roseyposey

Yes you are right ..... no one understands what it feels like to be in pain each and every day of your life knowing there is no relief in site. I have had Fibromyalgia for the past 12 yrs. and was just banded on the 28th. The Fibro is the main reason I got banded, the extra weight was making the pain so much worse. One thing that has REALLY helped me was cutting out all carbs before I got banded. I just ate Protein, fruit and veggies and "wow" what a difference it made in my pain and especially my energy level. Its not easy though, it took about 4 days and by the third day I had to go to bed for the day bc of the detox pain but once I was past that it was amazing how much better I felt. This actually is a good thing to do along with the band anyway since carbs are not good for any weightloss. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH TAKING CARBS OUT OF MY DIET HAS HELPED.... the only carbs I get now is natural ones through fruit and veggies. I use to take Lyrica as well but ended up putting on more weight which defeated the purpose of taking the meds since more weight meant more pain. I do take an anti depressant though which helps with the anxiety....As far as exercise goes I have tried it all trying to see what works best with the least amnt. of pain.... the stationary bike at my gym works great. After a 10 min. warm up just riding casually I do 30 second intervals where I go really fast then slower for the next minute. This pumps up your heart rate really good and b/c you are sitting down its less stress on your back and legs. Start out slow and work your way up to at least 30 min. total.

As hard as it is I try to keep mentally focused on not letting this disease define who I am, I was very depressed the first few years after being diagnosed but eventually realized that I need to take control or its going to win. Do I have bad days.... you bet yah... but part of the battle with this disease is mentally not allowing it to define who you are as a person. Hope some of this helps you..... we should keep exchanging posts to see what is working for each other.....take care

HI Lacey! Was just checking in on you to see how you were doing with your band and FB. I also have it and it seems to be getting worse. I dont know if its because of me exercising and taking walks or what? But the pain is just aweful. It runs down the back of my right leg to my heal. It is very discouraging. I thought as I lost wt. this would get better not worse?

Hi all

My name is Lacey , im 23 yrs old and have Fibromyalgia.I was banded 30th aug 2010 and have been struggling with it.But the new year has set in and i am motivated to get back on track.Are the any bandsters out there that are battling through with Fibromyalgia and how do you live with it and the band.

In the last few months my pain has been severe and the thought of exercise is horrible but i know i need to.Is there any advice about fitness programs or treatments anyone have used.

The only exercise that doesnt give me severe pain is hydrotherapy classes but they cost $10 per lesson and i cant afford that 4 times a week or even to get a member ship.

Thankyou any words of wisdom will help :-)

Most overweight people complain of being hot all the time but I am the opposite. I am cold most of the time especially my hands and feet. When I check my temperature it's usually 2 or 3 degrees under 98.6. If I exercise or do something physical I warm up but then get cold again when at rest. Anyone else experience this?

I too am cold alot lately. Especially hands and feet. I have hypothyroidism though too so I don't know if that is why or the wt. loss???

Has anyone had to do a liquid diet prior to surgery. This is very hard. I understand the 1000 calories or 1500 calorie diet. but complete liquids. I have already cheated and had some fish. Please advise my surgery is March 1.

HI! Although the liquid diet is very hard to do, this is when you will lose alot of your wt. It drastically slows down after surgery especially when you are advanced to reg food. YOu will be hungrier then. So take advantage of the Protein liquid diet. I lost 10 lbs. on it. Good luck to you and with your surgery. Keep us posted on your progress.

I wouldn't worry about that. The chances are few and far between! Good luck on your surgery. Keep us posted.

Hello everyone ... I'm obviously new here .. my names Kylee.. im 22 years old and am just beginning my Lap-Band journey ! I am 3 months in to my supervised diet with my pcp and am very excited for the next few months to come. I am looking forward to the new life for me, and how much more I will be able to do for my 3 year old daughter. Right now I feel like a terrible mother because I can't run and play with her, and do all the things I should be able to like normal 22 year olds.. I have been around the board here "lurking" and finally decided to post because although I'm getting support from my mom who is 1 year post surgery on her lapband, I just sometimes need other peoples experiences to reassure me that everything is going to work out.. So again, hello and hope to make some long time friends!! :thumbup:

HI there! Haven't talked to you in a while. Was wondering about your progress. How is it going? Did you get a surgery date yet? I am 5 wks post op. I lost 30 lbs. and had 1 fill of only 1/2 cc. Seems wt loss is at a stand still now that I am on reg foods. Its hard. I sometimes get frustrated. Well at least i am not gaining. How is your Mom doing - I know you mentioned she is 1 yr. post op on her band. How much did she lose? Well you will have to post soon and let us know how you're doing. Take care.

