Bea1128

I had my first fill 3 weeks out. I got 3 cc in a 10 cc band. I'm scheduled for one next week which will be 4 weeks after the first. I guess I'll continue on the four week cycle until I hit my sweet spot or the "green zone", as he calls it. My doc is an aggressive filler though. I'm very ready for #2. Good luck.

My surgeon was Dr. Adam Smith in Fort Worth. I had my surgery at a True Results clinic in Hurst. The nurses were great and so was the anesthesiologist. All in all, it was a good experience.

Congrats BBK! You look awesome. I can't wait to get to that point!

Hey, I'm glad you said something. I had forgotten all about them. I have miles 1-3, but they must still be in a box somewhere. We moved a while back and I haven't seen them. I used to do them all the time. I agree with what someone else said, she gets on my nerves with all of her talking and laughing. I actually turn the volume down. I might dig them out and try doing it with my ipod. :w00t:

Hey Mindy! I'm in Texas too, Fort Worth. I started out at around 250 as well. I've lost 21 pounds so far. I'm due to have my 2nd fill next Wednesday, thank goodness. I don't have much restriction at all right now. I gained two pounds this past week, but it was because I ate bad over the holiday weekend. I'm back on track and hope to drop that two pounds again. I know what I need to do, I just don't always do it. :thumbup: I would love to have a buddy that understands what I'm going through and can offer some advice and support. You have done so great! Wow! 100 pounds off in a year. Congrats! It must feel so great. I can't wait to get my first 50 off. It will make me feel so much better and I haven't been under 200 in years! Keep up the good work. I hope to hear from you soon! BTW - My name is Brook

It's perfectly normal to have anxiety about this. It's a huge adjustment. For all of those people who say this is the easy way out should walk a mile in our shoes. Just know that there have been hundreds who have gone before you and are doing great. I applaud your willingness to do your research and make sure it is right for you. Good luck! You'll do great. Like you said, you've had triplets, this is a piece of cake compared to that! Right? :thumbup:

I thought about lap band for a year as well, doing research, soul searching etc. I have two children although not as young as yours, mine are 8 and 4. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. As for the question about regret, the only regret I have is that I didn't do it sooner. I would go through it all again and again and again. Even at my most miserable moment, I never once thought I wish I hadn't done this. The pain and lifestyle change are insignificant compared to the benefits, in my opinion. I've lost 21 pounds, I had surgery 6 weeks ago. Most of your questions are different from person to person. I can tell you that I didn't have much surgical pain. The pain I had came from the gas they bloat your abdomen with. I had that for almost 10 days. Although, that didn't keep me from going on with my life after about 4 days. It got better every day. My port site was the most sore incision, but that only lasted maybe a week. I started walking right away even though I was miserable from the gas pain. I had my surgery out-patient and was home in about 4 hours, but that varies from surgeon to surgeon. I've had one fill and will have another next week. As you read through the posts, some people have a lot of pain and are down for a couple of weeks and still others are back to work after only a few days off. You can take all of these with a grain of salt because it may be a completely different experience for you. You won't know until you get it done. And because of this, my advice to you would be to make sure you have plenty of good help in case you are down longer than expected. You babies, I'm sure, demand a lot of your attention. You'll just want to make sure you are able to get the rest you need to recover fully. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your decision.

Thanks Froggi!

Hey guys! I'm in FTW. I'm not sure I would be ready to run a marathon in December, but I would like to train like I am. I used to run all the time and I miss it. I've been doing my treadmill a few times a week, but I really enjoy being outside and besides I have to work harder because I can't just stop, I have to come home. I'd like to get the book as a training guide. Can you give me the particulars? Thanks and good luck! Keep us posted on your progress.

I started a new social group "Bandster Gardeners", but now I can't find it. I'm not sure what happened. Should I start over? Thanks.

Indio- I think this is a great idea. I started out the same way you did, 250 and only 5'4". I've lost 21 pounds (well actually 19 because I gained two back this past week). I am scheduled for my 2nd fill next week. I have no restriction right now and am in bandster hell I guess. I'm trying to "white knuckle" it until next week, but it's hard. After the holiday weekend I returned to some old bad habits, mostly carbs. Any help or suggestions you could offer would be appreciated. Thanks!

Wow! Thanks for sharing the website. I'm going to give this a try. I gained two pounds this last week and I'm out of control. I'm hoping this will help me get back on track. I have my second fill next week. I guess this is what everyone calls bandster hell! Thanks again!

I'm so mad at myself. We went to a couple of pool parties with party food and drinks over the holiday weekend. I weighed in today and I've gained 2 pounds. I've been on carb overload since then. I can't seem to stop! I did this to myself, I have no one to blame but me! I'm getting back on track today! Normally I track everything I eat on fitday and I haven't done that in almost a week. I can't believe after just 6 short weeks I've already gotten so complacent. Sheesh!!! I get another fill next Wed and boy do I need it. I can eat almost anything with no probs. Everything is going down too easy and I've gotten lazy!!! Not to mention the fact that I had several margaritas over the weekend loaded with empty calories and sugar. It's been so long since I had one and they were so good!! Enough is enough. Today I'm back on track with a vengence. Anyone want to join me. If not, just give me some supportive words please. Thanks!!!

That's funny. I've just been looking for the same thing and can't find any info either.

Be kind? Are you freakin kidding me? You look awesome and are so beautiful! Congrats!! I can't wait until I look half as good as you do right now! Hopefully by Labor Day I'll have the guts to be in a swimsuit, but probably no pictures. You are a braver woman than me. Way to go!!!!

I agree, it's probably just your body adjusting. Maybe you aren't eating enough calories. Also, how much sodium have you been taking in? It could be water weight gain and not actual poundage. Don't worry, it'll start coming off again. Good luck!

Tammy- I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I know it has to be frustrating. I hope you get it fixed soon. I wanted to also say that there are several people from Alabama in the chat room in the evening. Maybe they can help you out and give you the name of a good doc. I'm sure you could also post in the Alabama thread and get some good feedback. Good luck!

I read this post much earlier today and I've given it a lot of thought. I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd put in my two cents. I see both sides as well. While I never want to be called "big" in any way, shape or form, I can see how some women think it's a statement the exudes pride and confidence. My mom used to have a T-shirt in the 70's that said "Big and Beautiful". She wasn't big then (except her boobs :frown:) so I never really thought of it as a negative thing. I think it was probably a women's lib thing anyway. I don't care how independent I am or how confident, I still would never tolerate anyone using that statement to describe me. Bottom line, it's a label. I don't like labels and in my opinion it's negative. My youngest daughter is extremely tall and lean. She's been called "skinny minnie", etc her whole life. That is also a negative label; although those of us who have a weight problem would probably love that label. Still, it's a negative thing because it makes her feel different. I also agree that we are visual creatures. We like what we like and vice versa. I have the craziest school-girl crush on a friend of ours. And while I think he's handsome now, I didn't when I first met him. Physically, he's so not the type I'm usually attracted to; nevertheless, I find myself stammering when around him. I just pray that it's not obvious to him that I think he's hot! :sad: My point is that after I got to know him, I found him attractive. He smart, funny, and kind. Most of the time, when shopping for a mate, we don't take the time to get to know someone if we're not immediately physically attracted to that person. We like to say things like "don't judge a book by its cover", but we all do it all the time. That's just the nature of the beast, so to speak. I've known several women who say they don't care that they are overweight because they feel sexy and beautiful. I think that's great, but that's not the way I feel. Being overweight feels ugly to me. That's one of the biggest reasons (besides health reasons) that I decided to go ahead with the band. I want my outside to reflect the confident, fun, outgoing, outspoken, probably too forward, beautiful person I am on the inside. I'm tired of people taking one look at me and labeling me because of my weight. The hell with that! And like Angelica said, "I'm beautiful" period. No need for more labels. But if it makes some women feel empowered by being "big and beautiful", more power to ya. Anyway, that's my two cents.

