amjcal

I started gaining weight back in the middle of November, but still had a restriction (small).. Planned on visiting a dr after the holidays. In the middle of our trip last week, I noticed I had no restriction, that I am eating the way I used to before I was banded. No pain,a little soreness around port site when I press firmly, but other than that no pain. However, my legs and stomach are swollen with water tight... Swollen like I was when I was 9 months pregnant in the middle of July. . This is my concern, if there is something wrong how come there is no pain ? I am thinking either a slip, erosion or leak... anyone know what could be happening tio me ?

I called the Dr. office and spoke to a nurse. She told "so you are telling me you need a fill" I said so overnight I can eat a few bites and then the next week an entire loaf of bread? She was such a b***h, anyways the clinic is 3.5 hours away and they can not get me in until the 23rd, I am changing dr.'s this week. In the mean time I battling being hungry all the time,,, drinking tons of water, and eating however much I want with no restriction and NEVER getting full. I need help.

I started gaining weight back in the middle of November, but still had a restriction (small).. Planned on visiting a dr after the holidays. In the middle of our trip last week, I noticed I had no restriction, that I am eating the way I used to before I was banded. No pain,a little soreness around port site when I press firmly, but other than that no pain. However, my legs and stomach are swollen with water tight... Swollen like I was when I was 9 months pregnant in the middle of July. . This is my concern, if there is something wrong how come there is no pain ? I am thinking either a slip, erosion or leak... anyone know what could be happening tio me ?

I feel the same way, in fact I feel ike I have become bulemic since I have had the surgery. A lot of times I get stuck, go gag myself unfill my stuckness and continue eating. I have become to believe that this is how the rest of my life will be. Over weight, and puking almost every other day. I feel your pain.

The chewable vitamins from Bariatric advantage made me sick. So I stopped taking vitamins for a while. Really no difference in anything for the most part. Then I went to a new doctor, because we moved, and they really insisted on taking vitamins. I take a multi- vitamin for women. (need the 18mg of iron) because of monthly occurrences. Plus the iron cures the crave for chocolate. I am not sure how but it is an awesome tool for me not to crave chocolate. Then I take Calcium with D3, and . i noticed that I did not take them this morning and was exhausted, so I do believe they helped me with my energy level. Anyways I but the cheapest vitamins, that contain what I need in them. Also none of mine are chewable. I take all three pills at the same time with no problems at all. Although, have you ever heard of not taking certain vitamins at the same time? They suggested that I take them at different times throughout the day. Any input on the different times throughout the day suggestions? Thanks in advance.

5 months for me too!! I was the same weight for a month, then got a fill and lost some weight. It was definitely pleasing not to have gained, but disappointing at the same time not to have lost. I got the fill and in a week I had lost 5-6 lbs. I am one week two of the fill and hoping to lose 2 or 3 more pounds. Please join me on myfitnesspal, I see you have an account as well. My user name amjcmral. Hungry is another issue. I eat when I am thirsty, a terrible habit that Istruggle with everyday, and most days don't overcome. But what I did, is put a sticky note on my fridge that says " you are not hungry, drink water". Just a silly idea. Good luck talk to you soon, And cheers to both of our success!

Sweet!! Way to go! I went to the store and tried on a XL, ( before surgery I was a 1X-2X) and my friend was like that is to baggy. So I went and got a L! And it was a L I haven't worn a large, in God knows how long! It is so exciting. It is almost surreal!

I am in 5th month since surgery. I am very happy with my success this far, although I would be a little bit happier if more. But I think we are all that way when we are losing weight. When I went in to my pre op appointment the nurse told me that their most successful patient did not exercise at all and lost 150lbs . I was like "really". I love to exercise, but I am afraid too. One I am afraid I will gain weight with muscle gain, and then get discouraged. Two I feel like why should I start if I have lost weight without working out. Three I think of all the times I worked out everyday, with previous diets and never lost a pound. So if I am losing weight why should I put the extra effort out. My answer is because being healthy is not just about being thin it is about being physically fit. I can find every excuse every single day to put it off. I have a free gym, free classes I am afraid to use them. I think it is because I have been so discouraged from using them before and not seeing ANY results. Even when I lost 80lbs when I was in high school (and gained it back ) I really didn't exercise. However at that point when I was down to my lowest, I enjoyed working out. I did it all the time every chance I got. So I kind of feel if I wait to till I get the weight off I will enjoy it and want to do it. I love the feeling of working out I am just scared, to mess up a good thing. It is kind of like why try diet pills again they always failed me? I am really not looking to be judged, I just want to know if there is anyone else out there that feels the same way? or had the same issue and over came it ?

