SURGERY IS STILL A RISK

Sending hugs... and all you ladies are my rocks ... my time is coming in about 6 months ;)

sorry you were part of that 1%.

I got a glimpse of it in the clinic. As a revision the band can cause a lot of damage. My surgeon warned me that he wouldn't know what he'd find until he opened me up. So I was going into surgery blind. I didn't know if I would come out sleeved, RNY or just no band because of it.

I was lucky and had a flawless surgery experience. In and out of my revision in 90 minutes. My roommate was not so lucky, his band had adhered to his liver and other organs. My surgeon left from my surgery and joined in to help his doctor and it took the two doctors 4-5 hours to fix. He did end up with a sleeve at the end of it all (he wanted rny but the adhesions made it impossible).

I was one of those lucky people who was off meds after day 1, walking around the clinic the night of day one i asked to check out after the first night (they wouldn't let me) etc. My roommate struggled. it was clear he was going to have a tougher recovery, was in more pain and struggled to stand post op. he did very little walking.

I spent quite a bit of time with his wife while she was waiting for him to come out of surgery. She was scheduled for her revision a month later. She was pretty concerned, it sounded like she was going to request to switch doctors to mine. The reality is that my surgery went well because I lucked out and didn't have the same level of complications that so many do after having a lap band (and I also had a great surgeon). I often wonder how they both are doing today.

There is only so much one can do before surgery to prepare, and afterwards to ensure that the program works and you achieve your goal. It is an ongoing process and I never wanted to say anything until reading the recent post.

Optimism vs. reality vs. pessimism - I guess it's all in the eye of the beholder. I'm inspired by you and other members and would like to think of myself as a realistic holder of a glass that is more than half full. I'd prefer Pinot Grigio but will take the water right now - lol.

Enjoy your day and, as always, stick to your program. Boy are you doing well!

such a great post!!!
Its so true, we are all different and every single surgery is different. You just never know, and you can't assume its going to be easy.
I was lucky enough to not have any surgery complications, and I am losing weight quickly, but I work hard every single day to follow my guidelines, plan my meals, exercise as much as I am allowed to at this point (still no core work) and give my 'tool' the best possible chance of success.
I hope that those who are just starting their journey are excited (they should be, its an exciting time) but are also keeping their eyes wide open, listening to what is taught in all those classes and doing their own research. Elective surgery is a major life decision.

Thanks again, I really loved your post and honesty about such a hard time you experienced.

I agree - this is a great post. I consider myself very lucky with no physical complications and sometimes wonder jokingly if I really did have the surgery or not :) I do not think for one moment that things could not turn and have to be vigilant. A few times in the last few months, I have had "pain" which has made me wonder if I have or am getting an ulcer but it always clears up pretty fast.

for me, I had a ton of gas pain after; but off meds within the first week, took two weeks off work, and then worked from home for a week. I can eat anything (including sugar and fat) with little to no consequence, which is not as good as it sounds. If I eat too much, I do get horrible hiccups, burping and on a few occasions have had panic attack like symptoms if I have overdone it.

My struggles have been mental ... I play a lot of mind games with myself and some days, more than I would like to admit - food wins ... but I continue and I try and plan ... I do have the constant fear that I will fail and not reach my goal.

I would do this again in a heartbeat - it is a great tool, but it is not easy.

Great post Linda!

You are so right, I like you try to be positive in posts or comments I leave, but I do try to make sure than anyone inquiring into surgery, needs to make their decision for their self, and not rely on other people's experiences. I think reading people's experience is valuable and educational, but you have no idea if you'll have complications like you did, or have unrelenting pain, or no pain. Our bodies all handled surgery different.

I also want to add, you are doing great on you WLS journey...80 lbs gone awesome!!

I'm heading to my social work class tomorrow in Windsor, be the last of my appointments until my year post op appointment..ya!!! lol

Take care.

Amanda

Thank you Amanda. 115 lbs? Incredible. I have my 6 month with NP and Dietician at the end of the month and hope they'll be pleased with my progress. Grain of salt. I know I'm sticking to the plan and know they will see my achievement so far.

Support from friends like you go a long way.

Keep doing well,

Linda

Thanks for your kind words also, I appreciate it.

I've lost 99 lbs since Opti, why couldn't I be 1 less pound to make it 100 lbs lol. I have my weigh in days on Wednesday, but my mom and I are leaving for Windsor in a bit, and staying for a couple days, so figure do an early weigh in day.

Either way, I'm more than happy with my results. My doctor at my center said I've lost at an above average weight and that the amount I've lost generally takes a year to lose. Now I know starting weights, age, and what not are a factor...and I'm very happy and appreciate my faster than average weight loss, but I'm prepared for it to slow down some. I don't think I'm going to lose that much weight in the next six months...although be nice, except that at this point at the most I want to lose is 83 lbs. That would be my goal weigh of 150, but I may be ok at a slightly higher weight, so my goal weight maybe revised. Surgeon said 160 for me will be my lowest weight...either way its so nice I have less than triple digit numbers to lose lol!!

I'll be doing a six month update when I get back. I'm so glad I did this, I feel so much better. I know the next 83 lbs or whatever are probably going to be more challenging, and take more time, but I have this great tool and I will just have to see where it takes me.

And couldn't agree more, support from friends like you and others has been a great source of comfort and support for me during this process and will continue to be.

Gtg, Mom is on her way to pick me up. Be Nice to get away for a couple days.

Take care.

Amanda

Amazing gf!!!

Thanks for shareing