mikesforevergirl

I had a fill on Feb 11th and a colonoscopy on Feb 12th. I drank the citroma. . .sip, sip, sip, and forced as much Fluid as I could. It was a challenge and this fill has proved to be my 2nd most trying of them all. I've done more vomiting this go round than all of them put together but I'm on the other side of it and I'm sure the fact that I am having to run everything through "like water" due to the colonsc. result (fissure through the musculature. . .PAIN and much bleeding for months leading up to test) I am taking alot of milk of magnesia and I'm surviving now! My band is good and tight, just ALMOST too tight and the colonoscopy was no problem. . . mind over matter when you drink that stuff. My dr. had me do 1/2 a bottle of the mag citrate am and half pm and a fair amount of Water. . .like 30-60 oz over the course of the day, not easy, and not sure I got all the water in, but I got it done! Hope that helps! MFG banded 7/29/08, total loss so far 75 lbs. 75 to go!

I suppose just as I don't understand being in your shoes, those in your position do not understand the intense struggles of those in the shoes of those of us with BMI's of 50+, removed thyroids, etc. Certainly I don't begrudge anyone their successes or hard work nor do I minimize health issues. I think alot is lost in "tone" and "intent" in forums which is why I tend not to post. The initial post was full of questions. . .I just threw out some answers and posed some of my own opinions. NEVER did I imply anyone deserved surgery more than someone else. Only wondering why someone would take the risk of surgery when their health was good enough to run marathons! I think most folks on here share the same struggles and fears at the core. I am humble enough not to take offense at the "sour grapes" comment. The quote by NYCBandster "I am not trying to brag or anything, but if I can figure out why my weight loss was faster and greater than gastric bypass in the first year" does leave me surprised. . . . because again, I just don't think very many people in good enough shape to run Marathons with BMI's of 36 have had a Gastric Bypass and so comparing your results to theirs or being shocked your body responded so much more favorably would be quite obvious. Muscle to fat ratio being one huge factor. Your resting metabolic rate would be far better than bypass patients. I say keep that muscle and keep on doing what you are doing and you should stay successful! I considered surgery a very "weighty" matter. . (no pun intended, lol) as the thought of being put to sleep is not comforting to me! I guess I should not assume that others feel the same. Good Luck all. . . .you probably won't see me post alot more. Now I know why so many folks choose to just lurk and that it unfortunate, it robs many of us of their experiences.

The answer to me seems pretty simple. With your BMI so low it is clear you do not suffer from the blatant metabolic challenges that MOST bypass and lapband patients suffer from. Consequently you would see far better results with the modifications you made. Chances are you don't battle constant hunger despite a low carb diet like we all do and your lower BMI likely allows you to begin exercising at a far greater intensity than what larger folks can. Not sure why a BMI of 36 warranted the risks or cost of the surgery, really. Just my take! But good job!

Greetings Fellow Bandsters! I am Lisa, I weighed 333 at my consult on 7/2. I began my preop diet on 7/15 and I had surgery on 7/29 weighing in at 322. I had my 3rd fill yesterday, I weighed 298.6. In the past for weeks I have lost ONLY 6 POUNDS!!!! GGGRRRRR I have somewhere close to 6 cc's in a 10 cc band. food gets stuck intermittently. I am walking, following directions and feeling like my loss is not commensurate with my effort. I lost about 100 lbs low carbing 6 yrs ago and I've yo yo'ed all the way up to where I was before surgery. I am a former TOPS leader. I know the drill, know how to diet and exercise, drink the Water, etc. I'm am doing all of the above. I have only got 1/2 of my thyroid, I am on NO medication as labs seem ok, but hair is thin, always has been. I suppose my question to those of you that are a couple months in, with a similar amount of weight to lose saw any slow down. I am open to suggestions. I have had a cold this past week and I came home after my fill and ate too many 100 calorie packs of Cookies. I'm back at it today. It's just difficult to wake up at 6 am to walk for a month solid and do what you are supposed to and see such minimal results over a 4 week span (6 LBS!!!!). I know 35 lbs is a sizeable amount since beginning pre op diet but you still cannot help but feel deflated when you still weight almost 300 lbs and are eating this little and exercising and seeing a slow down. Or will it pick back up? Thanks for listening to me WHINE! lol Best of luck to all of you! Lisa

Actually I am following a low carb regime for the most part. I only hit the 100 calorie packs when I have to! lol

I weighed 333 on July 2nd at my consult. I ate like crazy till July 15th and then began the pre-op diet. I was 322 at surgery on July 29th. Yesterday, September 3rd I had my first fill and I weighed 306. I have my second fill on Septmber 17th and I am trying really hard to get under 300 by then! So, From July 15 till September 3rd (7 weeks & 2 days) I lost at least 27 lbs (probably more after my goodbye to food tour!). All of that and somehow I still feel like nothing is happening! Aren't we sad sometimes? Lisa C.

Greetings from Missouri! I am a new bandster! I have gained a wealth of knowledge by lurking on this forum and decided that if we all lurked like I have been that none of this fun stuff would be out here! So here I go, likely starting my new hobbie! I am the happily married mother of 3 teens & preteens. I have only 1/2 thyroid and take no medications. I lost down to 199 over 5 yrs ago while I was the leader of a TOPS group (I say there is no motivator like public humiliation)! LOL I gained more weight than ever after that time, getting up to 333 lbs! ACK! I was down to 322 on surgery day after my pre op diet which was preceeded by my "goodbye to food tour". I just got into the under 310 range this week. I am walking about a mile in 30 minutes every morning. I have my first fill this Weds 9/3 and for some reason even with no fill, the past week or so I have had such major restriction. I suspect that muscle spasms in my back are the culprit, if not the "mid cycle ovulation issue". I don't know for sure but I was starving before. While I am glad, I am a bit concerned as to why the change, and before any fill. Any advice on that is greatly appreciated. You should note that I have huge issues with Fluid balance and I suspect the fluid my body saves up during the latter half of my cycle may have somthing to do with it. I have pain in my left side, pain like someone kicked my right square between the shoulder blades and a touch of "foamy" reflux from time to time. Nothing is consistent and seems to be worse when the muscle spasms are worse. Best wishes to all of you and I'm looking forward to participating in the forums! Lisa C. 333 at consult; 322 at Surgery; 308 Current Banded 7/29/08 by Dr. Malley in Overland Park, KS