Hollie519

You are lucky restless. My doctor told me if I had a morsal of food 2 weeks before my surgery, he would know when he openned me up. He said he'd just sew me back up and I'd wake up with nothing. what I've found is it is a struggle to do this everyday no matter if its liquid or not. But I have also found that after I'm done excercising or done not eating things I shoudn't, I feel either nothing or good about myself. When i don't excercise and i do eat things I shouldn't, I just feel bad. I remember the liquid sucking but here I am almost 11 months post op and have lost 90 pounds. I feel like I just had the surgery but I didn't. So just take it one day at a time and know that before you know it, the time will have come and gone.

So think about it. Its because the shredded beef is just the type of food that will pass easy. If the bottom part of your tummy is full, that means the food that you are eating is passing easily. You just have to make different choices about what you eat. If you know certain foods go through faster, don't eat it. Or just have something else to go on underneath it. Like eat the vegetables first and than the shredded beef. This way you are not over eating and still getting to enjoy the foods you like. Most likely you haven't stretched your pouch. just think of your stomach as an hour glass. My doctor told me not to drink anything a half hour before and after eating. If you don't do that already, try it with the foods that you have to chew less and see if it helps.

You guys have no idea how much your words mean to me. I have never one time thought of it that way Crystal. Thank you so much. You have no idea what that does for me. :]

I, like most of you, have been over weight my whole life. I battled with weight right next to a thin younger sister. She is now a stuck, materialistic kind of person who doesn’t care about other people. To tell you the truth, I hate being fat and hated the years I had to grow up fat but I wouldn't have traded it for the world. I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not been. I feel I have confidence in my personality, my brain, and my work ethic. I strive so hard to be what people wish they could be or just be someone people want to be around. This could have something to do with having a father who was a productive alcoholic. He liked to work more than he liked being with his family. At a younger age, I prided myself off the fact that no one hated me. This, I feel, has caused me a lot of emotional and mental damage. I know I did things out of lack of self worth and as ashamed as I am to say it, lack of self respect. I mean I slept with people so they would like me more. I have matured since than, so I can see the errors in my ways. I just find it’s difficult for people to understand why I did it. All I can say was I wanted people to like me, I wanted to be that girl and if I gave people what they wanted, I thought I would be. You know it turns out life isn't that way. AAHH! I just blamed so many things on being fat. I mean I had girls be so mean to me in middle school who said they were my friends and had been for previous years. A girl who said she was my best friend dared her neighbor to see how far he could get with me. He did, but I was innocent than. He had me backed in a corner... I'm sure you can imagine the rest. My own friends. How sick. I never thought what crazy people. I thought wow something must be wrong with me. Honestly even today, telling that story out loud brings me to tears. I lived with my Grandparents at the age of 7 while my parents were building the house they live in today. My Grandpa was a heavy machinery mechanic so he worked nights. He taught me to read and watched me everyday after school. He was like my father since my real one was never home. We eventually moved out and had been over at their house visiting. My cousins were there and my mom said we had to go home. I threw a baby fit and went to sit in the car. My Grandpa was standing outside and lipped Olive juice to me (cause it looks like I love you). I just gave him a dirty look because I was so mad and than we left. My grandpa died that Friday; Father’s day weekend. I have never felt so guilty about anything in my life. My Grandpa’s death has haunted me since the day he died. Even typing this right now is making me sick to my stomach. Since I had been so confident to go to middle school, and the girls were so mean, I was dreading high school. I started smoking pot over the summer. I just had such a big fear of saying something wrong that I wanted to make sure I could have an excuse. Saying oh because I was high gave me the illusion of being cool. I started getting into heavier drugs and hanging out with people who only wanted to take advantage of me. I let them. Knowingly. I just wanted so bad to be a part of a group, I was dumb. Eventually I transferred schools and started living better and made real friends. One day I had missed the bus and my mom was really mad that she had to take me to school. We had been talking about a family friend of ours that my mom had always kept on a Pedi stool even though she’s stupid as shit. She had always compared my sister and me to her and her brother. My mom than started talking about me losing weight and here are her exact words, “I just don’t think you are the kind of girl that guys look at.” Today I know my mom didn’t mean that the way it sounded. I just felt like mentally I had grown up a lot and no longer had a surface hate for myself, had good grades and was off drugs. It just felt like it was never enough. It was never going to be enough. Let’s just say my high school cycle repeated itself with the self hate and the drugs. Today, my mom is so proud of me. My whole family is. My mom had called me one day and said you need to take a new picture because when you call I see one of this fat girl. I know it was supposed to be a compliment but it hurt. I felt like if I ever gained the weight back she wouldn’t love me as much. I mean I know it’s because she wants me to be all I can but my mind just won’t take it that way. I know I still have self hate in my body. It’s deep in there but I can feel it. When I have time to think, I don’t have very happy thoughts. After losing 90 pounds I should but just don’t. I go in for a screening for counseling on September 3rd but have nothing in the meantime. I have a guy who’s like my brother to confide in, but he has been away for the past year and doesn’t have much time to talk. Oh and I do have a boyfriend but don’t tell him anything about this because he takes it personally. Stupid I know but he’s been here since before I had the surgery and is now more insecure now that I am thin. I just wish I didn’t care about what other people think.