Maybe a support group that is offered in your area, might be helpful. Even though I am a newbie I feel like when I get a fill I fall back on track a little bit. You can do this. We all can, and I get frustrated myself when I stop losing then I start losing I get all excited again and try harder. SO get a fill, get some advice and support from your dr and don't dwell on the past start right up at the future. Best of luck!

I am having issues with clothes shopping, I just got a new job with professional dress code. All of my previous work clothes are scrubs. I can fit in to a 14/16 in most pants I try on, but an 18 looks better. In the shirts I can "fit into " a size L or XL, which fit good for the most part. I was previously wearing 18/20 pants and 1X/2X shirts. The thing i don't want to spend a lot of money, because I want to lose more weight before I go do dramatic wardrobe shopping. Their is one goodwill in this town with limited selection, I thought if I shopped there at least I wouldn't be spending a lot of money. So I try on the 16 and I am like "whoo hoo I can get it buttoned comfortably, but my thighs stand out like a sore thumb. I know if I go to plus size section they will be a little bigger , but look better. But I am avoiding the plus size section like the plague. I want to look good, but don't want to buy more clothes that will not fit in a few months. I am so used to buying clothes I can "squeeze into " instead of clothes that actually fit. Any suggestions on what type of clothes to buy? Do you buy clothes a little snug so they will fit better in the upcoming months of weight loss? Clothes shopping has been a depressing thing for as long as I can remember. And I was really hoping by going down an size or two it would be better, I am so disappointed, So what do I buy shoes of course they always look good and they always fit. Thanks in advance !

I have Tricare and the only dr they would give me a referral to was to Dr, Fernadaz. I was told by a friend he is a gastric bypass dr only. I also heard that he wants the money upfront until your insurance pays them and then they pay you. So with this said I found a dr. in Bradenton, where I lived. He is great, great staff and I moved and I miss them. I called the insurance and told them I did not feel comfortable with Dr, Fernadez and they gave me a refferal for Dr, Bunch the same day and I was in the office the next week scheduling my surgery. Although there are several weight loss surgeons in the Tampa area I would be especially careful with him. Please.

I thank everyone for the helpful hints. I know a lot of people have commented on using straps to cinch up blouses. I have no idea what these are and where do i find them? The skirt is a good idea, when I looked through my closet I found some skirts, they are more forgiving for sure. Bras is another disappointment, My boobs have not gotten any smaller. So I have gone form a 40DD to a 36DD. I guess I was hoping I could get a few cute bras instead of the plain jane bras you find in the bigger sizes. Any suggestions where to get a cute bra that has a DD? Thanks for all the advice.

I ate fat free refried beans, broccoli and cheese soup, ricotta cheese. I mixed banana baby food with my chocolate shakes and low fat peanut butter, string cheese.

I eat the toppings and the crust if it is this crust only. I think I have eaten Pizza 2x since July and occasional treat.

Hello ladies, I had my surgery in July 1st. I have had a history of being over weight since the third grade at 130lbs. I have worked my butt off several times and lost 40-80lbs, only to gain it back. I have been fighting obesity my entire life. Not to mention everyone in my family is obese, I personally think that if I wanted to be healthy and not gain the weight back this would be a good choice for me.. although every diet that I tried before that did not give me the results I wanted in a few weeks, I gave up. Being this far out of surgery, I am happy I had the surgery. If I were paying for it myself I would have not chosen the lap band. I still count calories, can only eat certain things, without them getting stuck and I still struggle with the emotional eating. Although I have not gained the weight back it has been harder for me to lose. These are all things that everyone struggles with at first with the band, you have to learn how to manage emotional eating, learn what you can and can't eat. I think if you have just gained weight this one time and have not been struggling your entire life you should really reconsider, It sounds like you are doing the same things you will be doing on the lap band. Binge eating and eating at night will not go away with the band at least it didn't for me. It is a more mental change than a eating change for me anyway. I wish you the best of luck in your decision.

