jen_1381

Okay slow down everyone! It's totally normal to have doubts and fears. I would be worried if you weren't considering EVERYthing. Getting the Lap Band is life changing. Yes, I can no longer drink pop. I can no longer dive into a gooey cheeseburger and fries without probably feeling miserable afterwards (I haven't tried yet). I don't get that after-Thanksgiving FULL feeling. I have had to change my meal plans durastically. But it's because I now put my body and my health as a priority. I don't want the empty calories that I used to depend on when I was bored. The way I've done some things hasn't changed at all - - I can still drink Water normally. I drink a lot more now than I ever did before surgery. I still have my cup of coffee in the morning. If I'm feeling like a treat, I'll walk to Starbucks and get myself a light frappe once a week or so. The risk of injury during the procedure is minimal. As for the port being noticable - I can feel it. When I turn a certain way I can see a little bump. But, it's because I've lost over 50 lbs. Honestly, I'm PROUD that my port shows! It was buried in fat the day of surgery. That fat is gone, and thanks to my newly-learned self-control, it's not coming back. Living the bandster lifestyle is not bad. It's just new. And different. But I honestly love it. It's rewarding to do good to your body and see that reflected on the scale. I feel so much better now - more energy, less tired, no achey feet and back. I feel like my journey has just begun and I'm down 54 lbs. so far. I wish all new bandsters the very best. It's a lifestyle change I hope you embrace. Having doubt or fears before a change like this is totally normal. Just list out your pro's and con's, and remember, take everything you read on the internet with a grain of salt. Your experience is all up to you.

I actually picked mine off after about a week. I could tell my incisions were closed, and the glue was super itchey so I scrubbed and peeled it off.

Congrats to you!! You're such an inspiration. I can't wait to hit goal and take myself shopping Thank you so much for sharing your journey!!

I use MyFitnessPal and weigh myself daily. Some people weigh daily, others oppose it. To me, personally, it helps me stay accountable. First, when I'm tempted to eat bad food I remind myself I have to step on the scale tomorrow. Second, when I do step on the scale, I compare the number or fluctuation to my previous day. Did my meal plan work? Did I eat something high in sodium that's making me retain Water? I use it to asses where I'm at. Logging every bite helps tremendously. Kind of along the same lines as the scale; if I'm tempted by a cupcake in the breakroom, I think about logging it and using up calories on something so nutritionally empty. As for falling off the wagon, all you can do is dust yourself off and get back on it. It's human nature to make mistakes, nobody can be perfect at life. Change your mindset, and your eating pattern, and you'll be good in no time

Great NSV!! I've been doing a little shopping here and there. I was SHOCKED two weeks ago when I tried on an XL and it was too big. I had been in XXL for years. The XL almost draped off me. I went to a Lg. I haven't worn a plain Large since...junior high?! It feels GREAT!

The stuck feeling should pass on it's own. I've heard of a few people taking papaya enzyme to help. You may be uncomfortable for a while though. Stuck to me isn't feeling overly full. It feels like intense pressure in my lower esophagus. My mouth waters and it feels like the worse case of indigestion ever. That feeling for me has always passed quickly, less than two minutes. It's only happened twice, once when I tried to take that "one last bite" after my full signal and once when I ate too fast.

I can totally relate to you. I'm only down just over 50 lbs, but when I look in the mirror I don't see any change. All of my family does; my sister-in-law told me today I look like skin and bones (which was sweet, but really, I'm still 190 lbs). My brother-in-law even complimented today about how great I look, but I just don't see it. I will agree that I'm thinner than I was but I'm in no way thin, and I don't think I will ever see myself that way no matter how much I lose. I think it's safe to say that most overweight people develop a complex about themselves. It takes a lot of time and a lot of self discovery to be able to look in the mirror and not see the "fat girl". I figure, once I get to my goal weight, I'll start working on my self-image. Until then, I need to keep focused and not let the compliments get to my head and decide I've done enough.

