simoneshirbet

Thanks everyone for your comments. Going to see my doc today about my tonsils. Simoone

Hey Banders, This is really gross but about 2 hours ago I coughed up something that looks like firm white-yellow puss (about the size of a very small pea), and it smelled terrible. Like the smell that comes out of a cyst that has been under the skin for a loooong time. I know that is a strange way to describe it but I am at a loss. I don't know if it has anything to do with my band, tonsils, a throat infection or something else that is going to pop up. So far my band has been great. I have lost over 20 kgs, I am becoming more fit everyday and I generally look healthier. I thought it was too good to be true so I am kind of freaked out about this gross little surprise. If you can shed any light that would be great. Thanks, Simone PS- It is REALLY gross. So bad that I cant even explain how bad it smells. How embarrassing!!!

Hey Banders, I am so happy to be able to share in your success stories and share my own. This morning I climbed a small mountain near my home in Australia. It took my 25 minutes and I had to stop 6 times for a minute to catch my breath. This is a massive improvement from the last time I climbed Mt Coolum in August 2011; it took 45 minutes and I had to stop 20-25 times. I am so excited to be getting my fitness back and being able to partake in difficult yet fun exercises. Looking forward to getting to the 15 minute climb. Goodluck with your journeys. Cheers, Simone

Wow. You are so lucky to be handling post-op so well. My post-op experience was very different to that. I am so excited for you. Take care of yourself and goodluck. <3

I am so excited with my progress so far. I have just passed my first weightloss goal of 20kg (45lbs). I was banded in November, lost 16kgs by new years and then nothing in January and February. I was tightened at the end of February and since then I have had slow yet steady weightloss. Im still 45.7kg from my final goal though it is such a great feeling knowing that I am on my way. Also, I have bought a few items of clothing over the past month and I have dropped 2 dress sizes, though I still fit into most of my old clothes because I always bought stretchy clothes, though I have a feeling they will onl.y last for another month or two. Another NSV is that finally FINALLY I can wrap myself in a bath towel without showing 15 cm of skin down my side. I have always had to use bath sheets, but not anymore. And I can cross my legs again. YAY!! SOmething that didn't bother me before but now that i can do it again, I feel feminine and free. I guess life is about the simple pleasures. I am exercing a bit more. I walked 7 kms the other day and tomorrow I am going to attempt to cflimb this small mountain near my home. I used to do it all the time but have not been able to make it up there without stopping 20-30 times, which is embarrassing, especially when there are 4-5 year-olds running past you. I am so excited about what my future looks like. Im am so excited about been fit and healthy and being comfotable in my own skin. Another part of making my life better is going back to University. Ill still be working full-time so its going to be hard but I have discovered this inner strength to help me do everything I want to. I am looking forward to getting under 100kg for when I go to Hawaii in September. I think this is a modest goal, secretly I am hoping to get down to 90kg. Anyway, I hope you are achieving your goals in life and weightloss. Stay happy and healthy, Simone.

Goodluck. Hopefully you'll be able to find your greenzone.

Hi betheboo, I just looked at your profile and you should be so happy with how much you have lost so far, you are doing such a great job. I think the fact that you were too tight before will make any freedom feel like you are going to gain all of your weight back. You need to just relax. Think of everything you have achieved so far and just know that there are some hiccups along the way. With some people it may only take .1ml or .2ml to mean the difference between the green zone and the yellow zone. From now until to you see your doctor next, make sure you document everything that you are eating and any gain or loss that you have. With advice from your surgeon, Im sure that you will be able to get your band back into the greenzone and back on the path towards your goal weight. Goodluck, you are so close. Simone.

