micki

It has been some time since I came to you for support. I hope someone will give me some time to give me some guideance. On July 28th it was 2 years since I was banded. All and all it has been an amazing experience. I started down this road at 320lbs were a size 26, 44 pants and now am at 210 and were size 18 pants. Deciding on the band has been the best tool ever to better health for me. I did'nt know I could feel so good. I'm sure this sounds like I should have no reasons to not be postive yet....... I know I want to lose more, atleast another 30-40lbs yet I am stuck. Please someone, is this normal? I have been so focused yet I now feel that I am losing some of that. I have not been exercising like I should, not taking my vitamins, and slacking on what I should be eating. On Tuesday Iam scheduled for a fill which I have'nt had in about 6 months. I am so worried that I have stretched my pouch. Can that happen? and how do you know? Would it be beneficial for me to go on liquids for a couple of days? Are there others of you who have felt this way? I know I have accomplished much yet I just dont feel I'm completely there yet. What do I do to get back on track? Lapband talk has always been so helpful to me. I hope some of you will find in your hearts to reach out to me again. I really need the benefit of your experience, wisdom, and kindness. For some reason I feel this is a critcal time for me. I have'nt been able to tell anyone about this. I have had about 4 friends who have recently decided to schedule the surgery but I don't want to go to them with my feelings. Thank you so much for letting me in and at least letting me get it out------finally. Micki

As usual you all never disappoint me with you guidance and wisdom. You have come thru for me again. All the wonderful support, kind words, and experience you shared has really helped me. I am now using fitday.com and really think it's a great tool. Now I just have a couple other questions. Would someone tell me what are the symptoms, if any, of a stretched band? Do you get sick? If it is stretched can you strink it again? If so, how? It there a limit on how many fills you can get? There's a part of me that thinks I need another fill but I'm concerned I might be needing too many. After my last posting I have refocused and gotten back on track. Not that Im expecting immeditate changes I know it the process is slow. Its just this whole experience has been so terrific and I don't want to mess it up. My mental health is on track I just want to make sure I'm doing the best for the band with my body. Again I appreciate all responses. They give me so very much. Will see you soon Micki

4/18/06 Thank you Keri, That was really really helpful. Read you message in complications. It made me feel so much better. But can you tell me what are the symptoms of a stretched band? How do you know if it' happened? Are the signs? If so should I go to the doctor or just put myself on liquids? Is that the fix? Or if not should I have another fill? I appreciate your response. Thank you ever so again. Micki

:help: It's been awhile since I last contacted you all. I find that I need to return for some guidance, support, and help. On the good side being banded has saved my life. For some quick background I was banded in July 2005 and was close to 300lbs. I am currently at 238!! Yes it has been a great feeling I never thought it was possible. I've had three fills. So let me tell you honestly what is got me so concerned. I feel as if I'm loosing my motivation. I haven't totally lost it but sometimes I think I'm pushing the limit. It's not always what I am eating it's the volume. The last time I had a fill I mentioned this to the nurse and she said something about stretching my pouch. I did'nt think about it at the time but can anyone tell me what the heck that it? Now I'm scared. Have I done something to myself ? Should I get another fill? How many fills are too many? Also, I'm finding it difficult in remebering what to eat. I really really need to know how someone plans their eating everyday. I have family of 4 and our budget does'nt give me the luxury of buying food totally different from them so I try to keep on task but sometimes it difficult. I cant find my food list to remind me. Can anyone please please give me a site I can acess so I can reference??? Now for the emotional part.......In February my mother in law unexpected passed away. She was a big part of our family I miss her very much. My father is not well and we will probably say good bye to him too. It puts me on a downer when I'm trying to stay so about about my weight loss and what I need to do to stay on track. Part of me feels like I want to slide. I feel those old thoughts in the background that I'm afraid I will sabotage myself as I've done in the past when I'm being sucessful. My husband is very proud of me. I've received lots of encouragement and positive responses, yet.......So does anyone understand where I'm coming from?? You've always given me such great information before so I am hoping you can be there for me again. Thank you reading my plite. I would appreciate any responses. Micki

WHAT HAVE I DONE-Please someone put me at ease!!!!! Yesterday was bad enough when i had to overlook pizza, but today at dinner my family had mashed potatoes and before i thru most of it away i had about 5-6 spoons with a small amount of applesauce. im suppose to be on thicker liquids only until next wed when i can switch to mushies. was out of my mind????!!!! right now i feel pretty full, kinda of uncomfortable but not in any pain nor bring up. its just i was sooooo hungry. really so and thought of having soup again for dinner just wouldnt cut it. have i screwed everything up? will i be paying a price for this? and liquids cant seem to get all the water down, can it be other things? i feel so stupid. no one knows. i just had to get this out to someone. i go to the doctor for my first post op visit friday and im so concerned that i really messed it all up. have i compromised my band? its only been one week and i feel so ridiculous. need wisdom, comfort, support. Micki

my family just had pizza!!!! im dying!!! will i ever have it again? i feel so hungry. trying to keep a good attitude and positive outlook, but it really can be a struggle when all im limited to is thicker liquids (ie jello, pudding, yourgut, broth, etc). i know im healing but god i just want to chew something. im no supposed to until next wednesday when im two weeks post op. is there anyone else going thru this? if youre beyond this point how in the heck did you do it? what was your focus? can you also tell me what will go on with my 1st pre-op appointment. its this friday. i know ive lost some weight, feeling pretty good about that but shoot how can you not when youre not eating anything. am concerned that i will fall when i do start eating again. does exercizing help? dont regret this for a moment. know it was for the best but am struggling, struggling, struggling. its only been six days, seems longer. am i being foolish? thanks for the opportunity to vent and get your insight. micki

