In Due Time....

The first thing I do when I come on OH is to read the blogs and then the topics posted in the forums.  A lot of people posted things today about time and waiting.  I originally had my lap-band in 2007 when I was 21.  Did I really know what I was doing then? Heck no! Partially why it failed.  Then in 2009 I decided I was going to quit my job and go back to school so I decided to get the ball rolling to have a revision to RNY.  I went to the consult at a very famous surgeon on Long Island.  Didn't really feel comfortable and then decided maybe I didn't give the lap-band enough time and I would keep trying.  I look back now and realized if I had the revision back then, yes I would have lost but I probably would have gained back as well. Mentally I was not ready yet still. I probably would not have been dedicated to working out or even trying to cheat. Then when I finally decided this would be right for me, I had a very warped perception of how surgery would work. I would have surgery and sit in front of my tv and the weight would melt off.  I had to jump through hoops to get insurance, then find a surgeon that would actually accept medicaid.  Luckily for me, I found an awesome surgeon and came back on OH and now I realize that this is God's doing.  This is when he felt I would be ready for this.  I am so dedicated now, I come on here for support, I go to my support groups, I know when I mess up and how to correct it before it becomes a habit and I seek advise.  My biggest thing now is actually going to the gym and I love it. So for all those that feel like quitting or this will never happen, just think that it will happen when God knows you are ready and at that time you will be a huge success!!! Good luck everyone!!!

WHERE IS THE LIKE BUTTON!!!

Thanks Nik. It is one of those things that we all struggle with. Especially me, having been disappointed so many times in my life. Even days before my scheduled surgery I refused to get excited about this happening because "I just knew something would go wrong". Nope it didn't! We have to have faith and believe things will work.  This surgery has given me a new outlook on life in every aspect and for the 1st time ever I know for a fact now that I will not be a fat bride (whenever that happens) and that is one of the best things and reversing all the family history of diseases that I am at a disposition to. Did I mention how happy I am? LOL

What a wonderful upbeat and wise post! Your happiness shines through the words you write and your dazzling smile is so sweet. Wishing you continued success.

I understand some of what you are feeling .. i had the gastric band ( was called a sleeve ) in 2001 when i was 19yrs old... I was not mentally prepared for the surgery and there fore puked every day for the 1st year ... I was 19 it was the first time I had been thin in all my life ... I would have killed to be then and almost killed myself in the progress.. but again I was 19 and loved that attention ..if you know what I mean ... The sleeve came loose and shifted up my esphogaus and therefore i was placed in the hospital and they told my parents i had a eating disorder because they were not familar with the band they had to remove it ... 8 months later I went from 134 to almost 230 ... I ate myself back !!!! I hated myself for that ... well 10 yrs later and a whole heck of alot more WISDOM LOL I have tackled everything the insurance has thrown at me and thensome... Found someone who loves me for who I am big or small ... and have wonderful kids that come Dec 14th i am going into the surger with a clear mind set and lets get it on attitude !!!! I want to start 2012 right and I will never and I mean never back down and let myself get that way again !!!! The gym and I are now becoming BFF's even though I hate her first thing when I get there i am working through that and on my way to a better me... Congrats to you and your big success .... I am sooo thankful to have found this website and to meet all your great people and know that i am not alone and there are people out there that have and do feel the same things as i do !!!!! Good luck to you as well ....

 You are most wise, young grasshopper!  But being young isn't the only thing that can make the band not work, speaking from experience.  I am 57 (and keep wondering how the hell THAT happened!) and was banded in 2009.  I did okay for about the first  6 - 8 months, then plateaued.  A little over a year out, I started feeling like crap all the time, having GERD and developing chronic bronchitis, both of which I found out were caused by the band being too tight.  I had wanted to get a fill but when my surgeon told me this, we agreed to empty it so my symptoms would go away.  What a difference 4ccs of saline can make!  OMG!  I started to feel better but I also was able to eat, and eat, and eat....and regained back all the weight I had lost plus.  So now, like you, I'm in the process of revising to RNY.  I love love love your dedication and committment to your health and life and it inspires me to keep positive.  Thank you for sharing your story and all the best to you in your journey!

Aloha,
Barb

Thanks everyone and I am happy that my story will help some people. And you're right it is not just age.  I was in such a different place in my life then. I was craving for attention and ended up getting a lot, both positive and negative. I came across as a very confident person but when I look back I had to put on the front so people would not see the weight (I know kind of silly).  I always enjoyed making people laugh. But now things are different. I am in a different place, I truly am confident and I am not afraid to speak my mind.  And now for the 1st time it is not about getting attention, it is about being happy with the person I see when I look in the mirror.  So this journey has alot to do with the mind, more so than the physical surgery.  Wishing everyone continues to stay blessed and I will pray for all those with upcoming surgeries and those in the process.