New Guy - 320 pounds - Would love some support - Lap Banders

withtheband
withtheband Posts: 9
edited October 2 in Introduce Yourself
Hi Everyone -

I'm so glad I found this app and site. I'm 36 years old and live in the Chicago area. I had a lap-band surgery back in early 2010 and finally had it filled up today and am on my first day of all liquids.

Starting on Friday it's back to eating "normally" again and I'm nervous. I need to follow a diet, a plan, something. The tool looks pretty cool and the doctor said the only way the band works is if I eat right. Dense foods, nothing too mushy, High in protein, low in calories. Basically, the standard "weight loss diet". Only thing the band is supposed to do is make me feel full sooner than without it, so I have to eat smaller meals more often, supposedly.

Ultimately, band or not, I need to lose weight. I'm fat, I've got a young daughter, and I need to stop making food the focus of my life, my comfort, and my best friend. I feel like I'm starting cold turkey here. Any help or support would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Replies

  • cheddle
    cheddle Posts: 102 Member
    The book "Crunch Time" by Michelle Bridges - would be a great book to give you the advice you are looking for.

    Best of luck in your efforts! and remember, you are the boss of your body!!! you rule it, dont let it rule you!!!
  • Spedden
    Spedden Posts: 207
    So happy you're here! I'll send a friend request to your in-box.
  • tehbasketcasey
    tehbasketcasey Posts: 41
    Great job deciding to take initiative and to do it right! Did it hurt getting the surgery???
  • Fit4_Life
    Fit4_Life Posts: 828 Member
    Welcome to MFP! This is a great site to gain friends and support. :smile:
  • sister_bear
    sister_bear Posts: 529 Member
    Welcome! You can do it. I know you can. Feel free to toss me a friend request.

    You'll find amazing, wonderful, super awesome, fantastic support here.
  • greeneyes82
    greeneyes82 Posts: 315 Member
    :flowerforyou: Hi, nice to meet you! This is a great site! I've been on here almost 2 years & love it! Plus, it's free! I have a couple of friends that recently got gastric bypass & they did the whole liquid diet. It can be a struggle at times - not only for those who have surgery, but all of us. I will friend request you & would gladly give you encouragement each day! You've taken the most important step just getting started! You will do great!!
  • MochaMixAZ
    MochaMixAZ Posts: 844 Member
    Welcome!!!!

    Eating real food again, I'm sure, can be scary. But you can do this!!!

    As you know, it's about a sustainable, healthy lifestyle change. It WILL be work, but you CAN totally do it!! Plan, plan, plan, then implement, implement, implement. Don't let ANYONE get in your way. (You know, even those people that supposedly have good intentions). Don't let ANYONE tell you CAN'T do this. Don't let anyone sabotage your efforts. Avoid those folks that tell you 'Oh you can have just a *bite*' like the plague.

    I'm glad you're here. You'll find all the support you need here.
  • galpals00
    galpals00 Posts: 2
    I had the lap band done too! I would love to have a buddy to share ideas and stories. If intersted add me as a friend. There are many things that I find hard to keep down on a daily basis and need some food ideas that are good for me and that dont make me sick. Lets share. Angela
  • RachelJE
    RachelJE Posts: 172
    Why did you wait so long to get it filled? Just curious. Either way, you are in the right place. You will find amaing friends and amazing support here. The lap band is a great tool, but ultimately you will have to work your a** off to get the weight off and KEEP IT OFF. Best to you.
  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    Welcome!!
  • tcfor3
    tcfor3 Posts: 3 Member
    Welcome! My Hubby and I have only been on here about 6 weeks. It is great for support and to keep us honest. He has lost a total of 37 and I have 17. He exercises a lot, we started just with walking. We went to health food store and start our day with a very yummy vitamin shake. We both have a very long way to go - but I know we can do it - and you can too!!
  • katya143
    katya143 Posts: 313 Member
    Bandster here :) lost 100 pounds in a year, slowly gaining...its so hard!!! Anyways, looking forward to getting to know
    You :)
  • MissMary44
    MissMary44 Posts: 16
    Hey welcome. Im a bandster also had my surgery in May have lost 48 so far. Good luck. If you want friend me. All of mine are people who had WLS.
  • cownancy
    cownancy Posts: 291
    I am a bandster, 54 off so far. Had surgery on 10/1/2010, but because of hernia surgery and a serious ear operation, I just got close to the green area in the past two weeks. If you have any questions or need anything, please let me know and/or friend me!

