LeeLee76

Its been a very long time since I have been on.. I went through all of the hoops and finally got authorization to do the lap band to RNY revision surgery and I'm scheduled for next Wednesday. My new surgeon said if he had seen me original he never would have suggested the band for me. I'm nervous yet excited at the same time. I hear recovery is a bit longer so I'm expecting that. I hear different opions on the success rate. Anyone have any thoughts or know of anyone that has had the revision surgery, how they are doing and wait loss after the revision? I know everyone is different, all bodies are different but I'm sure hoping I have more success this time around. Hope all is well!

Well, the weather here in MA is miserable and rainy, best described as pea soup!! Definitely makes you want to burrow under the covers and sleep sleep sleep lol.. Decided to reach out and see if anyone has some feedback. Since my most recent fill, I find that I have an aversion to a lot of foods or smells of certain foods, or a feeling of mild nausea should I say. And I'm not expecting. Not sure if this is just me or if its the fill. I have noticed much more tightness or feeling sort of stuck if I don't eat really slow and take much more time between bites so I'm thinking maybe too much fluid in there. Any feedback or thoughts? Thanks and be well!

Its been a while since I have blogged, just haven't had the time, energy or desire I suppose.. I had a follow up with the doctor yesterday and am 9 months post-op and sooooo not where I expected to be. I've lost maybe 30lbs total and now have 9.4 in my 14 band. I feel pretty good overall but disappointed at the same time. I know everyone is different but I honestly expected my weightloss to be greater at this point in the game, I'm still doing my kickboxing class every morning, hitting the gym and started hiking too. Just can't seem to break out of this rut. And yes, I do follow my diet although I can be accused of skipping meals on occassion which I know is not a good thing. For some time I have been considering converting from the lap-band to the bypass and think I'm ready to go ahead with it. I've discusssed it with my doctors office and they aren't against it at all. I feel that this will be more suitable to me and my particular lifestyle and will work better for me long term. I'm not knocking the band at all trust me. I just need to wait for the new bariatric surgeon to get my medical records and I can meet with him. Hoping the process isn't lenghthy as I'm itching to do it soon. With any luck I'll have it before summer. Hope all is well with my band friends and family!

Hello everyone and Happy New Year to all! So, I've started a kickboxing class this week and boy is it really hard but to my surprise I absolutely love it. Its much more fun than the bootcamp I did so I have a feeling I'm going to be doing it a lot and I think the different routines will really help.. I have a couple of questions for my fellow bandsters. All the exercise I'm doing, I'm not really noticing much of a difference in my upper body yet I seem to be slimming down quite a bit on the bottom ( not exactly happy about this). Normally when I lose weight it comes off from the top and then down. I'm wondering if this is something to do with having the band? any thoughts? Also, I'm noticing that even 6 months after my surger my scar sites will start to get really irritated and puffy at the oddest times and they really hurt sometimes is this normal? Hope everyone is well and have a great weekend!

Please do get discouraged. I had been feeling the same way and was becoming a crazy woman when it came to stepping on the scale. I was banded on 7/26 and to date am down only about 23 lbs total but I have noticed a difference in inches. When you read the blogs everyone will tell you no 2 people are the same and they are correct. The best advice is get rid of the scale and only get weighed when you go to your doctor appointments, you'll drive yourself insane. Instead, concentrate on how you feel, eating the right food and getting plenty of exercise and you will notice a difference. Your clothes will be a great indication of your progress as well. Up until about a week and a half ago I was having my own pity party and I finally feel like I'm on track. You can do it! If you ever need a shoulder or need to vent feel free to reach out.

Hello all... So I had another appointment with my doctor today. I'll be 4 months post-op as of this week. I have been feeling pretty discouraged but I decided today that I'm not going to concentrate on what I haven't lost so far but what I can lose. I received another fill so I actually have 8cc's in my 14cc band at this point. I wasn't expecting them to put a full cc in but we'll see how it goes. I talked to the doctor about doing a 2 week liquid diet to jump start my weightloss and get all the crap and cravings out of my system and they said that's fine as long as I make sure to get enough protein so I'll start that today since I need to have liquids after my fill anyway. Not really concerned about Thanksgiving since I'm a picky eater. My promise to myself is to NOT step on the scale, not even one in the next 30 days I'm going to give it to my mom to hold hostage so I won't be tempted. Then I'm going to take my measurements tomorrow morning and not again for 30 days. And I'm looking around for another class or bootcamp to take. Even though I go to the gym all the time I really feel the bootcamp makes me work harder and I see better results. So, that's enought rambling for now Hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Holiday!