Can you feel the band Physically, no. I can feel my port, but that's normal-ish. When I take a big bite and don't chew well enough, my band reminds me it's there. Does it bother you while doing any activitys playing with kids , exercise,sex just any everyday activity. The only thing that bothers me is how much energy I have after losing 50 lbs (so far!) Seriously though, I don't think it limits any of my activities. I was interested in taking some Krav Maga classes but my surgeon advised against putting myself in situations where I may get a direct blow to the abdomen/port area because it could potentially damage the port, although he said it was very unlikely. Sex is better I think, but mainly because I'm more confident in how I look. Do you have any regrets?? My only regret is not doing it sooner. I've been overweight since I was 13, and will be 29 in a few weeks. I wish I could have done this in my early 20's instead of crash dieting. I'm totally in love with my new lifestyle. Living healthy feels empowering.

I didn't even know I had a hiatial hernia until after surgery. My surgeon said about 50% of his cases have hernias and don't know it. Made sense; I had horrid heartburn no matter what I took. I had uncontrolled migraines for about 3 years and threw up a LOT, the surgeon said I most likely caused it during a vomiting episode. I didn't notice any additional discomfort, but having them both done at the same time I wouldn't know which pain was which. I only had the regular 5 incisions for the band placement. Almost 3 months post-op, I haven't had heartburn once. It's AMAZING!

It's a tricky gas So you have the left over gas (actual medical gas) that was pumped into your abdominal cavity to expand your abdomen. It's impossible for them to suck all of it out so most people have some discomfort. Mine was mild, irritating, but not excrutiating. Some people have it pretty bad. It's not the kind of gas to where if you "release some pressure" it will feel better. BUT, keep in mind, the first few days/weeks you are drinking Protein drinks which can do a number on your digestive tract. I seemed to tolerate it okay, some people learned the hard way not to "trust a fart" - - their words not mine What helped me was walking pretty much non-stop (except when the pain meds knocked me out), taking my pain meds regularly for the first two days, and a combo of heating pad and ice pack. Ice pack to incisions, heating pad to shoulder (typically the gas travels and settles in a shoulder or spot in your abdomen. After I had a hysterectomy robotically, it landed in my right side and I had a horrid sideache for a week) Plication is an additional procedure, one that is becoming more popular with lap band placement. I had just the lap band placed; I was too nervous for plication. Whatever route you decide to go, I wish you all of the luck in the world!

Sorry if I offended you at all, I may not have really understood the questions. "Have you had mental health issues, and if so, how did YOU deal with them after you were banded?" Yes, although mine are mild and I didn't realize I even had them until my surgery process began. I struggle to find healthy ways to deal with my nervous energy. I used to eat, keep my hands busy, and that's not an option now. Besides not wanting the food (and gaining weight) I don't think I could physically eat like I used to, at least without some serious discomfort. Now, when I feel like I want to get into (what I call) "busy-mode" (can't sit still, think of a million things I HAVE to do right NOW) I take a few deep breaths. I ask myself if I really need to do this and if not, what could I do. Most of the time, I go for a run or hit the elliptical. Hope this helps. Again, I appolgize if I offended you at all that wasn't my intentions. I'm here for support and "Did the symptoms get worse?" My symptoms have not gotten worse, but at the same time, I feel like I have complete control over my body now. I have such a tight grip on what I eat; calories in and calories out. Having control has always helped me deal with my PTSD and my symptoms get worse when something in life is haywire.

The HCTZ in it (hydrocholorothiazide) is a diuretic. Are you noticing that you're peeing more? If you aren't hydrating enough, you could be dehydrated. Are you checking your BP at home? It may be too strong of a dose. Also, new medication can take a few weeks to get used to and take full effect. Be persistant in getting ahold of your doctor. Make sure you're staying hydrated and check your pressure at home if you can. Keep us posted!

