faithmd

Never heard of that. I have only recently been banded (just over 2wks ago) but I've not had problems that I've noticed. Hopefully a more experienced Bandster can speak to this.

I sometimes wonder if it would be easier or harder for me if I had been normal size at any time during my formative teen years, on forward. These are of course only my personal feelings, but on occasion I think about how many of you mention that you were 120lbs in HS or 115 when you married, etc. and you just can't stand the way you look now and how much you've changed. I find myself thinking you have no idea...I have NEVER been a normal weight since I was 9 years old. That is a terrible way to think, I know. Is your struggle easier than mine? No! But I'm being honest. I think to myself that at least you've experienced life at a normal weight. At least you've had the experience of going into a store and having someone come right over and help you. You've had occasion to not worry about which way to walk through a crowd or through a restaurant so that you don't bump against someone or have to squeeze through. You've ridden public transportation and not had someone look at you in disgust when they had to squeeze next to you in a seat. You've not had someone look at you with disdain because you are sweating after running to catch a bus or a cab. You've probably flown without worrying that someone will have to move out of their seat to let you out to the restroom (I won't go on a plane, I am afraid of not fitting in the bathroom). Some of you have joined the mile high club, I can't fathom that. You've had the experience of shopping at a regular store for clothes or shoes or swimsuits, maybe you were able to get your wedding dress off the rack. You've stood up in weddings, I haven't. I think sometimes it is because some brides worry about the appearance of their pictures, some don't want a fat bridesmaid in them. Some don't want to limit which dresses they choose for their maids to something available in plus-size. Some don't want a fat girl in a strapless dress. You've had sex and been on top without worrying that you'll crush a guy's pelvis. You've had sex and not been mortified when your stomach rolls smacked against each other and made that horrible sound. You've not had some man make a comment about how huge your thighs are when he starts to "go down there" (that ruins ANY chance for having a good time, let me tell you). Maybe you have been lucky enough not to have your heart broken after you fall in love with a gay man because that's the only man who will give you attention and affection. I cannot remember being thin. I have been smaller than I am now, so I still have the issues with running into someone I knew years ago when I was merely obese, not super morbidly obese. I put on almost 100lbs since I've met my DH nearly 9 years ago. My 20th HS reunion is coming up and I still think about how much I've gained since HS. I see the Slimfast commercials where someone wants to lose thirty or fifty pounds for their reunion and I laugh. I was a 22 in HS, I probably weighed in the low 200's. I'm in the 300's now. I was near 400 about eight months ago. So I do still have some of the issues that those who were at one time thin struggle with, too. I am sure it's hard on folks who married thin and then have gained a lot of weight over the years. I know that there are spouses out there (men and women) who make comments about how their mates have let themselves go, and that's painful. I'm fortunate my DH has not said one word about my weight gain. But my previous love did. He told me about how his previous long-time love had gained from 130-280 over the course of their relationship and then he said he didn't want me to gain an ounce (I was about 250 then). When we split he said he was grossed out by my gain (about 20lbs) and disappointed that I wasn't still going to the gym like I was at the beginning of our relationship. He was 400lbs himself! Now I certainly have not sat back and been a wallflower. I am a very in-your-face type of person, I have the ability to be an extrovert, or be somewhat introverted. I never did let my weight stop me from doing much. I used to dive, I loved coasters (until I did get too large to fit), I travel. I am one of those life of the party types. I can go to a gathering not knowing a soul and walk out with two or three lunch dates and a few new friends. I guess that's a good thing, hopefully as I lose weight and get closer to whatever "normal" will be for me, I will not change. I do not want to become a different person. I do worry about that, though. One of my friends here said in one of her posts that her DH knew her thin, didn't like her fat, and is now treating her like shit because she's losing the weight he wanted her to! That he knew who she was at all stages and that she hasn't changed. For those who like her met their mates at a normal weight, I think the transition *might* be a little easier, unless a situation like hers arises. But how are my DH and I going to handle it when my exterior begins to transform into someone he's never met? He's certainly larger than he was 15 years ago, but there are pictures, I'd recognize him at 165lbs like I recognize him at 235lbs. There are no pictures of me at a normal weight, I will be a different appearing person. I don't want that change to affect me/us in a negative fashion. I work with a woman who is 112lbs and is doing Weight Watchers to lose 2lbs. She is devastated that she can't get back to 110lbs. She has 3 children. I am sure her struggle is a real one to her, I would never poo poo her difficulty. But it is NOT the same as mine. No one's struggles are the same as the next person. I don't think you can categorize what anyone goes through.

Totally normal. Glad your appt went well!

