GREATFUL

Well..... it look like I am going for a revision to the sleeve. So I guess I am starting over. Doc was so very kind and encouraging. He told me that if they knew back 7 years ago what they know now they would not even do the band. He said that over 55 percent of banded patients are getting revisions to the sleeve. He would not even consider trying to give me a fill since my history of suffering with acid reflux and food still can cause me some mild heartburn. So prepared the info to be sent off to my insurance for approval.... no I guess I will now be no longer banded. I will now do my searching and reading in the forum about the sleeve. Singing off..... Laura

Have my Appointment with my Lap Band Doc today. Excited and hopefull. Maybe I will get a slight fill, maybe he will tell me that he things I should convert to the sleeve or bypass. Maybe just maybe I will be able to loose this weight once and for all. My furture is full of maybes. But one this is for sure.... I am not going to give up!!! Laura

mscandy4you - I am so sorry, know how you feel, I just want to scream "THIS SUCKS". Are you going to look into doing the sleeve or bypass? Great job on the weight loss and keeping it off!! I have not decided if I want to have my band removed just yet. I have been unfilled for a year now. My Endo Doc said to wait on getting a fill until they get my T levels figured out. I just dont know, I am just getting bigger and bigger. I have my oppointment with the band doc on May 20th. Keeping that appointment because it is more of a information meeting that a fill meeting for me this time since he is a new doc for me. (my old one retired). My dream would be to get refilled, and loose all of the weight I have regained and live happly ever after. But I know that this no fairytell and I am no princess LOL. I have been advised by one doc that bypass is my best option, in order for me to loose the weight without a thyroid I need to go malabsorbtion (sp). I will wait and see what the syrgen says next week. Thanks all Laura

So, I didnt mention that during the year of unfill, and maybe a good reason I was unfille was due to some health issues I was having at the time also. I was having sever pantic attacks, anxiety and depression. I had terrible stomach pain, body aches, joints hurts, not to mention continues weight gain. Went to four diffrent doctors trying to find out what was wrong, Gino, Psychiatrist, Grastro and GP. After being put on a long list of pills for all of the symtoms I just fell so bad, it was all I could do to get out of bed. I felt I was loosing my everloving mind. Blood work was done and "NOTHING" was found out of the normal ranges. I had the flu twice, two diffrent strans, pnemonia, was hospitalized for what they thought was cdiff. Had an upper and lower GI. Bowls were enlarged from the antibotics. Finally my GP noticed that my pulse was alway slightly elevated. He did some diffrent test on my blood work and it came back that I had hoshimoto thyroid. I had scans and more test, and was sent to an Endocrinoigist. Long story short, had surgery to remove my thyriod in Feb, they found cancer. I am lucky, they did remove all, along with my thyroid. So here I now sit, with my band empty, almost backt o the weight I was 7 years ago when I got it. I guess I am wanting to know..... Can I start this over, get my band refilled, fight the thyroid hormone replacement war and maybe loose weight? Thanks for letting me rant Laura

Paula, Oh my yes can I relate, the stuff was coming out of my nose, not fun at all. No I do not have sleep apena. So how has it been since they have slowly put your fill back in. Had you gained some of your weight back? Have you been able to get back on plan. For I have went nuts, eating hamburgers, pizza, bread etc. all of the non band food that I am so addicted to. With the band I just could not eat them. After a few years it became the norm, and I just accepted it. But being unfilled I have went crazy. God help me, yes I know it is my fault. But when I had the band filled it was a tool that I use and it worked for me. Without it I am out of control. I have no willpower. I so hope that I am able to get a fill and keep it.

rigonj, I did have a hernia that was repaired during my lapband surgery. I take Prilosec daily also, helped some but if I have a fill I still have acid.

