Drake alp

Saw the doc today and got a fill. I gained 4# since last month. They weren't upset though and said I shouldn't beat myself up either. I guess when some folks get their fluid out, they really take advantage and over do it. I tried to stay focused although it was hard with the added stress of thinking I lost my band. I decided that I"m going to do 5 days of protein shakes. I haven't been feeling as good and I've been at basically the same weight for a month or two now, give or take a pound or two. Hopefully this will jump start my weight loss and I can start feeling better too. I did notice today after taking my vitamin and the 1st shake that it's almost like overloading my body - been feeling sick most of the day but I am sure this will wear off. Hope you are having a great week!

Wow - amazing day!! I can relate to all your experiences - the arm rest, the seat belt, the tray table, being tired...how we feel we look...it goes on and on. You are doing great --- you are bringing your health and your confidence back. GO YOU!!! Congratulations on your hard work and your successes! There are more to come!

I'm mentally skipping on top of the clouds - I got good news today. My doctor went to the hospital to look at the esphogram (the one the radiologist used to tell me there was no pouch above my band and the band had turned.) My doc wanted to see for himself - not go off the radiologist report. Turns out the radiologist doesn't know what he's talking about. My band is PERFECT!! Safe, sound, well positioned and WORKING!! It's been a long 6 days waiting for an answer, but I couldn't be happier that all is just fine. Thank you for your support these last few days. Whew --- I'm glad this chapter is closed! Now...on to enjoy the ONEderland I reached and whittle some more weight away. I have an appt Monday with the doc and I'm not hungry so am feeling like no fill is in order. We'll see what he thinks. 18x# here I come!! God bless you all!! I hope you've had a good day and if not, that you've had the blessing of others holding you up. You are worth it - keep fighting! This is tough work but we will be rewarded!

I will be thinking about you and waiting to hear the news. I am crossing my fingers that you are right - you were irritated and needed the unfill. I pray it is not a slippage. As hard as it is, try to not stress. That makes the situation worse and it's hurt my stomach for almost the past week. I was positive I had a slippage and couldn't ignore it. You sound like you've been doing all the right things and this came on all at once. I think there's a good chance that this isn't a slippage and I will continue to hope that is the case. Good luck!! We will be there with you either way!

No surgeons response today - will update you tomorrow if I hear from him. Thanks again for your support.

As you know from former blogs, it's been going great. I was banded on 6/24. At the beginning of my pre-op diet I weighed 242#. On 10/4 I hit 199#...finally below 200#! I love it! Unfortunately, I have bad news also. At about day 100 after surgery, I got what my doc is calling a total obstruction. I ate last Saturday and 4 hours later I went into extreme pain. 12 hours later I met my doctor at his office and he took out all my fluid. I haven't been hungry since then. I did have an esophogram which showed that my band has slipped - there is no pouch above it according to my radiologist. I am waiting to hear what my doc says before putting too much stock into that diagnosis. What I can tell you is thte last 2 days I've done pretty well, but both nights after I've eaten I've gotten super nauseated and there is a terrible pain in my stomach. Yesterday I was crying in fear of losing my band and becoming fat again. Tonight I'm almost crying because it hurts so bad inside my stomach. It feels like the band is super tight around the bottom of my esophogas. Lots of reflux too. My insurance only pays for one surgery a lifetime, so we'll see where this goes. Take it easy and keep looking forward. I'm posting this only really to help me process. I'm 44# and really happy to be under 200#. I wish you all the best. What I can say is I stuck to my program and didn't do the things I read on here from folks who are cheating. Know if it can happen to a person who is disciplined like me, then you have no room to cheat. It's just not worth it. Stay strong and fight the fight! Nothing tastes as good as skinny looks, as they say! :frown:

Thanks for your note on my blog. I loved reading yours -- happy bandiversary! You sound fantastic - keep it going girl!! You will be surprised when folks don't recognize you. Seems like they don't notice for awhile and then all of the sudden they do. I know YOU can tell the difference --- and it's awesome when we can see it in ourselves, after all we're the best/worst critics of ourselves!! Good luck...and will be looking forward to the kayak picture when you reach that goal!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. The virtual support is awesome - I've spent more time on here this weekend than I have since the liquid diet. You will never know exactly how much your encouragement and sharing your own stories means. fire girl --- it's nice to talk with someone who had an obstruction before. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. When you swallowed the meat, did you know right away there was a problem? I was fine for a little over 4 hours and then this came on suddenly which is hard for me to get my mind around. Also curious what the process was for replacing the band --- is it like the first surgery? Did it take 2 to fix yours?

@J_BandRanger - you are so encouraging - thank you so much for your support. I will let you know!