I had so much trouble with the liquid. I was a bitch and had stomach pains all the time. The smell of chicken broth now makes me gag. You should have gotten to full liquids by now. I found I really like the way yogurt feels on my stomach. I buy the tubs of lit 'n' fit vanilla. It has about 4 servings in it and is only 80 calories per serving. So i'd say go to town with it becase there are no chunks and it keeps you full. oatmeal should be on your list soon as well. That coats your stomach and keeps you full. Just hang in there, you are so close!

That is exactly why I said just the people who I have met and also went back to edit. I have my own issues about the whole weight loss thing. I hate being fat and was committed from day one but I also am a lot younger than many of you. So, I can see how it could have been a bit easier for me. i'm not saying it wasn a walk in the park because I love food. I just feel so strongly about what the band did for my life and I know its possible to experience great results no matter the age. I am from San Deigo where quite a few people have had the lap band. It was not as easy for me to have it because I was 17 at the time of surgery. I had to go to several doctors including state assigned because I was underage. I also did not pay for my surgery because it was in a study, so I guess I must have had to go through more extensive screening. Maybe that is why my outlook is so different. I just know the lap band is like NA, it works if you work it. That its no easy way out. But again, my own mental issues about earning things. So, my bad if I offended anyone. That was never my intention. We all make mistakes. So just jump back on the wagon hammer and have some faith. And every pound lost counts so don't sell yourself short.

So I am really the exact same way as you. I was fasinated about it and shocked at how much I produced. My boyfriend was not as amazed as I was. Thats crazy. Good for you for being more aware.

I agree with Melody, the band is not a quick fix. Maybe they should have just given you the bypass. My boss has that and she eats candy bars all day. If you are not losing weight than you are not putting in the effort. I was banded 10/03/07 and today have lost 90 pounds and I know I earned every pound. Not to be rude, but I am kind of offended about you saying this. Your doctor should have made you go through a psych evaluation before allowing you to have the band. Also, 511 pounds sounds a lot more like the bypass but that is only the people I know. I could be wrong. Just try to hang in there. Being overweight is like having a handicap. You can do it. You have a whole see oh people online who are willing to listen and give you advice. Sorry if I was sounding rude. That comes from my mental issues.

