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I have one on my lower back right above my rear. It is fared really well with my weight loss so far. But when I got it, I was careful to have it positioned in a place that wouldnt change too drastically with weight gain or loss.

Aw Randi cheer up. Things will get better. I gained 5 lbs when I couldn't go to the bathroom. It has now gone. So will your weight gain from the antiobiotics. You need to concentrate on YOU. Your son has to live his life and make his own mistakes and find his way. Hard for Mother's to accept I know. We love them and their little ones, but they have to find their own way. Just like we did. Losing our parents is hard. I know now that both my parents are gone I find it strange to realize I'm an orphan. Being 59 doesn't change that! Remember the good times, but don't dwell on the loss. Let's get the weekend started!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Be good bandsters and have a fun weekend.

I have an issue that I haven't seen addressed here, and I would love to know if others have experienced this. I didn't become overweight until about 15 years ago (when I was 24 or so). Now I'm at 250, and I'm 5'5". The issue is that I don't really eat that much compared to other people!! My husband probably eats 3 times as much as me, but he does work for UPS and is very active. I drink LOADS of Diet Coke, but I eat pretty healthy other than that. I've had all kinds of tests, but no one has found an explanation for my weight gain. I'm so afraid that the band won't help me that much!! I'm scheduled for one week from today!!

This is probally the best post I have read throughout my weightloss journey. so sad, but we all have issues that cause overeating so many different reasons I never have met anyone that wasnt MO that was truly happy they all are suffering some how. Hopefully this post will continue because like myself I don't know why or what caused my weight gain I was never past 110lbs and very popular I thought I had it all but something went wrong and I am still searching for that answer by readin g these post something may trigger something in my life that makes sense thanks so much for this wonderful post let keep it going....Lori

So true, but the Band does help. I would do it again, even though all my family members think the Lap-Band has been a failure. Losing 95 pounds when you want to lose 150 is like the old half-full/half-empty debate. I still love to eat. Food has been my companion (though not my friend) ever since I was a child. I used to be skinny (my nick-name in high-school) until I hurt my leg playing football in college, then my calorie output dropped, but my calorie input rose. Result: 80 pound weight gain in 8 months. Since the Lap-Band surgery, I have grieved like I lost a friend, but it was only a companion, no make that an acquaintance. Sometimes when I got stuck at a weight and just could not lose, it was because I wasn't eating enough and my (prehistoric) thermostat drove my metabolism to protect me from starving. Instead of cutting back, I ate a little more including fat. I did not eat huge amounts of fat, but I stopped avoiding fat. Someday, I hope to start losing again. I seem to be in a stuck situation again, but I seem to keep injuring myself every time I start back to the gym. My body doesn't respond to training the way it used to. Hope my rant helped.

(Warning: venting/whining/complaining to follow) Uuugghhh. So even after my PCP submitted more info to overturn Cigna's denial, Cigna decided to uphold the denial. I read about the folks at ObesityLaw.com and filled out their online questionaire. They responded promptly with what I needed to pursue their services. But frankly, just the thought of trying to get the ridiculously incompetent medical staff to send me my charts/files/letters to me to pass on to the lawyers makes me want scream. I'm so mad at how little I am able to be involved. I can't even have my own medical records from Cigna. I can't get anyone to talk to me and discuss the denial. They just read me the letter they sent me, which is so incredibly vague. I'm so disgusted with the whole process. Apparently no one, not my PCP's office, the sugeon's office OR Cigna have any clue how to communicate or transmit info. Then I think, well, what if I appeal and it's 400-800$ for legal. Then let's say Cigna only covers 80% of the surgery. (Which btw, is there any way to find out a)exactly how much they cover and b)exactly what the surgeon charges? I can't get a straight answer from anyone) So I'm then up 4 or 5K$. Geez, I can just go to Mexico for 8500 and do it in the next few weeks. I'm so over it. I'm so sick of being fat. I feel like such an idiot for gaining weight so I could be in the 41 BMI. I thought surely that would get me covered. I feel like another 3 months of waiting and I'm gonna have stretch marks on hands. This quick weight gain has been horrible on me. Where do I go from here? Is he legal help worth it? What if I'm too damn healthy? (My only slight co-morbids were depression and joint pain -- not that I'm complaining) Should I just take the legal money and book a flight to Mexico? I'm fed up!:help: Advice??

