dfav3412

Just remember the pre op and the post op diet of mostly liquids isn't a forever thing. You will be able to eat again.So don't dwell on the short term...take in the whole picture.

talk to your surgeon about all these issues and since you are diabetic ask him how the follow up care is for diabetics as it can be a bit more of a challange but is doable. Wishing you the best!

This was taken in 2011 and it is a really good picture of me and my hubby. I am at goal weight and I am also 5 years out. I am not a little person, size 14, but I am happy with my size. I didn't like to have my picture taken when I was at my heaviest which has been most of my adult life. Now, I don't mind having my picture taken. Guess I will have to sort thru some recent pictures and post a full body picture.

It is like a tummy tuck without the surgeon tightening the stomach muscles, removing excess skin. I won't spell this correctly but the term is pannilectomy.

I am a little over 5 years out. I am sucessful, at goal, and maintaining for over 3 years. I have an excellent bariatrics program that most people don't have. I see my coordinator every week for a one on one and it doesn't cost anything but it does keep me accountable. Many programs orphan their patients right after surgery so I realize how blessed I am.

I had panni surgery in Jan 2010 and am really pleased with it. I do have a belly button. And one last thing, insurance paid for the panni surgery. I had a breast lift at the same time but that I had to pay for as that was considered cosmetic.

It is an awesome journey even with bumps in the road. I, too, have been banded for over 5 years and have lost my weight and have maintained but it is so much more than that too me. I have control over an area of my life, my health that I never had before. You look great and I am happy for you.

Hi October 2011, I am not from Bloomington/Normal or IL for that matter but am banded and have relatives that live in Bloomington:). Also I have met and made a good friend who lives in Peoria who is banded. You should join your bariatrics support meeting and that way you could hook up with people who have had the surgery done in your area. It is great being able to talk with people who have gone thru this surgery. I've met 2 people on the lapband chat site,actually met them, the one from Peoria and one from Arizona who are great friends.

I think it has to do with the type of band you have and the doctors expierence and the individual. OMG 5cc in the beginning would have shut me down. After 5 years I only have 4 cc's in a 10 cc band and I could not tolerate even the smallest of fills now. I say this because of expierence.

Any restaurants I have been to lets me order from the children's menu however msot children's menus do not have things I like or that are healthy for that matter. I order what I want and take home what I don't eat. You know, we have to get over the fact that we have to pay for a full size meal....so what....we are worth it especially if it isn't an everyday occurance. Sometimes I order an expensive tender cut of meat (steak) that the price tag is more than I or most people want to pay for it BUT hubs and I share it. If we were to order a cheaper cut of meat (dinner) separately for each of us it would cost the same as getting the better, tender, more flavorful dinner that we share. When we share sometimes I might order an additonal baked potato or sweet potato.

Mis73's response is spot on!

Here is what the lapband did for me, it is like any other serious diet I've ever been on the one main difference is I am not starving. I get hungry but it isn't the same type of hunger. It does not stop you from grazing, emotional eating particularly if you eat slider type foods which are chips, cookies, cakes, ice cream aka slurry foods (slurry foods because they form a slurry in your pouch and empty quickly vs more substantial solid foods such as meat, veggies and fruit). Just having the band will not be the end all when you reach goal because you will have to follow a reasonable diet or you will gain just like any other person who eats more calories than they need whether they have had surgery or not.

I remember two things: Me, my mom, & aunt were together visiting someone and my aunt had to tell the person we were visiting that her two daughters were slim....that hurt my feeling more because I think it hurt my mom. And my uncle once told me in front of my mom and my aunt .....what do you weigh...your legs alone must weigh 200 lbs, We were in a car and I cried behind my sunglasses. People just don't realize the aniquish we endure and then to add more to it. Well, I am now thinner than my two cousins, and my legs look pretty darn good.

Hi, probably something you should get checked out especially since you said it was a major stuck and that you threw up several times. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

jujuvee, you sound like me....I cut the feet out of the compression stocking they used on me during surgery and put them on my arms so I didn't have to keep wrapping them with ace bandages....my PS was impressed. My arms were done over two years ago. Scars a pale and no puckering. This is the one ps that I wanted done above all others. I am pleased.

Sounds like you need to get an little unfill. If you cannot eat solid food 1/2 to 3/4 cup without problems providing you are taking small bites and chewing well then overfill could be your problem. Your body needs to have a reasonable amount of calories, usaually around 1000 calories give or take per day, or it will hang on the weight because it thinks you are trying to starve it. I guess the best bit of information I can give you is to talk to your bariatrics team and see if they can help you get back on track.

I understand that is common from lots of people that I talk to. Stress will also tighten up the band too.

It's just like anything else, sometimes it is time to move on. People are ever changing emotionally, physically, and new interests take the place of old. I have been banded 4 years 5 months and I am still dedicated to my band and am so greatful that I have it but my interests have changed. Excitement in now in other areas of my life some due to maturity and even some due to my sucess with the band but I always remember my roots. I am doing wonderfully and hope you are too .

if this is for real and I kinda doubt it, go alone.

It may not have been that the 3ccs were too much for jane, most banders are told to do clear liquids day of fill, full liquids the 2nd day, mushies the 3rd day. The reason for this is because along with the fill tighening there is also swelling so you get a doulbe whammy. Oh, and my center advises the same steps with an unfill too. As you get further along in your fills then generally don't need aggressive fills such as the 3cc's. And some people cannot take aggressive fills in the beginning of the journey-I am one of them although I am not new anymore.....I had a .04 fill and that was almost too much but then again I am over 4 years out. With all that being said....all doctors are different with what they tell and treat their patients.

don't sweat it, sometimes people do gain a few pounds before their first fill and the surgeons will even tell you this happens. The holidays make it hard for all of us food addicts but forgive yourself and move on doing what you know you have to do. You will get there.

Fills do get easier as you go along. My first one had to be done under xray at the hosptial because he just couldn't do the fill even under ultrasound but after that I was able to get them done in the surgeons office and it only takes a couple of minutes if that much.

Actually you have done everything right and weren't ready for a fill but now you are. You don't need a fill when you are losing consistanly, all a fill would do at that point is make you too tight which in turn could hinder your weight loss amoung other things. Get that fill and you will be back on course.

What restriction means for the lapband is this: A small amount of food 1/2 to 3/4 cup of food (solid food not sliders) at meal time is enough that you are satified and lasts for 4 hours until your next meal. Restriction isn't mean to keep you from eating most foods although foods that bunch up or clump together such as bread and rice are genereally not band friendly and are mostly avoided for that reason. I really don't like the term restriction because most people do not understand the term as it relates to the band. Perhaps the word saiety should replace it.

you most likely are too tight. I say this because I went down that road for a long time. You should see your bariatrics person and discuss what you can do to elmiminate this (usually some unfill and it doesn't have to be alot).