cwm812

Go buy new clothes! It's lots of fun and you feel great afterwards. I'm a cheap shopper, too, but you can't do all this work and sit around wearing clothes that don't fit. And get rid of the big stuff, too. I think half of the women in Pennsylvania are wearing some of my old clothes. Every season, I'd go through the closet and get rid of clothes, but I'd always keep piles of clothes that I couldn't part with, but I knew probably wouldn't fir next year. Well guess what, they never did and then I had to go through all the bags and figure it out all over again. My sister is great at finding homes for my old clothes. She has dieting friends, a church rummage sale, and some organization that passes on business clothes to women that are getting back into the work force and need clothes. Some people like to sell their old stuff in consignment shops, but I haven't done that recently. Some day I'll get to the point where I only have clothes that actually fit me, but I keep getting closer. My husband will be so happy. He's always the same size and he can't understand the concept of having a closet full of clothes and only a few things that I can wear. So let them go...they can have productive lives at somebody else's house! Cindy

There's no reason to get a fill if you aren't overly hungry and you're losing weight. I didn't get a fill until I was almost 4 months post-op. I would go to by scheduled appointments and discuss my progress with the doctor and we would decide not to fill at that point. Cindy

I told very few people about my band pre-op. I wasn't trying to keep a secret. I just didn't want to hear their uninformed opinions when I was sure about my decision. Since banding, I've told many people and it is amazing how you don't hear the negativity when you've lost significant poundage. In case you wondering, of course I would do this again in a heartbeat. If I had a problem with my band, I would even get it replaced. I believe I really needed a surgical intervention and I am truly scared of surgery that involves a non-reversible change to my internal organs. I know it works for many people, it's just not for me. Good luck with your surgery. You won't have to deal with the nay sayers once you are successful. Cindy

Well, I think I qualify. I've been banded for over 2 years and I'm only 5 lbs from my goal. Although, I do keep thinking about lowering my goal. I have to agree with Jachut. Luckily, my doctor isn't the kind who gives you lists and lists of rules to follow. I'm really not ignoring his advice, I'm working with it. But I log nothing, I count nothing and I live like a normal person. Not all my choices are the best and I do think I could have lost this weight a little faster, if I had been diligent about everything. I also think it is likely that if I followed every rule as listed on this website, I'd have rebelled and would be eating a hot fudge sundae right now. I'm in health care. I truly believe that the best health care you can have is the kind where you are intimately involved with the process. That means talking to your doctor and questioning. These people aren't gods, but they do know plenty. The best doctors listen to their patients and modify their instructions for the individual, and they can explain why you should listen to them. There is so much variation on the rules, because all of them don't work for everyone. My doctor understands that. I guess that's why we have such a good working relationship. Cindy

I took pills immediately after surgery. In fact, my doctor prescribed them for pain. As you can see, doctors vary widely on their opinions. I've never had a problem with taking pills. Cindy

I am loving this thread, too. I'm a rule-breaker by nature. I hate to follow any rule that I doesn't make sense to me. I wear my seat belt, I pay my taxes and I followed my doctors post-op directions because they made sense. Some of the other rules, I've tested and made a decision, based on my experience. On some things he was right. Carbonation does not feel good anymore and I don't drink beer or soda, but I needed to find out for myself. I was told never to drink 30 minutes before a meal. Well, I found I need to have Water before I eat or I can't eat more than a bite or two. I told my doctor and he said, "The rules are just guidelines, if it's working for you, it's fine." And I think that's just it....if you need to follow strict guidelines to make this tool work for you, go right ahead. For me and apparently a few other people, we need to think about it and figure things out for ourselves. I do value my doctor's opinion and I ask for advice regularly. He sees hundreds of band wearers and I don't. But I am the expert on how I feel, and that counts for something, too. Cindy

My doctor told me that he had two patients that didn't need any fills. In the beginning, he thought I might be one, too, but it didn't work out that way. I didn't need any fills until I had lost about 40 lbs or so, then I started getting hungrier and able to eat more. I've had regular small fills since then. I never really spent any time in Bandster Hell. I always had some level of restriction, even right after surgery. Who knows, maybe you will be one of the lucky ones who doesn't need a fill..... Cindy

