BarbaraWM

I feel like I finally have an "after" picture. I still have more to go and I'm fairly disgusted by all my loose skin but I'm healthy, feel good and the cosmetics can be fixed. I said it before and I really do mean it, Lapband surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I have had several unfills over the last year. Once it was just an overfill being corrected but the others were exactly as you describe above. In fact, I am online right now because I can't sleep. I gag lying down and have pain sitting up. This is after post nasal drip from a bad cold followed by a vomiting incident on Sunday. I thought I was doing ok but the irritation is too much so I will have to get an emergency unfill tomorrow. I have also done the barium swallow and everything was fine...it was just irritation, not the band slipping. It seems what you want to know is how do you cope without the tool working at its peak condition? The first unfil, I gained 9 pounds in a month. The 2nd, I lost a few pounds in a month or so and the last unfill was perfect. I have lost 17 pounds in about 8 weeks, so right on track. Even if you gain a pound or two during your recovery, you will get filled again and that weight will come right off. After every fill I've felt re-committed to doing it better/right and it has worked. I have lost 125 pounds in 13 months, and that's with 3 unfills. You will be fine. Just live with it until you can get back to where you need to be.

I have had a similar experience and gone though days and days of pain. I am awake right now at 3:40am because when I lie down I gag and vomit but when I sit up I have constant pain across my lower ribs. The poster who said to empty and start over is probably right. I may do the same thing.

There I was, plugging along with 6.5ccs in my band. Good restriction, had just reached the 100 pound mark and then I did it. I sat in front of a tub of food I took out of the fridge with a fork and ate right out of the container. I had already had dinner, but I felt like having a little something and I was PMSing so why not a couple of forkfuls of the delicious papardelle with lamb ragu? I'll tell you why... I ate too much and then it happened. I felt horrible, like I had a burp stuck and it wouldn't move and it was painful and uncomfortable and awful. Then my mouth started to water and I knew what was coming - this wasn't a PB - it was a full on, gut wrenching, up from the core puke! After I threw up, I felt a bit better. Then I threw up again and felt much better but when I went to take some water after, it burned going down and I got a horrible pain across my stomach. Irritation, I figured. It will be better in the morning. Next morning, I took a Prilosec with a sip of water and it feels like acid going down my throat. I tried sipping warm water and coffee but couldn't even get through half a cup. Yogurt...one mouthful and I was in pain! So I thought I'd really done a number on my stomach and I'd better follow the rules until it felt better. 4 days later, I still couldn't eat without pain so I called the doctor and they told me to come right in. The PA took 0.2 ccs out and told me to continue taking the Prilosec daily and stick to the program and the irritation would fade. It didn't. For almost a week, I could barely get an ounce of food in at a time and liquids were not going down right either. I woke up in the night vomiting in my sleep and gagging -- all liquid -- for 4 days in a row. I was starting to feel weak. Monday I called and they scheduled me to come in this morning. Monday was the same... hard to eat or drink anything but I kept taking the Prilosec and tried to stay hydrated. On Tuesday, I got up and had 1/2 a cup of coffee before I realized it didn't hurt and that it went down...so I finished it. I then had 1/4 cup of yogurt and that was fine too. Hmmmmm.... At work, I had an iced coffee and 16 oz. Crystal Light again, no problem whatsoever. Went out to lunch and had some buffalo mozzarella, a slice of tomato and two seafood raviolis... yep. All good. It seemed I was cured but I wanted to keep the appointment anyway to discuss what had happened. Today, after telling the doctor my story he said it sounded as if my band had slipped with the retching and that 0.2ccs was not enough out of the band to correct a slip. Because I was so diligent though, the swelling went down and the band slipped back into place itself. Wow! I'm still on tender proteins, nothing too hard, and taking the Prilosec for a few more days but the doctor said we didn't have to take out anymore fluid and that I should continue doing what I am doing because now I'm down 106 lbs! Oh, and, he wanted to know who made the appointment because when you have the level of pain I had and the inability to hydrate, it is an emergency and I shouldn't have been told to wait until today. So, moral of the story. Slips suck! I'm back on track with 6.3 ccs in my band, feeling fine and looking forward to losing even more.

Wow! I just posted on my blog about my band slip too and then I read your story. Mine was because of vomiting as well but I was very lucky and did not require surgery. The pain I had, the night gagging, vomiting liquids, inability to eat or drink was definitely serious! Anyone who thinks a band slipping is not that serious hasn't experienced how awful it feels. My doctor said it is an emergency when a band slips and should not be ignored. I am working on sticking to the plan better so I don't have the experience again. I hope your recovery goes smoothly and congratulations on your weight loss. You look fabulous!

