LindaD

How you felt when you decided to pursue WLS? How you felt just before surgery? How you felt just after surgery? How you felt 6 months after surgery? How you felt a year after surgery? How you felt 2 years after surgery? How you feel right now? __________ Here are mine: How you felt when you decided to pursue WLS? Excited How you felt just before surgery? Scared How you felt just after surgery? Determined How you felt 6 months after surgery? ELATED How you felt a year after surgery? ELATED How you felt 2 years after surgery? Worried How you feel right now? Re-dedicated

One day at a time, right? I'm not going to stress about next week or next month. I'm going to focus on right now. Today, I went to the gym this morning and worked out for 2 1/2 hours. Today, I ate fewer than 1,400 calories. I'm not sure how tomorrow will go. Hopefully, I will stay true to my re-dedicated attitude. Maybe I'll go to the gym again if I can manage it. Maybe tomorrow I'll do even better, or maybe not. I'll worry about tomorrow when I wake up. But today, I did remember to act in a way consistent with my goals on this weight loss journey. How about you? What did you do right today?

I've not had anything like that, but I will say that the band and apparatus for the port would all be up pretty high compared to your belly button. Still, many bariatric docs have the fluroscope machines right in their offices now so if you're worried, call and see - if they do, a quick look might put your mind at ease! Good luck.

That's OK, SW... anyone can play. Today, I have kept up my food-log. I have not had anything to drink with my meals. I had HALF of something for lunch. (Half is enough, but in the past I might have eaten the whole because it's something I love.)

Thanks for your kind words... it means a lot to have a place to come put my concerns out there and ask questions.

My story: Hi, there. I came back to the board after a long absence because things in Band-Land aren't as hunkey-dory as they've been for 2 years past... I was banded in May of 2009 and the first year and a half were blissfully perfect. I lost fairly quickly at first and then it slowed down, but I was fine with that. I was feeling great - good energy and all. I lost over 100 pounds. In January of this year, I was traveling out of the country and something happened - we were out for Indian food and I don't know what happened, but it was more than just getting "stuck" - it wouldn't resolve. I couldn't sleep nor eat or drink. After it continued to the next day, I had to find emergency medical care and, ultimately, they completely emptied my band. My doctor here at home told me to let things heal for a month or more. I actually was doing fine maintaining my weight and exercising so I let it go for way longer than a month. But by June, the weight was creeping up so I went in to get filled having given my system plenty of "healing" time. My doctor started slow adding Fluid. We got to 1cc after 2 visits, but my last appointment, he tried to put more in and it watched on the scope as liquid didn't go through at all, so he took me back to 1cc. He told me I have a heital hernia, but that about 15% of band patients do and they are usually asymptomatic. Today I went in again and they tried to add .2cc (that's POINT 2) and same problem - liquid wouldn't pass so they pulled it back out. They told me my esophagus is stretched and sort of twisted (which, they said, likely has to do with it being stretched). So now I have to wait 2 months and be very careful not to overeat with the hope to shrink it back to normal so my band works right again. The band itself was in the proper position. Anyway, I have gained weight. I'm starting to get panicky about that. Has anyone experienced something similar? Have you come back from it? I love my band and I love the life I've had since my banding. I just want to get beyond this thing that is happening now and back to my Blissful Band-Land that I lived in for the first 18 months after my banding. I'm scared. I'm scared I'll keep gaining. I'm scared that once problems start they don't resolve. I have read all the bad stuff here - the people who got them removed and all that. I'm looking to see if there is another side - the stories of people who had problems and recovered back to a happy place. What was the process, how long did your recovery take? I have gained 20 pounds since my band was emptied. I am rededicated to stopping the gaining and actually losing. I don't have my band as a tool right now, so I have to do it myself so that I don't re-gain any more. I need to hear some success stories in this regard. Anyone out there have them??

Another one who misses the honeymoon period. <sigh> But I'm determined not to squander what I have achieved, and to continue on the path toward goal with or without a honeymoon. So I'm rededicating myself. The list, posted so long ago, is a good reminder. Over time, some of those things ebb away so I'm going back to the roots of the program.