Pseudotumor Cerebri Details Pseudotumor Cerebri Symptoms The common symptoms are headache, dizziness and impaired vision. Headache is often worse on awakening, and can be intensified by coughing, laughing, bending over, crying, and increased physical activity. Impaired vision shows up in several ways. It can be visual blurring, brief moments of dimming or loss of vision called transient visual obscurations (TVO's), small specks appearing or vision distortions (items moving up or down). Blindness can occur. Other symptoms affecting PTC patients include: shoulder/arm pain, neck pain, memory problems, awkward coordination, muscle weakness, fatigue, back pain, and depression. Possible symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss, ringing in the ears or noises within the head called tinnitus. Regarding headaches: a study showed 92% of patients interviewed had headaches; 93% of those with headaches said it was the most severe headache they had ever experienced. The head pain was described as a pulsing headache that kept increasing in intensity. Another description was a "pressure" headache, resembling a percolator. Seventy four percent of those with headaches had it on a daily basis. Can also experience neck stiffness or nausea. Pseudotumor Cerebri Characteristics By appearance, a person looks well. PTC can last for months or for years. It can go into remission. For those in remission, PTC can re-occur 5% to 10% of the time. 80% of PTC patients have some positive response to treatment. (This means that the PTC symptoms improve, not that the PTC necessarily goes away.) Pseudotumor Cerebri most commonly appears in women of child-bearing age. However, this disease also occurs in children and teenagers (both male and female) and adult males. For women of child-bearing age, there is often a history of menstrual problems. Frequently these women are overweight and/or have had a recent weight gain. Although physicians recommend weight loss, there are patients whose weight loss has not affected their PTC. A number of PTC patients have had a previous history of sinus problems. Many patients are light-sensitive; bright lights bother them and fluorescent light will fatigue and bring on confusion. Endocrine studies can appear normal. Often PTC is complicated with high blood pressure. PTC does appear to have a relationship to adrenal hormones. Things Linked to PTC Secondary PTC has appeared with the use of oral contraceptives, prolonged use of corticosteroids, large doses of Vitamin A, use of tetracycline , nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, sulfa drugs, lithium, indomethacin, and phenytoin. Rapid recovery often occurs when drug use is stopped. Chlordane toxicity (an insecticide) can also cause PTC. Other things linked to PTC include: Tetracyclines (including doxycycline and minocycline, antibiotics for chlamydia and acne) Lithium carbonate (a mineral salt to treat bipolar or manic-depressive disorder) Systemic lupus erythematosus Lyme disease Addison's disease (a condition in which the adrenal glands hypofunction) Cushing's disease (a condition in which the adrenal glands hyperfunction) Prednisone (and other steroids, possibly by any route including topically, nasally, orally, etc.) Hypo-thyroidism Hyper-thyroidism Pregnancy Obesity Head Trauma Irritable Bowel Syndrome Empty Sella Syndrome (condition in which the pituitary hypofunctions) Licorice (the inciting ingredient is glycericic acid) Vitamin A or its derivatives (used in bone marrow transplantation patients and to treat acne) Respiratory infections sleep apnea (a condition in which the patient snores and has headaches upon awakening) Norplant (a contraceptive that is implanted under the skin) Growth hormone therapy Climacteric (the start of menopause) Kidney disorders and kidney transplants

Mert and Endocollector, Welcome to you both. I drank all the liquids I wanted my first and second week out.My doctor admitted he made a mistake when he put boost and ensure on our list because they are for weight gaining. He also had slim fast but I changed to Atkins Advantage because of less calories and less sugar, still do one every morning. Endocollector why did they not take you off plavix and asprin a little before surgery. I take an asprin a day and they told me to quit one week before surgery.Good luck to you both and it will def. get so much better.

I have just had my 3rd fill and I am up to 2.6 cc's in my 4 cc band. I have a little restriction but not enough. I don't swell from fills which bums me out a little, but oh well. I still have to wait 2 weeks before I get another fill and it took my 7 weeks to get this one because my MD couldn't figure out how they wanted to do it, in the office or under floro. They also had to get the supplies into the office. Finaly, they did end up putting .5 cc in my band. I have gained a couple of pounds back, but it could be fluid retention because my ankles and calves are swollen. I know that I have heard that a fill can spontaneously make you have restriction weeks after the fill, but if there is no initial swelling then why can't I feel it now? is there anyone else that doesn't swell that has gotten a fill and didn't feel a change right away? Did you feel restriction a week or 2 after your fill? Just wondering. I am really upset about the weight gain because I know how much I normally fluctuate and this is actual gain. :cry

Darcy its good to see you, I was getting worried. Be gentle on your back okay......Hey chicken little, I know your struggling with your eating lately but hang in there, some times we just go through these awful slumps that last longer than we want but you'll make it threw. Hey I was thinking... could your depression be part of the eating culprit? I know for me 90% of my eating and weight gain is b/c of depression. I can do good during some of the summer... like a high but then poof.... the rest of the year I get depressed enough to start shoveling chit into my face and not really knowing why the hell I'm doing it. Also food is my drug of choice... no matter how I'm feeling, I run to food and don't know how not to :Banane27: Cindy I don't know if there's such a thing as reverse SAD, I mean I don't see why not. Depression affects people in so many different ways. I bet your dd is having a blast co-babysitting. I know my dd would love it ! Well its time for me to put on my PJ's I've had enuf sun today and Im pleasantly pooped lol. Y'all have a wonderful evening... I wish we could all sit together on a beautiful evening like this and share some coffee or tea and chat. Hugs and Kisses !!!

My PCP wasn't as negative about the band, but she seemed against it. When I approached her about it, she said she wanted me to try more diets before she would recommend I even think about getting banded. I felt like standing up, yelling at her, and saying you have had me try diets for 10 years now, and all I have accomplished is a weight gain of 100+ pounds! So to make a long story short, since I am self-pay, I went to my surgeon, am being banded on Monday, and will return to her office in December for my physical a new person. Then she can say what she wants about the band and I really won't care. Although most of us value the opion of our PCP's, sometimes we have to do for ourselves what WE feel is best. They only see us maybe a few times a year, not every second of OUR lives. Just look at what YOU have done for YOURSELF! Congrats on the loss, keep up the good work!!!!

I know that lots of people are convinced that weight loss is about calories in/out and I know that that holds true for the majority of people. But I have to wonder about us Cushies. I don't think that it is a matter that we have a really slow metabolism. But the thing is, it doesn't matter how much I eat or don't eat. The calorie in/out would hold true if I gained massive amounts of weight on 1200-1500, when I couldn't lose on 1200, 1000, 800 or less than 700 calories. (I did gain 10 pounds in a week at 1000 calories, but that was one week.) It is entiely possible that my weight gain/loss has been only water, which is fine on one level because it lessens my edema problems. But not fine for why I had WLS. If my metabolism was truely that slow, I wouldn't metabolize medications as fast as I do, and I would gain constantly. But as for low calories, I just don't see how other people can function on sub 700 long term. I will give you that it is entirely prorbable that I entered into a deep Low during the month I was too restricted. But I think the lowered calorie intake made the Low worse.

I know that lots of people are convinced that weight loss is about calories in/out and I know that that holds true for the majority of people. But I have to wonder about us Cushies. I don't think that it is a matter that we have a really slow metabolism. But the thing is, it doesn't matter how much I eat or don't eat. The calorie in/out would hold true if I gained massive amounts of weight on 1200-1500, when I couldn't lose on 1200, 1000, 800 or less than 700 calories. (I did gain 10 pounds in a week at 1000 calories, but that was one week.) It is entiely possible that my weight gain/loss has been only water, which is fine on one level because it lessens my edema problems. But not fine for why I had WLS. If my metabolism was truely that slow, I wouldn't metabolize medications as fast as I do, and I would gain constantly. But as for low calories, I just don't see how other people can function on sub 700 long term. I will give you that it is entirely prorbable that I entered into a deep Low during the month I was too restricted. But I think the lowered calorie intake made the Low worse.

Hey Puddin! I've been thinking about this post since I first read it. And on the surfice, it seems sound. But the thing is, it doesn't matter how much I eat or don't eat. The calorie in/out would hold true if I gained massive amounts of weight on 1200-1500, when I couldn't lose on 1200, 1000, 800 or less than 700 calories. (I did gain 10 pounds in a week at 1000 calories, but that was one week.) It is entiely possible that my weight gain/loss has been only Water, which is fine on one level because it lessens my edema problems. But not fine for why I had WLS. If my metabolism was truely that slow, I wouldn't metabolize medications as fast as I do, and I would gain constantly. But as for low calories, I just don't see how other people can function on sub 700 long term. I will give you that it is entirely prorbable that I entered into a deep Low during the month I was too restricted. But I think the lowered calorie intake made the Low worse.

Oh if only that were true for all of us. I have a D cup, and they've gotten a bit smaller. I'm the kind of person whose weight gain/loss is spread pretty evenly all over my body. But I know that when I reach my goal weight, I will probably still be a D or a very full C. I would LOVE to be a B cup, but I think I'd have to get down around 115 for that to happen. I'm 5'7" so I don't know if that would even be possible.

Before I got banded, I resolved to weigh myself once a month. In the past, I have weighed myself daily and if I didn't lose or if I (gasp!) gained, I would be so depressed I'd binge. I was terrified that it would happen again, so I didn't want to weigh myself too often and get obsessed. But then I got my band - and started weighing myself every day. It was addictive, because every single day, the number was lower than the day before. It was so thrilling to see the weight coming off so steadily. It gave me confidence that I am going to succeed in this. As the honeymoon phase came to an end, and the weight loss slowed down, I decided to weigh myself weekly, so I wouldn't be disappointed by not losing every single day. I have since learned my lesson. Now that I couldn't binge even if I wanted to, the scale has become a valuable tool for me. One of the reasons why I weighed 266 pounds is because I stopped paying attention to my weight and the poundage just kept creeping up and up. I'm never going to be "surprised" like that again, so not weighing myself isn't an option. Also, weighing myself weekly built up so much anticipation, that if I didn't lose weight, or lost a tiny amount like 0.2 lbs, I would be really disappointed and feel like all of my hard work was for nothing - which lead to skipping exercise and eating junk food for the next couple of days. Now I weigh myself in the mornings, when I've got too much restriction to drown my sorrows in vast quantities of food. Weighing myself daily rather than weekly keeps me from convincing myself it's ok to eat an entire box of graham crackers on Monday because I can diet for the rest of the week and still lose weight by Sunday's weigh-in. Monday always lead to Tuesday which lead to Wednesday, and then I'd have to fast for the rest of the week, which I could never pull off. Now, if I eat too much on one day, I see it on the scale and correct it the very next day. The cause and effect relationship between eating and weight gain is much clearer to me now. In a strange way, I find the daily fluctuations in my weight sort of comforting. Given the way I'm eating now, It is physically impossible for me to gain two pounds in one day. So if I'm 248 today and 250 tomorrow, I know that it's just a normal fluctuation and not actual weight gain. I know that not only will I succeed, but even if I do gain some weight back after reaching goal, I will be able to catch myself before it goes too far and becomes 20, 50, or 100 pounds. It's a good thing.

Well I had my 2 week checkup today and I have lost 4 lbs (I didn't know b/c I don't weigh at home). I thought I had lost more, but the nurse said 2 lbs a week is perfect. I was just eating SOOO much before the band (trying to cram it all in I guess) and now I am probably taking in 1/4 of the calories I was, so I thought I would have dropped some water weight quickly (or something!) My doc HATES weighing - he says we should only go by how our clothes feel. But I haven't been weight lifting or anything so I know its not muscle weight gained or anything. Anyway, if these 4 lbs never come back ever again and this is the last time I see those numbers on the scale I will be happy! I have my 1st fill in 4 weeks so we'll see! Anyway, anyone else feel this way? My doc says my body may need more calories to lose weight (the starving body theory). Who knows? I will just keep on what I'm doing and now I can add exercise so that should help~ Hope everyone is well!