Thank you everyone! definitely small steps and I think maybe once I stop looking at the scale I'll pay more attention to how I feel and not the numbers. My restriction before this last fill wasn't really there at all. I definitely notice restriction now but not too much. I'm hoping this last fill has brought me to my green zone I also think doing the 2 weeks on liquids will jump start me again.

Hello all... Its been a while since I have posted, haven't really had too much to say lately. This week is bring lots of thoughts and some disappointment. I'm almost 4 months post surgery and have not lost anything, I'm basically either staying the same or I'm up a few pounds. Its so frustrating to not be at my own personal mini goal. My birthday is this week and I'll be 35. I'm having a hard time with 35 for some reason and even more disappointing is that I seem to be stuck in this rut. I still believe the band was a good choice, just really wanted to lose more. I'm working out as much as I can and even taking different classes. I'm really hoping that the weight loss will start to pick up

Thank you everyone for the feedback and I appreciate it all including the "tough love". I am planning on giving the band more time and I have been really working it. I do know one thing I actually need to do more of believe it or not is eat. I think my body is starving and wants to hold onto its fat. I generally prefer protein shakes over solid food, not because I can't eat but because I feel safer with liquids but my body probably isn't getting everything it needs. I'm also hypo-thyroid due to a complete thyroidectomy so that makes it more difficult. I have deciced to continue with the band but at the same time attend meetings and session for the bypass. I don't need to go ahead with the bypass but I want to jump in the program in case I decide to do it. I know the band is a tool and its not going to happen overnight just very very frustrating as everyone is aware. thanks again

I have been doing some thinking lately and am considering potentially going to the weightloss clinic near home ( my lap band was done near work an hour away) and inquiring about the bypass surgery. I'm beginning to feel that maybe I should have made the decision for bypass instead of the band. My insurance has no restrictions and would cover it as long as I am still at a BMI of 40 or over. Has anyone known someone that has done this? Any thoughts? I'm open to suggestions or feedback. I just feel after 4 months with the band I'm not nearly where I would want to be and wonder if the bypass would work better..

Thank you so much! This is something I needed to hear and still need to be reminded of and you couldn't be more right.

Thank you so much! I'll definitely try them. I just hate the feeling of being so bloated, almost look like a pregnant lady lol.. not to mention its uncomfortable. thanks again

Ugh, for some reason today I woke up with gas, not the icky smelling stuff lol but like after we had our banding surgery. It won't go away no matter what. Its making me feel so bloated and my stomach hurts.. I've had this several times and nothing seems to help, not even walking. Does anyone else get like this randomly? I need a cure! any suggestions or feedback are greatly appreciated. on another note, struggling to decide on a cardio kickboxing class or to sign up for the fitness bootcamp again. need to make up my mind by Saturday either way. decisions decisions

bootcamp is all sorts of things, weight and strength training, cardio like running and jumping jacks and obstacle courses. The coach switches it up each day so your body is constantly working and doesn't get bored. Its hard but worth it. I'm not quite 3 months post op and have only lost 21lbs to date

Its been a little bit since I've been blogging, not too much to talk about. I have one more day of my fitness bootcamp left this week and that ends my 4 week journey. I haven't lost during this time as far as pounds go but I feel stronger and my fitness level has definitely improved! I'm actually thinking of doing another 4 weeks to keep it going. I like the challenge a and the variety it provides. I think my lack of weight loss is due to my thyroid, or lack of one I should say. I had my thyroid removed 3 years ago and I gained a ton of weight due to it. Of course I'm on hormone replacement medication but my meds aren't regulated so its frustrating. Does anyone else have hypothyroid or no thyroid at all? I would love to get some input on how your weightloss is going and if there are any tips you can offer. Hope everyone has a great day!

I would definitely have to agree with LovethenewMe, everything she said is so correct. The scale can actually turn out to be our biggest enemy and a huge obstruction in our path. I recently decided on my own, no more scale because I was doing the same thing, weighing myself almost daily and it was driving me insane! Up one day, down the next etc and so on. I had my measurements taken almost 4 weeks ago when I started a fitness bootcamp so I'll be really curious to see what they are at the end of this week. Muscle does weigh more than fat that's for sure. Just concentrate on making sure you get enough of the right food and lots of exercise and the way your clothes fit will tell the biggest truth. Good luck and keep up the good work!

Hi Jennifer, Thank you so much for the feedback. I love this site and the fact that we are not alone in our journey and trials. Currently I do feel like I am hungry in between meals and its less than my 4-6 hours. Of course everyone is different and I may not feel that feeling of being satisfied on what is in my band right now. I'm concentrating on making sure I'm getting my protein and lots of water. Next appointment is on 10/14 so we'll see how it goes then. I decided to put my scale in the closet and stop worrying about it. A friend that was banded almost 2 yrs ago said he used to hop on the scale every day and I have been doing that and its time to stop.

I had my appointment with the doctor on Wed and discovered I have actually gained 1.5 lbs in 2 weeks. This was very disappointing but I'm trying to stay positive. I had my 2nd fill and they put in 2cc's so now I am at 6 cc's in a 14cc band. I really don't feel restriction and am nervous that the band could be too big? I have heard varying opinions regarding the 14cc band and of course everyone is different but is it possible that the band can be too big? I completed week 2 of my fitness bootcamp which I am thrilled with and I love the feeling I get after a hard workout. I'm considering joining up for another 4 week camp. I would love to start seeing the weight come off soon. I am watching what I eat and trying to stick with lean meats and fish and vegetables. I really don't care for starchy foods so I don't eat those as a general rule. Well, next checkup is 10/14 I'll keep my fingers crossed that I lose some by then. I really wanted to lose 15-20 by my birthday which is 11/10.

Great job! Keep up the great work

Thank you so much everyone it really helps to hear from other people and share their trials and success as well. I know it won't happen overnight and I just need to take one step at a time. I'm on the right track and will just keep going. I think maybe I'll put the scale away for a few weeks and just concentrate on eating well and working out . I'll get there it just takes a bit of time and determination.

I started today feeling pretty good, had my second bootcamp session. I won't lie, its soooo difficult but I'm glad I had the guts to try something like this. I can't believe though that I, at the rip age of almost 35 do not know how to jump rope! I seem to have absolutely no coordination so that was embarrassing. Going to keep at that. I found myself lookinga the calendar and I've realized I'm 8 weeks post surgery and only down a total of 20lbs since my surger. I feel a bit disappointed and a little discouraged. I know I can't count just the pounds, its inches as well. Just figured I would have lost a little more by now. I'll keep trying to be positive and hopefully the addition of some serious workouts will be the boost I need.

I thought it was a little odd to put 4cc's in but I had no fluid in at all since my surgery date. My doctor doesn't put any fluid in when they put the band in. I'm not really feeling restriction and am a little hungry between meals so we'll see what happens when I go again on 9/28. good luck with your next appointment hope it goes well!

I had my first fill last Wednesday.. The doctor put 4 cc's in and I have a 14 cc band I guess. She said its standard to put 4 cc's in on the first fill. I don't really feel any different though, still not feeling that restriction but of course it may take time. My next appointment is on 9/28 so I'll see how I feel then and how my weight loss is. I started my outdoor fitness bootcamp this morning. Wow! I work out at the gym regularly and thought I was in decent shape. This class proves that I definitely don't push my body as hard as I could. I feel a little awkward and self conscious but I'm glad I joined up and can't wait to see how my body and fitness level will transform over the next 4 weeks.

Thank you Arnetta. you definitely can do it, it just takes determination and a whole lot of work lol I'm so sore just after one day but I can't wait to see how strong I am and how my body looks in 4 weeks.

Hello my fellow bandsters, After much debate with myself, back and forth and indecision I have signed up for a 4 week outdoor bootcamp with a girlfriend. I was going to do cardio kickboxing but at this point feel the bootcamp will be better. I'm nervous, excited and ready to go. Not looking forward to a 4:50am wakeup but it'll be worth it. I have a doctors appointment tomorrow. I'm glad to be seeing the doctor since I am hoping to get my first fill. Not feeling any restriction at this point and I'm almost 2 months post surgery. I have been feeling really nauseaus lately (NOT expecting a baby) and its not when I'm eating its random and frequent so I want to ask the doctor about that too not sure if its the band or just me. That's about it for now. Wishing everyone a great week!