Just wondering if anyone had this same issue, i am i month post op and and do not feel restriction thinking because i was unfilled. 2 days ago i went for my 1st fill. The d octor put 2 cc's. i feel no restriction. i dont know if that is normal or not, or if 2 cc's was just too little. How much fill is recomended. p,ease help

I am post op 1 month also. I got 1/2 cc put in on my first fill last wk. I dont really fill much restriction either unless I overeat, then lookout - I had my first "sliming" episode this am from eating an egg and a piece of bacon. It cam right back up on me. So I don't know? Gonna wait a while and see I guess.

Thanks everyone! I am most stressed about going through all this and not getting results I want/expect. I am a grazer. My success will depend greatly on not eating those little bites all the time. i love the support I have received on here. I keep checking back to see if anyone else has responded. I talk to my husband quite a bit about it but feel like I am monopolizing the conversation about 1 topic all the time and really like to hear from people who have been there or are going through it at the same time.

Hi! Good luck to you as you embark on your journey! I am 1 month post op and have lost 30 lbs. so far. The operation itself is very easy. It's the afterpain from the gas the doc puts in your stomach to visualize the organs that hurts so much. It is usually in the left shoulder, but can be in the neck, stomach, chest. The only thing to do is take pain meds before it gets too bad and to walk walk walk. It eases up after about a wk. or two. Also, don't cheat on your pre op liquid diet. The Doc has to make sure you defat and shrink your liver so that the operation goes easier for you. Then after surgery, as you advance from liquids to mushy to soft and then reg diets, just make sure you chew chew and chew. Eat very slow, and take at least 20 min. to eat your meals. Only eat 3/4 cup per meal and wait 4 hrs. between each meal. Do not DRINK anything with your meals. Wait 1/2 hr. before and 1/2 hr after meals to drink. Otherwise the liquid pushed the food through your stomach too fast and you will not stay full. You want to keep the food in your stomach as long as possible. Try to eat mostly Protein then veggies. Example: baked fish, no more than 4 oz. with some brocolli or green bean or other veg. Do not eat hard or dry meats, or white bread, as they get caught in the pouch opening. No Pasta or rice. Go for low cal foods but high in Protein. You will know when you eat too fast or too much or something gets stuck, as it will hurt from the throat all the way down to stomach. You kinda just have to wait it out. It is horrible. You might even slime (throw up). Drink only cal. free drinks. Avoid carbonated drinks such as soda and also juices. I also avoid caffeine. Exercise as much as you are able to even if it is just walking. When you feel discouraged, get on this site and read others blogs as they are all so helpful and inspirational. Everyone on here is so willing to help and share with others. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.

HI THERE! I WAS BANDED JAN. 17 THIS YEAR. I HAVE HAD MY FIRST "FILL" OF ONLY 1/2 CC LAST WK. I DIDN'T THINK I HAD ANY RESTRICTION EITHER COZ I FELT HUNGRY ALL THE TIME AND FELT LIKE I COULD EAT ANYTHING. THE scale HAS NOT BEEN MOVING FOR ME LATELY EITHER. WELL THIS AM I HAD MY FIRST "SLIMING" EPISODE AND IT WAS NOT PLEASANT. EVERYTHING CAME BACK UP - SO I GUESS I DO HAVE MORE RESTRICTION. BUT ANYWAYS, PRIOR TO THIS - I DECIDED TO DRINK THE CHOC Protein shakes FOR Breakfast AND lunch AND JUST HAVE A NICE dinner (SMALL PROPOTION OF COURSE). I THOUGHT IT WOULD JUMP START THE WT LOSS AGAIN. SO I AM GONNA STICK TO THAT AGAIN FOR A WHILE AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS. MAYBE YOU COULD TRY THAT AS WELL AND SEE IF IT WORKS FOR YOU. GOOD LUCK!

Okay, this might be a really dumb question but...

