HeatherO

Just about everyone has a delay in fills to give stomach swelling time to go down from the initial operation and to allow time to finish up the post-op diet and allow the band to heal in place. Usually no one is allowed to have a fill before 6-8 weeks although some are allowed at 4 weeks out. I don't think this delay is specifically for hernia repair, just normal for band placement.

Hello everyone, I missed breakfast and am very hungry but I am avoiding the donuts that are here . . . yeah me. Ayla has a doctor's appointment today so I get to find out how much she has grown. I am excited to find out.

Purple power is coming your way. Don't enjoy yourself too much. :0)

I was really thinking alot about this the other day as I was feeding Ayla. Her every need is met with love. The only stress she has is if I don't immediately respond to her cry if I am in the bathroom or something along that line. At such a young age, most children are the same . . . nothing but potential for the future. but every child is born into a different situation and they have absolutely no choice in the matter. Some are hungry, some are physically abused, some are neglected, some are unloved. This can shape their entire lives. I really wish there was more required of a person before they could have children to ensure a chance of a better life. I agree, a lot of it is unacceptable . . . but how can we change it?

Laura, I loved Snowflower & The Secret Fan, awesome booik and I have read it more than once (which should say something). Carson is such a cutie and I love the roly poly, pinchable thigh stage :0). Ayla is just beginning to get the same look, lol. I hope Macy is feeling so much better. I wouldn't wish a stone on my worst enemy and I can't imagine a child suffering through it. Summer here in Ohio has been crazy too. It never really got warm at all this summer. Happy Monday everyone.

Well if ejmdiva's baby did not come on his own over the weekend, she should have been induced last night :0). I can't wait for a little news. I hope everything went splendidly and she is currently holding her new little boy.

TracyK, I was on Prozac for a little as an undergraduate in college and it was the best thing I ever did for the time. I was the single parent of a baby, working full time and going to college full time, in a lot of debt and having trouble making ends meet. I found that I was so stressed I couldn't even sleep although I was exhausted. I had too many thoughts about upcoming tests, getting to work, paying for daycare, paying my credit card bills (with almost no money), etc. I wasn't on it for a long but it got me through a difficult time. I would highly recommend it if it could help you in the same way. Today is a good day and bad day at the same time. The baby had another rough night and every time I fell asleep she was up crying again. I turned the alarm off at 6 AM this morning and the baby started crying to be fed. So I go to feed her and I fell asleep. I rushed into work at 8:45 this morning and I was supposed to be in at 7:00. Bad - Very, very late with no phone call . . . Good - I feel like a human being today instead of a zombie like yesterday. I miss my sleep :0) . . . especially on a Sunday morning cuddling with my DH until after 10:00 AM with no place I need to be. Will those days ever come again???

EJMDiva . . . I am really hoping that no posts for a couple of days means that you are busy being at the hospital with a new baby :0) I can't wait for an update and I hope everything is well. Thanks :crying:

I have had this problem. As you can see from my signature, I have had several emergency unfills and am currently empty. However, empty is working for me because I still feel as though I have some restriction and can't overeat without bringing food back up. I talked to my band doctor and it appears that my band is just very, very sensitive to hormonal fluctuations. All of my emergency unfills happened during pregnancy until it was emptied altogether. While I was still in the hospital after giving birth to my daughter . . . it started again even with an empty band. Nothing wanted to pass easily and I would have had an unfill if there was anything left to unfill. I think the band affects us all differently and some of us are extremely sensitive. I can't believe my band is working empty right now when my original sweet spot was 8.3 cc's in a Realize band. As usual, RestlessMonkey gave great information regarding dehydration being a problem. When I start to get tight, I drink less Water and get progressively tighter. When I realized that this was making it worse . . . I started going on an immediate clear liquid diet when I am too tight and it helps me nip the problem and get back to normal much faster. For those of us who are ultra-sensitive, water can make all the difference in the world . . . and can also prevent us from getting an unfill (as long as you can get sufficient liquids in, it is dangerous not to get an unfill if liquids don't go down). One other thing to keep in mind is that sometimes we are causing our tightness to get worse by our actions as well. If you have a PB, you should go on a liquid diet after (some say for the rest of the day, some say for two days), then progress to mushies and then solids as you can tolerate them. PB's beget more PB's if you don't allow your stomach swelling to go down. Every additional PB you have can cause more swelling, which causes more PB's, which causes more swelling . . . and on, and on - you get the picture. So be careful about babying your stomach when it needs it if you are sensitive. One last thing, my band doctor says that in periods of extreme tightness, I can take a dose of liquid motrin which eases stomach swelling. Ibuprofen is usually on the no-no list for bandsters but he has told me to use it in this case and it works very well in cohoots with a liquid diet to get you through tight times where you are pb'ing too much. He doesn't want me using it for any other purpose and this is only to be used on vary rare occasions. However, since this goes in the face of common bandster medical advice you should contact your doctor to get their opinion before using it.

