twinskins

I was banded in September of last year. Originally lost 20 lbs, but gained 10 lbs back. So a total of 10 lbs lost. I guess 10 is better than nothing, but NOT what I was expecting. I was not doing right by the band. I was eating junk, drinking soda, eating until I was stuffed. About a month ago, I decided enough was enough. I didn't go through this surgery just to keep doing what I was doing before I had the surgery. I haven't lost anything, but I haven't gained anything. I have been going to the gym about 3 times a week. I have had three fills, but I only have 3cc's in my band. I don't even know how big my band is. I am making smarter food choices, but I get very hungry after an hour or so. I don't know if I'm "allowed" to snack between meals or not. But I am practically starving by the time I am able to eat again and then I feel like I'm not satisfied or I'm going to overeat at my next meal. I have an appt for May 16th for another fill, but I'm kind of scared to show my face because I haven't lost any weight since my last appointment back in February. Hopefully this fill will help!

So I had my surgery on September 10, 2012. I started at 289.8 and the lowest I have gotten down to is 269.2. Right now I am at 277.3. I can eat ANYTHING I want. I don't even feel like I have a band at all. I have only had one fill, which was 2 cc's. Even after that fill, I still didn't get the "full" feeling. I was told that I wouldn't ever be able to drink soda again, hasn't stopped me. It is like I have no will power, the same as I felt before I got the band and one of the reasons I got the band, so I could control my eating by filling full faster and longer. I just feel like a Lap Band failure at this point. I'm supposed to go in for my second fill in February. The doctor told me at my last appointment that I should strive for a 3-4 lb loss. That was 6 weeks ago and I have gained 4 lbs. Seriously, 3-4 lbs in 6 weeks should be EASY. I almost feel like I did on Weight Watchers - dreading to go to the doctor knowing I've gained is like dreading going to the weigh in because you've gained. So bummed right now.

Thank you everyone for your kind words. I have been drinking water all day. As long as I keep plenty of ice in it, I have no problems drinking it. I also just had a piece of grilled chicken with some spinach for dinner and I did not drink my water with dinner. Waiting 30 minutes is hard though when you want to drink so bad, but I'm gonna do it.

Thank you SoccerBlue. I know I am not anywhere close to the green zone yet. Thank you also for pointing out that before you get to the green zone, it can feel like dieting. That's what I feel like and I have failed at so many "diets" in the past.

Thanks to you both for responding. I think 50% is my fault and 50% is probably the doctor's fault for not fully explaining everything to me. I thought I had done a lot of research on it before I committed to the surgery, but apparently I missed a few too many things. I did not know that the reason you could not drink soda was because the carbonation could cause a slip. Does anyone know what a slip feels like? I hope I have not done any damage. I don't want to give up on this, not by a long shot. I'm only 4 months out, it isn't too late to turn things around. Fingers crossed!

I'm on the pureed stage of the diet now and I made myself some scrambled eggs. I don't think I chewed well on one of the bites and now I have this heartburn type feeling in my chest. Is this what stuck feels like? I don't feel like I have to throw up, it's just uncomfortable and won't go away. I know I can't drink anything for 30 more minutes, will it go away on its own?

Did they give you a blood thinner in the hospital? They gave me a blood thinner shot in my abdomen and I have a really big bruise from that. It doesn't hurt though when I touch it. None of my incision sites are bruised.

I'm now 7 days post-op, feeling great! I've lost 4 pounds since last Monday. I've been on full liquids until today when they progressed me to the pureed stage. I have to stay on this stage for weeks 2 and 3 and then I can move to soft foods week 4. I have my follow up appointment with the surgeon on the 27th. Haven't taken any pain meds today and don't really feel I need to.

When did everyone have their first bowel movement after surgery? They didn't give me any stool softeners or anything and didn't really cover anything like that in the discharge instructions. I know everyone is different, but I had my surgery on Monday and still nothing.

I was banded on Monday - my doc prescribed Oxycodone to help with the pain. The only weird thing I've noticed is that when I eat, I get a gurgling noise in my throat. Odd, but I don't know what else it could be except maybe gas bubbles. It's not painful, just kinda funny when the room is all quiet. I have the most pain when I go to stand up or sit down. Getting out of bed has been a challenge as well. Kind of reminds me of my c-section, except the pain is upper not lower. I haven't felt the need to eat, but my Mom is here taking care of me until Saturday and she has been writing everything down and make sure I take in 2-3 oz each hour as directed by my surgeon. I am also sipping on liquids throughout the day. Yesterday, I walked my kids to school and walked to pick them up, so I'm trying my hardest to get in the walking. I went to Walmart this morning to pick up a few things. I'm down to one pain pill v. two. Feeling better each day.

Hey everyone, just checking in. I was banded on Monday. Doc had me stay overnight just as a precautionary. Went home Tuesday and am now on a full liquid diet, taking in 2-3 ounces per hour. I'm also sipping my water throughout the day. Still in a bit of pain when I go to stand up or sit down. Getting out of bed is difficult and I can only lay on my back. You never realize just how much you use your abdominal muscles until you can't! I've been up walking around, went to the grocery store yesterday and went to Walmart this morning to pick up a few things. I have my Mom staying with me until Saturday. Good luck to all the bandsters to come!

Good luck to you - I am only on day 1 and I feel like I'm going to die of starvation. I know I'm not going to, but this is so incredibly hard. Didn't think it would be this hard. Does it get easier?

Day 1 of this pre-op diet, wishing I could sleep the next 6 days away! Anyone else having a tough time? I didn't think it was going to be this hard, but I can't watch tv because the commercials are showing food all the time. Ahhhh....

Hi everyone, Had my paperwork submitted to Tricare South (Humana Military) on Monday. They came back today requesting additional documentation of failed weight loss attempts. The surgeons office said she has never seen this before from Tricare. Tricare is requesting 2-3 consecutive months of doctor supervised weigh-ins. Luckily I went to the doctor on July 11th, so I can count that as my first month and I made an appointment for August 10th, so I can use that as my second month. In both visits we will have discussed my weight loss attempts and that we are proceeding towards weight loss surgery. I will take the doctor's notes from both office visits and have them resubmitted to Tricare. Hopefully that will be all they need to approve the surgery. Everything else has been done. Anyone else have this request from Tricare? I am just glad they didn't come back saying I needed to do 6 months of supervised dieting.

I'm getting banded September 10th. Nervous and excited all in one! Not so much nervous about the surgery, but making sure I eat the right things for the week of pre-op to post-op.

You look amazing! I'm getting banded on September 10th, can't wait!

Great news! I was approved by Tricare South!!! They accepted the two months of weigh-ins from my doctor's office. My surgery is scheduled for September 10th. I'm on cloud nine!

My paperwork was submitted Monday and today they came back requesting additional documentation. They want 2-3 months of consecutive doctor weigh-ins. First doc appt was July 11th, made an appt for Aug 10th then they will resubmit. Hopefully it gets approved rather quickly and those are the documents that they need.