shy_one

I'm sorry about your loss. I have 3 cats and the thought of losing any of them makes me want to cry.

Hi Debbie, I'm 50, 5 ft 6 in, and weigh 305 pounds. I have curly, light brown hair to my shoulders that I usually put in a pony-tail because its so heavy. My eyes are brown also. I carry my weight around my hips and stomach. My arms and legs are thin, so I look kinda funny, if you ask me, lol. Many people are very surprised when I tell them I'm 50 because I look so much younger - sure will help when I'm 70 hehehehe. I have PCOS so I have a lot of body hair, which has been a source of embarrassment and anguish since my teen years. Anyway, I can't wait to see your pics. Take care and good luck in your journey - Brenda

My doctor says that I can take any medication I need. I just had my 1st fill Monday and was on full liquids for 48 hours, then mushies for another 48. There are many ppl on this forum who require medication for various reasons and therefore can't not just take them. I try to spread mine out and not take them all at once, but a few every 5 minutes (I have to take 9 at a time . Just take it slow. Good luck

I also don't use straws because it's on my no-no list. I used to drink out of straws 99% of the time before being banded.

I don't know what's going on, but lately, I've been really pissed after I exercise. I've only been exercising for 2 weeks now at the gym. I look forward to going and enjoy being there. I spend 60 minutes doing the treadmill, bike, nu-step, and weights. Last week I went 3 times and this week, I've been 5. Does anyone know what might be going on? I mean, I'm really angry about 1/2 to an hour after I get home. Any little mistake I make, I feel like I want to punish myself. Strange. I would've thought that exercising would make me feel better, release those endorphines. I don't know.

After much soul searching, I finally realized what was going on....low blood sugar . I should have known since I'm a diabetic, but who knew, lol. Anyway, I eat a piece of fruit afterward and no more anger...yay!!

I'd be afraid the PB would get stuck. I do put it in my protein drink with a banana and then blend the whole thing...yummy

An EKG measures your heart rate/rhythm and can let doctors know if you're having any problems with the beating of your heart. The test is not that long. They put electrodes on certain parts of your body, which have "sticky" backs so they can stick to your skin. Once that's done, they start the machine and it runs for a little while, not sure exactly how long. This long sheet of paper rolls out and you can see your heart rate lines. A doctor then looks at your results.

AudricIan, I agree with you. I just did some research on the doc's website and yes, he only does RNY or the mini-RNY. As I said in my previous post, the band has come a long way in 10 years just from making the band. Through research, Allergan and J&J already know what type of material to use to reduce the possibility of erosion, fill rates, symptoms to look out for, etc, etc, etc. Europeans were the guinea pigs, unfortunately, so they probably will have more problems.

This doesn't sound very good. I hope that with band manufacturing innovations, we won't have such problems. It's still scary though to think about all this money I've paid to lose my weight might have been a mistake if I develop complications years later and have to have the band removed. Frightening thought.

WTG! I know how you feel, I just went under 50 myself. It feels great and you're right, it is a great motivator. Keep up the awesome work!

Nightime eating is my downfall. I do really well during the day, but come sundown, I'm hungry and want to eat. Thankfully, I've been working out, so eating something hasn't put any weight back on me. I wish I knew how to "kick" this habit. Any suggestions?

I agree with Elle. All of my lapband costs were covered under my FSA plan. Fills are still part of the medical procedure, therefore, they are covered also - Brenda

Thanks everyone for your input. Great points. I am trying to "re-train" my brain (hey I rhymed, lol). I have no restriction now, so eating only 1 cup of food might make me want to overeat and bloat, which I definitely do not want to do! I make myself eat a meal over 30 minutes because I am weighing/measuring out my food. I feel that, for right now and before my 1st fill, I need to know how to eat sloooowly. I'm so used to stuffing myself so fast. So far, when I take the time, I find I'm not putting my head in the pantry as much as I used to - Brenda

Oh, so true about having to use the handicap stall so you can wipe yourself well. I actually had a woman in a wheelchair give me a dirtly look because I had to use the handicap stall. I looked at her like I'm handicapped too. I won't miss: -having to use baby wipes because I can't always get everything -having muscle spasms if I move too fast or just getting into the car -not being able to fit into a booth -not being able to walk any long distance because I get too out of breath -not being able to shave my legs, so I go hairy all the time -getting a leg wax and being charge twice the price because my legs are twice the size -not being able to use a seat belt because the company does not make seat belt extenders for my car model (isn't that illegal?) Cool post. So much to list - Brenda

My suture area below my port is also dented. I just thought it had to do with the doc suturing too tightly, lol. My port actually bulges out some and I can feel it when I push around the bulge. I feel kind of assured that I can feel it because I can tell the my port hasn't flipped or something. Two weeks after surgery I thought that was where my band was until my swelling went down enough for me to determine that it was my port, lol.

My father is the worst and he doesn't even live close to me. He paid for 1/2 of my surgery (self-pay), so I'm going to have to just deal with it, but it does get so irritating. Thankfully, he does live so far away and I'm so grateful for his help - Brenda

Hi Noahsmom - I felt the same way as you did right before my surgery. I wanted to cancel, but I'm glad that I didn't. I was like, what the heck am I doing?! My surgery was painless and I have had no problems with my band. I don't get my 1st fill until 7/7 and unfortunately, I can eat whatever I want, so all I'm trying to do right now is to not gain any of the weight I've lost back. You have to remember that not all posts on this forum are negative. There are lots of positive posts. I think it's only natural to feel scared and wanting to back out, I know I did. I also knew that I couldn't lose the weight alone, so I went with it. Do you know anyone who had the band or have a support group near you who you could contact and discuss your fears? I wish you luck in your decision - I know it's a difficult one. Brenda

There's so many choices for full liquids. You can puree almost anything and it tastes the same with adding spices. Soups helped me a lot. See if your doctor will allow you to go on full liquids right away.

I started mine the morning of surgery. Put in a tampon and no problem. Why do they have you spread eagle on the table? Glad I didn't know that before my surgery. I would have been mortified!

I'm in the same place, 2 weeks post-op. I can't seem to control my portion sizes either. I'm always hungry. I'm truly in bandster hell, like you are. I can't wait until my first fill, 7/7/08. Good luck and hope it gets better for you - Brenda

I don't think your a1c has to be down for the surgery, yet I was self-pay. Mine was over 8 when I had my surgery (it's supposed to be below 7). Good luck with your process - Brenda

Just like Leslie, I too am in bandster hell. This is my most difficult time. I was able to eat full liquids the first 2 weeks, no problem. I start the mushies tomorrow, but am wanting food like there's no tomorrow. I'm so upset because I don't want to gain the weight I've lost so far. Like others, I can't wait until my first fill - Brenda