ElizabethAnne

Congratulations! You look amazing! And you're an inspiration to me! I have not done very well. My band slipped this past April, and I had to have surgery again. During the past four months since, I have gained approximately 25 pounds because I have slipped back into my bad habits, making poor food choices. Every day I struggle to stay on-track, but I am still thankful for my band because I am certain I would have gained back more without it. Keep working hard!

Congratulations, Deb! You have done very well! Your photo is awesome! It's been almost 8 months since my weight loss surgery, and I've lost 25.5 pounds. Although the months seem to have flown by, losing weight has been a very slow process. And I do continue to faithfully walk at least five miles daily. I am required to go for monthly visits the first year and have been filled very slowly over the months, with 1/4 cc being typical in recent months. Since last fall, I have been struggling for days at some point each month because my band restriction quickly changes from just right to too tight. I have needed to return to the office to have 1/4 cc of Fluid removed on three separate occasions, which has been discouraging and embarrassing because I feel like a whiner. My own thoughts generate this feeling, not my nurse practitioner. During my last visit, we decided to change nothing, though on the majority of days of the month, I am still too loose. However, I knew I wouldn't be able to make it through the tight times if we added fluid again. The NP has been very nice and has tried to encourage me. When I asked if it would always be this way, she explained that a few people are very sensitive and that seldom changes. On the too tight days, I am miserable and have trouble getting liquids down. During those days, I question whether I would do WLS again if I had known it was going to be like this, and I always come to the same conclusion: Yes!

Today I am re-organizing my closet. I do this every summer, but this time the process is different. In the past, I would always take my clothes that didn't fit because they were too small to the basement closet, with the hope that I would someday be able to wear them again. Sometimes I got back into them, but it was usually only for a very short time period because I would always gain the weight back. This time, I am clearing out the clothing that's too large, and I am NOT taking it to the basement but rather giving it away. It feels very strange to be doing this. I'm optimistic, yet at the same time, I hope I am not making a mistake.

Yesterday was my second follow-up visit. I was embarrassed when the nurse weighed me, and I saw that I had gained a pound. (I had anticipated there would be no change.) As soon as she left the room, I was overcome with emotion because I felt like such a failure and tears welled up in my eyes. I had the first appointment of the day and was early, so I fully expected to have time to regain my composure before my surgeon arrived. However, he arrived early and walked in during my emotional moment. I am normally do not display my emotions, so I was even more embarrassed that I did not have it together when he and his understudy (I referred to him as this because I don't know his title...he is already a doctor and is learning from my surgeon) walked in. Though he is a man of few words, he was very understanding (but not comfortable) as I explained through my tears that I was frustrated with myself because I was working so hard (walking 10 miles daily and following my "rules") yet I knew I was eating way too much. I told him the only reason I hadn't taken my diet pills was because I knew he would not be pleased. He said "diet pills are an ineffective treatment for obesity over the long-term, and research has shown the band is an effective treatment." He then asked me several questions and said I needed a fill. I got 1 1/2 cc's. I felt the prick of the needle but nothing else. I asked if I had perhaps stretched my pouch because I was eating too much. He said it was "very unlikely." I also asked again about how many fills he thought I would need, and this time, he said 6-8 over the two year period. I didn't ask why the number had increased to possibly 8. I asked why I had become full at the beginning of the 4th week when I first ate regular food, yet I hadn't experienced that since. He said the swelling tightened my band. I then asked what happens if he puts in the maximum amount of fill over the next two years, and I'm still physically hungry. He said that will not happen. He said if he puts in the maiximum amount I wouldn't even be able to physically drink liquids. He said he doesn't want to make patients too tight because if they are, they won't be able to eat the type of foods he wants them to because they will be physically unable to. He said then if they don't tell him them are having difficulty, they end up eating the wrong kinds of food, which compromises their weight loss. He said my port is easy to locate so the next time he would have me see his nurse practitioner (NP). Does anyone else see an NP for their fills? I am quite nervous about seeing the NP. Although she is very confident, she gave me incorrect information three times in the past when I asked simple procedural questions before my surgery. (Maybe she is new, but in my profession, if I don't know the answer to a question, I state that and say I will seek an answer then report back; I expect the same from other professionals.) Then also, on the day of my surgery, I was experiencing severe nausea in the parking lot after I left the hospital. (I had planned to stay overnight but there was a mix-up in Recovery and I was dismissed) Questions were to be directed to her, so I called her and left a detailed message, explaining the situation and asking for anti-nausea medicine for the drive home. By the time she called back, we had started home and my nausea had worsened. I explained how sick I was, and she asked me if I had "insisted" on going home; I told her no and explained they had said in Recovery that I was doing well and that the surgeon had said there was no need for me to stay. She told me I would have to "tough it out" then. I told her I had a long drive home, thinking she might have forgotten this, and asked again if there was any way I could get some medicine, explaining I was afraid I would throw up and cause my band to slip; she said no. On the drive home, I had become even more nauseated. We stopped at a pharmacy to get my pain pill prescription filled, thinking that might help me sleep and hoping the anit-nausea medicine could be called in to that destination. I hadn't yet received a call back from the NP at this time, so my husband called the hospital. He ended up talking with the doctor who had assisted my surgeon. He was the doctor who was training at the time with my surgeon and he had written the pain pill prescription. After my husband explained the situation, the doctor called in the medicine I needed. I know all of that doesn't mean she can't do a fill properly, but for these reasons, I am concerned. (She was also not nice to two of the women in my small group pre-surgery session.) I am thinking about calling the surgeon's office Monday and tell them that I am more comfortable seeing him again. However, if I do, I may be told I have to see her (I understand my surgeon wants to save his time for the more difficult fills), and what if she learns from the office staff that I called asking to change my appointment with her? (She sees patients on the same day that my surgeon does, so changing the day wouldn't help.) I know I should be open-minded and give her a chance, but it's hard for me to be comfortable with the thought of seeing her, based on my past experiences. Any ideas?

