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Hello All, I am a long-time 'lurker,' first time poster - I'm strangley nervous! I was banded in February 2011 and have lost 45 lbs so far - slow and steady! I wanted to post and see if anyone else has experienced this and/or has any advice for how to get through the next 4 weeks ... Last Saturday night I woke up with intense upper stomach pain that wrapped around my back. After a few hours of the pain intensifying, I decided to go to my local ER around 3 am. Once checked in they gave me some pain killers through an IV, did an ultrasound, ran a CT scan, and did x-rays. I told the doctor I had a lapband and suggested he take all the Fluid out to see if that helped. Because I was able to drink all the liquid for the CT scan (that bright orange dye stuff?), he said it couldn't be my band. At that point I was high as a kite so I went with it. My pain was under control so they sent me home around 6 with a prescription for Vicodin and told me to check in with my PCP on Monday if I was still in pain ... 2 hours and 3 Vicodin's later I had to go back. The pain was so intense that I couldn't walk and they had to bring out a wheel chair. The new doctor on shift immediately recommended taking the fluid out of my band which was more than fine by me ... Unfortunately the hospital didn't have any needles that were long enough to reach my port (they had a .5" and needed a 1.5"). They decided to courier a needle from a nearby hospital and keep me doped up in the meantime. I spent almost 6 hours higher than high (I hate to think what I was talking about!) and finally they got a needle - only it was just 1"! We decided to go for it and I blew out my stomach and the doctor pushed as hard as he could with the needle - it took over 20 pokes (I counted the dots afterward) but he managed to get almost all the fluid out - phew! I immediately felt better and was able to go home (sans wheelchair!). I followed up with my bariatric surgeon the next day and after reviewing everyting, it turns out all that fuss was because something had gotten stuck - probably on Friday - and then the irritation grew and grew until the swelling in my stomach was too much! Thankfully he says my band still looks placed correctly, but he said I can't have any fills until my stomach recovers from its "trauma" - at least 4 weeks. EEEK!! I am absolutely terrified of getting through the next 4 weeks without my band - has any one else had to do this? Did you gain weight back? How did you cope? Thanks so much for any advice you can offer! - s

Thanks for that website - I'm going to go check it out! Do you know if they have any Android apps? I always "forget" to do the work on a computer and it's so much easier for me to log things from my phone! I'm sure the calories tracking piece isn't perfect, but it's a lot better than anything I could do on my own! FitBit's site and app will show you calories in vs. calories out for the day which I find really interesting. But I also don't really count my calories in/out specifically - I just like knowing if I'm in the "green" (more out than in) or in the "red" (more in than out) ... I haven't had any interactions with customer service issues, but I know when I asked to join their FB group they were very responsive and are always posting updates on the forum and the FB page. I'm not sure about issues though?? Let us know if you decide to check it out and what you think! - s

Hi Brandi, I thought it was on everyone's "Community" page but it looks like you have to send an email and ask to join their Facebook or "We Love FitBit" group because it's beta. I sent an email to welovefitbit@fitbit.com asking to join their group and then it just appeared! Let me know if you are able to see the group and what your username is (I think mine is shanda1816) and we can be "friends"

Hey Guys! I wanted to let you know I joined the "We Love Fitbit" community group and it's great! Every week they come up with a new challenge for the Fitbit ... this week it's to add a friend so you should log in and check it out! : ) Meredith - let us know if you decide to try the Premium and what you think! - s

Hi Merideth, No - you were very clear ... I was just so excited when I saw "fitbit" that I stopped reading the rest of your post! I did buy the premium service and think it's a steal for only $50 for the year! It might be a bit hokey, but I love the benchmarking stuff - I had no idea I was so sedentary compared to everyone else (so sad!). Pugsx3 mentioned the food chart and that's great too. I am actively trying to increase my Protein to the right % (which I never even knew before now!). By far my favorite part is the trainer though ... it doesn't tell me anything I don't already know, but I like having it set goals for me anyway! I haven't used the Export piece, but I like the idea of bringing a report to my doctor to see what he says! While it's definitely not necessary, I'm really glad I signed up! And I think if we add each other as friends we can compare results with each other too - my email is shanda1816@msn.com if you want to add me! Good luck finding your tracker! I lost my clip-thingie a week ago and didn't wear it for a few days and have been wearing my tracker on a lanyard around my neck - not so pretty!

