LoriLeeAnne

I have never had a normal menstrual cycle due to PCOS. (I hardly ever had my period, and the Doc would give me the Depo shot to make my body have one every once in a while.) Since having LB surgery nearly 4 months ago, I have had my periods start back up again. I have had two. Yay! (I hope to have a baby still, even at the age of 37.) I've charted them as 52 days apart, not the average 28 days. I seemed to ovulate for more than a few days two weeks prior to having my second period. I haven't been worried- and have assumed that everything is "shaking out" and normalizing for me. On the other hand, I worry that now that I'm having my period, they are 52 days apart. What do you guys think about it? I'm down 37 pounds! I love my band!

Hello! I am excited that I get to share my quick story with you! I am 37. Was banded 05/08/09. I weighed 324 then, and I have lost 70 lbs. At around the 7 month mark my husband and I decided to stop being so "careful". Although I cannot say that we were actively TTC because I still didn't have a regular cycle and couldn't plan for it. Two months after surgery I had my period for the first time ever naturally!! Then it came anther 7 weeks, then 6, etc. I was ovulating fairly regularly every five weeks. (I too, have PCOS and honestly thought it would take YEARS and medical intervention to conceive) Honestly, 6 weeks later we conceived. We are now 8 weeks pregnant. It DOES happen!!!!!!!!!!!!! You've made a good decision with the band. Congratulations. xoxo

Yesterday I had a slight unfill because out of the blue, my band was too tight. (Not that time of the month) The Dr. watched me drink Water to make sure it was going through the band, and I felt fine. Shortly after I got home, it was the same old thing. Water was making me slime. Is it possible that... the day prior some havarti (crazy, I know) got stuck, and I started sliming... then the irritation caused swelling, perhaps? Why would I be swollen and tight even after the unfill? He gave me a sample of Nexium for Acid Reflux, although I do not have heartburn, and haven't noticed anything yet. I took one yesterday and one today. Maybe I haven't given them enough time, but if I don't 'deflate' soon, I'll have to call again for another unfill!!

These shakes are by far my favorite. I have only found them in chocolate as well. But here in Washington state, they sell for 23.99! Wow, what a difference. I'd still buy them at $37, though. They are THAT GOOD!

redfoxyroxy, congratulations on making the decision to have the surgery! You'll be so happy you did. Good luck during the healing process, and when you're ready to go to the support meeting, just drop me a line. I'd love to go! Good luck!!!

Congratulations! They just un-filled me for chemo treatments last week. I've gained 1.8 lbs. I've tried very hard to eat the same way, but it's difficult when you feel that hunger again. I'm hoping that soon I wont want to eat, right? It looks like I'll be walking a little longer every day to keep from gaining much back. It's GREAT to hear that you overcame both the cancer and the weight. This is exactly what I needed to see today. Lori:thumbup:

Wow! I LOVE this advice! Thank you~

Dr. Fox also did my band. I had surgery on May 8, 2009 and have lost 70 lbs. I honestly believe that the main reason the band is working is because I live in the same town as my surgeon. The monthly adjustments have been crucial for me. My body is temper-mental and only allows .25 cc's per fill. My stomach swells instantly and I can't get the water down if it's any more than that at a time. So, the weight loss may seem slow, but then I think, "Oh my gosh! I've lost SEVENTY lbs!!" That's 70 packages of butter laying out on my kitchen counter. That's a lot of pounds! I like that he explains everything in full detail. I tell him in my words what I've been feeling like, and then he tells me in scientific and medical terms why I have felt those things, and offers suggestions for the future. I had forgotten that he offers a support group meeting once a month. I'd really like to start attending, so I think I'll call the office to find out when and where they are. I still haven't met many banded patients in the area, so I think it will be good to find some. Best of luck!

Wow- Great advice! I decided to be open and honest because my mother has had two WLSs and kept it a secret from everyone but her husband and two kids. I didn't like the secrets. That said, sometimes I wish I had kept it to myself. The first thing people ask when they see me is, "what did you do?" as if I couldn't have done it without some kind of WLS. That is always frustrating. Some people in my family were jealous that I was able to have the surgery. They either wanted it too, but couldn't afford it, or else they didn't want to be left in chubby girl dust alone. They would say things about the surgery not working, that I will fail if I don't ___ (fill in with just about any word), and that I should try to JUST eat right and exercise. HA! For the most part, people at work, friends and family have been happy for me. I think it's because they have seen my results. However, I actually have lost touch with some of my friends. The ones who have always been thin. The ones who like to go to a club with a chubby friend so they get the attention. You know the ones... The ones who keep certain types of girlfriends around to make themselves feel better. The funny thing is- I didn't realize this about them until I lost 70 lbs. Then I realized that they weren't keeping up with the friendship, and then I was able to step back and look at that friendship with a different perspective. Hmm. Look at all her NEW friends... Hmm. They are all the same type of girl, and they are all just like me. Or just like the way I used to be. You will find that you will change, too. But all my REAL friends, are still here with me and are encouraging me every step of the way. And they are happy for me. And PROUD of me. Perhaps when your friends see that this option has worked well for you, then they will get over THEIR issues. Then they'll get on board and support you. Best of luck. You will love your band!

I'm in the same boat. It takes me 20 minutes to walk a mile on my treadmill, and I'm walking pretty briskly, too, I think! I have to turn on the TV and go. But I've never exercised, so this is all new to me. As a matter of fact, I should get off the internet, and go get on it. :thumbup:

I really love this place. Whenever I have a problem with my band, (OR ME) I log in, and there's someone else going through the same situation. I was feeling a little bummed that my Doc can only put in .25 cc's in at a time, and the weight comes off slow (my body is just sensitive, and swells up if he puts in more than that at a time). So, when I was so swollen from sliming for two days, I reluctantly called for an un-fill. I had been so filled, that I was eating high fat soups and coffees and such, not the healthy stuff. I wasn't losing, but I thought I was at my sweet spot. I see here that just taking out .25 cc's was enough to allow me to eat healthy food, and I've lost 8 lbs. After reading this post, I asked my Dr about the possibility of acid reflux, even if I don't have heartburn. He put me on some meds, and we have not been having the unpredictable tightness/unfill situation. Yay! Now, I am ready again. I think I can, I think I can! Thanks guys!

I'm down 70! :thumbup:

Thank you ladies, for the advice. I went in for another adjustment and feel much better. It feels so good to be able to drink those darn Protein shakes again! I have an appointment in two weeks to see if my body can tolerate a .25 cc fill. We will just wait it out and see. I just have to remember that I have my whole life to continue losing. It's hard sometimes when I want those instant results. But I feel good about having some saline taken out, and I'll just see how things go. By the way, I had only heard of PMS affecting the band. Good to know about the other triggers of getting a swollen stomach. xoxo Lori Loves Her Band!:thumbup:

I have gone in for four fills now. I didn't have any put in during surgery. Fill #1 put in 3 cc's. Fill #2 got me up to 4.5 cc's. The third fill only added a quarter of one cc. The Dr. tried to put in more, but he ended up taking all the fluid out, letting the water go down into my stomach, and then filling me up a total of 4.75. On the fourth fill, he tried to add 1 cc. Nope, I wanted to vom. He took out a half cc. Still nope. He again took it all out, let the water go down, and ended up filling me up with only .25 cc's more than before. Why is my body acting this way? The next day, I always feel like I need more. But I was there, and too much was too much. What's going on?