Jenn1214

Men don't realize that more often it's the WAY they say things, rather than WHAT they say, that is the most hurtful. That may have been his own stupid way of showing concern for your health, or he might just actually be that stupid. I don't know your husband so only you can answer that question. Hopefully he realizes how much he hurt you and he will learn to support you in the future. If his lack of support and hurtful words continue, you may want to consider counseling if he won't talk to you about why he is behaving this way. Good luck and keep up the good work!

In a few minutes, I will be picking up my dad from the airport to go to my brother's rehearsal dinner tonight. He lives in North Carolina and I haven't seen him since a few days after the surgery. I hit the 39 pound mark today and I'm curious to see what he will say. He has seen me at all my ups and downs (weightwise and otherwise) and I know he was very proud of me when I decided to go through with the surgery. Frankly, I'm pretty damn proud of myself too! Lap band surgery is not easy, no matter what anyone says about it, and I know I've done the right thing for myself. Not just for my looks and self esteem, but more importantly, for my health and my ability to stay around longer to bug my future husband Weight has always been a touchy subject with my parents and me. I've been on countless diet and exercise plans throughout my childhood and teenage years and always felt that they wouldn't accept me if I was fat. It's hard to be 8 or 9 years old and having your pediatrician tell your parents to buy you toys as a reward for when you lose weight. Most kids get toys for getting good grades or behaving well, but not me. Kind of screwed up now that I look back on it. I always felt like less of a person the heavier I got and thought that my parents were ashamed of me. I never had the guts to actually come out and ask but it was kind of obvious. My late mother was never as bad as my father, who I am convinced felt guilty for overfeeding me as a baby and probably thinks that if I'm thin in my adult years that it will absolve him of all wrongdoing. Again, these aren't facts but just my assumptions. Someday I'll work up the courage to ask him. I just wish I could have one conversation that doesn't revolve around my weight, either what I'm doing to lose it or why have I gained so much, etc. Someday I hope it will be a nonissue altogether. I want to worry about who I am as a person and what I'm doing to grow and nurture myself, not what I'm doing to make the numbers on the scale lower. With Bandy's help I know I can get to that place and it's a happy feeling.

My period was all whacked out after surgery too. My gynecologist said it was from the powerful antibiotics I got during surgery and the stress of the surgery itself.

I've had shots and stuff since surgery with no problem. The only thing I've noticed is the drunker I get, the more I want to eat junk food ( especially ice cream, which we all know is a slider food). Just something to be aware of.

Congratulations on your awesome success! You must feel fantastic!

I have the same problem with my scale. Why are they so finicky? It's so annoying!

Thank goodness, I thought I was the only one! I've lost 38 pounds in 3 months and dropped two sizes, but I feel like I had more libido before the surgery. Weird.

I have lost 38 pounds in three months with minimal exercise, but I count calories obsessively. Even if I slack off a little bit, the scale doesn't budge. I plan to start exercising more regularly soon so I have a little bit more freedom.

I don't think it will be a problem as far as hurting the band, but just be careful because I know when I drink it lowers my inhibitions and I eat things I shouldn't. As long as you are aware of that you should be ok. Happy Anniversary!

For me personally, I find the more sugar I eat the more I want. "Just one cookie" can turn into two or three or more if my willpower is down that day. I try to avoid it as much as possible for that reason, but every once in a while doesn't hurt.

I fill up a 32 oz water bottle and keep it with me at all times. I sip on it throughout the day on the advice of my nutritionist and I'm able to get my water in that way. I also find I'm usually always thirsty because of all the protein I eat so I actually look forward to drinking my water.

Hangry describes me to a tee! At least before banding anyway. My poor fiance knew if I didn't eat at least every 4 hours or so, look out! It's better since the banding, especially when I get my protein and drink my water. During bandster hell, I found I was more depressed than hangry but it subsided once I hit the mushy stage. I think almost every bandster goes through a period of "Oh dear lord, what did I do to myself?" and thinking they'll never enjoy food again (so not true). As long as you're prepared for it you will do fine!

I had been slacking off on my protein for a couple days and I felt like garbage. My brain was all fuzzy and I felt very weak and tired all the time. I feel much better now that I've bumped up my protein again. Get your protein in at all costs or you will feel it!

