DELETE THIS ACCOUNT!

I was banded January 6, 2012. Since then I have lost 220 pounds. I have 41 to go.

Is it because of the skin your bottom hanging over the backs of your thighs? I just had a ton of skin removed from my belly. I used to get heat rash under the icky hanging skin. I used to use Gold Bond powder after my shower. It kept it dry and the heat rash didn't come back.

You can't have real food, but you could bring some full liquids so you have something with you. What about a thermos of cream Soup (with no chunks)? Or broth? Or, Protein Shakes? It's not ideal but then at least you can still go. If you don't want people to know about your surgery and they ask why you're not eating just tell them your stomach is upset so you're taking it easy.... hey...it's not a lie

I'm very sorry you're struggling. The best way to figure out how to get your weight loss going is with the basics: Do you track your calories and measure your portions? Do you exercise?

You look great! Congratulations!

Wow how exciting! Depending on how much skin you need removed the scale can definitely go down after the surgery. But, the other thing is skin doesn't weigh nearly as much as most people think it would. For an example: I had a tummy tuck with skin removal 2 months ago. After losing over 200 pounds, I had over 12 pounds of skin removed. I had A LOT skin, too. It just isn't that heavy as far as weight. Best wishes!!

Well I wasn't going to post these, but I figured I've been very open and honest about my journey so far and that I should continue to be open even now. I have to admit, posting these is a bit humiliating but I think it's important for people realize this surgery was no walk in the park. It was painful (and still is) and has a long recovery process. Losing over 200 pounds leaves a lot of excess skin. Last week, May 1st, I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair/skin removal surgery. The top pictures are the before pics taken the morning of surgery. The after pics are taken today, 8 days later. You can see on the before pics I had A LOT of extra skin. You can also see the very large hernia sticking out on my upper tummy. I am still really swelled, have staples from hip to hip, and drains in but I I think my surgeon did an incredible job.

The main thing for me is walking. I walk 2 miles almost every day.

I know it's hard. Let's face it, mushy food sucks lol. But when you feel like cheating, remind yourself why you did this to begin with- FOR YOU. You deserve to be healthy and part of being healthy healing well too. You can do this.

The post op diet has absolutely nothing to do with weight loss. It's about healing. By cheating on your doctor's post op diet, you are putting yourself at risk for very seriously complications. Your stomach has had a silicone band literally sewn into it. It needs time to heal and by eating pizza and burgers when you're supposed to be on liquids and mushies you are just begging for a ripped suture and damage to your stomach. No offense, but why would you eat pizza and burgers so soon anyway? Totally unhealthy and totally counter-productive to weight loss.

I honestly just eat "normal" food, just smaller portions. When I can, I turn family favorites into healthier versions. For instance, I still eat spaghetti but now I use light sauce and add seasoning so it doesn't taste "light". I also use lean ground beef and whole grain Pasta. What if you made some meals in bulk? For instance, there is a really good Enchilada Soup that I love. I'll make a big crock pot of it then put it in tupperware containers in the fridge. I measure a cup of soup into each container so when I want some soup, all I have to do is grab one and reheat it. If you did similar with meals you enjoy, then you'd have it quick and easy when you want it.

I know it's hard but stick to your doctor's post op diet. It's so important so you can heal properly. Just remember, this is temporary. Soon you'll be back on real food and on your way to a healthy life. You can do this

I highly doubt those things are on your post op diet after only 2 weeks. What phase are you on? What are your doctor's instructions?

The first thing I'd do is make an appointment with your doctor. Not that anything is wrong but just to check in with him. Let him help you get back on track- that's his job. The next thing I'd do is clean all the unhealthy food out of your house. Stock up on healthy foods so when you're feeling the need to eat it's a good choice for your body. If the temptation isn't there it's a heck of a lot easier to resist.

Do you find yourself hungry too soon? Could you need a fill? Just the fact you realize you've gotten off track and want to get back on is a huge victory. What exactly are you struggling with?

I have 5.2cc in my 10cc band. However, I started losing weight when my band was still empty. Just remember, your sweet spot will control your hunger significantly but it won't suddenly make you lose weight. It just makes it a lot easier to lose weight because you're not hungry and satisfied on very little food.

I love corn. In the fall when corn on the cob is in season, I eat it often.

Honestly? I'm no doctor, and spinal taps aren't fun, but I'd insist on one. As you wisely stated, there are many other diseases and illnesses that can mimic MS. Lyme Disease is a common one and unlike MS, it's 100% curable. I think the second opinion is a great idea, btw. I know this is hard but it's really good you're taking such a pro-active approach.

That was seriously an awesome blog. I can't tell you how many times I've felt exactly what you're feeling now. I see all these commercials and half are for food (because we need more junk food like we need a hole in the head) and the other half are for the diet I supposedly need to undo all the junk food damage. But wait...there's more! I can buy a nifty cami that will make me look 3 sizes slimmer, but then I *really* need the hair removal cream because I can't been seen looking like a bush woman. Oh and then? I should seriously invest some of those videos that will teach me to exercise and look like I'm a stripper doing a lap dance at the same time, because you know, there's a good chance my boyfriend will buy that beer that shows the woman that looks like a rejected porn star falling all over the guy because he's drinking *that* beer. I need to look like a rejected porn star apparently. Seriously, really excellent blog post. I hope more read it because you totally nailed it.

Ugh I'm so sorry you have to go through this, but that's way awesome that you can now safely have the surgery because you've lost so much weight. My mom had both her knees replaced. The first one she was only 41 and the second she was 43. The recovery was very hard but she'll tell you it was SO worth it. She is now 60 years old and still doing great. She still has no pain in her knees, walks just fine, and overall enjoys her mobility. She moves lightyears better at 60 than she did at 40 because of her "new knees". I'll definitely keep you in my prayers!

I found the area where the port is attached to the muscle was sore for a couple months after surgery when I pulled or strained it. For instance, stretching a lot or lifting a heavier object. Now, sometimes when I move weird, I get a small pain there. For example, I just got back from the pool with my son. I was playing with him and diving for rings. At one point I was stretched out reaching for the ring under Water when he jumped on me. I twisted weird and immediately felt a pain around the muscle near my port area. I've read of others having similar, random pains there too. For me it doesn't happen often but it does happen.

If you mean alcohol, it's usually because it can lead to band erosion. It's also empty calories and there is also a risk of transfer addiction (trading food addiction for alcoholism). I would ask your doctor his specific reasons to be sure.

PB is productive burp but it's not anything like vomiting. PBing is literally just burping stuck food back up. No retching, no stomach contracting or spasming, and not violent. The food comes back up before it ever reaches your stomach. Vomiting is when you retch and your stomach contracts forcing food back up, like when you have a stomach bug. This is when food is past the band and in your stomach. PBing isn't pleasant but it isn't dangerous. Vomiting is very dangerous with the band, never normal, and should be avoided at all costs.

I've only PB'd once in the 18 months since being banded. It was totally gross. Unfortunately, I've vomited a couple times. Once when I had a strangulated hernia and once when my gallbladder went this past spring. The weird thing is, apparently I can't "correctly vomit" anymore since getting the band. Both times I violently retched and felt my stomach contract and try to force the food up- but it couldn't get back up through the band. It was awful and scared the cr@p out of me. I was so afraid I'd hurt myself or caused a slip.