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

For my journal readers here is a bit more about me: I am 31 and the mother of two children - my daughter is 14 years old and my son is 10. I'm newly married *3rd and last time!* to a man who is 18 years my senior. I was first married at 16 - to my DD father - divorced by 19 and remarried at 22. That one didn't work after 7 years of marriage. I'm married again - more secure now, more mature, more sure of myself. The kids have had a hard time adjusting to the change... I have a day job and also own my own online company. (www.providerwatch.com and www.findadaycare.com) I enjoy living in Western Washington for the weather, the green, and the fact I can get in the car and drive somewhere. NOT like when I lived in Anchorage, Alaska! I write - poetry mostly. I love music - listening to it cause I don't have a musical bone in my body. I love to read - anything from fiction to interesting non fiction. I think I'm more serious than I should be.... From the thread "Why are you Fat?" My weight gain began about 9 years ago - it was a slow process that began with excessive drinking - high calorie drinks -depression...I gained about 30 pounds those first few years, lost some and have steadily increased reaching my all time high - currently 255. I quit drinking a year ago - eat more to replace it - and have worked at a desk job for 3 years. That combined with no physical activity. I ENJOY food, its emotional for me. When I cook and enjoy a good meal, it feels good deep down. But this good feeling is followed by guilt and remorse. When I feel full - I feel guilty. I think about being fat from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed at night and sometimes in my sleep. The bottom line is I overeat, food is emotional satisfaction, and I sit on my a$$ at work all day.

Melody-- Thank you for being so positive--I've had people post me that pretty much made me feel guilty for getting pregnant so close after surgery, but I know this baby is God's will for my life, so I rejoice in that. I also believe that God lead me to get the lap band, so I'm confident that all will be well after the baby's born, and I'll resume my weight loss then. Sparkling, I know what you mean about the fatigue and lack of exercise. Before I was pregnant, I was jogging up to 2 miles/day and walking 2. At about 6 weeks pregnant, I was so tired, I couldn't do it anymore (and I have three children under the age of 5, so that makes me tired in itself ). Don't worry about your weight gain--just eat healthy foods and do the best you can... I think there are some signs to look for when dealing with a slipped band--more or less restriction (which I don't have much of at all because I have no fill), heartburn--I think that's the most obvious ones. I don't know. I just hope my band stays in place and works. I hope that I'm not stretching the top part of my stomach out too much...we'll see. Did you get a fill before you found out you were pregnant. I never made it that far...

Hi Jude, it is hard to understand how you are not losing, I also track my calories with Spark People, I try not to go over 1000 calories a day. Do you think your thyroid problem may have something to do with your weight gain, maybe ask Dr.Cobourn when you speak with him. Sorry to hear about your mother, hopefully it will get a little easier for you in the next few days. As Cloe and Yoda have already said make your day in Toronto a treat to your self, YOU DESERVE IT. Maria:)

heya Dana, I'm guessing I gained 10 lbs. I've been on alot of bed rest and taking progesterone which im thinking is the weight gain. One I found out I was pregnant I went a little crazy too with the sugar. I did stop that fast lol. I'm being way more careful to what I eat. I feel awful! I'm not vomiting I just feel like I need to all the time. Plus I'm dead tired. So pretty much my excerise routines I had working for me are out the window. But i'm told in a few weeks the fatigue phase of pregnancy will stop. How are you feeling ? Has a stupid question for you. How would we know if we did slip a band? I hope you are well Dana !!!

I just had to ring in and share some lessons I've been learning throughout my short journey so far (Banded April 28th) I know and am open to learning more but wanted to share in the hopes of helping others in their journeys through lap-band-land. Things I've learned: 1) I don't blame my lack of weight loss on my band, it cannot force me to exercise or eat the right things. 2) I don't give all the credit of my current weight loss to my band either, I still have to monitor my calories and nutrients to continue to lose. 3) My skin will sag if I don't do weight bearing exercises to offset this, and in areas where my fat is concentrated (for me its my INNER thighs...) I will still have some residual sagging skin. 4) Unless I get a boob job, my breasts will sag and never be 'perky' again...this is meaningful to me, to others its not, and I respect that. 5) If I PB, I don't curse the band, I curse myself. 6) I love my band, I love the choice I made, some days are better than others, I accept that and I do not dwell on the bad (even though its hard sometimes) 7) I am learning everyday about things I can and cannot eat. I can eat things others that are banded can't just as others can eat things I cant. 8) I get my fills when I need to, i.e. if I'm not losing, I don't go on a timed schedule. 9) I've had a bad fill experience (overfilled) I had some taken out and have been fine every since. I don't blame my fill doc, or myself for not noticing right away, but I learned from the experience. 10) I respect everyones individual journey, I think everyone needs to take responsibility for their own weight gain/loss. IMHO, the lap band has made many unhealthy people healty. Like anything, everyone handles change differently and each person has their own individual expectations. I sincerely admire everyone who is on this journey and respect your choice to change....GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!!

