SageTracey

It's different for everyone. Actually, I don't even know how much I have in my band at this stage but I believe I will need a very small fill to return me to restriction when I see my surgeon again in November now that I have lost so much weight.

I was banded 16 months ago and haven't actually set a final goal weight, although I am starting to think about it. When I started out, my ideal weight was just too far away to even consider as potentially achievable. Instead I have been working towards smaller goals - lose 10kg, lose 25kg, get under 100kg, get under 90kg. Yesterday I realised that my BMI now puts me in the overweight category instead of obese or morbidly obese, which is where I started. I did a real happy dance when I had that realisation! I am now at 86.8kg and thinking I will set my goal for 79kg. This is very close to my husband's weight and I think he looks great. I am slightly taller than him so don't mind being slightly heavier.

Congratulations.

It doesn't hurt.

It's worth it, definitely, absolutely and without a doubt! I am reminded of that every day in different ways - when I cycle 30km to work, when I shop/window shop for new clothes, when I eat out and make sensible food choices, when I stop eating because I am satisfied, when I stand on the scales, when I feel my collar bones protruding, when my husband comments on my hip bones, when I see myself in the mirror, when I dance all night and feel great the next morning. Hang in there. This tough part is truly only temporary!

It doesn't take much to push us over the line with a fill, so yes, as little as 0.5cc could have been too much for you. Your plan to have a little removed sounds very sensible!

It really depends on the type of work that you do, how you tolerate pain, how quickly the gas/shoulder pain passes for you, how you react to a general anaesthetic. I'm a desk jockey and my surgeon recommended two weeks off which I took and was grateful for. I could probably have gone back after a week but that wouldn't have been fair to my employer as I would have been operating at a much lower standard than usual. Fortunately here in Australia, sick leave is for when you are sick or medically unfit to work and I was able to use mine as required.

Yep, the shoulder pain is a nightmare. Have you been taking pain killers? Sounds like you are not ready to go back to work tomorrow. Can you get any more time off? The only consolation I can offer is that it does pass. It was about day 10 for me. Good luck!

I just volunteer to be the designated driver! I find that alcohol affects me more quickly now than when I was 63kg heavier and it's just not worth the risk of overeating due to lowered inhibitions, or to my driver's license. I still have a great time and I remember it all the next day!

I was so excited when my breasts started to shrink! I suffered big breasts since my early teens and I love being able to buy smaller bras. I've gone from a 24DD (Australia) to wearing a size 12 tee-shirt style bra for everyday wear (sports bra for workouts.)

After the gas from your operation has passed, shoulder pain is typically a sign that you have eaten too much or too quickly. I am 16 months out and still get the shoulder pain when I don't pay attention to eating with due care.

Burping for me is typically a sign that I need to stop eating - now.

Pain relief and ant-nausea

Your band feels no pain.

I broke my collarbone when I was 12 and I remember the doctor telling me it had to be set properly or I would have a bump when I was an adult. I spent my entire adult life, until now, as a morbidly obese woman, so nobody could see my collarbone. Now, I love having collarbones on show and am glad that the doctor was cruel to be kind when he set it!

Go the distraction technique - avoid the situations that are making you think about foods, replace the food attraction with something else. This is just short term pain for long term gain. it's a time when you just have to suck it up and keep your eyes on the prize.

My husband is naturally slim so he didn't need WLS. However, he has been my greatest supporter throughout this journey. Best wishes for both of you.

Doreen - don't give up. You need to work the band to get some quality of life and your grandkids need you, too. Regroup and go back to your surgeon and ask for help. I am sure he/she has worked with others in your type of situation.

Ditto.

Saw the title for this thread and starting singing "Time Warp"!

There is also the risk of infection to consider

She sounds terribly inexperienced to me! The only time I have ever been poked more than once with the needle was my last fill, about my fourth, when my port had tilted slightly. Otherwise it's been a very simple painless process.

Sounds like you are too full.

Try not to get sucked into playing the politics game! I'm not a teacher so I don't know anything about it, but I wish you luck! My job gets stressful fairly regularly and I have learned to stand up for myself and say, No, I can't do that until.....sometimes it's finishing the jobs that I have, sometimes it's as simple as taking a lunch break and other times it's taking a day off (when they owe me the time.)

No, you are not losing it. A lot of people say that their band is tighter in hot weather, so a hot bath could have the same effect. On the other hand, a lot of people also need a hot drink to start the day before they can eat anything....