kristallynn13

The gas and the pain are probably normal. It takes the body awhile to get ride of the built up gas from anesthesia. This can cause alot of pain in weird areas you wouldnt expect. As far as burping and passing gas, get used to it. It will be a way of life for you now. It can be quite comical at times, but embarassing at times as well. Continue using the gas pills, they will help some but not totally alleviate the gas. It will also get better with time. It is normal to not be losing weight right now, even gaining is ok. Your body takes time to get back to normal after surgery. It will probably take a good 3-4 weeks before you start losing weight. Sounds to me like you are doing exactly what you should be doing. Good luck.

Congrat on reaching your goal. Great work!

At my heaviest weight I was 317. I stopped having periods because of my size. Well 2 weeks before surgery, my period returned. I have basically been bleeding ever since surgery. It has been over 2 months now. I have been to the doc 3 times. They have started me on different hormones to no avail. Has anyone else had a similar experience? When will it stop??

Couldnt live without liquid pain medication, atkins shakes. Wasted my money on liquids I knew I would never drink...broth...popsicles...jello...and protein powder. Wish I had had more of? Support from my familly, more sleep, more time off of work. Even through recovery I was expected to be on duty as a wife and mother. I still had to wait hand and foot on everyone even though I was weak as water.

My 6th month is March 27, 2012. It has been a long, hard journey, but well worth the effort! I have lost a total of 122 pounds pre and post surgery and looking to lose about 35 more! Yeah us!!

Ive heard of different people trying the "pouch diet". If you search it here, I am sure you will find many links for it. Good luck!

I started at 317. I am 5'7" and was squeezing into a 26/28. I am now 197 and wearing a 16!

Julie from Ramseur. Banded 9/27/2011

I had deep dark depression during the 2nd and 3rd weeks post-op. I was told it was a common side effect of anesthesia for many people. Thank goodness for me, it did pass. I would call your doctor and let them know what is going on. Your body and mind will be going through many changes. It is often hard to detect the reasoning behind it all. Good luck! P.S. The nurse even listed sadness, depression as a possible side effect on my discharge instructions.

Definitely not the easy way out. This has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. It has been a struggle physically and emotionally. You are an adult. You have to do what is best for you. Good luck to you!

I was banded 9/27/11. Hadnt had a period for at least a year before that. Started my period 9/14/11, and it just stopped two days ago. Over 3 months it lasted. The weight loss, stress on your body from surgery, etc. can really mess with your hormones.

So I went to my primary care doctor last week. I hadn't seen him in six months. It was the beginning of my journey into lapband and weight loss. At that time I was 295 or so. I told him I was going to lose all this weight and have lapband done. I am sure he has heard the pledges of many overweight patients to finally lose the excess weight. He probably put very little faith in my statements. My weight was 225 when I went last week. That was a 70 pound loss. I could see the disbelief and pride in his face. Toward the end of the visit, he asked, "What was the one deciding factor that finally made you decide to lose weight?". Well, in the past 6 months, I have been asked this question many times and already had a rehearsed response. It came out like a reflex. I said I was sick of hurting everywhere all the time. Although this is one of the reasons, it does not begin to scratch the surface as to why. I failed to mention the very important reasons why. Such as the fact that at 317 pounds, I was wishing death upon myself almost everyday all day. I became a prisoner in my own body. I was ashamed to be seen in public with my children, boyfriend, friends, and co-workers. I knew my children were embarrassed to be seen with me in public. Hell, I was embarrassed to be seen with me. I was unable to wash my private areas without becoming a contortionist. I was unable to use tampons because I couldn't reach. My ankles, knees, hips, legs, chest, hurt all the time. My self-esteem was in the gutter. I was short of breath with any physical exertion. I couldn't hardly fit in my larger model car. I could barely heave my large ass out of the car when I did get in it. The reasons go on and on and on.... I have so much to be thankful now. My energy level is through the roof. I am confident. I am much more active in my social life. I have dumped the abusive boyfriend I had been settling for. I have discovered bones that I didn't know I had. I enjoy foods that are healthy. I seek out new friendships and relationships. For the first time in 42 years, I can say I love myself and really feel it and mean it. Life is good. I feel truly blessed to have had this opportunity to reclaim my life and begin living.

Too funny!! I love it! I have heard somewhere that for every 50lbs overweight a man is, he loses one inch of length!!

Last night I think I got overfull. Was very uncomfortable. No stuck feeling or PBing. This morning though I feel really tight. Liquids are going down very slow. Has anyone else experienced this?

Xavier that is what I should have said. Unfortunately my self esteem is still tanked and not able to confront people in this manner. Im working on it though.

I have been banded about 10 weeks now. I lost 60 pounds before the band, and another 36 since banding. I am having a really hard time staying on course lately. I have stopped exercising, cheating more frequently. I don't know what to blame it on. It has been hard on me emotionally. My relationships have suffered. I just need to get back in the swing of things. I just want to sit on the couch all day and hide from the world. Tonight I ate alot of french fries and half a chocolate shake. It really wasnt even all that good, and my stomach is hurting now. I am still struggling with finding a replacement to eating when I get stressed out. Any words of encouragement is greatly appreciated.

I have found the more weight I loose the more prominent the port becomes. Its all good though. I can deal with it. It is a constant reminder of the positive changes I have made in my life.

My daughters and I are baking several holiday treats this weekend and I am a little concerned about my ability not to taste everything. But we have to continue to live our lives. I don't think we have to totally restrict ourselves from any food. This type of mindset helped to get me to 317 pounds. Sample, but don't overindulge is my suggestion.

I am currently in therapy and am on two different anti-depressants. This has been such an uphill battle for me. My relationships with the people I love have definitely suffered. It is hard to adjust to not having food as a crutch anymore. It is hard to have to feel and deal with uncomfortable feelings without food. I just had a fill 2 weeks ago and not due to go back until January 6th. I just keep putting one foot in the front of the other on my way to the finish line. About the fraud feeling...let me tell you about a conversation I had with a co-worker yesterday. She told me she was going to lose 50 pounds before her trip to Ireland. I told her I was gonna lose the rest of my weight by May and go to the Bike Rally in Myrtle Beach and wear some Daisy Dukes. (just joking). Her response to me was..well you can loose the weight the easy way. You don't have to try hard...REALLY??? This person is my friend and the only one I associate with at work. She really hurt my feelings. I tried to educate her on how this was not the easy way out, but I don't think I changed her mind any. Oh well...we live and we learn.

Thank you everyone for your input. I try to start everyday as a new beginning. I am feeling really focused right now, but it is only 850am and plenty of time left in the day to go south! I am getting alot of attention because of my weight loss and am feeling a little bit like a fraud. I feel like I have to defend myself and my weight loss. It is just such a struggle. I wish I would have chosen something else besides food to be addicted to.

Name, real or screen~ Julie (real) Age~42 Weight on December 1st~225 Goal weight for December 29th~215 Dietary goal for December~Take my Calcium and Multivitamins everyday, drink at least 64 ounces of Water everyday Exercise goal for December~ Join the gym close to my job, work out 5 times a week Personal goal for December~ Stop being such an emotional basket case Date banded~ 9/27/2011 Total weight loss since banding/pre op diet~56 One thing that has improved with your health since banding~ No more aches and pains, dont have to take Ibuprofen everyday of my life

Reading that blog gives me goosebumps. Everything I have experienced thus far, rings so true to the words of Amy. Good luck to you gypsy rose.