I need my LapBand peeps. I was banded May 2007. I have lost around 80 lbs and was trucking along good. In November I got a slight fill, I so want to hit my goal by the 3 year mark. Two days after receiving the fill I got real sick with the flu, it was later determined that I had H1N1 and I later developed pneumonia and spent 3 days in the hospital. I had to have an emergency unfill due to being severly dehydrated, and the Doc wanted me to stay unfilled for at least 6 weeks. OMG, so I have been unfilled during the Christmas holiday food fest. I tried to reign in my desire to eat hamburgers and Pasta, but heck a little bit will not hurt right. Oh what that little voice in our heads tells us. I also felt very sick and tired during this time and soothed myself with food to try to make myself feel better. On top to everything else I did not have the energy to exercise. (love the excuses) Long story short - I went back to the Doc yesterday and got a fill. I am up 14 lbs and disgusted with myself. The upside to all of this is that I have really learned that I need my band, and I have really bad food addictions. So I am trying to be back on track. I have moved from the town where I got my surgery and there is no support group here, SO I am turning to you guys. I need you....... HELP!!! THANKS SO MUCH Laura

OMG YES - LOL - I need tought love!!! Thanks

untfluter - thanks for the website - I had not been to that one. I loved the recipes that they had. cathy - you may be right about some of it being just Water. Got on the scales this morning and have already dropped 6 lbs since monday. Now to get the rest off. nkara - thanks for your kind words. Good luck all, Laura

Well I did it. After much searching and studing, I took a deep breath and made the call. I have an appointment for a consultation for a tummy tuck on Feb 9th. I am excited and nervous both at the same time. I am working on my insurance to help pay for a portion at least, we shall see. When I spoke with the PS office they infomed me that they deal with weight loss patients alot, and have worked to get insurance to at least pay some of the cost. I have been reading the post on all of you who have been where I am at now. THANKS for the info. I will be counting on your further help and wisdom to get me through this process. Laura

Mini, Sorry I had missed this thread. I am so happy for you - YEA FLATLAND. You sound like you are doing great. I am glad that the hematome is getting better. Take your pain meds as needed, they will help you, they are your friend. Like you, I am happy to be seeing some parts of my body that I could not see with that big roll of flab. J Just rest, and rest some more. You will never get the chance again to heal well now. Take care, Laura

I don't know how long it will take, but my PS says it will show up in time. You just have to give yourself time to heal. So how are you doing? Pictures?

JMS - I have not see any change in the scales. Doc. says that is due to swelling. He took off around 5 lbs. So I hope to be seeing that reflected in the scales in the near furture. I have also been released to exercise, so that is making a big diffrence. Thanks for your sweet comments. Take care all, Laura

Trip to the PS Wednesday was good. I am now a free woman. Free to exercise and take a bubble bath if I want. The appointment wast at 3:30 PM which was good because that is my typical swell time. And I was swollen. So I got to show it to him, he said it was all normal and that it would get better over time. I have to go back in 3 months for my final visit. I have posted some new pictures. Don't see much diffrence in them but took em anyway. Don't forget the Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Do you ever think what will consume your mind and time when you have lost all of the weight and gotten rid of the flabby skin. I hope to be finding out just that thing in the near furture. OH, going to see the grandbaby in two weeks....YEA Take care all, Laura

It is so nice when people notice your hard work. I am so looking forward to being able to exercise again. I bet you will catch your sister in no time. Laura

Have follow-up with PS this afternoon. Will let you know how it goes. Also took some new pictures this AM. Will post them later. I just love how my belly button is looking. And my scar is looking real good also. Iam very thrilled with the results thus far. See what the Doc. has to say today. Take care all, Laura

OH, swelling is almost non existent today. I tried to stay off my feet after work last night. And, Well I have had this thing about popcorn the past few weeks. Well, I did not eat it for the past two night. So I thing we have the cause. Salt and over doing it. (at least I hope) Take care all, Laura

Thanks Shalee... How are you doing Girl. I thank you for sharing your journey. Your were an inspiration for me I want you to know.

