Jen

I was banded almost a year ago. My anniversary will be June 16th. Since then I have lost around 45 pounds to get down to 175-8. I feel great and look great and am in a size 10-12. My question is this - for the last 3-4 months I haven't lost any real weight. I seem to be on this HUGE plateau. I am kinda freaking out. I want to loost my last 30-35 pounds, but it won't really budge! Is there anyone else who has had any experience with this? I have had 4 fills and still dont' feel like my restriction is where it needs to be, but for the most part I try to be good. Any info would be great!! thanks Jen

I have about 2times in 6 months - once on a bagel - (HI DUH!!) and the next on pancakes - (talk about you reap what you sew!! HEHE - what an idiot!!)

I am glad that I have kept it to myself. I have told my family and a few (like 4) close friends that I trust not to tell anyone else. I was so supported by the people I did tell ( I was really surprised that they were so accepting and glad that I was doing it) that I am less and less concerned about it - although I will never be comfortable just telling the general public. I teaching High School and would be mortified if my students found out. I also have a couple of friends that wouldn't understand. What I am concerned about is that I have been dating a guy for like 2-3 months now and I haven't told him ( I got it like 2 months before we met). I know that I should trust him - and I KNOW he wouldn't judge me - he's just not like that. But I am emberassed. I have decided to wait untill I know if this will be serious or not. I deal with the questions of "why aren't you eating?" Do you want some more? things like that by having my friends back me up - which is why I chose to tell the select few - I need tham to say - oh no, she's on a diet, or she had a big lunch with me. My friends have been SO great - and they even share portions with me so that I don't have to be the one to order a whole meal. I am really thankful that they have been there for me. DO NOT let anyone make you feel like a failure or less of anything for having this done - they don't understand and it is NONE of thier business!! Jen 218/183/130 June 16, 2005

June 16,2005 218 187 size 14 - getting loose!! 5'6 Jen

OK - candid question from a single girl!!! I am single and have lost about 26 pounds in the last 4 weeks since I was banded. I ran into this guy that I really like from my past and we have kinda started dating. He's an amazing guy and I know he would never judge me if I do tell him some day. However, I don't want to tell him - I've told noone! What do I tell him if he sees my scars when (before during or after) we have sex?? I have no clue what to say - they're looking really good and getting faint, but a couple of them are still a touch red and certaily noticable. HELP!!!!! i think we will be doing it this weekend... Thanks Jen 218/192/130 June 16th

I really get frustrated when friends ( best friends even) talk to me about how "HARD" it is for them to loose weight and how unhappy they are with thier weight issues ( like the entire 5-10 pounds they have to loose). When ever i bring up my weight she says stuff like "I know, I have never gotten my pre-pregancy body back. My body is just different. i know exactly how you feel" I wanna sceam at her - you're a size 6 - you have no f**king clue how I have felt!! She always wants to talk about how hard she is trying to loose weight. I know she doesn't mean it, but it just makes me mad! Jen 218/192/130 June 16

How long were you out of work? 2 days (thurs & frid) Does the band get weird if you go swimming? don't know yet, but don't see why! Did you have get shaved before surgery? NO! Did they let you leave your underwear and socks on? no Did the incisions hurt more than the port? no Does anyone know if there's limitations once we're healed? (I mean restriction of movement or extertion). there isn't What happens if you fall or bump into something, is that reason to worry for slipage? don't think so... How sensitive is the band to movement? It isn't, but there is a chance Has anyone been banded and not have it filled during surgery? How long before the first fill? 4 weeks for me ( this thurs) We were told 10 prior to surgery, off all med's and supplements - did anyone experience heartburn? I've been off my prevacid/nexum and I have such a sour stomach - I can't understand how that can be good for surgery. I actually threw-up yesterday from the acid taste. This is probably the worst part of the pre-surgery instructions for me... no heartburn here... Jen 218/192/130

Tell ma about it!! I am also worried about it!! My breath is not too terrible, but it could certainly be better! I know it will be better when solids start, but in the meantime dating sucks!! HEHE - No gum?? I have never heard that! Is it true?? If so, I am SOOSOOOOO SCREWED!!! Jen 218/192/130 5'6 Banded-June 16th

OK, I admit it! I cheated on the preop liquid diet! I ate real food a couple of time this weekend- I was just SO hungry! Do you thin k I should tell my doc? Do you think I should postpone surgery? It is scheduled for this Thurs and I am so exdcited, I was jsut SOSOSOSOOOO hungry! What should I do? Jen

I was banded June 16th. I am still on liquid diet -KILLING ME!! and I have had a near impossible time - I am down 22 pounds and feel fantastic - totally normal!! My scars are barely there and just look like little scratches (per others). I have eaten food a couple of times ( and over done it once or twice) I definatly have restriction, but am looking forward to my fill on the 23rd. I feel really guilty for cheating a few times. My weightloss has stoped, but my clothes and face are totally different!! Anyhow, I am gald everyone is doing so well- thank God for all of you ( I don't know what I would do - as noone around me really knows!) Thanks Jen

I was told 2 weeks and (even thought I too am single) that is when I next got some - funny he is a guy that I thought was cute, but kinda out of my league. He doesn't know, but I know I am acting different now that I have had surgery, more confidence ( 22 pounds down). And I am not even close to as insecure - not to mention much more positive. It was a blast ansd didn't hurt at all - he didn't even notice my scar. (they are really light!!) Anyhow, thanks - Needed to share... Jen

I haven't been on the board since I had surgery 2 weeks ago and thought I would update everyone ( and I have to shar this with someone - I'm going crazy cause only my mom and two friends know what I did! I am down 22 pounds!!! I feel amazing. My scars are so faint that I think they will be totally unnoticable with in a month or so - right now the only one that is noticable is the port site! I have been excersizing and playing with my son and was back to work immediatly! (went in on thurs the 16th and was at work on monday) I am still on liquids (for 2 more weeks - yuck) but the doc gave me some appetite suppressants and I feel really good now!! I am so excited! I have been overweight for so long ( 6 years) and have lost and gained back SO much ( as I know most everyone here has) but it is so incrdible to finnally have hope again! my divorce was final last July and I will be thirty this next January- my gift to myself (even before I started thinking about doing this) was to not spen one day of my thirty's overweight! I am well on my way!!! thanks for listening! Jen Highest 235 before surgery 218 day of 215 two weeks out 196 !! YEEHAW! goal 130-135

This happend to me also - I am 2 weeks out as of yesterday - my doc told me this could happen - I only have one sticking outof my port site. Doc said this is really common and to just clip the ends off. So I did. I tried to see if I could tug them out but it seems pretty in there and I don't want to mess with it too much. Jen 218/215/196/130

I was given liquid vicadin also. I used morphine in the hospital. I was not in very much pain at all - nothing went wrong at all! I used the vicodin like 3 times - twice the first day I was home and once the second day - before bed. I only took like a third of the recommeded dose becasue narcotics tend to make me sick to my stomach and the last thing I wanted to do was throw up. It is so funny that your surgery was moved up - SO WAS MINE! I thought I would die! I was freaking out! But it turned out so great - it gave me less time to build up stress and worry - not to mention less time on the liquid diet! My whole process from decideding to have surgery for sure to operation day was like 2 weeks!! I got it done on the 16th and they originally wanted to do it July 4th or 5th.I only took 2 days off work - a thursday and friday after then I had the weekend to rest up. I found that it wasn't hard to go back - I teach high school and had all day inservice and found that when I was at home I walked around more than when I got to work on Mon. I did telll anyone what I was doing - just told them it was a "procedure" for female stuff - most people didn't pry too much - I have a lot of guy friends and my closest guy friend ( who would have a really hard time understanding this stuff) is still not at all satisfied with my vauge answers to his questions. I am not sure what I am going to tell him.

