Twinkles

Heck, girl, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I had port pain for a good few months after surgery. Still, over a year out, I have random port pain. Sometimes after sex, my port hurts, sometimes after I work out, my port hurts, sometimes for no reason, my port hurts. Don't stress about it. I'm sure everything is fine.

At surgery, I had 2cc's. At 12 weeks, I had 1.5cc's. At about 24 weeks, I had 1cc. Then around 40 weeks, I had another 1cc put in, then about 8 weeks after that, had .25 removed. That was back in May and I haven't needed a fill or unfill since. You'll get there, frustrating for sure, but definitely worth it.

I'm assuming, being 4 weeks out, you haven't had your first fill yet. If that is the case, then you have no reason to worry. There is no Fluid in your band, so restriction would be minimal, if any at all. You do know that you will need fills, right, in order to reach that "green zone"? For me, it was about 4 fills, I've got around 5.25cc's in my 10cc band. Your body is still healing, don't burden it by eating more than you should. If you need more, try Protein shakes or drinks. Bandster hell, is that period between surgery and your first fill, where you are starving. My Dr does things a little bit differently and I had a fill DURING surgery and didn't need a second until 12 weeks post op. Relax and let yourself heal.

I do about 2 days liquids, then 2 days soft foods. My Dr recommends 48 hours on liquids. I extended that on my own because I baby my band something fierce.

Same as above for me. I've had 3 fills and one slight unfill. I feel I'm good and right now am in no need of a fill. I'm about 5.25cc's in a 10cc band.

I'm around 800 per day. I track everything as well, it really helps me keep a grip on what and how much I am eating.

I was banded on 7/29/10 and I'm down about 109 pounds. About 15 left until goal. Starting weight was 274, currently at 165.

My birthday was on the 1st! I had a tummy tuck and breast lift, lol. So, there was no fun celebrating for me.

Well, I just had a tummy tuck and breast lift on Thursday (Sept 1st) and I would do it again. I'm pretty sure anyways. I mean, I'm only 5 days out, the pain was not nearly as bad as I expected. I haven't had any pain meds since Sunday. Since my posture is rather hunched right now and I'm swollen like the dickens, I can't really comment on my results. He did remove 10 inches vertically of skin, so, I can't wait to see how that all looks. LOL.

Thanks to you all for your posts. It is encouraging for me and I'm sure others to see everyone in different stages of this journey. To those who read my story and find it inspiring, that is the biggest compliment of all and one of the things that makes this so totally worth it. If the last year of my life has done anything to change the lives of others or make this decision easier, then I'm happy.

Thank you for the kind words and I'm happy that my success has had an impact on your decision. It is a tough decision but one that I don't regret at all. *hugs*

I know, my success wouldn't be where it is without my exercise. About 2 weeks after surgery, I started speed walking, then within in two weeks, I was hugging and puffing a mile. I increased from there. I alternated between my TreadClimber and running, but I commit to doing it 6 times a week, about 45 minutes a day. Now, I generally run most of the time, unless it is too hot outside, I'll get on the TreadClimber. But, now I'm generally running 3-5 miles a day, depending on time. I still, religiously, measure, weigh and track all of my food intake. I track calories, etc on The Daily Plate. I drink 1-2 servings of OptiSource Bariatric Protein Drink a day. I can tell the difference in my weight loss if I don't keep my protein up. If I slip on my protein for a few days or what have you, my weight loss stops. For Breakfast, generally, I'll have EggBeaters with a slice of deli ham that I've chopped or I'll have greek yogurt. I'm have 4oz Protein Drink mid morning, lunch is generally 2-3 oz of chicken with some Beans, or I'll have some chili (I eat a lot of chili, lol), another protein drink mid afternoon, then for dinner, whatever I've cooked for the family with changes if necessary. With that said, I have cut out, breads, pastas, rice, stuff like that, another thing I attribute to my success. Good luck, it is easily one of the best decisions I've ever made.