As of this morning, I have lost 100 pounds! That's 10 months and 4 days since surgery. Right on schedule. When I started this process last summer by going to the information session, I had already decided that if I could lose 100 pounds, I would consider the decision to have Lapband surgery a success. My attitude changed the day I made the decision -- I became optimistic and hopeful because I was finally deciding to do something about my weight/health/life rather than continuing to sit around complaining about being fat. By the time I had my consultation in September and then the actual surgery in November I was sure this was the way to go. I was right! Having LapBand surgery was one of the best decisions I have ever made (and believe me, I've made quite a few bad ones). My life has changed and continues to get better every day. Even with all the accompanying issues and problems I've run into over the last ten months, I would not change a thing except possibly to have done it sooner! I am going to continue to work my band so I can lose more weight, continue to live a healthy lifestyle and live a lot longer. BIKINI BODY, BABY! That's the new goal! :thumbup:

Looking over my blog entries since my banding last November, I came to the conclusion that this "journey" is really a roller coaster ride. I've been up, down, sideways and all over the map emotionally and physically and I find that as I approach my one year anniversary of banding, I'm pretty much where I hoped and expected to be when they strapped me in and put the bar down. There are so many other changes that I hadn't anticipated. Some are simple, some are complicated but I'm rolling with it. A few observations - simple first: 1) It's a lot easier to wear heels when you're 100 pounds lighter. Besides having giant feet and not being able to find cute comfortable shoes, the pressure on the soles of your feet is geometrically related to how high the heel is and how much you weigh. (Science lesson for the day). The more you weigh, the higher the heel, the greater the pressure. That much less weight means that much more height in comfort. And, wedges are the best. 2) Exercise really does work. Although I did not lose much weight this summer, I dropped at least one pants size. My band was loose and I was eating too much but I was pretty much able to maintain my work out regimen and it paid off. Those CK jeans I mentioned a blog or so ago -- too big now -- and my underwear is so big it's bunching under everything. I'm reticent to buy too much because I feel another big weight loss surge coming on after my re-fill so... check out Macy's clearance online. Got a Michael Kors dress for $23.88 and it's totally adorable. 3) Here's where it gets complicated - emotionally, I am still a giant fat woman. It is really taking a lot of time for me to wrap my head around the fact that I am merely overweight and not circus-fat-lady fat anymore. Every time I walk by a store window that shows my reflection, I find I'm looking to make sure I'm not as big as I sometimes think I am. And some days, I'm convinced I am - body dysmorphic disorder at work or just difficulty adjusting to someone I haven't seen in 30 years -- myself? I may seek some help with this one. So, here I am, 1 day shy of 10 months since my banding. 95 lbs down. Wearing a size 18/20 (I'm 5'10" and started at a size 32). Working out 3x per week. Having more energy and joi de vivre than I ever remember having in my whole life. Was it worth the ups and downs? You bet your much smaller ass it was! Next posting to announce the 100lb mark! Look for it. :smile:

95 lbs, one day shy of 10 months.

A couple of weeks after my last blog entry in June, I had to get some fluid removed from my band. I had developed vomiting and acid reflux after a sinus infection and antibiotics that were very harsh on my stomach. So, for almost all of July (and two weeks in June), I had a fairly loose band and lots of social engagements. I did ok though. I'm approximately the same weight I was when they loosened the band and just had a little fill last week trying to get back to where I was before the problems started. My doctor is insisting on a swallow study before he puts in anymore fill so I've got to schedule that soon because I would really like to be down more than 110 lbs by my one year band anniversary on 11/9 - about 3 months away. Honestly, July was a blur. It started with World Cup frenzy, out of town for the 4th and again to DC the next weekend and then vacation with family and at the end of that a quick solo trip to Puerto Rico for a wedding followed by a family visit, tourist day in NYC with kids and finally, my daughter's birthday party for 16 held on 7/31. I am DONE with July and never want another month like that again. Between all the traveling, eating out, drinking, visiting people and places, etc., I lost my workout routine for about 2.5 weeks and drank way too much booze. But man, I had a lot of fun! Happy to report that August is better already. Went back to the gym on Monday night and found that I hadn't actually gained weight and my fitness level is pretty much what is was before the craziness started. I had a check in with my trainer and he's put me on a tougher routine that I managed without much difficulty. The really great news though is that I am down to a size 22 Calvin Klein jeans and they are getting loose. I have some new clothes that are 18-20 and fit as well. I can feel my muscles are lean and strong (under the squishy parts) and I'm feeling and looking pretty good. So, after may ups and downs on this band journey, I'm really in a good place. Down about 90 lbs in 9 months and feeling great. I hope the rest of the summer is productive.:cool:

I've had acid reflux on and off and there are few things that really trigger it. Alcoholic beverages definitely make a difference, as do sodas and coffee and acidic foods like tomato sauce. I also got very bad reflux when I had post nasal drip from a sinus infection. You should try to find out the root of the acid and in the meantime, there's a few things you can do to make it better. I was put on Prilosec 2x per day and that managed it well. Also monitor what you are eating/drinking. Don't drink or eat anything within 2 hours of bedtime and if you do, try to sleep with your chest and head a bit elevated. I hope it gets better for you because it can cause longterm damage if left untreated.

