lorabrown

Hello everyone- I am new to this forum but not to lap-band. I had my surgery 3 years ago and I consider myself a lap-band failure. I initially lost about 50 lbs and found when I reached 175 lbs I was satisfied with my weight. I know that was my excuse to fall back into my old habits. I found it very easy to eat my way around my band. I could eat what I wanted, throw it up and eat some more. Sad and disgusting isn't it? I was maintaing around 185 lbs (down from 225) and I was I OK with that (I shouldn't have been). Last summer, June 30th my sister died unexpectantly. She was 48. I have had a very difficult time with this and now I am up to 200lbs. I am miserable. I have not had a fill for 2 years. I decided I have to do something for myself NOW! I am educated and in the health field. I am a RN and a nursing supervisor. I am happily married and have a wonderful 10 year old daughter and I am going to school fulltime working on my master's degree. Sounds like I have everything? I do, except happiness with myself. I am writing this not to be criticized, but because I am asking for your support. Has anyone else out there had failure? I only hear of people who have lost a lot of weight. Anyone know of anyone out there who had gained and what have they done to get back on track? BTW- I am schedule for a fill tomorrow and I have ordered my protein supplements. Please wish me luck! Help! LB

Thanks! I'm going to check it out!!

Awesome!! You go girl!

Freebird and Blackonyx- I'd love you all to join us- everyone is welcome and hopefully together we will get on track and stay on track. Keep everyone posted on your success and non-success. We have to get real to get thin! LB

Joy Joy- I hate exercise. I know I need to do it, but my hips hurt so bad... I have a treadmill, my husband uses it every day. I am trying to get the inspiration to get on it, but I have never liked exercise. Help! What kind of exercise do you do? LB

I just read a post by bakerboy and since that thread is closed, I have to respond. First- I hope he is OK. I worked as a GI nurse for 9 years. When I decided to get my lap-band it was recommended to me by my favorite and most respected GI doctor. I have seen many complications from gastric bypass and none from lap band in my profession until the day before my surgery... A man came into the hospital with a perforated stomach. He apparently had his lap band placed in Mexico and was having problems finding a fill doctor. He was doing self fills. He had done this to the point that the band actually eroded through his stomach! He had to have a gastrectomy (removal of the stomach). He is very lucky to be alive! He now never has to worry about being hungry or not feeling full- he has no stomach! His quality of life is the pits! Please, please don't do self fills!! Thanks for listening! LB

Well yesterday was the pits!!! During my fill I got light headed and nauseated and had to lay down. My dr does it standing up under fluro. Then I just felt bad all day. I've been having headaches for the last several days- probably due to pollen, but last night I think the lack of carbs and sugar was starting to catch up. I am not diabetic but my insulin levels are so high I have a very difficult time coming off sugar. But! I made it through the day and I said a prayer last night and then again this morning thanking God for getting me through the first day. Now on to day two. I woke up, no headache, but it is starting to come back now. I've had 1 ready to drink protein shake and I just made some protein pudding. One hour at a time!! I have a lot of homework to do today- it is due tonight so that will keep my mind busy. Just wish I could turn off all the food commercials! How are all of you doing today? Take care! Lora

China, Dianna, and Sassy, First of all we all have done well when were doing the program. We know the program works, now we just have to start fresh. Because we have the band we can do just that! Today is a new day. I'm sitting here drinking my protein shake and getting ready to go get my first fill in 2 years. Lets do this! Sassy- Drink some protein every 2-3 hours to keep the cravings at bay. I decided to take off work tomorrow because I knew my first full day on liquids is going to be a bear! Hang in there and take it one hour at a time. Wish me luck today!! Take care everyone... Lora

Sassy- Thanks for your support! Start those liquids tomorrow and we can do this together! You can find me on FB if you want- Leigha- Thanks so much for your encouragement. You are right-I have been successful and I have only gained back part of my weight. Hitting 200 lbs was very depressing! I never wanted to see that number again... A close friend of mine has done so well that I have been avoiding calling her because I have done so bad compared to her. Yes, I know everyone looses differently, but I'm the one who talked her into the lap-band and here I am at 200 again! BUT!!! Not for long! Thank you for your encouragment! LB

SassyB- Thank you so much for responding. You are so lucky to have sisters. I only had one and we were close but there was a lot of tension. I wish we could redo a lot of things but we can't. I would love us to support each other. I have a very difficult time with carbs. When I initially went off carbs I literally went through withdrawals. I had the shake, heart palpitations and terrible mood swings. After I got through that (which was terrible!) I wasn't hungry! I was very satisfied with only protein sources and I didn't have PMS at all!. But I went back to the carbs and I know I have to come off of them again but I am afraid of the side effects. Once I get past that point I'll be fine it is just making that step. That step starts tomorrw- I am getting my first fill in two years and I am determine to make this tool work. I just wish there was an easy way to get carb free! Wish me luck! LB

I have found that I am always tighter in the morning, but by night time, I can drive a truck through my band! (I get my next fill tomorrow and I can't wait!) I would only get some removed if you are not getting enough calories/protien in your day. LB