Kime-lou

My doctor does all fills under floroscopy. I stand and they find my port, stick the needle in, then they look at my band and stomach after they have added fluid. I drink some yucky stuff and they see how fast it flows through, if it goes to fast they add more, to slow they take some out. Not a big deal.

Amazing!! What a wonderful feeling that must be.

I had 4 also. I am 3 months post op and all are healed, but I still have a little pain around the long one that I think is from the scar tissue beneath the skin.

On Tuesday this week I went to my nutritionist and I had lost a total of 35 lbs since the 1st time I saw her. She went over my food journal and calorie counts. Gave me some pointers, but all in all said I was doing wonderful and she couldn't have hoped for a better turn out. Needless to say I was pleased and happy. So today is Thursday of the same week and I had a fill. So I wasn't worried when I was weight. WTH, I am up 3 lbs since Tuesday. WHAT??? My calorie counts have been well below my BMR- right about 1200. It's not my time of the month. So how in the heck I am up 3lbs in two days. I know I shouldn't be freaked out because out bodies fluctuate day to day, but geez!! I had finally hit 209 - single digit 200's- only 9 more lbs till my 1st major goal. But now I am up. I feel defeated. Mind you I didn't and won't do what I use to do, which is go out and binge. I don't have a desire to do that anymore, I want to do the opposite, not eat anything, but that isn't healthy either. My hubs says shake it off I will be back down by the weekend, but I don't feel confindent. I track each morsel that enters my mouth and I work out. I am far more active now than I have been in years and I sleep better, so what in the world. I know it's only 3 lbs I need to chill out. But I needed to vent. I am back in my office now and I have no one to talk to about how I am feeling. I am on liquids for the remainder of the day so maybe that will help. Any suggestions for my bander friends out there?

I do feel good and my clothes are looser. When I go to weigh at these appointments I always make sure to have on light weight clothes. I just really like when I go to the doctor for them to see the lower weight, because that is what they base my success on.

I am 3 months post op and have lost 35 lbs, which I feel is good. All my clothes feel looser and I have had to stop wearing some. I am actually wearing an old pair of 16's. When I look in the mirror I see a difference in my face. I know I am smaller, but........ No one seems to notice the missing 35 lbs. I am one of these nutty folks who likes some pats on the back to motivate me to continue. I work for the school system, so when staff returned I was down 20 lbs, no one said anything, then I after 35 no one still says hey you are losing weight. There are only 2 co-workers who ever tell me they can see a difference, but they both know about the surgery so they are looking for it. My husband and my mom both say they see it, but they are biased. I know I should just be happy knowing I have lost the weight, but geez what is it going to take me loosing 100 for people to notice. I want to look good, to be pretty. To me I am still the hungry hippo I've always been. I have been obese since I was 6, so I don't know what it's like to be the cute, pretty girl. I just want some props, someone to notice the hard work. I still have a long way to go to reach goal, and I hope by then I can stop viewing myself as the big girl. I don't want tons of praise, but just a pat on the back or hey girl you are looking good. I guess I look for other peoples view of me to much, but that is just the way I am. Does anyone else feel like this?

If the problem continues I would ask for a chest x-ray, you could have pneumonia, it is common after surgeries with intubation.

I am always scare of surgery, I hate being put to sleep. However, I knew I needed this so I tried no to dwell on the what if's. I have tried diets over and over with no long term success, so the benefits out weighed the risk. I felt confident in my surgeon and I was going to a top rated hosptial to have it done. I think everyone gets cold feet to an extent before hand. Take a deep breath and weigh the pros and cons it you have more pro, let it go and move forward with surgery; if you have more con you likely are ready for surgery. Good luck to you!!

I use whole wheat pita pockets. I cut the big circle in half and stuff one half with whatever I want on it. Me and my husband have learned to love them. Since we like sandwiches for lunch it's great. I find them in the deli section of the walmart where I live. I still have to chew well and eat slow, but I haven't had any trouble. I told my nutritionist I was eating those yesterday and she said that was great. That the band isn't about giving up foods it's about moderation of food, however some people find some foods unfriendly. But, for now the pita pockets are my friend.

I hit that on day 3 to. I manged it on day three by drinking my Protein shakes thickened with ice and drinking lots of Water and having a little Jello (before people scream I was told I could have jello). Day 4 was aweful. My blood sugar was dropping. I called my nutritionist and she told me to start on yogurt and thin mashed potatos. I was fine after that. Moral to my story, if the hunger gets to bad call the doctor or the nutrionist and get some advice.

The only problems I had was making myself take deep breaths after being extabated, but I always have issues with that and then I was nauseated for about an hour. The nurse I had ignored me, but another nurse came in and I told her how I felt and I just couldn't drink anything. She smiled looked at my family and said go get lunch, and she looked at me and said go to sleep, when they get back you will feel better. I took her advice I slept for an hour and when I woke up I felt good, I drink some water and went home. I was sore for a few days, but other than that it was easy.