I haven't been making the best choices lately and today I noticed that the scale is creeping up on me. Normally my next thought would be "Oh great, I've failed again. Where are the Girl Scout cookies?" This time I'm not going to let it get to me. Instead I'm thinking about what I need to do differently: 1. I've been slacking off on my water intake. Bottoms up! 2. I have to start journaling my food again. It keeps me accountable. 3. I'm drinking too many of my calories. Gotta indulge less at happy hour. 4. I'm not moving enough. There's a gym right by my house I'm going to try out. My weight loss is a journey, not a destination. As long as I keep learning from my mistakes I know I will continue to grow. I'm going to be ok.

I think the most common sign is throwing up and getting stuck a lot. Definitely see your doctor right away if you're experiencing this.

Anybody?

I have a sinus infection and I've been coughing like crazy because of the postnasal drip. I'm seeing my PCP tomorrow but I was wondering if all this coughing could possibly cause my band to slip or otherwise somehow cause any damage?

I had my second fill last Wednesday. With my first fill, I definitely noticed that I was able to be satisfied with less food and I could go longer without eating. It wasn't immediate but eventually I felt it. With this last fill I don't feel any different. Is this normal?

No offense to her, but that seems to be a rude question. It's not about "looking overweight", it's about our health and how we feel about ourselves. I had a lot of people tell me "Oh you don't need the lap band, you're not that heavy", but at 5'4" and 251 pounds it wasn't a question. Don't listen to her, you did what was right for you and that's the only thing that matters.

That choice would be up to your surgeon, but my guess would be a little at a time so as not to shock your system with a big fill.

Yesterday we went to visit a friend of my fiance's that he hasn't seen in a long time. We were having dinner there with him and his family and it was clear that my fiance had neglected to mention that I have a lap band. His friend kept asking me what I wanted to drink with dinner and I kept saying "Nothing, thank you." I wasn't sure if he was confused or insulted because he kept offering different choices, possibly thinking I didn't like anything they had. Finally my fiance had to say "She has to wait until after eating to drink," to which his friend replied "Hey whatever floats your boat." To my further embarrassment, his friend asked me how my job was going and I had to tell him I was laid off months ago. After this exchange, I was too embarrassed to ask for smaller portions, in fear of insulting his friend further and bringing the visit down, so I ate what I could and quietly slipped my fiance the rest. I know I probably should have come right out and said "I have a lap band" but for some reason I didn't want to bring it up because I didn't feel like answering tons of questions and whatnot. What would you guys have done in my place? I feel like I didn't handle the situation very well.

I left my nuvaring in when I had surgery and I ended up getting breakthrough bleeding and spotting for almost two weeks. Maybe it's something about the hormones in the ring that make our cycles go all whacky after surgery.

Lane Bryant was having a sale so I figured I'd stop in since most of my shirts and jeans are falling off of me. As I stopped at the first table of cropped pants there was a size 16 on top of the pile. I thought "Dare I?" and then figured "Ah what the hell, it couldn't hurt." I took an 18 in the same size just in case. After making my rounds I went into the fitting room, my heart beating fast. I can't even remember the last time I could fit into a 16. I couldn't believe I was even daring to try them on. I pulled them on, zipped them up, and they fit! A little snug around the tummy area (everything is for me) but who cares? They fit! I have officially dropped two dress sizes since surgery! The lap band has exceeded my wildest dreams. A few months ago, I was terrified that I would go through the rigors of surgery only to fail as I have so many times before, afraid that I would be one of the ones that the surgery didn't work for. Now two and a half months later, I'm stepping into a size I haven't fit into in years and feeling great. I love you Bandy!!!

I have been banded since March 14th of this year. I have lost about 36 pounds since then...my clothes are falling off, I get lots of compliments, all that good stuff. When I look in the mirror, I still think FAT. I've been overweight most of my life and I don't know any other way to be. I'm hoping one day I will accept that my weight is on the way down for good and I'll learn to appreciate my new body.

Had a second fill on Wednesday. The fill nurse was very impressed with my weight loss so far (which is great for the old ego!) and asked the usual questions about portion sizes, satiety, etc. I had a little fluid added to the band so I was put on the normal post fill diet of 24-48 hours of full liquids and 24-48 hours of soft foods. No biggie. As I'm sitting here eating my pudding, it occurred to me that most people would probably FREAK if they couldn't eat solid foods for four days, but for us bandsters it's nothing. After going two weeks on full liquids and two weeks on mushies, a couple days is no problem. It makes me realize that the band has made me stronger than I could ever have thought possible. And people think it's "taking the easy way out." Easy? I'd like to see a non banded person try the post op diet sometime. Then you tell me how easy it is!