jen_1381

Wow Joel, you are such an inspiration! Excactly what I needed to read this morning. Thank you for sharing your story. Congrats to you!!

"The band allows 1200-1500 calories a day" is not a true statement. The band would allow 100 calories or 5,000. It's up to you and what you put in your mouth. The band is simply a tool to help you feel fuller, faster. The goal is to be satisfied for 4-6 hours on 1 cup of food (trust me, I still have moments where I'd like that 1 cup to be all Sour patch Kids or a Snickers). The surgery has to be accompanied with a lifestyle change that includes healthy food and exercise. If this sounds like something you're up for then the band may be right for you. I also have hypothyroid and don't think it's an issue so much...I take a supplement daily to help keep my levels in range. You may need to adjust your meds as you lose.

I'm losing weight porportionately, but I have more to lose from my abdomen and thighs. My back and sides were actually the first place to slim down, then I noticed my collar bone shows and my face was getting thinner. I do a variety of exercises to try to keep losing from all over, but should probably focus a little more on my stomach

It's too bad we can't chose where to lose weight from! I have lost a whole cup size since surgery about 13 weeks ago. I had breast reduction surgery when I was 18, and was very happy with my chest the past few years. Now...well not so much. BUT, I embrace the weight loss, smaller boobs, the looser skin on my tummy, and my port showing because it's paired with jeans that are 4 sizes smaller, thighs that only no longer touch in most places, and no longer needing an "X" in front of my shirt sizes. So, I get what I get

As frustrating as it may be, it really is true when they say that the first few weeks are not for losing but for healing. Your body has been through the trauma of surgery, in combo with the altered diet, it's in panic mode. It's going to hold on to all of the Water and calories it gets. You need to give yourself time to let your body calm down. I was up about 6 lbs the day after surgery. It was shocking, but within a few weeks I was back to steadily losing. Don't worry or get discouraged, it will get better.

Get back on track, girl! You'll feel SO much better when you don't have the stress and guilt of eating badly. Don't get hung up on your slip-up, just right your wrongs today, NOW, and focus ahead. (Was that non-coddling enough?!). The pre-op time is a great time to get used to the healthy lifestyle we all strive to live. That being said, it's human nature to make mistakes, give into temptation, etc. I'm currently resetting myself - - I ate too much last night, and although it wasn't horribly unhealthy, it wasn't my normal meal plan. I feel crummy from the not-so-great food so I'm doing Protein shakes today and a light dinner. I felt a twinge of guilt after I was finished eating but shook it off, knowing that this was a rare event and I will do better from that moment on. So, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, find a new outlet for exercise this week and get focused on your meal plan. Prove to yourself you can be strong and overcome the temptation. Trust me, walking away from the cupcake or candy bar feels empowering.

I actually picked mine off after about a week. I could tell my incisions were closed, and the glue was super itchey so I scrubbed and peeled it off.

Congrats to you!! You're such an inspiration. I can't wait to hit goal and take myself shopping Thank you so much for sharing your journey!!

I use MyFitnessPal and weigh myself daily. Some people weigh daily, others oppose it. To me, personally, it helps me stay accountable. First, when I'm tempted to eat bad food I remind myself I have to step on the scale tomorrow. Second, when I do step on the scale, I compare the number or fluctuation to my previous day. Did my meal plan work? Did I eat something high in sodium that's making me retain Water? I use it to asses where I'm at. Logging every bite helps tremendously. Kind of along the same lines as the scale; if I'm tempted by a cupcake in the breakroom, I think about logging it and using up calories on something so nutritionally empty. As for falling off the wagon, all you can do is dust yourself off and get back on it. It's human nature to make mistakes, nobody can be perfect at life. Change your mindset, and your eating pattern, and you'll be good in no time

Great NSV!! I've been doing a little shopping here and there. I was SHOCKED two weeks ago when I tried on an XL and it was too big. I had been in XXL for years. The XL almost draped off me. I went to a Lg. I haven't worn a plain Large since...junior high?! It feels GREAT!

