MiniBand

I didn't think about this place for a while myself. We had 2 deaths in our family and just a whole bunch of other stuff. I was not filled when I went in last week due to my weightloss being steady and the fact I am a bit stressed out. I am happy to come back here and regroup. I have found myself substituting food with all kind of other things... mostly clothes because I don't have so much that fits me now. I also love makeup and obsessing over things I would never have obsessed over before. recently I ran into old friends that say they didn't even recognize me. I am not sure how to take it but I guess it is all good. I am worried that I can eat too much but I am still losing about 2 lbs a week and I am ok with that. :thumbup: Take care!

It is probably too late for this post but I found that singing actually helped after the surgery because I was able to breathe "better" than the average person especially when the breathing therapy lady came in with the little thing you blow into. Right after the surgery I was really upset that my throat hurt and did for almost a week. I made an effort to breathe more deeply even when it was slightly uncomfortable so I wouldn't lose my capacity and I think it really helps. One thing though, gotta keep hydrated and I am doing a lousy job at that. Hydration is also very very important. I find that I cannot guzzle stuff down. Last but not least, my confidence as a result of my weight loss is the biggest improvement to my singing that I could ask for. :thumbup:

I love it food WAS NEVER MY FRIEND. I found that this band really is working. I was supposed to have a fill yesterday. I am still losing so the Dr. said I didn't need one, and I was happy about that. I had such a bad 2 weeks, and I didn't turn to food for it. I am going to tell you what happened, not because I want sympathy but to explain how powerful an unfilled band is on me. Two weeks ago, both my husband and I lost our fathers 3 days apart. I will admit at my father's service, I ate things I shouldn't have eaten. I just ate so little of them, that I was ok. I didn't turn to food to get through the grief. I did adopt a new dog that needs walking though. Much better, and he is soooooo cute. You probably think, why now would I adopt a dog? Well just before my father went, I had been down to visit him and he just lit up whenever someone brought a dog. I have been thinking of getting another dog for a while now. I went to the SPCA to see what they had as they are around the corner from my house and there was my little guy just sitting there, waiting for me. Here's a video: Anyways... I am pleased as punch that I have my band now despite the havoc that the liquid diet has done and the lingering effects of that, I now understand why people say they wouldn't trade their band for anything. My scars are healing nicely and I got this stuff called kelo-cote to put on them, makes em soft and shrinking. I have had to buy a new wardrobe. Went from 18-20 to size 8 so far. Maybe I am not losing fast but I'll take the 7 or so pounds i have lost in the last 3 weeks.

Well the antibiotics have done what they were supposed to do so now I know what a normal person feels like after surgery. I am just a little tender still but I am not nearly as emotional and I am getting more and more energy as the days go on. Now if the scale moves I am happy :confused:

You aren't alone. I was banded on 13th and I have had gas and an intestinal infection which is probably worse than anyone can imagine. (I have very sensitive guts evidently from the liquid diet) Anyways I went back to the Dr. for my post op appt and told him to schedule me for removal surgery I was so miserable. He prescribed some antibiotics and I think they are starting to work. If you end up with a lot of mucus and it feels like ants walking through your stomach, you might consider finding out if you have sensitive guts too.

Jenn we wish you well with your journey. Sounds like you have enough going on. I know I was kind of in the same boat as you with my BMI somewhere around 37 when I started on my journey. I was under the BMI of 35 by the time I had my surgery. Right now my body is in starvation mode so I haven't been losing lbs but been losing inches for sure. Just went to Dots to buy some more clothes. Anything you all need us to answer we'll try but I think the self examination is a good place to start, I know why I eat, I get on the I hate myself and why not binge. What I want to figure out is why I get like that. I truly sometimes just loathe everything around me... but always me. So, I guess I have work to do.