Thanks for sharing.. I think once things start settling down for me ( finish moving) I am going to give it a try.

Rachel, Ever since my first time on this website, I have been following your progress and you have been an inspiration to me. You are doing so well. i am so very proud of you. It is unfortunate you are not having the best of luck... I really think you should go get a second opinion, even if you do have to pay out of pocket for a consult visit it might be worth it, instead of having them treat you so badly. At least you can get a different opinion and if you like the doc you can switch over. it is worth a try. I would have never known there was any problems your way. Thank you for your encouragement in the past and for the inspiration for me to keep chuggin along.

Well for me it is a little different each day. I work nights so my schedule is a little crazy. So I wake up with water, maybe a cup of coffee with creamer. Then my lunch is dinner with my kids. Tonight I had about 10 pieces of popcorn shrimp and 1/4c of lettuce with a teaspoon of light ranch dressing. Then at work I ate 1/2 a cuban. and then before the morning I will eat the other half. I never drink after I eat, which was really hard to get used too. However, I do drink before I eat. I had cupcake today, my first since surgery in July. It was terrible it was so sweet it made me sick, I never thought in a million years something too sweet would make me sick. LOL I love sweet tea, so I limit myself to 1 every week. Bread I have been afraid to eat, because the stuck feeling really sucks. Although I have had it a couple of times and had no problem. But when I go to subway , or firehouse subs I order my sandwich without bread... Why waste it? I will just throw it away and then the temptation is not there. I don't have a consistent thing i eat everyday I have to change things up a lot, because I get bored with the same thing and then eat the wrong things if I have the same old stuff in the house. So do really answer you question. I eat whatever I cook for my family only eat 1/4 or 1/2 cup of it. I always use a saucer. When I eat out I get a box as soon as the food comes out and put half the food in the box and set it on the other side of the table. If I go through a drive through I take the meat out, throw the bread away and go on. Although not eating crappy food in a while is something I want to keep up, I really can't finish eating crappy food without having to run to a restroom and crap. The hardest thing for me is the road trips. Good Luck

You will be fine.. Congratulations and no worries. Everything will be fine ! Have a great recovery!

Good Job!! Keep up the good work! I got on the scale this morning and I have 11lbs till onederland!! And I am so excited , I never thought in a million years i would be at this point let alone even being close to weighing a number that starts with a 1 !

I was banded 7/1. I was told I should be losing 2-3 lbs per week. The one thing that I stick to the guns about is not drinking for an hour after I eat. Sometimes I take a tiny sip just to get my mouth wet or to get the flavor out of my mouth. My doctor told me no pasta or bread. I have had one small serving of pasta and no actual bread, although I have had Nutri Grain bars but not actual bread. Carbs turn into sugar and sugar turns into fat. I also put my food on a saucer. When I feel a little pressure on under my breast bone I get up from the table and/or stop eating. This is the hardest part for me, because I want to take one more bite, because it tastes so good . I love sweet tea, so I limit myself to one a week as a treat. But I will admit I could be doing a lot better. But this is a learning experience, if we don't make mistakes how are we ever going to learn what works best for us and our band. Also I think no matter how fast or slow we lose the weight we are going to think we should lose it faster. But I look at it this way: Before the band it took me HOW long to lose this much weight, and then be depressed and anxious the entire time about gaining the weight back. So 22 lbs ladies is awesome. You will keep the weight off forever, and you should give yourself a pat on the shoulder. Have a good rest of the week and I am excited to hear what you guys do so I can add them to what I am doing!