Pam, you have been through the worst of it and it only gets better from here. Don't worry at all about what you look like today, it improves quickly. I had skin cancer on the side of my nose near my right eye, had surgery to remove it and reconstruct the area. They didn't tell me what to expect the next day (they did say swelling and some bruising, but not of the exxxtreeemmmee variety I experienced). I hid in my bedroom for 2 days because I was afraid of scaring my family, lol. My face blew up like a balloon. Now you can't even tell unless I am under superbright lights with no makeup on. I can't wait to see your after pictures as the new and improved Dr. Pamela. :0) Jenn, that sucks about the pie. I have been there, done that and have no intentions of being in that situation again, lol. At least you were able to salvage it. :0) No ice cream yesterday or dessert . . . hoorrayyy. I had a healthy dinner of shrimp and tons of steamed broccolli yesterday. The baby had horrible gas problems all night (from both ends) and couldn't sleep. Someone told me this morning that the broccoli I ate probably did it to the baby. Do you think that could be true? I am still holding at 145 this morning eventhough it is TOM. It is still weird because I usually go up several pounds during TOM. If I can maintain it for a week . . . I might just have to call it real and update my ticker. A girl can always dream, right???

I am all in for a no ice cream day as well. Pamela, I will be thinking about you. It will be over before you know it and you will look fabulous in a couple of days. I'm sending tons of purple power vibes your way.

Well, I didn’t exercise yesterday but I did walk into the gym to see childcare facilities with Ayla (they want to upgrade my membership from 36 to 57 to provide free daycare, yikes). There was a grandmother type in there that ooohhed an awwwed over the baby . . . that might be a good sign. I need to decide if I will go enough to justify the extra 21 bucks a month. I also went to the bike shop to look at baby seats and to get my flat tire fixed. Ayla is too small to ride safely with me but next year will be fine. Getting my bike back on two good tires will ease the possibility of just going for a spin when my dh is home to babysit. So for not exercising, I feel like I made progress in adjusting my mindset towards it. That must count for something right? I think my scale is broken. I was 148 2 days ago, 150 yesterday and 145 today. I am not sure it can possibly fluctuate that much although TOM did just start. TracyinKS, I love the new cut. It looks great on you. Michelle, You aren’t the only one who has fallen into an ice cream hole lately (DQ Tagalong Blizzards, aaarrgghh). Just move on if you can, it happened and now it is done (at least that is what I keep telling myself). I agree about confession. When I have to physically write down what I eat . . . I notice myself starting to avoid foods that I know I don’t want to write down. Suzanne, I really feel for what you are going through. I was raised in a house of addiction which was always a storm of uncertainty and malcontent as a child. I know how it feels and I wouldn’t wish it upon my worst enemy. I hope things get much better with less drama very soon. I agree with Terry, you need to do something for you in a low stress-relaxing environment to get some grounding back. Kat, 20 pounds is awesome no matter how long it took. Congratulations, you give me renewed hope. ) I love, love, love rainy days . . . especially with a big storm and lots of thunder and lightening. Perfect for either reading in a comfortable spot with a cup of tea or just watching the storm. :thumbup:

EJMDiva, hang in there. It will be over before you know it. The last week is certainly the hardest but once it passes, time moves so quick. Weeks go by in the blink on an eye. I hope you have an easy delivery, very soon, and that the baby is happy and healthy. :0)

Well, I am back on the band-wagon officially. I have about 12 pounds to lose to get back to where I was pre-baby. I did have only 10 pounds to lose . . . but a couple of Tagalong Blizzards from DQ (among other things) and I now have 12 to lose. I need to nip the lax behavior before it really starts sticking. So back to the gym this week, with the baby. I am nervous since she is almost 8 weeks old and still tiny, but they do have free daycare past 6 weeks and I have no excuse not to check it out. My goal is to physically walk into the gym this week. I want to get back into step classes but I am having bad thoughts about my empty post-pregnancy, post-weight loss lower belly flapping in the wind. I don't wanna hurt anyone, lol. I misssss my bike . . . that was regular, fun and enjoyable exercise for me before pregnancy but I have a flat tire and the baby shouldn't go on the bike with me until next year, woe is me. So, how does one start over again? It seems so much easier said than done. I started this journey with ambition galore but now I have a huge helping of complacency weighing me down. AAARRRGGGHHH!!! Hello to everyone by the way. I have missed you all. I am officially back at work part-time now. TracyinKS, Wow that was some note Cody left for you. It is hard to read something so hurtful from someone who was a big part of your life. I hope you enjoy the peace with Robbie. Laura, Carson must be getting huge and he is absolutely adorable. I luvvv he Margaritaville picture by the way. Ayla is still in preemie (getting small and barely fit)/newborn (comfortable fit) and absolutely is swimming in 0-3 months clothes at almost 2 months in age. I imagine she is probably approaching 8.5 to 9 pounds by now but will know later this week. I can now see why you can't go by the ages since they come in such different sizes :0)

I agree 100%. I have known people that have made a choice to be homosexual after very damaging relationships earlier in life. I also know people that definitely seem to have been born that way because the inclination showed itself in early childhood. How can you fight your basic nature and inclinations? It can be done but not without great personal sacrifice and unhappiness. Some of the people I know who seem to have been "born" homosexual are the most generous and caring individuals that I have had the pleasure of knowing. I really can't see a good person with a good heart being automatically condemned for the sin of being born different. Thanks, Kat. I agree absolutely with everything you have said on this thread and I enjoy reading your posts immensely. I think we are of like mind on these topics.