Congrats to all on their victories!! I've had a pair of denim capris that I've been wanting to wear, they are size 18. Needless to say they've been too small. So, this morning I thought I'd try again. I almost didn't because I didn't want it to ruin my day if I couldn't get them on, but woohoo, they fit!! And they are very comfortable, not at all tight. What a relief! I love that I have things I can wear again. Hallelujah for non scale victories!!! :cool2:

I agree with Manatee as well. I can speak from personal experience. Four years ago, I lost a lot of weight. All of the sudden I was getting a lot of attention from the opposite sex. It had been so long since that had happened. I've been married to my husband for 15 years and we've been together for 17 years. I was very flattered to say the least. I never acted on it, but I was resentful of my DH because he didn't give me the attention that other men were. My DH is a wonderful man, great father, I couldn't ask for anyone better; however, he's not the kind of guy who flirts, etc. I on the other hand am very much into flirting and playful banter. He's also not the sexually aggressive one in our relationship. He's gorgeous and doesn't know it. Girls are always flirting with him and he just doesn't get it. Anyway, needless to say it caused some hurt feelings when I lost all of my weight. What he didn't seem to understand is that I didn't want anyone else, but I wanted that playfulness and excitement in our relationship. Anyway, I gained all of my weight back and it isn't an issue at the moment. This time around I'll be aware of the problems it might cause and hopefully can do something about it before feelings are hurt. Weightloss changes people for sure. All of the sudden I wasn't invisible anymore and I didn't have to be. I was more confident and outgoing. My outside finally reflected who I was on the inside. While I can't wait to be that person again, I hope I will recognize that it's a change for my DH as well. I hope I can be more sensitive to his feelings about it as well. I don't want anyone else and besides my DH doesn't deserve that, but it's nice to be noticed, I have to admit. And to answer the original question, I can totally see how someone might have an affair after WLS.

Yeah! Another 2.5 down this week. Name....Current....Goal....Lost....Still to Lose by July 4th atallen06...........231........215.......0......16 Bea1129.............231........200......5.5.....25.5 BigBandFan..........296........270.......0......26 Epm316..............230........200.......5......30 erikadawn...........217........190.......0......27 faithmd.............302.1......300.......7.3....2.1(by6/21) Hastings............253........228.......0......25 KarenG..............174........160.......0......14 kathystrick.........318........288.......0......30 kellygirl0520.......236........220.......0......16 legster.............188........180.......9......8 Lenore1890..........267.7......247.......0......20 Leslie2Lose.........226........208.......7......18 LessNLess...........149........140.......2.......9 Lilmissband-aid.....240........225.......7.5....15 Luu2008.............215........185.......0......30 luvinke.............217........190.......4......23 Marissa's Mom.......388........358.......0......30 MollyMolly..........197........188.......7......9 nancy52.............197........170.......0......27 Nettie..............193........170.......0......23 Newhope4me..........173.8......160.....3.2......13.8 njudono............ 298........277...... 5......21 NukeChik............235........222.......7......13 nurse7263...........244........150.......0......24 renewedhope.........193........170.......4......23 Sades...............196........185.......1......11 Sunshine2...........179........160.......4......15 (by6/29) Suzzzie. ...........273........260.......0......13 Tess415.............327........299.......5......30 TexasFire67.........170........145.......0......25 Wombat712...........132.2......120.......3.6....12.2

I found it. It's in the 30's thread and is called My nightmare hospital experience this weekend. I'm sorry, I don't know how to link it directly. Anyway, if nothing else I hope if makes you feel better because you are not alone. Good luck!

First of all, I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I know it has to be very disappointing. Your story about your doc yelling at you reminded me of another story I read by another poster. She is in Arlington. Since you are in Dallas, I couldn't help but wonder if it's the same surgeon. In her story, she was not feeling well and her surgeon yelled at her and stormed out. I know many surgeons do surgeries at many hospitals in the metroplex. I can't remember who it was now, but you might want to look around to see if you can find it. It was titled "horrible hospital experience" or something like that. Anyway, my whole point to all of this is to say that if this is the same doc, two stories of yelling at his patients would warrant not only complaints, but also getting the word out to other potential patients. There is no excuse for that. We all paid a lot of money for our surgeries and there is an expectation of respect and decent care. I'll see if I can find the post as well. I wish you all the best. I hope you feel better soon. And I agree, find another surgeon!!

It's been a month already!! I've lost 18.5 pounds and 6.5 inches! I have a ton of energy and feel great. I've had one fill. While it was definitely not the easy way out like some people suggest, it's been great and I would do it again in a heartbeat!