Sucks Ginormous Donkey Balls

Oh, how I wish I could take credit for that saying (thanks Jenny "Embracing A New Path"), and oh, how I've been waiting for a chance to use it...

It was back to therapy last night after a three week break. It really sucked. ginormous. donkey. balls! I forget how much work it is sometimes. He tried a new technique, which was supposed to be non-threatening, and of course I hated it. I drove home completely exhausted and drained. I won't bore you with the details. I know this is important to my life, and to my weight... so I'll soldier on next week...

Interestingly (to me anyway) we had a bariatric surgeon do an inservice for my work this morning. Among many interesting points, was the fact that he believed that gastric bypass was superior to lapband because it was a physiologic approach, verses the band which is only mechanical. He also believed that there was much greater success with bypass because it requires less follow up maintenance. He believes that without intense post surgical follow up... ie- support groups (hello!) and fills (duh!) that the band is potentially less effective. He touched on the psychological work needed with the band... the need for therapy because the band is only a mechanical tool. I agree with that. BUT... Ummm... ok... ???

Is he saying lapbands are too much WORK? No, I did not stand up or say anything. My peace of mind is that everyone in the room (besides him, he was not my surgeon) knows me AND my lapband history AND how I feel about it. Seriously my bandster friends, please don't be shy about advocating for the band. Speak up to people who could USE the information. I respect this surgeon's medical experience, but until you've been obese and gone through this process... you'll never REALLY know.

I agree that different procedures are better for different people and it's a personal and medical decision. However, I was disheartened by the relative negativity about the band. In his practice, only 20% of patients end up with a band. That seems low. Anyway, it was interesting, and I enjoyed hearing a perspective different than mine. Even if he was wrong... ;)

I feel so much confidence in my weight loss and the amount of help my band gives me, especially after hearing this information this morning. I feel no fear about keeping my weight off. Yes, some moments I waiver... but mostly not. When I do, I complain here, to you. I do believe that a support system is critical to our success. I don't think that should be a deterent to getting the band. It just means that the surgeons need to do a better job with their follow up programs. And also, that we need to do a better job at reaching out to other people who are looking for effective weight loss.

Ok, I'm putting my soap box away for now. I will end this rant by saying that my band is back to being tight. Great restriction, no hunger at all yesterday. Even though my scale is stuck at 173, I think it's technically a loss because this is the time of month when I've got PMS weight on. I think I'm still losing, but it's at like 1/3 of a pound a week? And honestly, my only expectation at this point is to not gain. Even though "some" people think the band is too much work, I know it's letting me eat my cake and have it, too. And you know me well enough to know that's a very literal statement. I still love my band.