mandyb

I guess my question for you all is...How open are you about your band? Did you tell many people? Or are you the quiet type to not really say what you did and how you did it? I told everyone, reason being I am more cautious about what I will put in my mouth. My family knows, my work, friends, and just about anyone I could tell. I want everyone to know how much this band has helped me really find my way to health (I quit smoking and I am cooking healthier and eating healthier), although not just for myself but my husband and kids as well! My blog is below, please read and follow if you like! I wish you all luck on your journey. I am on facebook as well. Looking for other friends that are on the same journey as me! Mandy Christian Barreiro (facebook)

Hello, My blog is below!

Hello, Just a question about fills! I am supposed to get my first fill on Thursday the 13th. honestly don't think I need one. I am averaging about 3 1/2 to 4 lbs a week. I was banded on 12/6. I am finally getting comfortable and adjusting to the forgien object in my body. I have introduced some fruits and veggies and today introduced a 1/2 of a 1/2 english muffin (made eng. muffin pizzas for lunch). I am not able to eat much (but at times I am also scared to eat). Afraid something will get stuck. So I guess I am just asking what anyone else would do? If you are losing this much a week would you still get a fill? I was thinking about calling the dr to let them know, and maybe save me a trip to the dr. But not sure if he will still want to see me anyways! Advise or input would be appreciated! Thanks,

I bought a pill box. In that for daily pills I have (ALL CHEWABLES) 2 Tums, 1 multi Vitamin (i tried the Centrum ITS NASTY) Makes me gag eveytime So I bought gummies instead. The benefiber, Calcium w/ vit D, It seems like alot, but Honestly since I started taking these, I am feeling SOO much better! I posted a few days ago about when do I really start to feel better! I finally am! almost 5 weeks post op..I am supposed to go for my first fill next Thursday! Not sure if I need it! But we will see! Good luck!

You know I have to tell you, where my port incission i, I had a stitch sticking out. I was banded on 12/6. Well the stitch finally fell out two nights ago and I was left with a little hole. THat little hold ended up becoming a pea size hole. The nurse at my work checked it out and I put bacitracin ointment on it and kept it covered. Today I left it alone and now its scabbing over. but looks nearly black! No sure what to do!!! Debating on callin the dr.

What does it feel like to be stuck! I had a pear this morning for breakfast...cut it up in chunks and thought I chewed it good enough! I am hurting reallly bad! Pains are unbelieveable! Feel like I can't breath and pains in the stomach and burping. I don't think its heart burn unless hearburn hurts this much! Help please!

Yesterday I ate my Breakfast, then had a shake for snack, then lunch, and didn't eat again til dinner! I felt good yesterday! I am drinking about 32 oz of Water a day. Not to include my 8 oz shake inbetween the day! I started the Vitamins and benefiber and my Calcium. I had a good day yesterday! I will try again to eat like I did yesterday and see how I feel! I have NO Fluid in my band and have alot of restricition. I take few bites and I am full. Thank you all for your responses.

Just a quick question! When do you really start to feel better! I feel like I have my good days, but some days I just feel so BLAH! I eat a bit, but not alot, cause I am hardly ever hungry. I get dizzy, maybe cause I am not getting enough in! But I can't force myself to eat if I am not hungry. I am back to work this week. And I feel some what energetic, but come this time of day I am completely exhausted. (i work 8-4 and by 2 pm I am wiped out). I work as a Case Manager with adults with special needs. I feel bloated, and dizzy, and if i eat another bite I will be sick. I just feel like since surgery I have not been the same! And I had surgery 4 weeks ago. Figured I would bounce back quicker than this!!! Some input would be helpful at this point. I began taking Vitamins and benefiber chewables also to help with the flow of things! Just feeling UGGHHH. Thanks,

Rachel, Please understand I am not trying to be mean or cruel in any means. I really do understand HOW DIFFICULT it is to quit smoking. I tired numerous of times! But for me, the weight loss clinic that I go to, wouldn't even consider seeing me if I was smoking! Drug tests and everything would be done periodically if they had any reason to believe I was still smoking! Maybe they say that just to scare me! But I was scared....and made sure I did what I had to! They say you Should quit because it can cause the band to corrode! Again I am sorry by the way I came off! But just really think if you are tying to be healthier, do it all the way and quit smoking! Try the chantix! It really is a miracle drug! Sorry again Rachel!

I had alot of gas, and believe it or not I still do. I use gas x strips alot! Its normal. Also don't worry about using the bathroom. YOu have nothing solid in your body! WHat do you plan to come out! Well good luck on your journey!

