AmandaGW

Yesterday, late afternoon, I had my first fill. It was painless, not what I expected...but almost immediately, I have some serious gas and shoulder and chest pain. Much like what I had the first 6 weeks after surgery. My surgeon does not require liquid or mushy diet AT ALL. He actually told me to go home and eat a regular meal, but take it slow. I am terrified that I have done something wrong, but I don't want to be an alarmist and over react about the pain I'm feeling. Is this normal?

I can't say much about the RNY, but I can say that I TOTALLY remember having some "buyers remorse." Even after a year, sometimes I have some buyers remorse!! And sometimes I have near panic attacks when I think about the foreign object in my body. But at the end of the day, I have learned to use the band as a tool, and 99 percent of the time it is my friend. The band is working for me, therefore I will support it over all other methods. However, it may not be the best for everyone. Out of curiosity, why is your PCP so against it? Is he/she more supportive of RNY? Good luck with everything!

Almost having to walk away from a coaster because the Six Flags guy couldn't get my harness to latch becuase I was so fat was the moment I decided to have lap band surgery...I had been contemplating it for months...that sealed the deal. Now, after losing 60 pounds, I know I can get on one and I can't freaking wait. I told my surgeon the story, and he said, "In a few months, you can will be able to ride all the coasters you want." Go for it, and enjoy the extra seat room.

Hello all! It has been a very long time since I have been on. I have done great with the band (banded Sept. 2010, lost 60 pounds, begin running, very active) until just recently. I have yet to have my first fill, I have it scheduled for the 23rd of this month and I'm kind of nervous about it. Also recently, and very surprisingly, my doctor told me I have very high cholesterol and either need a "severe lifestyle change" or I need to go on meds, so I guess I need to go on meds, since my lifestyle has changed dramatically this last year, and my cholesterol is higher than it was before being banded...HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?!?!?! I got very discouraged. I am also having little pains everywhere, back pain, jaw pain, numbness in extremities...just little things that are driving me crazy, and making me paranoid. I am convinced that I am going to have a heart attack at the age of 31!! Except, it only happens when I am sleeping, or trying to fall asleep...probably just in my head! Does anyone else do that, or am I just crazy? I know I can vent about this here because I have posted things in the past and never felt judged or upset by comments. Thanks in advance for any words of encouragement, advice, similar stories, etc.

Okay, I am very hesitant to post the Spring Break Challenge. The last spreadsheet I posted got all wonky, I know my name was moved from the very top to the middle, so I ended up changing someone else's information. I caught it quickly and fixed it right away, but some folks were not as lucky. If I post it, and it is ready to go, we have to all promise to look closely before we change our information, or input our data. Also, we have to remember that everyone is here for a reason, and people make mistakes. Yes, it sucks when someone makes a mistake that goofs your info, so I suggest keeping track on your own, as well. That way, if someone jacks with your data, you can fix it. The way I have this set up is just like the Christamas Challenge. The first weigh-in will be next Monday. I personally set my highest goal yet, so we'll see. I've amped up my workouts, so I think this will help. I love doing this! It is so motivating! If you are new to a challenge, just click on my link and it will take you to a spreadsheet on Google docs. Then enter your name, goal weight, and starting weight...where prompted. Good luck!! Here's to new swimsuits for Spring Break!! (Or ski jackets, if you are a snowbunny like me!) Spring Break Challenge (Let me know if it doesn't work, and I'll fix it)

LeighaMason, this is very well put and OH SO TRUE! You are one of my favorite bandsters on this forum. You always have a way of explaining things without putting people down, and with out getting pissy, like I did! Thank you very much for this.

Oh yes, but they are crunchy...so not a great choice with the band and very high in sodium. But they are a low calorie snack option, and with a little cheese or a slice of ham...YUMMY!

YES! Way to go! This is one of those things I am looking most forward to. Being able to ride rides with my daughter! This summer I was at my heaviest and, although I was able to ride, the workers had to come push on the restraints to make them click...it was really embarrassing. I cannot wait to ride the coasters this summer!

Whoa! This just proves that everyone's journey and doctors are different. My surgeon's goal is 3 meals a day...if I feel like I need to snack, that is when I need a fill. Crazy! Well, good luck to you. I usually have no problem eating before I go to bed, but I try not to do that. I try to have my last meal between 6-7 pm, and then do a light walk around my block, helps with the reflux.

Cangel76 "Remember, a lot of people are passionate about this topic and the LAP-BAND®®, how it works. So when you post something about taking diet pills with the band they are going to remind you it is a tool. It is an emotional challenge and journey." Thank you. It is not easy telling someone you don't know what you really think...or at least it wasn't for me. I debated whether or not to even post what I did in the first place. However, I really felt that it needed to be said, not only to you, but to others having the same difficulty. I am sorry you felt "attacked" but you should know that posting what you did was going to elicit some criticism. Especially because the diet pills, prescribed or not, are not that healthy for you. And we all know that, since most of us have probably, at some time or another, tried them. I was not upset by the fact that you want to try diet pills. If I were in your same situation, I would probably feel the same way. However, every time I have tried diet pills, I gained back every ounce, plus, when I got off of them. They made me jumpy, irritable, and a little crazy. I just think you should check with your doctor and make sure it won't cause any problems with the band. That would be my only concern. However, again, please don't assume that we all got the band because we have trouble with will power. That comment did anger me. That is not a reason to get the band. Not at all. I took that personally, just as personally as you took our comments to your post.