88KEYZ

Hello - Another April bandster here! I too have not checked in this group in a while - but have been down lately wondering why I have not been losing!! Basically we all are in the same neighborhood of loss, so I do feel better seeing the numbers. I am at 43 pounds loss but have been the same weight for about 4 weeks or so now and that is very discouraging. My last fill is too tight I think as I am PBing a whole lot. One day I can eat and the next I can't eat anything. So, I am making an appt. to get a change in that. Also, I have had sinus infection, tons of drainage and that causes the PBing as well. Nothing can settle. So, I am not giving up - but trying not to get discouraged. Lift me up please!!

I had my surgery 4-19-08; have lost 43 pounds; am struggling right now with keeping food down and same as you just seem to handle the chicken salad better than anything. Eggs come right back up no matter how they are cooked or made. I have a sinus infection right now, tons of drainage and we think that is what is making everything come right back up - not being gross - but mucus looks to be the main thing coming up in huge bulk amounts. Sorry to be gross. Also, I am battling an issue of needing root canal and the pain is awful, so the pain meds are not helpful to eating right. I am just stuck and so down mentally. My weight loss has been on stand-still mode and now these issues don't help. I love my smoothies more than anything but was told to get more food down as my body is in starvation mode. Anyone else going through anything like this?

I begin this blog with venting my frustrations. My loss this month has been horrible. On Aug. 6th I had lost 41 pounds since my surgery back in April on the 19th of this year 2008. I had been proud, feeling so great, excited, but now it is Aug. 29th and yesterday I was at a loss of 43 pounds, with today having the scale bounce up 1.6 pounds. I just don't get it. I am barely eating, my last fill has had me throwing up most of the month and just in the past week have I held food down. I am swimming laps in a new pool, although with bad storms that is not daily. I am sick this week with the "crud" going around, which is sinus infection, upper respiratory issues, so that does not enhance a healthy way of losing weight. I have been enjoying my smoothies, made of pure fruit, yogurt, fat free milk and some juice at times. I eat chicken, green beans, broccoli, healthy things. So - why am I not losing weight as I should??? I am stuck and can't afford to get stuck! I am reading the books, just ordered more of the vitamins to see if they help kick it back into gear from the fill centers USA web site. I even ordered a diving suit that I can continue swimming as the weather turns and the water gets colder. I am not giving up! That is the end of my venting for this morning. If you have suggestions - send them to me! If you pray, include me in your prayer list, if you care, just care!

Yes - let's be specific - Darlene Zebley, ARNP, MSN, FNP-C These are her certifications as she does all the fills, aftercare but does not do surgery or lap-band surgery specifically. ARNP: Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner MSN: Master's of Science in Nursing FNP-C: Family Nurse Practitioner - Certified

I begin this blog with venting my frustrations. My loss this month has been horrible. On Aug. 6th I had lost 41 pounds since my surgery back in April on the 19th of this year 2008. I had been proud, feeling so great, excited, but now it is Aug. 29th and yesterday I was at a loss of 43 pounds, with today having the scale bounce up 1.6 pounds. I just don't get it. I am barely eating, my last fill has had me throwing up most of the month and just in the past week have I held food down. I am swimming laps in a new pool, although with bad storms that is not daily. I am sick this week with the "crud" going around, which is sinus infection, upper respiratory issues, so that does not enhance a healthy way of losing weight. I have been enjoying my smoothies, made of pure fruit, yogurt, fat free milk and some juice at times. I eat chicken, green beans, broccoli, healthy things. So - why am I not losing weight as I should??? I am stuck and can't afford to get stuck! I am reading the books, just ordered more of the vitamins to see if they help kick it back into gear from the fill centers USA web site. I even ordered a diving suit that I can continue swimming as the weather turns and the water gets colder. I am not giving up! That is the end of my venting for this morning. If you have suggestions - send them to me! If you pray, include me in your prayer list, if you care, just care!

I was banded in Mexico and get my fills in Roswell, GA; My fill doctor also serves south Georgia via Moultrie, GA; You can reach her by contacting the following company. www.fillcentersusa.com - Dr. Darlene Zebley. Phone: 866-345-5872 Appointment Contact Name: Charlotte or Patty Distance; They are very good and available for phone contact anytime.

I would be happy to be here for you to bounce questions off of as needed. I was banded on 4/19/08 and as of today have lost 42 lbs. I have a goal of 100 total pounds to lose. I'm 5'1" and started at 230 lbs. Our only difference is age as I'm 47, and I have not had a problem telling others. It is not their business, but I am so proud to have had this change in my life!!!! Good luck to you and I'm here if you would like to visit!

My Doctor and my Dad's Doctor both told us not to immerge into a bath or pool for 4 - 6 weeks. We showered the very next day and onward, just no immersion. They don't want any water to have a way to seep inside the incisions and cause infection in case of a tiny space hole or something of that nature. Rare but possible.

Take the bandages off, leaving the little tiny slivers of tape on until they fall off on their own. The scars need to breathe to heal. You can use a little neosporin if needed, but not too much as they need air. Cleanse with soap / water. Dr. Corvala did a great job on me and his staff was so good too. Keep in touch!!

You are doing great! Keep it up and stay in touch with others that have been banded. It is very important to keep in tune with yourself and others so you stay focused!

Stairs did not bother me at all. I just went very slowly!

I think you are asking about a tracker - go to this website: www.tickerfactory.com You can build your ticker there and it is important to get the url when finished so you can keep it updated. I have had to discover something about myself that might help you. I have an excessive amount of air and sinus drainage which is causing my food to give me a ton of heart-burn. I do have PBing a lot too. So now when I eat, I take a little of "Can't Believe Its Not Butter" with the first few bites, chew more than normal, drink a little Fluid as well. I then sit and wait for a huge burp to get the air bubbles up and then I can eat normal for my band size. Very strange, but it is working! Just go very slow with it. Good luck!

I would go into the categories for answers or search out people that have been banded for a while by looking through answers, etc. PB: productive burp SLIME: the mucus type fluid that comes up in the PB These are what happens if you eat too fast, don't chew enough or have a band that is too tight. Always ask me anything, I'll try to answer! Befriend me on my site as well. Good luck!

Don't give up - I ended up being a "self-pay" and went to Tijunana. I was denied by BC/BS as well. I would absolutely go to Mexico and have this procedure done again if I had too. I am happy with it and was very happy with the hospital and doctor. Don't give up!!!!

Hang in there! I hurt very bad with my surgery as well. Everyone is different, be careful to not compare yourself to others too much.