Lap Band surgery - Page 2

Passion8198 · January 3rd, 2010, 02:23 PM

I had the Lap-Band in November and have lost almost 40lbs in 5 weeks. Like Annie, I would do it again in a heart beat! I never had any pain and have resumed my life how it was pre-surgery, just with faaaarrrr fewer calories... and I'm loving every second of it! I would encourage anyone who is serious about losing weight and, like me, has problems staying motivated long enough to make serious changes, to talk with their doctor about the Lap-Band. You definitely need to change your views on food and be willing to make serious changes to your lifestyle and do the work as it is just a tool and doesn't do it for you, but it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. My problem was eating more than I should cuz it tasted good and now I can't do that, which is a great thing and I know from experience that if I had not had this surgery, that would have never changed for me. I would have continued making excuses and justifying the unjustifiable like I always have. I can still eat things that taste good, just 2 wings vs 8 - and I'm still completely satisfied. You just need to be honest with yourself about what you truly need to reach your goal. The day that I was honest with myself that I was not going to be able to do it without serious help was the best day of my life. Good luck with your decision and message me if you want to talk or have questions!!

RedHeadCtCutie · January 3rd, 2010, 02:58 PM

Originally Posted by dreamscomingtru

We need to fix our mind not mutilate our bodies! If your not willing to change your thoughts about food and how you use it the surgery won't work. Move more... take baby steps. I love weight watchers and I will not quite ever. I would go further to say get a really good therapist who deals in food addiction or a 12 step. It is an addiction and until we learn how to eat and love ourselve right other things will only work short term. Believe in yourself, you can do it with the help of others. Never Quit and don't put a time table on your learning and your weight loss goal. We didn't graduate highschool over night and we didn't put the weight on overnight... I wish you the best.

You took the words right out of my mouth. You have to learn to love yourself as you are, change your views of yourself and the food you eat before anything will change. Learn to love who you are now but also love yourself enough to want to better yourself. You will be skinnier after the surgery but your body will still not be perfect. I personally am friends will almost a dozen women who still have "insecurities" even after the surgery just due to the weight loss instead of weight gain. They have the same self esteem issues now as they did when they were bigger. Without changing your views and habits you will spiral back into the same way and gain all the weight back.

markN · January 3rd, 2010, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by dreamscomingtru

We need to fix our mind not mutilate our bodies! If your not willing to change your thoughts about food and how you use it the surgery won't work. Move more... take baby steps. I love weight watchers and I will not quite ever. I would go further to say get a really good therapist who deals in food addiction or a 12 step. It is an addiction and until we learn how to eat and love ourselve right other things will only work short term. Believe in yourself, you can do it with the help of others. Never Quit and don't put a time table on your learning and your weight loss goal. We didn't graduate highschool over night and we didn't put the weight on overnight... I wish you the best.

BRAVO!!

msnicolina · January 3rd, 2010, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by dontnowhturmisng

Has anyone here had this surgery or know anyone that has had it and what are your thoughts on it. I just can't seem to get to that place of accepting myself as I am and being happy as so many of you on here have.

Just to give you a different perspective, I had the lap band surgery two years ago and never lost a pound. Now I havent gained a pound either but I never did lose anything and honestly it made my life hell for awhile and still does sometimes. For me, I couldnt get foods I was supposed to eat like meats and salads down but it was A LOT easier to get the foods I was not supposed to eat down, like sugar and fat. I still struggle today with this.

I would really take an honest look at your eating habits. Some of us are truly addicts and if this is you, surgery wont help. If you arent an addict, then it still may not help! Be honest with yourself. Good luck!

