notateechanow

Great, strong heartbeat! Congrats. I'll assume your doctor knows very little about the band. It's not common to have B 12 difficiencies the way GB patients do. You may want to remind (tell) her that the band doesn't change how your body derives nutrients from meals. I requested the screening for diabetes early. When I was much heavier, I was prediabetic. I've had a lot of dizziness and just want to be sure all is normal. Most get tested after 25-30 weeks. If you are still more than 30-40 pounds overweight, it is because of that, not the band. I'd assume your OBGYN hadn't had many banded patients before. Good luck!!

April 21st is a great date to have a baby. (It's my birthday and my anniversary!) I'm due March 16th. Had one internal exam and one ultrasound so far. It's hard to imagine I'm pregnant because aside from morning/afternoon/evening/late night sickness and horrible fatigue, all else just feels like I'm getting fat again! Because I'm constantly reminded I'm 'very high risk' due to my weight and age (40) I don't want to get overly excited in fear of a late miscarriage. I should mention I have never been pregnant before and have never before tried. Thankfully, it worked naturally for us, though I was prepared for In-vitro in the event it didn't work naturally for us. I did all of my homework first, though. I workout regularly, eat healthy, and am tremendously fortunate that I do not have PCOS or any other issues with regularity. I've followed my OB's directions carefully and hope for the best. I can only hope the same for all of you! I've had a few friends miscarry late in the pregnancy, so I'm holding off being excited and focusing on each day as it comes. As a totally different note, I was a 16/18 or 14 W before conceiving. I'm having issues finding maternity clothes. Anyone have any suggestions? I need professional looking clothes that don't look too maternity as I don't want to disclose my pregnancy at work for a while.....I even tried going up a clothing size, but only my waist needs it and the clothes hang horribly on me!

I'm only 14 weeks and have gained about 5 pounds. I expect it's mostly because all I could tolerate during my first trimester was carbs. Everything else made me nauseous and sick. I'm accustomed to working out hard at least 4-5 times a week and also had to curtail that. (I'm 40 and pregnant for the first time...) I still workout, though certainly not as hard. My OBGYN wants me not to gain weight. I had to see my bariatric surgeon last week because my port is no longer anchored. Yep, it moves freely. It protrudes from under my ribs without forcing it out, too! After congratulating me on losing over 8 pounds after my wedding, I mentioned my pregnancy and concerns about my floating/flipped port. We opted to drain the band as a precautionary measure. I haven't had food intolerances related to my band (after nearly 5 years of experience, I can definitely tell the difference between band issues and basic stomach issues) and decided since I've still managed to lose weight, I'd rather take the fluid out before really getting big. I certainly don't want them manipulating this silly port at 7 months pregnant and trying to get the fluid out. So.....my band is on hold for now. Gaining weight has me horribly stressed. This is noooooo fun!!

Thanks! Picked up my dress. I only need a few alterations. For once I'm very happy to be so tall. I only need about an inch or so taken off the bottom. The rest is fantastic! (Oh to avoid the expensive alterations.....) I've got my fill and I'm ready to roll!

I realize many who started this journey with us no longer visit the site, and like many of you, I turned off notifications for a while, too. I've been really struggling lately and wondering why, particularly now that I'm 2+ years post surgery. It's made me sit back and reflect on the many changes that have occurred in my life---the many positive and few negative, too. So I'm curious to know---what struggles do you have now, if any? What changes most surprised you? What has enabled you or kept you from being successful? It's been one more year and yet I've barely lost 10 pounds. (I'm down around 110-115, so I'm not complaining....) I swear it's not from a lack of trying or working the band, but I feel much like my old non-banded self with regard to the frustration and disappointment. So with all of that, I'm back here for inspiration and commiseration. Hope you're all well. :eek: Paige

I wrote that over 2 years ago. Since then....I've had a major slip, my band unclamped, gained about 40 pounds, and finally re-clamped my band. I've worked my a$$ off---literally. I'm getting married in 54 days and the only thing I can't do is waddle down the aisle large again. I'm almost the size I want to be, but about 20 pounds heavier. I'm working with a trainer and my dietician to get there.... I had a fill today. I think it's important you get over the embarrassment and go back to the doctor. Remember that s/he works FOR YOU! This is and should be all about YOU!!! Maybe it's time to schedule with your dietician, if one is available. Go back to the basics. Are you eating in the right order? Measuring what you eat? Drinking only before you eat? Journaling what you eat? I believe what you said about the office not reaching out is likely the reason many offices don't do banding. We are labor-intensive compared to the GB patients. Just remember that you've gone through this long process to lose weight. This is all about you and your willingness to change your life. When you're ready to get back at it, your band is still there. Just don't let embarrassment keep you from getting the medical care you need. You've worked too hard to let that happen. Good luck! Keep me posted!!!

