ndmom

Anyone planning on going to Iron Horse in Red Lodge MT in July?? Less crowded than Sturgis but awesome ride. I am looking forward to a riding season with less wt to move around on the bike. Penny banded 11/7/07 254/231 2006 1100 V Star

I was banded on 11/6 and had my first fill on 1/3 (2cc in a 10cc band, dr did not put anything at the time of surgery.) I am really struggling as I feel hungry all the time, the same battle I was fighting before the band. My dr wants a month with less than 5 lbs lost before he fill each time. So, I am frustrated that I will have to endure a month of feeling hungry before the next fill. Am trying to follow the "rules" but it's hard when you're hungry all time. I find myself rushing through meals because I'm hungry and making some bad choices because I'm hungry. I also find myself obsessing about food because I'm hungry.....anyone struggling with the thought of food all the time?? Penny

What is faa?

This is so great, I love reading everyone's stories!! I was born and still live in Bismarck, ND. I am an only child and have been overweight since I was 5 yrs old (guess my parents fed me for all the kids they wish they had, haha) I have a degree in social work and have worked in a nursing home, hospital, homeless shelter and now work for county social services with elderly and disabled (including hospice and traumatic brain injuries) connecting them with community services in order to avoid nursing home placement. I have 2 kids, a boy 14 and girl 17 and a cat. I am divorced but live with my fiance. We went to school together and I had a huge crush on him 30 yrs ago....and still do. My proudest accomplishment (other than kids, of course) is that I got my motorcycle license 2 yrs ago. I got tired of waiting for a man to come along to give me a ride so I ride my own now! My decision to do the band came after watching bypass patients in the hospital where I worked and others and then watching my 2 best friends go through lap-band. I knew I didn't want bypass because of complications I had observed. The band has proved to be a safer choice for me. I have never been successful at losing more than 15-20 lbs and the weight was wrecking my knees and I was tired of trying things that didn't work. I still have a lot of work to do with the issues behind the overeating, but now I have one more tool to be successful. (I also want to look better in my leathers!) My worst wt loss experience was when I was in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade. The school nurse came to my class weekly and took me out to the office to weigh me and tell me I needed to lose weight. I saw thate nurse at a professional meeting we both attended after I gratuated from college and had to go to the bathroom to throw up. I wish I had the assertiveness then that I have now. I was banded on 11/6 and on a new, positive journey for myself and with my family. The future is looking great. I love this website, the people who give of themselves when they post. Thanks everyone, Penny turned 45 on 11/11 Down 15 lbs since surgery

I have the same problem and went the route of a sports bra. I returned to work before my incisions healed enough to go back to my underwire. I am 3 wks out from surgery and still wearing the sports bra. I plan to go back to the underwire because of support, but I'll wait awhile until my tummy isn't sore. Penny

Thanks ladies! I called the dr nurse and she moved my appt to Friday. Her best guess is constipation (but I've had that and I know that kind of pain, this is very different). But I am going to be a good patient and do the laxative she recommended so we can "clinically" eliminate that. Meanwhile, I have told my boss I'm taking Davocet at work and not to ask me any life-altering questions until this is resolved...hahaha. Thanks again. Penny

I'm a county social worker in ND working with elderly and disabled (mostly traumatic brain injuries) adults to keep them at home with community services rather than nursing homes. My favorite cases are hospice, such a sacred time in life and gift to be welcomed into a family's life during this journey. Banded 11/6/07.

Hi everyone: I had surgery 11-6 and overall I am feeling good. My problem is that I can't sit for more than 10-20 minutes and I get a cramp that starts around my port area and moves left along my left side part-way around my back. I do well standing and walking but I have to sit at my desk for my work and can't get up every 10 minutes. Is this something anyone else has had? Any ideas, I am really going crazy and can't take pain meds at work (other than OTC stuff). Thanks so much for ideas, experiences. Penny

This is also a problem I am having. I was a stomach sleeper so I have been really struggling since surgery 11-6. My answer has been the couch so I can tilt a little to my right side. I tried to lay on my left side and my stomach once and I thought I had ripped out everything the dr did. Needless to say I won't be so quick to try that for awhile!!! Thanks for the body pillow suggestion, maybe that will give me another alternative....if my daughter will give her's up for me to try! I thought maybe something was wrong with my surgery because I couldn't lay on my left side. How long do you think it will take until I can go back to my stomach or my left side? I know it's different for everyone but it's good to hear other's experiences. This website is a life saver on this journey!! Thanks everyone. Penny

Oooo, I'm so glad this thread was started! I was banded Nov 6 and am struggling already with feeling hungry. I am trying everything everyone has suggested (except the 3 min between bites, but I will try that tomorrow!) Just reading that I am not losing my mind is helpful. I thought that I had really made a mistake to go through this and not feel much different in my eating habits (however, I have lost 10 lbs in the 3 weeks). But I'm afraid I will start going up pretty soon. I will try to calm down and just listen to some of you who are more experienced. My first dr appt is Dec 6 but dr said he usually doesn't fill during the post op visit...we'll see. Thanks everyone for giving me some reassurance! Penny

Hi Everyone: I was banded yesterday (11/6). Went in at 5 a.m. and into pre-op at about 6. Don't remember when I got back to my room but my fiance said the Dr told him the actual procedure took about 20 minutes...AMAZING to me. I am pretty sore on my left side, I feel like I am going to pull something out when I try to sit or stand. Once I am in a position, I feel better. I haven't ventured to anything but liquid protein (punch flavor) in my juice, water and broth. Haven't been nauseated except right after surgery. A little shoulder pain but it's working out. I notice I gained 5 lbs, had to laugh about that. I am sure the fluids in the IV's have not moved out yet. Hungery is manageable for now but the future scares me. I wanted the surgery to remove my desire to eat but that's probably asking a lot for $15,000 (and a bit unrealistic, but it sounded cute!) I appreciate reading everyone's stories, I don't feel so alone. Thanks to everyone. Penny

Hi Biker Bandsters....I too just found the site. My surgery is scheduled for Nov 6 if a Urology consult doesn't derail it (found blood in a recent UA and have a family history of kidney and bladder cancer). I, unfortunately, am coming to the close of my riding season (Bismarck ND). But I grab any time I can get. I have a 2006 Yamaha 1200 Star. I am looking forward to being able to get into leathers in the spring so I don't look like a black stuffed sausage! And being able to ride comfortably without the weight. My biggest fear is failing this too like all the past attempts to lose wt. Glad to read about all the riders still going strong in Oct, that's one of the curses of living on the North prairie. Penny