Hi KristiRN, I just wrote this big long reply only for my computer to shut down and make me start all over again.... I have only been banded for a couple of months so Im still learning about my band, but Ill answer the questions that I can. I'm from Australia so I dont know about Dr's in the US or the cost over their, sorry. 3. I was in hospital for one night for observation. I took 10 days off work even though i only arranged to take 3 days off. It took a week for me to be able to get out of bed by myself, and about 3 weeks to be able to sleep on my stomach again. I would take at least 10 days though everyones recovery time is different. I watched a few videos on youtube where people hadf surgery only hours before and were doing a video about their experience. Not me!! 4. The refills are not painful. It is just a needle. A pin prick. I little pinch and then its over. The first fill, though, involves the doctor taking out the air in your band before putting in the saline. When he took the air out of my band I thought I was going to be sick. But that only lasted a few seconds and it only happens with the first fill. 5. It is so important to eat a healthy diet with your band because your main goal is to lose weight ahealthy way, and if you arent going to make an effort to eat good food then dont bother. Some people do have restriction though and cannot eat bread, Pasta or meat. Everyone is different though. Its about finding your greenzone. The only thing that I cannot have anymore is soft drink (soda, fizzy drink). I used to drink at least 2 every day now I dont have any and I dont crave it like I used to. 6. 110 punds is a very realistic goal if you use the lapband as a tool to go with healthy eating and exercise, though I think that it the same with all weightloss. The band helps your brain think you are full, but that is no good if you aren't walking and you're eating McDonalds. I was just talking to a lady who lost 10 pounds in 5 months, though her weight was alot higher than yours. You just need to take charge of your band and use it to work for you. 7. The bad.... The cost, the pain, people asking how I lost weight when its none of their business, my surgeon became very rude, unsupportive, unprofessional and uninformative after my surgery and Im in the process of finding a new one to take over my lapband care, my sister being upset that I am slowly becoming smaller than she is. The good... Knowing that I am going to achieve my goal and live a healthier life, feeling more fit and energetic, having people compliment my loss, even though its only 30lbs so far, having the support of my friends, family, my wonderful GP and this site and other people in the same position, making plans for the future that I have always been too scared to make. I would definitely do this again, though while I was still in pain I said I wouldn't, I am so pleased with my results so far. My advice to you would be to get all of the information you possibly can before the surgery. Make sure you pick the right surgeon and get references. Make sure you have a meeting with the anaesthetist to make sure your pain will be properly managed. Ensure you have everything you will need for post-op care and diet. Be smart and realistic about your goals, break them down. Follow the lapband rules or there is no point doing it. Walk every day, even if it is for 5-10 minutes, make sure you move your body and increase your fitness each week. Ask questions all the time. But most importntly, get advice from your GP. I am not a medical expert, so dont take my advice to the bank. Goodluck with everything. I hope you get the information you need to make the right decision for yourself. Simone.

Hi playboyreject, Your weight loss to date is AMAZING. Well done. I wish I could boast the same number but im only 30 lbs down, 2 months in. There are lighter, sugar free dressings, mayo and sauce available. It is important to have these if you cant eat salad without them but just try to lower your dressing size. Start by having a couple of tablespoons and decrease it to 1 tablespoon. But i dont think dressing or mayo will make the biggest difference. As for bad breath, I would suggest rinsing your month with mouthwash after each meal, or when you are aware that your breath is bad. I carry around a travel pack mouthwash just incase, because Im quite self conscious of it too. My partner is a fitness nut and he always has high protein/low carb meals, his breath is lovely. I think it is different for everyone. I don't drink tea or coffee or anything with caffine but that is because I dont like it. Im really not sure about how it will affect your weightloss. Sorry. Anyway, goodluck, you are doing such a great job, and like everyone has said, your weightloss will slow down as you get closer to your goal weight, so dont stress too much 1lb per week is still great. Simone.

Thanks for posting this skintyprincess. Im going through the same thing, and it is good to know that others are like me, being in the yellow zone. Like everyone is saying, I think it is good that we aren't properly restricted at the moment, as we will be able to retrain our habits to prevent us from harming ourselves when we are restricted. I had my first fill before Christmas which is definitely not enough. I am looking forward to getting my next fill and trying to find the green zone, but I have to wait because I am in the process of finding a new surgeon to take over my care. Goodluck to you and remember that it is safer to take things slow and find your own green zone.

The link is below.

Thanks ladies, I'll get them online tonight. I really appreciate it.

Thank you so much for posting this. I just watched the video and it really helped.

I honestly don't have a lot of salty food. I have never put salt and pepper on my food. I don't know why I get thirsty. It might be the mindset that I have also had a drink with food so my body still feels that it needs it. I'll just have to change my habits big time. Thank you for your advice. Simone

No he didn't, this is just one more thing that I now realise my surgeon neglected to tell me. I am so unhappy. My surgeon has not given me any information and I feel as though this is all going down the drain!! He has never referred me to a nuutritionist or even told me to find one myself, he didn't tell me about post-op care or warn me about any problems that can occur, which caused a very big scare a few days after surgery, he has always been rude and not supportive or helpful. Thank you all so much for replying. You really have helped me. I will be changing surgeons as soon as I get a referrel from my GP.