PrincipalsOffice

Hello everybody! I have just moved my profile over from Lapband Talk to VSGTalk! I am so excited to be here! I had LapBand in Nov, 2009. I started at 297lbs - my highest weight ever. Optifast brought me down to 290 for surgery day. I was not very successful for the first 6 months or so, but once we found the right restriction, weight started dropping. For about a year, I lost steadily. I got remarried, ran my first 5K, got down to 204 pounds... the lowest I've ever been since weighing in at 199 in 8th grade PE! Then the trouble started. After going for a barium swallow for my Crohn's (no complications were occuring, just routine test), the technician thought my band was too tight. Why? Because at 7:30 in the morning, thick, nasty barium wouldn't go through my band fast enough for the test. So he called my LapBand dr and advised I have Fluid removed immediately. So I did. And from that point forward, over the next 6 months, I had fills and unfills because my band was sooooo finicky after messing with it. I began vomiting bile and acid every. single. night. I would wake up in the middle of the night gasping for air and nearly drowning in stomach acid. After about a month, my husband made me go to the doctor. They diagnosed a slip and removed all fluid in March 2012. They waited with hopes it would reposition on its own, but in August 2012 decided to have another surgery to reposition or replace the LapBand. When I woke up from surgery, I was told they had to remove it. The swelling was so bad, they couldn't move the one already there, but had to cut it out and would not attempt to put a new one in. In the meantime, my employer (and insurance) had changed. So it was a fight to get them to approve a VSG. But they did. After nutritionist appointments - again. And more classes - again. And even a visit to the shrink - again. They approved it. I am scheudle for VSG December 4, 2012. I CAN NOT WAIT to start living again. I have gained 60 pounds since the band was deflated and I can't stand the way I feel. Overstuffed in jeans (refuse to buy more). Out of breath at the top of stairs. Aches and pains and exhaustion again. I am so glad to be here and can't wait to get started!

For the past 2 months, we've spent lots of time in the "pre-op" forum.... but we're all quickly moving into the post op category - YAY US! Check in here and let everyone know how you are doing! :bored:

Hello? I havent been on the boards in a LONG time... Had my surgery 11/2009 in NOVA, but I live in KG.

Was a size 26/28, now a size 16/18. Bra size from 46DD to 38 C/D.

I haven't had this issue due to the flu per se, but I have had issues with teeny tiny fills... it seems the band is really very fincky and once you start messing with it, it takes a lot of time to settle down. For me anyway. Back in the fall, I had an Upper GI for my Crohns disease. Everything looked great for both my crohns as well as the band placement and pouch. However, the barium was taking FOREVER to go through the opening. The technician was concerned and even though My Dr nor I had any concerns... it was 8 am, it was barium (YUCK!) and my band is super tight in the morning, my dr took out 1.25 cc (at that time I had 9.75 cc in an 11 cc band). So I was down to 8.5 ccs. Now mind you, it had taken me 6 fills and almost 10 months to start losing weight to begin with, so I was not happy with this prospect.... I gained weight immediately. 5 pounds in a WEEK! So I went back in and we inched back up. I got .5 cc and a month later another .5 ccs. So, 2 months later, I was .25 ccs lower than I had been (I had been at 9.75 for about 2 months before the unfill with no problems). I started having reflux, constant coughing every night, all night long. Vomiting after meals. It was awful. This despite the fact that I take nexium for my Crohn's. I stuck it out for about 3 weeks, and finally went back for another unfill. Back down to 9.0. The problems went away immediately. Slept like a baby that night. A month later got .2 put in. Did fine. That was a month ago. I've been very hungry in between meals and only losing about a half pound a week. So I went in last week and got anohter .2 cc. putting me at 9.4 cc. Remember, still below 9.75 where I was 6 months ago and doing great. Well, guess what? For the last 5 days, nothing but vomiting, night coughs, reflux. The whole 9 yards again. Now, I've lost 7 pounds, but I also thought I was going to lose my mind. So, back to the doctor this afternoon and back down to 9.0. So, I just think my band has a mind of it's own. My eating habits and the way food goes down, the amounts I can eat, and the hunger I feel says it is not too tight. But the side effects I am having says it is....