I am starving the week before my period and then the week of I can hardly eat. If I ever have a stuck or PB'ing time it is during that time. I would say yes it is from Water weight. This past time I took Fluid pills during that week and it helped a lot. Many people say drining hot liquid helps, but for me I prefer ice cold. My weight is also up that week, but when I took the fluid pills I didn't go up. So it has to be the water weight.

I was only going to tell a few, but my mother couldn't keep her mouth shut so the world knew as soon as I told her. However, no one says one word about my weight, I have lost 35 lbs and not one word. I had one co-worker who always seemed to be concerned with what I was eating, but she has chilled out now.

I am 3 months post op and have lost 34 lbs. I have never been much of a sweet eater, I main overate at meals. The only time I have ever craved sweets is around my monthly. After surgery things tasted to sweet and turned me off, but now the cravings have returned. It's that time of the month and I want something sweet and decadent so bad. I use to cave and go get a red velvet cupcake or a piece of cheesecake, but I feel that is totally off limits now. I have managed to refuse the craving for 3 days now, but it is killing me. I even passed up a piece of cake yesterday at work because I know I shouldn't eat it. How do you all deal with cravings? Need a little support and advice.

I recently purchase a pack of whole wheat pita pockets, they are round and if you slice them in half they make a little pocket. Once half is less calories than a slice of whole what toast and taste great. I have been making myself and my hubs sandwiches with these. My hubs like to put laughing cow chipolte cheese and ham in one and heat heat for a hot ham and cheese - low cal and high protein. I had an peanut butter and banana pita - got my protein and my fruit in. The pitas are so thin, it gives you just enough bread to feel like it's a sandwich, but not so much it gets stuck. These pita's are great for stuffing with deli slices and cheese, chicken or tuna salad, PB and banana or even a scrabled egg and cheese for morning breakfast. We are loving these things- if you have tried them but like a sandwhich or need an easy holder for chicken or tuna salad while you are on the go you gotta try them. What lapband friendly items have you found that are awesome?

I guess it's the weather here in NC, but today I have a sore throat, head ache and sneezing. Totally sucks! I feel nauseous from the sinus drainage. On the plus side it makes me not want to eat and the coughing is giving my abs an awesome workout. How does one handle nausea and the band? I have always been a person who tosses her cookies easily. After surgery I got sick 4 times before it was controlled and I haven't had anything since. However, now I find myself nauseated and worried about getting sick and hurting my band. Any advice?

No, I only passed out the first time. After the 1st time the doctor pushed the fluid in more slowly as to not agrivate the nerve.

Awesome job!!

It will pinch a bit, but it is not bad. When I went in for my first fill I was so nervous between that and a senstive vagus nerve I passed out. I have had 3 now and it is no biggie. It pinches a bit but no more than a bee sting.

Janlee- it is totally up to you. Your situation seem more psychological than anything. For me I have been 100 lbs over weight since I was in 6th grade. I would get hungry quick. For me the band helps me stay full longer and that is why I am losing. Yes, just like a diet I have to make good choices. Losing still isn't easy with the band. It is still HARD!!! You have to make the best decision for you. With that said I think we all want you to realize the possible problems you could be getting yourself into. I was 100 lbs over weight the possible side effects of that are worse than the possible problems of surgery. The pros of surgery out weight the cons. You have look at it that way to - does the effects of being 25-30 lbs over weight out weight the risk of surgery and possible life long issues? If you do it good luck, just go in informed.

I am with the group. For what you have to go through forever, it is not worth it for no more weight than that. Like others have said I am shocked any reputable doctor would consider doing the surgery with that BMI. I would talk to your primary care and get some other opinions before make a HUGE life decision. Good luck.

As you see we all feel like this at some point. From what my doctor say you are doing wonderful. Right now worry about healing and not losing. You have had many fills yet, so it will get better. Stick to the plan and it will come off.

Yeah, CG- I am in Raleigh to. I hate the weather. I have been downing green tea all day to help with the sore throat. I forced myself to eat breakfast and lunch, but I have only gotten 200 calories for the day, which I guess isn't a bad thing. I just hate this feeling.

It does sound like gas. I had it bad post op. Try gas ex strips if the shakes give you gas try beano- those got me through. I understand the pain, I thought I would die - it took my breath away.

try cold and warm - some say warm makes the nausea worse, but cold helps- see if one or the other helps. It is so important to stay hydrated. Add a little extra water to your protein shakes and see if that helps. Also try sugar free popcicles that will get you some fluids. Try your favorite juices or tea- Staying hydrated at this point is more important than any thing else.