helen098

Am able to comfortable wear my size 14 pants today, no button marks on my skin, no gasping for breath. Am wearing a large light sweater and size 14 pants….life is good I am down to 183…..24 more pounds to go to goal weight 159 It’s been a long sometimes difficult trip, had some setbacks but am generally very happy I got the band No way would I ever go back to pre band eating Feeling very good………even though I pulled a muscle in my side at the gym this weekend…no pain no gain…don’t want to miss the gym later this week……who I the heck am I ????

I have been sick since dec 24, 2 antiboitics, over 30 days of prednisone ect Just starting to feel better, still very weak I noticed all of my clothes (underwear too) are too big My 16 pants are falling off but so far the 14 look horrible I was able to fit in to a large sweater and yesterday I was able to fit in a size extra large button down white dress shirt Wasn’t sure so I too a xl and a 1x and I didn’t even have to take the 1x off the hanger Was doing the very happy dance in the dress room of JC Penney The weird thing is the scale says 190 (was stuck at 192 for over a month) I don’t care what the scale says when my pants are falling off Feeling very good…can’t wait to go down to a large button down shirt and mabye a 12 pants (by the summer

My condolences of the passing of your grandmother, she sounds like she was a nice person. If you sad, tired, sick , sore, mad, upset it seems like a good idea to eat to make yourself feel better. We have all been there, done that and know it doesn’t help in the long run or even the short term. I will give you the kick in the pants you need/want put down the fried chicken have some yogurt, soup or cereal till you can get some good lean protein. Hurting yourself won’t help you and i am sure your grandmother wouldn’t want you to use her passing as an excuses to fall off the wagon. But since you did don’t beat yourself up...we are in this for a long run....one small slip up doesn’t matter as long as we learn from it and try not to repeat it I have lost all of my grandparents and parents it doesn’t get any easier but the pain does fade and you can celebrate their lives (with good for you food—possible a small drink) Hang in there it will get better

I know after only liquids then mushies after but can/should we eat before a fill? I haven’t in the past

i will ask the doc tomorrow, i usually so before work 9 am or so and haven't eaten before becasue there was no time. my band is tight in the morning so no matter what the doc says it''s proabally not a good idea for me anyway thansk for answering

I had to unfill my last fill last month I had the fill on fri , started my period on sat, the the following Tuesday had a horrible stomach bug I ended up with an unfill (felt 80% better after the unfill), still had pain I ended up with a Cat scan And it showed nothing so I spend $180 (3 doc appointments at 50 each and the scan at $30) for a pulled Muscle caused by a stomach bug. I would wait another day and if you’re not better or throwing up every ½ hour with the bug I would call the office. I tried to be strong and waited a week big mistake I made myself feel worst for no reason I had to unfill my last fill last month I had the fill on fri , started my period on sat, the the following Tuesday had a horrible stomach bug I ended up with an unfill (felt 80% better after the unfill), still had pain I ended up with a Cat scan And it showed nothing so I spend $180 (3 doc appointments at 50 each and the scan at $30) for a pulled Muscle caused by a stomach bug. I would wait another day and if you’re not better or throwing up every ½ hour with the bug I would call the office. I tried to be strong and waited a week big mistake I made myself feel worst for no reason

try and keep a record of everything that goes in to your mouth liguids pass through very easy and your still hungry they have been a problem for me to very hard to break the coffee and juice haibt the learning curve is difficult but think of the long term bennefits its a marathon not a sprint

i want a breast reduction/lift when i reach my goal my insurance won't cover it. anyone one to donate to my fund?

This morning I was 194 (up 2 pounds from last week), this is the first time since by band that I have had a weight gain. The scale has been stuck, not moved went down ¼ of a pound but at my offical Friday weigh in I never was more that the previouse week. I have had a few diviations from my “diet” the past week and am not as regular as I should be so I know it’s not a real weight gain but still I am disgusted. My brain understands all of the above but the scared part of my that worries that I will fail the band is stomping around saying I told you so ..why bother with all the pain, expense to just gain the weight back go eat something to make you feel better….i won’t listen to her I had Cereal for Breakfast, cup of vegatable Soup for lucnch and some nuts a little while ago as a afternoon snack….will have a normal dinner and try ti shut up the voices in my head……wonder if my screwed up relationship with food will ever be “normal”