:Bunny Please im looking for some more of your assistance. Is it normal to still feel uncomfortable 4 days post op?? I've read such a wide range I don't really know if i am progressing in the right way. My doctor had me on clear fluids for 3 days post op and today i was able to switch to thicker liquids. Anyway the eatting part or lack of is not too bad. But how do you know when your hungry or when you're full. Should this even be a concern when im on liquids? or should i just be continually filling up? The other thing is my back, sides, ribs, and chest have pressure. not really pain. and when i stand up from a sitting position im so stiff. ok, so how im doing? all of your help has made this journey so much smoother. I appreciate your input. Thanks again.

Hey everyone-I'm an official Bandster!!! Today was one 1st day post op. The surgery went really well, was a bitten more extensive. Doctor had to remove quite a bit of adhesions from previous GB surgery. Anyway, I heed some help with this post of thing. Right now I'm feeling pretty crummy. My neck,back,and shoulders ache. My stomach feels like i've done 1000 abb crunches, and tonight diarhhea started. I also have alot of gas (burping and other). I've only eatten jello, chicken broth, popsicles and water. I guess I'm suppose to be on this for 3 days. Please, please, i need your imput. Is this what happened to most of you pre-operatively? When does the aches and pains go away? Was the clear liquids necessary for 3days or were you able to have regular liquids? Did you have trouble sleeping? I know it's been only one day but I'm concerned that there is nothing unusual going on. Your guidance would be appreciated

I CAN't BELIEVE IT!!!!!!! Tomorrow I become and official Bandster!!!! I feel like I'm holding my breath. Everything is coming in on me at once. All the emotion all the worries. I sit here writing to you feeling my stomach hit my thighs. My chest expands they keep my my arms spread, my whole body is something that i have come to not be comfortable in yet, yet............. there is a part of me that wants to talk myself out of it. Now all my questions are hitting me. Will i be ok with the anesthesia, did i loose enough, will they cancel the surgery, can i handle the food restriction for 2 weeks, will i loose my commitment, will every continue to be supportive??? Oh boy, there is so much more but i just can't list them all. Today will be tough. The sceptic part of me is truelly reveling itself. I know there are many who have or are in this position but i feel kind of alone. I don't want to disappoint anyone or myself. I'm getting to jump!!!!!!! I'ts my leap into a unknown future along with leap of faith i never thought i'd face. Boy this is maddening. Well, everryone on this pre-surgical day i guess i'm done giving lip service and take some action on this whole subject. Wish me luck, you thoughts, prayers, and advice makes it easier!!! See you all on the other side!!!!!!! Micki

thank you all for all the wonderful words of encourgement. this feel better today than yesterday and the day before. really not trying to think about it. you have all given me such a postive approach to my future. there is alittle apprehension, especially since i have to use the cpap post surgically. but now i'm down to 3 days!!!! oh boy. i feel like a kid who's about to jump into the pool for the first time and i'm holding my breath to take that first leep!!! excited and scarry all at the same time. i'll try to keep everyone posted!!!! again bless you for being there

:nervous Well, its 4 days and counting. Wednesday 7/27/05 at 11:30am Im looking for some encouragement!! This past week I have tried so hard to stay on the liquid diet but I have slipped so many times. I then begin to wonder if i can't do it now what will happen afterwards??? In every weight loss program i have tried before it always started out so great then i would end up somehow sabotaging myself and fail. i get so worried that ill screw this up too. and oh how i want this!!!! ive been flipping around yet im still staying focused. not doing it is not an option. but i get crazy about the future. help me someone to get thru this!!!! i have the greatest support, husband, kids, mother in law, friends but it still doesnt feel right. commiting myself to a complete life change is so scarry. am i crazy or what?? please some support to get thru the next few days will so help. food now seems bigger than life, i feel like if i eat it going to be my last meal for the rest of my life. being italian the motto "food is love" has always been in me. Now knowing the future, which realistically i know no one knows, seems so scarry. Im letting go of what has become so familiar. So comfortable. So im waiting for words of wisdom and encourgement from anyone who can related, whos been thru the vast amount of emotions. Thank you so very much

I am a new LBT member. I have written a couple of times but I'm looking for some pre-surgical support. Tomorrow I start my liquid program, am apprehensive. why?????? I have my pre-surgical appointment on Wed 7/20 an am scheduled to have the procedure on the following Wednesday 7/27/05 in Kirkland with Dr Montgomery. For some reason I keep talking about everything. Don't know if I'm trying to psych myself up or what. It's so funny. My main motivation for doing this is my health, so I'm around to enjoy my children and my husband. However I see other possibilities. Boy there are alot. Yet I feel like I'm letting go of something I'm very familiar with. It's such a part of me. I have never let my weight define me, but I see that it now is a hindereness. Anyone who has had it done - did it change who you are? I have been blessed with alot of support, is that alot? I have so many questions, I don't want to wear out anyone. I am presently at 292 and have a goal of 165-185. can someone tell my how to get a ticker tape for myself. Would appreciate all and any insight!!!!!