The stuck feeling should pass on it's own. I've heard of a few people taking papaya enzyme to help. You may be uncomfortable for a while though. Stuck to me isn't feeling overly full. It feels like intense pressure in my lower esophagus. My mouth waters and it feels like the worse case of indigestion ever. That feeling for me has always passed quickly, less than two minutes. It's only happened twice, once when I tried to take that "one last bite" after my full signal and once when I ate too fast.

I can totally relate to you. I'm only down just over 50 lbs, but when I look in the mirror I don't see any change. All of my family does; my sister-in-law told me today I look like skin and bones (which was sweet, but really, I'm still 190 lbs). My brother-in-law even complimented today about how great I look, but I just don't see it. I will agree that I'm thinner than I was but I'm in no way thin, and I don't think I will ever see myself that way no matter how much I lose. I think it's safe to say that most overweight people develop a complex about themselves. It takes a lot of time and a lot of self discovery to be able to look in the mirror and not see the "fat girl". I figure, once I get to my goal weight, I'll start working on my self-image. Until then, I need to keep focused and not let the compliments get to my head and decide I've done enough.

Can you feel the band Physically, no. I can feel my port, but that's normal-ish. When I take a big bite and don't chew well enough, my band reminds me it's there. Does it bother you while doing any activitys playing with kids , exercise,sex just any everyday activity. The only thing that bothers me is how much energy I have after losing 50 lbs (so far!) Seriously though, I don't think it limits any of my activities. I was interested in taking some Krav Maga classes but my surgeon advised against putting myself in situations where I may get a direct blow to the abdomen/port area because it could potentially damage the port, although he said it was very unlikely. Sex is better I think, but mainly because I'm more confident in how I look. Do you have any regrets?? My only regret is not doing it sooner. I've been overweight since I was 13, and will be 29 in a few weeks. I wish I could have done this in my early 20's instead of crash dieting. I'm totally in love with my new lifestyle. Living healthy feels empowering.

I didn't even know I had a hiatial hernia until after surgery. My surgeon said about 50% of his cases have hernias and don't know it. Made sense; I had horrid heartburn no matter what I took. I had uncontrolled migraines for about 3 years and threw up a LOT, the surgeon said I most likely caused it during a vomiting episode. I didn't notice any additional discomfort, but having them both done at the same time I wouldn't know which pain was which. I only had the regular 5 incisions for the band placement. Almost 3 months post-op, I haven't had heartburn once. It's AMAZING!

It's a tricky gas So you have the left over gas (actual medical gas) that was pumped into your abdominal cavity to expand your abdomen. It's impossible for them to suck all of it out so most people have some discomfort. Mine was mild, irritating, but not excrutiating. Some people have it pretty bad. It's not the kind of gas to where if you "release some pressure" it will feel better. BUT, keep in mind, the first few days/weeks you are drinking Protein drinks which can do a number on your digestive tract. I seemed to tolerate it okay, some people learned the hard way not to "trust a fart" - - their words not mine What helped me was walking pretty much non-stop (except when the pain meds knocked me out), taking my pain meds regularly for the first two days, and a combo of heating pad and ice pack. Ice pack to incisions, heating pad to shoulder (typically the gas travels and settles in a shoulder or spot in your abdomen. After I had a hysterectomy robotically, it landed in my right side and I had a horrid sideache for a week) Plication is an additional procedure, one that is becoming more popular with lap band placement. I had just the lap band placed; I was too nervous for plication. Whatever route you decide to go, I wish you all of the luck in the world!

