KarynA

Thank you, Viv... I appreciate your thought ful reply. And you're right, of course, about everything. I am blessed. And I'm not on anyone's schedule but my own. Congratulations on your wonderful success! You are a true inspiration.

Hello everyone!.. I missed you! I think its been 3 or 4 months since last I posted. I'm just popping-in to tell you all - fast losers and slow losers - that you're doing GREAT! You really are. Be proud of yourselves. A lot has happened in my life since I was last here.. emotionally difficult and tragic things - my son was in a horrible car accident in May (we didn't know if he was going to make it... and if he did, we didn't know if he would keep his leg... it was terrible). But he's alright now and his leg (two surgeries, pins and 39 staples later) is improving... he even started walking some recently. What a blessing. And then last week, my sister-in-law who lived with us following surgery, passed away (at age 50 - way too young). She had been in poor health - morbidly obese and diabetic. She had to have her bladder removed as a result of bladder cancer and the surgery was ultimately too much for her heart and lungs. Those are the two main events, but there were others as well. Needless to say, my band and my weight loss have not been at the forefront in my mind - not at all, which is as it should be for now. The fact that I - and all of you - have taken major steps to improve our health (and potentially save our lives) is something to be proud of, no matter how slowly or quickly the weight comes off... because it will come off. It has to. Who isn't eating significantly less than they were in the months and years prior to surgery? For awhile there, I was working-out (somewhat) regularly and losing a lot quicker. Then when hell broke lose, I actually gained some weight back... though not a ton (5 or 6 pounds). If I hadn't had the band, I'm certain that I would have packed-on a whole lot more. So I'm grateful for that. Right now I'm at 40 pounds down and I think I look pretty good... a whole lot better than I did! :biggrin: Sure, I'm 'behind schedule' but I'm alright with that. I'm not morbidly obese anymore AND I'm nearly half-way to goal. So I'm a success story!... even though my weight loss has been slow. And so are all of you. I'm really proud of you guys. :thumbup: Take Care, Karyn

For the ladies (sorry guys, close your eyes). Does anyone else have problems with monthly water weight gain? 5 - 8 pounds is common for me. What works? -K

I appreciate everyone who took the time to reply... your answers are invaluable. Thank you so much. I also found it interesting how many people mentioned 'support' of one kind or another.

The last time I got a fill, I asked my doctor if there was any way I could accidentally hurt my port (by getting laundry out of the washer, etc.). He said, "no, the only way you can hurt your port is by putting an unsterile needle in it". It was the first time I had heard of anything like that. I said, "people do that?".... he said, "you'd be surprised how many people have absolutely no common sense". So no, my answer is no way - never.

I agree with everyone who posted before me. Go back to liquids for awhile, then to mushies and slowly (really small bites) move to solids. You are too tight when you can't keep liquids down (which doesn't sound like the case). Good luck!

I remembered that you had been too tight... and when I started to freak-out about not being able to get the water down, I went back and read your posts. It definitely calmed me down a bit. Thanks for that. :thumbup: This is a learning experience, that's for sure! It sure is comforting not to be going through it alone.

From what I've read (various posts), what you're describing is very common - severe tightening after a fill. It also might have something to do with the stuck pills. Were you taking tiny bites? As long as you can get fluids down, you should be alright. If I were you, I'd take it easy (go back to liquids) and wait a couple/few days to see if the swelling goes down. Of course, it's entirely up to you and how you feel. I just experienced something similar, only I couldn't get/keep any water down. I decided to get a slight unfill (1cc). I wasn't hungry though - not at all, just really thirsty. Wishing you luck... and comfort.

Hi steff... I agree with Viv and think that you made the right decision by changing docs. What I've also come to realize is that, this is a process - - a slow process. In the months following surgery, until you feel real restriction, weight loss, if there is any, has little to do with the band. First, there's a healing period (no saline in the band - or very little), then you get a couple of fills (some saline in the band but not enough to keep hunger at bay for long). Food goes right past the band, so you can eat more than you think you should be able to. In those first few months following surgery I think we're adjusting to life with a band - learning how to take really small bites, eat right and chew. Some start exercising, which helps with the weight loss. It's hard not to feel discouraged because the weight isn't falling-off. Tell you what, on April 5th, I weighed two pounds more than I did on March 5th, which is... frustrating to say the least. So I guess what I'm saying is, HANG IN THERE! Once you feel restriction, the weight will start coming-off. Thank you Viv and Missy! :biggrin: