Lindsay

I will be going into my 6th year of my lapband in March, and thought I'd post an update.

I can't believe it's been 5 years, and I've been maintaining my weight (with little ups, mostly downs) over the past few years!

I'm currently at my all time low, 128lbs, that I've been easily and happily maintaining for about a year now. I most recently purchased a pair of 26" jeans. Never ever did I think I was that small. (reality is difficult)

I definitely struggle daily with body dysmorphia.

My mind & body most content at this weight, so I'm extremely pleased.

Most recently had an ultrasound that was able to confirm my band and port are in perfect place. Thank god. There is always a LOT of talk of the band slipping, rotting, ect ... I've had absolutely no issues with that.

I mentally struggle every single day, but my anxiety attacks are minimal (which were normally brought on my body imagine issues) and being in social situations.

The only real disadvantage to having this lapband, is that the ONLY private clinic in my city (Toronto) went bankrupt over 2 years.

So I'm unable to get unfills done locally. The hospital gastric dept is VERY VERY hesitant to touch me or my band because they weren't the ones who inserted it. Fair enough. I completely understand.

I haven't had it adjusted in 4 years.

I wish I had easily access to adjustments as there are times were I know I should be taking in a lot more calories. ... In the summer, when I'm extremely active, or on vacation (and I eat a LOT less and don't have easy access to my usual safe foods) my weight can easily drop down to 122-125lbs which is too low for my height (i'm 5'9").

I have no plans on having children, so the lack of access to getting adjustments isn't an issue on that front.

At times I'm tired of not eating. I wish I could eat a BURGER. Or finish a milk shake. That can get really exhausting, especially when socially, everything seems to be based on drinking and eating. That's the most difficult part ... just sitting and watching and redirecting any obvious attention that I don't eat a lot.

This post is a bit all over the place, but this is the truth of my experience.

Being on the lapband 'bandwagon' 5 years ago when it was the newest and best thing was amazing, and I feel incredibly blessed that I worked so well for me. But my body imagine issues will always be there and shadowing everything else. That's the one major part that getting the surgery done at this clinic (vs others, that provide A LOT of talk-therapy support). It's safe to say that the majority of us DO have a lot of underlying issues, which need to be dealt for long term success. There is a lot more to it than just reaching your goal weight.

I've spent a fortune on therapy. While other clinics include it in the surgery treatment. I never accounted or thought of that additional cost when going to the OCC.

This is something that's completely changed my life, and given me a real opportunity to become the person I want to be.

Inside and out.

I think you're looking for some sort of words of wisdom, that you haven't already heard.

In reality, it's your husband who should be posting in this forum. Not you.

You can't control what he eats, or what he does. Unfortunately, your concern alone won't be the help he requires.

For me, I do the household grocery shopping, so I just don't buy what I don't want my husband to eat.

I don't keep crap in the house, to avoid all temptation.

I still get nervous around meal times!

It means it should be able to go through a strainer. Liquid.

I would avoid potato based anything, as it can do a job on your insulin levels.

You can stretch your band/new pouch out. (or whatever WLS procedure you had done)

i agree .. this forum is dead.

i wonder if it's an indication of how many people are visiting the OCC. Maybe it's died down a lot ...

aw, thanks for the update. sigh/

hope you made a quick recovery?

Your body has adapted to the caloric deficiency. That will happen after a few weeks to almost every body.

You need change it up, including adding HIIT cardio and resistance training.

You'll see results (&maintaining them, which is a huge problem for people in this forum) if you start working out regularly, while eating clean.

are you exercising?

youv'e really got to get your metabolism going, especially after rapid weight loss.

diet alone is not going to keep weight loss going.

I too have been resarching this ... for almost a full year now.

And pretty much determined is worth the few extra $$ to stay close to home, due to follow up, which is guaranteed ... the extra expense(d) you will end up paying, should you need to return to an international doctor are ones a lot of people don't pretict or plan for.

Just keep this in mind, if you're getting any kind of invasive cosmetic surgery done.

Ugh. That's my worst nightmare.

I hope you get some advice -- I can't imagine how uncomfortable and scary this would be.

Have you talked to the Doctor that performed the plication?

EEK.

I'd contact the Dr STAT.

really?

4 weeks recovery?

I was back at the gym 5 days after my lapband ...

Are you working out?

BEST investement is a Vitamix!!

JOgging pants and thick socks!

Diet is #1.

But activity level is close up there ... increase your activity level drastically to really push weight/fat loss.

The more lean muscle mass you have, the faster your body will metabolize calories.

Yeah ........................ well, do a good search in the forums for info on the PS. They never stick around for long ........ ...............

On a personal note, i would never ever chose a PS if I wasn't happy with the consult or the doctors' bedside manner. This would be a huge factor for me.

And based on the amount of issues that can pop up post surgery, I wouldn't bother getting it done there. Get it done close to home so you can go in when/if things come up. As mentioned above, the costs' aren't that competative by the time you factor in your at least 7 day stay, and follow up that will probably be needed, etc.

I priced out a surgeon in Chicago, who was almost the same cost! And he was highly recommend by a few members of this forum who had success surgeries with him. Just do your research .. a lot of it. And don't just assume that it's cheaper in Mexico. Because it's not.

Hey Dottie!

Are you getting another procedure done?

And why didn't you like the band?

I have the same problem .. mine is clearly visible, even when I wear cltohing that's form fitting (ie tank top). And it rubs against my ribs everytime I bend over. But I've gotten used to it.

You can have revision surgery, where they'll place the port much deeper, under the muscle so it doesn't protrude.

You pay for revision surgery. You can contact the OCC for more info, including cost, etc.

If you're getting your band REMOVED, they will, of course, remove the port, as you have no need for it.

I haven't been hearing good things about Cosmed,

Me either.

Thank you Lindsay for the reply. I used to have my band to tight but a few months ago i removed 2 cc and I can eat a lot more than before.

Hmm ... just out of curioustiy, how many cc's do you currently have, and how many does your band hold?

Do you drink carbinated drinks?

Just going through a mental list in my head of things that be causing excess gas ...

I am very gassy (ie I can burp at any moment), but I also know at times my band is too tight, and I drink liquids too quickly ....

Could your band be too tight?

Food allergies?

You're out of hiding!

How is it going there???!!

They don't do dental at the OCC anymore. This is a very very old thread!

I have yet to someone on here actually claim (and be accepted) for insurance in terms of weight loss surgery, specifically if you've had surgery in Mexico.

A lot of people talk about it, but it's never actually been successfully posted about.

Almost everyone in this forum has paid out of pocket for the surgery, and follow up.

The majority of doctors won't touch you with a ten foot pole. The liablity it unreal, and they don't want to get involved whatsoever.

Plus, most doctors are scared shitless when they hear were we've been -- TIJUANA for weight loss surgery.

They're all heard the horror stories ... and they're stealing there potential $$$$$.

I haven't found a doctor here in Toronto, Canada who knows anything about my lapband.

All of the doctors I've ever seen just look at me with a blank stare. Thank god I haven't had any issues with it, otherwise, I'd probably be in trouble.

I don't know what kind of surgery you're getting, but i would highly suggest finding a doctor who will see you, and is knowledable on your procedure prior to surgery.

As Doolittle mentioned, this is a huge obsticle.