HeatherO

I have been on liquids since then. But unfortunately even thick liquids are being pb'd. Usually liquids get me back on track . . . but maybe not this time. I am getting worse instead of better.

I had to go to the chiropractor on Monday because my upper back was out of alignment all weekend which was making me nauseous. I had a bad pb/vomitting episode on Sunday. Since then I keep pb'ing everything. I am constantly sick. I can get Clear liquids down but just barely. I am miserable and I think I will need an emergency unfill, probably today if I can work out the details. This really sucks.

I left a message for my fill doctor but haven't heard back yet (lunchtime might have something to do with it). I also emailed them about the prospect of going to an ER as well and will see what they say.

Now that I think about it, I have been making guacamole almost exclusively with fish lately as well - usually salmon. Since when did guacamole and fish go together? I don't know but it seems like a winning combination. I never make it with tacos, burritos or enchiladas anymore.

I never told a soul at work. They still don't know and it has been a year and I have lost all of my weight. I don't like to share to much personal information with people at work, especially in this area. I just didn't want everyone watching what I lost, or what I was eating, or speculating amongst themselves about why it was or was not a good decision. I am happy I did it this way.

I had it too and tried everything to get rid of it . . . but only one thing worked and it worked completely. A slight unfill made it go away never to return again so far. I haven't had a touch of it since the beginning of September and I take no meds at all to prevent it.

I find I am craving healthy foods that I never craved prior to banding. I want fish, or salad, or a bit of quacamole. My tastes have definitely changed . . . for the better.

My name is Heather and I was a fast food junky, lol. Right after banding I had a rough time with this during the post op phase. I did not eat fast food, but I craved it so much that it was almost painful for me to drive past and Arby's, Wendy's, Taco Bell, McD's, etc. Part of my problem with overeating was impulse control - you could immediately get whatever you wanted from a fast food joint. After a few months I stopped having cravings. I knew that almost everything I could buy would make me sick, so I didn't even want to bother with it. Now I have something from a fast food place maybe one every week or two and there are options. You can get a grilled chicken patty at McDonald's for $1.40 where I live. They just put it on a piece of lettuce in a side salad container. That is actually filling and is enough food. If I am extra hungry I might get two, but I could never finish two. Fruit & Yogurt parfaits are also not too shabby. Grilled chicken sandwiches are great anywhere but it is hard to get them without bread sometimes. I just toss the bread. A personal favoite is the spicy chicken fillet from Wendy's but it is big and I can't finish it. It is breaded - but I think I have only had it 2-3 times since banding. Their chili is also decent with some hot sauce and not too many calories either. Taco Bell is great with the zesty chicken bowl or refried Beans. These can be ok options for a bandster. I can never finish a bowl, but a side of beans is just the right size. A crunchy taco supreme works as well in that the crunchy tortilla doesn't get stuck, the sour cream makes it go down well and there are really not many calories there. I don't eat burgers or fries anymore. They just don't satisfy me and I can definitely pb on fries. Burgers are just too greasy (never bothered me before but with the modified diet I can't believe I used to like them).

I have pb'd before and not been too tight. The reason is that I was either eating too fast, not chewing enough, or eating the wrong thing that disagreed with me. First I would try to analyze how closely you are following the bandster rules and try to figure out what is making you pb. For some of us, chicken and salmon are rough in the beginning, some people have problems with Pasta, bread or carbs.

I would suggest calling your doctor as well. Being newly banded, it is not unusual to have pain in this area . . . but being hot to the touch is a little more concerning in that it could be infection which is nothing to play with. Tylenol does not work for me at all, period. I don't even bother taking it anymore. Ibuprofen is supposed to be avoided by bandsters so you probably shouldn't take it. I hope you feel better soon.

Summer should be more than enough time to get back to where you can have this surgery. Usually you are considered back to normal 6-8 weeks after a surgery so it should be no big deal. Plus I don't think the incisions will interfere with your c-section scars at all.

