mshooper

Thanks aspen, I've been focusing on baby and not so much on me right now. I haven't had any problems with my band so far and I'm about 4 months in now. I have done my fair share of swimming and walking this year and I just hope to keep it up. Congrats on the baby! They are indeed blessings from above :biggrin:

Thanks so much Atl for responding. Sometimes, it seems like we are all alone out here when you hear so many successful stories. Since I found out I was pregnant in June, I'm actually down 3 pounds. I guess the change of environment helped. (The food in St. Louis tastes strange to me and forces me to cook and they have TONS of farmers markets.) Thank you for the encouragement. I really dont feel like exercising at all. My boys (12 yrs) get me out the house by asking me to take walks around the neighborhood with them. But that's about it. After I drop my precious cargo, then we gone get it in gear :thumbup:

Hello Fellow LapBanders, I havent been on here in a looong time. So I'll make a long dramatic story short. So I was banded in July, 2008 and have lost approximately 22 lbs with this thing. I honestly didn't understand the nutritional classes, not that I could really go to them. At that time, I had just gotten a new job, a new car and a new apartment and my only means of support system, my mother, had just moved 13 hours away to St. Louis with me still in Richmond, VA. (job related move). I just don't think I was in the right place to have the surgery then. After a year or so of fumbling through Band-om, I tried to talk my doc into switching my band out for a RNY. He said that I haven't tried hard enough and if I couldnt get this right, then the RNY would probably kill me. Ok Doc, gotcha, I'm a tough cookie and can respect a blunt answer. Fast forward to Jan 2010 and I'm ready to get it in gear. Got a band fill, started eating better, and even started training for 10k in Richmond. Lost more inches than pounds really. But a week before the marathon, I fell down my steps in heels and sprained both of my ankles. I decided to move to St. Louis to be with my mother and would move at the end of June 2010. At the beginning of June, I find out that I'm pregnant. Soooo my question or discussion is.....I want to continue exercising but I'm worn out all the time. I know that exercising now will make delivery easier.....I dont know, I guess I just need some motivational help. It's been a rough last few years and with a baby on the way (by the way, I have 12 yr old twin boys already), things are going to be even more hectic. I'm in a new city and am turning to my online community to help me out. Thanks in advance for your support and sorry for the long post. The next ones won't be so bad. Peace and Blessings!

So Im back on the site for the first time in 2 months. I was just banded in July 08 and have only lost 25 lbs. All of those pounds in the first 6 weeks. Ive fluxuated 10 lbs or so in the last 2 months but really just maintaining. When I saw this thread, I didn't feel like such a moron. It really helped to know that others are sharing some of the same difficulties that I am going through. Because I'm going through basically the same thing (not eating right, not enough restriction, etc) I cant really offer any advice or anything. I just really thank all you guys for your thoughts and experiences. You all inspire me! Im going to just get back on track. Do this 5 day pouch test thing, stop eating all these sweets and um well, that's a big start for me in itself. Thanks again! We bandsters rule!!!!!

I am sooo glad I found this post!! I thought I was going crazy. I can see my port too. It sticks out a bit, like an egg. Cant see it when I sit down, but when I stand up, it's definitely noticeable. I have the Realize band, which they say has a lower profile port. I'm hoping as the fat leaves my middle, that sucker will smooth out. At 290, I already have enough bumps and rolls to contend with. I really dont need anymore LOL.

Is anyone able to see their port or feel it from the outside? I was banded 3 wks ago. I have no pain, the site is a little tender, but it is protruding out a little. I don't know what this is. Its not like I've lost a whole lot of weight yet. I'm kinda nervous.

Thanks for the encouragement. I am focused on these pounds because I'm so ready for them to be gone. Not getting on the scale is the best advice for me. I mean, it was totally ruling my moods. When I lost, I had an extra spring in my step. When I gained, it felt like a dark cloud over me. I'm just gonna focus on this new life of mine and be okay with my body and my decision.

