rock_bottom_enthusiast

Hello! My band is about 5 years old. I was filled in November. Good restriction, but I had a stuck episode yesterday morning followed by some vomiting and now I can't get anything down but small gulps of Water. I am also sliming a lot. I have already called the doctor but he can't see me for an unfill until Jan 6. Any tips so I can make it until next week?

Heya folks. I've been on Depo provera for six months. I neglected to get my last shot because of some of my concerns (side effects and wanting to conceive eventually). Last shot was due on 2/15/11, which I skipped so I can get off it. My question - I've been banded since March 2010, and my weight loss basically slowed and then stopped in the time I've been on Depo. I've still lost a lot of weight, but most all of it was in the months before I got on depo. Back history - I was on depo a few years ago, gained a little weight, but then, I was already fat. When I stopped it, my periods came back after about 3-4 monnts. I'm hoping this time around is the same because I want to start trying to conceive in about 2 years from now, and I know depo is long acting and I want to clear it from my body long before I start TTC. My age is also a concern (26 now, I was 19-20 during my first depo experience). Can anyone share their experiences with depo, both with how it relates to being banded/weight loss and in general (especially concerning periods/ovulation and TTC)? Thanks

Thanks ladies! I will see how it goes. Hopefully well.

Hello all, I've been banded since march of this year. About 2 days ago, I woke up feeling tighter than ever (last fill was 3 months ago) and now I am having trouble getting anything down. I contacted my surgeon's office and they can't see me till weds for an unfill. It is strange. I have chest tightness when drinking or especially eating, and eating i have given up completely due to the fact that food simply doesn't go down. Water will go down if i take TINY sips, too much and it comes back up. I have the most success with hot tea. I am producing a lot of saliva, especially after drinking. No reflex or vomiting. at first i was concerned about slipping, but it doesn't seem as bad as the symptoms I've come to expect with a slip (though this is still really uncomfortable and annoying and I am hungry) but I am just wondering, how could I get so tight in two days time? any experience with this? thanks!

I am in the same situation. I am still 30lbs from goal, but my boyfriend knows me at this size... i had my surgery before we got together. Our relationship is long distance for the time being due to work and family he has in florida, and we visit each other every other month or so. We've been dating for about 10 months, so I'm not concerned really yet, especially since we are in a LDR. I know that when we get really serious, I will tell him. He knows how I feel about my weight (he is a skinny guy, but NOT a health nut in any sense.. he's just naturally skinny but has rather unhealthy eating habits and doesn't exercise) so I know while he may be surprised, he will be supportive. Like I said, I will broach it when we are serious, especially when he moves back up here and we possibly live together. It's a private medical disclosure and it is up to you when you tell people, though I would tell those closest to you sooner than later, when you feel comfortable. In your particular situation, I would disclose it now, especially since you are moving in together. The best way to do this, in my opinion, is to mention to your boyfriend how he is aware that you've been on a weight loss journey. Simply explain to him that before you met him, you had struggled for years with a terrible problem and that you finally made a decision to take what many would consider drastic action. Because of it, it has changed your life for the better and has made it easier for you to live a more healthy and active lifestyle. The band is a tool and not a quick fix. He should understand. It's not as big a deal as we think it is, and anybody who is too reactionary about it is not worth having around, in my opinion. Best of luck!

Well, I am back from the doctor, and thank god, no slip! he removed 2 ccs and I feel a 1000 times better, wow. Water went down like a breeze and I had some cream soup when I got home. thank goodness. I am going to take it easy for a while, and I think I may stay at this fill level for a while and just be careful not to overeat so i don't gain. I don't want to go through that again!

Hey all, Not to sound nasty or TMI, but I have a serious question and wonder if you guys can help. I don't seem to be going to the bathroom enough... I'm not constipated per say, but it seems to me that it would be a lot healthier if I went more often. Before surgery, I didn't go to the bathroom terribly often.. maybe once a day or every other day... but now it's seemed to stretch out even more. I try to eat more Fiber, but I'm wondering if there are any supplements or anything else that would be recommended. I'm losing steadily, and I'm wondering if my digestive tract was functioning better if this would be a boost to my weight loss and over all health. Any suggestions or thoughts would be much appreciated! :smile2:

Congrats! I've recently come out of bandster hell, and I know the feeling you are describing... it's fabulous!

Since my latest fill, pasta has not been going down well for me. It made me sad at first, since pasta is my favorite food, but I realize my carbohydrate addiction is what got me in this mess in the first place, lol. However, I have found that if I only allow myself a SMALL amount (say, ten strings of fettuccine, for example), and I REALLY take the time to CHEW CHEW CHEW, I can manage to enjoy my guilty pleasure at times... which is why I absolutely LOVE my lap band in the long run.

I'm a month post op and I've always had a ritual of friday night bar hopping with my girlfriends. I've drank that last couple weekends and have been absolutely fine. I eat well and work out, and I'm losing slowly but surely. So I don't feel the need to sacrifice the alcohol.. just like the others said, avoid beer and carbonation.. i prefer vodka and will usually have it mixed with something light.

I was banded a week ago and feel like I could really overeat... I don't feel any indication that the band is providing even minimal restriction. This is becoming annoying as the further postop I get, the hungrier I find myself getting. I am on a mushie/semi solid diet, also recommended to have 4 ounces. I have been loosing weight, but it is because I am exercising incredible control not to put too much in my mouth... I am hoping my first fill will at least provide SOME feeling or indication that the band is there, because I don't think I can keep up like this.

I was on clear liquids for the first two days (banded on Monday 3/22). Today I saw my nutritionist and was told I could start mushies like oatmeal and puree. On saturday, I can add dairy products to my mushie diet. I see the doctor again next wednesday, when I will be informed of my next step.

I finally had my surgery today after due date changes due to weather. My surgery went really well and surprisingly I have very little pain, not even much gas pain. My incisions are just a little sore, but the pain med has been taking care of that. my throat is still slightly sore from the breathing tube and I have been groggy and sleepy all day, but other than that I am well. I am really pleased with my surgeon and the staff.:confused: I am ready to heal and start losing! Does anyone have any tips for coping post op, and then getting their weight loss regimine kicked into high gear? (including exercise, ect) Thanks, and good luck to everyone else who is post op now!

Thanks guys. Congrats delopez. I am on Clear Liquids until Wednesday when I head back to the doctor's office to ssee the nutritionist, and then I will be advised about moving on to mushies and so. I don't really have any regrets, except for the head hunger (this evening I keep thinking about the foods I used to eat). However, I am looking forward to the great changes I am going to go through, so I keep trying to push it out of my mind. Good luck to you!

I cheated also. my surgery is tommorrow and I am very nervous. I was doing well, but my surgery was postponed twice because of the snow in the northeast (was originally for Feb 11, then Feb 22). I know I shouldn't have cheated, but I did. I hope everything will be alright.

Guess I should add this as well. #1. Surgery date? 2/11/10 #2. State you live in? NJ #3. Doctor/Surgery Center? Dr. Andrei, St Barnabas #4. Insurance or self pay? Insurance #5. Age and height 25, 5'5 #6. Current weight and goal weight? 233/140 #7. What was your deciding factor for having this surgery?I want a normal life. #7. Do you have the support of family and friends? My parents. Haven't gotten into it with anyone else. #8. Concerns and questions? Never been in surgery before or under anesthesia, so I'm scared out of my mind.

I'm getting banded on the eleventh (one week away). I've been on my liquid/soft diet for two days now and I am starving. I am extremely nervous about surgery. I'm scared, and with each day I find myself wondering how I can be really be doing this. I can't wait for this all to be over. I am excited about getting slim and healthy, though... so... I just need to get over this anxiety.

I am also being banded on Feb 11th. I'm really nervous... I have never had any kind of surgery before. The closer it gets, the more afraid I become. But I am really looking forward to changing my life. I've already quit smoking this year, and losing weight with the band is going to be the major partner to that in getting my life back. I just cant wait for the surgery to be over so that this anxiety will leave me alone.

My surgery is scheduled for Feb 4th. It was originally supposed to be for Dec 18th, but I work retail and my job did not want me to be out during the holidays. I am extremely nervous about the surgery itself. As for living with the band, I'm ready for that part of this journey. I can't wait to slim down and be active and be able to do things I've never been able to. Its just that I've never had any kind of surgery and I've never been under anethesia. I'm just freaking out about it. But other than that, I'm so excited. Two months from today!

Hi everyone, My surgery will be 12.18. I've been looking into WLS for over 2 years now and now that its a reality, I'm suddenly TERRIFIED. I've been drinking Vita shakes for Breakfast and lunch, eating light meals for dinner so I'm used to the lifestyle change after the band. My surgeon and his staff seem great. I haven't got my bloodwork back yet but I suspect it will be fine. My ECHO is on friday and then I have two more nutrition classes before pre-op diet and surgery. Its jut that I've never had ANY kind of surgery before, in fact I've never really even had any medical sort of issues. Never broken a bone. I'm starting to freak out about going under the knife and being under anesthesia! Does anybody have any tips for dealing with this fear? I still have two months to go, but the more I think about it the more anxiety I have about the surgery itself. thanks!