The gallbladder surgery was a lot more pain full than the band. The gallbladder pain itself was worst then my colon resection I had my surgery on Monday apr 2 and assumed I would be back to work the following Monday…no way I was still in a lot of pain and unable to move around.. you might want to check with your surgeon as 8 days after the surgery I had another “attack” scared the hell out of me Saw the surgeon and she did some blood work to be sure my liver was ok and lucky it was. She thinks that a small stone was still in my system which caused the pain I told a few other docs about this and they were like that is very common…don’t worry about it unless it continues then it’s another problem… I really didn’t feel like myself till about 6 weeks post surgery. Don’t know if it’s getting older, 2 surgeries in 8 months or my general health which has not been so great for about 10 months or so…. On the bright side I haven’t had any more “attacks” the pain, weirdness has gone away and I am back to the gym… Even if I want to eat fatty foods I can’t…I feel nauseous and if I manage to eat it I have diarrhea right away..not fun but a big deterrent. Now when I can’t eat a lot because of the band I tell people it’s the lack of a gallbladder and no one even has a full up question. Great excuse to eat small healthy amounts and to avoid fatty foods It will get better it just takes time The gallbladder surgery was a lot more pain full than the band. The gallbladder pain itself was worst then my colon resection I had my surgery on Monday apr 2 and assumed I would be back to work the following Monday…no way I was still in a lot of pain and unable to move around.. you might want to check with your surgeon as 8 days after the surgery I had another “attack” scared the hell out of me Saw the surgeon and she did some blood work to be sure my liver was ok and lucky it was. She thinks that a small stone was still in my system which caused the pain I told a few other docs about this and they were like that is very common…don’t worry about it unless it continues then it’s another problem… I really didn’t feel like myself till about 6 weeks post surgery. Don’t know if it’s getting older, 2 surgeries in 8 months or my general health which has not been so great for about 10 months or so…. On the bright side I haven’t had any more “attacks” the pain, weirdness has gone away and I am back to the gym… Even if I want to eat fatty foods I can’t…I feel nauseous and if I manage to eat it I have diarrhea right away..not fun but a big deterrent. Now when I can’t eat a lot because of the band I tell people it’s the lack of a gallbladder and no one even has a full up question. Great excuse to eat small healthy amounts and to avoid fatty foods It will get better it just takes time

Aug 22 was my one year anniversary. I spent it having a cat scan (to make sure my band wasn’t wrapped around my stomach) then pooped my pants and had to run across 2nd avenue to get more depends…got to love how exciting my life has been post cancer and post band Lucky the pain appears to just be a pulled muscle which is getting better but still hurts when I lift, in the morning and random times during the day. Will see the lap band surgeon on sep 14 for my escophogram and she will check the pain. Today I was 192 --- when I started I was 235 plus…. Am down to a comfortable size 16 pants and an extra large shirt---just beginning to venture back to the normal ladies department I am no longer afraid of sitting in the middle seat on the subway with 2 normal people on either side… I don’t get that look when I sit in the middle seat I am very glad I got the band..without it I am sure I would be on the very wrong (for me) side of 235 Even though my brain knew it would still be a long difficult right a part of me was hoping it would be a easy fix. It’s wasn’t but it’s ok. I have made even more changes and like the fact that even if my brain turns off and I go crazy eating my band will painfully remind me to stop. I don’t always love the band I have days when I envy others eating what every they want….i get jealous especial eating out when your having a drink and everyone else is slurping down the margaritas and chips and I know if I try I will be in pain and end up throwing up---though I can just blame it on the drinks but I don’t ….. many time I am told why aren’t you eating my new response is I can only splurge on so many calories and I want the drink more than the chips….i find that ends the discussion and after a few more drinks no one is paying any attention to what I am eating/drinking. Sometime I get mad/sad that other on this board are losing so much more weight than I have..then I try to remember some people have a lot more weight to lose and every one’s situation is different I am happy so far and so are all of my docs…I figure if I keep constant by next time this year I will be at my goal 149 ---- or worst case nyu’s goal for me of 159 and a comfortable size 12 When I fit into a smaller size or my clothes are too big I just smile and thank the band for it’s help If I could go back to the day before my surgery I would tell myself yes it’s going to be much harder than you thought but it will get easier you will see results and you will feel much better about yourself this time next year. Don’t’ compare your journey to anyone else’s

I had a Cat scan last week of my abdomen and pelvis I was and still am having pain in my right side under my breast exactly where the gall bladder pain was. Had my period and a stomach bug but the pain won’t go away When to the doc at nyu who sent me for a cat scan Usually stomach issues with the barium…possibly the worst in a few years had diarrhea for 3 days The day before the scan I placed myself on liquids thinking less in less out but no apparently the liquids make things faster The good news other than the very small hernia (that I have been aware of for a few years) every thing form the bottom of my lung to the top of my thigh is normal. They think the pain is a pulled muscle in my stomach from throwing up with the stomach bug I had a few weeks ago Makes me feel real old to pull a muscle throwing up but as we all know getting older is not scary any more it’s very much welcomed and appreciated Love that word normal Hope the onc will accept this scan as my yearly check even though it was done without contrast Didn’t have much scanxiety till I got to the little cold scan room then the fear came rushing back it’s colon, stomach ect cancer Life is good

every time i drink barrium i have diarreh for 2 to 5 days after after lap band surgery i couldn't poop for about 5 days my body may be different becasue a have a shortened colon from colon cancer and weakened muscles from 5 anal fistula surgeries have learned that depends are my friend not the enemy

food is/was and proably will allways be my drug of choice forget the vidoden and give me a steak and some mashed potatoes i have said many times it's like being a drug addact but saying you need some drugs to live i wish we just take a pill (like on the jetsons--am i dating myself?) and not have to shop/prepar/cook/clean up while all the time wanting to like the plates clean the band has helped a lot ...i know if i lick the plate or drink the gravy i will be sick good luck....it gets better ....not easy but better

I also got a pair of sweats for around the house in extra large and they are too big Feels real good I have a few things down to a size 8 Before I decided on the lap band I got sick of looking at stuff that I thought would never fit again So I got rid of most of them…at the time it was like of cleansing ..accept myself as I am kind of day Then I took all of the labels out of my stuff so I didn’t know how fat I was (well I knew but I pretended I didn’t ) Tempted to hit the mall again this weekend…good end of season sales right No think I will save the money for a large or maybe a medium

Went this weekend for a few thinks and decided to try the regular department To my surprise I was able to fit into a regular size 16 pants (no 16x,no stretch waistband) and normal 16 with a zipper and a button….also fit in a extra large shirt (it did have a little stretch but I am not going to complain) ……………I have been unhappy in the large department for the last 5 years or so I remember in the early 90 shopping in the big department and being happy …the shorted the skirt and the low the top the better…but not for a very long time Was tempted to buy a lot of stuff but it’s almost the end of summer and I think I will save the money for fall clothes….in the regular department….still smiling about that….would never have happened this time without the band So happy I just had to share

i am very happy but in me head i am still very big for me it takes a long time for my brain to catch up with my body when i was 152 on chemo i went to express for a shirt and just brushed off the sales person who offered me a size 8 skirt.....it did fit but in my brain i was a 16+ don't expect to get doen to 8 without checmo but i would be very happy to be a size 12.......

i wish i knew you when i was on chemo i would have loved to have said "would say "yup, I did take the easy way" and then give one of those sinester laughs while walking away... Hehe, or you could ask her why she prefers the hard way? see what she says then " ----especial like the nisister laugh part

I have an appointment in a few hours with the surgeon but want to see if this is normal On aug 3 I got a fill – did the 2 days liquids – then when I started the soft food started to not feel so good. Stomach hurt and I had diarrhea I didn’t think it was weird because the liquid diet usually gives me diarrhea (I am missing a chunk of my colon from the colon cancer and have bowel control issued due to the 5 surgeries on my ass for the anal fistula) I also had my period (more pain, cramps and diarrhea) I was eating very little and feeling very crummy On wed last week I had bad stomach problems diarrhea so bad I couldn’t leave the house Got a little better by the weekend but still not normal…tried on sun/mon this week to eat real foods (not hungry though) and after a few bites I felt nauseous and stopped. I still have pain in my stomach were the port is, the pain is a dull constant pain that gets worst when I eat or drink. I kind of feel like my stomach is being squeezed (not sure if this is in my head or my stomach) Had diarrhea twice today at work after eating and still have the stomach pain. Called the doc office at nyu and they said to come in this afternoon I hope it’s just the stomach bug everyone around me has…maybe I need a slight unfill Hope it’s not bad…I am deathly afraid of the port slipping Wish me luck

i want to know her over and eat her cheesburger but then i remember i will proabbaly throw it up and wast a good cheesburger does the rate at which other eat bother anyone else? I swear it's like watching a horse eat

the paper work from nyu said only take pills smaller than a tic tac i read in other places to only take pills no bigger than an M & M at first i was very strict about the tic tac rule....now almost 1 year later i have to admit i have take vitamins and meds that were about the m&m size with no problem

People are stupid I was actually told by many people when I had colon cancer and was undergoing chemo and got down to 152 how LUCKY I was to have lost so much weight My response do you want to trade places with me right now and have cancer….that usually made them run away……… People are stupid

The doc says it’s probably nothing just the stomach bug everyone has and i need an little unfill IT’s not a slip Though when I told her about the feeling of something squeezing my stomach --- she got very serious Said it’s not in my head, it could be that the band tubing is wrapped around an organ It’s not life threatening but can be very painful….she took out the last fill and by the time I left nyu felt better… the pain is about 85% gone but still hurts a little…I am supposed to call on fri and if I am still in pain she will order a cat scan……. Have been under a lot of stress (not band related) the past 2 weeks and wonder if the stress and the overfill are causing the problem….don’t want a scan if I can avoid it (since the colon cancer in 2006 I have had a lot of scans) but don’t want to be silly and miss a problem because of a scan. I think if I still have the pain tomorrow morning I will call and if the doc wants schedule the cat scan When does life get any easier?

At nyu it’s the same price, the surgeon makes you sign paper work that if she finds a hernia you are authorizing her to fix it….same out of pocket cost to the patient but I wonder if they get more money from the insurance company?? At nyu it’s the same price, the surgeon makes you sign paper work that if she finds a hernia you are authorizing her to fix it….same out of pocket cost to the patient but I wonder if they get more money from the insurance company??

My weight loss has been very slow, was sidetracked by my gallbladder for a long time I started last aug (aug 22 to be exact) at 230+ i didn’t even look the day of surgery as I didn’t want to know. This morning I weighed in at 194….. I try to keep myself from beating myself up for not doing better….i am trying to remember if I didn’t have the surgery last aug I would be up to at least 240 and miserable Bought a 1x shirt yesterday that is a little big…..i figure by winter I will be back in the regular department –look out credit cards