I don't have the band yet but I was just curious. Of course you're allowed Soup during the liquid stage but are you allowed it during the normal food stage? I mean, you're not supposed to drink with meals and it could technically be like "drinking" with the broth or whatever.

Just curious.

Hi! I was told that if you have soup - to have it before you eat your reg food so that it doesnt push your food through.

I read it and took no offense at all I thank you very much for the support! With my walks and pain meds I'm feeling pretty darn good.

Contratulations to you and I hope you are doing well!

Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. I appreciate it. How much of a fill did you get in your band. He only put 1/2 cc in mine and I can't feel any difference? Wondering if I should get another fill soon?

I agree - it should be about healing for the first month. Wt. loss will come later. But just remember to make wise food choices and don't drink anything for at least 1 hr. after you eat to stay full for at least 4 hrs. till your next meal. And chew chew chew. Eat slowly - take at least 20 min. to eat your meals. Just a few tips that helped me. Take care and keep us posted. Good luck.

Well, I am just now starting out and all of this is sooooo confusing! I've been researching for about 6 months and I've come to the conclusion that this is is the thing for me. But I'm so overwhelmed. I dont know where to start. Do I get the ball rolling with insurance first? Or would it be better to talk to my doctor and ask him to send in a request? How to get started? Please help!! Thank you all so much!!

Did you attend a lapband seminar yet? If not, do it. They take all your info and do the work for you. They contact your insurance co for approval etc. they set up all your appt. with nutritionist, psycologist and do all necessary preop work. But you also have to corrolate all this with your primary care physician also. You have to have a 6 month wt. loss diary in order for most insurances to cover this surgery. This means you have to have 6 months worth of dr. visits showing you attempted to lose wt. and how you did it. It has to be 6 consecutive months. So good luck to you and I hope I answered some of your questions. Keep in mind that all surgeons are different as well as all insurance companies. So the requirements may vary. Keep us posted.

WELL HERE IT IS TODAY IS VALENTINES DAY! THAT MEANS CHOCOLATES FOR SOME OF US. DO WE REFRAIN OR ACCEPT? WELL I HAVE TO ADMIT - I ACCEPTED. AND OH BOY DID IT GO DOWN GOOD. WHAT A SHAME! IT TASTED SO GOOD - I ALMOST FELT LIKE I COMITTED A MORTAL SIN! I ALSO ATE MY FIRST MEAL AT A RESTAURANT LAST EVENING FOR THE OCCASION. IT WENT BETTER THAN EXPECTED. I ONLY ATE A SMALL PORTION AND GAVE THE REST TO MY HUSBAND. BUT I ORDERED WHAT I WANTED AND HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH IT GETTING STUCK. I HAD STUFFED chicken BREAST AND MASHED POTATOES WITH GRAVY AND A salad AND EVEN A BIT OF HOMEMADE bread. IT TASTED SO GOOD - I FELT I COULD HAVE EATEN MORE OF IT - BUT I LIMITED MYSELF AND ONLY ATE A SMALL PORTION OF MY MEAL. I ALSO HAD SOME RAINBOW ICECREAM FOR DESSERT. JUST A SMALL SCOOP. FIRST TIME I HAD ICECREAM IN A LONG TIME. IT TASTED SOOOO GOOD! SO THERE YOU HAVE IT - I SURVIVED "VALENTINES DAY WITHOUT A HITCH!" BAD PART IS - TUESDAY IS WEIGH IN DAY AT THE DR. - HA HA. - I BETTER START WORKING OUT BIG TIME!!!!

