band75

Thanks for the words of kindness. I have an appointment with my therapist today. I'll discuss the GB, but I know she'll be against it. I did fail to mention that I really did try with the band. I have been in and out of the hospital for some unrelated medical problems. The weight I have managed to keep of is totally from self control and exercise. I have no restriction! I'm not trying to sway anyone's opinion of the band nor be critical. The band can transform one's life. My first 6 months were bliss, but something changed. I was wearing a very loose 14, but breasts looked terrible and my butt dissapeared. I was in a car accident, had a miscarriage, resigned from my job of 8 yrs. I want to be healthy, thin and happy!!!!! (In no particular order) Again, thanks!

I had LB surgery in August 2009. I had a low BMI around 36. My lowest weight with the band was 183lbs. Pre-op weight was around 217, if I remember correctly. Highest weight 237. I am currently 198 and counting. This has been an diffucult year. My relationship with food is unhealthy. I eat to compensate for emotional problems. I may be bi-polar according to my psych. I have an obsession with my appearance, depression, anxiety and compulsive issues. I had liposuction last year and plan to have it again in 2012. With all that said...I have had pain at the protruding port site, esophageal spasms, nausea and vomiting. I have no restriction because I was unfilled in the ER because of the spasm. I must be honest, I have not be a good bandster. I eat sweets and carbs way more than I should. I was approved to have the band removed and gastric bypass. I am on the fence...should I or should I not have the GB??? I have not posted in a VERY long tome, but I hope somone is listening! Thanks!

VERY tight size 16 to very loose 14...even my feet are smaller! 188.5 lbs as of this morning!

Hey CC, I think a lot of us are struggling. Now, we must face the issues that made us overweight. Lapband is not a cure. I have struggled with depression for many years and decided to seek help. I don't want to sabotage my success. I had a 2 cc fill about 2 weeks ago, but I can eat normally...just a little less. I am going to wait until February for my next fill. I am going to to teach myself better nutrition and healthy habits. I cannot rely on the band. I TRY to make an effort to stop and think when I eat. Am I hungry are greedy? Usually the answer is greed and I stop. Think about your terrific kids and living life on your terms. I am down to 189 from 217. I can do thing sthat I have not done in years. I eat a high fiber & protein diet. When I cut back on the cards I starting loosing inches. I eat dinner early and without carbs. When I do eat cards...it is early in the day and a small portion. I wish you well. Happy Holidays!

No, I have not been sick other than seasonal allergies. As a fellow bandster, I want to stress the importance of taking your Vitamins daily and Protein. You are most likely loosing your hair and sick because of a deficiency. Have your doc check your blood asap. It is no good being thin if your sick. I can send you a list of the blood work my doc does at 1 mth, 3mth, 6mth and yearly post-op. I am not sure what stores are in Australia, but this is what I take daily and I have had normal labs. Thankfully, my doc/nutritionist really educated me on nutrition during this process. They stress 1. Nurtition, 2. Hydration, 3. Weightloss. When I read some post it's like the docs only think about weightloss and fills. 1 Centrum Silver Multi Vitamin in the AM & 1 in the PM 2 Citrical Maxium (citrate calcium) am & 2 pm 1 slow FE (iron) costs more, but doesn't constipate like regular Iron

Hey Ladies, I hope you all are doing well! I had my first fill this Tuesday. It was 2 CC' s. I still don't have much restriction. I am at 191/Size 14. My loss could have been greater, but my sweet tooth is a MONSTER! The fill was like a big pinch. I return in February for my 6 mth post-op and 2nd fill.

Former FC, I know before the surgery my wedding rings were so tight. Now they slide on and off with ease. Also, my feet and head have gotten smaller. Don't laugh. I have a straw hat would not fit now I can pull it down over my head. I am fellin' great!!! I am down to 192 and I have a large shirt and it fits well!!

Has anyone had or planning on having cosmetic surgery? I still have more weight to loose, but I am planning early! I have been doing some research on medical tourism, but I am not sure. I want/need a tummy tuck . I would assume the prices in Maryland are average unlike New York and California, which seem to be more expensive. 10K is out of my budget! Ok guys and gals...I need your feedback :confused:.

Miss K fom the Land Down Under, All I can say is make sure you use some form of birth control. Most overweight women including myself have had so many GYN problems. From what I have learned WLS can make you VERY fertile. Which is good if your goal is to have a baby. I have been having hot flashes at 34, so I am on the other end of the spectrum (but I take my pills everday). I'm no doc, and I only speak from my experience. My cycle was crazy after the surgery, due to the sudden weight loss. As my weight loss is more stable, so is my cycle. Call your GYN if it doesn't get better and have them check your hormone levels and buy pads in bulk...lol

I am strugging with making good food decisions. I can eat anything! I knew from the start that this would be a journey. I have turned to food for comfort for many years. I have not had a fill, but I am sheduled for November. To be honest, I am afraid of getting a fill. If I can't eat something, how will make myself feel better. I am 195 as of this morning (gained from last week). I have been going through some family and work problems. I have yet to find a balance of coping with stress and not eating. Don't get me wrong, I am please with the 22 lbs of weight loss, but I could be doing better.

