SageTracey

Not sure what you mean about buckled and unbuckled. The nearest I can think of would be having it filled and unfilled to manage the tightness of the band. Many people have had that done for various reasons. If that is not what you mean, please explain further so we can try to respond.

I have just lost a workmate to cancer just days ago so your pain is also very raw for me. Treasure these precious moments with your Dad and let his strength be your strength moving forward.

How long ago was your surgery? It could just be a reaction to the anaesthetic. Or could you be suffering PMS?

Go back to your medical team and ask them to help you get on track. That is what they are there for. Meanwhile, we will be your cheer squad and tell you what works for us. - Control calories in - Exercise regularly - Small portions - Chewed very well - Regular follow up with my surgeon - Managing fill level

My surgeon described handling the liver during lap band surgery as like trying to manage a bowl of jelly (jello) with a pair of chopsticks. Following the pre-op diet to shrink your liver makes it easier for the surgeon to handle. My surgeon has stopped surgery and not put in lap bands for patients when he has found that the liver has not shrunk sufficiently for him to work with safely.

The only issue I have is pressure on my port. But I do like how it holds in the jiggles!

Yay!

Hang in there, it will all be worth it. Remember, this is a temporary phase of the entire journey and not something you are faced with for life. You will get through this and look back to wonder why it seemed so hard at the time.

I haven't had the same journey as you, but wanted to wish you all the best. Cheers

I have never been told not to eat or drink before a fill but with my appointments usually late afternoon, I haven't eaten since lunch anyway.

People who have not been in our situation have great difficulty understanding why this is a valid choice. You can educate them, or at least try to, but never, ever forget that this is a journey you are taking for YOUR health. So long as you do your research and are comfortable with your choices, you do NOT need to validate them with other people, especially those who have not experienced obesity. This is a personal health matter and there is no requirement that says you must discuss it with others. It is entirely up to you to be open or not. Personally, I didn't tell very many people to start with, but now, 18 months and 63 kg (130+lb), I share because it is easier to show my success. Good luck

Ask yourself - why did I want this in the first place? How did I feel about myself before I started losing weight? What feels good about me now? Before I even considered the band, I wrote myself a list of all the things in my life that would be better if I could lose weight. I found it recently and they were all correct. Motivation comes from within, not from some trainer yelling at you to get your butt moving. Consider setting small achievable, non-scale related goals and plan rewards as you achieve them. For example, I just bought a new road bike because I reached a goal of being fit enough to ride a specific distance. That's a big goal and big reward, but I am sure you get the idea.

You are only five days out so gas pains could still be present. But please check with your surgeon for specific advice.

The point of the band is to help us to make lifestyle changes i.e. for the long term, the rest of our life. The very nature of diets is that that are short term because they are unsustainable in the long term. Yes, I count calories and exercise, but I see that as being part of my personal education on this journey so that I am making the right lifestyle changes. But - people need to do what works for them and we are all different, so my opinion is just that, my opinion.

Take in all of the different advice and do what works for you, but never at the expense of your own doctor's advice. The biggest tip I can offer is to get a strong support buddy. For me it is my husband. He doesn't necessarily understand what I am going through with restriction, getting stuck (very rarely) etc, but is 110% supportive. In fact, I think he was getting more of a kick out of me looking at some really nice clothes on the weekend than I was! Good luck on your journey,

Hang in there. Best wishes from a fellow Aussie

I was told as I could tolerate, but I wasn't into weight lifting or anything.

DH bought himself a second hand road bike last night. Same model as mine but two years old. Says he doesn't do as many kms as me so doesn't need a brand new one. Tomorrow we ride together again!

I used to drink two to three cans of soft drink a day until I got my band 18 months ago when I stopped cold turkey. Yesterday I had a sip of my husband's Pepsi Max and nearly spat it out because it tasted so disgusting! Now I know that it's not willpower keeping me off the stuff.

Interesting that your dr would give you a fill after treating you for acid reflux. Seems to me (not a dr!) that would simply compound the problem. Hope you get some resolution and relief quickly.

You sound completely normal. That is your port that you are feeling with your hand.

I drink three to five coffees every day, including one or two cappuccinos made with skinny milk. And I count them in my calories.

Flat lemonade (pop?) worked when I was a kid. Just be sure to let it go flat. Hope you feel better soon.

It will certainly get you started and may even work for you to help you reach goal. Personally, I started off the same way then I discovered myfitnesspal.com and it has been another useful tool that has helped me to learn about the fat/calorie content of certain foods, make more informed choices and understand the importance of portion control. It is a tool that is helping me to make and manage the lifetime changes that I need to succeed. As you may be aware, sometimes you don't have restriction with your band, so it is helpful to have another tool in the kit. Good luck.

No, I didn't feel like that but that just goes to show that we are all different and we all react to the surgery differently. Hope you are feeling better shortly.