A few years ago, at my heaviest, my husband complained that I always said I was going to do something and then didn't. Simple things like vacuuming the living room or taking out the trash...I just couldn't muster the energy to complete even basic tasks. Boy how things have changed!!! I cannot believe how much energy I have now. Such a busy weekend starting Thursday when I went out to happy hour and dinner with an old friend and was out quite late. Then I was at work early on Friday followed by lunch with friends, popped into my local on the way home, full weekend grocery shopping, made a fresh lasagna (including my own sauce) and then after dinner, full work out at the gym then met a girlfriend for drinks afterwards. Saturday, even though I felt I was getting a bad cold, I woke up early and mowed the lawn and re-seeded the bare patches and watered it. Cleaned up the back patio, took my daughter to see Shrek (walked there) and then to the pool at the YMCA for 1.5 hours where I carried her on my back while running laps in the pool and walked with her while she did laps on her back. After that book shopping followed by a bite at a nice outdoor cafe and gourmet shopping before heading home. Sunday, went to the gym at 8:30 to get a work out done before we headed out to a friends' bbq, head cold at full steam now and sinus pain but powered through it and managed a great day out including making about 100 water balloons for all the kids. Home by 10:30 and a friend popped in for a visit so we sat in the garden chatting until 1am. You'd think I'd be done but no, I kept going. Monday, cleaned out all the clothes that are too big for Salvation Army (5 garbage bags, including shoes and some of my daughter's clothes), cleaned my bedroom and the office -- including moving furniture and wiping down baseboards, took out the trash and recycling and did 5 loads of laundry -- all folded and put away too. Also helped put the AC in the windows and seal them, changed lightbulbs and finally, got my hair colored and worked out again Monday night, getting home just in time to put my daughter to bed. So, if anyone asks me how I'm feeling since losing 80 lbs, I honestly have to say that I have never had this much energy in my entire life. I feel so much more positive about getting things done because my back doesn't hurt and I'm not sweating like a pig and walking to the gym ISN'T TOO FAR at just over 1/2 mile when you consider how long I can go on the elliptical, bike and treadmill now. I am hoping to lose 6 more lbs before I head to Montreal on the 11th. If I do, I will hit a major milestone and will have lost 31 lbs since I first stated my mini goal of 20 lbs for Montreal! Yay. Hope you all have as much energy as I do and are feeling great!

I know I am not thin. I know I still have a long way to go but I feel like I've crossed over from "circus fat lady fat" to merely "overweight" and it's a big difference. The compliments keep coming and make me feel great. The work outs make me feel even better. The only thing that continues to bother me about this whole weight loss journey (besides not being able to tolerate bread) is my husband's lack of support. My friends have said that he's worried I'll lose a lot of weight and then change and not want him anymore. I thought that was kind of silly but I'm starting to suspect that he might be threatened by my new outlook and lease on life. He never tells me how good I look or that he is proud of me. When I asked him he said he'd be proud if I kept it up and reached my goal. Why can't he be proud of how far I've come already? He admits he loves that I have so much energy and that I'm happier in general than I have been in years but ... here's the real shocker... HE THINKS I DON'T NEED TO LOSE ANY MORE WEIGHT!?! WTF? He's always preferred a woman who is not skinny and I still need to lose another 80 lbs and I won't even be thin then! It took me ages to drag it out of him and it turns out that he feels I've already accomplished my main goals of being healthier, looking better and being more active/mobile for our daughter's sake. He's right, those are the goals but I also don't want to be fat anymore and I am still fat and still can't run a 10k. So, even though I'm a thinner fat woman these days, I'm going to keep on going and try to reach my goal. I'm also sticking with my husband and showing him that just because the outside is changing, the inside does not have to change as well. I still love him and just want to be as healthy as I can be so I can stick around to enjoy my family as long as possible. He'll just have to get over it.

I would give you a virtual high five if I actually did things like that!. Great going, Debra. My blog entry from yesterday says I've lost 80 pounds too and I'm all about the energy and feeling good. And, I bet you LOOK spectacular too!

