Stephy5

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

Jack,
Thank you!!! It's hard sometimes to share my story as I felt like a failure. Now I just don't care what anyone thinks.
The difference in bands for me is huge! My first band I had instant restrictiin, this one I am starting to feel a little with around 7+ CCs.
Again thanks for the encouragement. I see my doc Friday so I'm anxious
Stephanie

Gowalking
Thank you. Yes my town only has 1 doctor. I am now established with another doc that's over an hour away, but if an emergency pops up I can see him.
Honestly the likelihood what I went through will happen to someone else is slim, but if it did make sure your family understands how to advocate for you. I was so weak and I didn't make my hubby understand enough about my band in this type of situation.
Well I'm back and going to make this happen. If I was the model student before I can do it again. Just going to work even harder on my mental part.

B - 52
I had a small band so 1 cc of fluid and I was at full restriction. I had fluid out as I had some reflux a few months earlier so he took fluid out. Was maintaining my weight so didn't need it back in at that point.
My illness was a funky situation and yes I vomited over 150 times in 4 days, as I stated I lost 22 lbs during the 4 days. The doctor called it vomiting. I called doc immediately and did what I was suppose to. My town has one LB doctor and as they found with me the training he gave ER staff on the band they didn't use. This was completely out of my hands. I did exactly as I was always told with the doc but the support was tough.
I am just looking for support as you don't plan on going through what I did and you honestly can't prepare for it. Also heaven forbid someone else go through the same thing maybe my story will help.

Judy I am sorry you have so much stress. Just take time for yourself!!! I had my gall bladder out 20 years ago so long before banding. Thanks for your support.

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

B - 52
I had a small band so 1 cc of fluid and I was at full restriction. I had fluid out as I had some reflux a few months earlier so he took fluid out. Was maintaining my weight so didn't need it back in at that point.
My illness was a funky situation and yes I vomited over 150 times in 4 days, as I stated I lost 22 lbs during the 4 days. The doctor called it vomiting. I called doc immediately and did what I was suppose to. My town has one LB doctor and as they found with me the training he gave ER staff on the band they didn't use. This was completely out of my hands. I did exactly as I was always told with the doc but the support was tough.
I am just looking for support as you don't plan on going through what I did and you honestly can't prepare for it. Also heaven forbid someone else go through the same thing maybe my story will help.

Judy I am sorry you have so much stress. Just take time for yourself!!! I had my gall bladder out 20 years ago so long before banding. Thanks for your support.

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

B - 52
I had a small band so 1 cc of fluid and I was at full restriction. I had fluid out as I had some reflux a few months earlier so he took fluid out. Was maintaining my weight so didn't need it back in at that point.
My illness was a funky situation and yes I vomited over 150 times in 4 days, as I stated I lost 22 lbs during the 4 days. The doctor called it vomiting. I called doc immediately and did what I was suppose to. My town has one LB doctor and as they found with me the training he gave ER staff on the band they didn't use. This was completely out of my hands. I did exactly as I was always told with the doc but the support was tough.
I am just looking for support as you don't plan on going through what I did and you honestly can't prepare for it. Also heaven forbid someone else go through the same thing maybe my story will help.

