Miss Vicki

Hi, I am so glad to find this group. I was just approved for my lap band surgery on February 26th. I am a 52 year old wife, mother and friend I hope. I still wonder sometimes if I am too old to be doing this but then I look at how much life I still need to live and I know I'm not. For me, it truly isn't about being the hot thing anymore, it's about feeling great. I have suffered for 10 years with a diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis in both my knees and am truly tired of the pain and the limitations it causes me. My husband and I love to RV and I want to be able to enjoy it to it's fullest!!!!!! Any suggestions to help me prepare better for the upcoming surgery? Vicki :eek:

:crying: I was banded a year ago last Friday. Whoopee. I thought I would have lost at least 40 lbs. or so by now but, NOT.. As of today I have lost 23 lbs. At first the weight was falling off but then I hit a plateau for 3 months and then I started to gain again. The frustration I feel is debilitating. I have severe arthritis in my knees and back. Recently I was diagnosed with severe fibromylagia as well. Exercise is extremly painful. I am now seeing a physical therapist once a week for some streching but that is about it. My biggest problem is the defeat I feel constantly. I have been overweight for close to 25 years now. I have tried every diet in the book as I assume most of you had. I thought Lap Band would be different. I am to the point that alot of food gets stuck and I vomit. I haven't had a fill for over 2 months now because of the Dr. I have. She could not be more rude and un attentive if she tried. SO, AGAIN I am a loser. Nothing works for me. I have surgery and I can't even lose weight. I felt so bad today I just stayed in my jammies all day. Oh and I ate 8 cookies, those went down just fine. If anyone has any ideas of what I can do to jumpstart my pathetic lose I would appreciate it. This Mom needs help.

Robin, Wow thank-you, there are people out there who care. First off I have never been full on a bandster's portion. Sometimes, not always food will get stuck in my throat and I will have to vomit, but I am not full. It seems like I can't get full on small portions. I don't eat alot at meals and I always concentrate on the protein first, but I have always thought I could eat much more than I should be able to. So what does this mean? I tell the Dr. every time I see her but she doesn't seem to get it or care. I lost so well at first but it seemed like as soon as I could really eat again it stopped. My exercise was better in the beginning but I would hurt so bad I had to slow down. That is what lead me to the physical therapy. You said you also have Fibromyalgia, what do you take to relieve the pain? I WILL e-mail you so we can talk more in depth. My e-mail address is missvicki777@hotmail.com. Again thanks Robin, I could really use a buddy.

:eek: I am 16 days post-op and am really having trouble with constipation, can anyone relate? Before surgery I took Metamucil nightly for years but have been without it afraid it may block the stoma. I have alot of stomach pain because of this. Can anyone let me know there feelings and situation and any suggestions for help? Thanks, Vicki :grouphug:

Thanks Wombat, you and everyone on here are such blessings. Again God and His amazing way of bringing His children together!!

God bless you too Brenda, how did your banding go? Let me know about your progress. We are all in this together!!

Carey, Thank you so much for your message. I too struggled a bit with God's approval of my surgery but every step of the way I felt His hand on the situation. We MUST remember that these tools given to us by man to help our weight loss goals, are tools given to that man by God. EVERYTHING is God's and everything that happens is according to His plan. You are right Satan has a way of deceiving and telling us, it's wrong, your faith isn't strong enough. If you believed God would take the weight away, right?... WRONG, God wants us healthy and wants us to do what we can with what we have. He knows you love Him and care what He thinks and that's all you need. I know you are scared, we all are and were, but have faith Carey, your Father won't let you down, OK!?.......

