Dreamingof139

But did you feel better then? Sometimes things just need to move or get out.

I drove three hours to the airport Wednesday after work, flew to Cancun on Thursday, had surgery Friday (early evening), flew home Saturday and drove home from the airport on Sunday. I went to work on Monday and just said that I was under the weather. They had no idea that I had surgery - they knew that I was out of town for the weekend because of how I had to request the time off. Everyone is different, but my personal views/work ethic do not allow me to call out or take time off from work unless I am very ill and/or unable to work. I have a desk job - very easy on the body. I do take vacation, but it was not a good time for me to be away from the office, so I wanted to get back as to not put out my coworkers - small office and only two people do what I do, so it does put a strain on when one of us is out. One of my coworkers has been out for almost two weeks and management is very unhappy with her. I am not saying this is right - when I was in management, I was very understanding with illness, but in this work environment and living in an area where unemployment was very high before the economy tanked, I am VERY thankful to have a job and will do what I need to keep it. I get about three weeks off a year - that is my sick and vacation time combined - we do not have sick time that can build up, unless you want to not take very much vacation. Everyone is different - if you have had surgery before, you may have an idea of how you will be feeling. You may be someone who would be miserable at home and would prefer to be working, even light duty. Others actually give their bodies the rest that they need... something I could be better at.

I cannot and have never felt my band. I can feel my port, more noticeably with my weight loss, but it does not hurt. It just feels like a bump or knot under the skin. I did try to push a grocery cart in with my belly the other day and wow, that hurt, but only for a moment.

I have been walking and playing racquetball with my husband. It is amazing how much longer I can play with the weight that I have lost thus far. Cannot wait to get to goal... I can really feel a difference now.

Sorry, I did not notice how old this thread was.

This is a great thread. I appreciate that the OP reached out and asked for some positive vibes and info. I too have been concerned about the tone of some of the recent threads and posts. Let me tell you my band story. In July, I weighed 215 pounds - I am 5'6" - that was the largest that I have been in my life. On Sept 23rd, I flew to Cancun, on the 24th I had surgery and on the 25th I flew home. I have lost just over 40 pounds so far and am about halfway to my goal of 135. I have had ZERO complications - I am still working out how the band should work and be worked. The doc that I had setup for my aftercare fired me because I could not attend their support group meetings often enough ( I live three hours away). Moments before I looked at this post, I vomited up my chicken dinner - it was well chewed, but I think I just had too much in there. So, I am here telling you that this is the BEST thing that I ever did to be caring to myself five minutes after I lost my dinner.... There are some people who have had some negative experiences - but I believe that life is a series of choices and one choice that I have is how to react or respond to each event and circumstance that comes my way. Do I wish that I had lost even more weight, yes, but I have not. I also take full responsibility for where I am now and where I will be tomorrow and next week. One day at a time, one meal at a time, one pound at a time. Keep the faith, learn as much as you can and focus on the positive as much as you can.

I think of the pre op diet as a test of sorts, a way of preparing for the surgery post op and life with a band. I did fairly well on my pre op diet and then was told that I could eat whatever I wanted the night before surgery. I was actually upset at this because I had essentially white knuckled it for two weeks and had a medifast shake for dinner instead of going out. It was in that moment that I realized that something inside me had changed. In the moments after you ate that food, I think that you had a similar realization. We have, I would imagine, spent way too much time beating ourselves up about food and what we ate or are eating. We are not perfect and life can and will happen. What will help you be successful I believe is that you realized that was you had done, however accidental was not what you wanted to have done in that moment and you decided to stop and do something different. Please put this in the rear view - it was once. If you find that this happens again, stop and try to think about it and why it happened. From that insight I believe that you will change and grow in the way that you want to.,

I could not agree with you more and I thank you for taking the time to make such a thoughtful post. There are sadly some people who are just miserable (sad, but true) I have had my moments myself and I would suspect that most if not all of us have had those times when we were not feeling our best for whatever reason(s). What is troubling to me is someone who strikes out at others - there is a way to disagree and discuss without sounding/acting like a five year old or being mean. I know for myself, when I am in a down mood, and I have clinical depression so this is common for me, things hurt me that normally would not hurt me. If we are going to have a positive and helpful forum here, I believe strongly that honesty is essential, not meanness but respectful honesty. I try to say things along the lines of this is what I experienced, and I work to avoid statements that include terms like all or every, but I have still experienced the anger of those who did not agree with me. Thank you for posting - this is a great discussion to be having.

LOVE LOVE LOVE that PDF - thank you so much for posting that - I will put one in my car and also in my purse - great info to have for sure.

ROFL - love your fluffy comment - I could not agree more. I flew to Mexico on a Thursday (two segments) had surgery Friday evening and flew home on Saturday (two segments). I was tired, but I was fine. If I wanted my surgeon to do a fill, I would have to fly to see him. I had surgery a few years ago and wanted to fly to visit family and the doc said absolutely no. I think he was an idiot - I was fine and would have really enjoyed recovering by the pool, but oh well. If a doc told me that now, I would ask a lot of questions as to the why. You will be fine... take good care and be careful with the peanuts...

