OMG-a new place to hang out!

I am 1 1/2 years out from lapband surgery and am feeling a bit lost on this site -- I still hang out on the lap band board & everyone there is very nice, but I feel like I am becoming crotchedy over there -- everyone is worried about eating more than a 1/2 cup of salad, or nervous because they took a sip of water with a meal. I am going through a lot of emotions now at this point -not having gotten to goal yet - and no one so soon out of surgery could possibly understand what that feels like. I am a huge peer supporter, but am also tired of the fluff & extreme niceties that I see every day. I have been lurking here & everyone seems so real. I just wanted to say hi -- hope you don't mind another person hanging out. I haven't seen posts from any bandsters --- am I your first?? Kristin J

Hi Kristin ... welcome! although it is important for those further out to support "newbies" ... sometimes we also need support ourselves, that's why this site comes in handy ... a lot of us deal with the same issues being further out, so there is a lot more commonality. The people here are great ... to give ya a hug, support, or even a kick in the tush if need be (plus there are some characters that just make for very interesting conversations)! Tooter has a great "Getting it Honest" thread she starts every day ... where people are encouraged to post what they eat ... so, you'll see you're not the only one with issues. Good to have you here! Karyn

Thanks Karyn!! I love giving support & insight -- that was invaluable to me as an early post-op & I love giving that back. Its just nice to find a place where that can be reciprocated. I did see the "Getting it Honest" post...and I have to say that I might have to wait until tomorrow to respond to THAT one... Not quite ready to be that honest yet...lol. thanks for the welcome!

I think I need someone like you in my life!!! Although it is ALWAYS nice to hear the kind, supportive "you can do it! Look how far you've come!" responses, sometimes what I really need at this point is a good honest kick in the a$$ and someone to tell me to stop eating like crap. I really look forward to hearing what other people are going through -- this part is much harder than I thought it would be. Thanks Jane!

Hi, Kristen. I'm a post-op RNY (9/11/03) and I've been an OH member for a long time. I've been inactive lately, but am having a few issues that I'm dealing with and hope to get a little assistance with here. Anyway, seeing that you're a lap-bander, I'm interested in hearing more about your experiences with that. My daughter-in-law is considering some type of WLS, but I think she's a little fearful of the RNY and other more drastic surgeries. What do you think of lap-band, and are you happy with the results overall? If you could just make a few general comments, I would really appreciate it. Thanks a bunch. Carlita PS - I'll tell you to stop eating like crap if you'll do the same for me! Remember, they didn't operate on our heads!

"PS - I'll tell you to stop eating like crap if you'll do the same for me! Remember, they didn't operate on our heads!" I really love my band - it was the best choice for me. The downsides to it are (1) I can still eat anything - chocolate, ice cream - anything! without any negative side affect and (2) if I tried hard enough I could eat around the band and actually gain weight if I wanted to and (3) the loss can be (and usually is) a lot slower than RNY. I had 100 pounds to lose and it took me 3 fills to get to a good level of restriction where I felt like it was really helping me. Once that happened I really took advantage of it & changed how I eat and started to exercise. I sometimes think that if I could have eaten/exercised like this I wouldn't have needed surgery, but the truth is I did. I was a volume eater - I never felt full. This helps me understand what full means. And although it is also a curse that I can eat anything, I also love that nothing is a "no" food - its just learning what moderation means. I have been banded for a year and a half and I haven't felt like I have been on a diet. I have "only" lost 80 pounds though, so probably comparable to someone who didn't have surgery, or who did WW. Its been slow, but it has still been the best choice for me. I feel like I'm going on and on -- I am 100% an open book when it comes to my experience and I am more than happy to talk to anyone about it. If you think she would feel comfortable, please have your DIL email me and ask whatever questions she has!

Hi Kristin! Welcome to the grads board. Other bandsters posting here--they only do it once and then we scare them away just kidding. people of all surgery types are welcome. I don't care what surgery someone has had we all deal with much of the same issues--especially this far out. Fluff and extreme niceties--I'm not going there Let's just say we're a bunchy of grumpy long term post-ops. Actually I have loved having this little haven. Plus there is also lots of support here if we need it. Look forward to seeing ya around.

Thanks Lynda-hopefully I won't be scared away too easily!! I feel like this is such a secret place - I found it by accident after looking for so long!!! I'm wondering if I was supposed to learn a secret handshake or something? And I LOVE grumpy long term post ops -- because thats how I feel most days! I do think that RNY'ers and bandsters have different experiences in the first 6 months to a year -- but after a year or so, I think our issues do become much more similar. I hope to learn a lot!

What's the matter Karyn, getting tired of the "what am I doing wrong I only lost 35 pounds this month" and the "I am one week out and I can eat ice cream...yippee!" posts? LOL. We are just a bunch of seniors here rolling our eyes at the freshmen, while still going to the same school. Welcome! Michelle

Good analogy Michelle!! And yes, as supportive as I am of the freshman, I'm so glad there is a kick-back place to hang out and be "real". I can only be a "cheerleader" for so long... Pat