I was just banded two weeks ago, I have the AP band which is supposed to provide some degree of restriction from the getgo. I have the opposite problem, I get restriction in the late evening. I noticed it about five days ago, a marble feeling about 2 inches below my Adam's apple. Asking other long term banded folks they've said that's what their restriction felt like. It comes and goes, but I've had it for about three nights out of the last five. Sipping hot fluids eases it a bit. I am normally a night shift girl, but am sort of living on the day shift right now. But I guess my body is so adjusted to nights that I'm getting restriction then. It's weird...

She's been posting the the July 07 bandsters thread a little bit. Here's a permalink to her first post-op post: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f94/lucky-sevens-july-07-bandsters-35160/index73.html#post508227

CONGRATS!!!!!! The pre-op is tough, the post-op is tough. Just remember that you are doing this for your health. Keep focused and keep something calorie free to sip on nearby. It will seem like ages before you can have real food again, and many folks get desperate and want something to chew. Crunching ice can help, sugar free popsicles can help. You CAN do this! Remember, it's only about two months total (before real food again, depending on your doc's post-op diet instructions), two months out of your life, you can make it!

Woohoo babygirl!!!!

Different surgeons have different first fill schedules, some fill at 4 weeks, some at 6 and a very few wait 8. Some surgeons believe that as long are you are not feeling like you are starving and you are losing 1-2lbs per week, that you do not need a fill.

I have lost 60 lbs and have not had hardly any comments. One person I work with did mention that I should probably buy smaller shirts because she noticed my shoulder seam was creeping down my arm, but that's about it.

I think whether or not you could wear an underwire, or a bra at all would depend on a multitude of factors: How large breasted are you? How heavy are you? How thick is your midsection? Where did your incisions end up?

There are a few bariatric surgeons that are make whose last name begins with B and are in the NOLA area. Just playing Devil's advocate here.

Guys, I think his name is Dr. B. and he's from New Orleans Louisiana (NOLA)

This is a very popular question here, here's a couple of links to polls that have been posted about it so you can get a good cross-section of responses. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/poll-time-off-between-surgery-work-24060/ http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f84/how-soon-after-surgery-have-u-returned-work-31539/

I think it is so different for everyone, like asking how many pounds/kg/stone lost equals a size. I think this could be very interesting, though. For example, I have now lost 60 lbs as of today and I am still in the same clothes I was in at 371lbs. They are a little loose, but I wouldn't say that I feel like I could go buy a new size (26/28 jean and 22/24 top-5'7")

The commercials have been running all day here saying the 11th. Is there an IMAX near you? Perhaps that's open the 11th. Trust me, that is THE way to see a Harry Potter Movie, we've seen them all that way first.

Yep, I gotta agree with the two ladies above me. It seems the environment is just getting more toxic for you. It is killing your psyche and eroding your sense of worth, I'm sure. It may be time to look into how best to deal with ending the situation and striking out on your own. Whatever you decide, know that I, that we are all here for you and anything you feel you need to bounce off of us, we're ready. I'm still off work so I'm online a lot. I have my phone by me.

It opens the 11th, go that night. I was banded June 21st and there was no way I'd be able to sit through a movie in a theatre until at least three or four days later.

I wore a loose dress and definitely NOT an underwire bra. I also had my DH mark my stomach with a Sharpie where my underwire sits and where i wear my waistband so that those areas would be avoided during the surgery. They were

It does stink that there aren't more studies that speak to the effects of long term VLCD's. I think you are correct, as long as you are comfortable and not hungry, that's the key. Apparently you've been able to conquer that food monster and now can think of it as merely a fuel. I think that is part of what makes anyone successful who can lose weight and keep it off. I am still stuck (and probably will be) in the mentality of food as partly a social event. I'm much better than I was, but hope to be able to get to the "food is fuel" point. I don't disagree about wanting the fat chapter over soon. My problem is I do wonder about what life will be like when I'm not exceptionally fat anymore. I have been at a minimum of obese since 4th grade (puberty), morbidly obese since HS and supermorbidy obese since my 20's. I have never been normal sized since I was 9. Prior to that, I was actually too thin. I hope I'll be able to handle it if and when I make it to a "normal" or merely "obese" BMI.

Good for you, Glinda!!!

WOOHOO Purple Monkey!!!!!!! Congrats on making it!!!!

I think that answered the question. You are right good advice is good advice. You have offered some great responses to posts here. but I think it really is only fair if you would identify that you are working for a surgeon or for a group that is connected to surgeons in some way. Others here who have and do work for bariatric practices make it known.

Mysticstar, I haven't been having as much of a problem since I'm still on liquids, I was banded five days before you, what stage are you at now? Perhaps try the melting ice in a glass idea. I think that is what I'll do.

I have that pain, too. I think it's totally normal to still be hurting.

Gosh 600 seems so little and like it would be so easy for your body to start conserving on such a small amount. But again everyone is different and some folks need to eat less than others in order to lose. But I do agree with you completely about balancing it all out. I think 900 one day, perhaps a couple of 500 calorie days and then it all balances out.