    There is a lot of criticism from the non-believers of WLS, but there are MORE supportive people, so don't let the others get your down. I love my band.

    WELCOME!
  • frogmama
    frogmama Posts: 404 Member
    Hi. I had lab band surgery 6/2009. It has taken me 2 years and a lot of hard work to get to where I am today-- about 3 pounds from my goal. You can do it to.
  • AwesomeSauce4
    AwesomeSauce4 Posts: 1,062 Member
    Welcome Sweetie.. I am sure you will Love it here on MFP!!! Feel free to add me if you like!!!
    Good Luck Sweetie on your Journey((Bighugs))
  • waguchan
    waguchan Posts: 450 Member
    I was banded over 3 years ago. I'm sending you a friend request. Welcome to MFP!!!!
  • SheliaN1960
    SheliaN1960 Posts: 454 Member
    Great advice!!!!
  • withtheband
    withtheband Posts: 9
    Thanks to everyone for reaching out and for your words of encouragement.

    Did it hurt? Just for a couple of days after surgery. Nothing a few pills couldn't fix!
    Why haven't I gotten it filled? Long story. Lost a job not long after surgery. Found a great new one but no insurance coverage for "medical weight loss". 13 months later I've lost every appeal and decided to pony up the $500ish per visit to get this thing right. I'm starting over with a new surgeon closer to the new job and yesterday was the first appointment and (partial) fill.

    What he said to me was very surprising to me, especially based on what the previous surgeon had told me. He said that band, gastric bypass, stomach removal, etc, the only thing that will cause weight loss is if I take in fewer calories than I burn. We talked about exercise and he said he's more interested in what I do when I'm NOT exercising. Snacking, being lazy, always parking in the closest space,etc. He said lap band has a huge failure rate because they rely on the band and not a diet or eating plan and exercise to lose weight.

    So here I am on day 2. I just finished a protein shake, I'm not full but that's b/c the band works with solid food, not liquid, and I'm trying to figure our how to start my life over again, today.

    Thanks for the initial encouragement and hopefully this helps fill in some of the blanks.
    I'm squishy, help mold me into the person I want to be, please!

    Jason
  • jensway
    jensway Posts: 33
    I am not a specialist by any means and am just starting this healthier more fit life myself, but I will tell that MFP is awsome.....you will get more support and more motivation here than you could ever imagine....anytime you feel sad or defeated, punch it in here and their will be many people to hold your hand and you build you up.......good luck to you, YOU CAN DO IT!!!!! You can add me if you'd like.
  • sharifit53
    sharifit53 Posts: 54 Member
    Wow, did they leave you out in the cold by yourself? Are there support groups in your area?

    We have a friend of the family who had his a year ago and has lost 145 pounds by FOLLOWING the RULES! It makes you want to love rules for once. He eats protein first then vegetables. The entire meal is only about 4 ounces. If he eats fruit he has some between meals so it doesn't fill him up too much.

    No sauces, slippery foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, shakes. They flow right through and you don't fill your pouch hence still hungry and got all those calories.

    Did they tell you this stuff?

    My goal with my uncoming lap band is to become LESS self-focused and more giving to others. While I will have to pay attention to what I do and don't eat, I expect, and proactively decide, that food will be a smaller part of my life overall.
  • withtheband
    withtheband Posts: 9
    Wow, did they leave you out in the cold by yourself? Are there support groups in your area?

    We have a friend of the family who had his a year ago and has lost 145 pounds by FOLLOWING the RULES! It makes you want to love rules for once. He eats protein first then vegetables. The entire meal is only about 4 ounces. If he eats fruit he has some between meals so it doesn't fill him up too much.

    No sauces, slippery foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, shakes. They flow right through and you don't fill your pouch hence still hungry and got all those calories.

    Did they tell you this stuff?

    My goal with my uncoming lap band is to become LESS self-focused and more giving to others. While I will have to pay attention to what I do and don't eat, I expect, and proactively decide, that food will be a smaller part of my life overall.

    This has been some sage advice. I found last night I can eat closer to 8 ounces but it's a start, for sure.
    Thanks!!
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