Lori Ann

Carol, I know it's tough....I've been there, I've hit several plateaus during my weight loss, etc. You definitely are not alone. One thing that helps tremendously is writing down everything you eat....we can forget so easily what and how much we eat. If you track it, you become so aware of what you are eating. Don't beat yourself up when you get off track and you need to get rid of the old behavior "I will lose it when I get my next fill"...replace it with "I will try and do better tomorrow.....and then do better tomorrow. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel....When I first came home...on the 4-5th day, I cried...not knowing if I made the right decision, etc. I felt horrible and I was like......what the hell is going on. Remember, anesthesia plays a job on your mind and your body....plus this is surgery. Please hang in there....you will be amazed soon! I didn't think about how awful I felt until I read your post! Thanks for posting!

I have had several fills and the last 2-3, I have experienced the same thing....real tight for a week or so and then it slowly loosens up. My doctor told me that the fat pad around the stomach starts to go away as you lose weight and the band loosens....that's why we have to have fills......to tighten and continue to lose weight. I got my last fill 2 weeks ago, and I am just starting to be able to eat a little solid food....only if I chew, chew, chew. My doctor has me on liquids for 2 days after a fill (absolutely nothing solid in the soups). Hang in there....it will get better slowly. Now that I am at goal....there isn't much of a fat pad left....so this time I have remained really tight for a long time. You can always have a slight unfill if you are not comfortable......Remember, you need to always make sure you can drink lots of water or you are in grave danger of dehydration.

That's interesting because I weight 140 now....a little below my goal and I have a consultation on the 8th for plastic surgery and was wondering the exact same thing.....my port is under my right breast about 1/2-1"....and it sticks out. I was hoping they could move it too.......Hopefully after the 8th I will have an answer as to what my plastic surgeon says.....good thread.

I believe we all suffer from the "Disease of Perception" which means we don't always see things the way they really are....especially when dealing with ourselves. I always run my thoughts by another person when wanting a really true picture of what is going on. I don't think we are good judges of ourselves.....I weigh 148 now and sometimes I feel so, so out of shape...other days I feel very thin and very accepting about where I'm at. Iam told over and over...FEELINGS ARE NOT FACTS......THEY CHANGE AND THE WAY YOU FEEL TODAY ABOUT YOURSELF IS LIKELY TO CHANGE BY TOMORROW. According to the facts, I should look pretty good. :rolleyes2:

The book is "The Lap Band Solution: A Partnership in Weight Loss"....the author is Dr. Paul O'Brien. Hope this helps.

They are talking about liquids after your fill....at least my doctor was. I was never required a liquid diet prior to the fill.

Sometimes it takes a couple of fills before you feel good restriction. Sometimes people feel it right away. I have had 6 fills and I had great restruction the 2nd time....I went 3 weeks after my first fill for my 2nd fill. 3 cups of food is entirely too much food. Please call and schedule your next fill as soon as possible....at least get on your doctor's calendar and if you can don't eat over a cup of food....you don't want to stretch your band. Good luck and let us know how you are doing.

That was absolutely wonderful.....I enjoyed that sooo much. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you.

I definitely think it is personal also....but you sound exactly the way I like to be. You have to remember that your stomach is much smaller and I think 6-7 bites of chili right after having a fill sounds right to me....but again it is a personal thing...I personally like a lot of restriction. I have had 5 fills and I am used to eating 6-7 bites of something and then having to quit. Remember, don't drink before and after your meals as this willl defeat the purpose of the band....water, water, water in between meals......sounds like you are right on target.....as time goes on, you will get used to your new friend, "THE band" Good Luck!

That is absolutely terrible....I bet you money you win your case and you will get the band with the story you have. I will keep you in my prayers. Sometimes they count on people not following through trying to get approved. Good Luck! You will be successful.

I am so sorry to hear about your wife.....I will say a prayer for her and her quick recovery. I would love to know how she is doing now. I absolutely hate it didn't work for her and she got an infection.

Name calling isn't necessry to get your point across. I really respect Wasa's opinion and what she has to say......most of the time she is right and has definitely done her research. She is passionate about the lapband and has been very successful. If you want to argue with her, you better come prepared with the facts.....name calling just won't work! have a great day

Do you think you might get the sleeve? I was just wondering.....I know you mentioned it in your post. I wonder if you would have to be approved a second time (go through all of the hoops)....or if it would be a shorter process since you have already done everything and been approved. Just curious if you are considering the sleeve. I know you are disappointed, but I definitely believe when a door shuts it is only because there is something better out there for you! I am sorry to hear what happened, but only something better is going to happen for you......I know it! Good Luck dear!