Let's just get this out of the way first: I am a spelling bitch! I try to see past the poor spelling and grammar all over the internet so that I can actually absorb ideas, experiences and thoughts that might be helpful but I just can't get over some simple mistakes. This is a weight loss website. We should be able to tell the difference and, spell the difference, between lose and loose. Every time I see someone say he/she is not "loosing" I cringe. Don't even get me started on there/their/they're! So, I know it is my problem but maybe some of you will find this helpful anyway: Lose (pronounced looz) - This is what you do with weight (and car keys and other small personal items). While in the process of shedding weight, you are losing. In the past, you have lost. If you win on the TV show, you are the biggest loser. Loose (pronounced loos) - Your pants (and possibly your skin) should be loose after losing weight. Your clothing may be looser than it was previously. In fact, your dress may be the loosest it has ever been when your LAP-BAND® is no longer loose. I hope this helps some of you who struggle with the right choice of words. For those of you who are offended, sorry. Just getting it off my chest, which is currently encased in a very loose bra because I have lost so much weight and am still losing.

I've had the same feeling. I was too tight but it took a couple of weeks after the fill (and my period) for it to get too tight. They took out .3 ccs (yes, 3/10ths of a cc) and it made all the difference. I have great restriction and am continuing to lose weight without the negative side effects.

I'm 6 months as well and about down the same amount as you. I feel the same way about the energy levels -- I work out regularly, have been hiking and am even thinking of taking up running. It's funny how different perspective is because I'm the opposite about my appearance - I look at myself now and think, "I'm not that big." And man, my boobs seem awfully small! And, I'm still a size bigger than you!!! You are right though - it's about what you can do, not how you look. Cheers on your success!

I was so depressed at my 2 month mark that the doctor's office suggested anti-depressant medication. I think most of us go through this horrible phase when it's not working the way it's supposed to work. Look at others' blog entries and you'll see a lot of us have posted similar thoughts and feelings. (look at mine from back in Nov, Dec, Jan even). The good news is that it gets better -- I am 6 months post op and have lost 75 lbs so far. I have restriction and have even had an episode of overfill (under is definitely better!). Patience. It took you a long time to get fat. It will take some time to take it off as well.

I was told to go onto solids after my first post op visit, a little over a week after surgery. Every doctor and patient are different. Before the first fill is the hardest time in this process. You're doing well to lose weight at all, some people gain at this point. Just keep plugging away. The fills will help and, if your doctor flips again, find a new one.

They will go away. It is gas. I had mashed cauliflower with butter and cheese about 2 weeks after surgery and I thought I was going to die from the pain. I tried Gas-X, walking, drinking water, even rolling around on my stomach on the floor and nothing. I had to take a Percocet.

Current Mood: Tentative :smile: My last fill was 4 weeks ago tomorrow. At the time, I felt I'd really gotten it right. It was going quite well until last Wednesday when I went out for drinks with colleagues. When I got home, I was hungry and decided to eat some left over steak. Well, being a little bit drunk, I probably ate it too fast and didn't chew well enough and my body retaliated. Vomiting and gagging for about an hour immediately. In the morning, my stomach still felt a bit rough so I just had some Greek yogurt with a little raspberry preserves mixed in. It didn't sit right. Nothing solid sits right since then and I've had a couple more incidences of severe discomfort. The only thing that went down well and left me feeling good full was carrot ginger soup. The upset feeling is gone but I am now getting uncomfortably full from what probably amounts to 2-3 tablespoons of food, well chewed and eaten slowly. Last night I had one sea scallop and tablespoon of beans and mashed potatoes. I was full for hours. There is no way this is enough food for someone my size - 5'10", active and still a good 80 lbs overweight. Is 2-3 tablespoons how much I'm supposed to be eating? I thought it was more like 2-3 ounces of food (6-9 tablespoons). Or, maybe this is the right amount of restriction and I haven't quite grasped how little I am supposed to be eating and try to eat more at every sitting. In the last 4 weeks I have lost about 20 lbs. I've also started a regular work out routine and have been sticking to it so I'm sure that helped with the weight loss but still....5 lbs per week? I have a post-fill check-up tomorrow and will see what they say about the amount of food I should be eating. I'm honestly hoping for a small unfill so I can eat TWO scallops next time! Total weight loss as of this morning: 75 lbs at 6 months and 8 days post surgery.

BetsyB is right...they just hit a little blood vessel. When I was doing IVF and getting shots in my butt every night, my husband would occasionally hit a bleeder and nearly pass out (he hates blood). Never had any issues with them except a bruise now and then.

You are too tight. I had this too and thought I could fix it by adjusting my eating habits, etc. After a couple of weeks of regular vomiting, PBs, etc., I was so irritated that I started getting the heaves while prone. Because I waited so long, they had to take out quite a bit of saline and let me recover. You should go now for a small adjustment instead otherwise, Imaluckydog is right, you might end up with reflux and need a much bigger fix.