Annieliz · January 3rd, 2010, 08:44 PM

I just want to say that by placing an adjustable band around my stomach, I did not "mutilate" my body any more than I have been for the past 20 years by eating unhealthy proportions.
I think eating until we are morbidly obese is just as much mutilation as a surgery to help is.
I still have to learn how to eat correctly and it's a struggle everyday, but my lap band is my tool to help me do that, just like a points calculator and points level is a tool for people on weight watchers.
Yes, you can cheat around a lap band, but I went through a lot of heart ache to get the lap band, and while I have slip ups, I am going to use this tool to help me lose the weight...
I tried other tools out there, counselors, weight watchers, OA...and none have worked. This is way less about my self esteem, and more about my health. Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to get really skinny, but I do want to be more healthy, be able to play with my kid without being out of breath, you all know what I mean.
Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

msnicolina · January 4th, 2010, 01:46 PM

Originally Posted by Annieliz

I just want to say that by placing an adjustable band around my stomach, I did not "mutilate" my body any more than I have been for the past 20 years by eating unhealthy proportions.

I still have to learn how to eat correctly and it's a struggle everyday, but my lap band is my tool to help me do that, just like a points calculator and points level is a tool for people on weight watchers.

I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck!

Annieliz · January 4th, 2010, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by msnicolina

I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck!

Thanks! It's been a challenge, but nothing worth it in life is easy!!

rick ross · January 4th, 2010, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by msnicolina

I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck!

In spite of everything said here, I still don't agree with it.

laurie479 · January 4th, 2010, 07:38 PM

I think too many people just get disgusted with theirselves and the situations they are in and want a quick fix. I am not saying any type of surgery is the answer, but I think alot of women resort to it. My BMI is 46 and I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol/triglycerides and my doctor has never mentioned this surgery to me. Yes I see woman who are chunky getting it!

I think we all need to go back to the basics, fueling our body with quality food and moving our bodies liek they were meant to be. I am not on a soapbox, but I hate to see people rely on surgery as their way out.

I know for myself, it isn't even just an emotional eating situations, its binging. There are people who just love to eat, and eat big meals and like to cook etc. Then, there are people like me, who actually don't look for the big meals, I buy two bags of chips, dip, a pizza and ice cream and down as much of it at once as i can. Alone of course, never in front of people-not a real binge at least. So we all need to analyze how we got where we are, and then do what we need to do. for me, its probably therapy/OA and healthy diet/exercise. Others may be different, but I just don't like the idea of modifying our digestive tract either by cutting or squeezing...it takes the power away from ourselves.

ok done!! lol

miss_jayhawk · January 4th, 2010, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by rick ross

In spite of everything said here, I still don't agree with it.

Well, you dont have to agree with it. Much like everything else under the sun its the right option for some and not for others.

I think Ann makes an excellent point. Yes, surgery is an extreme and invasive option. But in the end, is it really harder on the body than years of not eating right? Carrying 100 extra pounds on one's frame is extraordinarily hard on the body.

Let's be honest here. None of us would be overweight (I'm not saying we want to be model skinny) we would all choose to be an average size person, given the option. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that we have all dieted and tried different weight management plans (I love weight watchers) and yet here we all are, myself very much included. I am going to deduce that many of us have battled weight issues for a very long time.

Surgery is not a "quick fix" and I dont think anyone who had the surgery or is thinking about having surgery is under the delusion that it is. Surgery is a big effing deal. And yes, much about eating is psychological and not physical, and surgery doesnt change that. What surgery does do is physically put in that extra measure of restraint.

Annieliz is my best friend in the whole world. I've watched her deal with this both before the surgery and after. I would not call what she's been through the easy way out, and I dont think she would either. But I also know how smart she is, and how many options she researched, and I know that she looked on surgery as an absolute last resort. I think its a common misconception that surgery is "the easy way out"- I'm not saying YOU feel that way, but that many people do. Just from watching Ann, I can say that absolutely, 100% is not the case. But I also support her choice 100%. It was right for her, and for some others it will be right as well.

January 3rd, 2010, 02:23 PM	#11 (permalink)
Passion8198 More than what meets the eye Posts: 18 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery I had the Lap-Band in November and have lost almost 40lbs in 5 weeks. Like Annie, I would do it again in a heart beat! I never had any pain and have resumed my life how it was pre-surgery, just with faaaarrrr fewer calories... and I'm loving every second of it! I would encourage anyone who is serious about losing weight and, like me, has problems staying motivated long enough to make serious changes, to talk with their doctor about the Lap-Band. You definitely need to change your views on food and be willing to make serious changes to your lifestyle and do the work as it is just a tool and doesn't do it for you, but it's the best thing I've ever done for myself. My problem was eating more than I should cuz it tasted good and now I can't do that, which is a great thing and I know from experience that if I had not had this surgery, that would have never changed for me. I would have continued making excuses and justifying the unjustifiable like I always have. I can still eat things that taste good, just 2 wings vs 8 - and I'm still completely satisfied. You just need to be honest with yourself about what you truly need to reach your goal. The day that I was honest with myself that I was not going to be able to do it without serious help was the best day of my life. Good luck with your decision and message me if you want to talk or have questions!!

