JanetNBama

I had my BAND TO SLEEVE Revision on 9/28. I have lost 32 lbs, but I have come to an abrupt STALL! Nothing in 3 weeks. I have horrible head hunger and I am able to eat more than I think I should . . . for lunch I had a Tuna pouch - then and hour and a half later I had 2 small chicken fingers. I was not in horrible pain but definitely too full. Is anyone else having problems with head hunger and able to eat more than they (the Dr) said?

I am scheduled for my revision on Sept 28. When you say "It's really different than the band though"...what exactly do you mean? I am so worried that I won't lose as much, or that I will gain it back within a few years like I did w/ my band. Also worried about scar tissue or my stomach being damaged from the band

My insurance BCBS of AL only allows ONE weight loss surgery per lifetime. We are self-pay! Even to get the band out - we have to pay!

For a moment I thought I was reading a post that I had forgotten I had written ! I was banded in 2008 - lost 90 lbs but gained 60 back. I am doing this sleeve because I have tried so hard to lose the weight back - with only heartache and feeling of failure. My fear is still there - what if I fail - AGAIN? I know it isn't a good mindset to have - but it's temporary. I will be more positive - just need some encouragement and success stories.

I'm in the midst of scheduling my band to sleeve revision. My band was paid by the insurance company but they will only pay for one weight loss surgery in a lifetime (BCBS of AL). My surgeon is going to remove my band at no cost since he was the one that put it in, but I have to self pay for the sleeve and the hospital/anesthesia since the hospital considers it two surgeries - (not sure how being under for one surgery is charging for two surgeries - unless the length of time I am under is what is considered). Anyway - I am a little nervous about 'failing' the sleeve like I did the band. I lost about 90 lbs with the band and gained 60 back.

What are the symptoms of a dilated esophagus? I was told that I may have a dilated esophagus because I continuously overeat and throw up. For 3 days, I've had pain in my upper-left side back, and alot of sliming. There are also chest pains sometimes. I thought it was all gas, but after talking to my nurse, I am PISSED at myself because she said I could lose my band if the stretched pouch and esophagus don't clear up. I go to get a barium swallow if I don't get better with liquids and soft foods for the next few days. Any advise???? Consoling words??

I only drank 20 oz today but wanted to post on your thread cuz...well, you are making me. :crying: I will do better tomorrow!!!! Thanks!

Can you explain the process of outpatient surgery to get arms done? Are there any other "outpatient" procedures to remove excess skin? I hear that the thighs are the most difficult to heal - but I have research VERY little. I hate pain and this type of surgery terrifies me. I will need a tummy tuck, thighs and would like a breast lift, but I am terrified!

This is totally off the weight-loss / lapband forum norm but I am getting really desperate. I wanted to reach out to the Birmingham area folks to see if anyone knows of any job openings. My background is in Human Resources but I can also do office management and administrative assistant/executive assistant work. I got laid off from my job in JUNE - got another job fairly quickly in JULY - then got laid off from the new job in November. I cannot find a job that pays NEARLY what I need in order to make my bills - it's really ridiculous. I know that networking is one of the best ways to find a job. If anyone knows of anything out there - please let me know. I really appreciate any help or leads I can get!! Thanks so much and have a HAPPY Easter!!

Question? What are the 26G protein shots? Any details would be great including price. I found the PERFECT shake at COSTCO -made by Premier Nutrition - white container, only found it in Chocolate. 30grams of Protein, 160 cals for the whole shake and filling - taste is not AWESOME but good -especially cold. LOW fat (3g total), low sodium (330mg), only 5 carbs. TONS of vitamins and minerals. Price is about $28-$30 for 18 shakes - pretty good price. I found them at the Costco in Hoover by the Galleria. Wish I had them when I had my surgery a year ago!!

