notateechanow

Sueol: I'm sorry for never responding to your original post. I didn't realize that there was a MA section on here, so I never took the time to read! Next time you can do a search for it... I had Dr. Robinson on Dec. 12, 2007 and would be glad to talk with you about my experience! PM me if you want to catch up sometime. At the risk of boring others whom I've already discussed this with--I had a great experience. Dr. Robinson admittedly has little personality and ability for small talk. His PA, Dorothy, and I joke about it all the time. However, he is a skilled surgeon! My scars are small and very unnoticeable (though never a concern of mine...) and he has been very helpful through some initial frustrations I had. I never expected him to be as supportive as he has been after my initial impression, but he has been great. He's not a "warm" guy per se, but after 8 months, I think I finally get him! I'm very pleased with his work and would wholeheartedly recommend him to you! OK>>>So I've just realized that Sueol posted that 2 years ago!!! UGH. I'm leaving it there in the event that someone else would like information about Dr. Robinson. LOL

That's really funny. I considered doing that, but when trying to convert the Infant kind we had in the medicine cabinet, I figured I'd need 2 or 3 bottles to cover me!!!! Dare I ask how many you take? I'm about 15-20 pounds heavier than you. Thanks in advance!

I've been using the Extra Strength Liquid Tylenol, but would really rather Ibuprofen for my aches/pains from the gym, realizing it would be more effective for me. Where do you buy liquid Ibuprofen? I have tried the pills, but got worried about it when someone from my support group mentioned the problem of it sitting in your stomach longer and possibly creating ulcers....not sure if it's true, but why chance it?!

Congratulations!! Isn't it funny how it seems so much more real when you have someone to Celebrate WITH you?! ENJOY that employee discount...but maybe you should consider moving to Hot Topic, where the clothes are smaller?! You'll be out of the plus sizes before you know it! :thumbup:

I fought with that for about 2 weeks--particularly because I was 10 weeks after a fill and couldn't believe that suddenly my band was too tight. I hoped it would go away after my TOM and that things would go back to the way they were. It didn't, and I was so hungry! The reason I felt most compelled to respond to you, though, is because I didn't gain any weight after I was unfilled. My Physician's assistant took out just enough to maintain a good restriction, but enough that I could eat solid foods again. You should not be relying on your band to be the food police--that's where your responsibility comes in. You need to control your food intake and not rely on the band to do it for you. Eat in proper amounts and take in enough protein. You will continue to lose weight if you do this properly. I strongly recommend you make an appointment to get your band adjusted.

Ask your doctor at your next appointment for a post-surgical "diet" or guideline. This will give you an idea about how much Protein, sugar, etc., that you should be consuming daily. I was given 2-3 different "plans" before leaving the hospital, but never figured out whether I was supposed to be on 1,000, 1200, 0r 1500 calories until I asked later on. I guess they forgot they gave me morphine before telling me all about it! There are a few good websites that will allow you to track your intake and exercise for free. I know some use dailyplate, caloriecounter.com, etc. I'm sure people on here will give you some suggestions! I only wish I took pictures to mark my success. I was worried I'd fail at this, too, and never even told my family I've had surgery. I think maybe only 3-4 people know....I kept track of my weight at the appointments to I could document that, and I keep records of my measurements at the gym. Good luck. The Lap Band is a great tool if you work consistently WITH it. Don't sabotage your efforts by not keeping track of all of your hard work. Be well. :w00t:

Since you'll be consuming so much less than before, you'll really want to be sure you consume your food by category--protein first (to be sure you're getting adequate amount for the day) followed by veggies/fruit. If you still have room, and you will for now, then eat carbs. When you start getting fills and get restriction, you will find that you have less and less room to eat things like carbs. Be sure to eat proteins first at every meal! Congrats, and good luck! :wink_smile:

Exactly my suggestion, Suzanne. I was thinking new underwear---something practical and fun!! :wink_smile: You can't do the usual fat woman shopping--no food, shoes, handbags, or appliances. Admit it---how many shopping trips ONLY included things like that?! Now that you fit into smaller clothing, no avoiding buying real clothes!! :thumbup:

:drool::cry_smile: CONGRATULATIONS!!! How will you celebrate?!

I think I posted something similar to this back in January or February. After 2 and a half months, I was down a few sizes, but barely lost any weight. I went to my doctor as scheduled and finally expressed my frustration. He was tremendously supportive and also had me meet with the dietician again. I continued working out (though I did cut back to 45 minutes a day) and was told to eat more. If you're not maintaining a journal of food and exercise, I would strongly recommend it. I was able to bring mine to the dietician and together we realized I needed more calories--Protein, specifically--to lose weight. This isn't an exact science and not everyone is the same. However, if you keep copious records, you can find trends and consistencies that will enable you to make better sense of your body. I am now down nearly 60 pounds (in February I worried this wouldn't EVER happen!) about 8 months out from surgery. Ok, I didn't lose as fast as others, but I'm well defined and very muscular. Keep doing the right thing...follow the diet and exercise regularly. I know it's hard to persevere when the scale isn't working in your favor, but start acknowledging the Non-scale Victories. Celebrate following a routine. Buy new clothes to reward your new body! You'll get there--it will take a while, but don't give up! Keep at it and eventually your body will give you the results you want! :cry_smile:

I never had "heartburn" or reflux until I need an unfill. I had issues with a huge burn that made me feel like acid was poured down my throat. Drinking water and antacid didn't make it go away. I didn't have pain per se, though (it was more of a burning)....I think this is something you should wait to discuss with your doctor. I'm not a big proponent of self diagnosis, particularly since we all react differently to the band. I'm glad you called. Keep us posted. :thumbup:

Since you're at least 6 weeks out, I'd call my doctor to ask. I remember having various pains, but nothing long lasting. While the office is still open, make the call. Worst case scenario, it's nothing. I'd hate to think you could possibly have issues when the office is closed.....Don't ignore pain. Feel better. :thumbup:

I started going to my surgeon every 6 weeks for a fill/check up. After my 3rd fill and good restriction, I actually gained a few pounds in the 6 weeks following. The great news is that at the next appointment--6 weeks after that--I lost 16 pounds. I continue to lose 5-7 pounds at every follow up appointment. You never know how this appointment coincided with things that affect your weight--your cycle, food you've eaten, the time you've worked out, etc. I know that the day after a workout I usually gain a few pounds, but if I skip working out for 2 or 3 days before weigh in, I have more loss. Crazy, I know, but it has to do with how your body/muscles retain water. I also tend to lose more weight when I get adequate sleep... Don't give up. Keep eating as you were directed by your doctor and workout regularly. It will come off!! Good luck!

Anyone planning on going to the support meeting on Monday, August 11th at the Faulkner? I'd really prefer not to re-arrange my schedule only to sit alone with Phyllis.... Please, please, come along with me! :thumbup:

Congratulations, Brad! Don't be too quick to judge the pain, though...for me it took a few days to be sore. It wasn't so much internal pain as it was where I had sutures. I found it painful to sleep on my stomach and to get in and out of bed. I was a devout user of the liquid Tylenol because I insisted on going back to work 2 days later--couldn't drive and be on pain meds! I'm pleased to hear you're up and doing well. I'm convinced getting up and walking the halls was my savior--physically and mentally. I also found that I was kind of foggy for a few days after surgery though I assume that's the anesthesia that they give you...just don't over do it. I know I should have taken more time from work. Because I didn't tell anyone about my surgery, I picked up and went back to life as it always was (minus the eating and exercising....) the next day. I hope your night goes as well as your day. Be well, and welcome to banded life! :thumbup:

I know it's nearly impossible, but try not to let your scale dictate how you feel about your day. This was a really important lesson I learned through Weight Watchers a few years ago----also, do not weigh yourself daily or even every other day. Follow your plan, exercise, and eat right. Weigh yourself once a week, at the same time each time. The rest will come! :thumbup:

Ok...so today I had to bring my car in for some body work. I'm pretty excited as it was beautiful for the first time in weeks. (no humidity, under 80!) I walked to the gym, worked out for 30 minutes, walked home (2.5 miles) and then used the treadmill for another 20 minutes after I got home. My real NSV isn't that I worked out as I do it regularly, it's that I actually JOGGED in public. I didn't do so for the entire way home, but in intervals, as I do on my treadmill. I have never felt comfortable doing it in public, which is why I bought my own treadmill. I know I still have a way to go with the weightloss, but I am finally feeling comfortable in my own skin---even if it hangs more than it should! :thumbup: Now, if only I could find clothes that I like for summer to take to Aruba in October, I'd be ecstatic!!! I'm still battling between plus sizes and misses sizes for pants. Any suggestions for good places to buy a few skorts? The Avenue is too short (I'm 5'10") and Lane Bryant doesn't have any more.....(Why is it that everything seems short on me NOW? I never had this issue at size 22 or 24!) I'm worried this trip will be ruined, not from feeling lazy and like I don't want to participate, but because I don't have anything to wear! I don't mind spending money. I just want it to be worth it!!!! Ideas? Suggestions??

I did really well for almost 6 or 7 weeks with my last fill in May, but didn't need a fill in the end of June. All was well, but it was as if a switch went off and in July, it was all I could do to keep food down. I have no idea why and neither does my dr. So...after nearly 10 weeks, I went for a slight unfill. I feel a thousand times better. My doctor doesn't think there's any correlation, but I know I feel better when I workout. I think it has something to do with "moving" my system. I drink more water and use the bathroom more frequently when I workout. I did take a week off from the gym, coincidentally the first week of my struggles, and had mostly liquids and semi-solids instead of food. No one knows how that happens, though they have found a correlation between tightening and menstruation. Everyone is different. I will say I worried about an unfill because I didn't want to gain weight, but I think my body is happy to have the right amount of protein again and to eat regularly. I worried for no reason thus far. Good luck! Hope you feel better soon!

Hey there. I'm sorry to hear you're so frustrated. I can completely relate...only when I became more frustrated, I started working out longer and harder, but STILL didn't lose the weight I expected. Let me recommend something you may already have tried---your surgeon and a dietician. I expressed my sincere frustration at about 12 weeks out to my Physician's Assistant. Coincidentally, my dietician was in the office and available to speak with me. She actually told me to eat more and exercise less. My surgeon, who had absolutely NO personality, truly came alive when I expressed my frustration to him. I never expected him to be a source of support when I really needed it because of our previous exchanges. I maintained meticulous records of my eating and exercising, including measurements. I was losing inches, but not pounds and was unbelievably frustrated. While I am sorry that I can't give you a panacea to make this all happen for you, I will assure you that if you stick to the program, continue working out regularly and eat properly, you will lose weight. For some of us it simply takes longer. I am about 8 months out now and have lost between 55 and 60 pounds. I realize that it doesn't seem like much, but when compared to my life last year at this time, it's simply immeasurable. My life is once again my own for the first time in 20 years. I live without worrying about how I'll get up in the morning and get my day started. I actually truly enjoy working out and feel off balance when I miss a day. Last summer I worried about how I'd get to work every day and what I would wear because stores did not carry anything larger than a 26/28. You didn't gain the weight overnight, and you won't lose it overnight, no matter how much you want to! The Lap band is a tool, but you have to work with it, not against it. Prepare yourself to be successful by eating properly and making time to workout. You've made the decision to have surgery, don't give up on yourself now!!! You CAN do this. You will need to make a commitment to yourself and you will need to work at this. Make one change a week--start with controlling the things you CAN control--drink the Water you need. Be sure to measure your food. Next week, focus on getting in at least 3-4 workouts a week. Don't make changes that you can't sustain. (IE working out for over an hour a day....that isn't something you'll look forward to or want to maintain down the road...) Make small goals to create your own successes. You deserve to have the life of a healthy person. Make the time to get there. I wish you the best. Don't give up yet.....you can do this. Use the resources provided to you (dietician, surgeon, support groups, etc.) and ask for help from those of us who have been there. This site can be a huge support, too. Good luck! Keep us posted on your success--not all successes will be measured by the scale! Be well. :biggrin:

Heidi, It all depends on how busy your surgeon is, how fast you get all the pre-op. testing done, and how long it takes for your insurance company to approve. I attended the informational session in October and was operated on in the beginning of December. I found Jennifer (she's Dr. Robinson's contact person--maybe Dr. Vernon's, too?) to be tremendously helpful. I explained that I wanted to make appointments as fast as possible. She even helped to schedule some on the same day, to avoid having to return to BWH. My insurance approval only took 1 day. In fact, Jennifer encouraged me to call her the very next day AND wasn't annoyed by my constant calls! I just wanted it done before the holidays. Dr. Robinson allowed me to set a date quickly because I lost the 20 pre-surgical pounds he required....every surgeon is different, but you can do this rather fast if you so choose. Good luck! :biggrin:

I, too, had Dr. Robinson in Dec. of 2007. He's really a great guy. If you've ever seen any of my posts in the past, you'd see my progression with warming up to him! He's a pretty serious guy and isn't much for small talk. When I was struggling with following all of the rules, working out regularly, and getting really frustrated, he finally "came alive". I think he needed to be needed before he felt comfortable truly stepping up. He's nice enough, but in all seriousness, I wasn't choosing him based on his abilities as a cheerleader. He's a great surgeon. I've visited him both at BWH and the Faulkner, depending on what fit my schedule and where I was working on any given day....I've enjoyed both staffs tremendously. Jennifer, though, his secretary, deserves a gold star! She's patient and really helpful. I had my initial consult and was operated on less than 5 weeks later. She was tremendously informative and quite sweet, too! Mel, didn't realize you had this thread going all this time!!! Anyone going in August? Mel and I were at the June suport group meeting with one newbie.....and I, too, was traveling for work in July. I will be there in August. Anyone coming with me??!! Phyllis is great, but I sure could use some friends!

Don't you have to EAT and SWALLOW food to get the protein????

Congrats on your surgery! I hate to admit this, but though I wasn't home alone, I may as well have been!!! I stayed home only the day after surgery then went back to work the next day. I wasn't able to work for the entire day, but didn't take pain killers because I wanted to be able to drive the 45 minute commute.....my recommendation? Relax, rest, and appreciate your peace and quiet. You won't have to worry about cooking for anyone, which is great considering you can't eat any of the food. Spend this time allowing your body to heal. You'll be glad you did. It will most likely be better to sleep alone, too, as I clearly remember not being able to roll over and needing more space than my shared bed allowed. Enjoy your relaxation and be well! Good luck. Stay on here when you're feeling like you need some support. The people on LBT have been tremendously supportive and helpful to me. I'm sure you'll find the same. Good luck!! :thumbdown:

Welcome, Kristen. What a great way to spend your summer!:thumbup: I was banded prior to Christmas vacation last year, figuring I'd be ready to hit the beaches in the spring. Good luck with your banding. I know you'll find this site to be tremendously helpful and supportive. Check in frequently!

I just arrived in Chicago---the flight attendant asked me to "tighten my seatbelt"!!! WHAT?! Apparently leaving it stretched out as far as it goes isn't safe now. I had space between me and the man seated beside me on the plane. Imagine, no touching strangers any more! More importantly, I took a shower and the towel fit all the way around when I got out!!! No exposed areas, no peeking breasts, all covered! Amazing how much more comfortable things can be with small changes! I'm still a little nervous to go out to meals with my colleagues in case I get stuck, but thinking about getting some tea to prepare myself first....no one knows I've had surgery. One of the things I did before coming was to check out the fitness room. Who would have thought?! AND, I made extra room for workout clothes. (Smaller clothes take up less space in my suitcase, too!) YES, I took out a few blouses to make room for workout clothes!!!! OH, my....and no one else would understand but you guys!!!!!!! I couldn't wait to sign on to my computer to check in!!! Have a great weekend.