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Happy Birthday Lisa! I hope you had a fabulous day. All of you that will be in Las Vegas next week... Have a fantastic time. I wish I could join you, but I already had other vacation plans. Cancun, here I come!

Hi Sue, Once you start getting more feedback, I think you will find that everyone's experience is somewhat different. I am on my second LapBand (first one had a leak) and my two operations were completely different. First one - 2/3/04: 1. Major pain - walking and lying down flat was uncomfortable. I slept sitting up in bed for at least 2 weeks. 2. Coughing and sneezing caused extreme pain. I thought my insides were exploding. Had to lie over 3 pillows on the bed to cough (which is a requirement after surgery so you don't develop pnemonia) If I could catch the sneeze and get to the pillows before it happened, things were so much better. 3. I used a beach towel folded across my stomach while sleeping and riding in the car for 3-4 weeks. In the car I felt like my insides were jiggling around and it was very uncomfortable. 4. When I started exercising again, my strength was gone. I was only able to handle 10-15 lbs weights, when normally I am much stronger. 5. Bending over was impossible for at least 2 weeks. Second one - 8/13/04: 1. Minor pain. Up and walking no problem. Bending was uncomfortable but not impossible. 2. Coughing and sneezing painful, but pillows made it possible. 3. Use folded towel for about 1 week. 4. Strength never really diminished. I was asked not to lift weights for the first 6 weeks, but once I went back to the gym I was only lifting weights about 5-10 lbs lighter than before the second surgery. I have talked to my doctor about the differences and the only thing we can come up with is that immediately after surgery and during my hospital stay (overnight) during the first surgery I barely used the morphine pump. During the second surgery I hit the pump all the time. I know I wasn't getting meds each time, but I know I got more pain relief then with the first surgery. I have been told that the better your pain is managed, the better you recover. My advise, use the pain relief you are provided and don't try to brave it out. If you have pain -- get it managed. Good luck and I hope this helps ease your mind a bit. I am sure you will do fine. Take Care,

Hi Tellie, I am glad to hear that surgery went well, but sorry to hear that you are feeling worse than you did after the first surgery. I had the exact opposite experience... just goes to show you, I guess. I hope you are feeling better soon. Do you have any friends who might help you with your baby? Maybe you could do a child care trade and take turns, so when you are feeling better you could watch their children. Just a thought... I feel so bad for you. Take Care,

I would stay away from weight training until you are at least 6 weeks out. If you feel that you have to lift weights make them very light and work up very slowly. You don't want to flip your port or cause yourself any unnecessary pain. Good luck and have fun!

How exciting Donali!!! I am happy for you. Let us know how it is going once you both are settled and getting into a normal routine. Since I am in a long distance relationship now that I hope will eventually lead to marriage, I am curious to find out if anything changes once you are living together. Take care and have fun!

Hi Ladies, You all are doing such a wonderful job. I am inspired to be just like all of you... but I just don't have it fully together... YET!! I jumped on the scale Sunday night after my 48 hours of fluids post-fill and was down to 235.5, but that was short lived because this morning I was up to 237.5. I have some restriction with this first fill, but I don't think it is going to be anywhere near my sweet spot. I will just have to watch my diet, exercise and get my water. Thanks for keeping me motivated...

Hi Glitz99, I cannot say that I am an expert on fills... I haven't reached my sweet spot yet. But, I have seen posts from others saying that as little as .1-.2cc can make a difference. I have also read where restriction has loosened up over time, so you very well may need a slight fill. Have you discussed this with your doctor? Are you following all the band rules... Protein first, no drinking w/ meals, etc.? If so, then I would say a slight fill may help. If you are not following the rules, you might try that first to see if that helps. Good luck,

Congratulations Jeanie!!! :D Plateaus are so frustrating, but you finally beat it! It must feel wonderful to be under 200 and fitting into smaller sizes. I can't wait to get to where you are... I think it would motivate me as well. I think you really have to hit a certain point to begin feeling like the band is really going to work. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten there yet. Great job - when do we get to see some before and 'after' pics?

