and healthy relationships with new people, including with my boyfriend that I have.
Little things that changed that make me smile include:
*never worrying if I can fit in to a booth, airplane seat or carnival ride
*getting a little extra attention from the male species now and then
*shopping in the misses section (sometimes juniors)
*wearing more fashionable clothes
*wearing high heels
*wearing mini-skirts
*getting rid of my diabetes meds
*being told by my doc this past year that I basically do not have diabetes anymore
Here is a "before" pic....this wasn't even at my heaviest
Here is a pic taken New Year's Eve
And with my sweetie before going to a Christmas party
If I had it all to do over again, I would have found a way to get the sleeve or RNY. Living over 200 miles from the nearest band surgeon is just too hard. There is no such thing as going in for a slight unfill, or a tweak. When you have to drive 4 hours each way, you make damn sure you need that fill or unfill. My band can by psychotic....letting me eat beans one day, and not allowing them the next day. It's hard to plan meals, etc. HOWEVER, I am much better off, health-wise than I was 4 years ago, and will be forever grateful for this chance at having a healthy life!!
Once filled to the proper level, this medical invention would make my world perfect! I would no longer be fat, I would love to exercise, I would choose healthy foods to eat, and I would live happily ever after.
What?? It doesn't happen that way? The first mistake was to pick such a lousy surgeon. (Not that I had too much of a choice here in New Mexico, where we had NO, NONE, NADA WLS surgeons) This man was horrible. Talk about a band mill....sheeesh. For my first fill, he didn't even bother to weigh me in, he never even weighed me before surgery....he only weighed me at my "seminar" visit to make sure my BMI was high enough.
That surgeon never once cared if I was really losing weight. He skipped the state of Texas (where I would drive for fills) a few months after my surgery, and I was transferred to a different surgeon, in a different town in El Paso. This man is great and I am thankful he is my doc.
I really never experienced too much of a "normal" band experience the first couple of years (whatever normal is) because my band was poorly placed. I had restriction from the beginning. I PB'd before ever having my first fill. However, I was able to lose 100 lbs by the 18 month mark. By this time my band had severely slipped, I just didn't know it. I kept blaming myself for the acid reflux and not being able to keep down much of anything. I figured it was just stress, as I was going through a separation, learning a new job and dealing with some financial problems.
I had surgery to correct the placement of my band. During the waiting time to get my surgery (unfilled) and the year before I attained a helpful restriction I regained 45 pounds or so.
I take ownership of it, fully.....but it was so depressing. I finally kicked my own butt last year, and have lost about 25 of that. So, I will get back down where I really would like to be....just doing it very slow. I have learned several lessons the past 4 years. First of all, no matter how motivated and prepared you THINK you are, if you are a food addict, THIS WILL NOT BE EASY.....not even close.
No matter how much you couldn't wait to get to a good restriction level, it ticks you off once you get there. "What do you mean I can't eat the rest of my lunch?? It's healthy food and it tastes good!!"
Just because you have a bit more energy after losing some of the weight, does NOT mean you will instantly want to become a gym rat. I had to make myself go.......eventually, I learned to really like it, but I still find excuses not to go....just get lazy.
Being a more normal weight has not made my life instantly better. In some areas, it definitely has. Feeling stronger and better about myself led me to question my cir****tances, and how I was allowing myself to be treated.....this led to the end of marriage and few toxic friendships. However, feeling stronger and better about myself has led me to forming very good and healthy relationships with new people, including with my boyfriend that I have.
Little things that changed that make me smile include:
*never worrying if I can fit in to a booth, airplane seat or carnival ride
*getting a little extra attention from the male species now and then
*shopping in the misses section (sometimes juniors)
*wearing more fashionable clothes
*wearing high heels
*wearing mini-skirts
*getting rid of my diabetes meds
*being told by my doc this past year that I basically do not have diabetes anymore
Here is a "before" pic....this wasn't even at my heaviest
Here is a pic taken New Year's Eve
And with my sweetie before going to a Christmas partyIf I had it all to do over again, I would have found a way to get the sleeve or RNY. Living over 200 miles from the nearest band surgeon is just too hard. There is no such thing as going in for a slight unfill, or a tweak. When you have to drive 4 hours each way, you make damn sure you need that fill or unfill. My band can by psychotic....letting me eat beans one day, and not allowing them the next day. It's hard to plan meals, etc. HOWEVER, I am much better off, health-wise than I was 4 years ago, and will be forever grateful for this chance at having a healthy life!!
LapBand Surgery 01/10/08, Revison to Sleeve 04/03/12
You and sweetie look happy, best wishes on your relationship. All I can say to your words about the band is Amen. You've survived the upsets and r coming off victorious. Congrats. I too have had a few bumps in the road with my band. This too will pass and the weight gained will be lost. Take care,
Z
Z
With 
I will succeed.
HW: 280 - LW: 190 - GW - 180
Unfilled 8/15/11 - WT: 209
1st Fill 11/29/11 - WT: 215.5 - 3cc
2/20/12 - New Goal - Get n Onederland
2nd Fill 4/26/12 - WT: 224.0 - 3cc
Z
Bravo my lovely Lady!!!!
Not only on your accomplishments but on writing a awesome post!!!!! I see alot of myself in it and I am sure many others banded for a while do also, so honest and straight forward.
It is great to see where you are at now, that handsome man on your arm and most of all how happy you look!!!
Congratulations!!!
Michele
Not only on your accomplishments but on writing a awesome post!!!!! I see alot of myself in it and I am sure many others banded for a while do also, so honest and straight forward.
It is great to see where you are at now, that handsome man on your arm and most of all how happy you look!!!
Congratulations!!!
Michele
Thanks, Michele!! So kind!! I felt like I knew what I was getting in to with the band, but I understimated my food addiction and slider foods. *sigh*
Mel!
I remember meeting you the first time, like it was yesterday! I am so proud of you. It's not easy admitting that this food addiction is greater than we are - at times! YOU look awesome! You're healthy and happy! You have the determination to make your dreams come true!
Have you thought of seeing a WLS in ABQ? I have a friend who is an NP in a LapBand doctor's office and they might even take your insurance. Then you won't have to drive the 4 hours!
Big Hugs! And
Happy 4th Bandiversary!!!!
I remember meeting you the first time, like it was yesterday! I am so proud of you. It's not easy admitting that this food addiction is greater than we are - at times! YOU look awesome! You're healthy and happy! You have the determination to make your dreams come true!
Have you thought of seeing a WLS in ABQ? I have a friend who is an NP in a LapBand doctor's office and they might even take your insurance. Then you won't have to drive the 4 hours!
Big Hugs! And
Happy 4th Bandiversary!!!!
12/09 and 6/11, 9 skin removal procedures with Dr. Sauceda in Monterrey Mexico
Revised to the Sleeve after losing 271 lbs with the LapBand.
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