Thanks Guys!! I am really excited! Cathy- My doc wants me on liquids for a month and knowing how hard that is with the minimal restriction I have ( no fill yet) his patients have much better success if they take them. Honestly - they have amade all the difference - They are much more mild than even the dexitrim and stupid herbal crap Ive taken before. However, they totally work - ALL DAY! They just take the edge off. Jen

I was banded on June 16th and in thw two weeks since I have lost 22 pounds. I feel incredible. My scars are so faint I can hardly see them ( I was really excited at my week appt - my doc said he'd never seen anyone look and feel so well so fast - and he's preformed over 200 of the operations himself and been in on over 200 more!!!) I am still on liquids - which is really hard, but he gave me an appetite suppressant so I am feeling much better now. I have been walking a mile and half a day ( at least) since 2 days after the surgery! I was really scared to have this becasue I can't a fford any real complications ( not smart, but I am saving now incase). But evertything has gone so smoothly!! I am just trying to make sure that I follow doc's orders because he has had such a great success rate and I am really paranoid about having any problems!! Jen 218 at first weigh in 215 day of surgery 196 today!! 130 -goal

I am new to the thread and hoping to be banded near June 20th or so.I have a question that may or may not be PC. I am wondering about drinking. I enjoy having a few drinks once or twice a week after work- mostly on Friday nights and I know what the drs say, but I am wondering how it is in the real world... thanks for your replies in advance. Jen

Rae, So happy for you! I am anxiously awaiting my suregery next thursday. I am in Olympia - you should see the trees down here! I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE DOING SO WELL!! I am nervous but it makes me feel better that you are feeling so well!! PLEASE keep us posted - Srikanth is the man!!! Keep up the great loss!! I just started my liquid diet yesterday- YIKES! Jen Dr.Srikanth 218/ /

Ok, I need some major good thougths sent my way!! I was supposed to be banded on July 7th, was kinda bummed that it was going to be that long wanted it to be like June 20 th or so. Just got a call that there was a cancerllation and I will be bended on June 16th!!! I am SO excited! I got the good Dr. too! He has done over 500 of these surgeries in Washington state. Now I have to do all the preop testing in like the next week!! Keep your fingers crossed for me! I am SO happy right now!!! What kinds of things should I do to get r5eady? I don'[t have to do any preop diets cause they don't want me too loose any weight - Tell me that isn't ironic!!

I am in Western Washington with a BMI of 35 and very few/no real co morbidities. I am self pay, there is a direct exclusion in my insurance, and I feel very supported by my doctors. They didn't even balk at my weight - they told me not to loose any before the date of surgery ( which beleive me won't be a problem) but they never hesitated. My doctor (says ) he is one of the first doctors that did this surgery in the us under I think Ortiz in Mexico, they have been great. Hope you find out - ask them if thier policies are in stone? Maqy be they would reevaluate your situation. Jen Scheduled June 16 th YEEHAW!

My mother has been the supportive one. She's been wonderful and is going to help me with the testing and the hospital stuff- then take care of me after. It is my dad who isn't supportive. He thinks I should just eat better and excersize - RIGHT! Gotta lovethat from someone whohas never even had a weight problem in his whole thin life! He hasn't said anything negative or anything just that he thinks I should just grit my teeth and loose the wight. "he knows I can do if I just set my mind to it" NICE! Anyhow, I was nervous about telling thm, and I thought the support factor would go the other way, but now I see that my mom has a better understanding of how hard things have been for me for the last few years. Jen to be banded June 16th!!

I am pretty new to this site and very close to setting a date for surgery. i want to set my date for June 22. (we'll see!) What is freaking me out is that in the last 3 weeks I have put on 7 pounds!!!. I am freaking! For the last year i have been really stable and only moved a pound or two different - now that there seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel it's like it is even harder to control myself. i am freaking out! i CAN"T gain any more weight - I will be out of my clothes - and I flat refuse to buy any more!! What do I do - did any of you guys experience this?

We are at the same weight. I was 212 this morning - am so glad that I am not the only one! I don't want to gorge my self for the next month or what ever and put on even more weight. The idea about the clothes at walmart is a great idae! I will go look tonight. I still have stuff to wear and with summer coming ( I teach High school) it won't be so much of an issue. You are teh best! I can't wait to make my appt. and start the process - I am so jealous that you get to go in tomm! I will be thinking of you! I can't wait for the day! I know your pain about not doing anything at work!

I teach high school English andsocial studies. Only 4 more weeks till summer!!!! Jen

Thanks Delarla. I don't have a problem with it, I just want to make sure I can do normal things in the future. (I may be a little paranoiod And about offending... I so appreciate the support- it is nice to be w/ a group that you can ask whatever you want and not feel judged for it. Having this be my first post, I wanted to make sure noone thought I was a raging drunk - LOL. Thanks Guys!! jen