Sorry if I offended you at all, I may not have really understood the questions. "Have you had mental health issues, and if so, how did YOU deal with them after you were banded?" Yes, although mine are mild and I didn't realize I even had them until my surgery process began. I struggle to find healthy ways to deal with my nervous energy. I used to eat, keep my hands busy, and that's not an option now. Besides not wanting the food (and gaining weight) I don't think I could physically eat like I used to, at least without some serious discomfort. Now, when I feel like I want to get into (what I call) "busy-mode" (can't sit still, think of a million things I HAVE to do right NOW) I take a few deep breaths. I ask myself if I really need to do this and if not, what could I do. Most of the time, I go for a run or hit the elliptical. Hope this helps. Again, I appolgize if I offended you at all that wasn't my intentions. I'm here for support and "Did the symptoms get worse?" My symptoms have not gotten worse, but at the same time, I feel like I have complete control over my body now. I have such a tight grip on what I eat; calories in and calories out. Having control has always helped me deal with my PTSD and my symptoms get worse when something in life is haywire.

The HCTZ in it (hydrocholorothiazide) is a diuretic. Are you noticing that you're peeing more? If you aren't hydrating enough, you could be dehydrated. Are you checking your BP at home? It may be too strong of a dose. Also, new medication can take a few weeks to get used to and take full effect. Be persistant in getting ahold of your doctor. Make sure you're staying hydrated and check your pressure at home if you can. Keep us posted!

I recommend some quality time with a therapist. I have PTSD and my way of dealing with it and not facing it was to keep busy. I never sat still. If I was forced to sit still, like on a drive or watching a movie, etc, I would eat. My hands would stay busy. Once I spent a few sessions with a great therapist and learned some coping techniques, it's like the world opened up for me. I finally feel "free" as corny as that sounds. I'm not hindered by my thoughts anymore...thoughts I didn't even realize were there until the psych testing and subsequent appointments. Your mental strength plays a lot into being successful with the band. You have to be in the right mindset because it really is a daily ordeal. I completely sympathize with you, and wish you all of the success in the world.

It happened with my second fill. This past week when I had my third, he went in through the end of my inscision vs. the side like he usually does. Ouch!!

I can feel mine and can also see the outline of it. If I'm laying on my side it sticks up. Kinda groses my husband out but I'm just happy that I've lost enough to see it!

It varies depending on your WLS program and insurance requirements. My WLS program gave us a projected timeline, and on paper it could take 3-6 months, granted you did everything in a timely manner. I decided in early March and had surgery May 18th. The WLS coordinator said it was the fastest case she had seen using insurance. That also included a 10 day delay on my part bc I had strep throat and couldn't make it to my surgeon consultation.

That was the best part of the pre-op diet for me. Even though I knew it was water weight, the scale was moving. Finally moving, and in the right direction! It gave me the encouragement to keep with it.

As much as I love my band, it was by NO means the easy way out! If anything, I'm putting more thought into my daily life than I ever had before. It's easy to be on a diet and decide to cheat and eat a cheeseburger or few slices of pizza. For my and my band, there is no cheating. Big bites and certain foods lead to some serious discomfort. Right now I feel like I couldn't eat unhealthy even if I wanted to! It's amazing how people think WLS is "easy". It isn't the hardest thing I've done, but it's by no means a walk in the park!!

I've heard a lot of people having a tough time in the morning, and that warm liquids can help "relax" the band opening. I never had a tough time until I got another fill on Monday. I'm back up to my regular diet today and it feels like Breakfast is sitting in my throat. I don't think I'm over-filled, I'm eating my portions fine without feeling overly full, but I think I need to move breakfast to a little later in the day. Always best to pass it by your surgeon though.

I know this doesn't help right now, but it does get better! In a few days you'll have turned the corner and start feeling fantastic. Do something to distract yourself - - watch a movie, read a book, magazine...whatever helps. It sounds crazy, but when I was doing the post-op diet I developed almost a hatred for food, just to get me through it. I decided in my mind that I felt sorry for the people eating cheeseburgers, fries, pizza, ice cream...they would have to work SO hard to burn off those calories. I focused on how great I was doing and how thankful my body would be that I wasn't eating those things. Your mind is a VERY powerful thing...try changing it. It just may work