I wish I could offer some advice. I too am having problems with belching and gas. The belching is almost sour (the only way I can describe it). I hope your doc can help relieve some of the discomfort. I think that the surgery slows down all the intestinal process including expelling gas (for either end).

Renee, Maybe it is acid reflux??? If I overeat or drink too much with a meal, I feel pain near my port.

I went to the doc today and all is well! I did not get a fill today. Doc said that my weight loss is good and steady. I am down to 191 as of this morning. I am happy about the weight loss. I will get a fill in November before the holidays. I must admit, I saw the needle for the fills and it was damn big. I am terrified of needles and my doc doesn't have the best bedside manner. Smart guy, but you know how some docs are. I was sitting there thinking if he would be gentle. I'll see in November.

I'm no Rachel Ray. I'm finding it difficut to find healthy recipes that are easy, quick, and tasty. We can use this thread to post recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and treats. Can someone get us started?

Sally, Ask your doctor to do some lab work. You may be anemic or need a supplement. I will have my blood drawn in the AM. They take 12 or 14 tubes of blood. Oh...I had a B12 def. and when my levels became normal prior to surgery I had so much more energy. Now, I am pooped most of the time. Also, we all had major surgery, so give it some time. I am about 1 1/2 months post-op and I am still not 100%. One of my incisions just closed. There is a steep learing curve. We are used to eating everthing damn thing..now we consume a fraction of the calories and nutrients. I can eat anything now, I am training myself to eat in moderation. I love chips, cupcakes and cinnamon buns and can eat them. I am not a good girl everyday, but it is working for me. I wish you the best. GOAL...Summer 2010 size 10!!!! These are the labs I have at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-op. Then yearly after that. Prealbumin 25 OH Vitamin D Folate Magnesium CMP LFT HbgA1C Lipid Panel CBC w Diff / Plt Iron & IBC Uric Acid Transferrin TSH Vit. B1 Vit. B6 Vit. B12 Serum Vit. A Serum Ferritin Serum Zinc Serum Copper

Ruffcat, you need a fill. I have not had one yet. I am terrified of needles!!! I know..why did you get the band? Go figure? You'll be fine. My weight loss has been slow, but I am happy. I don't want to loos too much too fast and look like a crack head. I have been having hot flashes. My cramps are worse as well as a heavier flow. Weightloss surgery makes you fertile or send to into this men-on-pause state! Dr. Doc would not allow a another surgeon to do the tubal at the time the band was inserted. I am on the pill, I'll try later for the tubal later. PS. I am down to 194!

Wow...You'll be fine. Prayers and a good doctor go a long way! I wish you a speedy recovery.

My hubby is concerned about the junk in the trunk. He looks so sad. My booty and my face slimed down a lot. The thighs are another story ! NSV... My feet aren't swollen My face has slimmed down I can close the cutton on my short sleeved shirts I don't get out of breath going up the stairs.

I have been holding steady at 197. I have been going through a lot of stuff the past few weeks and have used it as an excuse to over indulge in the wrong foods. I swear if I could solve my problems without a danish I would be happy. I have almost NO restriction. I can eat and drink at the same time amd I can tolerate thick breads pretty well. At this point it is total self control, not lapband. I hoped to be at least 190 by now. I feel like I have failed yet again.

I cannot go either. I may have a small amount, but nothing major.

Lotusflower, I too have been depressed. Yesterday I broke down after looking at my incisions. I must admit that I have had issues with depression in the past, but have dealt with it as best as I could. My husband had a valid point. food makes me happy and now that I cannot satisfy my needs with food what will I do? This will be work in progress. I can honestly tell you that I did not go to the mall today because of the Great Cookie (snickerdoodles). I buy them buy the half pound, at one time by the 1lb bucket. It is weird, I'm not hungry just obsessed with different foods. It may be churros, Cookies, ribs, cinnamon buns, etc. I have a terrible sweet tooth. I know it may sound a little nutty, but I really like food. On a lighter note, the 10 lbs I lost is great. I can fit into shirts that would have otherwise collected dust. My goal weight is 160, anything smaller I think I will look sickly. Well, I am going to relax and enjoy my last day home.

Joan, thank you for the information. I wasted $126 on Bariatric Advantage starter kit, which contained two vitamins and a protein shake mixture. I could not tolerate the taste or texture...terrible!!!

Adelarosa, I am sorry to hear that. I hope that the meds clear up the infection. Don't let it get you down...sometimes things don't go as planned. Let us know how you are doing.

My gas pain is getting worse :thumbup: It is in my left shoulder and slightly in my neck. It hurts to move. I am taking GAS-X. which helped yesterday and this morning. I don't know what else to do.

I am not nuts, but I had a slight panic attack earlier. I took a shower bath. Since the surgery, I scrub better sitting in the tub using the hand held sprayer to rinse. I was fine during the bath. Afterwards, I got the weirdest pain in the incisions. Nothing bad, just odd. I started crying and hit me that I was cut 7 times with a knife and I signed a consent form for someone to do it. I must admit that I tend to over analyze things...my job. It is a burning/itching sensation. The common sense side of me knows that it is the healing process, but the creeped out patient wants to say WTF did I just do. I am waiting for my husband to go to the store, I may just take the pain meds and take a nap. Oh... I ate a very soft scrambled egg about a half hour ago. No problems. I need some protein/energy.