Bea1128

I live in the DFW area and the weather does affect me. More so my allergies than the actual weather probably. There are times when I have to go on liquids and liquid mucinex and/or liquid allergy meds to help with the phlem. I haven't had the extremes you have (I still have my original band), but when my allergies act up I too have night coughing etc. I am at the perfect restriction at the moment (thanks to another fill in Aug), but if the weather or my allergies get out of control, I get too tight. I try to deal with it at home, but won't hesitate to go in if I feel like it's gotten out of control. TOM also plays a big part. there are several days/month that I have to go on liquids for that reason no matter what the weather is doing. If that goes on too long you will also get inflammed which then in turn causes more swelling, etc. It can really be a viscious cycle. I keep children's Ibuprofen on hand for those times too. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that I can relate and that yes the weather sucks. :tongue2: Good luck!

Sorry to hear you are so frustrated. There were several good responses about this, so I won't go there. But you asked the question and my answer is no, absolutely not. Not even on my worst day have I ever wished I'd had RNY instead of the band. I know it doesn't work for everyone so there is no judgement in that comment. For me personally, when the band "stops working for me", turns out I've stopped working the band. Good luck.

Hey All, I live in the DFW area. I was banded almost 18 months ago! Best thing I ever did. Good luck to you all!

Oh yeah, I consider it almost on a daily basis, but just can't right now. I think 18 months out is very reasonable. I wish I could do it! Good luck to you and keep us posted.

I too gurgle a lot, but it's even worse when my allergies are bad. Taking an antihistimine and an expectorant from time to time helps with the "music".

I too am a slow loser. I marvel at the women who have lost all of their weight, sometimes 100 lbs or more, in less than a year. But I really am happy with the journey and I try really hard not to compare myself with anyone else. My life is so much better than it was and I am doing what I want. There are times when I get frustrated because I just want to get the weight off and say "I am at goal", but I'm doing what I want. I eat whatever I want, if I can, but in moderation. I eat healthy most of the time so I can be bad some of the time. If my kids want to go for an ice cream cone, we do that. I'm not going to extremes either way. I'll get there eventually I suppose. I love my new life. We just went to a water park this past week. There is no way I would have done that before the band. I felt comfortable in my swimsuit and I wasn't afraid I would be too big. We had a blast with our kids and it doesn't get any better than that.

Hope you guys don't mind me posting, your thread caught my eye. My port isn't visible, but I can feel it very easily and I keep bumping it. I'm always bumping into the counters or whatever, but now that I've lost enough weight for my port to be palpable it really hurts when I hit it. I have several superficial veins right over my port and I hit it hard enough the other day to really bruise myself. It's sore today. I picked up my daughter and had to switch sides. It's annoying, but not enough for me to be sorry I've had it done. :-) Guess I'll just have to work on being less of a clutz!

Congrats Numbrgirl! You really have done a great job in such a short amount of time. I know what you mean about feeling relief with such a small amount. I've had 1/4 cc taken out before and felt relief. I don't know about you, but my band is very sensitive. I'm finally loosing again. Hallelujah! I have 30 more to go and it's coming off so slow now. Keep up the great work!!

Lori - Everyone is so different, it's hard to say if that is a correct amount. I guess I'm wondering though if your doc checks to see how much Fluid is in your band before you get another fill to check for leaks? As for any advice, I like to periodically do the 5 day pouch test. It not only gets me back on track, but it will also tighten up my pouch a little from eating things I shouldn't. Especially if I've been eating too many carbs and am craving sugar. Here is the link: Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test Also, I have days when I'm tighter than others. There are so many variables. My allergies, TOM, and even the weather affect my band. There are days when I feel like i could eat anything. Those are the days I have to stay busy and exercise or I will. Of course there have been times when I didn't control it and gained a few pounds back. It's all about getting back on track. That's why I really like the pouch test because you go back to eating like a new bandster. It reminds me of the "rules". Give it a try if you haven't already. Good luck!!

Yes, I like Muscle Milk Lite too. Luckily they sell it my local convenience store and the hospital where I am doing my clinicals. It's pricey that way, but nice to have in a pinch when I don't have anything else with me. Well, they evidently put in the "crazy" version of the band when I had my surgery! LOL! I had my fill last week and really felt nothing, but now I'm so tight liquids and Soups are all I can get down. Whatever! I'm just glad to have restriction back. I really thought I was going to have to go back in a few weeks. The only bad thing is that I'm gurgling again. Nothing like sitting in a room full of people and sounding like I'm about to explode. NICE! LOL! Oh well, it's a small price to pay I suppose. :-) I get the hiccups a lot too. Gwen, glad the pain is subsiding. Mine has gone away too. Hope y'all have a great week!

Congrats Numbergirl! That's the best feeling! It looks like many of us are stuck. My fill on Wednesday wasn't it. It has always kicked in before now. Guess I'll go back next month and get another small adjustment. It's almost there, but not quite. It's been so long since I've needed adjustments I had forgotten how frustrating it can be. My shoulder has been hurting too since the fill. It always has after a fill and if I had eaten too much. I always know because my shoulder starts hurting right away, even if I don't feel it in my stomach. Mine always gets better, I hope yours will too. Nice to hear from you all. I hope we'll start being more active over here again. It has always been such a source of comfort and support. Hope you all have a great week!