I was banded on July 15th and I can hold like 6-8 oz of food. I go for my first fill on Aug 22. But I feel like I have no restriction at all. I mentioned to the doc on my follow up, she told me that is normal. I just have to control my portions until the fill time. Translation, stay hungry all the time. I have the Realize band also. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, but I saw someone else mention it. Also, my port seems to be sticking out. I mean, I can feel it and see it just by looking at my stomach. I had to do some moving after my surgery and dont know if I've given myself a hernia or something. I don't know, I'm kinda scared and frustrated right now. Anyone have any ideas? Your suggestions are definitely welcome. Alicia

I just logged on for the first time since I went back to work about a week ago. I was also banded about 3 weeks ago. Your post stuck out to me because I was thinking the same thing. Not only have I stopped losing weight already, but when I went to mushy foods, I gained 5 lbs back. On top of that, my port is poking out under my skin. I'm completely disgusted at this point. I'm sorry to be such a downer right now, but it seems like even though I am eating what I am supposed to, the weight isn't going anywhere. But I am scheduled for my first fill on Aug 22 and I go back to the doc next week to see about this port thing. I know that I did this for a reason and I'm not going to give up that easily. I am learning how to eat all over again. I knew the weight loss wasn't going to be fast, but it's easy to become discouraged when you drop 20 lbs out the gate, then start to gain weight back. So I'll tell you, what I'm telling myself now, 3 wks isn't enough time to get discouraged. This is just the beginning of our journey and it's just one day at a time. Besides, this forum is a great place to read about other people's experiences. You will find that every emotion that you are experiencing, someone else on here knows what you are going through. I wish you all the best!

You all have been such an encouragement. I'm now about 10 days post op and feel completely normal. No more gas pains (I used the infant gas drops...works wonders, immediately). My stomach swelling has gone down. In fact, I'm on mushy foods now and Im doing ok. At this point, it is about making decisions about what food to eat and distinguishing "head" hunger from actual hunger. Like, sometimes I'll think that "oh, its been 5hrs since I've eaten and I only ate 4 oz of food, I've got to be hungry." But then my stomach still felt satisfied. I know they have pre op psych evaluations but I definitely think it's a good idea to have one afterwards, too. But, that's also why we have each other. This is like one great big therapy group!! LOL Keep in touch, I would love to share this journey with you all!! God bless!

Alyson, you are a life saver! I had called my doc's office and they basically told me the same confusing crap that I got in the first place. I'm pretty intelligent (at least I like to think so) and I just could not wrap my head around this whole thing. Also, how often do you eat? I'm trying to space things out about 4 or 5 hrs. I think if I just eat for about 20 minutes and space things out, I should be okay. Thanks again!! Now if I can just get active. I go back to work on Monday so it will take my mind off of food, food, food.

That is my same issue. They don't tell you how much mush to eat. Sometimes I feel like I have messed something up bc, at a little over a week out, I get hungry. I just feel like I'm a diet. I feel a little ridiculous. Thank you so much for posting this. Some of the people I have spoken to in person make it seem like you're not supposed to be hungry for like 5 weeks after surgery. But this same person has gained back about 25 lbs after losing 90 lbs in 8 months. You are definitely not alone in this!!

I got banded a little over a week ago and at the seven day mark, my doc says that it is okay to have mushies. Well, it seems as though everyone has a different definition of a "mushy". Some say its only oatmeal, soft eggs, yogurt, Soup, etc. Others say that it can be regular food, only blended. I'm still not sure of how much of each i'm supposed to be eating. For example, I ate a whole packet of oatmeal for Breakfast. Mind you, it took me about an hour and a half and having to re-heat like 3 times, but is this normal? Should I be hungry like this? I've made some extra finely chopped egg salad, but how much should I be eating at a sitting (in oz, as I don't have a measuring cup just those oz cups they gave me in the hospital. I don't want to stretch my pouch. I haven't thrown up or PB'd anything. Everything goes down. I have my follow-up appt in about a week and will definitely be mentioning my concerns, but in the meantime, i'm reaching out to my fellow Bandsters here. Thanks for all your help. PS ( i just made some baked salmon and green Beans that I would love to eat, both are really soft, but don't know if I should or how much):smile2: