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I had such an easy time of considering what I was worrying about! The most "pain" I am in is where I assume my port is (biggest bandage) but it's more sore than real pain. I didn't hit the morpheine much at all - mostly to sleep! My surgery was at 8am-ish and I was in a room alert by 11ish (I think). I remember a nurse coming in around 2pm and was surprised how lucid I was. Oh, back up, the poor woman that tried to do my IV...it's a good thing I'm an empathetic sort b/c I reallyyyyyy wanted to hurt her. I guess after 2 days on liquids I was dehydrated b/c she really had a time finding a vein(?) in my left hand. (Do I really need to be slapped that often?) Then she tried on my left arm which hurt like hell and dug around so much that I almost fainted. Thankfully she got someone to help! I was majorly bitter! So the rest of surgery day was hanging out with my parents and then another gf and her son came to see me. Aww! She brought me a couple humor books and did I tell y'all that my boss send me flowers Wed? (His wife picked out the arrangement; it's gorgeous!) Since my mom + grandmother both have a history of blood clots, I had on compression socks and also this contraption that went around my calves that stimulated circulation. I also got 2 blood thinner shots. Rambling - when I was in pre-op, my nurse kept telling me breathe through my nose b/c I had the oxygen thingers in my nose. I was asked numerous times if I had been diagnosed with sleep apnea. Weird. So they watched my BP, pulse, and oxygen count. It had gotten down to 80 at one point. I brought home some breathing contraption (Voldyne 5000) to help. My triathalon friend stayed the night w/ me so my parents could sleep in a real bed at my house. She had me up and walking the hall. The first walk w/ my dad was very tiring but the other 2 laps were good! So anyway - the doc came to see me around 8:20 and said I was good to go. I finally got sprung around 10:30 i think. I didn't sleep at all yesterday afternoon but slept from noon-6pm today! And I only woke up then b/c my mom woke me up! Gah - 3 more weeks of liquids. I would kill for a cracker right now! I was very happy with the entire hospital staff; they were great! My throat is sore and my voice is hoarse but I'm thrilled with the amount of pain I have! Question: How long does it take for the gas to head to your shoulder? So far, I don't have that yet. I am now officially in the club! :eek:

Day 10 rocks! Ok so I am finally look less puffy and my incisions are looking great. I feel great today. I am so ready to eat mushy food but have till weds I think. Sigh. I have been so good with food I deserve one thing that tastes good. I am craving chkn' veggie nuggets. I think those will be ok to eat on the mushy diet especially if I nuke them they get soggy. I am so glad I have tomorrow off. Not sure what to do with myself?

Day 10 rocks! Ok so I am finally look less puffy and my incisions are looking great. I feel great today. I am so ready to eat mushy food but have till weds I think. Sigh. I have been so good with food I deserve one thing that tastes good. I am craving chkn' veggie nuggets. I think those will be ok to eat on the mushy diet especially if I nuke them they get soggy. I am so glad I have tomorrow off. Not sure what to do with myself?

since I last posted. My computer has been down and I have really been out of touch. To catch up....10 weeks post op. 2nd fill today. Total of 1cc in my band. I think I have been fortunate that I really have experience much TRUE hunger, even without fills. HEAD hunger is a different story and getting worse. I went ahead and got a fill today even though lost weight last week. I think I need the reminder that I have a band so I won't slip back into old habits, which I have been doing. Eating too fast, not chew, chew, chewing, eating bigger portions. I think the small fill will help the HEAD stay in the game. Overall, I'm very satisfied. I've lost 45 lbs total and have averaged 1.5 lbs per week for the past 4 weeks. 1 week I gained a lb, 1 week I stayed the same, but then I lose 3 lbs so the average is good. I am trying VERY HARD to be satisfied with that 1.5 AVERAGE. So far, I am. I have 6 lbs to go to be at 269. I have not weighed under 270 for 20+ years. I feel so good already I can't imagine losing another 50 or 100 lbs. I just can't remember what that feels like! My first goal is to be at 250 by my 50th birthday in May. I truly think that is going to happen and it would be such a wonderful birthday present! Well, that's about it for catching up. It's great to be back on LBT!

The scale has not moved down in about one week. I am pissed. I am now on Stage 5 for life so maybe my body is adjusting to food. I took my measurements one month ago and again today. I have lost inches so that makes me feel good. I finally fit into my misses size jeans, 18!!!!!! I haven't seen that size in over 10 years. Enjoy your Columbus Day weekend everyone.

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Mine were glued. About 10 days post op the glue peeled off and they were all closed.

Today was a good day. No One bugged me. Ate lunch in peace. Hubby made dinner without the side of guilt. They should all be like this.

Okay - I just knew this was going to be the right fill. I do seem to get full quicker. However, I just don't feel it? I know, I should just be happy that I eat less. In the past it has taken a few weeks for my fill to really kick in, so I'm hoping that will happen. I'm very hopeful it will work, but I'm also scared this fill doesn't work. I'm running out of room for any further fills. So, I'm not going to give up. I had weight wise oatmeal this morning, only ate about 1/2 of it. Lunch Tomatoe soup Dinner Protein shake, maybe some smashed up beans I made too. Exercise - 10:00 am 15 min on elliptical machine 3:00 pm - 15 min on elliptical machine

I was banded March 2008 When I first decided to check out the option of lapbanding I was 213 pounds. I went in for the preliminary check up and had lost 10 pounds but of course I think that was the fear of hey I could be skinny lol I was having caused the weight loss. By the time the preop diet was complete I had lost another 10 pounds so it was looking good. I handed over the cheque for 16 grand and yeah you know it lost another few pounds lol By July I had lost 47 pounds and was feeling great. I had another fill this was my second one and about a month and half later that is when it started, I was throwing up constantly. If I ate and drank water I would vomit. Everything got stuck. I continued like this for some time before going back to doc and having an unfill that was in September. It was a nightmare as I felt terrible but the scales said I was down another 15 pounds but this is not how I need to lose the weight. I have lost another 3 pounds since then. I know it is slower now but I can tell you it is still my problem as I get nervous about the food so I eat what I know will stay down and that is not always the best foods. I am going back to see doc since I have read other posters and now I am afraid of losing the band all together due to slippage. I will make it to the destination because I have been waiting for me for a long time. I would like to lose another 30 pounds and better yet keep it off for life. I am being very conscious from here on as a promise to my life that I will eat properly.

Hello everyone, I had my 6th fill on August 10, 2010 and I had my seventh fill on March 10, 2011 and I thought I had some restriction. But not at all. So I'm really trying not to gain weight! So I've decided to do the low carb diet and see what happens. Today is Day 1: I had 1 salmon (43 grams of protein) 1 Tilapia (23 grams of protein) and a cup of broccoli sauteed in Smart Balance

Here's a picture of my 10 year old pup, Susie. She's lab/shepard mix, gotta love that pink nose .

Thank you !! She really is my pride and joy, other than my daugher of course Paula good idea about the avitar! just looking at the one I have now makes me more nervous roflmfao !! Cindy, she has lovely colors, except when I'm wearing black DeLarla she is the biggest whimp when it comes to me touching her paws. When I cut her nails, I almost have to sit on her LOL, poor thing (some times she pee's on herself lol). I can't imagine painting them although I have though about it before. Vines, Astro is a great name for a dog. I love old dogs too but puppies just melt my heart. I sware if I didn't have to work, I would have 10 dogs (and probably no husband LOL).

Well, I did a ton of research before I had lap band, so I found and wanted them, and that was when I was 19, wasnt banded till I was 23ish. So, Its worth the drive for me. I heard Montgomery is good! I have Dr. Chock. I wanted a woman doctor.

Including pre-op, I am 10 weeks out, ~40#s down. I've never actually lost 40#s before, so this is pretty cool!

