BeautifullyBanded

It's sad when people can't be supportive! The bottom line is that you took control of your life and many people are intimidated by that fact because they have never done it in their own lives! So congrats to you and your response to them should have been if I start to gain weight the benefit of the lapband is that I can always have it tightened again!

@Stacie I never discount how someone else feels! The aches and pains from Obesity are serious and cause issues in life too. The great thing is that we are positively overcoming all of our issues and thankfully there is a place like this for us to be able to come onto and find encouragement from each other!

Hello everyone! In 2008 and 2009 I underwent Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for a rare form of cancer. I was placed on high doses of steroids to prevent certain complications. Much to my dismay, I gained over 100lbs which they told me would happen with the steroids. What they didn't tell me was that after being taken off of them I would struggle to lose the weight and could possibly maintain the same appetite. After trying everything, my Oncologist felt it was best to seek a weight loss surgical solution. After visiting with a doctor in New Jersey I decided the Lap Band would be the best alternative for me. I had my surgery September 9, 2011. A few days after my surgery, my husband received orders to California. My surgeon decided he would not do anything more than the surgical follow-ups. No fill for me and no fluid was placed in the band at surgery. Fast forward to December 8, 2011. Finally settled in Cali and found a new doctor here who performed my first fill. So far I am handling it well. I am down a pound this week and am still struggling with the sugar cravings (mostly because I am sad I am so far from home)...but I am going to start therapy and nutrition again to help with that! So I can't wait to share my journey along the way!

@ Germine F...despite not having any Fluid in, since the surgery I actually did lose 15lbs! So it's defintely mind over matter I guess! @Horsegirl31 ...thanks so much! I have been on the chat a few times and found it encouraging! @ Jess55 ... you made me laugh but yes I hear dogs and people have similiar issues when it comes to steroids! Poor baby! I have two dogs of my own who are definitely more human than dog so I understand your frustration! @Jachut....WOW! I have a rare form of vaginal cancer that actually found it's way to form a stalk between my rectum and vaginal walls. I was fortunate enough to not have to have any ostomy surgeries (knock on wood). I underwent a hysterectomy at age 29 (unrelated to cancer) so I also was put into surgically induced menopause which only worsened after radiation!! I underwent pelvic and abdominal radiation and I don't know about you but I would take Chemotherapy anyday over radiation...that was too wicked for words and put me in the hospital three times (actually died twice and came back to life). I still suffer from the hot flashes, sweats, etc.. and my vaginal wall and rectum have atrophied despite all of the dialators (UGH)...but the alternative for me was not much of an alternative! Thankfully we are alive! We definitely will suffer through the side effects! I know what you mean about the cracked rib! I stepped into a gopher hole and broke my ankle and tore every ligament in it. I was in a cast and boot for 9 months because my body is now very slow to heal and my bones are brittle! I also developed neuropathy (Chemo induced) on my left side so I literally had to learn how to walk again because I cant feel my foot or leg. After that I learned to take my supplements!! I can't take HRT unfortunately because it will aggravate my cancer so I have to suffer through the hot flashes and other miseries that come alone with menopause! I'm only 38 so it was definitely strange when my mother came to me for menopause advise!! Best of luck to you as well! If you ever need to talk, I'm here!

Krytallynn13 it's ok. I think we all go through those days. My nutritionist told me that I will have cheat days and days I just don't want to exercise and it's ok. As long as we don't make a pattern of these days we should be ok. When I absolutely refuse to deny myself something I want...I just don't eat much of it. Yesterday I had two onion rings which weren't that great but it was the psychological idea that I couldn't have them that drew me to want them more! I find myself listening to music more and more when I get stressed out. Anything to get me over the hump!

My doctor made the mistake of giving me the instructions for his Gastric Bypass patients. I called the office for tips after surgery and they told me I could have purees after 3 days. I was so happy to be able to put soup in the blender just to get some kind of taste! It gets better! I had my surgery in Sept!