GREAT QUESTION I found out before surgery I have a small heiatal hernia! Also found out that I have acid reflux! (NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT) I never had any symptoms...and occasional heartburn!!! And I mean occasional, maybe 2-3 times a year! Now that I had the Lap Band done, and I am eating solids I have such heart burn and it hurts like Hell to burp! I planned on callin the dr tomorrow! A friend of mine told me its alright to take the tums. Her dr told her to take 1500 mg each day! to help prevent heartburn! IF you hear anything let me know! THanks

THank you all for posting your blogs...I look forward to reading them...and commenting! Nice to be among people on here that are going through the same as me! I love this website! Its full of some really great info!

you should be taking chewables.... nothing bigger than a dime! And vitamins can be horse pills!!!

Rachel, I smoked for years...Granted I am young, but I also started smoking at a very very young age. I understand how difficult it is to quit smoking. I finally made the decision after my 2nd round of Pneumonia. I never though in my life would I have Pneumonia at the age of 28. I began the Chantix at the end of March and quit date was April 8th. I have been smoke free almost 9 months now! Rachel- you are only lying to YOURSELF! What makes you think you are ready for WLS if you are not ready to commit to quitting smoking! Honestly just think about it! You want to lose weight to be healthier; but yet you are still going to smoke! If you want read my blog below..Go to the begining April of 2010....read about my journey when I chose to make the changes for a healthier me! QUIT SMOKING!!!!! Good Luck!

I just recently got banded 12/6/10 At UMASS worcester! Dr.Kelly! I feel good overall. Nice to see others from Worcester area.!

that was me a few days ago...LITERALLY! LOL..

My first week of surgery I didn't go to the bathroom either! You really have nothing solid in your system to go! I would worry when your on solids and can't go! I suffered constipation this past week and it was AWFUL! 3 days I didn't eat....Mirolax worked wonders for me though! Good luck wiht your journey, Happy New Year

You know since surgery, i have little energy too. I feel like I can't keep up. I don't think my body is gettting enough! I am having my Protein, but I guess I really should keep better track of how many grams. I can't eat alot though. I am only able to take in about 2-3 oz in solids...but about 6 oz liquids..and then for 3 days I couldn't eat I was so constipated, thought I was going to be sick. I am having a hard time tolerating pork chops...and sometimes chicken. But what are good Vitamins to be taking> I take Calicum w/ vit D now...

I have to agree! i am addicted to both!

I am North Central too! Leominster/Fitchburg Area... Outside of Worcester!!!! Good Luck Monday. You will be fine! It is a bit of a long process but each hospital is different!!! Took me 8 months. My blog is below...I was banded on 12/6...best decision of my life! Happy New Year!

I had to do it for ME too! I have always been big...since my I had my daughter at 19...I had tried alot of things too..and I was able to lose about 20 lbs but plateau and then gain it back out of frustration. I am so happy about my decision for WLS. I had surgery just about 4 weeks ago and I am down almost 20 lbs... almost 5 lbs a week. I feel so GOOD! I haven't felt this good in a long time! I have so much energy! I had to quit smoking and really focus on making me healthier! I had my surgery done in UMASS in Worcester. Great team of Dr's...and really great support! It is nice to see someone from MA on here. If you have any questions I would be happy to answer..

are u from boston MA???? I havent seen anyone else on here from MA! My name is Mandy! I began my journey with the Lap Band (first intial visit was back in April 2010.) I was banded on 12/6. I was required to lose 15 before surgery! I am down almost 40 lbs and feeling really good! I began at 270 and have not been where I am now 230's since I had my son almost 6 yrs ago! I wish you the best of luck. My blog link is below! (Ever since I began my journey in April).... Please keep me posted!

I am going to have a drink tonight. Just one! I don't need much...Just enough to taste and toast with! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

keep up the good work! Congrats to you!!!! Happy New Year!

Oh I don't know how many times I have cried through this journey! I don't know you, BUT I am really PROUD of you for taking care of yourself and making the choices to get you healthier and on track to adding more years onto your life! Its amazing what WE realize about ourselves when our lives are about to be turned upside down and inside out! Your post really inspired me and I know exactly how you feel because I felt the same. I find myself crying alot and its because honestly I feel like the outsider now, I used to turn to food for ALOT of different things! But i did what I had to do to get me healthier and keep me alive longer for my children! I think alot of us who are on this journey have shed many tears and have come to many realizations that we never wanted to face! Good for you on taking the biggest step to changing your life!!!