JanetNBama

I was banded 12/31. Lost 20 lbs first month - 5 in the second month. It's now APRIL 7, and NOTHING MORE, as a matter of fact, I gained a lb and a half. Talk about feeling like a failure!! I, too, have learned to eat around the band - and that makes me feel like the old 'failure' before I got the band!! Why did I have surgery if I'm going to defeat myself??? I KNOW I need to make better choices about what I eat, but even with great restriction, I can eat way too much - I just wait for the fullness to go away, and I take ANOTHER bite.....until the whole thing is gone. It's like a MISSION with me - I HAVE to eat the whole thing or in my sick mind, I'm NOT full. What's up with that? I'm having emotional eating issues - really bad. 2008 has not been kind to me - work has been an absolute living H*LL and I broke up with my boyfriend whom I thought was "the one"....so needless to say - the emotional issues were THERE......how can I get motivated again???

My experience and knowing the difference between sliming and pbing - sliming is usually just clear and/or liquidy. Normally happens when I think taking a sip of something will help the pain a little and 99.9% of the time, I'm wrong - liquid only makes it worse. PBing is more when you "slime, spit and food comes out with it". NASTY!! I know but it's now part of my life when I don't follow instructions. And yes, I found out that you have to chew chew chew and then some more even after you've chewed - that's the key for me!! FINALLY I have more restriction and although it still hurts when I eat, I can't wait for the lbs to start dropping!!

I go to Schmitt. He's nice but not super warm. He does fills every 4-6 weeks, and sometimes I feel that's not enough but it's protocol. I'm sure he has his reasons. I am not a pro, but a week doesn't seem long enough to adjust to your fill, I would probably prefer 2-3 weeks but I have to do what he says Best of luck

I'm no longer sore - they took all my saline out and low and BEHOLD - BURPS!!!!!!!! As soon as I began the "air burps"...I felt better almost immediately. Gas? How weird, but at least I'm better. I go for my "refill" on Monday - wonder if they will put the 3cc's back plus some or what? Anyone have a clue? Guess it depends on the dr. Thanks!!!

I really need to know if anyone has had this experience. I am 4 weeks out, and had a bad experience with a piece of bread. It got stuck, and I went through the whole pain, sliming, etc.... Learned my lesson about UNTOASTED bread, but the next morning started feeling sore, very sore, and it hurt to breathe! I called the nurse, and she asked if I had problems keeping things down, I told her I had a Protein Shake, and runny oatmeal with no problem. I asked about slippage, and she said NO! For me to come in tomorrow if it wasn't better. Next day, it was SOMEWHAT better but I was still sore. She made me come in and they took out what little saline I had in from the initial surgery (3cc). She couldn't find the port, so the Dr came in and jabbed around with the needle ALOT until he found it, sucked out all the saline, and today. I am STILL sore. It hurt to get down some pudding this morning (not bad, just feels bruised). I am worried that something major is going on, and of course, worst thing - slippage or need additional surgery. Has anyone had this experience? Is the soreness today due to him jabbing around, on top of the problem I had earlier? I just want to know if I'm alone on this. I'm very down and disappointed about this - I hope there's nothing wrong. Good news, I'm down 20 lbs since 12/31 (surgery date). Please help.........

