Kellymenefee

Oh honey, I so totally feel ya!! Try not to get discouraged, I am so very proud of the weight you have lost!! RA is a very difficult disease to live with, and it may lead to some depression. That will make weight loss harder, but don't give up!! All if us here are rooting for you!!! YOU CAN DO THIS!! Kelly

I am not only amazed by your preservence, but humbled by it as well. You are an amazing woman, and a true testament in resiliency and strength. Hang in there sister....we're all praying for you!! Kelly

Totally into this!!!! Great idea!!!

Oh sweetie...I'm so very sorry. I lost my mom suddenly to breast cancer not too long ago...it's the hardest thing I've ever been through. I'm here for you, all of us are... Sending you love Kelly

Ok...so I know this is probably the lamest NSV ever, but it amused the hell out of me so I thought I'd share. One of my favorite ways to unwind after a long day is with a hot bubble bath. Been super crazy busy for the last few weeks so I haven't been able to have one. Last night I finally made the time and started the Water. Apparently it had been longer than I thought, because when I got in the tub I realized that my butt no longer touches both sides of the tub!!! Woo hoo!! I actually have room, like 3 inches, on both sides!!! Made my whole day.... Thanks for listening, Kelly

Wow....I'm sitting here reading the original tweet crying like an idiot. This is EXACTLY how I've felt this entire month!! I'm really hoping I haven't stretched my pouch too bad, and that the scale is kind to me. All I can say is hang in there, we'll get through this together and start fresh with more focus and determination than ever!! Kelly

Oh my gosh....yes!!! Sugar we all do!! Try to not beat your self up too much, you'll just end up emotional eating because you feel like you failed. Take a deep breath, focus on tomorrow...and remember...YOU CAN DO THIS!! We're all pulling for you!!! Kelly

Swelling...your stoma is swelled from handling all that food. Take a day it two of liquids and start again fresh, should be no problem... Good luck!! Kelly

Ok honey, first and foremost...cut yourself a little slack. The lap band is not a magic bullet, and we all have days (weeks even) where we screw up. It's a normal part of the process...that's how you learn. You will have periods where you will want to eat anything that's not nailed down, and there will be times nothing goes down right. Right now you are just coming out of surgery, and you need to heal. You can't do that if your beating yourself up over a cookie. Let it go, and relax a little...you'll find the band works better when your relaxed and in control...less emotional eating. And, btw...my surgeon said to me that I was going to have some depression after surgery, you kinda go into mourning. You want the ability to eat like you did before, but that life is over for you now...completely terrifying...but normal. So, I hope that helped you, and remember we're all here for you!! Kelly

Not sure what happened to me today...I've been doing great, thought I'd finally hit the "green zone". Been losing 2-2.5 lbs a week...and then today it was like my willpower took a vacation day!! I swear, I have eaten everything in sight. Nothing has been safe...lock up your children for heavens sake!! What gives!!?? And how the hell do I get back on track before this gets outa hand??!! Sending out the bandster SOS!!!! Kelly

I've been banded since 8 feb and I've had 5 fills. I'm in the green zone, I'm consistitanly satisfied after small portions, I'm losing 2-2.5 lbs a week, and i feel good....except for yesterday. I was eating like the world was coming to an end!! Just not sure what the heck happened.... Kelly

Don't know if this will make you feel any better, but the day if my surgery, after I was gowned and in the surgery suite I absolutely flipped out! Crying, shaking, couldn't breath the whole 9 yards. They had to bring my husband back to help calm me down, not to mention the meds they put in my iv...lol. You are completely normal sugar, and we've all been there. So if you need to flip out, go for it. It's part of the process, your losing the only way of life you've ever known. It's scary, and exciting, and completely nerve wracking. It's ok to feel what you feel, just don't let it change your mind...and remember if you need to talk, we're all here for ya!! Good luck!!! Kelly

I don't think I ever really made the choice. It was after my 4th heart attack at 34 when my cardiologist looked at me and said, either you do this or you will not live long enough to see your daughter graduate high school. Pretty simple choice I think....lol. Kelly

Two words for you sugar....gas-x strips!! They are a life saver!!! Kelly

Well sweetie it's all really individualized. What I can eat, which is pretty much anything except bread and hamburger, other people may not. As for the throwing up, from my experience if I go slowly and take small bites that I chew up really well I'm fine. Another friend of mine threw up everyday for a year, but that was because she didnt listen to her body and work with the band. And no, it's not a silly question. I asked my dr the exact same thing, I told him if I was going to end up like my friend there was no way I was doing it. 10 months out and so far so good. Hope this helps you...it's a tough choice, but it's a great life on the other side of the band... Kelly

BEST NSV....EVER!!!! Way to go, you hot momma!!! Kelly

Well I'm the total opposite of y'all...I told everybody!! I knew that I would need an huge support network, at home, at work and with my friends. That way when I feel like I'm falling off the wagon there's always some one who can talk me through it. Additionally I've had some friends and coworkers actually get the lap band after seeing me go through the process...I think that's kinda cool!! Hope this helps!! Kelly

I was banded February 8th 2011. I have only lost about 60 lbs since the beginning. It seems to be going much slower than I had thought it would. Since surgery I've had 4 fills, but I honestly can't tell you how many cc's I have. My surgeon is happy with the progress, but I'm very frustrated with it. This has been a battle for me from the beginning, and I very much wish I was one of those lucky folks who have no problems with the band. I'm starting to get discouraged, and have even considered having it taken out. Thanksgiving was miserable for me, and I'm scared that Christmas will be just as bad if not worse. I get really depressed and angry that I can't enjoy the food the way my family does....how do y'all with long term bands handle this? I look forward to hearing from you!! Thanks Kelly

Oh sweetie...I really wish I had some magic words to make you feel better...honest and truly it's gonna suck for a few more days...lol. Hang in there, if you can survive hell week (week before surgery) then you've got this!! I'm proud of you for reaching out for help....and I want you to know that your doing a great job!!! Hope this helps!! Kelly

Oh my gosh!! I had the same thing! The way my doctor told me about it made it seem like it was no big deal, but holy cow I was in pain!! It got so bad the evening of my surgery ( I had outpatient and was home by noon) my husband took me back to the hospital and they kept me for 2 days hooked up to massive pain meds. It will take longer for you to heal, and it's not a comfortable process. Take food slowly, you'll have more swelling than a normal lap band patient. Good luck sugar, and keep us posted!! Kelly