SageTracey

Congratulations!

It's a shame that this topic has become so inflamed as there has been some information posted that is of interest and benefit to people researching the lap band or possibly having complications. IMO the most important thing to remember is that this is a forum for discussion. We are not WLS surgeons, we do not know enough about each other's personal health situations, we possibly don't even know how to properly read and interpret findings from studies. The best we can do is share our experiences, be supportive and encourage each other to get proper medical advice when needed.

To totally plagiarize and misquote someone, "May the frustration and fear you feel be the wind in your back to long term success!" and to quote a very successful marketing company - "Just do it!"

What a fantastic day! Started with a bike ride with DH and 26 yo son who has taken up cycling like us because he wants to lose weight. Then DH and I spent several hours setting up our local hall for a charity dance we were hosting. We are doing a Lions bike ride over four days in April and need to raise $350 each. our dancing and other friends turned out and we reached our target - and danced all night! couldn't have done that pre-band!

That's right, talk to to dr! He/she is the expert on the medical side but you are the expert about your body and how you are feeling. View this as a partnership and work together.

I realised that my attention to detail (food intake in particular) had slipped and suddenly I had regained almost three kilograms. I recommitted to accurately recording my food and have almost relost those three kilograms. I hadn't slipped on the exercise side so that was in my favour. But I have learned that this is truly a lifelong journey - I "knew" it but now I have learned it. I shall have to be vigilant for the rest of my life because I do not want to go back to where I was almost two years ago. You can restart and relose that weight. Set small, achievable goals and recognise your achievements as you meet each one. Best of luck.

What Cheznoel so wisely said!

Neither are good choices for us bandsters but sometimes you may find yourself in a situation so.....if I have to make a fast food choice I look for grilled chicken, salad without dressing, no fries, dump the bun. On the alcohol side, volunteering to be the designated driver makes me everyone's best friend! But if I have sufficient calories available for alcohol, choose lighter options, non-carbonated.

One day post-op? Discomfort is to be expected as your post seems to suggest. It will get better day by day until about a week later you will barely remember that there was an issue. Good luck.

And you could chew that sword up, too. If you were really in need of getting some iron.

And on the other side of the world....I haven't ridden today because it is flat out too hot! Probably the hottest day of summer (which officially finished 11 days ago) so I did all my jobs early and have been inside with the air con on ever since. But I will be cycling to work tomorrow and then home again, regardless of the weather. Gotta keep on training for our big ride in April.

It sounds as though you strained the muscles around your port but I am only a stranger from the other side of the world on the internet reading your post. I am not a dr. If I was you, I would prefer to get the diagnosis of my dr. I hope it is nothing serious and that your dr can provide you with some quick reassurance.

Time is the most effective long term cure! As difficult as it is, remember that it is also only temporary and you will get past it.

Excess skin won't kill me, carrying all that excess weight would have. I'd rather than be alive in a loose coat than dead in a well fitted (over stretched) one!

I don't feel my band but I do feel my port. In terms of how the band feels when eating, I definitely feel satisfied on smaller portions and know that if I were to push past those smaller portion sizes, then I would feel horribly stuffed and unwell. The band doesn't stop me eating more but it allows me to be satisfied on less, for longer. Listening to my band is one of the most difficult lessons I have had to learn. It doesn't snap shut and say "No more!" when I have had my small portion. But it does give me a soft stop, like a hiccup, small sigh or burp, that tells me to listen up or pay the price. Good luck.

Make sure that you are sipping slowly. You have associated the pain with your eating so it may be that.

You've reached out for help, that is great. I hope your children's father does not have cancer. I have just had a breast cancer scare (all good now) and it was really scary, so I know where your head is at the moment. Good luck.

I've lost about 75% of my excess weight, maybe a bit more. My surgeon commented at my last appointment that he would be happy if I stayed at this weight for the rest of my life. At the time, I agreed, but now I really do want to get closer to losing 90% of my excess weight as that should take me down to a size 12 easily. It will also make my sporting life that bit more comfortable.

Yes, it is normal. As you lose weight, the fat padding around your stomach shrinks and your band naturally becomes looser. That is why it takes ongoing management for the band to work as an effective tool. Some would even call it an NSV (non-scale victory) to have your band become looser because you have lost weight!

Hang in there, this is only temporary! You will feel better soon and, just like childbirth, the pain will fade in memory. Don't overdo things at this stage and follow your dr's orders. Best of luck.

My port tilted but did not need to be adjusted. It happens, your dr sounds very caring so I am sure you will come through just fine and get this journey of yours off to a fantastic start with his support.

I'm a desk jockey too but I took two weeks off and was glad of it. General anaesthetic always leaves me feeling knocked around for about a week. Try to have flexibility so that you can return when you are well enough but not before.

Focus on regaining your health before getting too stressed about your band. Pneumonia is nasty and even though I didn't have it as severely as you, I remember it taking a long recovery period.

You are sounding alarm bells and it sounds as though you can hear them too! You know that not eating is not the healthy behaviour that you need for long term weight loss. What are you planning to do to help you through this phase? Have you considered seeing a counsellor or talking further with your surgeon? I think it could be really beneficial and will help you to nip this potential eating disorder in the bud. Best wishes

I motivate myself by setting goals and sometimes having rewards (non-food) for when I achieve those goals. Sometimes they are scale goals i.e. a got a new gold watch when I got under 100kg; other times they are non-scale goals i.e. when I reaching a cycling goal, I had a major reward of getting my first road bike. Having things to work towards also helps. So far I have had my son's wedding and a multi-day cycling event. This year I have two major multi-day cycling events, one of which is a charity fundraiser. Motivation comes from within. Good luck.