I never had any luck with emailing Naomi. I called almost every day when I completed my 6 month program. She kept telling me she had everything but that last visit, and a week after my last visit was sent to her, she told me she didn't have my psych visit letter or my sleep apnea information. It was around the holidays so most everyone was out. I was LIVID. Why did she keep telling me she had everything then wait til the last minute to tell me she didn't? Long story short, the psych office had someone else's notes in my file, and vice versa - they had to look for my paperwork - ugh! They found it and faxed it. The sleep apnea folks said that the Dr's were out thru Christmas - that's when I lost it. I started crying on the phone (out of anger) but the girl on the phone didn't know that. She jumped hoops to get my letter and finally I got my approval immediately!!! WOO HOO! THENNNNN I was going to have to wait a WHOLE MONTH for my surgery - NO WAY...... Out of the blue, Naomi called and said that she forgot they were open on New Year's Eve Day - did I want to schedule then??? HECK YEA!!!!!! I had my surgery on the 31st of December - HAPPY NEW ME!!!:tongue: My point is, don't wait on them - be proactive and stay on top of Naomi - she's SWAMPED!! And very nice!!! I was just anxious and got pissy! :cool2: I'm 1 month out and have lost 20lbs.....BUT not without my 'incidents'. All I have to say is......follow the rules - they are there for a reason!!! I feel good now but had to get my saline taken out last week due to a "small" issue. I get it back on the 11th....can't wait to get started on this weight loss journey!! Good LUCK!!!!!!

Any idea how long I'll be sore??? LOL :smile:

Jill, this is happening to me now!! I ate lunch yesterday around 2:30 and although it stuck a LITTLE, I feel SORE when I breathe in, and have that "in my throat" feeling. I tossed and turned all night. Did it finally go away? I'm afraid the band is slipped or something :party:

I am 1 month post-op. I experienced the horrible "breadstuck" not too long ago, but today, I am VERY sore. My ribs feel horrible, and I feel a bit anxious. How do I know if it's a slip? How do I know whether to wait and keep taking GAS-X or go to the dr?

I've found out in the past few days that I am not alone in the way I feel (Like the SURGERY wouldn't even work for ME because I'm such a FAILURE), but the truth is - once the swelling goes down, I felt hunger and was able to eat more. Good to know I wasn't the only one going through this. Now I'm making myself eat only what I should, like a diet before I ever had the band, and just wait for my first fill. I've done great today - and I even exercised a little last night. I'm glad I have this site though - or I would have gone nuts!! I am going to weigh again on Saturday and see if I've lost anymore and hopefully not gained! Thanks to all that replied!!

I'm only 15 days post op and I'm doing a little more than mushies. I find myself eating more than I should, and ALREADY feeling like a failure. Then (AFTER) I overeat, I worry about the band slipping or something. Has anyone been through this? I know now that HEAD HUNGER is going to be more of a struggle for me than I thought. I just want to know if I'm normal - I don't get a fill until FEB 11th! I've already lost 16 lbs as of last Monday but most of it was from my liquid diet. Mushies are good, but I'm eating a few more things than mushies. I went through this surgery as a final resort and now I feel like even SURGERY isn't going to help me :smile:

Isopure (clear) was good when I bought it -pre surgery....but something about it when you're trying to heal changes...I couldn't get it down. $5.00 a bottle down the drain for me, but if you can tolerate - that's awesome since it does have a HUGE amount of Proteins.

I'm thinking about it. I have so much going on right now - I may not but I need to! If I decide to go, I'll repost.

Hey - I've been on meds for over a year now, can't really tell a difference. I am glad you were able to get things straightened out.

Keeping it off is the reason I made my decision to have the surgery. Sure, I could give it another try, sure, I can lose 10 - 20 - 30 pounds, and sure, it's a very big decision. But - I am the one that has to deal with the health issues, I am the one that has to deal with the fact that 98% of obese people who lose a significant amount of weight, gain it back. Health reasons aside, as if that's not bad enough, I am the one that has to deal with the feel of not being worthy because I don't fit into the booth at the restaurant, don't fit on the rides at the amusement park, and can't find those cute shoes that I absolutely ADORE in a WIDE or DOUBLE WIDE width, and I am the one that has to deal with ME at the end of the day. Alot of people mean well, and alot of people just DO NOT UNDERSTAND. Two people at my work really ticked me off - one was a 5'7" - 130 lb "WOMAN" that had the nerve to say "LETS TRY WEIGHT WATCHERS" when I told a group at lunch that I was having lap band surgery. LETS???? Who are you to have the nerve to say that to me? Another is a body builder that knows exactly what to eat to keep every nerve, muscle and cell healthy - and kept looking at me with disapproval when he was in my office as well as giving me his 2 cents each time he could - so I finally had to tell him to back off. Point is, listen to them if you HAVE to, but don't absorb. It will hinder your ability to make the best decision for yourself. I'm only one week out - thought I was dying day 1-3 but I'm so much better now - and already have lost weight. Am I excited about being "smaller"? - SURE, but I'm more excited about the possibility of being around for my family longer, and not being on my sleep APNEA machine forever, and to stop taking the meds I have to take due to my weight. Best of luck - sorry for the BOOK, but keep your heart, and head in the right place - FOCUSED ON YOU!

