Toddy

Amanda, I agree with what you've said, any weight loss is a success. The reason I posted this question is because daily you will see posts on here about someone saying that they've had the band for awhile, but haven't lost much weight. I often wonder if that person is doing proper follow-up with their doctor, or if they've just gotten to a certain point and are not maintaining their band. A lot of people are self-pay and I can see where it might be difficult to go to the doctor every six months for regular band maintenance.

I think your weight loss is great. I'm two months out and have only lost about ten pounds because I'm hungry all the time -- Bandster Hell! Had my third fill yesterday and think I'm finally getting some restriction -- yay!!!!

I'm with Elcee on this one. I hate that we have become such a litigious society!! My husband had to have his gallbladder removed in his twenties -- had nothing to do with weight loss. I had to have mine removed in my forties, and it had nothing to do with weight loss. I know a couple of people that have had prolapsed bladders and I seriously doubt they've had lap-band surgery. If you had not lost all that weight, who would you blame for your health problems due to obesity?? Sorry about the lack of sympathy and that you're having some medical problems, but there is no one to sue here!!

But a picture is worth a thousand words and your side by side was very inspiring! I can't even stand to have my profile pic on here, that's why it's a nice Hawaiian sunset instead!

My doctor said to stay under 25 carbs. Didn't work for me, so I went back to watching fat and calories while making sure I get plenty of protein.

I almost posted a similar question this morning. I'm going for my third fill today and really, really hoping to feel something. So far the only way I even know I have a band is if I eat too fast I'll get stuck and have to bring the offending food back up. But if I eat slowly and chew really well, I can eat just as much as I want. I'm really hoping that "restriction" means my appetite is seriously decreased!

Your symptoms sound a lot like norovirus, also known as the cruise ship virus, but it is actually a very common and easily spread virus on land, too. Symptoms are severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. People often mistake it as food poisoning and ER's and doctors usually just refer to it as the stomach flu. If this is what you have, the most important thing is to stay well hydrated!

According to my doctor, "the band works with solids, not liquids," so I would imagine that is why your doctor wants you to eat your calories rather than drink them. There are some mornings that I just don't care to have anything to eat and I will have a Protein shake then. I think it's better to have a Protein Shake than nothing at all.

Your doctor can prescribe something for anxiety that you can take before your fill appointment. I would do the first fill without it though because you may find out that you really don't need to take anything at all.

Non scale Victory! Feedback that doesn't come from a number on your scale!!

I've had two fills. Nothing yet. Fingers crossed for the third fill next week!

There was recently some news about WLS being a so-called "cure" for diabetes. I didn't see which WLS they were talking about in particular, and it may have just been Type 2, but it would be worth investigating. The blurb I saw on it was on ABC with Diane Sawyer if you want to google it.

I was banded 1/31/12. I "only" had 70 pounds to lose, but those 70 have caused my body a lot of aches and pains. As far as eating out of boredom and loneliness, maybe a gym membership would be a good solution. I know my weight loss improves dramatically when I'm working out. It would give you some social time, too.

If this girl has been as bad in the past as you've said she is, just because she's being nice to you doesn't mean she isn't slamming you to everyone else. People that vicious rarely change their ways. Just remember the old saying, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer," and don't let your guard down. Good luck with your surgery whether you decide to tell anyone or not!!

HIPAA = She will lose her job if she tells anyone. Doctors' offices take this very seriously! You have an absolute right to privacy!

Your body and bladder will adjust to the sudden influx of drinking a lot of water and you shouldn't have to go every hour!! I'm sure part of what is causing the frequency now are the IV fluids you had in the hospital. Sorry you're experiencing the nausea, I was fortunate that that wasn't one of the problems I had. Oh, and the gas pains may come and go for a few days, so don't be surprised if the shoulder pain returns. When I wasn't walking off the gas pains, I was using a heating pad. Gas-X did nothing for me.

The pain wasn't bad at all, and I had had surgery before and bounced back pretty quick, so that is what I expected this time. The first two days were fine, but then the third day I was extremely weak and light-headed, which lasted for another four days. After the seventh day post-op, I've been fine. I still have a little light-headedness when I stand up after bending over or stooping down, but it's manageable. My PCP just reduced my BP med, so hopefully that will go away, too.

I have done so much research and not really found much on plication. I have 100% confidence in my doctor and don't think he'd be doing it if it wasn't proving successful. The reason I opted out was I thought slower weight loss would be better for my skin, and it looked like plication was something I could always go back and do later. However, my first week post-op was so awful, I may never have surgery again, unless it's life threatening!!

I've been stuck three times now -- all on chicken -- maybe I've found the one thing I can't eat! You will know if you're stuck, it's painful in your chest!

I was offered the plication and opted out. My ONLY regret!!! The band is great, but the weight loss is slow! I would have loved to speed things up like the plication will do for you!

I had 100% confidence in what I was doing right up until the day before. Then I had a mini melt down. Got it out of my system and was fine the next morning. I highly recommend being first on the surgery schedule, if at all possible!! And if you're excessively nervous, let them know, as others have said, they have a nice little cure for anxiety!

I've felt almost next to nothing since my second fill. The ONLY time I know I've got a band is when I eat too fast. Hoping the third fill will be the "charm".

I just posted under another topic that I feel like I've got a port with nothing attached, and I'm at 4.2 cc. I'm hoping to get some restriction with my next fill.

I'm glad to hear there's hope. Sometimes I feel like I've just got a port with nothing attached. I'm at 4.2 cc with my next fill in April. The only time I feel anything at all is when I eat too fast. Other than that, so far I'm doing this all on my own! I'm ready for that helpful "tool" to start helping!

That's a great NSV!!!