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

My name is Stephanie I am a 43 year old mother of 3 and wife to Matt for almost 25 years. I got my first band January 2011. I proceeded over the next year to go from a size 24 down to a 14. I was running and loving life. I did great and loved my band, it was honestly my saving grace. In August 2012 on a Monday , I went to lunch and began throwing up. I luckily had just had all my Fluid removed from my band so a little throwing up didn't make me overly concerned. I went home from work. By the next day I was throwing up constantly, I went to the ER as my lapband doctor was out of town. The ER said I was dehydrated and gave me IVs but no anti nausea meds. Went home and still throwing up constantly. I again on Wednesday was in the ER. I had no energy etc. But I was still able to get stuff down, although it was coming up. Thursday I went to the ER again as I had lost 22 lbs since Monday from throwing up so much. They admitted me into the hospital. They determined I didn't have the flu nor food poisoning. They think it was a different type of virus. I kept telling the docs I had a lap band and they needed to call my LB doc and get instruction before something happens. Of course they didn't. So they had me on tons of IVs and other meds trying to stop the vomiting. I finally starting feeling better late Friday night with only occasional vomiting. Well I vomited one time Saturday morning and I just knew right than that my band had slipped. They did xrays and barium swallow and yep, it slipped. My doc came back and immediately after getting of the plane, came to see me. He was so angry with the hospital. He scheduled me for surgery the very next morning. He explained I was probably going to lose my band. I went into surgery Sunday morning just knowing the life I had known for the last almost 2 years was over. But I was so sick and in so much discomfort I didn't care. But deep down I was freaking out. I came out of surgery to find out he was able to place another band. The bad part it was bigger. So I waited. I did ok keeping my weight ok with just a tough of gain. I started having fills in October and nothing. I felt no restriction. I was so stressed I began gaining weight steadily. I was no longer running, I just was discouraged and depressed. I started arguing with my doctor because I was always his prize student and now I wasn't. I quit going to the doctor and even tried to change doctors. The problem is the only other doctor is over an hour away. I tried going to him for 6 months and I was not getting anywhere. I have at this point gained about 80 of the 100 lbs I lost. I finally decided a month ago that this is stupid and I needed to fight for what I deserved. I went back to my original doctor and I confronted him. To my surprise he apologized to me and said we would get back to where I was. So here I am starting again. It was just happenstance that I got sick and lost my band. I have learned so much. What I learned that I am now trying to help other bariatric patients... skinny/healthy or fat/over weight we have to find a way to deal with stress and road blocks. So I am now back into my running and I will see my doctor again tomorrow. Hoping to get my thyroid back in check and my weight back down. I am glad to be back here also. I used to use a lot of support groups and I am reconnecting with that right now.
Sorry for the overly long story, but I needed to share to be able to move forward. I am no longer going to be a victim, but a survivor.
Hope to meet some new people!!!
Stephanie

I have 10cc in a 14cc band. Took quite a while to get there, but I actually think I need a slight adjustment, and I mean slight. My last fill was 5 months ago and he put in 1.5cc and I couldn't get down Water. He took 1/2cc out and I have been golden since. However, I think I may need a slight tiny adjustment to get me JUST right. I will talk it over at my next appointment.
But, saying all that, I need to say this... BE PATIENT! The band is a tool not a miracle. You made the choice to have the surgery, now be patient with the process.
Good luck, everyone!

Sounds like gallbladder to me too, not band. Ask for an ultrasound for your gallbladder to see if you have stones.

I am very sorry you are going through this. I believe that when we choose to better ourselves it intimidates others. Also when we better ourselves it makes us stronger. Maybe things will get better between you two or maybe it is time to call it quits. But at this point you have to take care of yourself. You have made a huge decision to make yourself a healthier you. With the stress you are explaining, sounds like it isn't a good enviroment to better yourself.
I have been married for 21 years and I told my husband things are going to change. I am going to be more selfish and you are with me or not. Luckily he is. But I knew I had to stand up and say it is time for me.
Please hang in there and take care of yourself. The rest will fall into place how it is meant too.

Well, you are still healing.. but average weight loss is 1-2lbs a week... unless your weight was really really high to being with, then you can lose more. But you've lose a ton! 18lbs in like 3 weeks? that's 6lbs a week.
The fills are to make you less hungry. That is their sole purpose. Some people it takes more than others to curb the hunger.
You should be getting in 1000-1200 calories when you are on solid foods. If you don't eat enough your body will go into starvation mode and freak out. I know it's hard on mushies, but try to eat a little bit more, get on a normal schedule, remember you have to eat like this for the rest of your life! Make it good, and realistic for your.

Congrats for the coming surgery day!! i was banded on 1/17/11.. the only advice i can give u is to walk as much as you can! you will probably feel sore and very bloated feeling (GAS). the first night( i was out of the hospital by noon on my suregery day) was rough i had a hard time getting comfortable with the pressure. day 2 got better but waliking was still the only relief from the gas and pressure. i would walk for as long as i felt comfortable then i would sit in a recliner and kick back it felt so much better. Everyday from then on got better and better the gas would go away for a while then come back its very weird. The pain in your abdomen is gonna be hard to decifer, its a mix of incision,muscle,gas,and hunger pains. I had a hard time drinkin my Water and drinking my Protein Shakes as it made me feel even more bloated. You have to remember to drink your Protein even though you dont feel like it. Well good luck and if you have any questions about anything let me know.

