LapBandit2013

I don't remember ever having menstrual cramps this bad. I got home from work, took liquid Tylenol and put a hot pad on my abdomen. Hardly touched the pain. Ibuprofen has always been the only med that effectively relieves my cramps. What am I going to do without NSAIDs? How do you ladies handle it?

I know this is weird, but every once in a while my urine will smell really strongly like Cheerios. I'm not diabetic, and I do take daily multi-vitamins. Does anyone else get this?

I chose the band based on the reversibility, and relatively lower risk. I am really happy that I have it, I feel like I got my life back and I am losing weight. HOWEVER, in all honesty I wish it were easier. If I were to do it over again, I would probably choose the sleeve. Weight loss with the band is slower and there is a lot of willpower required, plus strict adherence to dietary restrictions. For a lot of folks who are newly banded, we wonder why our meals aren't restricted and why we can still eat everything -- turns out the band is just supposed to make you feel full longer. Unfortunately for me, feeling full or just not hungry was never a prerequisite for abstaining from food in my brain. I find that I have to work at this daily, sometimes I fail, but I am chugging along almost totally fueled by the shame of failure now that way too many people know I had WLS.

How many fills did it take before you got to 10cc? I knew my recent fill wasn't enough, but my provider pretty much only does 0.25cc. I think to maximize profit.

After I graduated to solids, nothing major has changed as far as social gatherings, having friends over for meals, etc. The biggest change is that I eat WAY less, and much slower than I used to. I always have leftovers to box up. Nothing weird, nothing that affects my ability to be social and eat with a group of people. You will learn quickly what your band can/can't handle, so I've never been stuck or PB'd in public. If I'm trying something new outside of my home, I take tiny bites and chew like crazy. When I graduated to mushies, I remember taking my friend out for dinner at a cute little Indian restaurant for her birthday. I was able to eat an entree without rice (most dishes are pureed, or saucy) and gave the paneer to my friend - it was delicious. You will still have the ability to socialize around food, and be adventurous with your palate, you will just learn to limit yourself and eat slowly, which is totally a good idea anyway. As far as drinking while eating, I am allowed to drink up until I eat, then I don't until 30 min after eating. I learned quickly not to break that rule, because drinking while eating causes me a lot of discomfort. You will get used to these things and you won't feel sad or left out. If anything, it feels good to no longer be the first one finished eating.

yay, great job both of you! I'm down 72lbs altogether. I have so much more to lose, but I'm feeling super good. I just did the Warrior Dash (a 5k obstacle course) on Saturday, and that was a huge accomplishment that I didn't think I would do just 6 months out. Mind you, I walked half of it and finished in like 5000th place, but I still DID it. Water exercise is awesome kca1fan, I used to do that before surgery and it was so fun. I would do it again, but my current gym doesn't have a pool. Gowalking, congrats on qualifying for the knee replacement in half the time! Amazing!

Great NSVs! I can't wait to take my daughter to Disneyland, I plan to ride ALL the rides!

You look sooo good!! Congratulations!

I was banded almost 6 months ago, 1/18/13, and have just reached 70lbs this week (including pre-op). I'm a little nervous about posting because I hate that this site is public, but I LOVE looking at progress & success pictures (kind of the same thing) and get really inspired by everyone on this site. My life is so much better, just being regular obese rather than super morbidly obese, I am so much healthier and happier than I used to be. My biggest achievement so far is my resting heart rate. At over 330lbs (my highest known weight) my resting heart rate was in the low 100s (super scary). Now, my resting heart rate is in the high 50s to low 60s - like an athlete!! I almost feel like one, too. Thank you to all of you who share on this site and put it all out there so we don't all feel alone. Have a great day!!

I know this is weird, but every once in a while my urine will smell really strongly like Cheerios. I'm not diabetic, and I do take daily multi-vitamins. Does anyone else get this?

No, not currently. I'm wondering about ketosis, though.

Yay, band buddies! It feels like so long ago, but its only been 6 months! Congrats to you on your loss, sounds like we are in similar boats. Would love to chat sometime!

Oh my gosh, thank you everyone!!! You are all so nice & encouraging. I'm so glad I took a before picture because I was hiding from the camera for years, now I have something to compare to so I know I'm progressing even when I'm having a fat moment.

Wow, what a difference 35 pounds makes. You are like a whole new person. Congrats!!!

I think it is risky, but to be honest I have taken liquid ibuprofen (children's) at an adult dose when I had horrible cramps a couple of times, it didn't kill me. I still try and take care of pain homeopathically, and have found some relief in tonics. Also, arnica rubs, heating pads and icing really helps. If you have a natural foods store or an herbalist nearby, go in and look at what they have.

I paid $5000 with Dr. Ariel Ortiz, no extra taxes or fees, flat rate for everything excluding airfare. I was/am really happy with my decision. If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them for you.

Why don't you tell them you are on a juice cleanse? I can't tell you how many people I know who did that after watching "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" on Netflix. I didn't eat out very often (mostly due to my size), so I never had to make up excuses. Good luck!

I gained nearly 10 pounds in a week when my in-laws visited several weeks ago (stress eating & drinking). I just kept chugging on, I didn't feel guilty. I went back to a high protein, low cal diet and resumed my workouts and dropped the weight in a couple weeks thanks to the band. The band will help get you back on track now that you are back to your normal. This isn't like before when we would mess up and throw in the towel and stop dieting altogether, you will eventually lose your vacation weight whether you feel like you deserve it or not. Just move on and don't worry about it.

Yes. I've been on all areas of the weight spectrum - normal, fat, thin, super morbidly obese and now just obese. People are so much different. At thin & normal, men and women both were friendly and helpful, always considerate. At fat, just mostly ignored. At super morbidly obese, name calling by strangers, looks of disgust, sneering, even doors slammed in my face, etc. Skinny people have no idea how their world is filtered for them. With the weight, at least we know who the assholes are.

For some reason, weight loss surgery is a really hard secret to keep. If I had known how many people would find out from just telling my mom and mother-in-law, I wouldn't have told anyone at all. In retrospect, I am okay with how many people know about it, but I was so embarrassed at first. I told about a handful of close friends and family members (like 5 people) and now my entire extended family knows, though my friends have been better about keeping it to themselves. My advice - if you want to control how many people know about your surgery, then TELL NO ONE.

I was banded in January of this year, it definitely took a couple of months, but my energy levels are so much higher than before. Even though I'm still really big, I'm doing my first 5k this month, I now ride my bike to work (13 miles round trip), I actually play with my 5 year old daughter. I got a Trail-a- bike from a garage sale and my daughter and I just did a 42 mile trek last Saturday. What had really helped was I got a cheap gym membership right after surgery because I was too embarrassed to walk outside in my neighborhood. I would walk about an hour (slowly) a day while recovering, then later started varying my routine with circuit training, cycling, and elliptical. My whole body used to hurt, I had really bad lower back and hip pain, as well as excruciating foot pain and swelling all throughout my lower legs/ankles/feet. Glad to say that's all gone now. I am sure a lot of it is from the weight loss, but I think it's mostly from exercise.

Wow, huge difference! Skinny minnie!

Don't do laxatives, you might bloat, or worse be cramping up and making all kinds of embarrassing noises in the office tomorrow. I would just drink a ton of water starting now, and don't eat until after your weigh in tomorrow.

You are not alone. I battle "head hunger" everyday. Sad to say, I usually give in. The only thing saving me now is that I am working out 3-5 times a week. I'm looking into going to Overeaters Anonymous meetings, once I muster up the balls to go in.