I live in Decatur, Georgia and My doctor is Steinberg....I can call on Monday and usually she schedules me for the same week depending when Dr. Steinberg is at the hospital.....he always does mine under flouroscope (sp?).

I just went through all of your posts and I am absolutely in awe.....You are such an inspiration to all of us......WE NEED THIS SO BADLY!!!! congratulations....YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

I am staying on plan today because it's the right thing to do and I feel much better when I stay on plan. The benefits of staying on plan far outweigh the horrible depressed feeling you feel when you don't stay on plan.

Just to let you know I haven't backed out.....I am still here and have made reservations at Treasure Island....see you there in January....looking forward to it!

Congratulations on your new band......We are here to support you in this life changing event. There is so much information to feed on here that you won't receive from your doctor. Good luck and keep us posted!

Everyone is correct....it is totally normal.......believe me, it will come off! :clap2:

I know exactly what you are talking about.....believe me it does get better....but you know every time I do eat, my stomach makes some of the loudest sounds.....it sounds like hunger growls but it's not....just food passing through the band I guess. If you can make it through this phase, I promist you it gets better.....when you are restricted properly, you will get full on a little amount of food and stay satisfied for quite some time.....don't whatever you do drink before and after you eat....it will defeat the purpose of the band. Good luck and just believe me, it will get better. Sometimes you have to take a little pain, before you recognize the wonderful benefit you are going to receive. Good Luck

I had a fatty liver and that is very very commong in us bigger people....I even had a biopsy done and it was just a fatty liver.....no other problems like they thought. I will say a prayer for you right now and I know you will be just fine. I had the surgery and I am doing better than I ever had. Good luck and keep up posted.

WannabHealthy: Congratulations on your 3 of 6 Dr. visits.....you are in for the time of your life......this board is wonderful and has great experience.....I have benefited from the experience and knowledge.....also, wasabubblebutt is a nurse and has some of the most knowledgeable advice of anyone on this board.....so if you want the truth, just ask.....she will be glad to tell you...honestly I have saved myself from some misery by just reading her posts and listening to her advice...sometimes the doctors just don't take the time to tell us what we need to know.....all of the minor details that could save the life of your band.....so enjoy and keep coming back here and reading so you can maintain a healthy band and life. We welcome you with open arms

Good luck with your Dad and brother.....I really do believe that your brother and father love you.....sometimes it's really hard to express how you feel with close family. I agree you need to surround yourselves with positive people. I would ask your God before you talk to them to guide and direct your thoughts to where he would have them to be and you will be amazed at how the conversation will go....I know that last thing you really want is to be on the outs with your family......Now, once you present the information to them, it is out of your hands......you are not responsible for what they do with that information......you are just responsible on how you present it....hopefully in a loving manner, because you don't need to stoop as low as your brother has......I wish you the best of luck and I know the band is going to change your life in such a positive way and healthy way and I really do believe and hope that your brother and father will see that.....but if they don't, don't waste your time trying to convince them......that is not your job. Good luck and I will say a little prayer for you and your family.

I think everyone worries about the psych evaluation for some reason....fear of the unknown I think. Mine was very detailed...I had to answer about 560 questions...all true/false....multiple choice. They ask a lot of history questions...but you will be fine, just like all of us have been. Don't worry about it, but be honest. They want to make sure you are ready for this life changing event. My doctor wouldn't tell me if I passed or not, but of course, I did....and I know the excitement you are feeling....this is the best thing I could have ever done for myself. I had to see a nutritionist like you, a psych doctor, a pulmonologist, go to a support class one time (with other lapbanders), get a clearance letter from my primary doctor, see the surgeon and then everything was submitted to my insurance company. It took 3 weeks for approval. I have Horizon BCBS of New Jersey PPO. I had a couple of cormobidities, my bmi was 41, high blood pressure and diabetes. I am off all medication and no longer have high blood pressure, no longer take metformin for the diabetes and my sugar never goes over 90. You are in for the time of your life.....it will never be the same again....nor do you want it to be. Good Luck....keep us posted and remember patience is the hardest thing to endure while waiting for approval.