Well I'll tell you what, you are right, your perception and relationship with food will change. Mine came before the surgery when I was pre-op and I had some major stuff going on and I could have gone out and had a hot fudge sundae. (or french fries or a belgian waffle) but I couldn't, I was on my pre-op diet. I felt what it was like not to be able to fill that void with food... so I ended up going and buying some new clothes because I went down from a size 18 pants to an 11 pre-op. And I am reluctant to report that shopping has sort of replaced food. I am only a few weeks post op and I am struggling with all kinds of things, wanting to replace food with other things and since I am post op, not feeling up to the rigorous exercise I'd like to undertake. That's what you gotta keep reminding yourself. The first big aha moment for me came when I completely stopped taking all my meds. I am just waiting to see if my bloodwork says I need to continue any of them. Also, post op I have a TMI problem most bandsters don't really deal with and hoping a course of anti-biotics take care of it, but it also has a huge effect on how I feel about food at the moment. I can honestly say, I don't turn to the refrigerator. I am probably in a weird place mentally at the moment so I wouldn't say my result is typical.

Well I am newly banded and right now it is consuming my life but that just because I am still on liquids. I know this phase will pass soon and hopefully I'll start to feel more normal. I had the same kind of questions you had California. I still have them. I think you should keep questioning yourself even til the day you get banded. Also you can't base your decision on anyone else than yourself. If your health and mental well being are in question, then you have your answer. For me I have diabetes, and other escalating health problems. I decided it was worth the risk to find out if it can help me. Best of luck in your decision.

I had my surgery 3/13 and I am still on clear liquids. I don't go to creamy liquids until Friday. I personally wouldn't chance my surgery but to each their own. You asked-- more importantly you may want to discuss this with your surgeon in case something happens down the road. Also, if you aren't sticking to the prescribed way of doing things now, you might want to think of your success of doing it your way? I mean sure it is great to say I broke the rule and nothing happened. But what if you actually followed what you were supposed to? Learning discipline now can only help you later on.

Yay my post didn't get eaten. I meant was texting with my friend not testing. Well I can honestly say the distention in the tummy is going down but the wind is still traveling through it. Having a really hard time with liquids and burping. Also the TMI D thing still going on... imodium works but I don't want to rely on that all day. I can't wait until I am off Clear Liquids. I actually have not lost any weight. Oh and I am NOT in menopause... which explains why I am feeling way more yucky than I might otherwise feel. I think it also explains why I haven't really lost anything, generally for typical "P" whole week I gain 2 to 3 lbs typically and lose it by the end of the week... so 4 more days and hopefully I'll see the scale start moving. The liquids probably would help so I am going to be more diligent about taking them. We are puppysitting in an emergency and if this little guy keeps jumping on my tummy, I am gonna get whatever pitchers wear to baseball games. Still he is very entertaining but his little claws are really sharp and he likes to jump a bit. A week out and I am feeling pretty good. The incisions are looking good and not itching as much now.

Good news Dan! I never actually talked to Walter, I think I talked mostly to Kelley. Eventually I am going to send them a DVD of me in a show, but I haven't gotten it back from the production co yet. The next show I am in I am going to send it, so they can see how they impact people's lives in a positive way! :tt1: How am I feeling??? Well one week out and I took my dance lesson today. This past Tuesday was able to take bus ride over to Cape Canaveral to attempt to see a launch that was scrubbed which is about 2 and half hrs away... so I think very well actually. I am pretty excited. Keep in touch and let me know how it goes for you. It certainly has been a rollercoaster for me. This one ends well though... I am already off my diabetic meds. :ohmy: Take care! M

Dan that happened to me as well, however Walter and company was able to get my surgery approved. Banded on Friday the 13th for good measure LOL. Check out ambiguity of the your policy's wording, that what helped me.

Thanks! Great info! I got denied for that "lack of" multi disciplinary approach. If you are serious, make sure you document food intake, exercise logs and make sure your PCP knows how to document your weight loss attempts. Obesitylaw.com helped me get my band approved after this denial. I totally recommend fitday.com or something like that. Also if you go to a gym or something your receipts of monthly payments and exercise routines or whatever you do, make sure someone documents it. I got my boot camp guy to help me.