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

... the recently banded and soon to be banded would be grateful to know. There's so much information out there that I was hoping to narrow it down. Thanks in advance!

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:

UPDATE: I heart water!! I have a new love and appreciation for that cool, crisp, wonderfully thirst-quencing drink! I can't stop drinking it. The doctor took out 1cc (I'm down to 6) and I can swallow liquids again. I feel SO MUCH better!

Viv - You are so darn cute! Thanks for the laugh!.. it made me spit up more water (ha)! New Joy - IMHO, it sounds like you might need a fill. I'd recommend a small one. Also, at the point we're at now, I really think all those LB rules are becomming more and more vital (i.e. chicklet-sized bites, knowing what you can and can't eat and chewing to mush). There isn't a lot of rooom for error now (literally and figuratively). As for me, I've made my decision. The swelling isn't going down (maybe because of the cough - IDK). I've been struggling to keep fluids down for two days now which has been bearable, but not fun. Then last night I woke-up from a dead sleep unable to breathe. My air passage was blocked. I had aspirated fluid that hadn't gotten past my band, into my lungs. Frightening feeling - like I was drowning. So, with the weekend coming, I don't want to take the chance of becoming dehydrated. I weighed 203 Wednesday morning before the fill and 195 this morning. As thrilled as I am to see a number that starts with a 1, I know that 8 pounds in two days is not weight loss, but water loss. I'm heading to the doctor's. I'll let you know how it turns out. Have a great day everyone!

Hi Everyone! How are my favorite people?... hanging in there? Staying the course? I just read that Tracy's having a baby! That's wonderful news!... wow... best I've hard all day. Congrats Tracy! I was sick for two weeks straight and haven't been online. Except for having a cought that won't go away, I'm a lot better now. The last time I posted I was contemplating getting a fill before Easter with the the in-laws. I ended-up waiting (due, in part, to not feeling great as the appointment day got closer). So I just got my fill yesterday, and it was a pretty aggressive one. He put another 2ccs in my band. And boy, I'm tight. I'm seriouosly thinking about taking the rest of the day off work and going back in for an unfill. I've never felt like this before. I'm not in pain or anything, but I can barely swallow. If I take-in too much fluid (water, coffee, cough medicine) at one time, it stays in my throat for awhile and then some of it never goes down. This is TMI, but I have a spit cup here in case that happens. I know that my esophogus is swollen after getting the fill yesterday (AND because of my cough), so part of me thinks I should wait it out. Any similar experiences?... and what'd you do??

Thanks for the feedback. You're BOTH right!... and make excellent points (and I'm still on the fence. :thumbup:

Talk about a major plateau!... I haven't lost anything in three weeks. I was 201 on 3/5... then 202.5... then 204... and when I weighed this past Friday, I was back to 201 (I blame water retention for the gains, so as not to get to depressed about it). I have an appointment on Thursday and I'm feeling like I'm ready for a fill, based on the fact that I don't have much restriction (some, but not much), weight loss has pretty much stopped and it's been 6 weeks since my last fill. But here's my quandry. My doctor has a strict rule of (get this) 'liquids for TWO WEEKS following a fill'. I know. I think he's crazy too. But that's the rule. Maybe I shouldn't be... but I'm thinking about things like Easter next weekend and my grandma's birthday party the weekend after that. No one knows about this surgery, and being on liquids (only) would be difficult to explain. So what do you guys think? There's always going to be SOMETHING, so just go get your fill?... OR... wait a couple of weeks and work out harder at the gym? I'm anxious to lose weight, if only a few pounds, so I can be 'Karyn in Onederland'. But I'm on the fence about what to do. Any thoughts?

Tracy!... you're BEAUTIFUL... stunning eyes, lovely cheekbones, cute nose! And yes, I love the nose ring... it fits you - the NEW you (minus 70 lbs)! I'm still trying to process that number. Wow! Thanks for sharing... You're doing great!

I had to share this with all of you. I happened upon it (in a blog) and it was just what I needed to read. "What a year. I now weigh 90lbs less than I did when I started this journey at my consultation, 75bs less than when I had surgery. For those doing the math, that averages to just under 1.5lbs a week - slow losing IS STILL LOSING. That is probably my biggest piece of advice to remember, and surely advice I need to remind myself of. Even if you lose a small amount, week after week, when you don’t give up, those small numbers turn in to big ones. I had lost more most weeks I was on weight watchers. But I never stayed on a diet before. ...To think that one year later, I’ve done it. Sure I am not at my ideal weight by my nor my doctor’s standards, I’m so freaking close. I’m close enough that I get to- shop at any store I am fit. Or Phit, rather. I work out a minimum of eight hours a week, and I love every moment of it. I love that last night I did 144 push-ups - real perfect push ups. I couldn’t do five when I started seeing Julie in September. I struggle a lot still with loving my body - I struggle to see how different it is and how much closer to ideal than not it is. But after a workout, when my muscles burn and my hair is matted down with sweat, I love my body because it is strong and it is powerful. I didn’t start working out seriously until about six months post-op, for whatever reason it took that long for it to click with me. For those waiting for that moment, it will come, I truly believe that everyone can love exercise if they find the right workout, and in my lucky case, trainer for them. It is hard to say how much this surgery and losing weight has changed my life. In many ways I have not changed at all, and in others, I am becoming the person who I always hoped I could be. I am accomplishing the thing I knew I never could, and doing that is beyond empowering. I am more settled in myself, I can let my whole self just exist and not worry quite as much as to what I’m projecting. I am so grateful for the band... And so incredibly grateful to all of you for the support you’ve given me. I could never have come as far as I have without the support I get from my friends online, as well as a select few in my real life and my family. No one without the band can understand what we go through - the highs and the lows, the stucks to the the elation at experiencing a huge NSV. I have come so far in my first year with the band, and am so grateful that I get to spend the rest of my life with it. "