Just remember you eat that cookie and you don't feel any different unless you feel guilty. If you don't eat the cookie you almost always feel good. Just stay strong and just keep yourself busy. I recently attended a buffett dinner for my Great Grandpa's 80th birthday. I knew about it in a week in advance and was reminded again that morning. For me, I would have normally been so stoked that I was going to this particular buffett that night. My boyfriend later reminded me about it, and I hadn't even thought twice about going. I was so happy. In my mind, that shows that food does not center my life anymore. I also barely ate and made good choices. So this will pass. At about 3 months after surgery I started having cravings and as I did not satisfy, they passed. There is hope. Stay strong.

I am in the same boat as Misti. It was my first surgery, first time being under, and i was also pleasantly surprised about how well I felt afterwards. Honestly piercing my tongue hurt worse. lol But I just got the liquid hydrocodine and from previous experince, I didn't even waste my time taking it. I had a fantastic surgeon who is pretty famous for other surgeries he has performed.

Yea good to hear you are ok because that kind of thing can cause band slippage and erosion and all kind of bad things that would cause them to remove your band. keep up the good work and KIT cause I love to hear about progress :]

Today I have officailly lost 90 pounds! I just needed to share my good news where I know it would be appreciated. :]

Congrats! I had my band through a study and half way through all my test, they told me I might not get the band and i cried. I cried for days. I had previously thought of having the bypass because I was 17 and 246 pounds at 5'3'' and the wieght was just going to keep coming. When I went to the seminar, I knew I was meant to have the band. I knew it was something I could do. After 6 months of eating my feelings, i went for a doctor visit and they said your surgery date is October 3 so we need to get you started on liquid pretty soon. Exactly like that. Again i cried but this time tears of joy. And today I have officially lost 90 pounds. So I feel exactly where you are coming from. Even writing it in the sky wouldn't have been enough. So congrats again and just keep your faith and you will do great.

Thanks to everyone for the support. I had to tell someone. I can't talk about it at work because my boss had the bypass and she is pregnant and more mean than usual. Now if I could only lose that fat girl in my mind, I'd be set. :]

One of my co workers also had the band in Mexico. She had it a little less than a year ago. Her band is almost the same as mine but the placement of the port is a little different. She is doing pretty well but says the doctor will give her a fill anytime she wants. That is pretty unsafe because if it gets too tight than his stomach will completely swell shut. She also had a lot less rules and regulations I had. If you think about it, your husband could get sick because his body wouldn't respond the same way or he could have complications. Its not fully worth it because there is that possibility something could happen to him. I mean my co worker is fine but you never know. Good luck

I, like you, didn't know what that was either. It's when you get sick, throw-up, spit up. What ever anyone wants to call it.

Call your doctor in the morning for sure if you don't feel better. My band was about a half of CC to full for me, and I just went along with it to see if it would get better. It never did. I eventually had gotten sick so many times, one day my stomach swelled shut, and I couldn't eat or drink anything. And being that I was under 18, my mom had to go to the doctor with me, which is really far and she just started a new job. So, I waited 36 hours before calling my doctor and didn't have anything in my system. I couldn't even drive I was so dililrious. Short answer, call your doctor. :]

Keep your chin up! Starving could be a reason why you are not losing weight. Stick to the food plan the doctor should have given you for post op and you should be on your way in no time. Remember you should have just been on liquid prior to your surgery and you will eating solid food soon and this always makes a person a little heavier because you aren't 'flushing' your system anymore. Good luck and hang in there.

Make sure you are speaking with your doctor about your food intake and the pressure you feel when you eat. I was at a point where my band was like half a CC too full and my stomach eventually swelled shut and i had to have it completely emptied and had to be on liquid diet AGAIN for 2 weeks. It was right around my 18th birthday so it was a bummer. Otherwise, just try to make sure you chew chew chew. You will get sick more often from eating too much rather than having some food you can't pass. It feels like eating a really dry sandwhich and having it stuck in your throat but it never passes so you have to spit it back up. It's really not that bad as long as you are paying attention to what you are eating and how much. It will take you a little while to get used to how much food you can fit in your pouch. It will take a few days after each fill for you to be sure how much you can have each time. But it really isn't as complicated as it sounds. Sometimes I forget I even have the band. Hope that helped. :]

They just want to know if you are mentally stable enough to handle the lap band. My surgery was done through a teen study, so I had to also see my surgical team full of people and than the exact same ones but different people at the Children's hospital before I was approved. They just look for history of depression and to see how well you have done on previous diets to see if your state of mind is in the right place. It really isn't one of those things that you tell them what they want to hear. Just tell them whats real and you should be ok. Good luck! keep me posted.

Coconut doesn't get stuck for me but I have learned the hard way that you should probably stick to what your list says. If you get sick to much, your band can get swollen shut and than you have to get it completely emptied and be on liquid for 2 weeks. So I'd say unless you have to, don't eat things that are on your do not eat list.

The band doesn't make it impossible for you to eat and eat. It is designed to help you feel full not to make you stop eating. It does also sound like you do need to make an appoinment to see your doctor but see if it is possible for you to have an x-ray done first. I was once at a point where my band was too tight and it eventually got swollen shut and I had to start my band at being completely empty again. Just like Jodi says, certain carbs and sugars can make you feel more hungry sooner or also things high on sugar. Take a step back and re-evaluate your diet. I found I was eating a little of this here and a little of that there and i gained about 10 pounds back around may. I am now back on track and have lost a little more than the 10 pounds I has gained. Once you get used to it, sometimes you kind of forget to not eat things out of habbit. Try to find other things that satisfy your sweet tooth. I'm a big chocolate and Peanut Butter person and it is hard to satisfy that craving without actually eating a reeses. :] just try to eat a meal and than have some kind of alternative like certain frozen yogurt can be low in calories and also satisfy that craving. Keep up the good work and hang in there.

Steph, My advice, being over weight my whole life as well, only have this surgery if you are ready to change your life. This surgery, although not as drastic as the bypass, is a complete change in the things you eat and the way you think about food. I myself have struggled with diets since I was 10 years old. I did the slim fast, adkins, Vitamins b12 shots and many other diets. I have never felt as great as I do with this band. I am almost 11 months post op and I could not be happier with the results. BUT Lap band is not something that you can have and jsut lose the weight. The band is a tool; you only get what you put into it. My boss, who drives me nuts, had the bypass and she sits at her desk and eats candy and junk food all day long. If i ever poisoned my body with that, I would gain weight. So just keep in mind, if you are a goal oriented person and are willing to put in the work, than lap band is everything you are looking for. I am only 18, so i owe my life to this band. The way I feel about myself is amazing. This is something I never thought would ever happen to me. So if you are willing, have the surgery. Good luck with your further research and I hope this provided a little more insight for you. Let me know if you have anymore questions :]

Lisa, 45 pounds is a BIG deal. That is a toddler. I find that things like that always helped me keep going. If you go to the gym or even when you go to the grocery store, pick up something that weighs like 5 pounds, hold it in your hand for a while and than think, you have lost 9 times that weight. That is a big accomplishment. It is natural for a human to want it all right now. I had the same problem around 53 pounds lost. I just recall seeing so many different people around than and i felt like I was saying I had lost 53 pounds too many times. I felt like I should be saying a different number by than and i didn't feel like it was that much yet. I also noticed people acted weird around me for a while, like they wanted to say you look different but didn't want to offend me by saying I lost weight, especially if i hadn't. When i hit 60 pounds, the compliments came from people i hadn't even seen since elementry school. So keep up the good work and remember that you have come so far in the right direction. Hollie

Um see I guess I am different from all of you. I had the surgery and was driving around the next day because I was sooooo bored of sitting in bed. When you eat certain foods that give you gas, it can be VERY painful though. I had gas so bad one time I had to call in sick to work because I couldn't move. These things pass though. I had my surgery 10 1/2 months ago and I have lost 89 pounds. Good luck and keep me posted. I love to see progress :]