I have hypothyroidism and it caused no problems in me getting banded. In fact, they hope it straightens out after weight loss. Best of luck.

Hey Heather! I'm excited for you!! Email me if you have any questions - and look at SEASON's pictures! She's my inspiration! We all live pretty much within 25 miles of each other - we will have to get together soon!!

I am SO proud of you, Season!! I THANK YOU for the support and all the questions you've answered for me - I know I have driven you CRAZY! I feel MUCH MUCH better - the pain in my stomach is getting better - just the numbness in my legs that is stumping me now!! I hope that will go away too. YOU LOOK INCREDIBLE - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

I was just thinking the same thing - he did alot of difficult gastric bypass patients and they did wonderfully. I think since this procedure is not as invasive and outpatient, he will do an awesome job. Will we see you on TV??? Best of luck!!

My brother is a pharmacist and my LIFE SAVER when I have issues - he says you can't overdose on GasX and to use it when I need - however, check with your doctor.

Thankfully my pain has strarted to subside a little more each day. Surgery was Monday, it's Saturday. I'm doing way too much and not resting enough but when I do rest, I do feel ALOT better. ONLY PROBLEM NOW, and please let me know if anyone else has had this - my outter thighs stay numb and tingley when I'm standing or laying down - doesn't happen when I'm sitting - it's driving me CRAZY - I've called my Dr, but no call back yet. Any suggestions on why???

Hi all, Banded on Monday, December 31st and oh the pain the next day!! I had it in my mind that it would be pain free, where I got that - Don't ask!! It's Friday, and I'm much better now - but I do have soreness around my ribs today for some reason, and my stomach still hurts when I drink or eat. Not as bad today, but still there. Dr. Schmitt can't figure out what it is - he made me do the gastric swallow junk to see if my band has slipped or any problems swallowing and none were seen! I am just praying this is a part of the healing and I'll be ok in no time I get hungry FAST though -but a few sips of protein drink/water/soup usually helps that. How's everyone else doing?? ALSO - how do I add a ticker??????

I was banded on 12/31. I have had and STILL am having a HORRIBLE pain in my stomach...that won't go away. I was on clear liquids and thought maybe the pain was hunger pain, so I graduated up to creamy soups and yogurt - the yogurt is hurting bad! I have been to the Dr - and they checked for leaking or slippage and everything looks fine. Every now and then, I feel some relief but it comes right back within seconds. Has anyone experienced this? Dr is stumped???? He prescribed this medication that coats the stomach they use for Gastric bypass patients but that hasn't helped much. Do I just wait it out???

10 - 15 pounds a WEEK??

OMG - I thought I was the only one - I have never thought about death before surgery like I have for this - my surgery is Dec 31. Talk about God sending me a good signal? I came across this thread!! Thank you for reassuring me- I'm less nervous than before but the "what-if" devils are there. I, too, thought about cancelling then I thought - ARE YOU CRAZY?? Youve been waiting so long for this!!" As far as when it's our time to go, respectively, I don't believe that our time is when we are young, I believe that with God's help, and faith, we should live a full adult life, and death comes way later ..... we have to push forward and have FAITH! To those who pray to Christ, please keep me in your prayers - I can't wait til I'm waking up after surgery! THANKS AGAIN!