hcinicolo

Sorry you had a bad time of your breast surgery. Perhaps it was the surgeon and not the procedure that was not a good idea. As for myself, I had a reduction done 13 months ago. It took a while for the scars to fade and the first month was a big production with healing BUT...I now have more sensation, not less, in my breasts and they look great. I feel like I have the tits of a twenty year old, not a mother of two at 42! Maybe you should find another dr. to fix the poor work the first one did.

I had my band revised twice and the last time was in April for a bad slip. I was living off of Prevacid and still getting nausea all the time. What may help the golfball thing is : not eating or drinking anything at least two hours before sleeping and probably the fiber thing should be cut out for a bit. Easier said than done but slow down and wait between sips and bites. I have not gotten sick since my last revision but unfortunately the secret to that success is that the band is not tight enough. This is a no win situation for me. I have put on probably fifteen pounds, and I say probably b/c I won't get on the scale or put the jeans on for fear. I have had a few adjustments since the last surgery but although I am at 3.5 cc's it is not curbing the appetite enough. I will be going for another adjustment next week though as I have to get with the program. It is great not walking around feeling ill all the time but I don't want to blow up again either...as I said, no win situation.:faint:

I am 3 weeks post-op for a 2nd re-do. This is not funny anymore. I am behaving but I have lost very little weight. I am about 20 lbs from my goal weight and had lost alot in the few months preceeding the surgery. It is so great not to be nauseated all the time though. The thought of taking it out completely scared me but I really would not be a happy camper for this to occur again. The last time was 2 yrs ago. I bought a cookbook for weightloss surgery patients that I am hoping will inspire me. I do need tightening or an appetite surpressant though. I am eating watered down oatmeal and loose eggwhites with cheese in addition to lots of soup. wine goes straight to my head and I wake up hungover...so where is the pleasure I ask. I have not lost more weight but the only thing to show for this inconvenience is not having to schlep the groceries into the house and not vomiting.

:omg: thank god for insurance. The only bill i got was from the hospital for the telephone in my room. You and I are about the same size with the same goals. What fills you up and do you eat breakfast? I have been trying to drink more water lately but then end up looking for bathrooms all day. I probably need a fill but won't be going back for another 2 weeks. I think I will call and get an appetite surpressant. :hungry: It is a crazy busy week though and I guess the stress of it all is not working in my favor. My daughter is having her bat mitzvah in 2 days and I think it is more work for me than her!

Why would you say that? You have been doing great. Sure, it never goes as fast as we want but it never will in life. What is the hurry anyway? Is there an occasion you want to fit into a dress by? I went for an esophogram today and thankfully the band did not slip again. I gained 3 lbs. since last week though and had my appetite back to strong. He tightened me a bit and now I am quite unable to eat or drink for that matter. I am down to my last 20lbs, don't know how to convert that to kilos. I always feel for some reason that I am not really a member of the not fatty club. If I happen to lose weight I am just a guest there. I still cannot picture myself as permenantly normal. Perhaps that is why I sabotage myself with food I know I can't and should not eat. I almost feel as though I am just visiting this thin place anyway, so does it really matter how long I stay? I know that sounds bizzarre but I just realized that today. What I think I have to do is change my self perception and expectations of who I am. I do, as do we all have a right to be a lifetime member in good standing of this normal and thin club. What my head knows that my body has yet to internalize is that the Carvel store will still be there tommorrow, so I don't need to stuff my face and overdo it today. Savoring the moment is something to strive for.

I packed on the pounds with Celexa and Effexor

Mary, You haven't lost tons of weight b/c you don't have tons to lose. I do agree though that liquids, (as long as they are not Mc Donalds shakes), are the way to go. Be careful though b/c Slimfast shakes have been known to be very hard on the tummy. Get yourself a good juicer for your veggies as when you are very tight even soup that is not broth can be a challenge. Absolutely get the liquid vitamins from one of those vitamin stores and jumpstart your system. I also don't have hundreds to lose and I did plateau for more than a year. I was up and down about 10lbs and just either couldn't or wouldn't have the umph to get past it. I am three years post op and have lost alot of weight this year...don't know why it started again. Just get your thyroid checked out and make sure that any meds you are taking may not have a hand in your progress. I was taking some antidepressants a few years ago and didn't realize that this was responsible for magically gaining 40lbs in just a few months. Of course it was not until after a year with the band that I made that connection and within a week of getting off the fat meds, I dropped 13 lbs. This could very well be your problem.. Let me know what you think. Regards, Heidi