It is up to you to tell or not to tell based on your own family dynamics. If you tell, I am sure that they would support you if you are trying to get healthy using the band as a "tool" to help you achieve your goals. If you don't want people knowing outside of your immediate family, you would have to express this to them clearly. I would definitely stress the health factors rather than vanity so they understand why you are doing this. If you don't tell, you can always say you are working with your doctor on a special diet to help lose weight. It is the same thing as before - the only difference being whether you explain that you have a tool to assist in your efforts. The other thing to consider is that they may help to be your cheerleaders if they know what is going on which might be helpful. Also, if you choose not to tell, there are going to be things that they will notice and see that will raise questions. Being daughters, what are the chances that they will notice your surgical scars if you change your top or something around them. They will also notice if you get sick after eating something . . . this is not so easy to hide but should not happen often at all if you are careful. Is there more harm in not telling them up front if they could learn about it later?

Definitley evaluate your options and check further into insurance. A wls exclusion clause is fairly black and white and it should be no problem if they send it to you. Alternative financing is also a possibility. Being a student - you might have additional access to funds that you wouldn't normally have as well. People have suggested Mexico as well - many of us have done really well with this option as an affordable means to get it done. Don't give up just yet.

Everyone gave great suggestions. I think all of us plateau at one time or another. I certainly did but was still able to get all the weight off. I think the key is - when something is no longer working for you than you have to make a change to get moving again. Your current diet and activity level are allowing you to maintain your weight. If you want to lose again, you have to make a change in diet or activity. Some people can lose the weight with just eating less of what they ate before. For most of us however, Proteins, fruits, veggies have to be the staple of our diet and carbs should only be occasional in order to keep losing. Your three meals a day that you gave for an example are heavily carb-based. If you do eat carbs, try to limit quantity and have whole grains where possible. Tracking what you are eating on thedailyplate or fitday websites are a potential start. Upping your exercise helps. Establishing how many calories you are taking in on average and either raising them or lowering them also help your body to get moving again. I think the trick to steady weight loss, at least for me, was to recognize plateaus and to keep making modifications until the weight start going again. Good luck.

I met my husband for an early lunch after school was cancelled. I told him what happened and how I was very annoyed. After all, if I wake up early . . . I can't fall back asleep when I am angry. He laughed and then said "don't you think it might be partially your fault that he responded that way?" My first reaction in my head is "wtf, did something crawl up your but and die today too?" but actually said, "what do you mean by that?" So . . . his reasoning is that the last several times I had to get up early and speak with my son before he leaves for school . . . it is because he missed the bus, or didn't wake up, or forgot some school supply that he desperately needs that very moment before school starts . . . which puts me in a bad mood, and I am definitely one of those people who thrives on solitude and peace, not to mention silence, in the early morning - not disruption and hassle. So perhaps the "why on earth are you bothering me with your incessantly nagging, annoying self first thing in the morning" tone of voice occurs because I am in a pickle of a mood during that time of day when it is usually due to some minor crisis. I can't remember the last time I came down for a "good" reason. Being pregnant also isn't a mood enhancing experience, lol. Perhaps he has a point :cursing:

I can't wait to see the pictures :0). You absolutely must share.

I think debbie_7155 does have a valid point. Risks of remaining obese are definitely developing comorbidities that could cause an early death. It is important to weigh benefits/risks of doing surgery as opposed to staying as you are now.

There is always a risk of death with any surgery - even if it is much less than a fraction of a percent for lapband surgery. As far as surgeries go, lapband is sometimes performed as an outpatient procedure and is low risk. There was a thread not too long ago about a woman who was a doctor, had the surgery and then went on vacation immediately after who died due to infection while she was traveling. Although cases like this are very few and far between . . . it has happened.

