mcteri

So, I have been banded since the end of May 2011. I did well at first, I have lost about 45 pounds, but I need to lose another 40 and I haven't lost any weight in a year. My band seems to still be tight enough that I get food stuck on a regular basis if I am not really careful, but I am not losing weight and battling to keep it off. I sort of feel scammed a little but then I also have not followed up with my doctor for a while. Getting food stuck occasionally would be fine, if I was still losing weight..but I am not. Has anyone else been through this? What did you do to kick start everything again? I don't want to give up and just say it wasn't as successful for me as it could have been, oh well. I want to get back at it and see where I can get back on track. What have you done? And words of wisdom for me? Pretty please and thank you.

I am in the same place. I was banded at the end of May. I have only lost about 35 pounds, but that is about a little less that half way to my goal weight. I have had 5 fills if I remember correctly and right now, I don't feel like I have a band at all. I know I have lost more inches than pounds as my clothes don't fit any more. I have trained for and am getting ready to run my first 5k so I know I am better off no matter what. The problem is, I can eat way too much still. I try to control my portions anyway, but if I was good at that I would have never needed the lap band. I feel totally frustrated. I don't think my dr will fill it any sooner than the four weeks in between so in the mean time, I am fighting to lose weight and feeling like I might be failing at this point. I don't like this feeling at all.

I am so glad I got on today. I have only had one fill and of course being my impatient self, was very frustrated that I still am not in the place I want to be. I have lost very little weight since my surgery. However, I made it through girls camp, vacation and cub scout camp without gaining any weight and losing just a little. There was food and snacks around everywhere, and it was so hot I know I drank with my meals without even thinking about it. Anyway, it is always good to hear I am not alone in my frustrations and a good reminder that I need to be more patient. I am eating healthier, exercising more and feeling better in my clothes, so no matter what.. I am still having a positive experience. ( Except for stuck food and throwing up once after trying to eat my breakfast.. what a yucky learning experience that was!!) Anyway, thanks guys.. Just keep doing it!! We will get there!

Last night I started having a sever sharp pain in my abdomen right at the site of the biggest incision in the middle. It actually hurt so bad that I would cry out in pain. It feels like something sharp has come undone and is poking me. My surgeon told me after I had my lap band that I have deep sutures that will be sore for a while, and they are, but this is in a different spot that that as far as I can tell. Any one else have this experience? Wondering if I should call the doc, or just let it pass, but I am not sure I can wait that long..Not sure what to do.

I didn't eat anything I wasn't supposed to, and it isn't really a pain in my stomach..but I did do a work out yesterday that was some abdominal work, but I didn't think over did it.. maybe I did. I guess if it isn't better by tomorrow I will call the dr, before the weekend. Thanks everyone.

Oh well then I highly recommend Malley. They have a really nice office staff and medical staff!

I was banded 3 weeks ago today. Just started soft solid foods. I have felt hungry for the first time in the past few days, which I haven't felt since surgery. Here are the things I think help me, cause I have some moments when I thought I was gonna totally cave and have something that would be best for me not to have right now! Drink a ton. When I start feeling hungry I just tell myself I am probably thirsty and I drink something I really like.. for me Fuji apple pear SoBe Water is my favorite. Then I get busy doing something that occupies my mind and I have been meaning to do anyway. Today, I reorganized my pots and pan shelf. A few days ago, I organized all my sewing material. I forgot all about being hungry.Then when my tummy was really hungry and I could no longer ignore it, I had a small meal and made myself really think about the moment when the starving feeling went away and I was no longer hungry. These are new things for me.. I am used to just eating till what was on my plate was gone. Also another thing that helps me is going to Fitday.com and logging everything I have eaten. I actually feel really good about my choices the past few days and I am still losing every so slowly! I am having the hardest time being patient because after my surgery, my weight loss has been small compared to some. I keep having to remind myself minute by minute sometimes that my body is healing and I am losing, even if it is not has much as I feel like it should. I can't complain too much yet because I have not exercised as much as would be best for me. Between having the flu and feeling extra sore, maybe from the hernia repair, I haven't felt up to much more than walking a bit, but I have a plan and I started today.. If you use fitday, it helps you see all your achievements and it makes you feel good. I know I can stick to a diet long enough to get to my fill, I have done it before...but I am looking forward to having a little more help. I have gone through my closet too.. I wondered if I was losing inches maybe since the scale wasn't saying what I wanted it to say. I found 4 pairs of summer pants and a few shirts that I couldn't wear last year that I can now add back into my wardrobe. I also got rid of a few things that were getting baggy in were just not flattering...that was great encouragement for me. You know what else helps me? This just popped into my head and it makes me kinda tear up a little.. but seeing my husband watch me and encourage me. When I left food on my plate last night he gave me a big smile, because I NEVER leave food on my plate.. I have that clear your plate syndrome..haha. I am a stay at home mom, and his sacrifices to me so I could have this surgery have meant the world to me. He loves me the way I am, but he supports me.. So yeah, that helps me stick to it also. I want him to be proud of me. I want to be proud of me. I keep reminding myself that even though the basic idea of weight loss, less in, more movement is the same for me.. I also have some issues that make it more of a challenge for me. I will not let it be my excuse, but I have to remember I am on my own journey and as long as I keep moving forward , I am doing ok. Wow.. I didn't realize I had soooo much to say.. Imagine that.. me talking too much..hummm Good luck.. you can get through this!! Hungry is not dangerous.. just think when you are hungry, it means you have not recently eaten something you should not have..haha!!

I hope you don't have to go as far as Kansas, but Dr Fearing at Malley Surgical Weight Loss Center is great. She was my surgeon and I just really liked her. Good luck. I live in central Oklahoma and was wondering if anyone could recommend a dr in OK, TX or KS?

Ugg,, I am 3 days post op and 3 of 5 of my kids are puking. I haven't felt very well all day,but just figured it was post op related...now I am afriad I am gonna end up with this bug they have and I am sooooo scared I am going to vomit and hurt myslef or mess up my band. I have anti nausea meds, but I am not sure if I need them or if I am just so freaked out I am making myself sick. What horrible timing for my family to share so whole heartedly!! If there are any praying people out there.. I could use a few about right now!!

I am just starting to feel more human and I am nearly 2 weeks out! Don't worry if it takes you a little longer than some because everyone is different. I read people went back to work after 4 or 5 days.. there was NO way I could have. I was up and walking the day after, but I had a really hard time sleeping, so that didn't help my recovery go any faster for sure. As far as calories, my nurse told me I didn't need to do sugar free stuff at this point because I was getting so little. The only shake that didn't make me sick was a slim fast. Not the best choice, but it was what I could tolerate. I lived on apple juice and slim fast. Now anything with artificial sweeteners leaves the worst taste in my mouth so I am still having a hard time, but I have moved on to mushie foods now so it is not as hard for me. Give yourself a few weeks.. you will feel better!!! Just don't be on some time table in your head. Do get up as much as you can, that helped me a lot. Go out side, get some fresh air, that always does wonders! One thing I was kinda grateful for was that I have learned over the last few weeks is that I can get by without food when I need comfort! So I think the struggle was worth it for me. I was banded on the 31st and even though I am up and doing things.(. I have 5 kids, so I have no choice ) I still have some discomfort, so just breath deeply and try to relax and you will get there!!

You sound just like me! I had pain on my left side too.. I had my surgery on the 31st of May and still have one spot where it hurts. The sofa was the only place I could sleep comfortably!

I THOUGHT I had dodged the bullet, but I ended up with the nasty little bug after all. 5 our of 7 in my family have had it. Thank GOD in heaven I had the anti nausea pills from surgery.. I think that saved my bacon. And it was over in done in 24 hours. So glad to feel pretty normal again!!

I am feeling totally frustrated.. I know the first weeks are about healing, but I am hardly eating a thing.. and drinking and I haven't lost any weight post op. I am 7 days out. If I can't lose weight doing liquids and mushies in such small amounts.. how will I lose when I start eating real foods.. ugh!

I was banded the same day as you and my tummy can be very noisy too. Not as much as a few days a go, but still noisy! I don't think I am getting anywhere near all my Protein in and I always feel thirsty. The weird thing really for me is that I, like you have had no real food in weeks and I would have thought the weight would have really come off especially this week, it hasn't really moved much. It is kinda discouraging, but I know I am supposed to just be healing at this point and try not to think about it too much. I am having a hard time telling between being hungry and just all the noise and rumbling going on.. I am sure it will get better though..eventually.

Thanks everyone. We made it through and I think everyone is ok!! Your well wishes and sympathy to my plight are so appreciated!!

I really can only sleep on my right side..anything else just smarts!! The gas pains come and go, but for the most part have worked their way out..

Thanks for you are your kind thoughts. We made it through the night. I took the anti nausea meds they sent me home with and that helped me a lot. My kids are old enough to make it to the bathroom now, so although they had kind of a rough night, they made it through and one is feeling all better and the other two are on the mend. I had my first day of mushies and that helped me feel a little better too, just to get some food in me. Anyway, I think I am on track now. Feeling better by the hour!!

Thanks for this great post. I was banded on Tuesday. I am starting to go through the" oh my gosh, what have I done? Can I really do this?" reality freak out.. Your post was exactly what I needed this morning. I had been reading a lot of post about stuff that goes wrong and I was starting to get a little scared that this was just another very expensive scam that I had been sucked in to. Thanks for the hope and inspiration. I hope 18 months from now I can inspire people as you have today. Thanks for sharing your journey!

Thank you!!

I was just banded Tuesday May 31st at 2 pm, so it has been just 48hours. I think pain wise, I am doing just fine. I am just on liquids including Protein shakes. My problem is I can't seem to stand much other than Water and apple juice and even the apple juice is not working very well. It is not that I can't get it down it is that is leaves this really horrible taste in my mouth.Seems like all liquids are sweet and anything sweet seems to leave that nasty taste. I did do some chicken broth which was better, but I am worried that I am really getting no nutrients at all. I am not hungry at all. Did anyone else have the problem of not really being able to drink much of anything? I don't think I am dehydrated, but I am getting very little protein for sure. Any ideas? I will be happy to move to mushies, not because I am hungry so much as I can consume things that aren't sweet with artificial sweeteners and such. Can't stand that taste in my mouth! Other than that...if anyone wants to be my buddy on a more personal level like sharing emails or being facebook friends..I could use a pal I think. Message me at terimcallister@sbcglobal.net or find me on fb Teri McAllister

Boy are the gas pains starting now...whoowheeeee!!! Felt pretty ok up until this evening, now I am pacing the floor trying to get it to move.. ouch! Oh well, it won't last forever...right???

I was banded yesterday also. Just really sore today. Is your stomach really noisy? I can't tell if my stomach is growling because there hasn't been food in it in so long or if it is just making sounds??? It is weird.

Hey all. I was banded yesterday. I am sore, but nothing too horrible. Here I am though, up in the middle of the night waiting for my pain meds to kick back in! I was nervous, but all in all, it was a breeze. I figure I will be uncomfortable for a few days but I am excited to finally have it done and get started on my journey!! Best wishes to you all!! Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Calorie Counter