(Jan 23, 10) It never fails....only women have to deal with the ups and downs or crazy hormones! I never lose during this week and matter of fact that last few cycles I have gained five to seven pounds of water weight. It's so frustrating. I know, it doesn't stay but to be so darned close and see the scale not move or go the other way makes me want to scream. Now I understand the commercials for Midol! :thumbdown: Who knew? When I was 280 I did not feel it at all. This week I managed to bang my knee in a weird spot which would not allow me to exercise at all. I tried the treadmill and my knee completely gave out! :thumbup: Oh, no....can't have that so I had to let it heal. Oh the horror! But somehow I am still calm about it all. I just know I can drop the last few pounds before my 40th birthday (Feb 23) I have been trying to reflect on my journey as much as possible and there are some things I have got to get better at. I still think I eat too fast sometimes, and also sometimes too late in the day. I tend to sleep better if I don't eat after 7pm, but sometimes that's so hard with my profession. (Realtor) And I KNOW for a fact I don't get all my water in. Got to do better with that. I also need to expand my menu's a bit. It's so easy to just fall back on easy things like soups. So I am going to really try and focus on those things. I wish I could make myself go to bed earlier but I am such a natural night owl! In the next few weeks I will be having new professional photos done for my business cards and for my singing ad's. It's so fun to think about all the cool clothes I can get for these photos. There were two ladies in the office talking about a huge sale at "express" and for the first time I allowed myself to think I just might go check that sale out! I may be able to fit some of that stuff! (wheee) I still have this image of me that is larger and shopping is fun but I tend to still pick up the larger sizes. It's so funny....when the sales people bring me the smaller size. My mind and my mouth immediately say....oh no...that's too small! However when I try it on it magically fits! Euphoria! I went into Lane Bryant last week out of habit and the sales lady who knows me said...Oh no honey, you can't wear stuff here anymore! HA! I use to think I would be a size 12 but I am starting to see that I may be able to wear some size 10's. ME....A size 10! I guess not really much to report this week but not all weeks can be full of stimulating activity! The fact of it all is, I am still adjusting and everyday is a new adventure no matter how major or how small! I am riding high! And as always....I am Blessed! See my progress photos: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/57955-albums3475.html Start Weight: 280lbs Surgery Date: May 21, 2009 Dr. M. Metz St. Lukes Hospital-Denver, CO

You are in my prayers. Update us when you can. I understand the nerves ( I was just banded 7/15/10). Reading the posts on this site helped me feel prepared, so when I felt the gas pain, or when doctors or nurses said something, I at least had an idea of what was going on. And yes, God IS in control. My surgeon was a Christian, and I had so many people praying during surgery, I know that had an impact! Blessings to you.

Congratulations! That is so awesome. My goal is to be 150lbs. I'm 35lbs away. I've made the committment to get there, too! I know which machine you're talking about in the gym. It's called the captains chair. I started out not being able to do but one. Now, I can say I can do 3 sets of 15,12, and then 10. You're just like me...shopping at the thrift store. I'm wearing a skirt right now that everyone is raving about. I got it at the thrift store for $2!!!! I love shopping now. I just want to tell you to keep up the great work and enjoy the changes!

I can totally identify with what your saying. I have several friends who have been what I thought were good friends for a long time 10 years plus. Not once has either of them said, you really look good since you have lost weight. They just look right past it and never even mention it. One I work with now and see everyday and the other I worked with several years ago but we have stayed in very close contact. We are still FB friends and she sees the pictures I post and there is no way you can not see how different I look. So, your right it is not my fault I took my life in a positive direction, it is their fault they have chosen to stay obese. There are a lot of idiots in the world and unfortunately we seem to have been friends or aquintance with several of them. Keep doing what your doing.

i am in no way trying to tell you how to respond to those people as ive only been banded 3 months. However , i would of loved to have heard of the band 10 yrs ago ! i have been struggling with a weight prob for many years, tried weight watchers with no success, and wasnt quite sure what to do. then 2 relatives had the band last june and a light bulb just went off ! i vaguely remember seeing the ads in magazines, but it wasnt until i heard from my 2 relatives that i took a closer look. well, i was banded dec 2011, down 25 lbs as of today, and wish i had known about it sooner ! i wish i had known you before , if you had let me in on the band , think what a role model you would of been to me !! for all those people who are'nt talking smack about you, but are struggling with their weight, hey, just casually mentioned that you had Lap Band and are taking control your weight and your life. I've been open and honest about being banded and have gotten 100% support, and even had 3 people consider getting banded to deal with their weight probs ! think of yourself as a great role model ! good luck !