I am at three and two thirds months out and I feel great. I am reminded that I have a band if I fail to chew completely or try to eat too quickly. I also feel my port if I am wearing my tighter jeans (totally worth it, they are a size 10) and I tried to use my belly this weekend to push in a shopping cart - it was not awful, but I could feel it. I think that I had most of my energy back at about six weeks. Overall, I would do it again in a minute.

No, she did not insinuate anything, that is what you read into it. I re read her post several times and did not get any negative tone from it - she was just asking a question, trying to understand. Wondering why if you are so angry at your band and your situation why you are posting here and taking your anger out on everyone else? Does it help you to get it out and vent? Venting is fine - we all need to do that from time to time, but I think that it can be done constructively. I do not judge anyone, ever, its just not me. But I would prefer to see more respectful and polite posts from everyone. I understand passion and I can understand being angry about a situation, but personal attacks are just not called for and they are really not productive.

Thank you for your service. Yes, you may be hungry before your band is adjusted - hang in there with the liquid diet as long as you can. Good Luck!

Crocheting has really helped me to not eat without thinking. I enjoy making things for people and 99% of the time they are appreciated.

I do not think that we have to lie. If people ask how I am losing weight, I can very honestly answer that I am watching my portions and working to get 80-120 grams of Protein in each day. I also play racquetball with my hubby. I feel strongly that this is no ones business - and I also do not intend to lie. If someone asks me point blank if I had surgery, I will not lie, but may tell them that I prefer to keep my medical issues private.

There are horror stories from all over the world and EVERYONE needs to do their due diligence. I am VERY happy to hear that you have that access to your surgeon - that is how it should be in my book and you are the first person that I have known of who has been able to do that with their doctor.

I am wondering who was less than honest with you - your doctors office?

Restriction is a misnomer. I loved that article because I have never felt restriction with my band in the way that I expected I would before surgery. I thought that I would eat a half cup of food and feel full, but that is not how it works. I have eaten too fast or failed to chew enough and been miserable and brought it back up. For me, the band creates a need for mindful eating. We went out with friends last weekend and because I was eating slowly over two hours, I actually ate a good amount of food - more than you would think someone with a band could eat, but I ate slowly...

I have been trying to understand why some US docs and some US patients continue to slam the surgeons in Mexico. Is it arrogance? Is it prejudice? On what basis does a doctor comment that the Mexican surgeons are using an older generation band? Does he have facts and statistics to back up that statement, no, because it is not based in fact. I was banded in Mexico and have the latest and greatest in bands from the people who make THE Lap Band. Are we still living in a time where Mexico is somewhat less than our country? Our arrogance just amazes me and is rather infuriating at the same time. The doctor that did my surgery in Mexico has easily twice (yes, I verified the stats) the experience of any doc that I could find here. I have his cell number and can call or text him 24/7 with any questions. Can anyone report that same ability to reach their US doctor? I could not find a US doctor that would do my surgery because I was not big enough for their standards. To me, being 80 pounds overweight was enough, but the US docs did not want me to mess up their stats. I did tons of research, talked to lots of patients and docs and found a team that I was comfortable with. The hospital was the nicest one that I have ever seen (and I have seen many of them) and my experience was wonderful. I had my surgery in October and half of those 80 pounds are GONE. Some things to consider - aftercare - my doc will see me any time, but I have to get myself to Cancun or TJ to see him. I attempted to and thought that I had gotten setup with aftercare here and learned that even though the doctor wanted to treat me, his shrink and office manager did not want a patient who had surgery elsewhere, so I am on my own. My GP has been researching and learning for me and I found a PA who will do fills for me if I ever need another one. If you are someone who needs weekly support groups and a medical team to follow you, then find a US practice that will pick up your aftercare. Any questions - feel free to PM me.

Do you mean losing weight Emma? A few thoughts - are you getting enough liquids in? Check what your doctor has recommended for you - each one is different, but I know that when I am stalled, being attentive to my Water is key. You are still early out and you may not be eating enough - what does your plan say you should be getting in terms of protein each day. I find that the more protein I eat/drink, the better my weight loss. Good Luck!

I am so glad to hear that you found a practice that would help you out. I called around as well and got the snotty reaction too. Even had my first fill with a doc who wanted to treat me, but the rest of his team did not, so out I went. Good to hear that it worked out well for you - fills under fluoro are what my surgeon preferred I have....

My experience with BCBS of Idaho has been AWFUL.... good luck.

I was also banded in Mexico and I have a 4 cc band. My surgeon uses both, but because I did not have a lot of weight to lose, he went with the smaller one. I was filled to one in surgery and to 2 cc's six weeks post op. I have hit my sweet spot and do not think that I will need another fill. I would go back to Mexico if I needed another fill because they are free and the doctor here in the states that did my fill has fired me from his practice. Apparently one is not allowed to ask to have their insurance billed for their visits... I live in a very rural area and after a bunch of research, actually found a PA to do fills about two hours from my house. I believe that I found the info here on this site. Good Luck!

I flew to Cancun on a Thursday, had surgery on Friday evening, flew home Saturday and drove the few hours from the airport home on Sunday. I was wiped out, but I was fine to be at my desk job on Monday. No one knew where I was or what I was doing.

Wendy's chili is excellent for many reasons... it is all about the portions... and I would leave off the sour cream... but if you can grab that on the go.. wonderful. It was listed as a staple food on another board that I belong to.