I had almost the exact same experience... only more drawn out It took nearly 8 months and 6 fills before I lost any weight - 10 pounds... and then about 4 more months and 4 more "tweaks" before I found the sweet spot. So now, 16 months later, I am finally down almost 80 pounds, but as 2beskinny said, be careful and pay attention, the sweet spot can be evasive! Be careful the other way too... I had a little too much fill once but let it go too long and PB'd for weeks before going to the dr. I was so swollen and dehydrated, he had to unfill it to the point that I ended up gaining and it took 2 months to get back to where I was... it was a nightmare but I had to do it to get healthy.

I aim for about 1000 calories, knowing I will go above or below by about 100 or so each day. When I was at Disney World this summer, I wore my body bugg and was burning up to 4000 calories a day and eating about 1000 calories a day, but I didn't lose A SINGLE POUND in a week. When I took my body bugg info in, the doc said I hadn't eaten nearly enough calories for my output and therefore my body was probably holding onto everything. He said I should never drop below 800 calories during a normal day for the same reasons.

I have to agree with most of the others. I have been banded almost 16 months and I rarely can eat in the morning - not even yogurt, etc. My doctor is not at all concerned and said it is very typical. I seem to progress through the day from liquids to mushies to solids, etc. Also, eggs, even scrambled very soft don't do well at all. Some people swear by warm liquids, but they don't seem to make a difference for me . You will learn as time goes by what works for you, and it may be completely different from anyone else. Good luck!

hmm... it wont let me type... but i could totally be doing something wrong

I tanned last summer for a month before going to Hilton Head and Disney. I was 7 months post op at the time. I used to tan all the time but gave it up because I didn't have time or money and as much as I LOVE tanning, started to wonder about my skin.... But I tanned 4-5 days a week for the month I had the unlimited package. I did the lay down beds because I like the rest. I was nice and dark and it didn't bother the scars, port site, etc one bit. In fact, I had a fill in the middle of the month I was tanning. Certainly if this were a concern, it would have been mentioned somewhere along the way.

Oh... what a long few weeks it has been.... In BandLand, I had been vomiting a LOT at night, like every night. As soon as I dozed off, and several times through out the night. Even if I hadn't eaten anything for several hours before bed, I found myself throwing up acid/bile... something yucky. During the day, I was only able to eat 3-4 bites at a meal. About half the time, I ended up purging it. And even though all this lasted for almost a month, I didn't lose a single pound.... I was scared my band had slipped, or at the very least was too tight. However, I hadn't been in for a fill for 2 months. But the last time I went to the doctor and had an unfill due to a barium swallow for my Crohn's, I only had one CC removed, and gained 5 lbs in a week! My boyfriend finally convinced me to go to the doctor (which I of course knew was best) and he removed one CC. I felt better immediately and haven't thrown up again (thanks goodness!) but I am hungry all day long, and have gained 4 pounds in 10 days. The doctor is going to start filling me .25 CC's at a time this Friday. Hopefully I will ease into my sweet spot. I guess I'm just confused.... I had my surgery over a year ago, and was at that fill level for well over a month with no problems. All of a sudden, it got super tight and never let up again, even after trying liquids for a couple days, etc. Anyone else have this problem? In other life news, I am in school working on my Administration degree (to be a school principal, etc) and this semester is killing me! UG!

I plan on having both a tummy tuck or lower body lift (depends on how the thighs shape up when all is said and done) as well as a boob job. I've always thought about a boob job because over the years of yo yo dieting, the boobs have really not held *up* well! Now that I've lost 70 pounds, and have 70 pounds to go, I know the skin will need something done with it. After gaining 40 pounds with my son, and another 40 pounds after that, and just being overwieght the majority of my life, it's just going to need some help.

Hi there Bobbie! I'm new to this thread, but if I could... I have Crohn's disease and therefore have to have UpperGI's on a fairly regular (about once a year) basis. I hadn't had one in about 3 years (except for my pre-op) so my gastro sent me for one in Oct. (11 months after lapband). Well, I don't know about you all, but my band is quite tight in the morning. I usually can't eat until noon or later. My UGI was at 8 am. Barium isn't exactly the tastiest stuff, plus it's THICK, and that early in the morning, I knew it was just a disaster waiting to happen. Well, the guy reading my UGI was overly concerned, the barium wouldnt budge from my esophogus for HOURS, and he ended the test. He made notations to my gastro and my lapband dr and insisted in his notes that my band was too tight. Imagine my frustration knowing that it had taken from November to July to reach any restriction at all! And then, only 3 months later someone who knows nothing about my band is demanding there's something wrong, a medical emergency mind you, and Fluid needs to be removed immediately. I went to my surgeon the next day for follow up, after he received the technician's notes. He obliged, saying "maybe" it was a TEENY bit too tight and removed .5 cc's. Just a half a cc... And guess what? In the next 2 weeks I gained 10 pounds. Crazy, huh? I was pissed to say the least. But when I went to get it refilled, putting the half cc back in all at once made it too tight, so I had to get another unfill, and go a quarter cc at a time, then I was all swollen and my band has been finicky and fickle ever since. And it took me 6 weeks to lose than darn 10 pounds. So frustrating! I just wish that silly technician (silly really isn't the word I wanted to use!) would have listened to me when I told him NOTHING goes down in the morning... maybe some hot tea.... but especially not BARIUM (gag). BUT.... I am done venting and my point, Bobbie, is I FEEL YOUR PAIN!

Elfie, So glad to here of your success with a gluten free lifestyle! I was diagnosed with gluten intolerance this summer after suffering with fatigue, unexplained joint and muscle pain, headaches, and general "blah" for years. Although my allergy tests came back negative, after 3 weeks of going gluten free, my life was completely changed! Gluten free is definitely not easy, because it's everywhere. I have found that even one slip up sends me into a week or so of a "gluten hangover". A foggy, headachy, sluggish mess. Read labels carefully, and eating out is super tough. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Good luck on your journey!

Been a long few days at work. Was hoping for a snow day, but no such luck Been very tight for the last week. Lots of PB. But lost 10 pounds. I seem to go through tight and loose times throughout the month. Now though, I am "normal" again, maybe even a little looser than I would like... Ate a little more than I would have liked at dinner and already am hungry 2 hours later. I'm not sure why I get tighter and looser like this... anyone else experience this? I used to track every morsel (pre band) but haven't since being banded. I do have a bodybugg and have toyed around with logging my intake again, just out of curiousity. When I "wing" it in my head, I estimate I'm around 800-1000 calories a day. I think next week (for some reason, I can only start something new on a Monday) I will log my intake. Thing is, my doctor has never given me a caloric goal, only volume and time of hunger factor. But we'll see. Hope everyone's week is going well!

Also remember that as you continue to lose weight, the band will loosen around your stomach. There is actually a layer of yellow fat around your stomach that will shrink away, so the band may not be as tight, even with more fluid in it than before. That is why it will often take more fills later on to feel the same amount of restriction as it once did.

