Ahlamie

I was banded December 31, 2011. Yes, almost 8 months ago. To this day I have not lost not one freaking pound! So I'm desperate and thought I would start a blog to get some support and motivating encouragement. I went in for my SIXTH fill today and had my band completely deflated. The PA found that where we thought all along I had around 9 cc's I really only had 6 in a 14cc band! She refilled and provided and extra cc so I am now up to 7cc's. Ok so I can't just sit here and claim that it has been the band's fault all these months. I have tested my band and tested it well believe me. I have never been able to throw up but I have gone so far that I have gagged myself for an hour to no avail. I can no longer physically throw up since getting banded. I have to admit, I've eaten really super bad some days and hardly anything on other days but never really felt the restrictive help that the band is supposed to provide. I understand it is a tool and I'm not here for pity or blame, I am here to learn how to retrain a brain that has overeaten emotionally, stressfully, joyfully, celebratory, and all occasionally. I have eaten like this for 25 years. I guess I wanted the band so badly that I didn't really prepare myself like I know now I should have. I wanted the band for years and thought I did all the homework and really actually believed that the fat and weight would just magically melt away within a years time. Well how bad was I in for massive disappoinment? As of today I am owning up. I can say with true conviction that I have not worked hard and have not tried to lose weight. I think I have done all I can to self sabbotage. Even on my way home from getting filled I grabbed some Arby"s for myself and my kids. I just need to stop! I know that I want it. There is no doubt about that! But where do I begin and how do I maintain? Let me just start with where do I begin at this point? I would never be one to ask for it but.....help..... Ahlam

You guys have no idea how much I need this wake up call. I really appreciate the comments and I think I'm off to a pretty good start. I'm starting out with small steps by trying minimally processed as possible foods, more fruits and veggies, chicken or meat for the protein, no fast food so far (it has been 3 days), tracking my calories and using my weight watchers app to track my daily counts, and really attempting to listen to what my body is telling me. I want to get to the point where I'm eating for nutritional purposes, not because I'm bored or I like the flavor. Is there a taste bud removal surgery?? JK! I do recognize that I am a food addict and this is not going to be easy. I realize this now at least. The first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem...I'm trying. I really want to go to group counseling or even an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. Have any of you gone to any of these types of meetings and is it worth going? I am also going to look into professional therapy, maybe cognitive behavorial therapy or even hypnosis or accupuncture. Anyone try these? Please do not stop talking to me! I need you guys I need your encouragement and support and I need you to kick me in the butt probably a lot of times. Don't forget about me and visit me again please. Ahlam

Hello all. I'm brand spanking new on this forum. I am post op 1 day. I just had my surgery on 12/30/11. I did quite a bit of walking on 12/31 and all of the sudden my port site looks like a baby butt bulge or bump. It's that large. I'm a bit worried because it does bother me mainly from the amount of protrusion on my left side. Literally looks like i'm pregnant with the baby's butt sticking out of my left side just above my belly button. I think I may have shifted something as I was walking. The surgeon did say he put 2 stitches in a hernia during the lap band surgery but this is all the way down on my left where i can feel the port site. It's all red about the size of a baseball and hurts if you bump it. Because of the holidays I can not follow up until Tuesday. Just want to know specifically if anyone had this right after surgery and what you did to alleaviate it or did you have to have it adjusted back to where it was?

Hi thank you everyone for the feedback. I did get to speak with the surgeon and he said it wasn't urgent enough to go to the ER. He said there could be some internal bleeding that my body will absorb. I have a post op apt in two weeks he said if there needed to be a repair he can do it then. He didnt believe the port had twisted or dislocated from his attachment site. I'm just taking it very easy and trying to stick with the liquids as much as possible. Seems like too much to drink in one day now that i have to take down 3 shakes and two alternates. The swellingmay have eased up a little. Im sure it will take a couple of weeks to heal properly. If anyone out there has had the bulging last a long time please let me know what your doc explained it as being. Until then thanks again friends!

Hello all. I'm brand spanking new on this forum. I am post op 1 day. I just had my surgery on 12/30/11. I did quite a bit of walking on 12/31 and all of the sudden my port site looks like a baby butt bulge or bump. It's that large. I'm a bit worried because it does bother me mainly from the amount of protrusion on my left side. Literally looks like i'm pregnant with the baby's butt sticking out of my left side just above my belly button. I think I may have shifted something as I was walking. The surgeon did say he put 2 stitches in a hernia during the lap band surgery but this is all the way down on my left where i can feel the port site. It's all red about the size of a baseball and hurts if you bump it. Because of the holidays I can not follow up until Tuesday. Just want to know specifically if anyone had this right after surgery and what you did to alleaviate it or did you have to have it adjusted back to where it was?