LindaFromKY

I HAD MY LAP BAND 2 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH (OCTOBER). I HAVE ONLY LOST 50 LBS. I AM HOLDING MY WEIGHT BUT AM SO DISAPPOINTED AT SUCH A "SMALL" WEIGHT LOSS. I WOULD HAVE NEVER LOST IT WITHOUT THE SURGERY BUT WAS REALLY HOPING I WOULD LOST AT LEAST 100LBS BY NOW. AT ONE POINT I HAD 7 CC IN MY BAND NOW I ONLY HAVE 4. I AM TOLD THAT IF I HAVE 7 IT CAUSES REFLUX. WHY COULD I HOLD 7 AT ONE TIME AND NOT NOW? I HAD 7 IN MY BAND FOR MONTHS THEN THEY THOUGHT I WAS LEAKING B/C THEY COULD ONLY REMOVE 4 CC OUT BEFORE REFILLING ME MORE. BUT DID CT AND EVERYTHING IS WHERE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AND NO LEAKING. SO, WHERE DID THE OTHER 3 CC GO? I AM SURE I AM EATING MORE CAUSE MY BAND ONLY HAS 4 AND NOT 7. BUT THEY WON'T PUT 7 IN AGAIN. I AM STILL CONSIDERED MORBIDLY OBESE. I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS WAS A WASTE OF TIME AND EFFORT. DON'T THINK I WOULD DO IT AGAIN. TO SCARED TO DO THE OTHER PROCEDURES THAT REMOVE PARTS OF YOUR STOMACH/INTESTINES. I AM CONSIDERING HAVING IT REMOVED. ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY?

Thanks for all the feedback you guys! Very helpful. Yes, Shirley, they have suggested an Endoscopy but mainly b/c I have terrible pain in my left side under my left breast/rib area. But it's only after I eat so I KNOW it has to do with eating. I can take 2 bites and the pain is there I can eat a plate of food and the pain is there and then there are the times (which is 90% of the time) I never have pain. I do plan on having it done before I make the decision to remove the band or not. My family situation is very stressful right now and I have noone to take me home. I have to drive 60 miles to have it done. My husband doen't drive, my parents dont drive, my dad is very ill and I have been taking care of him for months now. NOT making excuses, just telling you the facts. I HONESTLY dont' have anyone to drive me home. I will work it out soon, I hope. There is a Bariatric Clinic opening up in our town and I hope to transfer to their services when they get established. Does anyone know if you can even change doctors? Are you given a hard time if you change? Or do you have to keep going to the surgeon that did you surgery? If I could have it done here I could take a cab home. There is a part of me that is scared to do the scope because they might find something wrong then the other part of me wants to know what the hell is going on. I am usually the type person who wants to KNOW what is going on so I can fix it. I just think I am putting myself on the back burner b/c my dad is so sick and I am the only family memeber who can help him and my Mother. They said the scope was not urgent so I took that and ran with it.......... I KNOW I KNOW....get it done. Sounds like I am talking to myself, doesn't it? LOL

I had surgry on Oct 8th. I have lost 19 lbs since. I was filled for the first time yesterday. That was an experience! Not really scary, just wierd. I lost 20 lbs before surgery so I am down 39 lbs! I lost 4 lbs since yesterday morning. Only liquids for 4 days now. That could be why I dropped 4 lbs in one day. So I expect to pick up some of that weight when I get back to eating food again. But I am thrilled with the results so far. Linda G

I have lost 15# and I am thrilled. I couldn't have done it without the surgery, so I am happy with the weight loss. It is slow but at least it is coming off. I can tell in my clothes now. Maybe I'll get to go down a size soon. That will be a happy day. :thumbup:

About two weeks ago, at work, I bent over to pick up my pen off the floor and I felt a POP in my abd where my port is located and then felt a cool sensation then sharp pain. It scared me to death. I stopped what I was doing and called my Dr.'s office. I went in the next day and had an xray. Everything is still intact. By ruling out everything else, they said I popped a stitch. OUCH! :woot: The port is still secure with 3 other stitches, but this does worry me a bit. Has this happend to anyone else here?:thumbup: Linda G

I understand your frustration. I was only down 4# at my month post op visit. I find it helpful to eat about 5-6 small meals a day. 3 good meals then 2-3 "snacks" like a protein bar or shake and cheese or nuts. This works for me. It is still slow coming off, but it is coming off. It helps that my job is a busy one and I am walking for most of my 12 hrs at work. I did dust off our treadmill and have been using that at least once a week. Walking a mile. Good luck to everyone. I get my first fill on the 18th of Dec. Just in time for that great Christmas meal. :thumbup: Linda G

Increase your Protein and decrease your carbs Jamie. Watch your calories. I can eat anything but I eat about half of what I used to. Huge decrease in calories for me. My walk a lot at my job so that helps too. Remember, it's only a tool. YOU have to do your part too. I know, I know....you get sick of hear that but it's so true. Hang in there Jamie. I am 15# down since Oct 8th. I am thrilled. Linda G

I have lost 15# and I am thrilled. I couldn't have done it without the surgery, so I am happy with the weight loss. It is slow but at least it is coming off. I can tell in my clothes now. Maybe I'll get to go down a size soon. That will be a happy day. :sneaky:

Marci, It works differently for everyone. I haven't had a fill yet and I have lost 15# since Oct 8th. I dont' feel restriction anymore either. I go for my first fill on the 18th. Remember, it is only a tool, not a fix all. You have to do your part too. Would you have lost it without the banding? I wouldn't have. Maybe you need an xray to see if your port is connected. I don't know. Hang in there.