I too am a slow loser, but it's not because the band isn't working. It's because I am not working with the band. I find ways to eat around it, and I don't exercise....at all. I have come to realize that my eating addiction is alot worse than I thought - every emotion I have is connected to eating - sad? Eat...happy? Eat...lonely?....Eat...Scared?....Eat. . . . About 2 months ago I realized that Ice cream does not hurt going down and in my "miracles will happen" mind, I figured, "I have a lap band - I will still lose weight if I eat this"........... WRONG!!! Calories are STILL going in and not exercising is not helping. SOOOO I've stopped the ice cream - for over a month now and guess what? I lost some weight - Wooo hoo!! I just have to "refocus" and "rethink" instead of depending on the band to do it for me. I pray that everyone will over come whatever obsticles they have and be successful. I've decided that being successful for me is not being in a size 5 dress...it's being healthy and happy. AND I need to get off my bottom and exercise!!!!!!!!!!!! :thumbup: God Bless ALL :frown: :teeth_smile:

From what I understand - it takes time for a pouch to stretch out. I was concerned about it after 6 months of my surgery and was told that it wouldn't be stretched that soon. I'm not a professional but this is what my surgeon told me.

The commercials for the realize band shows that the doctor will 'guide you through and be there for you". I don't feel that way about Dr. Schmitt's office - normally it's the routine "What do you eat.....how are you doing" but don't feel like the concern is truly there...almost like a factory line. I've only lost 50 lbs since my surgery on Dec. 31st.....but the truth is - I haven't had the umph to diet and exercise due to several personal issues I had in the last 6 months. . . . I've decided to stop using this "excuse" and start putting my band to good use. I get discouraged when I see how much weight everyone else has lost and they had the surgery AFTER I did, but I have noticed that the lost lbs includes pre-op dieting for some. My weight loss has been from the day I got rolled back into the operating room until today. Who knows.... I'm just venting a little - sorry if this is discouraging...I need to read the boards more...huh? God bless and good luck to all of you!! :thumbup:

Cajun, I am 7 months out and have only lost 42 lbs. I am so disappointed in myself, but like you, I know why I'm not losing quicker. I AM a touchy feely, emotional person, so I will be the one that tells you, hang in there - you're not alone, and you are NORMAL. Eating habits are developed over many years, and although I was mentally prepared - I went through several life changing things in the last 7 months including a break-up with someone I thought was "THE ONE", work problems, and eventually being laid off from my job that I loved. I found myself stuffing food down my throat, even AFTER getting sick, going back and trying again. I literaly had to get out of the house, and go for a ride or something to get my mind off food. The lap band is a great tool, but until I am ready to put it to use the way it was intended, I will continue to be discouraged at my "FAILURES"....we are our own enemies. For you - my friend, I want you to focus on the positives in your life and start a healthy way of eating, exercising and making yourself feel better. No one else can do it for us. I wish you all the luck - and may God bless you - skinny or fat !! Keep us informed of your progress.

Is PBing considered the same as throwing up? Because, I too, cough, and PB. I don't actually "throw up"....the reason I ask is because they say if you throw up too much or even a little, there's a risk of the band slipping. Is this true for PBing as well????

Doddie - I went to fitday.com and I think this is going to really help me. I found where you can add your own food under Custom Food but everytime I click on it - it closes the entire site as well as Internet Explorer. Is this a glitch on the site or my computer??? LOL Also, under custom foods, can you add things like frozen dinners? I use the South Beach frozen dinners alot because they are low in cals and fat, and high in Protein - $2.00 each at walmart (here in Alabama) and very tasty!! A God send to me! Please let me know if you have this problem with the site?

Go to your profile, double click on it - that will open up the site that you created it in initially. You will enter your password and can edit from there. Once you edit, you will have to copy the code back over into your profile like you did in the beginning. Good Luck.

I can't believe I read what you typed - that's exactly how I feel. At one appointment, the nurse said "Are you full after eating?" - I told her I didn't know what full felt like. I am beginning to think that my minds is telling me that I didn't eat enough, so I feel hungry - when I, too, am experiencing pain and even try to push more through - which is a noo nooooo because I'll stretch my pouch. I like this site because when you read things like this - you relate to others, and you don't think you're the only one this is happening to! I've started chew chew chewing everything to watery consistancy and I am starting to feel fuller, faster - without pain and throwing up. (Yes, I actually took the Dr's advice, go figure, huh?) Best of luck!