Very often your ability to eat is also affected by stress. I know that when I am wigged out or upset, nothing goes or stays down. Are you able to eat alot more than one day in a row? I typically can't. My Dr. said that either a glass of wine or a warm drink before eating makes for a good start when it's a tight day. Not only will it take at least a year for your head and your stomach to be in sync but adjustments are all just part of life with the band. When I get sick with a stomach virus they typically have to almost empty my band out so that I can keep even tea down. When I recover they make it tighter again. There is no last adustment for the band because as your body and life changes, your band's needs change as well. You might decide that you want it a bit looser if you are going on vacation for example. When you get home you get it tighter again. As far as loosing slowly: If you continue to lose about 9 lbs a month, in a year that would be 108lbs...not too shabby. Just like with every other diet that we have all been on, there are peaks and plateaus and your body is still in shock, not to mention starvation. Just like with evolution, if your body is deprived it will hold onto what it has until it realizes that it has to get with the program. It just may be a while until that happens, so try to be patient. You are going in the right direction and if you behave it will indeed come off. :thumb: :thumb:

I really admire your attitude. This will indeed be the key in your recovery. Just keep it up. I went to the Dr. last week. I lost 12 lbs since July but he concurred that he thinks either my hiatal hernia came back...for the third time or the band slipped...again! Am going for the esophagram on Weds. and he loosened me down to .75cc. I used to be able to tolerate 3-4cc...what the hell happened? I am not throwing up anymore but of course I am always obsessed about food again. I am eating too much but not nearly what I can do bandless. I just really need to steer clear of icecream. I just can't seem to resist a bargain in Shoprite when Turkey Hill is 2 for $5. That of course has no problem with the band. I started taking liquid vitamins to help in healing from my boob reduction. It tastes awful but in just a few days the difference is amazing. They still hurt but it seems to be going so much faster. My immune system is on a permanant vacation. I am proud to say that I can fit into clothes, (and yes jeans) that I haven't gone near in 5 years. This fall will be a great reunion with my old wardrobe. That is the biggest high. Happy Labor Day everyone!!! :clap2: Heidi

Hi There, My guess is that you do not have a huge amount to lose...am I right? Just try to do it healthy. I am sick and weak now and can't even keep my medication down. it's a vicious cycle for me. I don't know how to just stop eating when I know I won't be able to keep it down. The result is that I believe my hiatal hernia has come back, although I have not been to the doctor yet. Every night I walke up coughing...reflux and can only sleep sitting up. I am on total abstinance today, even liquids except to wet my whistle if I get parched. I am hoping my band will have some mercy on me. I only get a kick out of the losing part if it is not at the expense of my health. On top of all of this, I had a breast reduction and lift 4 weeks ago and am still in pain. I guess healing is not my forte. The doc. says that I am just a slow healer and am on the extreme side of that curve. It took me a month to get back to normal after having the band done so I guess he is not off base. Sorry to be rambling but I am in bed and bored. Heidi

Hi Jess, Don't be discouraged. Everyone goes at a different pace. It is probably b/c you started dieting before the surgery so it wasn't a total shock to your system. Do you feel like you still have an appetite? If so then you do need the fill. After my month of liquids and mush I was able to eat bread...a sure sign that I was not tight enough. Are the liquids you drink of the non fattening nature? Make sure that what you do put into yourself has a decent nutritional content, ie: chicken Soup. milk / soy milk, vegy juice etc... I for one can not stomach liquid Vitamins. It grosses me out. But this is what will sustain your health as you deprive your body. My weakness in times of PMS is a Carvel shake with fat free vanilla icecream and skim milk. It probably isn't a wonderful option but it certainly could be worse. This is sometimes lunch...right next door to my office. I also hate to exercise and am appalled to say that I do not yet do it. You are probably loosing fat that is converting into muscle which is denser. The scale won't be as gratifying in this case but your dress size will go down much more quickly. How are your clothes fitting you? This is a good indication as to whether you are going in the right direction. Have you gotten your thyroid checked out? I was sure that was my issue but of course mine is fine. Heidi

The obsession is universal and is probably a terminal trait so deal with it. I always am thinking about my next meal even if I know that I won't be able to get it down. I intend to start talking this obsession over with my shrink tommorrow; I'm running out of good material for our sessions anyway. I'll let you know if he has any good insights.

I got banded and rebanded and have lost almost 60 lbs over the last few years. I have about 25 to go. Of course I am my own worst enemy in this endeavor. Some days I can eat alot and then can't eat at all for 2 days afterward. The desire for chocolate and other goodies...misnomer, does not go away even if your capacity for it does. I have been seesawing for about a year with about 12 lbs. I have recently started to lose again and am trying to behave. My problem is that I tend to lose when I get sick too often. I have discovered chocolate soy milk though and a juicer. I may not be getting the fiber but I am getting the vegy vitamins and protein now. This keeps my energy up and resistence to colds in check. I had the boob reduction a few weeks ago and the difference in my self image has spurred on my motivation to reach my goal. It now seems within reach. I did not realize what an impact that would be. Of course there are pros and cons to everything including the band. But the alternative is self loathing and the feeling of always being totally out of control. Food is an addiction and our unfortunate bodies have crappy metabolisms...I don't care what any of the naturally thin people say about that. Anyway, although it has been a love/hate relationship with the band, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

