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Dear Sandy, Was so interested to read at the end of your post that your husband was not supportive and didn't think you would go through with your surgery. My husband was also not supportive, but did accompany me to Mexico when I had it done. (Our insurance would not cover the cost, so I cashed in one of my retirement 401Ks to cover the cost.) Since my surgery, Bill and I have had increasing problems. We are both working hard to try and work them out, but some days it seems to me that I too married the wrong man. However after 42 years of marriage, I am not ready to let go of what we have! And I have to say, I love him so much more today that the day we married! I always tell him "I love you more than yesterday, less than tomorrow"! I too get frustrated and sometimes "Blow up" at him. Then a couple of weeks ago, in the midst of one of our fights, Bill told me he was thinking of suicide! REALLY scared me badly! I thought we were making progress, and then wasn't sure we had changed the situation at all. Currently we are talking with our family physician about it, and Bill is considering going on an antidepressant. I really feel that since I have lost 100 pounds, he feels threatened, that I might want out of our marriage. He is also about 100 pounds overweight, and I think he feels that I want someone who is slim and trim now. (So NOT the case! But how we feel doesn't always make sense or follow logic!) I wish I had some "wise words" for you. But all I can say is that I will remember you both in my prayers everyday! I have to say, that in spite of all the fights, problems, words, etc that we have had since my surgery, it is still THE BEST thing I ever did for myself and my health! I wouldn't go back to weighing 258 pounds for anything!!! Thinking of you and sending you all my best!!! Kathy D (alias Helen the Cat)

Man, I need to get my libido checked out. I wasn't even thinking of wanting to try.

Terri will you add me as a friend? I'm new and don't know how to use this site yet. Lol

First up, we are paying for the medical expertise associated with fills - assessment of whether we need one, their level of skill etc. Secondly, fills require a special needle, and that saline stuff is actually prepared to a medical standard. For me, those are peace of mind factors. But that is easy for me to say as all my fills are covered under Australia's healthcare system and I have never been in a situation where I have had to decide whether to get medical treatment or not based on cost.

Great for you,I finally got approved and will be banded 3/21

I love spicy hot foods. For lunch today I brought in pinwheels (flour tortilla, shredded chicken, jalapenos, tomato, taco seasoning and reduced fat cream cheese) but I can't eat them plain like that. I add Franks red hot to the them. I am sweating more now than after a strenuous workout. I would hope it was doing something for me. I might be burning some calories, just reaching up to wipe the sweat from my brow. LOL

Well sis... it can only get better... I'm glad you're home. Loved having you here and able to pamper you for a bit...

I went home the same day....Surgery at 6:00 am, home by 2:00pm. Good Luck

I hope this tread is still alive! I had a complete unfill last Thurs and had barium tests this afternoon. Thankfully, I can say everything is still well with my band. I was banded in May '06 and did great, was 7 pounds from goal June '09. Went for my ck that month and my doc decided I had lost 17 lbs too quickly from the previous 3 month ck and flouroscopy showed I was a bit too tight in his opinion. He unfilled me against my wimpers and I've gained 20 lbs over the past 2 years. I think that unfill messed with my sweet spot. I just can't get that same restriction. Since it has been a slow gain, I've lost good habits and am no longer the best companion to my band that I was. So I am here to join everyone else on the journey back. I am recommitting to my band, myself and my size 4's. (I will wear you again!) Let's try to motivate each other, lift spirits and be kind to one another. I welcome any one who would like to friend me! Hugs to all!

Hello all. I've reached a point 3.5 years into my journey at my goal weight and a size 6 where I am what people call a pretty picture, but the misery that lurks beneath is ruining my life. Basically, I keep a tight band, because I cannot do the regular gym routine, and there is no way on earth I will gain back any of this weight. That being said, I can eat, I just can't eat things like veggies, fruit or anything with too much Fiber. All my Vitamin levels are good, blood sugar, thyroid, hormones, everything normal. So, I started having constipation pretty much right after surgery. Surgeon said to take a suppository every day if I needed. So, guess what happened? I became dependant. Throughout the course of that and as the weight loss progressed it got worse. It got to the point where now I had to do the warm Water enemas. I started seeking care from a colorectal doc about a year ago. I had the MRI defecografy, a CT scan and a colonoscopy. MRI showed weak pelvic floor, CT scan showed nothing and colonoscopy showed nothing. I was diagnosed with IBS with constipation. So, in addition to having IBS, I can't even get the stuff out of me due to these muscle issues. I have to take 3 Dulcolax oral pills every night, one Colase morning and night, and all that does is put me in a state of constant anxiety. My docs have me on pain meds which I try not to take since they cause further constipation. I have been given every prescription medication there is including Amitiza, but it didn't work. My life revolves around the pain, and bloating, and stress of knowing when I go out or have something social to do that I'm going to feel like crap, so I spend the hours before trying to get relief by getting it out of me. I'm to the point now where even creamed spinach is my demise. I can't eat steak or chicken, and my diet consists of pretty much mashed potatoes, yellow rice and any sort of fried fish. My dumbass PCP says, oh, metamucil at night and fiber. considering I really can't tolerate too much Fluid intake, that was a disaster, and no one said you must drink crazy amounts of fluid or you will end up in a tormented hell, that is what happened. Started with the Fiber One Cereal, almost ended up in the emergency room. Now it's to the point where if I go out to eat, the moment I stand up and walk a block I'm in crippling pain. Of course my surgeon insists it has nothing to do with the band, and I understand that band itself is working fine, but this is the result of his recommendation that I take suppositories daily at a point where I could still eat, and a band which allows me little food. I can only really eat standing up also. I started taking peppermint oil capsules a few days ago. It has stopped the pain, but now I feel so bloated and so uncomfortable. Maybe I always did, but the pain was more prevalent. I spend hours of my life on the toilet, and after eating out my night is ruined. My ex-boyfriend was so ridiculously understanding and cool and didn't care if I disappeared to do what I needed to do. But he's my ex now, and the thought of having to deal with this with a new guy, with whom there are many opportunities, is giving me crazy anxiety. Xanax isn't helping. I would sooner not go out to eat than have to attempt to fake being in pain. I have tried the magnesium, can't eat a prune if I want to live to tell the tell, the senna-based stuff doesn't do much. Fiber is my enemy. I used to be happy with a handful of Froot Loops for Breakfast until they decided to add fiber. Miralax, I could have died for the three days I was waiting for it to work. I have seen every doctor under the sun. Biofeedback physical therapy was recommended, but it's only half the problem. So, tight bandster who can't eat or drink much of anything, I really need tips or suggestions on what to eat that will be beneficial to me. So, here I am. I can't be the only person who is going through this, since I know a lot of bandsters who choose the tight band approach. Please, I am seeking tips/suggestions from seasoned bandsters with some experience on the topic, and I am not looking to be judged or lectured on my choices. I need help. I am not going to be loosened to any point where I can start eating all this stuff again and gain the weight back, and I couldn't anyway now that I have IBS, all the "good" stuff would give me so much gas and bloating I would die. I am desperate at this point, and I really don't know what to do. I feel very alone, and I actually cancelled a date tonight because I didn't want to deal with it. Thank you in advance for reading, and I look forward to any constructive feedback.