HeatherO

It sounds like you are on the right track and will lose the final 12 before too long. Congrats on getting so close . . . the last few pounds are like a marathon, you have to work like a madwoman for them to fall off. I agree completely with the fake it until you make it. I have such a hard time dragging myself into the gym, but once I am there, I can't help but get a good workout. You just kind of get "in the zone" even if you say I'll only go for 10 minutes.

Gingerbug & Ang1982, you both look amazing, what a difference the band can help us to make. Conratulations!!!

I lost hair too. However, it has been so gradual, I am the only person who really notices it. I can definitely tell in the heft and feel of it when I pull it into a pony tail or wash it. I would say I went from relatively thick hair to average hair. Nothing terrible but it is noticeable.

I have also heard to wait at least a year, and to maintain your weight for some time so that your body has a chance to do some of its natural adjusting on its own. I have been lucky, it is not bikini belly but I look OK without clothes for the most part and there is only a little sag. However, now that I am pregnant, I don't know what it will look like by next summer, lol.

I lost about 16 to 17 pounds the first month but did keep it off. However, month two was definite plateau, no loss and no gain. After that it was in fits and starts throughout banding but most of my lost occurred in the first eight months of banding. I am losing very, very, extremely slow now . . . but still not gaining for which I am very happy.

You slime when you get stuck, your mouth fills with a substance that is thicker than saliva (kind of like snot but I am sorry for the description). It goes on overload in that you produce so much of it you will have to keep spitting it out into the toilet. When you are really stuck, you don't want to be anywhere but in the bathroom, believe me. Sometimes walking around or stretching your arms over your head help. Sometimes it doesn't. Being stuck usually lasts about 20 minutes for me, but sometimes people can be uncomfortable for over an hour. When I am stuck, if I lean over the toilet while standing and let gravity help to pull it out, it helps it to be finished faster (never vomiting, which you want to avoid at all costs and is dangerous for your band, but food that can not go down comes up through a process called PB or productive burping which happens a little faster if you assume this position). Other people have suggested drinking a little pineapple juice, or mixing a little meat tenderizer with Water or drinking something warm which they say works for them. When I am stuck I can not drink anything, I just get more stuck. Other people swear by papaya enzyme tablets which break up the food quickly but doesn't harm your stomach. You should be able to find these at Vitamin stores. Everyone who uses these says they work wonderfully but I have not tried them yet. Biggest thing about being stuck, once it happens a time or two, you learn to avoid it naturally because it is exceedingly unpleasant. It is almsot something that early bandsters are more prone to as they are first getting used to restriction.

That is wonderful news, better health for your children. More energy to run around, less dependence on medication. I am really happy for you, congrats.

I agree, the foodbank would help you easily and it is anonymous, none needs to know but you. It is worth a quick call. Also, if you are that close to the wire between paychecks right now, getting a little extra food will help you spread your remaining dollars a little further. I agree as well about splitting your payments up more, they may be accomodating. It is hard to be really short of cash with a daughter at Christmas time. Putting $400 back into your pocket will help your holidays go a little easier (plus January can be bolstered with tax returns as well as a working parent). You are right though about food needs changing. I must be saving a ton of money in lack of eating out/drive thru/impulse grocery buying, etc.

Well, what about you, Becky? Are you noticing a difference as well? You are pretty far along in your journey as well.

Acquaintances, friends and family treat me almost the same . . . afterall, my weight didn't define me as a person. However, they have noticed that I am a little more outgoing and self-confident than before. These are the people I care about so I would say, almost no difference. Strangers treat me more differently than before, especially men but even women are a little different. However, because they don't really impact my life it doesn't seem to really make a difference to me. People are now more likely to approach me now or even flirt. I must look more approachable than before for some reason.