I know your honestly was appreciated by your doctor. I think they know how hard it is to follow such a strick diet, especially for "us". LOL....But you did it and I am proud of you. I know how sore you must be right now. But it will get better. Hang in there. Linda G

So glad to hear your surgery went well. YIPPEE!! I honestly don't think anyone wanted to be negative. We just gave you our honest opinions. Anyway...glad you are home and doing well. Keep us posted on your progress. I have lost 10# since my surgery on Oct 8th. Remember to get up and walk every couple hours. Keep your circulation moving. Deep breathe and cough, splinting your abdomen with a pillow, every 2 hours too. Will help keep you from getting pneumonia. Walking helps keep you from getting blood clots or fatty clots. I'm not saying this to scare you. This is the facts!!! Take care. Linda G

With you not working out you aren't buring the calories you once were. Cut your caloric intake, or as someone suggested, get a fill. I am 3 weeks post and have lost 8 lbs. I am thrilled. Keep your chin up Nessa. 65 lbs is a lot of weight to lose. Linda G

I am 3 weeks post op and have only lost 5 lbs. I was told to expect to lose 2-4 lbs per week. However, I have read and heard so many others who have lost so much more. I don't have restriction yet, but I can't eat very much at all. I bet I don't take in 800 cals a day. I get in my Protein with 3 shakes a day plus eggs and cottage cheese. Not up to walking much yet. But do plan on exercise. Any advise?:closedeyes: Linda

You are doing great Kiz. I will try to have more patience, and knowing there are others going through the same issues, is very helpful. Thanks for sharing. Linda

Yeah, I really haven't felt any hunger yet. I get to start soft foods next week. I do feel restriction at this point. Have had some episodes of being too full a couple times that took about 2 hrs to disappear. Not fun. I have since learned to wait about one minute between bites of food and that has helped tremendously. I appreciate your input Kiz. How far out are you? Linda

I had to do liquids for 8 days before my lap band. I was told my my Dr. that is will help to shink my liver which will help to decrease the risk of the liver getting in the way of the surgery (if he were to accidently nick my liver it could cause bleeding that could cause death). It is also a way to clean out your bowels before surgery. You need to listen to your doctors orders and do what is expectd of you. And don't lie and say you did it when you didn't. If you lie you could die. Linda

I am 2 weeks post op and I have not felt hungry at all. Now, I know I am still a bit swollen and that could be helping. I lost 4 lbs in 12 days. Which they tell me is average. Doesn't sound like much, but I wouldn't have lost it without the band. I had my surgery in Nashville, TN at Vanderbilt, A Certified "Bariatric Center Of Excellence". I was given alot of pre op education. Linda

KARIBENSEA IS RIGHT, THE Protein REALLY HELPS WITH HUNGER. i GOT SOME "BOOST" AND SOME "ENSURE" HIGH Protein drinks AND THEY TASTE WONDERFUL. BUT SINCE, I HAVE SOME SOME SLIM FAST THAT HAS 20GM OF PROTEIN AND LESS THAN HALF THE CALORIES AS THE OTHER DRINKS. i WILL DRINK THESE FIRST THEM PROBABLY GO TO SLIM FAST. SOUNDS LIKE YOUR HEALTH CARE TEAM DID NO INFORM YOU AS THEY SHOUDL HAVE. I WAS TOLD I WOULD STILL HAVE HUNGER PAINS AND THAT THE PROTEIN WILL HELP. LINDA

I knew with the band you don't typically lose as much with the bypass, but the bypass didn't appeal to me. Search the internet for some pureed receipes. I was only on liquids for 3 days post op. I start today on mushies (pureed). I wonder why you have to be on liquids so long. Different strokes for different folks I guess. I had to be on Clear Liquids for 8 days prior to surgery. Now that was a struggle. Good luck, and it will get better. Linda G

I went to Google and put in " pureed diet receipes" and got quit a bit of stuff.Here is a link: Pureed Diet Recipes Hope that helps. Linda

Hey girl. I too, was banded on the 8th at Vanderbilt in Nashville, TN. I didn't experience the "gas" pains. But I know when I had my Lap Appendectomy it was horrible. I just knew I would go through the same thing, but I haven't. But the area where my port is sutured to my muscle is the worst!!! Hurts when I use my abdominal muscles at all. Which is every time I move. Same for you, I'm sure. I was on full liquids until today and now I get to go to pureed food, or mushies, I guess is the WLS term :sad: pudding helped me through the full liquid stage. Apple sauce too. I found some pureed receipes on the internet so going to shop for ingredients some time today. I dont' see my doctor until the 20th. Good luck to you. Linda Grimes Kentucky

I have been on liquids for 7 days now. Only one more day of liquids then my surgery is at 7:30 am Thursday. I am excited and scared at the same time. I am second-guessing myself, thinking of what could go wrong in surgery, why couldn't I do it on my own, etc.... I am very nervous. They better have some good drugs to calm me down when I get there...:thumbup: Linda

Hang in there KLY1977....I think it is very normal to have those emotions. I am 3 days post op and I really feel pretty good. Still sore, but know that it will be worth all the struggles to come.