Hugs to you! It is so hard, my poor husband, I'm sure thought I was spiraling out of control. What is weird, is, I "think" I felt okay. Him and my mom kept saying, it's got to be the lack of food, the surgery, I was in complete denial. But, looking back on it now, with a clear head, I can see it clear as day now. I'm a firm believe that, I think counseling appts should be required AFTER surgery, once a month for at least the first 6 months. That pre-op psych eval is a bunch of hogwash. We go through so many changes, emotionally, mentally, physically during the first few months, that no wonder some of us go completely bonkers. To be honest. I went crying to my OBGYN because I didn't know what was going on, he fully understood where I was coming from, I thought it was an insane case of PMDD. I did end up taking liquid Zoloft for 2 weeks a month for about 4 months, through December anyways. It helped a lot. In that time I was able to deal with all the changes and I took myself off of it in January. Good luck! I know it is hard, boy do I ever.

I actually have a TT and breast lift scheduled on Sept 1st. Which is my birthday, lol. Not sure if it will be the best or worst present yet, but nonetheless, I'm doing it. Thanks all for the responses. I wish you all the best. If you have any questions, just send me a message, I'll be more than happy to share my experiences, highs and lows with you.

So, I have my tt and breast lift scheduled in about a month. I'm 18 pounds to goal and I've got some decent hangover, lol, in the stomach area. Preliminary estimates from my Dr are about 10 lbs of skin/flab/fat will be removed. I went to my surgeon today for my regular check up and told him I was scheduled. Which he already knew because I told him at my last appointment. Anyways, when I brought it up today, he gave me the third degree. Saying that when I lose the remaining weight, I may get "flabby" again. I can see his point, that is fine. However, I feel that this mid section spare tire is completely hindering me now. I want it gone and I seriously do not think that 10-20 pounds is really going to make a difference. I'm fine with "flabby", I can deal with something that isn't THIS. If you know what I mean. I would like to hear from any others who had a tummy tuck before hitting their "ultimate" goal weight. How far were you away from goal? Did it make any differences that you can tell? Do you wish you would have waiting to lose that extra 10-20 pounds? Thanks!

Thank you so much for posting the pics!!! I can't believe you look that good at 4 weeks. I'm excited and nervous, my tt is scheduled for 9/1.

My tt and breast lift are schedule for 9/1. Not everyone has the problem, but some do. Personally, I more or less expected it, if it didn't happen, that would have been a pleasant surprise, but I was prepared for it before I was even banded.

LOL - well, I can't complain and my husband DEFINITELY can't complain about "things" in the bedroom, we have lots of fun. Feeling better about yourself will, or should, help out with that.

I think we all go through this to an extent. During the pre-surgery stage, I was a mixed bag of emotions that would change at the drop of a dime. One moment I'd be excited, the next moment totally dreading it, the next feeling like a total loser, etc etc, so on and so forth. It is a tough decision. I know I was constantly thinking that, I've tried everything else there was to try... WHY would this work? In fact, a few times I almost convinced myself that there would be no way this would be successful for me. However it was and I couldn't be more happy with it. With that said, you do have to make a personal commitment to yourself. As I'm sure you've read and hear a million times, this is a TOOL, it is not a cure all and it won't be successful unless you do your part.

In a heartbeat! One of the best decisions I've ever made.

I remember the first time I got stuck... Oh man, did I ever think I was going to die! I think I was almost 5 months post op the first time, such a horrible horrible and scary feeling.

Thanks ladies, for the responses. I still have some decisions to make, my gut is telling me to go through with it, however, the logical side of me is still undecided. I go in to talk with my PS again in a couple of weeks. So, we'll see.

Awww... Thanks! It was pretty emotional writing it. And, thankfully, my husband is and has always been very appreciative of me. He's been my rock through all this. My mom too. If I hadn't had them be as supportive as they are, I'm not sure I could have been this successful.