...for the benefit of any journal visitors! (edited and updated form introductions thread) I am SOOOO glad I found this forum - reading posts over the past few weeks, and viewing all those inspirational before / after shots has helped me in my decisions and plans immensely. God Bless all LBTers for sharing and caring so much:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: - I hope that I may contribute to the forum as well as the benefits I'm already enjoying. I'm 34, a mother of one boy (who's 5), married to a WONDERFUL man (he always cheers me on, and thinks I'm sexy however I look! Bless him!). I work part-time as a consulting environmental scientist. I have been thinking of getting banded for over a year - but only just started to discuss it with my hubby in July. I got a referral from my GP this week, and first met with surgeon in early August (with Mr Chris Hensman at EndoSurgery Victoria, Mulgrave).:nervous I have fought the battle of the bulge since I was 16 - when my mum joined me at WW - since then I've been the classic yo-yo ride of WL support systems, diets and pills. Depression and control issues with food haven't helped either :mad: (Man! How do I relate to some of the stories posted to the forum!) I want to GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER - NOWWWW!!!! My weight has hovered around 135kg since just after my son was born. My hubby was made redundant from his job at the same time, so my emotions and eating were all over the place for a LONG time. I maxed out at 138 - 140kg during last year.:omg: I'm currently around 132kg. (I'm so ashamed...) The thing is, until recently, I've never felt big or heavy. Because I'm a pear-shape, and therefore most my fat is on my legs / hips / rear end, it's kind of "out of sight, out of mind". Only this year have I felt too big / fat / tired / slovenly / unfit / "insert any other of your favourite self-depretiating terms here" (they'd apply here) to get off my but and do things - even things I love to do like play with son (who can run like the wind) or gardening. Cleaning the house even feels like too much effort... I feel like that a lot of the emotional baggage I've been carrying around has been put down over the past year, and is now GONE FOR GOOD. :clap2: Hubby and I have a stable, Christian marriage, we have a loving home life and good jobs and career prospects. It was a long struggle. I also feel like I'm able to finally put down the bags I've carried siince school days, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy (God knows why I have them in the first place, but the mind is a beast...). I honestly feel that if I can make a break in the weight gain-loss cycle, and lose the excess weight once and for all, that I'd have a great chance that the fat would also be GONE FOR GOOD. I guess none of this is new to many / most of you in LapBandTalk land. Anyway, it's these new feelings about myself that have shocked me into doing something more to lose the kilos- enter the LAPBAND - dadadadaaaaaa!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: My hubby & I REALLY want more babies - but right now I'm too scared of complications / dying to contemplate getting pregnant yet. I can't seem to lose the 15kgs and 5 years of age I put on since I had my son... The desire to make some new people for our family to love is also contributing influence to my decisions right now, but not the main motivation. Initially, I'd like to get down under 100kg before trying for another baby, and then after that continue on towards an ultimate goal of 60kg - 70kg (would be nice on a 5ft 4inch girl...). I think I was about 15 when I last saw my weight defined by a number lower than 70kg.:cry :faint: :help: I'd like to hear from anyone who has conceived / had a baby after LapBanding. My GP suggested we had a baby (or two) first, and then the LapBand - the way I feel right now, I don't think that would be sensible - I can almost feel diabetes or a heart attack at the thought of it!:sick The surgeon said at least three months, although the longer we wait after the banding, obviously, the better th weight loss would have been. Also, I am really nervous about how I will adjust to the Bandster's lifestyle given how much and how often I eat. Feelings of hunger / fullness / satiety etc are almost meaningless to me right now. I'm looking forward to changing this, but for now, the thought of restricting food volume and types fires up those old feelings of rebellion!:hungry: :angry Definitely need counselling, support and reflection in this area.:nervous Anyway - enough introductions - let's make music!!!

