BarbaraG

I am so glad to see you write about this. I have yet to vomit, but have been stuck a couple times and PB'd - NOT fun. One of the reasons I wanted the banding was because of the possibility of vomiting - no kidding. It is a major incentive to behave myself. PB'ing reminds of this. I have never understood those who are able to vomit without feeling totally horrible. And now I use it to my advantage. Your experience helps me stay on track - THANK YOU!!!! And CHEW, CHEW, CHEW! <<<HUGS>>>

Down a lb this week. Gotta try harder this next week. It will help me behave while on vacation! 253 to 252

Oh, yes. Just today in church (during the sermon, no less) I had one very 'talkative' tummy! It does seem a bit bizarre to have all that noise and no hunger, doesn't it?

Congratulations! Shopping for pretty undies is going to be one of my rewards as I hit some one of my goals.

Do everything your doc tells you and when the going seems tough, repeat until you believe it: 'This too, shall pass!" See you on the 'other side'!

Thanks for the warning - one day I plan to be just as confused - LOL! Congrats!

Fantastic! Hoping to get the same good news when I have my physical next month!

Hurry - My 1st challenge! Name, real or screen~ BarbaraG Age~ 56 Weight on August 1st~ 253 Goal Weight for August 29th~ 243 Exercise Goal for August~ 5X per week Dietary Goal for August~ Keep on keepin' on Personal Goal for August~ Behave while on vacation for 3 weeks! Date Banded~ 6/21/11 Total Weight Loss Since Banding~ 17lbs

It's interesting to see the responses of others, both pre and post op. I've been banded just over 5 weeks and I researched the daylights out of the issue. My friends who had gastric bypass ALL gained their weight back - every one of them. And every one of them has said, if they could do it over again, they'd get lapband! They were all lead to believe this was the miracle cure for obesity. And now 2 of them (in their 50's) are having serious gastric problems! I had a colonoscopy this past week and told my gastroenterologist what I had done. He was very supportive but had nothing good to say about the g-bypass. He says it never made sense to him but now he is dealing with the backlash - those who now have serious health issues and need it reversed but there is no reversal for g-bypass! He's a quiet, gentle man but when we had our discussion, be became down right passionate! Some of the very things others found unacceptable, I found terrific! For example - having to go in for fills. I like that there is an understanding that one size does NOT fit all! And it provides accountability to have to weigh in each time! And PB - it forces me to be so careful when I eat to chew carefully and to avoid unconscious eating. If the easier, softer way worked, I wouldn't need a lapband! I am so happy I made this decision! Just my journey so far...FWIW :thumbup:

Good for you! Loosing some weight seems counter intuitive to us. We think,'If I could loose weight and keep it off, I wouldn't need the surgery!' But giving it a shot now can only help. AS a 56 yr old shorty (5'3") I know what it feels like to have a few more health issues than the younger banders I like your attitude! Hang in there and do whatever you have to do to get approved. It's worth it!

Whoo-hoo! Congrats on your banding! I was banded June 21 (my anniversary! LOL) so I'm new in this adventure. I don't know about you but I'm so glad I made this decision - my knees are already feeling better.

Hi Nouzi I have a serious problem with Water retention when the weather is hot and muggy. It's really discouraging to be following my food plan and not see the scale reflect it! But then the weather changes (especially cool nights) and I'm up 3 or 4 times during the night peeing. That used to bug me but now I take it in stride knowing I'll see the scale drop a lb or 2!.

So glad to find this group. I was banded June 21 (my anniversary!) My top weight was 285 over a year ago. I was 270 the day before my surgery. I weighed in this AM at 252. I was on a plateau for a good 2 weeks and just a couple days ago started down again. I had my 1st fill (4cc) July 13, when I went in for infected surgical sites. They checked me over and determined I was allergic to the dissolvable stitches! A 10 day stint of antibiotics cleared that up. But since I was there, they decided to do a fill. My next fill is scheduled for this coming Weds (8/3). So far I'm doing pretty good. Got discouraged during the plateau. Even the fill didn't help. I was very careful with what I ate and only had one instance of getting stuck. Not pretty. No vomiting but a whole lot of slime. I've been much more careful since not to eat dry chicken, and chew, chew, chew! I had a colonoscopy Monday and the one thing that was bothering me seems to have cleared up - I was used to a daily BM and struggled with constipation after banding . Maybe it's my age (56) and arthritis issues that limit my mobility (though this has improved. Mobility, that is, not age - LOL!) Anybody relate? Hugs to all!

I ordered her DVD and it's due in at my Wally World next Thurs.. I'm so glad you like it - I'll be joining you soon!

Thank you Alex. This is most helpful. I was banded June 21 and had my 1st 4cc fill 3 weeks later. I have another fill scheduled for next week. I'm not at the sweet spot yet but after reading this, I know now what the green zone will look like. BTW, is is common to feel like you are adjusting to a fill even 2 weeks afterwards? Other questions: For the over 50 crowd, dealing with joint pain and exercise. I know I have to move more and with arthritis pain in my knees and ankles, it's really hard. Especially since my doc wants me to cut out nsaids due to potential stomach inflammation issues. I'm early in the process and know even a little bit every day pays off. Maybe I'm expecting too much from myself...

Thanks for the link, Dave. It gave me a real "A-HA!" moment. I've been banded for just over 4 weeks and was beginning to head down the wrong path...

An informational meeting is really the best advice. I can tell you I am 56, menopause has had it's way with me, I have a lot more weight I want to loose than 50 lbs, - high blood pressure, sleep apnea and very low metabolism. I had the surgery almost 5 weeks ago. I have lost 16 lbs and already feel a lot better. But I took a full 2 years to make up my mind.. I talked to everyone I knew who had bariatric surgery to determine what my options were and researched each one. In the end, lap band was the winner for me and I have not regretted it. It's not a magic cure - you still must make the choice everyday to walk the walk (literally and figuratively!). Today I choose to treat my body with respect.