Any time your body swells your band will feel tighter. This is a great time to workout! If you're moving and sweating out some of that fluid, it will really help. Even if you're just doing a brisk walk, you'll see a difference. Watch your sodium intake, too. It shouldn't last more than a few days. If it does, you may want to consider a slight unfill.

I miss you guys! I've been really struggling. I have been going to the gym 4-5 days a week, working out with a trainer 2 of those days, and doing around 4-5 miles each time. (I work for 20 miles a week now...) Needless to say, I'm 'home'---back here. I am hoping that being back on here will give me the needed push to work on this. I've been trying to add more protein and work at eating more. I remember this horrible up 2, down 3 phase the first time around and I'm not liking it any more this time than last. Course, this time around I have a wedding to worry about! I've been trying to make it to a meeting, but I just don't see that happening right now. I know I'm not the only one struggling and miss commiserating with all of you. Hope 2012 has been a good year for all of you thus far....

Outstanding! Congrats. As soon as you're healed from surgery, your band will be waiting and ready for you. I, too, had 4 surgeries in a year and managed to gain some weight back. Good news is that after healing, I'm back at it again. Wishing you continued success.

Ok....had a really hard reality slap today. While I'm still down about 65 pounds since surgery, after my band slipping and re-clamping, I'm still back up around 40 pounds.....and my engagement photos showed every single ounce of those pounds. I'm horrified. THIS is why I had the band. To prevent ever having to feel like this again. Good news is, I signed up for a new gym today---meeting with the trainer tomorrow. (mind you, I had no idea how bad my engagement photos were going to be or that they'd arrive today!) I have 133 days until my wedding and a new resolve. I'll allow myself a few hours of serious sadness for my wasted efforts and move on. My 4 year Bandiversary is on the date of our next meeting. Looking forward to focusing on Dr. Robinson's 5-10 pounds a month and getting back to where I was at this point last year. It's just disgusting that I managed to gain so much weight back in such a short time. I really thought I had this thing all figured out.....and then life set in. Hoping to see some of you on the 12th as it may very well be my last meeting for a while.

Good luck! I hope it all goes well. After 3 consultations with my PS and paying ahead of time, I had a major slip over Thanksgiving last year and my surgery was scheduled the following week....and was canceled. Money returned...I was 'unclamped' and without a band for nearly 7 months. 30 pounds later, I'm relieved I didn't go ahead with PS. I'd definitely need revision if I had. I'm using my PS money for a down payment on a house. I had my band 're-clamped' and am working on getting back on track now. I hope to one day get that PS I waited so long for. Good luck with your legs. Post pics when you're feeling well enough to do so!

Is it possible you misunderstood the added fees? I was 'accepted' into a Surgical program that had an extra $500 fee---this allows me to attend monthly support groups, unlimited meetings with a dietician, etc. I had no costs for the first 6 months post-surgery, not even a co-pay. With regard to the 25 pounds comment---Most surgeons quote that a 'successful' banded patient will lose in the neighborhood of 40-60% of your EXCESS body weight. Thus, if he thought you should lose approximately 100 pounds, you will most likely lose (and keep off) between 40 and 60 pounds. Is it possible he did not think that having surgery was worth the risk for the possibility of only losing 25 pounds? With all due respect, you sound very defensive. I assure you that MANY of the people I know out here are intelligent, hard working people. We are not lazy people who sat around eating bon-bons. We expect you're likely the same as the rest of us..... I didn't find my surgeon to be at all condescending. His entirely livelihood has been built on helping overweight people. Perhaps you expected, and thus were given, the worst?!

Jay, thinking we're beyond 'lying'. Call to schedule an appointment soon---it takes a long time to get one. Even if you want it for Sept. I honestly think you're better off just going in and telling him you're making a new commitment to making this work. You might even consider making an appointment with the new dietician. He works for you. Don't let him intimidate you. This is all about you...and his supporting your quest to lose weight. @ Tiny---hope that fill works well. I'm scheduled again for my 2nd fill on August 1st.