HI EVERYONE! I JUST GOT BANDED 1/17 OF THIS YEAR. LOST TOTAL OF 30 LBS. SO FAR. GO FOR MY FIRST FILL ON TUESDAY. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I HAVE ANY RESTRICTION. I CAN EAT MOST ANYTHING. I ALSO GET HUNGRY 1 - 2 HRS. BEFORE NEXT MEALTIME. IT IS ALMOST LIKE DIETING STILL. DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD STILL BE THIS HARD? I AM DEF SCARED ABOUT GETTING MY FIRST FILL. WAS WONDERING WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE? I HAVE BEEN EXERCISING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AS I HAVE FIBROMYALGIA AND HYPOTHYROIDISM AS WELL. I FIND IT HARD TRYING TO GET IN ALL THE liquids I AM SUPPOSED TO BE DRINKING WHEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT 1 HR. AFTER MEALS AND 1/2 HR BEFORE MEALS TO DRINK. THIS MAKES IT HARD. BUT IT SURE IS NICE BEING 30 LBS. LIGHTER. JUST WISH THE WT. LOSS WOULD BE FASTER. TAKE CARE ALL.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU TOMORRROW WITH YOUR SURGERY. YOU WILL DO FINE. IT IS NOT BAD AT ALL. I FELT THE 2 WK. PRE OP liquid Protein shakes WAS HARDER. I WAS BANDED 1/17 AND LOST 30 LBS. SO FAR. KEEP US POSTED ON YOUR PROGRESS.

Hello all. I am new to this forum, so not sure what to say... here is my intro...

I was just banded last Friday 2/4/11. My group of docs were the Center for Obesity in Fountain Valley, CA.

I lost 20 lbs total to date. 16 lbs pre-op and 5 lbs post op. I don't really feel hungry yet, but definitely don't feel as if i have any restriction. I am not getting much over 450 calories per day, but am very careful about getting at least 60 grams of Protein and 64 oz of Fluid. I also am making sure i am getting at least 30 min on the treadmill at 3 mph

Does anyone have any opinions on whether this will derail my weight loss (due to lack of calories)?

HI THERE! SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE DOING FANTASTIC! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. I WAS BANDED 1/17 AND LOST 30 LBS. SO FAR. GO FOR MY FIRST "FILL" ON TUESDAY.

Hi there! I go in for my first fill on Tuesday. I was banded jan. 17. I am scared as well. I really don't know where my port is either. I can't stand to feel around for it. Gross! I am getting discouraged though because I don't feel like I'm losing any more wt. I lost total of 30 lbs. I need to lose much more. I feel like I can eat anything right now with no restriction. It is hard. Feels like I have to diet all the time. Hope it will be better after my first fill. Let me know how yours went. Take care.

WELL I FINALLY DID IT TODAY! I ACTUALLY STARTED EXERCISING. I AM 57 AND LET ME TELL YOU - THIS WAS NOT EASY! LOL - ALL I CAN SAY IS - OUCH, OUCH AND OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT IT SURE FELT GOOD KNOWING THAT I DID IT! DIDN'T REALIZE HOW OUT OF SHAPE I WAS. HA HA. NOW IF I CAN JUST KEEP THIS UP EVERY DAY - I AN SURE IT HAS TO GET EASIER.

HI YA ALL! - I AM 3 WKS. POST OP AND WAITING FOR MY FIRST "FILL". I FIND THAT I CAN EAT PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING I WANT. I AM HUNGRY EVEN 2 HRS. AFTER EATING. I HAVE BEEN EATING MORE THAN THE 3/4 CUP AT MEALTIME TOO. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A DR. APPT. NEXT WK. AND THEN HOPEFULLY A "FILL". I AM AFRAID I MAY NOT HAVE LOST ANY WT. THIS PAST WK. I DON'T FEEL LIKE I DID ANYWAY. I HAVE HAD food GET STUCK AND PRETTY MUCH JUST WAITED AND SUFFERED IT OUT. DID I LEARN MY LESSON - THE ANSWER IS "NO". SOMETIMES I FIND MYSELF EATING TOO QUICKLY OR NOT CHEWING GOOD ENOUGH. I AM USUALLY STARVING THAT IS WHY. I DEF NEED SOME RESTRICTION IN MY BAND. I LOST 4 LBS. 1 WK.. AGO AT MY DR. VISIT. - TOTAL WT. LOSS IS 30 LBS. BUT THAT ISN'T MUCH WHEN YOU NEED TO LOSE AT LEAST 100 LBS. I WAS JUST BANDED JAN. 17 OF THIS YEAR THOUGH. I AM GETTING A BIT TOO ANXIOUS TO LOSE THE WT. FASTER. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT I CANNOT GET OUTSIDE TO WALK TO GET EXERCISE. I DO HAVE FIBROMYALGIA WHICH RESTRICTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE MUCH TO BEGIN WITH - AS THE PAIN IS UNBEARABLE EVEN IF I DO A LIL WALKING AROUND Walmart SHOPPING. BUT I GOT TO GET MOVING. I AM GETTING A LIL DISCOURAGED. IT IS JUST SO DARN BORING TRYING TO DO SOME EXERCISE INSIDE THE HOUSE. BUT I WILL NONE THE LESS. I CAN'T GIVE IN TO BOREDOM OR DEPRESSION. BUT GEE WHIZ I SURE HOPE SPRING GETS HERE SOON - SO I CAN GET OUTSIDE AND GET SOME SERIOUS EXERCISE AND START TO FEEL A LIL BETTER ABOUTR MYSELF. ONE THING I MUST SAY IS THAT WITH THE LIMIT ON WHAT I CAN EAT NOW AND THE TINY PORTIONS ALLOWED - IT SEEMS THAT EVERYTHING I EAT IS SOOOOO DELICIOUS. THE FLAVORS OF EVERYTHING JUST POUR OUT. ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS? THIS IS A GREAT FORUM FOR VENTING. THANKS FOR READING AND LISTENING TO ME RANT ON AND ON. XXXOOO