I'd vote for the fill. When I try to decide if I need a fill, I think about how hungry I am. Right now, I can eat about a cup of food at a time and I'm hungry again in about 2 hours. The amount of food doesn't bother me, although it could be a little less, but I feel hungry quickly. I've got an appointment for another fill on the 23rd. I know that it needs to be a very small fill, but I think it might make all the difference. Good luck with your decision. I've been too tight and that wasn't any fun, either. Cindy

Erika, I think you're doing great considering what you have to deal with. I'm an Asperger's mom, too and during those years, I barely could find time to shower and brush my teeth. Then when my oldest was 8, my younger son was diagnosed with Type I diabetes. It's all you can do to get through your day and I understand the daycare issues. Everyone was so afraid of their issues, I couldn't even get their grandparents to watch them. I think your plan to get into things when your 6 year old goes to kindergarten are good. That's a reasonable goal and you may be able to fit something in then. For the summer, I'd try exercising with them. My kids always loved when we'd put on a silly CD and dance around. It's not as organized as the gym, but it get's you moving. The other thing that worked well for us, was a pool membership. We joined a small hotel pool and we went during the day when the tourists were out and about. I don't think my son ever could have managed the public pool, but he did like to swim. The physical activity really helped with some of his anxiety issues. I know you probably won't get much actual exercise at the pool with 3 kids, but you need to start small. I need to let you know that everything will get better. I know these kids vary widely. It seems that when you have an autistic kid, you get to meet alot of them (and their parents!). The whole school thing will be stressful. Change is always hard for them. Elementary school was tough for Justin, but middle-school was OK and in high school, he did great. Now he's in college and has a job. He truly is a great kid and I'm very proud of him. These kids have many challenges to deal with, but they can do great things. Please PM me, if there's anything you want to talk about. Cindy

Cheri, Good luck with your appointment today. I think you are doing the right thing. I don't know anything about omnipaque (I know I have saline), but I think you need to refill your band with saline...just so you know. If it helps your symptoms, it sure is an easy fix. If it doesn't help, you know you need to work on the depression/hormonal side of things. I'm 49, too. I don't have depression, but I have felt the effects of the hormone changes on my body. I've seen friends in massive depressions at this time. It can be a long road to recovery. Let us know how you are doing. I hope it's the omnipaque and you are better soon. Cindy

....and you will find a number of us who were not required to do a pre-op diet. My practice has 4 very busy bariatric surgeons and they DON'T recommend the 2 week high protein diet. As you will find throughout this process, one size does not fit all. I've read about the people with huge livers, too, but like Jacqui said, it's pretty rare. Cindy

I agree with you 100%. I was always a great dieter, but couldn't keep it up forever. I had willpower, but the hunger was unstoppable. I never realized that normal eaters don't feel this way. They have the ability to eat one cupcake. Now I do, too. I may get blasted for this....but I really believe there is something physically wrong that makes some people this hungry. Some believe that overeating is purely a psychological problem, but I think they're wrong. Being obese is not about being lazy, weak and stupid. It's a real physical issue and maybe someday, the medical community will realize that WLS is a corrective, not cosmetic procedure. I still get hungry and I enjoy eating, but after a small meal, I'm full. I'm not planning the next meal or my dessert or even tomorrow. I'm normal and that, in and of itself, makes my life better. Those "normal" people have no idea the gift that they have been given. Cindy

Seevie, Everyone's already answered all your questions, but I needed to add to the question of whether getting the lapband is worth it..... Yes and then some. You have spent your whole life being obese and that is difficult all by itself. I remember quite well being a fat kid, a fat teen and a fat adult...Trust me on this, it won't get better being a fat adult. Oh adults aren't quite as rude to your face as kids can be, but they are still judging you by your appearance every day. Luckily for me, it didn't have the anxiety issues that you are dealing with. I can only imagine what that is like. I can only wish I could have lost this weight when I was 19. I don't think it would have solved every problem I ever faced, but it sure would have made most facets of my life so much easier. Given all your issues, I think it would take great courage our your part to go through with banding, but I think it could be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. You are in such pain now, physically and mentally. You will be amazed at how the world opens up when food isn't the center of everything. I spent at least 40 years of my life being obese. I don't recommend it, not when you have another option. You are going to need help with this, but you can do it. Cindy

Are you really sure that she hasn't tried to lose weight on her own? Most of my friends have no idea about the diets I've tried and failed at. I was always a fat kid and by the time I was an adult, I felt that what I ate or didn't eat was my business. When I went on a diet, I'd never tell a soul, unless it worked. Most of my friends (and even my husband) only know about 20% of the diets I've tried. I'm sure there are a few people who think I didn't try hard enough on my own....they have no idea! Cindy

I use straws regularly and have never had a problem. that being said, I tend to sip (not gulp) with them. In fact, I think I drink slower with a straw. Cindy

Cheri and Ada...I think you are both right. Warm liquids do loosen the band somewhat first thing in the morning. I do that one all the time, but if I'm swollen from a bad stick, cold is the way to go. I will suck on ice immediately after the stuck episode and the next day, I've been known to have ice cream for lunch!....I always swell for at least 24 hours after being stuck and cold liquids really help the problem. Cindy

Thanks for posting this and I hope you get some answers! I have the exact same problems. I've read that the arms and thighs are incredibly painful, and I'm not sure it's worth the effort. I'm almost 50 and I'm afraid that even with surgery, I will still have 50 year old skin! I do know that my arms are just plain creepy looking. Now that it's summer, I'm forced to look at them all the time. I have realized that all the exercise in world is not going to make that skin go away. I figure I have 3 options: 1) do the surgery 2) stop letting it bother me or 3) buy alot of tops with 3/4 length sleeves. I've been working on the second option, but so far have been unsuccessful. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. Cindy

Elcee, I was responding to the thread starter as well. I guess I should use the quote feature, so that's clear. I think you, me and Bob are all on the same page with this one. Cindy

Wow. I have to totally disagree with this one...at least for me. I've tried structured eating my whole life and it helped me lose great quantities of weight, until I always rebelled. Then I would gain back every last ounce and then some. When I got my lap-band, I swore that 'structured eating" was over. I wanted to be normal and as you can see, it has worked for me. I don't count calories, carbs or Protein. I try to eat healthy, but if there's a great birthday cake at work, I have some. Freedom is the key for me and freedom does not involve spending my day contemplating every morsel that will go in my mouth. On the plus side, I have seen people who like to live this way. I'm just not one of them. It makes me crazy. Cindy

Banded 4/21/08 and no big problems. I still get stuck once and awhile and I had one small overfill. Actually, I had many more problems before I was banded! Cindy

Tracy, I've worked in the medical field for 20+ years and like you I've known my fair share of surgeons. They like to fix things and see quick results. The bypass makes sense to them. At my practice, we only see the surgeon for one or two pre-op visits and one post-op visit. For the rest of the appointments and fills, we are managed by a bariatric doctor. This combination works well. Bottom line, I don't think you have to worry about your surgeon. She will do the surgery, and you feel confident with her skills. If the aftercare isn't great, you can always switch to someone else. She just wanted to make sure that you knew what you were getting into. Cindy

I don't think there's anything consistent about weight loss, no matter what you do. We have too any changes going on in our bodies at all times to expect that we will always lose the same amount. I tend to stay the same for a couple of weeks and then I'll lose 4 lbs in 2 days. Here's what I do to keep from going crazy. I weigh myself most days, but I only log the number it's consistent for a couple of days. Also, whenever I log my weight, I check to see how much weight I've lost since the same day last month. That gives me a better perspective on how much I'm losing on a weekly basis, instead of freaking out over this week's Water weight gain. I know you are only 3 weeks out, but this process is slow. It will feel like forever if you worry about all of the minor fluctuations. Cindy

I have to vote for waiting on the fill. I love vacation and traveling and I would not want to spend my trip worrying about get stuck or trying to find Protein drink s because I couldn't manage anything else. You may overeat on vacation, but it's not the end of the world. In fact, I'm always so active on vacation, that I lose weight, no matter what I eat. But even if you gain a pound or two, you will get right back on track when you return. You're going to have this band for life, waiting 2 weeks for another fill won't ruin your success. Have a great vacation, Cindy

I'm another straw user. My doctor never mentioned any problem with using straws. I've never had any problem. Cindy

From my experience, it can take about a week for the swelling to go down. If it were me, I'd try to wait a couple more days, but if it's not remarkably better in a week (post-fill), I'd have a little unfill. I suspect you are going to need one anyway, but it is hard to tell when you're swollen. At my practice, we usually have to wait a couple of days for the appointment. I'd probably call today a make an appointment for 2-3 days from now. You can always cancel it, if things turn around. Good luck. I've been where you are and it is no fun at all. Cindy