Katie, I know that I talked to you on another thread. But, just wanted to pipe in here. I was off work for 3 weeks. And boy if I could have taken long I would have. Not because I could'nt go to work, it is just the fatguie. It hit me real hard. I would be fine in the morning then the afternoon it was all I could do to make it home. But I did it. I have heard of alot of people who go back at 2 weeks, they are alot stronger than me. I guess if you ask me what has been the biggest suprise for me post-TT it would have to be how tired I am. Just wanted to wish you good luck, and keep us up to date on how you are doing. November will be here before you know it. Take care all, Laura

Ebony, On the subject of GOAL weight....I am funny about it. This is just how I look at, some may not agree with me. I think it is important to set small goals while you on this "weight loss" jounery, it help to keep you motivated. But, to have a ultimate magic number that you have to reach, well, I don't know if that is for me. I am learning to listen to my body, how do I feel, etc. I am only 5'2", very big boned for my height, and if I tried to get to what thoses charts say I am supposed to weight I would have another 35 lbs to loose. My Doc and I bother agree that I do not need to shoot for that weight. My body really likes where it is at now. I can eat normal food and enjoy it and I do not seem to gain. I would like to maybe drop another 10 lbs, and I think that will happen over time. So for the first time in my life, and I do mean the first time, I am happy with my body. So I think that is my new goal. To be happy..... Went to the support meeting last week, and the guest speaker was a psychologist. He was speeking about how this is a life long journey, not just a destination. It made me do alot of thinking about where I am and where I want to be. Does it mean I am going to quit trying to loose weight? NO, but it does mean that it is not going to be my main focus in life anymore. I am going to focus on eating healthy, exercise, living and being happy with my body. It is funny but I finnally can say "I love myself" enough to just take care of myself. It has taken me two surgeries to get here, but I am here. OH, and if you are like me, you have lost the weight before and gotten to GOAL weight to only fight to keep that number and then gain it all back. So I am setting diffrent goals now. If have never been to this place before, where I do not have my weight to worry. So, this is how normal people live? Who Knew..... It is almost funny to think about what am I going to do with my life when loosing weight is no longer my main focus Did you ever notice that healthy weight people really do not obcess over their goal weight, they just take care of themself. So to answer your question.... Do I have a definate number on the scale in mind, a clothing size, or did I use the height/weight tables to pick your goal? No Sorry to rable on, Take care all, Laura

Katie, Thanks for your sweet comments. You know, when I was going through my research and info gatering before I had my band and the TT I so counted on other people to tell their stories. I just wanted to do the same. And, well you will need to do it also. So, you are having a TT on Nov 6th? Very exciting!! You have amazing weight loss, congrats. My PS did offer the pain pump. If your PS has not talked about it, I sure would bring it up. I would make sure it was a done deal. I just know that it helped me so very much the first few days. I have talked to others who did not have one and it was hard for them. I get credit to my pain pump for making this experience no worse than having a c-section. (had 2 of them) How do I feel?...... FABALOUS! Before the band, well I felt hopeless, fat, old, ugly, unhealthy, slow, sluggish etc. I could go on and on. Now that I have had the TT... well, I am getting adjusted to being in my own skin. Every day I feel more normal. What is real nice for me is that I have had a job change in a new town. So the people I work with never knew me as FAT Laura. They do not know about the band or the TT. There are not any comments about "Wow, you have lost alot of weight", I like it that way. It is just like I have alway been this way. They just make comments like "You sure eat heathy" "You eat like a bird" "I bet you have to jump around in the shower to get wet" LOL. Funny, but I find myself pretending that I have always been this way. Sounds silly, I know. Look forward to you sharing your journey. Take care all, Laura

OH, by the way, THANKS for letting me wine. I just hate to be such a baby.... Take care all, Laura

Well you asked for em.... I guess it could be worse, But I just hate this swelling. Going to try and take it easy the next few day, see if that helps. I was reading to day about how the swelling could last well over the 6 month mark. I sure hope mine does not last that long. I am going for my follow-up with the PS next week, will see what he has to say. Don't forget the Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Take care all, Laura

I think the swelling is from over-doing-it. Very busy at work and lots going on at home, so some very long days. I have notice that those are the worst days when it comes to the swelling. The swelling is just in my tummy area, seems to be the worse right around my belly button. At, least that is when it bugs me the most. Oh, I do have a little of the "Ken" look going on also. I am still wearing the compression garment during the day. Will takes some pictures tonight, let you know when I have them up. Take care all, Laura

OMG - I am in SWELL HELL!!! I know it is normal, but I still hate it!! I think I am going to take some pictures tonight just so everyone can see. And maybe I will see that I am not as bad as I think or feel I am. Take care all, Laura