Hey all! I haven't been here in a long time. I hope everyone is doing well. I've been doing great, mostly maintaining until I started my summer rotation in nursing school. I feel like I've been eating everything that isn't nailed down or still alive! I feel disgusting, so I went for a fill yesterday. I haven't needed a fill in 10 months or so. I'm ready to get the rest of my weight off (plus whatever I have gained in the last three weeks), so hopefully this will do it. I usually feel it the next morning, but so far I don't. He only did 1/4 cc, so I may need just a tad more. We'll see. I feel better now that I'm taking control back. Anyway, hope you all are having a great summer!

Also, my surgeon has a support group that meets once a week in his building. They are facilitated by two therapists. They are free once you become a patient. They were very helpful. I still go when I can. I always learn something new. You might see what is offered in your area. Just a thought. :-)

LOL! PMS on roids, that's great. Yeah, it's pretty bad. I remember getting so mad over the dumbest things and then start crying because I didn't know why I had gotten so upset. My poor family. :thumbdown: The good news is that it didn't last forever and it was so worth it. I'm happier, healthier, and better than I've ever been. My family is happier because of it. You know that old saying, "if momma ain't happy, ain't no one happy!!" LOL!

So glad I could help. Please feel free to ask if you have any other questions. I'm happy to help if I can. When is your surgery?

I'm glad you are concerned for your wife and that you want to help her because she will need your support. However, as you know everyone is different and has a completely different experience. The band is not a one size fits all thing. What I can't eat, the next person has no problem with and so on. So, I can only tell you what my experience was/is. You'll have to just see how it goes with your wife. I will tell you that pre-op I was a crazy woman. I had huge mood swings. I had to do a two week pre-op diet and it messed with my system big time. Also I was anxious and scared. Fat cells also store extra hormones, so when I started dropping weight, those were released. Not only mood swings, but migraine headaches. Don't let this scare you though, it's only temporary and totally worth it! As for having food in the house. I didn't want those things. Post-op I followed my doc's instructions to the T. It's safer that way and it decreases the chances for complications. Also I had my mind in the game, so to speak, and was ready to give those things up. It took me a year to decide to have the band and during that time I came to grips with the fact that I could never have soda and certain foods. I was okay with that. It doesn't bother me for others to have them in front of me. I wasn't going to deprive my family of certain treats that they wanted. But that's just me. I did however replace a lot of that stuff with healthiery choices because it's good for them too. My hubby drinks diet soda all the time, it doesn't bother me. I don't miss it and only occassionally crave it. Haven't had any soda since March 08. After she's been banded for a while and heals, she will be able to start experimenting with foods to see what works for her and what doesn't. There are some days I can eat bread and other days I can't, but because I don't know what kind of day it is until I try it, I usually just skip bread and bready foods altogether. I love salty Snacks so I do have to keep those to a minimum in the house or I will eat them. They go down with no problem. I can usually say no to them unless it's one of those days and then....:thumbup: but I deal with it and move on. For me, the worst thing my hubby could do is say something like "are you supposed to be eating that?" or anything similar (not that he would anyway). I know what I need to be doing and if I'm not then that's my fault not his. I would just say stay super supportive. That's the most important thing. If she tells you she's not strong enough to have those snacks in the house yet, try to accommodate her. If she tells you she doesn't want to go to your favorite restaurant because there's nothing she can order, try to understand. Eventually she'll get really good at dealing with the band and social engagements. It's a learning experience for everyone in the family. Just love her and tell her how great she is doing. Oh, and when she starts losing, don't forget to tell her how great she looks. It'll motivate her to stay on track or at least it does for me. Sorry if I've rambled on too much. Good luck to the both of you!!

Funny! Well, if I were rich I could afford a personal trainer, a personal chef, and all the cosmetic surgery I wanted. So realistically I could become skinny in just a matter of time. However, if I were skinny but poor, a handsome prince could find me and sweep me away to his magical kingdom. Thus, I would in turn be rich. However, if we are not living in fairy tale land and we are talking absolute reality then...skinny and poor, no question. I've got the poor thing down, just working on the skinny thing. LOL!!! :thumbup:

Almost exactly a year ago, my daughter and I went to camp and I wrote about my experience. I was able to do the big hike and was so proud of myself. Well, this year, it was even better. I was able to jog most of the way and was just barely breathing hard by the time I got to the top!! What a difference a year makes. I feel so great and am having such a wonderful time!! This is without a doubt the best summer I've ever had simply because I feel so much better about myself and I look so much better. I love it!!

Almost exactly a year ago, my daughter and I went to camp and I wrote about my experience. I was able to do the big hike and was so proud of myself. Well, this year, it was even better. I was able to jog most of the way and was just barely breathing hard by the time I got to the top!! What a difference a year makes. I feel so great and am having such a wonderful time!! This is without a doubt the best summer I've ever had simply because I feel so much better about myself and I look so much better. I love it!!

I get tighter a few days before and that continues until about 1/2 through TOM. Usually can only do liquids and very soft foods during that time.

Congrats!! That is so awesome! I can't wait to have mine. I hope to do it next summer! Keep us posted!!