I had mine reduced on july 31. It was same day surgery and 2 days later I was up and working again. Had a relapse though and am trying to take it easier. Nobody said anything about the icky yellow stuff that comes out for weeks afterward. I went back to the doc yesterday and he took out most of my stitches. I am back on a liquid antibiotic b/c pills are a challenge. Although I am more than thrilled with the new look I am still in quite a bit of discomfort. Thank god for grown up liquid tylenol. It knocks me out though. The up side is that I feel 14 again. I can not get over the new boobs. I know that the scars will fade with time but it still looks harsh. By the way, some people said that they lost sensitivity in their breasts. Mine are more sensitive than ever. In fact, before they were a dead zone. Go figure. When will I feel normal again and stop leaking gunk????:

Hey there, How about wearing looser clothing? If Iwere you I would wait until I was within 30lbs of my goal to do any surgery. I am going under the knife next week and although I am excited about it; surgery is surgery and is not without its risks.

I am so happy to say that the insurance finally got sick of me and approved my boob job. I am scheduled for it for July 31. My only hesitation is that I have a big family function on Aug. 11 and I really need to be back in the swing of things by then. I would have done it afterward but the next available date is for aug. 29 and there is no way I was going to put it off for that much longer. Did I set myself up for a disaster with the timing???

Hi Everyone. I am new to this sight but have been playing around with it for a few days. I had my surgery done at NYU by Dr. Christine Ren in April of 2003. I started out at 239,(according to the hospital scale and the nurse did not let me lean on anything!). I lost about 50lbs as of now. My lowest was 185 though but I kind of yo-yo. I had the hiatal hernia thing done too at that time. My band slipped and the hernia came back and I had the surgery again in Jan. 2005. Up until last week I was not a diligent bandster. I didn't go around sucking down chocolate milkshakes but I definitely ate foods that are not compatible and got sick way too often. After 3 and a half years though it finally getting through my thick head to stop it. Although it has only been a week of behaving, I believe that perhaps I am growing up finally at age 40. My problems were definitely my fault.:hungry: :cry

Dr. Nolan Carp at NYU has a great reputation there. My uncle is chief of surgery and that is where his wife had her lifts, lipo etc. I at waiting and fighting with the ins. company to approve a boob reduction, (Cigna). I am on my third appeal and they really make it tough to prove that it's not cosmetic. Don't have any idea though what these things cost. You can have total confidence with Dr. Carp.

Hi there banders, Glad to report that I'm slowly getting back to normal. I hope that I have finally learned...albeit the hard way, not to screw with the band as it always eventually gets even. I had mushy tuna salad for lunch with success today:dance: . I think I will have to permenantly be on Prevacid Solutabs but it has been a godsend. Thanks for all your advice! Heidi

It is exactly what this thread talks about. My only problem now is that everytime I try to introduce something other than a benign liquid, I get a royal bellyache! At least I am not hungry and am getting my energy back. I am thirsty ALL the time though. I guess my 4th of July BBQ won't require a grill. I would really love a bit of wine tommorrow though. Is that a totally kamikazi thing to do?

I have never thought of giving my band a name before but it's not a bad idea. I think that Betty Band may work. What do you think? She has been stretched to her limits and has recoiled mercelessly these past 3 years. I tried to eat some barley soup tonight. Had 2 tsps. and got a violent stomach ache. Sometimes you just can't win. At least I have plenty left to live off of before I wither away. By the way, as I am a newbie, how do I get one of those horizontal doohickys that you guys have on my computer? It looks like fun.:clap2:

I am new to this chat room thing but not new to reflux and band abuse. I find that when all else fails, hot tea or broth does go down. Got fluid reduced yesterday b/c I couldn't even keep down that. Band abuse tightens the belt and acid comes up...feels terrible. Don't get dehydrated! I was forced to suck on a wet towel until I got to the Dr. .3CCs down later and I am just fine. Very scared to go near anything other than tea though. Fortunately I have enough of me to live off of for a few years!

I had my band surgery 3 and a half years ago. Lost 50lbs with 25more to go. My boobs bubble out of a 36DD and sag to my belly. My husband is a boob kind of guy so I feel bad for what he will lose but I am tired of carrying these things around. I can only do it now if the insurance pays for it though. Approval was denied and denied on appeal although I was told that it should be covered in my case. I never where t shirts that cling because I feel like my chest enters the room 5 minutes before I do. I do have a great surgeon and want to do it ASAP. Of course most of my people told me they dont think it's "necessary". They don't have to live with them though