It's been about 100 days since my surgery. I am down from 242# and hit onederland this week. Weighed in today at 198#. It's been 7 or so years since the weight began with a "1". I am so grateful! I'm curious how my band friends are doing. What's been going well? What have been your struggles? I'd really like to catch up with you all! What a blessing everyone on here has been. My overall journey has been tremendous. I did hit my first really bad situation last Saturday. I got a total obstruction. Don't know what I did. Ate chicken - I think I didn't chew well enough because I waited too long to eat. Anyway, I ate and 2 hours later took a nap. 2 hours after that, I woke up in extreme pain. I began throwing up and the pain continued to get worse. It hurt so badly I couldn't stand, walk, sit, or lay down without feeling pain. In fact, whenever I laid on my back or right side, I threw up. I didn't want to bother my doc at 8 pm when this started because I read on here that it can take a couple of hours to pass. I also took some advice and had papaya pills and pineapple juice - which didn't help. At 10 pm, I didn't want to bother anyone and as it got later, my pain got worse. I didn't sleep all night. I called my doc's answering service at 6:30 am. He's a great doc and saw me at 8 am Sunday morning in his office. He had to take all my fluid out. Said it was close - I almost lost my band. Very scary. Anyway, I came home, threw up another time, and then slept for 2 hours. When I woke up, I was not hurting - thank goodness! I go for an esphogram tomorrow morning to see if my band slipped. Doc wants to be sure it didn't before he fills me up. Please cross your fingers. I can't believe all has gone so well and I have one problem which escalates into a major situation. I've been very good and have had great results. I pray I will get good news. Hope you are all doing well! Peace and love.

Love you Rose - you're a blessing. Thank you so much:)

@finallyncontrol - thank you so much for the encouragement! I have really appreciated your support - you lifted me up tremendously when things were going well so it's hard to put into words what your confience means in the down times. I will let you know. Thanks for your prayers - He is great and in the big scope of things like my friends who are fighting cancer, it makes me want to hang on and not question my ability to fight. You look fantastic -- keep being an inspiration and congrats on your hard work and results!!

I got my esphogram today with barium. Radiologist said there is no pouch above my band. He said it has slipped. He also said the band is not positioned the way the doctor wants it to be. However, I had my surgery at another hospital so he wanted to compare my post-surgery placement to today's pictures. He also said that sometimes when the swelling goes down the band can move back where it's supposed to. I'm not a doc and my intuition isn't buying that. Called my doc's office. Advice is there is nothing I can do so do not get worked up about it. The doc will call me Monday. Maybe the radiologist isn't seeing it correctly. I am really really sad. I am down to 198# and can fit into size 16. I don't have to go to the 'fat store' to buy really ugly clothes that I have come to hate the past 8 years. I joined a gym, was feeling positive, getting out again, and all my relationships are better. I felt like I had my life back. I don't want to go back to being 240 or my highest of 266. My goal is 140. I am only 58# away. I am under the 200's, which is when I felt my weight got out of control. I have been so good and so disciplined. I am tempted to go watch Lifetime, throw a pity party and cry Why me? I hear and read so much that people get away with and I wasn't even trying to test it. I would appreciate prayers. I don't know what is next. I'm generally a happy optimistic person but I'm in a dark place. Thanks for listening. Let it be used for good for someone.

@seanamw - i'm interested how you struggled with chicken - what does that mean. i haven't had any trouble with anything and that's why this situation is such a shock to me. I can totally relate to what you are saying about how everything has changed for you. Me too. I am so scared --- I don't want to gain weight or go back to the ugly, fat, shut in person I was just 3 months ago. Best of luck to you. Keep up the great work - it's paying off and I bet you are looking more beautiful every day!

@imaluckydog -- I didn't know you had to have unfills. What caused that? I have so many friends on here like you that I look up to. It seems yall have figured it out. Thank you for being open and honest. It does help to know those that I admire have struggled too. I am so amazed at where you are. I hoped to be there too. Keep it going!! You have it figured out -- you have a recipe for success that not everyone can achieve. I'm rooting for you.

Debi - you are doing great - keep it up. I hope your spine pressure subsides as you continue to lose weight - I have every confidence it will. My heaviest was 266 and now I'm at 198 today. It is a world of difference. "If it is to be, it's up to me" as they say. YOU can do it!

Thanks for your encouragement. I can tell from your post that state of mind is important. I couldn't agree more. You are doing great by getting your exercise. Keep it going!! And don't worry about how you respond to folks. go with your gut --- what you said sounds just fine. Good luck to you in this journey! What is your end goal by the way?

Everyone is different in what they are comfortable with. I was nervous but I did tell folks who work for me directly as well as close friends and family. I did not tell those in my family who are judgmental or would be waiting for me to fail. Also, I didn't ask work folks to keep it confidential. I said "I'm not advertising it, but I'm not going to lie about it." When folks comment how great I'm doing and ask how, I say eating smaller portions, eating protein first and exercising. All that is true. My advice is do what you feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter what others do. If you want it for you and few, keep it private. It's no one's right and no one's business to know. Take care and be strong. You can't go wrong - for once, you are putting yourself first. God speed my friend.

So it's been over a month since I've eaten 'normal' food. 4 weeks on liquid, and now a week into pureed. Working toward soft foods which I start soon. I had my first lunch appointment today for work. Was really nervous to not have the comfort of my planning and my scale (yes, I weigh or measure everything I eat.) I ordered chili from Applebee's - no toppings. Chewed slowly - no water for 30 mins afterwards. Remembered to set the straw aside. A success! The waiter looked at me like I was crazy when I asked for a container to put the rest of the chili in. I'm sure he throws that amount away routinely! I have 2 overnights away from home next week, and 3 days where I'll need to eat the meals provided. I don't know how I'm going to make 3 oz last for 3 hours during the world class dinners we'll enjoy. I am determined to do it, and if you have had success with this, I'd appreciate some tips!