January 3rd, 2010, 02:58 PM	#12 (permalink)
RedHeadCtCutie Kristin Location: Groton Posts: 211 Thanks: 1 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by dreamscomingtru We need to fix our mind not mutilate our bodies! If your not willing to change your thoughts about food and how you use it the surgery won't work. Move more... take baby steps. I love weight watchers and I will not quite ever. I would go further to say get a really good therapist who deals in food addiction or a 12 step. It is an addiction and until we learn how to eat and love ourselve right other things will only work short term. Believe in yourself, you can do it with the help of others. Never Quit and don't put a time table on your learning and your weight loss goal. We didn't graduate highschool over night and we didn't put the weight on overnight... I wish you the best. You took the words right out of my mouth. You have to learn to love yourself as you are, change your views of yourself and the food you eat before anything will change. Learn to love who you are now but also love yourself enough to want to better yourself. You will be skinnier after the surgery but your body will still not be perfect. I personally am friends will almost a dozen women who still have "insecurities" even after the surgery just due to the weight loss instead of weight gain. They have the same self esteem issues now as they did when they were bigger. Without changing your views and habits you will spiral back into the same way and gain all the weight back.

January 3rd, 2010, 06:37 PM	#13 (permalink)
markN I like fast women and beautiful cars! Location: South Windsor Posts: 860 Thanks: 1 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by dreamscomingtru We need to fix our mind not mutilate our bodies! If your not willing to change your thoughts about food and how you use it the surgery won't work. Move more... take baby steps. I love weight watchers and I will not quite ever. I would go further to say get a really good therapist who deals in food addiction or a 12 step. It is an addiction and until we learn how to eat and love ourselve right other things will only work short term. Believe in yourself, you can do it with the help of others. Never Quit and don't put a time table on your learning and your weight loss goal. We didn't graduate highschool over night and we didn't put the weight on overnight... I wish you the best. BRAVO!!

January 3rd, 2010, 06:52 PM	#14 (permalink)
msnicolina enter witty comment here.... Location: Scotch Plains/Plainfield Posts: 82 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by dontnowhturmisng Has anyone here had this surgery or know anyone that has had it and what are your thoughts on it. I just can't seem to get to that place of accepting myself as I am and being happy as so many of you on here have. Just to give you a different perspective, I had the lap band surgery two years ago and never lost a pound. Now I havent gained a pound either but I never did lose anything and honestly it made my life hell for awhile and still does sometimes. For me, I couldnt get foods I was supposed to eat like meats and salads down but it was A LOT easier to get the foods I was not supposed to eat down, like sugar and fat. I still struggle today with this. I would really take an honest look at your eating habits. Some of us are truly addicts and if this is you, surgery wont help. If you arent an addict, then it still may not help! Be honest with yourself. Good luck!

January 3rd, 2010, 08:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
Annieliz Active Member Location: Overland Park Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery I just want to say that by placing an adjustable band around my stomach, I did not "mutilate" my body any more than I have been for the past 20 years by eating unhealthy proportions. I think eating until we are morbidly obese is just as much mutilation as a surgery to help is. I still have to learn how to eat correctly and it's a struggle everyday, but my lap band is my tool to help me do that, just like a points calculator and points level is a tool for people on weight watchers. Yes, you can cheat around a lap band, but I went through a lot of heart ache to get the lap band, and while I have slip ups, I am going to use this tool to help me lose the weight... I tried other tools out there, counselors, weight watchers, OA...and none have worked. This is way less about my self esteem, and more about my health. Don't get me wrong, I don't ever want to get really skinny, but I do want to be more healthy, be able to play with my kid without being out of breath, you all know what I mean. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