Yesterday for dinner I had a pork chop. Well, I think I had my first experience with food sticking but I'm not sure, that's what I need help with. All of the sudden I got a horrible pain in the upper portion of my stomach. I didn't really feel sick but the pain was incredibly intense. After about a minute it got better but all night I had alot of discomfort in my upper stomach and throat. It felt like when you swallow something and it goes down really hard but about 10 times worse. So was I experiencing food sticking or what? Has this happened to anyone else? I just got finished with dinner this evening and every once in a while it felt like I was swallowing hard and it was going down vwry hard? Is this normal or should I be concerned? Please get back to me ASAP. Thanks, Miss Vicki P.S. I also feel like I have to burp alot but I can't..........:confused2:

I had been on meds. for reflux for over 15 years and when I had my band surgery they also repaired a huge hiatal hernia and I didn't have to get a manometry test. I would take a barium swallow any day over the manometry test, that is a big YUCK in my book.

Hi Erika, So nice to hear back from you. Solids will be in your future again, just hold on! One of the best things fo me to start eating was salmon in the can. Chicken of the Sea makes little individual servings, that are about 3 ozs. each. I would cut up a hard boiled egg, and use some low fat mayo. and seasonings, umm nummy!! Also applesauce and chicken go down easily as well. Just chew, chew, chew. As of today I am down 31 lbs.!!! On Monday I have my 2nd. Dr's. appt. I hope he gives me another fill. The hunger has subsided a bit but I still feel like I can eat more than I want, still waiting to hit that "sweet spot". This has definitely been a rewarding, life changing experience. I feel like I am sort of getting it and learning to eat to live, not live to eat. I don't know how people would do this without the Lord in their lives. He is such a firm foundation. His unconditional love has helped me so often, and His exceptamce of me just the way I am. Every day I know that what I have done is pleasing to Him and honoring as well. I am becoming a healthier daughter and better in all things. My favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, " For I know the plans I have for you ", says the Lord, " Plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." I rest in that often... God Bless you Erika and I hope to hear from you soon, Vicki

Hi Erika, My name is Vicki. I was banded a little over 7 weeks ago. As of today I have lost 18 1/2 lbs. since surgery, 28 since post-op. This journey is hard , physically and emotionally. From the beginning I put it all in God's hands. Everything went well, some small problems but such is life. When I got the call from the surgeon's office that I was approved, I knew it was God's will. My port hurt for quite a long time as well, and it hurt especially after my first fill so be patient with that. Follow Dr's orders on your diet and don't over eat. I have a beloved Bible Study group that has supported me through this, and a family that is happy to see a healthier Mom as well. But I also would love to have a Christian friend that has gone through the struggles with food addiction and it's grip on our lives. Our bodies are sacred temples of the Holy Spirit right, God will not allow anything to happen to us that we can't handle right, we are called to be witnesse's of our Heavenly Father and to honor Him right, but how can we do any of that when we have the burden of sin on our physical well being? All good questions that require soul searching mixed with alot of prayer. This isn't an easy journey but I believe one that is worth it, and honorable to Him. Write anytime, I'll be here if you like. Your sister in Christ.....

I was banded 7 weeks ago and doing great. I was going to have my surgery at a hospital that required the mannometry test . The day of the test I was scheduled to have a colonoscopy as well. They took me in to do the mannometry test and the nurse asked me why I was having it done? I told her it was a requirement for the surgery. She said at her hospital she had NEVER seen anyone have this test for lap band. She called the bariatric dept. right then and I decided as I was in the room that I would switch hospitals and not have this horrible test performed unnecessarily. I am SO HAPPY I made that decision. The test can be painful and very invasive. I was told that you canno't be sedated because it will affect the test's outcome. And it may include having to keep the tube down your nose into your stomach to test your stomach acids over night, YUCK. I would definitely find out why they have to do the test and if there is another way. NO-ONE was going to stick anything down my nose, no way. I just wanted you to know there are other options, I am living proof.

Thanks Kat all these words pf encouragement help alot. I have only had one salad. My stomach had really bad cramping afterwards. I Love salad and need to try it again. I will also MOVE today, and keep it up!!!!!

