Kryssa

My daughter has a blabbering problem too. I didn't tell my kids because I knew it would get back to my ex-husband before I even got into post-op. I didn't tell anyone at work either. If you are telling the world, then tell your kids. If you are keeping it close, don't tell. My kids accept that Mommy is "on a diet", it works for me, especially since I've barely lost anything in the past year.

Vinesqueen - I was lucky, no skin grafts, but I did ooze green stuff for a few days. Silvadene cream became my best friend. I'm (finally) bandage free, but my skin is still very thin in spots. It's been over a month since I was burned, and actually it looks as though the scarring won't be bad. Hot liquids don't really help with the first-bite syndrome for me. The only thing that works is "one bite, 5 minutes, second bite, 5 minutes, third bite, 5 minutes, then eat". Eating like that is aggravating when I'm on a 45 minute lunch break or when I go out to eat with my family. Oh, they are very sweet about the fact that its going to take me at least 45 minutes to choke down 10 bites, but they do start looking at their watches towards the end. I've kind of given up on the weight loss thing. By that I mean I would like to lose weight, but I don't think this is working for me. I need to make an appointment with my surgeon, but I don't need a fill, and I'm not sure what if anything he can do for me. He can't give me willpower surgically, and I can't seem to keep from eating (albeit slowly) when I'm hungry all the time. Food is usually the first and last thing I think about each day. I wasn't like this BEFORE lapband surgery, so its really very weird and disheartening. I probably eat less now than I did before I had surgery, but before surgery I ate 2 or 3 meals a day, no snacks and no obsessing. Now I eat 4 or 5 times a day and food is all I can think about. I wake up and go to sleep with my stomach growling. Some days I wonder if I'm going crazy, but when I went to check my psychologist just laughed and said I'm having a very normal reaction to a very un-normal situation. Great. How reassuring! :phanvan

Hi all, I know I've been MIA for a while. I was burned fairly badly about a month ago, so I've had other things on my mind. I'm healing well, I still have a few places on my arm (the 3rd degree burns) that lack skin, but the doctor says they are doing fine. My one year bandiversary was last week. I got on the scale, net loss since surgery: 17 lbs. That is so depressing. I haven't lost anything at all since my last fill. I finally have restriction, but I don't know about "good" restriction. It hurts everytime I eat because I have first-bite syndrome pretty bad. But I can eat a normal-size plate of food after the pain eases up, so my doctor says I'm not too tight. My food decisions have taken downhill slide in recent weeks. Chips and ice-cream are among the only items that don't trigger my "first bite syndrome" thing, so you can see why I am having problems. I'm always always always always hungry. And I'm depressed too. My doctor put me on a new anti-depressant last week. Here's hoping this one will work, the wellbutrin didn't help at all. I miss you guys; I'll try to do better at keeping in touch.

I can drink a lot at a time, no sipping required, and I can drink right up til I start eating. As for how to manage not drinking with meals, all I can say is you WILL get used to it eventually. I used to only drink with meals and now I never do.

Evelyn: Go to tickerfactory.com and follow the instructions. In LBT go to User CP, edit signature, insert picture, paste the URL from tickerfactory. My nutritionist moved me to mushies at 3 days and solids at about 12 days. I had no problems because I had no restriction. She said it depends on the individual person; extreme hunger is a sign that you are ready to advance, otherwie your body would depress hunger to facilitate healing. This of course has nothing to do with head hunger which is evil and the bane of my existance. I can't eat bread unless its toasted, sausage, hotdogs, dry meat, eggs, french fries (unless very crispy), steak (I tried and almost died); I must admit that I am mourning sesame chicken and eggrolls. I CAN eat anything crunchy: croutons, chips, nuts, crackers, popcorn, etc. On days when nothing else will stay down, chips and salsa will. I didn't say I should eat them, just that I could. I have no problems with salad, oatmeal, mashed potatos, cheese, SUSHI, chocolate (even brownies), and pretty much anything with gravy on it.

Slightly above and to the right of my belly button. It hurt really bad for maybe 3 weeks after surgery, but I can't even feel it anymore (not even on my back) and the Dr sometimes has to poke me more than once when I get fills. A trade-off? Works for me.

Thank you; it makes me feel a bit better about my choice. I'm losing slow, but I'm alive and healthy.

I've had 7 (!) fills and I'm still starving. I could eat more, but my weight loss is so slow I'm afraid to.

Me and DH still go out for sushi once every couple of months. I eat half of what I used to be able to, but I can eat it. Hint: think well-lubed with soy sauce, shrimp sauce, etc.

I have first bite syndrome, I PB much more than is good for me. That said, my food processor has become my best friend. Steak and chicken don't go down unless they are chopped up into tiny pieces. And NO, I am not too tight, I can eat an amazing amount of food once I suffer through the first bite or two.

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">Josette: that is exactly why I didn't tell anyone at work. I beat myself up enough; do I really need someone else to help? I am 31, mother of 2 children (boy 11 and girl 9), step-mother to 2 more (boy 11 and girl 13). I have been married (again) for 7 months. I live in SE Georgia and work as a budget manager. </TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on" width="100%"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">I had surgery on Tuesday and went back to work on Monday. The first day was miserable, after that, not so bad.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Hi all. Wow! There are a lot of new people in here! I didn't recognize half the names. That is my fault, I'm sure, I guess it has been 4 - 6 weeks since I've logged on. Update: Me and baby sis have been hitting the gym 3-5 times a week, 1 hour cardio followed by weights. Results? Nope. My weight is still at 247, clothes fit the same. I've been going to the gym for a year, I just bumped it up a notch so I don't think its muscle gain either. I go see my fill doc next week. I'm not looking forward to it since I haven't lost a pound in the 3 months since he's seen me. I'm very discouraged. My depression has gotten bad enough that yesterday all I ate was icecream, Cookies, and Pasta. I know I'm self-medicating, but today I'm beating myself up for it. This is also the reason I've been absent: encouragement will only help me so much, and my weight loss is very discouraging to others.

I contacted a surgeon who does the whole body lift at one time. It costs about $50-65000 and your BMI has to be below 30 to get it done in one operation.

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">My surgery was scheduled for 7 AM; I was in the car (for a 90 minute drive) by 10:30 AM. A egular surgery factory! I was barely conscious for the ride how because of the after effects of anesthesia.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

<TABLE id=HB_Mail_Container height="100%" cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0 UNSELECTABLE="on"><TBODY><TR height="100%" width="100%" UNSELECTABLE="on"><TD id=HB_Focus_Element vAlign=top width="100%" background="" height=250 UNSELECTABLE="off">My chiropractor said he was going to write mine up as a medical necessity because I am sway-back from all the extra weight and skin pulling on the front. Same idea as a breast reduction: it's effecting my spine, results in rashes, etc. You will have to see how much skin you have...and then petition your insurance. Good luck.</TD></TR><TR UNSELECTABLE="on" hb_tag="1"><TD style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height=1 UNSELECTABLE="on"> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Sarah, My new job has insurance, but it specifically and by name excludes any bariatric surgery "or the maintenance thereof". Glad I had the surgery before I changed jobs. I could probably swing the money (though not every 2-4 weeks like I was doing), but my biggest problem right now is I have to be at work during office hours. I have NO leave time. Oh well maybe next month.

I know I've been scarce lately, but I'm starting to get really depressed about this whole weight loss/surgery thing. Since my last post, I've gained and lost the same three pounds several times. Still at 16 lbs after 6 1/2 months. I know I need another fill, but I've only had my new job a month and I can't take time off work...we won't even get into the fact that I'm self-pay from here on out. I'm not really looking for sympathy, I just wanted to keep in touch and let ya'll to know what's going on.

Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant that is not supposed to effect your weight (many anti-depressants cause weight gain) or your sex drive (I know fron experience that Zoloft results in ZERO interest in sex). I've been depressed before, but the 1/2 lb a week I was managing to lose after $16000 worth of surgery threw me back into the black pit of despair. It's better now (3 mo. and an increased dosage later) but I'm still not normal yet. <sigh>

Sarah, Oh yeah. I stay stuck for 10-45 minutes but then I can eat. Well, to clarify, I can eat about 2 to 2 1/2 cups of food. I've never gotten to that 1/2 cup of food stage...I am starting to think that might not happen for me. My doc says this is classic spasms, not a fill problem. Ok, I can go with that. I'm trying to decide on another fill. The downside is the new job's health insurance specifically excludes any form of bariatric surgery or the maintenance thereof (i.e. fills), so I'm self-pay from here on out. AND I have no leave with which to take time off for a Dr. visit. It's a conspiracy...no, it's a promotion!!!

Hey, I'm here. Sorry I've been scarce, but I got a new job and things have been hectic. I've averaged 8 oz a week until 2 weeks ago. Not quite as bad, but still severely depressing. And I'm just so tired of having a panic attack every time I consider eating because I don't know if I'll slime. I do about 50% of the time. It's WAY embarassing in public. I'm not too tight, I'm just having esophagus spasms. Seems like I got alot of the problems with very little reward. OK, I'll quit whining. Others (Crystal, Jack, etc.) have it much worse than me. Think positive, think positive, think positive....

I hadn't considered it might be the wellbutrin. I've been on it for 3 months. I think the weight loss would have started sooner, but you never know. I've gained a pound in the last couple days but I think its water related; my rings are tight instead of loose. Thanks for the well wishes.

No, you can't kick me out (lol) of the slow loser's club. But I am finally actually losing weight. For the first 22 weeks after surgery, I lost 1/2 lb per week in fits and starts. :faint:In the last 3 weeks I have lost 5 lbs!!!!!! :biggrin1: :biggrin1: :biggrin1: I honestly don't know if it is the latest fill or the new meds the doc put me on, but you know what? I don't care! :D

I started at 311 lbs, size 26/28 or 30/32. At surgery I was 261 lbs, size 24. Now at 245, size 22. I'm kind of short with average bone structure and I want to wear a 10 soooo bad. My baby sis wears an 8, but she is upset because she WAS in 6s. Think we'll ever really be happy with our size? Maybe no woman is...

Good news 1: I got the job I interviewed for last week. Yippee! 50% pay increase and half the trip to work. Good news 2: I had a fill last Wednesday and I can't eat a whole plate of food anymore. This has happened before after a fill, but last time my restriction lasted for a few days and I'm hoping the new "tweak" will keep me restricted for a while because... Bad news: Every single one of the insurance plan options at my new job specifically exclude bariatric surgery or the maintence thereof i.e. I have to self-pay for anymore fills...ever. Those of you who have followed my journey know I only lost 11 lbs in the first 22 weeks after surgery. I am just now getting to the point of restriction, and I've lost 2 lbs in the last 2 weeks. It might seem a little slow to some, but I am thrilled with a pound a week. I want to keep losing like this. Guess I'll be shelling out a portion of that raise to the fill doc, huh?