My surgeon required I wait 12 hours before eating any solid foods.

I had surgery on June 5, 2012, and didn't get my first fill until July 27. I wanted a fill badly at my first appt., but my surgeon felt like I was doing well on my own. At my second appt, which was a month later, I had gained a pound. I received a 1 1/2 cc fill, which has helped a little.

Thanks, Deb! I think so, too, provided I don't need those clothes again...lol. At least this time I have hope that I won't gain it all back.

Like both of you, I have been trying to get by with as little new clothing as possible until I reach my goal. I have lots of sizes in my basement closet, so I have been doing most of my "shopping" there. Unfortunately, though, my body proportions have changed since the last time I wore those clothes. What used to fit well at the weight I currently am, now doesn't fit the same: the waist area is now too tight (more spandex stretch, please) while the hip area is way too large. I need to learn to sew because I am not going to waste money getting them altered since I hope to be able to wear a smaller size soon. I have been shopping at Nordstrom's anniversary sale recently. I stocked up on some basics for fall, which don't fit yet, but I am hopeful that they will soon. And with Nordstrom's generous return policy, I have left the tags on my new purchases and will return them if any of the items don't work out. And NWgirl, I "test" my clothes, too. Keeps me motivated...

I hope you had a wonderful 50th birthday, Julie! You've reached a milestone birthday and are working hard every day to make yourself healthier, and that's commendable! The bonus is that while you're working to become healthier, you are likely also looking younger. And since one person commented on your weight loss, I would imagine that others are noticing as well.

Mentally, I'm at a low spot right now, and I am about to write a whiny post, which I don't like to do. I am normally a positive person, but I am also realistic and "choosing my attitude" doesn't seem to be working for me, so I am hoping for some encouragement. I am hungry almost all of the time, though I am following all of my guidelines. And it's not mind hunger because I do feel full for an hour or two after I eat. I am doing lots of exercise but the scale isn't budging, and I am questioning why when I am working so hard. Frankly, if my surgeon doesn't give me a fill the next time, I am going to tell him I have been questioning why I even had WLS. If it weren't for the scars on the surface of my stomach area, I sometimes temporarily forget that I have been banded. On one hand, I am happy that I am having no physical problems as a result of WLS. And I truly didn't expect to be "cured" of my hunger issues. However, I obviously did anticipate life would be easier with the band than without or I wouldn't have pursued surgery. I have seriously been considering taking a Phentermine tablet to help get me through this. On the day of my surgery, when I questioned whether I could still take it after surgery, my surgeon said I could, but I could tell he didn't want me to. He said I wouldn't need to. Therefore, I don't want to let him down. My goal is to make it to my next doctor appointment, which is July 27, without an appetite suppressant. I am hoping each day for a weight loss. I know I shouldn't weigh every morning when I am in a slump like this, but I'm obsessed with the scale; normally it is a great motivator when I am working hard. I got up to walk this morning at 4:30 so I could get my 10 miles in before the heat becomes unbearable, but as we all know, it's so hard to stay motivated to exercise when the scale isn't moving. Hopefully, it will happen soon. I am done ranting (just writing about my frustration has helped) and do have a question. How much of a difference did the first fill make in your hunger? Could you tell a slight difference or nothing at all? I understand this will vary from person to person due to the many variables. On the day of my surgery, my surgeon said it would likely take six fills for me, so I am not expecting a huge difference. However, I do hope it's noticeable. Thanks!

