SoccerMomma73

I woke up this morning thinking of you Bob...scary, very scary. Even when it's a pain in the ass I still love my band. I got wild and crazy last night and had 2 or 3 bites of pizza (tiny, well chewed, slow between bites, etc...), no go. Had the worst deep down retching to the toenails I've had in a long time and today I'm all liquids too...sigh..you'd think I'd learn. Apparently I get 2 good days for every bad day which is better than the 2 bad days for every good day I was having before. I miss breakfast I mean a REAL breakfast with biscuits and, well, FOOD....but it's all for a good cause in the end... I put a new facebook picture up and have had the most hysterical messages about it from people that haven't seen me in a year or two. Makes the head swell but it's nice!

I had the same experience. I was cash paid, paid up front, I did have to give separate checks to the doc for his services and the hospitals...about 3 months post op I got a bill from the hospital for 21K...My docs billing manager has been dealing with them for me. The last bill I got from the hospital was ONLY 5K..so, they're getting there...but I shouldn't owe 'em a cent....take a deep breath and call 'em Monday and see what the story is. At one point the hospital claimed not to have received my cashiers check (which had been cashed...) bit it was eventually found. Pain in the butt.

Dottie! You'll do great and life will be so much more enjoyable. The key to a great recovery with a total knee replacement is therapy do everything they tell you as many times as they tell ya. If you sit on your butt and don't do your homework because it hurts you'll have trouble. I scheduled my dad this week for an ortho consult for a total knee too and have threatened to beat him if he doesn't do what they tell him to (he will, he's a good patient and very active). Once this one heals he's going for the other knee then getting a right total ankle replacement. Last year he had his left ankle fused. He's tall and skinny with bird legs and has been a volleyball/softball/basketball player forever and had so many sprains and breaks and his arthritis is just horrible... Good luck and anytime you need a cheerleader we're here for ya! Bob and shad-I'm not officially referring to it as the curse of fill #3...although, hey, the weight loss was amazing! Take it easy bob and I'll keep my fingers crossed you start to loosen up a bit. When I was that tight I never got hungry and had to force myself to eat that was a totally bizarre feeling after a lifetime of starving all the time. Everyone else-Rock on with the exercise and keep up the good work!

I don't understand!!! I had 0.8 cc removed 2 weeks ago and ate like a pig for a week but the second week I was back to healthy eating and I haven't exercised in 2 weeks because I've been so busy!! I haven't lost anything!!!!! What's wrong with this band? I should have never had this surgery!!!!! I can't handle this stress and failure!

Non-professional, free opinion (you get what you pay for!). If it was ME and I was tolerating fluids okay I would stick with liquids over the weekend and see what happens. Two of my 3 fills have loosened after 2-3 days...I would stay away from the coffee though. If you're keeping the heartburn or struggling to keep liquids down I'd go for an unfill...if you're unsure or concerned call your doc and run it by him....Good luck!!! (admitting I needed an unfill was so hard and just seemed SOOOO wrong!!!!)

My third fill (in March) was fairly snug from the beginning. I averaged 1-2 pounds the first couple weeks then 2-3 pounds for a couple weeks. I had to really watch what I ate but I was "okay" probably very far into the "green zone". But I kept saying "it'll loosen up, it'll loosen up, it always loosens up". Nope. Around the first of May it started getting tighter, and tighter, and tighter. Again, I watched my diet and I did okay for a while but by the first of June I was essentially back on a pureed diet. I was losing 4-6 pounds a week, which, yay, wahoo! But had to sip and then listen as even water went drip drip drip gurgle gurgle gurgle. Then I got hit 2 nights in a row with reflux in the middle of the night. I NEVER have reflux....at that point I caved and went for a slight unfill...should have done it weeks before but just knew the darn thing was going to loosen. They had put in 1.2 in March and took out 0.8 in June. I've done fairly well since. The first couple days I was hungry but I think it was all mental since I hadn't truly eaten real food in a month and a half. I got attacked by cherries on Sunday (first time I'd tried to eat them since getting banded...apparently my band doesn't like 'em so much) and I did have a bad fickle band day yesterday all day but today seem relatively normal again. As long as youre keeping fluids down you're okay but don't stay at that point where you can't eat for long, and absolutely if you're throwing up or can't drink go get 'er unfilled. Good luck!

WOOHOO!!! If only I had the body of batgirl to go with the wings...::bored::...the cracking like a whip thing...and the motorcycle crack, oh my, good laughs guys, good laughs! I am still tight today but not painfully miserably so. I can drink! I can eat a little so I think I'm on the mend. Definitely better than yesterday. Bob, good luck! As I said before fill #3 was the one that kicked my butt...I was tight the first few day and just got tighter as time went on...it was the weirdest thing....Good luck, go slow!

No help on the coffee question, sorry. My doc requires an overnight stay but I would have been more than happy to go home and snuggle up in my own bed, other than using the rails and lifting the back of the bed up to get out of it, I really didn't see any advantage to staying overnight (a good recliner would probably suffice). Take a pillow to hug on the way home! I went shopping 2 days post-op, had to sit down and take a break half way through and started feeling weak and shaky towards the end but really no problem. If the parking lot is huge or it's 100 degrees outside I would recommend having your husband drop you close to the front door of the clinic, other than that I think you'll do fine at the doctor's appointment. You should already have pretty specific instructions on what to eat/drink post-op...my RN at the hospital went over all of it with me but the dietician and nurse practitioner at my docs office had both gone over it previously and given me instructions in writing...I would contact them this week and see if you can get something. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of discharge things get forgotten so I'd try to get that settled now. Good luck and congratulations on taking this huge step. It is SOOOO worth it!

Oh, wait, rant back on. Just when I think I can eat again...I can't...grrr....I know I'll wake up tomorrow and the world will be fine again but oh my how are you supposed to figure out a fickle band???? I type this as I'm sitting here hiccuping from crystal light...::thumbup::

Okay, so I've come to terms with the fact that I'm going to need a total body lift when this is all done and the fat flaps have settled but apparently, of all things, the bat wings (or more correctly, the flying squirrel flaps) are going to have to go! I went swimming with the boy after his swim lessons tonight and between the pool and home (15 minutes, maybe?) the chaffing was killing me. I figured the flappy belly or boobs would get to me first but darn if it's not the arms. Okay, rant off.

I did my shakes post-op while I was on liquids because I could not find another way to get much of any protein in....I swore to myself that after that I wouldn't drink another shake, EVER. I've tried a variety and hate them. I've tried protein powders and hate them. I try to focus on a well rounded, healthy diet, with emphasis on the protein but I refuse to be anti-carb, I just think there are too many benefits that healthy carbs (fruits, veggies, etc) can give you that you can't really get without them or through supplements. I'm 6 months out and 70+ pounds down, I did start losing hair at 3 months out but that is tapering off now. My doc is happy with my diet and my progress, and so am I. Post fill I do liquids for 48 hours and stick with soups (homemade for the most part) and homemade smoothies/yogurt, etc. If I'm ever seriously ill and can't eat solids for an extended period I'll consider the shakes but otherwise I am DONE DONE DONE with 'em.

I am an inconsistant signaler...most of the time it's nothing, every once in a while I'll burp and maybe twice a month I'll get a hiccup as I approach full. My mom had a bypass in '81 and is a consistant hiccuper...kinda funny to watch. Just one lone hiccup and she knows that's it. Stacie-good luck with the friends, feel free to vent, that's what we're here for! Cocoa-I wish I was sitting at a campfire on the beach with or without ipad...consider me green with envy girl! Juliansmom-ack, good luck, hope it brings you closer but not over the top! It's ain't purty on the otherside!!!! And now, to bed. My son had "horsemanship" class this morning (daycare takes them) then bowling this afternoon(daycare take 'em) then swim lessons tonight (this one is all mommy) he's crashed out in total exhaustion and just listening to a 6 year old in manic mode over his first horse encounter has worn me out. 'night!

NSV I meant to share earlier and forgot...I am completely off blood pressure meds now. We had been decreasing my doses with time due to the BP being down plus I was having horrid light-headed dizzy spells. As of 2 weeks ago I gave up the meds completely and my blood pressure is running (this is almost hysterical) anywhere from 90/60 to 110/72...110/72 is the HIGHEST reading I've had since I've been watching it so closely. My pulse, which has been high for as long as I can remember and part of the reason I started meds is in the 60's if I'm sitting and chilling and 80's if I'm up walking around...Naturally it goes higher with exercise but comes right back down when I stop. Moral of the story, even thought I'm not at a healthy weight yet, the 70+ pounds I have lost have made me so much healthier (and happier)...even if I don't lose another pound (which I will) it was worth it. AND the dizzy spells are gone, I can stand up quickly without almost blacking out! WOOHOO!! I got my butt kicked by cherries this afternoon....Oh fresh cherries, they were so very very good but came back to haunt me quickly. My son met me outside the bathroom with a barf bag, a pillow and a blanket...it was very sweet.

Curls by God, color by Gena....

Yeah okay, so they did post side by side...sheesh...on the preview they weren't, or so the imaginary pink elephants told me.... Bob, you are studman #1... Bobbie you have a problem girl! Either you're eating crap, eating too fast, eating crap too fast, or too tight...you need to do something before you get hurt! BE CAREFUL!

Okay, so I'm not good at this posting photos thing and can't seem to make it side by side, but you get the point. The first photo is from our office Christmas party about 5 days pre-op and around 285 pounds...the second was last weekend at a company picnic at about 222 pounds. When I look in the mirror I see small changes...when I look at old pictures I see OH MY GOD!!!!! (I'm no Bob still impressed with myself)

Six months ago right now I had been in my room at the hospital for about an hour and was savoring my first ice chips and anxiously awaiting the future. I thought long and hard about a band before I finally jumped in. I HOPED that I'd be a reasonable success and hit the 1-2 pounds a week my doc looks for.... I was aiming for 75 pounds that first year and hoping for about 50 the second. I'm 1/2 way through the first year and at 73 pounds down now. I feel better than I have felt in years. I'm within a couple pounds of what I weighed when I graduated from high school 19 years ago. I am a success. ME. I. ME ME ME ME ME! My band has helped, I NEVER discredit that. I could not do it on my own. But with a little, okay, a lot, of help from Steve and Eileen I AM a success. I feel great. I feel like, for the first time in my life I am actually in control of my body and my weight. And I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months has in store. Life is good.

Bob-the third fill was the one that kicked my ass...good luck! I must confess to much eye rolling too as I read other people's posts...I TRY to only say nice things but inside I'm thinking WTF? GO READ!!! Outside I pat and stroke or just ignore if I can't think of anything to pat and stroke about. I am definitely looser and eating more than I've eaten in months and, for the first time in months, haven't lost an ounce...but that's okay. I figure I'll take a week or two to enjoy some of the things I've been missing (I can eat watermelon again!!!!!) and then get serious.... Yesterday I went to a funeral for a 14 year old boy. It was one of the most terrible things I've ever done and I am in awe of the grace with which the family is handling this...I, however, am a wreck and want to grab and hold Connor and never let go. Definitely puts things into perspective.... Take care and now that I have internet again I'll be back soon!

Chloe-don't panic, and don't be afraid of restriction, it's your friend in weight loss. You will get stuck, we all do eventually and it SUCKS! But live and learn. Typically I know as soon as I do it, but I've had 2 episodes where 45-60 minutes later something kicked my butt...my theory is that whatever I ate "grew" while waiting to pass and was just much for my smaller stomach to take but most of the time you swallow and know almost immediately "oh crap".... Best advice, take it slow. After each fill follow your doc's instructions to a "T" because you don't know which fill is going to be "the fill" that finally makes you tight. Even if you think you're starving start slowly and don't just dive into a steak or something very solid like that. Good luck!

First off I'm very sorry this doesn't seem to be working for you. Secondly I think you need to find a counselor or psychiatrist that specializes in obesity and body image issues. It's easy to get frustrated, we all wanted that magic pill that makes the weight just come off. But you are sabotaging yourself with the stress eating. No matter if you keep the band or go to one of the other WLS you have got to get the stress eating under control or, even with WLS, will spend your life chasing demons. Find a professional who understands your issues (most won't so it may take some looking) and while you're working on that sit down and have an honest talk with yourself about this all. What exactly do you expect from the band? Are you doing your part to get their? Get a notebook and food scale and write down each and every thing that goes in your mouth and be honest, you can't help yourself if you're lying to yourself. Same thing with exercise write down each and every minute of physical activity, but no exaggerating. As everyone else has said, the band is a great tool for weight loss, but you have to do your part, even when you don't feel restriction buy eating a healthy diet and exercising. After all, ALL weight loss, with or without WLS, is about burning more calories than you consume...the band just makes it a little easier to eat fewer calories. Good luck with everything and please take care of yourself.

Went there last week...had a little soup, a little something chickeny/cheesie and loved every bite of it. I'm at the point that bread and pasta are not my friend so none of that.

I told anyone and everyone near me and now tell anyone who asks how I'm doing it....but, I lived in a verbally/physically/emotionally abusive marriage several years ago and hide/lied about everything and hated it so since then I've sort of been an open book. I do not regret telling. I've appreciated the support and I've found support from many people I never expected to. I've had a couple of people give me the "now why'd you do that it's not safe" lecture but in general everyone has been great. Make the right decision for you but try not to let it eat you up so much. Know that we're here for you and WELCOME TO THE CLUB! Good luck!

I can eat!!!! I never thought I'd be happy to say those words but after weeks solid of struggling to eat anything solid it feels awesome. So, now time to play a little and find out what I can and cannot handle and hope that she didn't take too much out. (0.8) I feel SOOOOO much better already!

About 6 weeks post-op I suddenly felt like I'd lost my best friend. I was SO caught off guard! I sat down and had some long talks with myself before I figured it all out but basically food WAS my best friend. When I was sad, mad, in love, happy, pissed, lonely...whatever it was, throughout my life, food had always been there for me. I went to bed thinking about what I'd have for breakfast, and wake up planning lunch and dinner. And then, suddenly, it was gone. Sure I could have a bite or two of something but I could no longer plan my day around eating. For a while I felt lonely, almost empty. I had a nice little pity party for a day or two then woke up one day feeling almost free. I still love good food but instead of focusing on quantity I focus on quality. I cook a fair amount and still spend a lot of time planning out what I'm making but it's all in the details now. Life is good! Congrats on breaking off the affair and maintaining your friendship...it's a tough thing to do.

No sugar problems but I was on a water pill and blood pressure pill, we've slowly weaned me down and I'm officially off the blood pressure pill and on 1/4 strength of the water pill. I'll be 6 months post-op next week...72 pounds down. I'll take it! Good luck!