I will be seven weeks post-op tomorrow and my weight loss has stopped. Not gaining but not losing anymore. 2 weeks ago I had a fill of 3 ccs. in my 10 cc. band. I am still eating very healthy and limiting portion size. I am so frustrsted at this point that I want to say h--- with it and go eat a hot fudge sundae! My son is getting married in June and I want desperately to drop more weight before the wedding. I have severe osteoarthritis in my knees so my exercise is limited. PLEASE if anyone has any suggestions how to get things moving again can you let me know. I am ready to explode.

Thanks Jack I needed that. I am way to hard on myself and not appreciating what I have already accomplished. I am upping my water intake today to see if that helps. I will keep plugging away and no I won't eat that hot fudge sundae, ummm fudge...........

Thanks everyone for your comments, I have made some hazlenut cream and savored the flavor, love you all and this forum!!!!

Hi Guys, I am 4 weeks post op and doing quite well. I have a question, how many of you drink coffee, how much do you drink and is it only decaff.? I had a cup of decaf yesterday with my Easter breakfast and it was so good!!!! I just wonder if it can have any ill effects, anyone know? :wub:

Thanks you guys. I had wondered if Benefiber would work since it seems to be less evasive than Metamucil. I will get some. I just love this forum!!

:eek: Hi Guys, I was banded exactly 12 days ago and as of this morning have lost 11 1/2 lbs. I start mushies stage on Tuesday. I wonder if any of you find yourselves constantly thinking about food. I mean what is wrong with me? There is more to life isn't there? I am excited to start mushies but if they are the liquid consistency I have been on for 14 days I don't know if I can take it. Anyone have any suggestions for a great first mushies dinner? Anyway, I am hungry all the time as well. I will eat and get full but an hour or so later I am hungry again. I thought this surgery was supposed to curb my appetite, so what gives? And the burping thing. I can't get one out. It starts in my stomach and ends up stuck in the bottom of my throat. I am still happy to have done this but I miss chewing, that wonderful full satisfied feeling, and BURPING!!!!!! Any suggestions?

I'm pretty sure it will be OK. They don't want you to suffer from an infection. You will probably be able to schedule the test at a later date after your infection is gone, just be honest about everything.

I was just banded 12 days ago. I had the sleep apnea study done and was found to have severe sleep apnea last November. I was fit with a C-Pap and have been using it since. They will use your C-Pap in the recovery room to bring you around so I wouldn't worry to much, OK?! Vicki

Oh my gosh, you are hysterical!!! Humor will get us through this no matter what. I heard our faces lose weight first, not sure if it's true. I think this is why they tell us to exercise, to firm up. It is going to be hard work no matter how we look at it, so easy to put it on and so hard to take it off. And I doubt that your thighs look like a whale!! Vicki

Your'e welcome Lisa, I just know I have demons that need to be conquered. I am 12 days post op today. Since the banding I have dropped 11 1/2 lbs. Is that good? I feel Ok except I have had a little trouble with constipation, personal I know but if anyone can help it's you guys. Does anyone else have this problem? If so any advice or solutions that have worked for you? I start mushies this week and amd wondering what I should try first. Any suggestions? I also feel hungry alot. I don't think I have any restriction yet could that be why? I don't want to feel hungry, that's one of the big reasons I had this done. Anyone with suggestions please let me know. My husband is great at cooking stuff for us to eat together but I need to know what's best. Thanks everybody, Vicki

Lisa, If you can I think maybe a therapist could help. None of us got fat because we enjoy it, there are underlying reasons. The surgery will never work for you if you don't figurethem out. Vicki

Boy do I understand your pain and worry. My surgery is Tuesday and yesterday I read all the problems that people have had with bands on here and thought, " What am I doing to myself?" Then I remember my knees, back and overall feeling of lethargy and I say, "Oh yea, tha'ts why". I believe we all have had so much pain from being obese that we are strong and can do this as well. Lifestyle change is hard, especially this one but what is the alternative, to gain more and more? I choose the new beginning.