Holla fellow bandsters! Hope you all had a fabulous Independence Day! I sat here and tried not to watch myself and boys have simultaneous combustion from the heat- alas we were all saved that scene. It was a strange holiday in that there was no BBQ to attend, here or otherwise, I didn't even go watch fireworks! I can't decide whether it was just too hot, or I'm just getting freaking too old to "OOOHH and AWWWW" about fire in the sky. Boys weren't interested either so I just listened to the neighbors pop it like it was hot til around midnight. My dogs didn't even seem to care. So the boys had Subway and I had the normal protein shake and cream of chicken soup but as an added bonus, I put strawberries and bananas with some Greek yogurt, 1 pkg Carnation sugar free instant breakfast and skim milk in the blender! Boys had smoothies I froze mine and had strawberry banana "ice cream" around 10 last night. Delish. So as you know, I have been thinking today I was scheduled to have my first fill. Thanks to this forum, I now know that the receptionist misspoke when she said "fill", what she meant to say was "Post-Op" visit. Regardless, I was excited to go pretty much anywhere at this point. I scrubbed up, brushed up and put on a comfy sundress to wear, good choice because I didn't have to worry about buttoning and or zipping anything, I'm still slightly swollen and all I had to do was put it over my head and Voila! I really had no clue what was going to happen at this 1st appointment and lucky me, I got a nurse who was clueless as well. The regular Nurse that takes care of such appointments was on vacation this week (HOW DARE SHE) so I don't know if she was brought up from another unit of the clinic/hospital or if she was an agency person, or if (Lord I hope not) she works there and I just never seen nor heard of her before. So kids this is how it went down. I was ushered into the examination room and sat on one of the chairs. The nurse says "Ok, so what have you been eating, and sorry, but I have to look at your incisions." Umm, Ok, I hope you're going to look at my incisions (DUH) and I told her protein shakes, yogurt, chicken soup, yada, yada, and then I said "Um, am I going to see the Dr today or what's happening here?" she said "Oh no honey, you won't see your Dr until after your 1 month check-up with the regular nurse who's on vacation, then 1 or 2 weeks after that appointment you will have 1 with the nutritionist, then the week after that you will have a fill" My head was spinning off my neck at that point. I decided it was best maybe not to ask not too many questions to this particular person at that particular time, besides, I have this forum if I want to know something right? Well you guessed it, I couldn't resist, I started asking because you know, I brought a small list. (Well I didn't want to forget anything ya know?) I looked at my little list and immediately mentally crossed off things that I assumed only the Dr would know, or I only personally wanted the Dr to answer. So I asked about vitamins I think, something along those lines and she excused herself and brought in a booklet and said "Did you get one of these?" Uh, I don't think so, it doesn't look familiar. So she handed it to me and then said she needed to look at my incisions, I said Ok, and she basically lifted my dress up and said those have to go and RRRIIIPPP off came the first one! HEY, I said. I don't know if I'm- RRRIIIPPP- well screw it guess I'm ready to release my surgi-strips. Look I know it sounds like a nightmare and it pretty much was, I could go on and on, but my point is I went to my post-op appointment and basically expected Ashton K. to jump out of somewhere telling me I've just been "Punked" although that didn't happen, I did get a a wink/half eye roll from the receptionist when the nurse was explaining to her the upcoming appointments I needed, especially when she called her Stephanie and she said "My name's Ashley" (insert half wink & eye roll) giggle. I guess I was pretty calm about the entire thing because when she took my blood pressure it was only 107/62. My temperature a chilly 97.3, and guess what? She never weighed me, and I didn't ask. I guess what I'm trying to say is that none of that really mattered. I already knew I wasn't going to be getting a fill today. I pretty much assumed that they were just going to check on me after surgery. I've survived the ripped off strips and now that I think of it, I'm glad she did it because I babied them so much and would have worn them as a badge as long as I could have and I need to move on. The receptionist, Ashley, and I agreed she would just call me on Monday and we would go from there, sounded great to me! On the way home I thought to myself, I'm not restricted at all. I could eat whatever I want right now and it would be fine with my twisty and my stomach. Maybe I'll just have a salad, that's not such a big deal. I thought like this for about 10 miles until I snapped out of it. Girl you better check yourself, for Christ's sake this is exactly why you had this done, if you don't start using it now, instead of thinking like a food addict, your road shall be even longer. I came home had a yogurt and a Crystal Light, I still wasn't even hungry, not really. I picked up the red booklet she gave me and it was "All you need to know about your upcoming gastric bypass surgery" I just laid it on my chest and laughed hysterically. As always, onward and upward and Lo & Behold....Velvet

WARNING: might be TMI for some...read at your own risk. So, in an effort to gage how my abscess is healing, I made my fiance' while changing my packing, stick the q-tip down as far as it would go....ok, so I knew that the CT scan showed that it was like 3.5" deep. (ok, lemme take a step back and breathe a sec) So its been 10 days since the drainage. The q-tip went in half way!!!! I almost started crying!! I was thinking it should be so much further on in the healing process! All this packing, this open gash...its just so ughhhhhhhhh!!!! OK, sorry for the mini meltdown, I'm feeling better but this is keeping me from exercising, from doing anything really strenuous...gah! And I'm scared of getting an infection (yeah, I'm a germ-a-phobe at times) So, I sit and wait....tick tock tick tock...till my body heals....talk about a lesson in patience!!! :thumbup: