mrsto

Yes, don't wait to get some Fluid removed. Sounds like you're in the danger zone.

I've had un-fills (I'm completely empty now), and there were no dietary restrictions afterward. I'm starting back with fills; have one tomorrow morning. I know the day will be liquids, and maybe mushies the day after.

I eat popcorn a couple of times a week, without issue. I love it, and it takes care of my intermittent need for "eatertainment"

tmf - my husband eats like that, and sometimes it disgusts me. I look at that way of eating and think "now, that can't be healthy". I don't say anything, because I have to remind myself that I'M the one who had surgery, not him.......or others who eat like that. But it is eye opening, isn't it?

I avoid soy as well. It messes with your thyroid, and if you have issues...which I do, it's important to stay away from it.

Yes, this is very true. And thank goodness it is that way, because the two genders balance each other out. I believe that is part of what draws us to each other. That being said, woman often pick up on attitudes and subtleties that men don't even sense. And sometimes, it avoids some bad decisions. Never underestimate "women's intuition".

In my experience, naturally thin people are oblivious to things like weight loss surgery. Unless they know people who have had it, it's not part of their consciousness to even think of it as a possibility. I'm sure there are exceptions, but for the general public? When I told a couple of people that I was having bariatric surgery, they didn't even know what it was. Again, people who don't live in the world of "diets on, diets off". Just the general description of this "friend", she sounds shallow and conniving. But then again, I have no idea who all the players really are, but at face value??

I like Premier ready made myself. I don't have the scientific answer to your question, but I can tell you that when I drink them on a regular basis, my nails are hard, strong, and grow like crazy. I know it's from the drinks, because I do not have this happen otherwise. You might want to look into egg white Protein as well. As for the powders, Jay Robb in chocolate is my favorite. It is expensive, but overall the egg white source digests the best for me. Here is a link, but you can get it at the Vitamin Shoppe and many other local health & whole food stores. http://www.jayrobb.com/protein/egg-white-protein-chocolate.asp

YES, sometimes I do. And at those times I feel thoroughly frustrated! I don't feel that way all the time, but when I do, I actually think about getting rid of the band so I can EAT. Then, in the next thought, I'm SO grateful that I have this device keeping from going back down the road to my own demise. This food addiction is insidious, and I know that I'll never truly be free of it. But I'm so much better, and limited in the damage I can do on "one of those days".

I completely understand how a BEST FRIEND would be extremely hurt and offended if you didn't tell them, and in all honesty, my BEST FRIEND lives across the country and does know about the surgery… She has been my emotional rock, as I have been for her, for years. I didn't mention that in the beginning because I put her in an entirely different category than just a "friend", which is what this girl is… just a "friend". We used to be much closer, but not really anymore. In fact, I didn't think I was even going to be asked to be in her wedding and was kind of shocked. This girl would be the type of person to get drunk and tell the world about my surgery because that is what she does. I've watched her do it with several of her other friends and i'm not letting that happen to me. You don't give ammo to a person ready to load the gun at any time! It sounds like you have an AWESOME best friend as well!!! I do have an awesome best friend. As I said, more like a sister; the family you "choose" to have in your life. From your original post, I didn't get that they two of you were more casual friends at this point. But from all that you've written about her, she doesn't sound much like a friend at all. Friends don't throw friends under the bus, and (this is just me) once you're done with your commitment to her wedding, I'd let her go. I can't have those types of people in my life......which is way too short for that type of personality. Onward..... Find healthy friends who are truly supportive, and have your best interest at heart.

Amen!

I agree with the above. I could never imagine not sharing something so big with my BF. Though mine never had a weight issue, she understands (me) as much as anyone possibly can.....who doesn't share the disease of obesity. As a matter of fact, she knows me SO well, that she talked me out of having the RNY.....which I was originally scheduled for. We got into some very heated arguments, but she was scared for me. Scared, because she knows my personality so well, and felt strongly that something so permanent would completely freak me out at a later date. I came to the decision to change surgeries on my own, but the reality is.......she was/is absolutely right about my personality. After all, she is by BEST friend, and knows how I function through and through. Aside from my husband, to keep such a big decision from her, is unconscionable. Quite honestly, if she was going to do something life altering & didn't tell me, I'd be deeply hurt and offended.

If it was me with my BF, my comment would have come when she was going on about her friend's 10 pound loss. This is just my personality, but I would have come back with something like "gee, you notice her 10 pounds, but not the 60 pounds I've lost.....what's up with that?" If you are that close of friends (I think) you should be able to drop a comment to get her attention. There have been times when my BF hasn't noticed something, and it's never been intentional. We are both 58, and we've been BFs since we were 6. She's more like a sister. She once told me that when she sees me (and she's seen me through it ALL), she just sees ME. Maybe your friend has seen you through so many ups & downs, that she doesn't really pay attention. That's not to say that you shouldn't BRING it to her attention, but her absence of acknowledgement isn't necessary malicious. You won't know what the deal is until you bring it up. Maybe just lightly.......doesn't need to be a huge big deal. And I disagree with the above poster who said that you shouldn't need approval from anyone. I don't think you're looking for approval, as much as simple acknowledgment of your success.

The last fill I had about 2 ½ months ago put me over the top. I was fine for about 10 days, but then things got weird; lump in throat, sore throat all the time, reflux, chest pain, etc. They took out the amount of that last fill, and I went back a week later with the same issues. They took out another 1.6ccs and I was back 6 days later.....with the same issues. They took ALL the Fluid out and sent me for an upper GI swallow. Fortunately, the band has not slipped and the pouch is not dilated. All of that was a little over two weeks ago, and I'm still having issues. This Friday I go for an upper endoscopy. We'll see what that shows. I haven't posted anything about this until this morning (someone else's post who had their band removed for what sounds like the same issues). My point of posting it here is.....sometimes when we go past green into red, doesn't always resolve with the removal of that last fill. If you are so tight that you can barely drink Water, go get it handled ASAP. I always thought that if I went into red & had issues, that the fix would be simple. I'm finding it a little more tricky than expected. I'm so glad I have plication, because even with an empty band, I still feel the signal and nothing has changed with my eating. cc - be smart about this. As gowalking above said, don't let the weight loss overshadow the issues you're having. The band (hopefully) is for life, and there is no rush. Don't mess yourself up in the process. I was perfectly fine before that last fill, and now it's taking a long time to resolve it.

Thanks for sharing your story. I also have some concerns about my band, for the very same reasons that you had yours removed. I've been fine for many months, but about 2-3 months ago, after the last fill (that was too tight), I started having bad reflux and other issues. They removed some Fluid, but I was still having the problems. They finally emptied the band, and did a upper GI swallow.......which was normal on all counts. I'm still having bad reflux and chest pain. Yesterday I thought maybe I was having a heart attack. Interestingly, I still feel restriction with the empty band, and continue to eat as I did prior. Granted, I do have plication with the band, so that may be helping. Anyway.....I'm having an endoscopy on Friday, so we'll see if anything shows. I'm very concerned with all of this, because I don't want to lose my band. But I'm very close to my goal, and no matter what happens, it will be a cold day in hell before I allow this weight to come back. I'm too old for this shi-t! Thanks for your post.... I love your strength!!

I love your posts.....and your strength. I'm 58, and relate to so much of what you write. I too have lost most all of my weight, and feel SO much better. Even still, there are other issues that plague me every day; some days worse than others. I completely agree that dealing with the other "stuff" at a normal weight, is so much healthier and better overall. But we can't stop aging and all the issues that come along with it. Congrats on your success. You've got a very strong spirit.....GREAT job!

Quest bars are the only ones I eat anymore. I love that they're so dense and flavorful, and I can slowly eat one and savor every bite. They're so high in Fiber, that the net carb is only 3. I buy them by the box. My favorites....chocolate chip cookie dough, vanilla almond crunch, double chocolate chunk, and chocolate Peanut Butter. I eat one every day, and I can honestly say that this treat has been instrumental in helping me stay on track. Not to mention the 21 grams of extra protein! They're not cheap, but they're so worth it.

So many possible variables.....

I would feel embarrassed as well, unless I'd had several conversations with (in this case) my bosses wife about my frustration with my weight, and previously expressed an interest in the possibility of surgery. Then the package of info would have been a thoughtful gesture. But out of the clear blue.....don't think I would like it. The other thing is, I would be happy to talk with someone about my surgery, but I would never push it. We're all on the other side and happy. But it is a HUGE life change, and not every obese person is up to the task. You just never know who you're approaching, and know nothing of their life story. I would never suggest it unless someone expressed an interest. And even then, I would NEVER say "you might want to think about it", or "it's the best thing ever....you SHOULD do it". It's too big of an undertaking, and I think just sharing my own experience is enough to possibly plant a seed. The rest is up to them; timing, affordability......whatever their mindset is. Years ago, I remember the Jesus freaks approaching me on the street, wanting to shove Jesus down my throat. Or, the Jehova's Witnesses knocking on my door, bible in hand....wanting to share "the word". I didn't ask you, so leave me alone! I don't want to become a WLS zealot, who sees every obese person as someone who needs WLS enlightenment. Okay.....off soapbox now - LOL!

Though I understand wanting a third revision, having ALL that done to your body concerns me. The fear of gaining weight back is a huge one for all of us. But you've got a quarter of your original stomach, and now you're going to reroute that? No judgement.......but it truly scares me for you. Once all is done, there isn't a lot of room to deal with potential issues. I wish you the best of luck with your decision.

That was weird...... Why did the site asterisk out H.M.O.? I had to put periods after each letter so it would accept it. Weird. Not any swear word I know of!

What is kaiser? Kaiser Permanente - it's a huge H.M.O. They have their own hospitals and medical facilities. My family has been with Kaiser for many years. I let it go when I was in my early 20's.

Seela - is your doctor in Ventura? I also paid a $1,500 program fee, so I thought by chance we may have the same surgeon :-)

I've felt it myself.....wanting to open a conversation with someone I see & tell them "I understand", etc. Before WLS was even a spark in my mind, I think I would have rejected someone coming out of the clear blue with that brand of dialogue. There is a time and a place, and "cold calling" isn't it. My time and place was when my next-door neighbor told me that she had a bypass. We were just chit chatting about whatever when she said it, and I was shocked; had NO idea that this woman was ever obese. She didn't tell me as a way to motivate me to do it. She was simply sharing a part of her life. I asked her a ton of questions, and that's what starting ME thinking seriously about it. It took close to a year after that for me to actually go through with it, but that spark ignited something inside of me, and moved me toward taking that step. But, if that comment came from some stranger off the street, I may have been offended. I think, if we're having a casual conversation with someone already, and they mention that they had surgery, that's fine. But out of the clear blue......someone telling you that they understand what you're going through......when they have no idea who you are, is just wrong. IMHO, of course.

The working together thing is really rough. Hard to disengage without every day being awkward. I hope the two of you work it out.