Hi Becky, I am sorry to hear about your stomach troubles. I hope you are feeling better very soon and that this is not related to your band. You are doing a wonderful job with your band journey. 75 lbs in less than a year is amazing. I recall when you were first banded, it seems like yesterday to me... but probably not for you. :think Suffering with sickness since July must have been unbearable. Please take care of yourself and keep us posted on your progress. Best wishes and prayers,

Hi Darcy, I supposedly have had this much fill with my previous band, but I can really feel the difference. The fluids I am confined to until Saturday are going down very slowly... especially this morning. I also feel some pressure/very slight discomfort in my chest after I swallow... could this be restriction???? YAAAAY :D Hi DeLarla, Now that you mention it, I think I experienced the same... When I started admitting to my BF and family that I was a compulsive overeater... no one believed me. That's when I realized that I hid it from everyone except one ex-friend whom I would binge with... of course she was overweight as well and also had other destructive behaviors and a negative vibe. I had to end that relationship when I decided to turn my health around. But, I too can recall being in the middle of a binge and someone would drop by unexpected... I have hidden plates of food behind plants in living room (hee hee)... It really is sad when I think about it, but food has been my constant friend and comforter. I know it all has to do with my childhood and feelings of being abandoned by my father and ignored by my mom. Thankfully, my mom and I have a great relationship now and I don't hold any grudges... she was a single mom doing what she needed to do in order to keep two kids clothed and fed. Food was my caretaker and I carried that into adult hood. Geez, you don't know how much it helps to just get this out and share it so publicly. I guess the first step to recovering is admitting you have a problem... now I am more than ready to move to step two Here's to another day without a binge! Hi Everyone else in this thread, My apologies for highjacking this topic for talks of compulsive behaviours and bindging. When I come out of my shell... watch out! :kiss

DeLarla, You truly amaze me;) I just love how you can take even the most serious of topics and add humor... not in a bad way, but in a way that brings me back to reality. I can relate to everything you have shared... I just haven't gotten to the point where I can share my 'secrets' so openly... but I will say that you are not alone. Before banding I was struggling with compulsive overeating (binging) which I hid from family and friends. I still have the urge to binge, but thankfully my band won't let me get out of control to the degree that I could pre-banding. I can still eat enough to maintain or gain a couple of pounds, so for this I am forever grateful. When I was being 'qualified' for banding, my family practitioner asked me one question about my mental health... Are you depressed? Well, I don't like to admit failure to anyone and to me this appeared to be admitting failure, so I cheerfully responded 'No'... that was it. No psych eval, nothing... But please don't get me wrong. I am glad that I have my band because it does make it easier for me to face my 'head hunger' and try to address the REAL reasons I want to turn to food instead of dealing with my feelings/problems. I am happy to hear that you are making it one day at a time. I have my first fill in my new band... convinced my doc to start me off with 1.25cc and it definitely feels different than it did in my leaky band. I am on fluids for 48hours and I weighed in at the docs office at 237.6, so maybe I can get another pound off in the next week. Thank you for sharing... it is nice to know that I am not alone in this journey. There are wonderful people like yourself for me to share the good and the bad.

Hi Tellie, I am sorry to hear about your slippage. I will be thinking about you and hope that your surgery goes smoothly. I had a very difficult time during my first banding, but I am happy to say that the second time around was a breeze compared to the first. Thank you for sharing and I hope you are feeling better soon.

Hi Ryan, I just wanted to let you know that you are in my prayers and I hope you heal quickly. I agree that it is better to heal and be in the best condition possible prior to your banding. I hope you get the healing you need during your trip to Lake Michigan. Take care, thanks for sharing and keep us all posted.

Hi DeLarla, I just want to thank you for sharing. I also think that you are taking a very logical approach to the binging and weekend drinking... I too never considered allowing myself what I want up to a limit. It always seems to be 'all or nothing' types of thinking. For example, if I bring junk food into the house... I gave myself permission to buy it at the store, but then when I get home and start to eat it, I feel guilty... this turns into thoughts of well I better just eat it all and get it out of here. Never once thinking that maybe I should just throw it away or divide it all up into sensible portions and give myself permission to have a portioned amount when I desire. Thank you for reminding me that there are many different ways to approach a situation. Some times I get too wrapped up into one way of thinking. I appreciate everyone's support. Now, off to beg for a fill of more than 1cc.

Thanks for the support ladies. I think I will follow DeLarla's lead and look at tomorrow as a new day. Darcy, I think I will try to convince my doc for more than 1cc. I don't have time to contact Inamed as my appointment is tomorrow... but my doc said that she was only giving .25 for a first fill until Inamed told her to start people out with at least 1cc. Since I don't get fills under floro, she is very conservative. I have been trying to focus on protein on top of a big salad. Right now I feel like I can eat anything. You all are great!