Wishes - you've lost over 100 lbs since November of 2007? That's hardly slow weight loss...am I reading your info correctly? If so, that's awesome!!! I have only lost 40 lbs since my surgery of 12/31 and at my support group meetings, people have lost tons more than me and have had the surgery after I did...BUT - I know why I'm not losing as fast - I listened to what the doctors and nurses told me PRE-Lapband but it went right out my other ear as quickly as I heard it because in the back of my mind, the band is going to do it for me !! WRONG!!! This is JUST A TOOL - I have to exercise and eat right - wow - 7 months and I JUST NOW figure it out ...they were telling me the truth all along. So hopefully I can start eating right, and exercising (UGH!)....and I hope to lose faster. Best of luck to ALL OF US!! God bless.

I am very sorry to hear that you're having a problem. In my opinion, which is just that - my opinion, June 9th is pretty recent. I'm not sure what you meant by "I know that I chose this because of the way I eat"....are you referring to now, or referring to the fact that you got the lap band due to previous habits? Either way, the band is a tool - I remember my doctor "sighing" when I told him I didn't understand why I wasn't losing weight....then I thought about all the stuff I ate and realized it was me...not the band. I've been through alot in 2008 - a break up, losing my job, the trauma of surgery and not being able to eat when I'm stressed, and it's been slow -but it is coming off. The "head hunger" is the worst I've had to struggle with but I am living with it...it does get easier. Do what you have to do for yourself - only you can make that decision. If you decide to keep the band, then I wish you the best of luck. If not, that is ok too.

My prayers are with you, truly they are. I had my surgery 12/31/07 - New Year, New me!! My boyfriend of almost 2 years and I were best friends for 3 years prior to HIM deciding he wanted to start dating. January 24th, he started acting funny, and I couldn't handle it anymore (prior issues were there, we both ignored them). I asked him to leave on January 31st and although I've been broken hearted and very depressed - I'm still breathing and finally on the road to losing weight. The hardest thing for me was head hunger - everytime I had an "issue" PRE-BAND, I would turn to food, and couldn't anymore. I was also having problems at work - so 2008 didn't start out so great for me, but I'm moving along....I've lost 2 sizes, and feeling better finally. Please keep your head up - concentrate on YOU, and get out and do things.. the difficult times for me to want to eat is when I'm alone. I will keep you in my prayers...and if you would like to talk ANYTIME, I'm here for you!!! ALot of us are...this is a great site!! GOD BLESS and Congrats on your surgery - you did it!!!

SouthBeach Diet Meatloaf is KICK BUTT!! 210 Cals, Green beans, Protein, $2 at Walmark - wonderful!!!

I can't seem to get my ticker to work. What am I doing wrong? Do I copy and paste the HTML linK??? Help!

It's obvious that we have had lap band surgery because of weight problems. This is my 3rd month and still only 24 lbs (YES, I lost the 1 1/2 that I gained plus another 1 lb). My recent doings............eating HEALTHIER because I am fuller with this band!! HELLO?? Finally it's sinking in my head that if I eat healthier, I feel better. SO - I don't think about "what" Im going to eat anymore - I just eat to get full and nourish - so I measure now - and I pick healthy choices. I've made a deal with myself that if, after eating veggies and soft proteins, I still feel hungry, I can "cheat" but so far, I haven't. The key for me NOW is realizing - there are some things I simply can't have anymore - like buns or certain breads. And if I start pbing....................the band is full...stop eating! Lets just pray I keep up this mentality because I sure do feel good when I get off that scale and it's less than before..........it's encouraging to me. I pray that everyone (including myself) can get to the weight we are comfortable and healthy for us. I have changed my goal weight and now I'm not so "overwhelmed". While I'd love to weigh what the "charts" say I should weigh, I'll be very happy being a little heavier but feeling successful. And who knows, maybe after reaching THAT goal...I may start another. God bless and lets take care of us!!!