I've enjoyed reading your update. Congratulations on meeting your 50 pound milestone! That is great! Best wishes to you and your husband as you continue your journeys. Please continue to update us along the way.

Thank you for your reply and for your support and encouragement, momab50! We had a slight break in the heat and humidity yesterday, and when I got up this morning, the scale showed a 3 pound loss, and I am feeling super motivated again! The heat and humidity are supposed to return today, so I am just hoping that an increase in weight doesn't. Water retention or not, it disturbs me when there's an increase on the scale, especially when I am working so hard to lose weight. (My friend wanted to walk last night, so I had walked over 12 miles yesterday.) How much food are you eating at a meal? Initially, I was measuring and weighing every morsel that I ate, but I got away from that during vacation. Yesterday, I started weighing and measuring again. I worry now that I have been eating too much as well because I have been eating until I am full. I fear that I have stretched my pouch and am going to talk to my surgeon about this on Friday. I haven't had any physical symptoms from eating too much, but I am going to be very conscientious in the future about portions. The dietitian told me to eat one cup of food per meal. I am estimating that my food intake has likely increased to 1 1/2 cups per meal. She didn't say how many ounces, so I need to get clarification since volume and weight aren't the same measures. Most days, I have been eating 3-4 ounces of turkey or chicken on a Hungry Girl flatbread for lunch, as well as about a 1/2 cup of fruit or vegetables or cottage cheese. If I am still hungry (and I am most of the time), I usually eat several grape tomatoes.

I read this topic about fills a long time ago and thought it was very useful information. I hope it helps you, too. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/40496-how-the-lap-band-actually-works-fills-and-refills/page__hl__why%20need%20fills

Your fills may not seem to be lasting because you're losing weight, and as we lose weight, we need more fill to tighten our bands.

Welcome and best wishes!

I'd recommend Bandwagon as well. I have read it through twice and have referred to it many times since.

I'm sorry you're unhappy with your decision to be banded. Unfortunately, a perfect weight loss method does not yet exist, and each one possesses pro's and con's. You've received a lot of thoughtful responses, and Jean is right---you now have three choices. Best wishes to you and congratulations on your weight loss.

Like others, I've always been able to lose weight, but the only time I was successful at keeping it off was when I was taking Phen-Fen. For over 20 years, I have faithfully walked at least 5 miles daily. Realistically, I knew I physically wouldn't be able to be as active as I aged, witnessing my mother's increased struggles with weight as her ability to exercise as much has diminished. I knew I needed something to help reduce my hunger, and that's when I began researching weight loss surgery. I would encourage you to do a lot of research. Best wishes.

I walked at least five miles daily before surgery, and at my group pre-op meeting, we were encouraged to resume walking the day of surgery to help alleviate gas pains. I didn't walk five miles the day of surgery, but I did walk a lot and had no problems. The day of my surgery, I specifically asked about how quickly I could resume my regular walking schedule, and I was told as soon as I felt like it. The first couple of days, I didn't walk the five miles all at once but rather divided that distance up into a couple of less lengthy walks. The only difference I noticed was an increase in swelling which my surgeon said was to be expected. This past April, I had an appendectomy after my appendix ruptured, and the first week after that surgery, I was exhausted. I had expected my recovery from lap band surgery to be about same, but it was much easier.

Congratulations on your tentative date! I didn't have to consult with the specialists you have to, so I am sorry I can't help you.

Congratulations and best wishes!