January 4th, 2010, 01:46 PM	#16 (permalink)
msnicolina enter witty comment here.... Location: Scotch Plains/Plainfield Posts: 82 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by Annieliz I just want to say that by placing an adjustable band around my stomach, I did not "mutilate" my body any more than I have been for the past 20 years by eating unhealthy proportions. I still have to learn how to eat correctly and it's a struggle everyday, but my lap band is my tool to help me do that, just like a points calculator and points level is a tool for people on weight watchers. I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck!

January 4th, 2010, 06:02 PM	#17 (permalink)
Annieliz Active Member Location: Overland Park Posts: 24 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by msnicolina I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck! Thanks! It's been a challenge, but nothing worth it in life is easy!!

January 4th, 2010, 06:26 PM	#18 (permalink)
rick ross Senior Member Location: New York Posts: 212 Thanks: 0 Thanked 34 Times in 19 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by msnicolina I totally agree with you, its just a tool... and whatever tool works for you then thats great. I am proud you lost weight because I know how hard it is, even WITH the band. Congrats and good luck! In spite of everything said here, I still don't agree with it.

January 4th, 2010, 07:38 PM	#19 (permalink)
laurie479 ~RazzleDazzle~ Posts: 888 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 25 Thanked 54 Times in 30 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery I think too many people just get disgusted with theirselves and the situations they are in and want a quick fix. I am not saying any type of surgery is the answer, but I think alot of women resort to it. My BMI is 46 and I have high blood pressure and high cholesterol/triglycerides and my doctor has never mentioned this surgery to me. Yes I see woman who are chunky getting it! I think we all need to go back to the basics, fueling our body with quality food and moving our bodies liek they were meant to be. I am not on a soapbox, but I hate to see people rely on surgery as their way out. I know for myself, it isn't even just an emotional eating situations, its binging. There are people who just love to eat, and eat big meals and like to cook etc. Then, there are people like me, who actually don't look for the big meals, I buy two bags of chips, dip, a pizza and ice cream and down as much of it at once as i can. Alone of course, never in front of people-not a real binge at least. So we all need to analyze how we got where we are, and then do what we need to do. for me, its probably therapy/OA and healthy diet/exercise. Others may be different, but I just don't like the idea of modifying our digestive tract either by cutting or squeezing...it takes the power away from ourselves. ok done!! lol

January 4th, 2010, 07:43 PM	#20 (permalink)
miss_jayhawk Luck Favors the Prepared Location: Overland Park Posts: 222 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 9 Posts My Mood:	Re: Lap Band surgery Originally Posted by rick ross In spite of everything said here, I still don't agree with it. Well, you dont have to agree with it. Much like everything else under the sun its the right option for some and not for others. I think Ann makes an excellent point. Yes, surgery is an extreme and invasive option. But in the end, is it really harder on the body than years of not eating right? Carrying 100 extra pounds on one's frame is extraordinarily hard on the body. Let's be honest here. None of us would be overweight (I'm not saying we want to be model skinny) we would all choose to be an average size person, given the option. I'm going to go out on a limb and assume that we have all dieted and tried different weight management plans (I love weight watchers) and yet here we all are, myself very much included. I am going to deduce that many of us have battled weight issues for a very long time. Surgery is not a "quick fix" and I dont think anyone who had the surgery or is thinking about having surgery is under the delusion that it is. Surgery is a big effing deal. And yes, much about eating is psychological and not physical, and surgery doesnt change that. What surgery does do is physically put in that extra measure of restraint. Annieliz is my best friend in the whole world. I've watched her deal with this both before the surgery and after. I would not call what she's been through the easy way out, and I dont think she would either. But I also know how smart she is, and how many options she researched, and I know that she looked on surgery as an absolute last resort. I think its a common misconception that surgery is "the easy way out"- I'm not saying YOU feel that way, but that many people do. Just from watching Ann, I can say that absolutely, 100% is not the case. But I also support her choice 100%. It was right for her, and for some others it will be right as well.

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