I bought it and LOVE it as well! My favorite parts are the trainer and comparison charts! Plus they just came out with an Android app ... so cool!!

I agree with Sandy ... except ... It took me awhile to be able to be around people eating my favorite foods. Trust your instincts and do what you need to do to succeed! There were several times I had to leave table and remove myself from temptation (pizza ... yummmm ...). My husband and two boys completely understood and as I progressed and learned different techniques I was able to be around more. Believe in yourself and do whatever you have to in order to succeed!! :-)

Whoo-hoo!!! Congratulations!!!

Look at you - that's three of us all around the same day - CONGRATULATIONS!!

My next goal is 180 lbs ... that's what I weighed before I got pregnant with my youngest. And when I'm there, I'm going SHOPPING! Not sure where yet, but as long as it's not Lane Bryant (which I really am thankful for!), I'm happy! It looks like we're on the same track - let's make a plan to share pics of our new outfits at the next goal!

Congratulations!! : ) I was banded almost a year ago as well and just hit the 100's today too (199.6 but I'll take it!)! What are you going to do to Celebrate? My initial instinct was still to go out for ice cream (::sigh:, but instead I think I'm going in for pedicure - no calories AND the high will last longer!!

Hello! So I just got back from my appointment and this was their "official" answer: You should not drink from a straw because you swallow extra air and that can result in any or all of the following: 1. It can cause gas 2. It can cause discomfort/bloating 3. Over time it can cause the upper "pouch" to expand and you want to "keep it tight" I think I am going to not use straws as a general rule, but won't panic if I'm out at a restaraunt and use one occasionally ... Hope that helps! Also, something that might help us "straw addicts" - I started using a CamelBack water bottle which is like drinking from a straw, but since there is no air, it eliminates the problems above. My doctor said that should work just fine ... And last, but not least ... I am OFFICIALLY in the 100's!! (199.6 but I choose not to round up!) : ) HURRAY!!

This is so crazy! I was told absolutely no straws by the nutritionist in the office because the extra air would cause my pouch to stretch out ... it's been the hardest thing for me to stick to! I have an appointment tomorrow morning and I'm going to ask again ...

I'm in Denver too and this weather definitely calls for (1!) beer on the back porch ... beautiful here!!

Hello! It might not be the same situation, but I've been stuck at 45 lbs lost for the last month! When I really thought about it I decided it was because I became complacent ... I was so excited to see such a difference and I was so happy that I decided to "give myself a break." I still followed all the rules, but certainly wasn't giving my 100%. Tomorrow morning I'm hitting the gym at 8 am - it's time to get my second wind and kick another 45 lbs to the curb!! :-) Good luck!!

Great post because I often wonder that myself! I only told my husband, immediate family, and a few very close friends. All my feedback has been positive but I'm just afraid of judgment from people (silly, I know!) ... I told people I had gallstones ... I was afraid to say I had my bladder removed because I may really need that excuse one day and then what would I do!?!?

Wendy, that's wonderful! My goal is to hold steady, but if I only gain 3 pounds I will consider that a resounding success!

Oh my goodness! I LOVE this post! I'm going to have to think about my list and get back to everyone because I am bawling right now ... so often it feels like no one else really 'gets' it, but you guys really do!!

Hello, Another thought if it is strictly around your period is to talk to your doctor about birth control. I had crazy PMS symptoms and my gyno switched me to a Mirena IUD - it made all the difference in the world! Good luck! - s

Oh dear! I didn't realize my post was so long until after I saw it published just now ... sorry!!

Hello, I hope I'm not too late but Dr. Metz was my surgeon and he was wonderful! His whole office staff is great and I would highly recommend them! Good luck!