Good morning all! TGIF, what a week! Down a pound since Monday (my "official" weigh day), so that is good, but we sure have been full of crazies here at school. All this talk of quilting has gotten me a little inspired. I used to sew a little tiny bit, nothing fancy, just pillows and such. I got a sewing machine for Christmas LAST YEAR, but it's still in the box.... I think I'll get it out this weekend for a little bit of therapy. 2b: Sunny, warm, Florida, huh? I'm so jealous! It's cold and windy here. Was soo wishing for a 2 hour snow delay today but just a few little flurries. Poo. If it's gonna be this cold, at least let me get something out of it. Elfie: I totally get what you mean about 5 minutes and then utter boredom. It's all I can do to keep from pulling my hair out. Im constantly fiddling with the incline and speed on the treadmill because it's all I can do to stay with it... up, down, faster, slower, run til the miles get there, climb til the calories get here... always a mind game to stop the boredom. I also love the tae bo, but all I have from years ago are VHS tapes... and no more VCR. Hm. Anyway, I guess I've procrastinated enough on here this morning! Have a great day, eat well!

Happy 2011! I hope you all don't mind one more newbie, but I love this thread and hope I can join I mostly lurk on the rest of LBT... I post on ocassion, but feel the responses have taken on quite a negative, judgemental turn in the past few months. Sad. Anyway, some background on me if you'd like - I'm 33, single mother of a 4 year old. School counselor extraordinaire (I'm at work right now -shh! don't tell!) and LBT gets blocked every so often by our IT department because it's a "message board", so I may disappear sometimes. I've just returned to school part time working on my doctorate in administration. I'm divorced and have a knack for horrible relationships (my dad says I'm a "bum magnet" ) but have recently found the ONE. He is AMAZING, and even my dad agrees! I was banded on Nov 18, 2009. I lost almost nothing until July 2010, with my 6th fill. I was hungry constantly and still eating as I had before the band. I have lost a total of 66 pounds now. I have been overweight my entire life, except maybe at birth! In fact, my entire family is morbidly obese. My mom has had gastric bypass and one of my sisters is in the approval process for GB as well. At 19, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease and my gastro says I am quite the contradiction, as Crohn's patients are typically very skinny from the disease. Go figure. And after years of suffering with headaches, fatigue, and general "blah" that I thought was normal, I have just been diagnosed with a gluten allergy, so I am now learning how to eat without wheat, barley, rye, and oats, which are in just about everything! I enjoy working out for the most part, I just don't like the sweating part! haha. I go to the Y 3-4 times a week and am training for my first 5K in May. So that's me in a nutshell! I look forward to learning and laughing with all of you along this journey!

Name, real or screen ~ Counselor is in Age ~ 33 Weight on January 3rd~ 230 Goal Weight for January 31st ~ 220 Exercise Goal for January ~ 3 times a week at the Y Dietary Goal for January ~ Eat slower, chew better, stay off the chocolate Personal Goal for January ~ Continued Couch to 5K progress Date Banded ~ November 18, 2009 Total Weight Loss Since Banding ~ 64 pounds

I have been banded for just over a year, but didn't feel real restriction until about 9 months (and 6 fills) into it. Then due to needing an upper GI with barium for my Crohn's disease, I needed an unfill (boo!) and have just now gotten back to my previous fill level. Hope this isn't TMI, but I usually do not have a period because of my birth control of choice. However, I have recently changed and this week got my period for the first month in about 2 years, and holy moly did my band seem to get tight. QUESTION: Is this coincidental or all in my head?? Anyone else experience a tightening of the band during TOM?

I was banded last November and have lost 50 pounds so far. It has been slow going, but was the best decision I have ever made. I met my boyfriend over the summer, and have lost about 20 pounds since meeting him. I go to the Y a lot and of course watch what I eat. He runs marathons and triathalons and is very proud of my weight loss efforts. Thing is... he has no idea I've had the lapband. We are moving in together in 3 weeks and I know we will be married sometime next year. I want to tell him, and am certain he will be as supportive as he can be, given someone who knows nothing about it since he is in pristine physical shape, but have NO IDEA how to do this. Only my family and 2 best friends know. No one at work. Not my ex husband, etc. I've been very hush hush. My biggest fear has been that the band, like everything else, would not work, and I would be seen as a failure. Any suggestions? Anyone else been in a similiar situation?