You are never to young or old to reclaim your health. It is scary and intimidating before surgery. I know I was in a panic the night before and felt strange and out of sorts during the whole "last week." All I could think about is whether I was a failure, whether this would even work for me or am I just throwing more money down the drain, what if there is a complication . . . and on, and on, and on like a broken record. I bit the bullet, got the surgery and found out things were not so bad. liquid diet time and following the post-op diet was hard but I did it successfully. Now, I know without a doubt it is the best thing I ever did. I am 1 pound away from my goal and a normal BMI range which is very close to 100% loss of excess weight. It is one of those things where I wish I could go back now and talk to myself before and relieve all those anxieties. Good luck with your surgery, and hang in there. It will be done and you will be on the route to a healthier you before you know it.

I agree with everyone else, read as much as you possibly can. You should have all the facts before you embark on a decision this big. Some people are really unhappy with the band . . . but they did not go into this journey really understanding everything that was involved. I can tell you that chances are very good that if you have your band removed or fill removed so that it is open during the process, you will most likely regain the weight.

I had a choice, Realize was about $500 cheaper. I asked the surgeon and nurses and looked around a lot online (I was certainly willing to pay more for a better band) and I could not get one clear reason why one was better than the other. I chose Realize and it was a great decision.

I have felt this way if I am not drinking enough water or am getting too few calories. When I upped my daily water intake, I stopped having this problem.

The location doesn't make sense for a hiatal hernia. If you do have a hernia near the port site, it will be easily diagnosed by your physician. Another possibility could be that your port has flipped, which is a relatively simple repair. Definitely get in to see your doctor soon. Any strong pain is worth getting checked out quickly.

Myoplex is definitely cheaper in the grocery stores . . . so it might be worthwhile to get a small amount to taste it. It tastes OK, not great, not terrible but the amount of Protein is pretty good. It is best to drink it ice cold and I like strawberry better than the other flavors.

Do you have any restriction at all? What is your diet like currently? I think part of the issue might be in your follow-up care. If the doctor is non-responsive, you may want to see if you can find a different group to work with in your area.

Happy Bandiversary!!!! You are doing awesome. It is hard to believe a year passes so quickly when the first few weeks post banding are soooo slooowwww.

I found that giving blood affects me a lot stronger than it did pre-band. I am weaker, dizzier and I don't feel my best for a couple of days instead of an hour or so pre-band. I guess we are all different. I eat a healthy diet but definitely low calorie in general.

I agree, Benedrylnow in the strip will be helpful. I agree even more strongly with carrying the Epipen - if you allergies can put you in the hospital, you need something a little stronger just in case.

It does pass, but is no fun when you are mired in the middle of it. I had to find other things to keep my mind occupied, like walking or reading a book, I took a ton of bubble baths with different scents and candles, anything to think of something else. It is true, you make it through . . . and it is so worth it in the end. I think sticking with the liquid diet stage is one of the reasons I am at goal now in that I needed to struggle to get my mind focused so that I could make a real go of banded life. Even if it was not needed for healing, it would have been worth it.

One more comment . . . as far as will we ever learn . . . I have learned, I just occasionally ignore the signs. I think it is the little binge demon in my brain saying "just a little, just a little, just a little."

I still "test" my band every once in a while. By now, I know exactly when to stop, exactly when I know I will be uncomfortable but not PB, exactly when I will PB . . . but I still occasionally PB from a bad choice. For me it is almost like a reality check . . . it reminds me that without my band, I would be testing my limits (and waistline expansion possibilities) every day. Thank goodness I have a band.

I can see it as well . . . you should be proud of yourself. 50 pounds is no small accomplishment - and just imagine how big of a different your before and after shots will look by next summer.

My doctor also said they are OK in very short stints, like no more than two doses in a weeks time. She also said I should take liquid versions so they go through my system quickly. The few times I have taken it, I have taken liquid children's motrin (or an advil liqui-gel in a pinch) with a big glass of milk on an empty stomach. This helps with occasional very bad headaches. I don't do this more than once a month at most. Tylenol does nothing for me . . . Is anyone else like this? I am not sure why it is this way, but I don't even bother taking it anymore.