Hi everyone! When I was newly banded, I used to go on you tube and watch these kinds of videos for inspiration. I am so happy to have gotten this far...now I have made a movie that may inspire others. It is only 3 minutes long. Please check it out!

Wow this was beautiful! You are such an inspiration. Congratulations to you and now I know that I too can do this! Thank you for sharing.

Well said Indigo girl - You really put it out there! And it is all sooooo true! Thanks for your words of wisdom!!!!!

#1 take out the diet mentality - I have not dieted since I started my journey 3.6 yrs ago... My goal was to get healthy - to get healthy you have to eat healthy and exercise and allow for treats too.. I am a FIRM believer in keeping a food diary - I asked a lady at work how she kept her weight down - she said when I have gained a few lbs - I start keeping a food diary writing everything down and keeping my calories around 1000- 1200.. She's one of those pple who we think - can eat whatever she wants and stay thin - Well there is no such person really - and we have to quit thinking that we can eat junk and quit exercising and stay thin or lose the weight...

This is about a LIFETIME LIFESTYLE change in our eating and exercise habits - If we want to lose the weight and maintain it we have to understand this.. We have the tool to help us.. So why are we going to screw that up..

I've maintained my weight loss for 2.5 yrs now - How you ask - Cuz I eat healthy 98% of the time allow for treats 2% of the time and continue to workout 4 days a week.. I know that I have to do this to maintain the weight loss - I know that my previous eating habits and lack of exercise is what got me fat in the 1st place - I feel to freaking good to go back there..

I can also tell you that almost every single night since 7/17/07 I have had dessert - SF puddings, sf ice cream, sf yogurt... I go on vacation and eat what I want but continue some type of exercise - but when I come home I go right back to eating healthy..

It was my Birthday last weekend - I had bday cake & ice cream Sat & Sunday - Monday morning it when in the trash !!! I looked at the cake a few time during the day on Sunday -(in the past I would have eaten it all day long) but said - you are going to have some tonite - if you eat it now - no treat tonite - I wanted to save it for the evening.

Peeps - you can do this - you just have to understand that you can't eat high fight - high sugar - high carb foods 24/7 365 - you can have them as treats - but on a daily basis you have to eat healthy and exercise.. As the saying goes you can't have your cake and eat it too..

You have to decide for yourselves - what feels better for you - being morbidly obese or thin and healthy - I hate the saying nothing taste as good as thin feels - cuz I love the taste of food - (fat & sugar) but I can tell you nothing feels better than being able to live your life with out your weight limiting what you can or can't do.. And I can still have that fat & sugar even now and then as long as I exercise and eat healthy the majority of the time..

I'm a 56 yr old grandma - who can now zip line - Para Sail - scuba dive - hike a mountain - walk all day long - leg press 400 lbs - I'm the grandma who can catch air - not the fat one sitting on the beach looking at everyone else have fun..

Use your tool - quit sabotaging yourselves - Love yourselves enough to do this for you - to improve the quality of your lives - Don't let that little devil tell you it's ok to eat the junk - cuz it's not - it's going to catch up w/you..

Sit down plan your meals - plan your treat - budget your calories to allow for sf dessert at nite and make sure you get your exercise..