...for the benefit of any journal visitors! (edited and updated form introductions thread) I am SOOOO glad I found this forum - reading posts over the past few weeks, and viewing all those inspirational before / after shots has helped me in my decisions and plans immensely. God Bless all LBTers for sharing and caring so much:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: - I hope that I may contribute to the forum as well as the benefits I'm already enjoying. I'm 34, a mother of one boy (who's 5), married to a WONDERFUL man (he always cheers me on, and thinks I'm sexy however I look! Bless him!). I work part-time as a consulting environmental scientist. I have been thinking of getting banded for over a year - but only just started to discuss it with my hubby in July. I got a referral from my GP this week, and first met with surgeon in early August (with Mr Chris Hensman at EndoSurgery Victoria, Mulgrave).:nervous I have fought the battle of the bulge since I was 16 - when my mum joined me at WW - since then I've been the classic yo-yo ride of WL support systems, diets and pills. Depression and control issues with food haven't helped either :Banane10: (Man! How do I relate to some of the stories posted to the forum!) I want to GET OFF THE ROLLER COASTER - NOWWWW!!!! My weight has hovered around 135kg since just after my son was born. My hubby was made redundant from his job at the same time, so my emotions and eating were all over the place for a LONG time. I maxed out at 138 - 140kg during last year.:omg: I'm currently around 132kg. (I'm so ashamed...) The thing is, until recently, I've never felt big or heavy. Because I'm a pear-shape, and therefore most my fat is on my legs / hips / rear end, it's kind of "out of sight, out of mind". Only this year have I felt too big / fat / tired / slovenly / unfit / "insert any other of your favourite self-depretiating terms here" (they'd apply here) to get off my but and do things - even things I love to do like play with son (who can run like the wind) or gardening. Cleaning the house even feels like too much effort... I feel like that a lot of the emotional baggage I've been carrying around has been put down over the past year, and is now GONE FOR GOOD. :clap2: Hubby and I have a stable, Christian marriage, we have a loving home life and good jobs and career prospects. It was a long struggle. I also feel like I'm able to finally put down the bags I've carried siince school days, feelings of insecurity and inadequacy (God knows why I have them in the first place, but the mind is a beast...). I honestly feel that if I can make a break in the weight gain-loss cycle, and lose the excess weight once and for all, that I'd have a great chance that the fat would also be GONE FOR GOOD. I guess none of this is new to many / most of you in LapBandTalk land. Anyway, it's these new feelings about myself that have shocked me into doing something more to lose the kilos- enter the LAPBAND - dadadadaaaaaa!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: My hubby & I REALLY want more babies - but right now I'm too scared of complications / dying to contemplate getting pregnant yet. I can't seem to lose the 15kgs and 5 years of age I put on since I had my son... The desire to make some new people for our family to love is also contributing influence to my decisions right now, but not the main motivation. Initially, I'd like to get down under 100kg before trying for another baby, and then after that continue on towards an ultimate goal of 60kg - 70kg (would be nice on a 5ft 4inch girl...). I think I was about 15 when I last saw my weight defined by a number lower than 70kg.:cry :faint: :help: I'd like to hear from anyone who has conceived / had a baby after LapBanding. My GP suggested we had a baby (or two) first, and then the LapBand - the way I feel right now, I don't think that would be sensible - I can almost feel diabetes or a heart attack at the thought of it!:sick The surgeon said at least three months, although the longer we wait after the banding, obviously, the better th weight loss would have been. Also, I am really nervous about how I will adjust to the Bandster's lifestyle given how much and how often I eat. Feelings of hunger / fullness / satiety etc are almost meaningless to me right now. I'm looking forward to changing this, but for now, the thought of restricting food volume and types fires up those old feelings of rebellion!:hungry: :angry :Banane20: Definitely need counselling, support and reflection in this area.:nervous Anyway - enough introductions - let's make music!!!