The first 18 months were a dream! I've had some problems the past several months, but nothing that is insurmountable in my mind. I need to fix my ticker - I was at that for about 3 minutes but mostly I was hovering around 185. I'm now at 205 but I'm not losing hope - getting back on track. I'm still very happy to have 80+ pounds off and will reach my goal!

I'm back too. I lost over 100 and have put 20 back on due to circumstances explained in another thread here. I'm going back to the roots of what I did in 2009/2010 to get back on track and (hopefully) quickly lose the weight I've regained. Right now, I only have 1cc in my band due to the other problems and while it's a little restrictions, it's not what I had back before I got emptied. So here I am. I'm going to be accountable here and offer support back in return for the support I get.

Good luck! Check back and let us know how it goes!

I'm coming back too. I need accountability, I need to plug in to focus on making the best use of my band, I need to give and get support, I need to find my motivation again. I am up right now from where I was last year. I was in the 180s, had passed the 100-pound-loss mark and was happy as a lark. In January, I traveled out of the country on business and had an incident that would not resolve (I don't know if it was being stuck, seems like it was something more! I could not keep any food or liquid down and I could not lie down or sleep.) I had to get emergency treatment and they took all Fluid out of my band. My surgeon told me to let things heal for a month or so. It turned into 3 and 4 months. I thought I was doing well maintaining (and I WAS at first) and then things went nuts at work and stress levels through the roof and I started gaining. I'm at 205 now, from my low of 177 (I was only at 177 for about 3 minutes, mostly I was hovering around 185). It stops NOW. I did go back into my surgeon to start getting fills but they cannot get me past 1cc. My esophagus is stretched and twisted. I have to take some blame for this. So, I'm on a regimen of very small amounts of food multiple times a day and will go back in 2 months to see if things are back to normal so I can get more fluid in my band. I'm scared and panicking - I cannot let myself re-gain more weight! I have to get back below 200 quickly for my own sanity. So here I am and I will become active again and hopefully I can help others and others can help me. I want to get back to the normal I enjoyed in 2009 and 2010.

I've been Googling and I think I'm going to go on a period of liquids. My doctor said that for awhile I should stay with VERY small meals, several times a day. I'm blaming myself - one of the reasons for this is over-eating. However, it also says that those with a weak esophagus are prone to it and I have had some problems in the past (even before my band, I would occasionally get "stuck" and once even ended up in the ER for it - there is a medical name, but it's commonly referred to as Steakhouse Syndrome). So maybe it's because of that? Or both? I was doing so well until this ordeal when I was out of the country. It was the very day I flew in and I know that flying causes band tightness for many so maybe the flight and then the meal caused the first trouble and then all this has followed. I've done so well. I can't let it slip away. I need to get back on the route I was on prior to January. Thanks for the reply and good luck with your journey!

I had my surgery in May of 09 and I'm trying to get back to a highly-motivated state. I think I started taking things for granted a little. Back to my roots - what did I do in that first year as nearly 100 pounds slipped off? Well, I logged my food every day. (I don't anymore - going back to that.) I wore my GoWearFit armband to track my steps and I aimed for 10,000 a day. (I stopped wearing it and tracking - going back to that.) I've slacked on exercise - going back to taking walks during the work day. Re-affirming to the rules around drinking - Water well BEFORE my meals and not for an hour after. I hope you're doing OK since you posted this - if you want to check in, I'm listening. Coming back to the board to give and get support is part of my plan to do what I did in 2009 when I was losing.

Well before my band, I was having acid reflux issues and other issues and learned then that esophogeal cancer happens in association with untreated GERD. For me, the band appears to have resolved my problems with acid reflux to great degree (though not completely). It's true that band people often do deal with reflux, so indirectly the band may be more highly associated. But band aside, issues with reflux can cause this. For me (and maybe for many) it was a risk pre-band. I recognize I could face band-related risks going forward, but I also resolved or lowered quite a few risks too. I hope the treatment works for you. I assume they will remove the band for you now? It's one of the things I liked about the band- that it is removable. Best of future health to you.

Still creeping down... I was at 187.8 this morning. I have a business trip all this week, and then another one the week of the 15th. These are always challenging. Hopefully, I'll get to hit the fitness center each night and the Band will help keep me on the straight and narrow regarding my intake. Wish me luck.