I know everyone is not the same but I just wanted to let you know that you instantly lose quite a bit of weight once the baby is born. I was at my lowest ever as an adult, 138, when I got pregnant. On the day of delivery, I had an OB appointment and they weighed me in at 188 pounds (different scale but it can only vary by a pound or two). At my six week checkup I weighed 148. 40 pounds dissapeared within the first six weeks without my dieting one iota. (However I know some of that was water weight and swelling) Unbelievably, I only have 10 pounds to go to get back to my lowest weight . . . why that is a number I can work with :0) It is important to keep from gaining too much, but just know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even the lapband wasnt enough to peel off 40 pounds in six weeks. So like the ads say "I know how you can lose 40 pounds in six weeks" . . . I do know, just give birth!!! lol

Good luck EJMDiva . . . I can't wait to see pictures of that baby so I hope it is coming very, very soon :0)

My OB let me use chewable Spectravite vitamins from CVS pharmacy daily with a small folic acid supplement. It worked beautifully.

Hello Vi's . . . long time no post. I was way too far behind on the thread and managed to make it to page 15 of this thread and will need to catch up on the rest. Needless to say, I have a ways to go. :0) Haydee, congrats on the beautiful ring and upcoming wedding next year. That is wonderful news. Hello to everyone else as well. I have missed all of you and the posts. I saw the pictures from the Vi's get together and I must admit, I am very jealous. It looked like you had a marvelous time. The baby is perfect, happy and healthy. She just made it to 7 pounds 10 ounces and 21 inches at 5 weeks of age. She is still wearing some preemie clothes and is just starting to fit some newborn clothes. Still tiny and dainty but I am sure that won't last with her appetite, lol. I am still not back to 100% with the band. I am so much better than I was but am still getting sick at least once every couple of days. I also have developed nightly reflux which happened everyday before but now is every few days. I am scared to death of getting a fill and know I won't even consider it until the end of summer at the very least. I still feel like the issues are band related even though I have been given a clean bill of health at this point in time. Food goes down fine most of the time but I feel like I am ultra sensitive now and almost anything can trigger a pb or even vomiting. My illness has contributed to lack of posting at least partially in that I have been rather depressed about how things have been going with digestion over the last month. However, most of it is due to dealing with a new baby that never seems to sleep the 18 hours a day promised by the books, lol. It is busy and I probably could count the number of posts I have made since the baby was born on 1 or 2 hands. I have been slightly more active on Facebook but just barely. I have to say thank you so much for the lovely outfits and cards that were sent for Ayla. I will definitely post some pictures as soon as she grows into them. :0) Thank you, thank you, thank your for thinking of us.

I remember thinking about buying the fertility monitor when we were TTC last year but decided against it. I thought it wouldn't really help if we were getting busy every 2 days, we would eventually time it right . . . and that worked like a charm :0)

I have been having some band problems since mid-September. My last fill prior was obtained in April and I was at my sweet spot forever. I then got super tight which got progressively worse until I could not eat or drink a thing over a few days. I went for an emergency unfill (-2) and then got a small refill (+1.5) about 10 days later. That small partial refill has been much to much and I am getting another small unfill next Tuesday. I can get things down, but not the things I want to eat (healthy Proteins & salads). I am still maintaining a healthy diet but am starting to understand the risk of going to slider foods when things wont go down . . . because it really just sucks not being able to eat anything comfortably. Anyway, I realize now that my band problems happened at pregnancy, I just didn't know I was pregnant at the time. There is a perfect correlation with the timing. I need another unfill, not for morning sickness . . . because my band is much too tight. I go for my partial unfill next Tuesday. Have other people noticing band tightness changes with pregnancy???

I would suggest googling the 5 day pouch test as a start for after your fill. After that point, just make sure you go back to band basics and follow the rules like chew to go, no drinks with meals, Proteins first, etc. Good luck

My baby was born in the hospital but I can say that the band had absolutely no impact on labor and delivery. It was a non issue. Unless you are vomiting excessively and have a lot of food in your stomach on the day of delivery, I don't see what difference it would make. This is especially true if your band is empty for the pregnancy.

Congratulations :0)

Well, thought I'd check on Facebook and I see Cherry had her baby!!! Congratulations on the arrival of baby Calvin who came on June 19 at 2.47am. Weight 3.085kg!!!!! I hope to hear some updates soon :0)