Well we are all new and unsure about the band and come here to ask questions and get answers. We haven't been on here for a year or more and are still learning. You have the most sour attitude that I've ever seen. If it bothers you what we new bandsters say then don't read it or reply to it. We are new and aren't sure how often or how hungry we are supposed to feel so we come here for help from experienced bandsters not to get bashed by you. (and you seem to bash new ones regularly). Get off of your high horse.

Kinda have to disagree, I do not get hungry. as for all the pain I had it for about 3 days post op but have felt wonderful since. I really doubt that is the main reason old bandsters leave the site i would think maybe it is because they are moving on in life and no longer need the support they have gotten here, which is wonderful. I would say if you are tired of people asking all these questions maybe you should think it is also time to move along. I have found the questions here very helpful as alot are the questions i myself have had. So smile and don't let life and the actions of others stress you out. and always give to your fellow man and you will find most will be grateful and return the favor.

Ok Im going to break it as gently to the new folks as I can. YOU ARE GOING TO BE HUNGRY. If you are never hungry you would be skinny. Just because you get banded does not in any way shape or form take away your hunger. Even after fills you will be hungry. Your stomach is still there and when its empty you are going to be hungry. Over and over I see this post and it is just plain and simple you are going to be hungry. Please make a note of it. People wonder why old bandsters stop posting or leave the site its because everyone keeps asking the same questions over and over again. Your going to have gas, pain, hunger, shoulder pain, a runny nose, hiccups, gas may never go away. It is a diet forever forever forever. You can not eat whatever you want and lose weight just like with every single diet we all tried before the band. Who knows when you will get restriction. You may never but measure your food and know its enough. You dont need a whole plate of food to satisfy hunger. Write down every single thing you eat all day and drink drink drink.

LOLLLL!!!! I am 55! I was banded on June 15, 2009, I was 53. I am so tickled with your comment about 50, 60, etc with the lapband. When you have been fighting obesity for years, you don't care if you are 90, if there is a solution, you want to take it! I have never felt better in my life. I went from a size 26 to a size 14/16 and I am still losing! I no longer take diabetes meds, I walk 1 1/2 every morning (had back surgery in 2004), no more problems with asthma, I was on 3 meds for blood pressure - now on only 1. I don't even feel like I am 55 ... I just feel ALIVE!!
If you are a young person getting this procedure, I say BRAVO to you! Do it! It can be life changing!
But ... be sure to educate yourself about how the band really works. Your doc may not tell you everything so review the post op forum. Knowledge is power when it comes to the band!
Good luck! I hope everything goes well for you!
~Fran

Hello,
i used to think the same way as you are right now. Than I realized this is a "tool' , not a quick fix. Ultimately to be healthy you have to exercise and eat healthy. As my doctor said to me, the lap band is for people who can eat healthy and lose weight, but they have a hard time keeping it off. Made perfect sense to me.
I think of the lap band as a overweight persons chemo. why I say that is if you have cancer you wouldn't think twice about chemotherapy to save your life. Well as a overweight person i think of the lap band as my life saving procedure.
Good luck to you in making this decision. You will do whatever is best for you at this point. It took me 4 years to make the decision for myself.

Before I had surgery I only told a few people I was having it done. After I was off work for three weeks and came back on a light-duty status, it was a bit harder to not tell people who asked after me. But when I came back to work substantially lighter than I was prior to surgery, they all commented on how much better I looked, and many asked if I'd had weight loss surgery. (I work at a hospital, so it's harder to hide stuff like that.) After trying to dodge things with some folks, I finally figured, "What the hell?" and I ended up telling anyone who asked about it what I had done. I don't care who knows. Everyone has been great about it, and some are openly jealous.
One side effect is that several people have asked me about the surgery, about insurance, and where they can learn more about the process. The ones most interested are people who seriously need to have surgery, so maybe by being honest I may actually help some folks out.
My Mom taught me to always tell the truth. That way you don't have to remember what you said.
Dave