OT: Trying to find my place in this world...
I had Lapband sept 6, 2007, lost 119 lbs in 9 months before emergency surgery to remove it this June... i can't have a new one placed, and RNY/DS/VGS etc are all non-options as my body creates too much scar tissue...
i am on my own, feel like i am starving all the time now, cravings have taken over again and i have gained weight from more calories in than out, not being able to exercise (i had a 3 inch wide by 3 inch deep incision that needed debrised, cleaned and packed 3 times a day... finally closed up 2 weeks ago, then re-opened for a couple days then resealed.... Doc won't release me to exercise for at least another 2 and 1/2 weeks min)
on top of all that, i was self-pay to get the band ($17,500) and then when i had bowel (not band) issues for several months, my PCP sent me by ambulance to the hospital that did my band and now refuses to pay for ANY of it... to the tune of over $132,500 and still counting.
and if one more person asks what i ate/did/exercised to lose so much in 9 months, then blows it off as too hard for them or if i read one more time that i must have done something wrong or not followed rules to have my band removed, i will scream!!! you CAN follow all the rules and still lose it!
I am VERY frustrated !!! my attitude SUCKS !!!
i find myself irritated with WLS patients who take their tools/gifts/2nd or last chances and disreguard the rules, exercise, protein and vitamin supps and then complain...
i don't feel like i belong on the Lapband board cause i want to chew them out... or the RNY or DS board cause i can only take educated guesses on their issues...
i just want to find my place in this weight loss world. thanks for letting me rant/rave
i am on my own, feel like i am starving all the time now, cravings have taken over again and i have gained weight from more calories in than out, not being able to exercise (i had a 3 inch wide by 3 inch deep incision that needed debrised, cleaned and packed 3 times a day... finally closed up 2 weeks ago, then re-opened for a couple days then resealed.... Doc won't release me to exercise for at least another 2 and 1/2 weeks min)
on top of all that, i was self-pay to get the band ($17,500) and then when i had bowel (not band) issues for several months, my PCP sent me by ambulance to the hospital that did my band and now refuses to pay for ANY of it... to the tune of over $132,500 and still counting.
and if one more person asks what i ate/did/exercised to lose so much in 9 months, then blows it off as too hard for them or if i read one more time that i must have done something wrong or not followed rules to have my band removed, i will scream!!! you CAN follow all the rules and still lose it!
I am VERY frustrated !!! my attitude SUCKS !!!
i find myself irritated with WLS patients who take their tools/gifts/2nd or last chances and disreguard the rules, exercise, protein and vitamin supps and then complain...
i don't feel like i belong on the Lapband board cause i want to chew them out... or the RNY or DS board cause i can only take educated guesses on their issues...
i just want to find my place in this weight loss world. thanks for letting me rant/rave
Amber
Band Removed 6/17/08
Sleeve gastrectomy 6/27/11
Band Removed 6/17/08
Sleeve gastrectomy 6/27/11
Well, Amber....you sure have been through a lot.
Anyone who has researched/had the surgery should be well aware of the potential risks and I'm sorry folks told you that you must have done something wrong - most of us know better. I was going to do the lapband so I was reading a lot - and reading a lot of horror stories about folks who had to have it removed - and the pain they went through - physically and emotionally. Not one time did I read that it was because they "didn't follow the rules" so I don't know why people would accuse you of such unless they are so full of joy from their own success that there's no room in their hearts for a little bit of compassion for those who have suffered like you have. Let's face it... the band is a foreign material being place IN our body.................. and like anything else, there's always the possibility of rejection and/or complications.
I develop scar tissue quite easily as well so I was concerned about that - and it was one of the reasons (albeit one of the lesser reasons) which kept me from getting it done.
Well... welcome home girl, because you do belong here! Most of us are non-op and there are those who have had some sort of surgical intervention but find comfort here with folks who have to do the do, just like they do. We all know that the surgery isn't a cure all or a quick fix.. folks have to work hard for their tools to be of any benefit to them.
Stick around...some of us are doing things which all but eliminates hunger.... like Atkins (or rather, low carb ways of eating. Don't worry about the exercise right now....... weight loss is probably 85% diet anyway. The exercise will help, but for now it's not a necessity.. Take the time to heal not just your body, but your mind............... I can't even imagine the physical as well as emotional pain you've been in over this.
One day at a time hon...... just take one day at a time. Jump in and post your menu daily and talk about the challenges you are facing. You'll never meet a group of more understanding, wise and non judgemental people as you will here. (Even a couple of kooks... like me).. :)
God Be With you!!
Lori
Anyone who has researched/had the surgery should be well aware of the potential risks and I'm sorry folks told you that you must have done something wrong - most of us know better. I was going to do the lapband so I was reading a lot - and reading a lot of horror stories about folks who had to have it removed - and the pain they went through - physically and emotionally. Not one time did I read that it was because they "didn't follow the rules" so I don't know why people would accuse you of such unless they are so full of joy from their own success that there's no room in their hearts for a little bit of compassion for those who have suffered like you have. Let's face it... the band is a foreign material being place IN our body.................. and like anything else, there's always the possibility of rejection and/or complications.
I develop scar tissue quite easily as well so I was concerned about that - and it was one of the reasons (albeit one of the lesser reasons) which kept me from getting it done.
Well... welcome home girl, because you do belong here! Most of us are non-op and there are those who have had some sort of surgical intervention but find comfort here with folks who have to do the do, just like they do. We all know that the surgery isn't a cure all or a quick fix.. folks have to work hard for their tools to be of any benefit to them.
Stick around...some of us are doing things which all but eliminates hunger.... like Atkins (or rather, low carb ways of eating. Don't worry about the exercise right now....... weight loss is probably 85% diet anyway. The exercise will help, but for now it's not a necessity.. Take the time to heal not just your body, but your mind............... I can't even imagine the physical as well as emotional pain you've been in over this.
One day at a time hon...... just take one day at a time. Jump in and post your menu daily and talk about the challenges you are facing. You'll never meet a group of more understanding, wise and non judgemental people as you will here. (Even a couple of kooks... like me).. :)
God Be With you!!
Lori
(deactivated member)
on 8/31/08 1:27 am - Rochester, NY
on 8/31/08 1:27 am - Rochester, NY
I think you've found your place....very supportive and friendly group here.
I'm sorry you have had to go through so much...you must be one strong lady. So take that strength (and your accomplishments) and build from there. No one right way for everyone and we're all just "doin the do" as Lori says.
My daughter went through a similar situation with an incision that would not heal (after a C-section) and it took her 9 months of the packing and wound care...not fun. Allow yourself time to heal and don't rush the exercise....you certainly don't want to have to start that all over again. Make sure you're getting lots of protein to help that healing process.
Rant away....we all take turns venting here at one point or another. This weight loss struggle is a frustrating one.
Welcome aboard...Sherrie
I'm sorry you have had to go through so much...you must be one strong lady. So take that strength (and your accomplishments) and build from there. No one right way for everyone and we're all just "doin the do" as Lori says.
My daughter went through a similar situation with an incision that would not heal (after a C-section) and it took her 9 months of the packing and wound care...not fun. Allow yourself time to heal and don't rush the exercise....you certainly don't want to have to start that all over again. Make sure you're getting lots of protein to help that healing process.
Rant away....we all take turns venting here at one point or another. This weight loss struggle is a frustrating one.
Welcome aboard...Sherrie
Hi Amber...you are a very strong inspirational lady to have gone through all you have! You do have a place in this world...and the wonderful people like Lori, Kim etc. who post alot here (I am a newbie here and have found such comfort already in this forum) from what I can see so far :) is that we truly are all in this journey together. I am working on losing what you have lost and opted to not have any surgery whatsoever after grueling year of going up and doing, wondering what to do and feeling so stressed. Although surgery is a blessing for many, for just as many out there, it is not the answer...just something that helps....for the time being. I don't have a smaller pouch, or had my insides re-arranged or had a little band around my tummy and had to go for fills etc. I'm just struggling the old fashioned way, eating less, eating healthier and exercising. I know you are hungry right now....I am as I type this :) but that will change as you get back into learning how to deal with food without the band. And I know you are frustrated to no end about not being able to move etc. As the others have mentioned, just take baby steps here...be patient with yourself....just because you dont have that band inside of you telling you you are full etc. doesn't mean that you don't have the inner strength to do this on your own...you do....and you can! When things calm down a bit for you, maybe finding a thearpist who specializes in weight loss might be helpful. I am looking into that option myself right now. And take what some say with a grain of salt too...you did your best and be thankful that the band didn't cause even more serious issues. I recently spoke with a woman whos band just broke up into pieces inside of her body and she has had several surgeries and is sick all the time...yes for ever good story you hear the bad ones too. You can do this without any old foreign band inside your body....
The financial hardships of all of this, one day you'll somehow get past, even though now I am sure its adding to your frustration and eating just out of stress alone. Hey even if you have to come on here and rant or post instead of finding excess food to numb yourself, your emtions then do it! Thats what we're all here for, I dont even know you, but know that you will get control over all of this, just be kind to yourself, and most of all be patient. You dont need a band.....you have YOU...and thats all you need....and support here...we're all taking this ride together ok? chloe
The financial hardships of all of this, one day you'll somehow get past, even though now I am sure its adding to your frustration and eating just out of stress alone. Hey even if you have to come on here and rant or post instead of finding excess food to numb yourself, your emtions then do it! Thats what we're all here for, I dont even know you, but know that you will get control over all of this, just be kind to yourself, and most of all be patient. You dont need a band.....you have YOU...and thats all you need....and support here...we're all taking this ride together ok? chloe
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