I recommend some quality time with a therapist. I have PTSD and my way of dealing with it and not facing it was to keep busy. I never sat still. If I was forced to sit still, like on a drive or watching a movie, etc, I would eat. My hands would stay busy. Once I spent a few sessions with a great therapist and learned some coping techniques, it's like the world opened up for me. I finally feel "free" as corny as that sounds. I'm not hindered by my thoughts anymore...thoughts I didn't even realize were there until the psych testing and subsequent appointments. Your mental strength plays a lot into being successful with the band. You have to be in the right mindset because it really is a daily ordeal. I completely sympathize with you, and wish you all of the success in the world.

It happened with my second fill. This past week when I had my third, he went in through the end of my inscision vs. the side like he usually does. Ouch!!

I can feel mine and can also see the outline of it. If I'm laying on my side it sticks up. Kinda groses my husband out but I'm just happy that I've lost enough to see it!

It varies depending on your WLS program and insurance requirements. My WLS program gave us a projected timeline, and on paper it could take 3-6 months, granted you did everything in a timely manner. I decided in early March and had surgery May 18th. The WLS coordinator said it was the fastest case she had seen using insurance. That also included a 10 day delay on my part bc I had strep throat and couldn't make it to my surgeon consultation.

That was the best part of the pre-op diet for me. Even though I knew it was water weight, the scale was moving. Finally moving, and in the right direction! It gave me the encouragement to keep with it.

As much as I love my band, it was by NO means the easy way out! If anything, I'm putting more thought into my daily life than I ever had before. It's easy to be on a diet and decide to cheat and eat a cheeseburger or few slices of pizza. For my and my band, there is no cheating. Big bites and certain foods lead to some serious discomfort. Right now I feel like I couldn't eat unhealthy even if I wanted to! It's amazing how people think WLS is "easy". It isn't the hardest thing I've done, but it's by no means a walk in the park!!

I've heard a lot of people having a tough time in the morning, and that warm liquids can help "relax" the band opening. I never had a tough time until I got another fill on Monday. I'm back up to my regular diet today and it feels like Breakfast is sitting in my throat. I don't think I'm over-filled, I'm eating my portions fine without feeling overly full, but I think I need to move breakfast to a little later in the day. Always best to pass it by your surgeon though.

I know this doesn't help right now, but it does get better! In a few days you'll have turned the corner and start feeling fantastic. Do something to distract yourself - - watch a movie, read a book, magazine...whatever helps. It sounds crazy, but when I was doing the post-op diet I developed almost a hatred for food, just to get me through it. I decided in my mind that I felt sorry for the people eating cheeseburgers, fries, pizza, ice cream...they would have to work SO hard to burn off those calories. I focused on how great I was doing and how thankful my body would be that I wasn't eating those things. Your mind is a VERY powerful thing...try changing it. It just may work

Don't let a strangers criticism/advice derail you. If it was someone that you knew their opinion may hold value. But the cashier at the local grocery store? I wouldn't take it to heart. Try to put it in perspective - if they offered you advice about something else, would you take it? That is a situation where you smile, nod along, and walk away. It sounds like you have a great support teammate in your husband. Stick with him

Bottom line is, it's your decision. While his support would be appreciated, you are the one in charge of your own body. My husband wasn't amped about surgery when I brought it up. "You look fine, I'll love you no matter what you look like". I had to sit him down (okay, I was crying one night in the bath tub...) and just tell him, I'm not comfortable in my own skin and this is not how I want to live my life. I appreciate that he loves me no matter what I look like, but I didn't love me. The more we talked, the more it became clear that he was hesitant because he was insecure. He thought I would lose the weight, find a new guy, and move on. I assured him that this process was not about getting in shape to find someone new, and pointed out it wasn't really fair for him to be against me getting fit just because he thinks I will leave. I went to the semiar and after a day or so made my decision that this surgery was necessary for me to be successful. I told him my decision, and that he could support me or not, and he stepped up and has been there for the entire process. He's my biggest cheerleader and my shoulder to cry on after a hard day. Maybe (calmly) talk to your bf and get his reasons. Remember, his reasons are valid to him no matter how silly you think they may be. Hear him out, and be prepared with your reasons.