Well it was a snow day for everybody today. My son's high school called me at 6 AM with an automated message saying it was cancelled, and then my university called an hour later . . . since when did they start doing that??? My lucky husband had a class this morning and they waited until half way through class to announce that they would cancel . . . after everyone has already unburied their cars and braved the horrid driving conditions to be sitting chilled and unhappily shivering in their classes . . . blehhh. Anyways I ran downstairs to find my son at 6am to make sure he knew the good news, called his name and he answers "what" in the tone of voice that says "why on earth are you bothering me with your incessantly nagging, annoying self first thing in the morning," so I said "with that attitude maybe I won't tell you." He said "fine then" and never even asked me what was up. I didn't tell him the news until he was all dressed and ready to walk out the door 40 minutes later. Jeeze, Louise . . . what is up with that . . . and am I a child as well for not telling him until he is ready to walk out the door??? So tell me, can teenage boys get PMS??? I am starting to wonder. I agree with passing on the peeps and licorice is really gross to me . . . but jelly belly brand jelly beans are a personal favorite which I reserve only for Easter, lol. I don't even want to talk about Cadbury regular sized caramel eggs or I will have to start thinking about them, lol. Why oh why do I have to start seeing them in January already??? I think I will start avoiding the drug stores as well.

Thanks for sharing your story. It is so easy to identify with you . . . so many of us have lived in different lives, different roles. I have also been blessed with a wonderful life without obesity being my only failure, but that was the past :0). My little rubber band has given me a new lease on life in a "normal" sized body. I am so grateful and lucky to have my band to help.

Maybe it is better if you don't know, lol. Specially if you have a taste for marshmallows coated with colored sugar.

Hello Violets, I haven't checked in for a few days and been having a rough time. My back has been killing me since Friday. One thing that happens when my back is out of alignment (which happens a lot in pregnancy) is that the back pain which is near my bra strap line also makes me nauseous. Saturday I ate something for dinner that made me pb - but it was actually more than pb'ing - it started as a pb and then triggered the vomit reflex. Sunday I was in misery due to my back and I noticed that any food I would eat would cause me to pb - but I can get liquids down no problem. Monday I went to the chiropracter and thank goodness for the blessed relief that brought. However, I pb'd both breakfast and dinner and went to bed uncomfortable. Today I had a slimfast for breakfast, lots of hot tea, water and everything was fine. I ate soup for lunch (corn chowder) and pb'd that. So I am again so tight I can't eat but can drink just fine. What is even worse is that I know the cure is babying my stomach and going on liquids for 2 days and I will be good as new. I have had this happen to me before, my stomach swells easy if I pb and my band is fickle during pregnancy, so I know what I need to do. So why oh why do I keep assuming I must be fine since liquids slide down, eat something, pb it and cause myself to get tighter??? Will I never learn??? So I am going on liquids, absolutely, until Thursday evening. I also need to boost my liquid intake during this time because I am down 3 pounds over the last week or two putting me at 139. My OB said it is essential that I am gaining at this stage of pregnancy. I would need to gain 5 pounds in the next 2 weeks just to be keeping my weight in check with what she wants to see. I hope everyone else is having a good week so far. Laura the lamp shade looks great. I have started decorating with a butterfly theme but have a long ways to go.

I thought foe in the very beginning but now it is absolutely my friend. I am working on my masters, working more than full time, with a child at home and one on the way . . . do I have spare time??? no, but I found that I need my exercise. It gives me sooo much more energy once I got into the habit that I feel like a slug if I don't do it. You just have to do it for a couple of weeks until it becomes routine. Then you will find it is no big deal at all and you will begin to crave it.

This is an interesting topic, thanks for bringing it up. The responses are very helpful.

It is possible to find aftercare. I found one local doctor that would take me for $500, another within 2 hours drive which was much less expensive and there are always the fill centers available. It is important to find the fill and aftercare support before you have the operation. When I made the initial phone calls I got quite a few that said they were not interested in aftercare for a patient that did not have surgery in their clinic. However, there are options available in a lot of areas. I am sorry it hasn't worked out so well in your case. I think as demand increases there will be more options in a lot of areas.