I'm tired.........

[vljohnson02]

of being treated like there is something wrong with me. My family, I know that they mean well, but every time I get together with any of them it's oh, well what can you eat, or can Vanessa eat that? Last night my mom was on the phone with my uncle talking about Thanksgiving and of course, the conversation turned to about me. So she was telling him about what would most likely work for me, and he goes "Well the people that I know that have had the lapband doesn't have problems eating anything." I know, that every patient is different, my doctor has told me that. Some people can have problems with almost everything, others don't. But I'm getting so tired of feeling like I have something physically wrong with me that people need to worry about. It makes me feel like freak.

Off my soapbox. Has anyone else had these types of issues with family?

Gastric Banding Surgery The adjustable gastric banding is a restrictive surgical procedure during which a silicone band is placed around the stomach, creating a small pouch. The band includes a balloon that is filled with a nontoxic fluid, most commonly a saline solution; periodic adjustments are performed by a healthcare professional who accesses the balloon via a subcutaneous port. Gastric band placement, unlike malabsorptive weight loss surgery (e.g. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, Biliopancreatic Diversion, and Duodenal Switch), does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.

[Lynn P]

Hi V!

Yes I have had these challenges. I decided to change the things I said like "I can't eat that or that doesn't work for me" to I can eat anything you have or make." Then I would only CHOOSE what I felt up to eating.

For instance, take a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. If people were around and you are helping in the kitchen or you are having appetizers, make sure people see you having a protein shake or some protein. If they ask why, just tell then that your body requires some quick fuel.

Then, when it comes time to sit down, if someone asks what you can eat, just say, "I will start with some turkey (protein) and I'll see if I need anything else, I am not too hungry at the moment. Then later, add some vegies or a taste of this and that. If someone questions you, you can always say something like "Thanks for the concern, but, I'll save this for a snack in a few hours" or "I eat something every couple of hours so I don't get too hungry. "Or I am saving myself for a slice of desert" or my favorite: "I only have so much room and I am going to use that room for the things I don't get everyday."

It is hard to explain to family what is going on. Maybe you'll be able to come up with a good response when they make you feel like they are taking their concern for your diet.

I HOPE THAT HELPS SOME... any ideas out there banders?

xoxox Lynn

Protein One of the three nutrients that provides calories to the body. Protein is an essential nutrient that helps build many parts of the body, including muscle, bone, skin, and blood. Protein provides 4 calories per gram and is found in foods like meat, fish, poultry, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and tofu. Proteins are an essential human nutrient, obtained from both plant and animal foods. Though their greatest commercial use is in food products, they are also employed in adhesives, plastics, and fibres.

[MsJacquiiC]

Hiya Vanessa and Lynn - apologies for the looooong delayed response... Great suggestions btw Lynn - I was gonna suggest similar. Luckily for me I haven't had any issues with my family regarding the roux-en-y gastric bypass. But if I did - I would just be vocal about the WLS process and educate those who might be naysayers about the process and how it has helped immensely. A lot of people believe the notion that any WLS is an "easy way out" or even "cheating" -- Obviously we know different.

So yes - vocalize that you chose WLS because all other way you attempted to maintain a healthy weight didn't work. And let them know that surgery is a restrictive process which allows you to eat only so much at one time. The more people know about the process, the more likely they are to accept and not give you such a hard time about it.

Then again - as you loose weight - there might be a bit of jealousy LOL - but that's a different story entirely. Anyway - good luck with it - and continue to strive for success.

Jacquii.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass A type of gastric bypass procedure which combines restrictive and malabsorption techniques - meaning, it reduces the amount of food a patient can comfortably eat (restriction), and also reduces the amount of calories that can be digested in the small intestine (malabsorption). This combination of bariatric methods leads to greater weight loss and the roux-en-y procedure is seen as one of the best ways to treat clinically severe obesity. See WLS Videos for animated surgery technique.