You all are having too much FUN!!! I wanna play: Penni: 4/6/04 -- 47 lbs Lisa: 5/5/04 -- 51 lbs Becky 6/03/04 - 53 lbs Denice: 8/12/04 -- 20 lbs Leatha 05/29/03 - 67 lbs Michelle 4/6/04 -- 49.75 lbs Marie 5/26/04 -- 39 lbs Donali 1/23/03 -- 102 lbs Kathy 5/21/04 -- 41 lbs Cindy 7/22/04 -- 40 lbs Teresa 5/8/04 -- 63 lbs Kelly 8/20/03 -- 65 lbs Kyleigh 9/23/03 -- 60 lbs Bright 10/28/03 -- 70 lbs Michelle 6/14/04 - 20 lbs Babs 6/23/03 -- 136 lbs Nancy 8/27/03 -- 55 lbs michelle - shellyj 8-18-03 - 130 pounds Vera 8/14/03 -- 64 lbs Jacky 4/5/04 - 40 lbs Chris S. 9/02/03 - 54 lbs Debra 7/19/04 -- 17 lbs. Janie 5/6/04 -- 41 lbs Denise 5/28/04--33 lbs. Kim 8/23/04 -- 28 lbs. Andrea 9/8/04-- 12lbs. Carol 12/2/9/03 -- 102 lbs. Maureen 3/17/04--49 lbs. Carolyn 2/27/04 -- 61lbs (-81 since 1-8-04) Greta 3/12/04---37 lbs. Anne 8/13/04 -- 20 lbs. Total = 1676.75

I pretty much wanted to skip checking in with all of you this week... everyone is doing so well. I keep gaining and losing the same 1-2 pounds. Up to 239 again. I go for the first fill in my new band this Thursday, but my doc is very conservative, so I am not sure it will make much difference. I have to try harder to control my eating... just because I can eat bigger portions doesn't mean I should... right? Now, if I could only get that other person that lives inside of me on board we would be on our way. I couldn't wait to get the go ahead to start exercising again, but now I can't seem to make myself get back into it. I went the last 2 days, so I am proud of that. Congratulations to everyone who lost this week. Keep up the good work and send a little bit of your magic my way... I NEED HELP! Have a great week.

Penni, I am sorry to hear about your mom's illness and the passing of her father-in-law. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I hope your mom is feeling better soon. You are a remarkable person to be there for your mom even when you live so far away. Take Care,

Welcome Fran, I hope you enjoy this site as much as I do. Everyone here is very nice and knowledgable. Good luck with your journey. Take Care,

Yep, I had problems as well... let's try this. http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/

Hi Cindy, I am so sorry to hear that you are having a difficult time. I know how frustrating it can be to go through 2 band surgeries and still not be where you think you should be... please try to remember that this is a journey and that means it will take some time and road will have its curves and bumps. When I had my first band surgery, I use to fantasize about what things would be like when I lost all my weight. Now that I have had my 2nd surgery, I think I am being more realistic and although I told myself that my band was just a tool and not an easy way out... I don't think my mind was really on board. I am now trying to remember that it is only a tool and if I don't address the emotional reasons for why I overeat, my band is not going to help me reach my goals. It is too easy to eat around the band and even though I can no longer eat the volume of foods I did before banding, I can still eat enough to stay the same or worse yet... gain. I think we make it more difficult when we beat ourselves up. I am not saying that we shouldn't try and that we should just give into our impulses... but I do believe that we have to give ourselves credit for having the strenghth to make such a major move and realize that the road won't always be smooth. We have to pick ourselves up, get the support we need and use our tool to the best of our abilities. Tomorrow is a new day and you can make it what you want it to be. I hope you feel better and I also hope that there isn't a leak in your band. Best wishes,

DeLarla, You look absolutely fabulous! I agree with Bright, you have a great figure... lucky girl! You are doing a fantastic job. Thanks for sharing your progress and photos.

Wow! You are all doing so great! Michelle -- I wish I could get close to a 50lb loss. You must feel so proud. DeLarla -- I think you are doing great. Given all the troubles you have had with your port, you are still trying. I think I would have given up! I was overdoing with ice cream and I am still paying for it. Darcy, Marie and Theresa -- You all motivate me... I want to be a loser too! Penni -- You are doing great with your exercise. I am also happy just to maintain. Janie -- I too am having a difficult time keeping my schedule on track. I just got back from a business trip on Friday. For me, this week I am down 1lb to 238... but this is still 1 pound above my lowest documented weight w/ my band. I hope everyone has a great week.

Teresa, Thanks for sharing. You have such a great smile and you and your husband look great together. Keep up the wonderful job... You can really see a difference.

Hi Ladies, I am late to post and was really reluctant as well. I gained another pound this week - up to 239. I don't want to see the 240's again, so I need to get my butt in gear. I am traveling this week... writing you all from Germany right now. Travel normally does not agree with me in the weight loss department as I tend to retain a ton of fluids... but let's see if I can do a good job this week and get rid of my Water weight gain by next Monday. Have a great week everyone and congratulations to all you losers!!!