I write a blog. It's not a weight loss blog or a fat blog or anything. It's a life blog, it attempts to be clever and entertaining. Occasionally, it even hits the mark. Because it's a life blog, it has often touched on this aspect of my life - the weight struggle. The decision to have surgery. Today is the first day I posted about this topic since having my surgery last May. With photos!! I don't know if it would be of any interest to anyone, but I figure there are people here who are at various places in their own journeys and maybe it would be, so for that reason, I invite those who wish to come visit. I'm Just Linda, and you can find me here: Nothing to See Here… To each of you, wherever you may be on your own journey, best of luck.

I read tons of blogs when I was considering and planning for my surgery. That's why I wanted to share my back. Well, that and because I'm a bit of an attention whore. Ahem. LOL

I also followed an Atkin's type plan for 2 years and lost a pretty good amount of weight and my blood lipids improved SIGNIFICANTLY. I don't disbelieve that others have some different result, and can only share what my own experiences were. I stay pretty low carb these days. Not Atkins induction levels or anything, but typically about 100 grams or less per day. This type of eating, together with the help from my band, is giving me what I seek. I hope each and every person here finds that for themselves.

The travel is still a challenge. Fortunately, our budget always runs dry at the end of the year so it was a light travel schedule October-December. Now I'm facing a new year and I have several trips planned. We'll see how it goes. I am fitting in exercise when I travel. Even if it means going to the fitness room at 10PM. I'm doing things like taking the stairs up to my room (even when on the 8th or 10th floor of the hotel). Stuff like that. So I feel like I have that side under control. It's easier when I'm not so bogged down with weight, when I'm not so tired all the time. The eating is still a challenge when I have these trips... so much food, often I'm not in full control of the selection (i.e. when lunch is brought in, I'm stuck with choosing from whatever is there). I have done pretty well. I actually had my first trip where I LOST over the course of the trip, so that was exciting. I'm at a 3.2 fill and I think this is my sweet spot. I'll ride it out for a bit... I can't imagine going tighter - this one keeps me on my toes. LOL Hope you are doing well! 175... sounds about perfect to me. :w00t:

I busted into the 180's today, just barely. I'm 189.8 and just a few pounds away from breaking the 100 pound lost mark. I'm also just as close to a few other important things: having my BMI move out of the "obese" category into the "overweight" category, and - this one is big - weighing less than my husband. LOL

I'll play. Here is my BEFORE, from my vacation nearly a year ago (February 2009): No matter how it looks, I did NOT get any taller. :thumbup:

Well, I don't have losses to report. In fact, I'm a little up from my ticker. But, my period is her so I'm writing it off to that. HOWEVER - I consider it quite a coup that my weight right now is down a bit from where it was before the official holiday season had begun. I thoroughly enjoyed the holidays. And I indulged in my new way of indulging. But it didn't wipe me out, and for that I am happy and grateful and very encouraged!! 2010 - bring it! (PS I've started blogging again at Nothing to See Here… if anyone want to visit. I've often blogged about weight issues and today was my first post about weight since my surgery. With photos! I'm pumped.)

Does anyone know of a Protein powder that can be easily added into to foods to get the protein level of a dish up higher? I want it for myself to use when I get to mushies (I haven't had surgery yet) but I also want it for my family - I have a 7 year old who doesn't get nearly enough protein. She's a picky eater and doesn't like meats, fish, veggies. The only protein she gets is from eggs and Peanut Butter. I thought I'd ask here to see if anyone knows of a good one.... Thanks in advance.

Procedure done on Friday as outpatient, home by noon. So obviously I took Friday off. I took Monday off too. I was still taking the pain meds and they made me really sleepy. Tuesday I worked from home. Once I figured that was fine, I decided to go back to the office on Wednesday. It was fine.

My last fill took me to 3.2 cc's and boy can I feel the restriction now. It might even be a wee bit TOO much. I mean, I'm going to let it ride, it's helping for sure. But I don't think I'd want to have things be this hard in "maintenance" mode. I have to eat REALLY slow and even though I haven't had any bad "stuck" episodes, I'm dealing with lots of small ones, you know - where you just have to wait for a bit before your next bite. Anyway, I'm at 193.8 as of this morning. I lost weight over the holidays, over my last trip out of town, even with my daughter's graduation party last night. So that's amazing. A few more pounds and I will move out of the 'obese' category.