MeganA

This thread is exactly what I needed today. When erosion or slippage happens to someone you *know* it goes from being a statistic to being a possible reality. I'm scared, too. And I had almost convinced myself that my band was sick...until I realized that everyone in the office is feeling a little off in their tummys. But because I have a band, I tend to blame everything on it instead of finding out what else it could be. Anxiety about losing the one weight loss tool that has worked for me can be overwhelming. And I don't think that it will go away no matter how long my band is inside of me, kicking my butt when I screw up. This feeling in my tummy happened once before. I took Prilosec OTC for 7 days, watched the foods I ate, and made sure not to eat at least 3 hours before bedtime. The gas and bloating that I felt went away first, the sour stomach after I ate went away second, and pretty soon I felt like a million bucks again. So, that's what I'm going to do this time. If that doesn't work, I'll schedule an appt. with my doctor. My plan will help eliviate some anxiety. I have a little problem where I sometimes morn the loss of something or someone before there is any incling of real loss. This I have to keep in check or I don't appreciate what is in front of me. It feel amazing that I can come to this site and find others feeling exactly the same way I am. We are very fortunate to have a place to talk about our fears. If this scares people away from the surgery, then so be it. This is real. And I believe it takes an extremely strong person to make the decision to take on this responsibilty. I for one think that every person has it in them to weather the good and the bad...it's just a choice to do so. Megan

Oh No!! I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I was lucky enough to meet Milo when I went to the Vegas bash in '04. He was a sweet, affectionate, and friendly guy who I just fell in love with right away. Even my friend who is allergic and doesn't like cats fell in love with him. He was indeed a very special cat. When my childhood dog died at the ripe old age of 15, my dad told me a story that comforted me. When pets die, they go to heaven and wait at the gates for you. While they are there, they play and sleep and watch you from above. When it's time for you to go to heaven, they meet you at the gate and walk in with you. Milo is now in a peaceful place filled with all the cans of tuna he can ever eat. He was lucky to have such a life filled with love and laughter and fun. You gave him the best gift you could give any being. My heart goes out to you and your family... Megan

This makes me so sad. I'm sorry Michelle...I know you don't want sympathy but you're going to get it from me anyway. I would be terrified if I were you...scared of living without the band, scared of what the band has done to my stomach, scared of regaining the weight. I am truely inspired by your attitide and am reminded that we can't control what happens to us, but we can control how we react. Thank you for the kick in the pants. I need it. I have gotten sloppy with my rules. I guess this difficult situation for you is a gift to others. I'm glad you don't feel like you have to leave this board. And like Donali said, we need those of you that are un-banded around to remind us of what could happen so we dont' take our bands for granted. Please take care of yourself and keep us posted. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Megan

OH NO! I'm so sorry to hear this. You are strong and you will figure it all out. I will pray for you and wish you the best. Who knows- maybe the 7 days will be a miracle cure? Couldn't you start the 7 days on Friday? :-) Best of luck, and keep us posted! Megan

I've started to get really self concious about my body- more so now than when I was at my heaviest. I get lots of attention from men now, and I can't help but think- "Don't they know I'm still fat?". I feel like my sucker-inner undergarments are false advertising. I had a dream last night that I took my clothes off and all my skin rolled out of my undergarments like a red carpet. Do you think I have some body issues? :-) I'm already thinking about plastic surgery but couldn't afford it unless insurance pays. I'm going to save up my vacation time from work just in case. I never anticipated this when I dreamt of weight loss and how great it would be! Not that I would take it back for millions of dollars. But it's all new to me, this attention from men. I'm just not sure what to do with all of it anymore. Maybe I should stay home and eat some.....WAIT! NO WAY. I guess I have to just keep moving forward and I'll handle what comes my way the best I can. Thanks for letting me ramble. Megan

Jonathan! Welcome back...I missed you! Just think where you would be through all this chaos if you didn't have the band...My guess would be that you would have put on 44 lbs. You've got a new life now, and maybe it's starting to feel a little less like someone else's...so, maybe now you have a little emotional and physical energy to put towards your weight loss goals. Take small steps- the perfectionist in you wants to leap, I know but leaps are hard to sustain. You're going to be ok. I promise. Megan

I'm kinda mad at you for wanting your fill removed, to be honest. My anger has NOTHING to do with you, actually...but everything to do with the fact that it's hard for me to lose weight- even with the band...so anyone who is actually losing and doesn't want to...well, kinda ticks me off. So, fill us in, for pete's sake! Megan

When I first had it happen I thought I was delivering a baby. But that would have meant that I was impregnated by the immaculate conception. GAS EX works wonders. I don't know why we get so much gas build up- especially right after surgery...but I started to carry around the chewable tablets of Gas Ex and when I would start to feel the first signs of cramping, I pop a couple and in no time I'm burping and well, you know... Megan

Amazing transformation. Thanks for sharing the story, Nykee! Megan

I'm a 56...and it's pretty right on. Thanks for the test...how fun! Megan

What scares you the most? Megan

I second what Vines said, Donali. Anything you need- I'm there... Megan

Um...I think I have been taking my NSV's for granted, actually. So, here are today's. I ate a pita sandwhich for lunch at my desk, then went out to lunch with the girls at the office and had a glass of Water. Didn't even feel deprived. Didn't even eat a fry off of their plates. I was satisfied with my half a pita. Amazing. My clothes are too big again. Not all of them..but anything I've dug out of my closet from last winter hangs on me. Someone I work with told me I was looking skinny today...I looked at her funny and thought...skinny? I weigh 230 pounds lady..but then I realized that I was wearing clothes that FIT, so I suppose I do look smaller. I had two fun size milky way bars today and savored every bite of them...and didn't have one bad thought like "oh, why did I eat two, I'm so fat and such a failure!". Nope, I ate them and loved every bite. MMMM. And I only had two- but there are still a bunch sitting out and I have no desire to have any more. Those are my NSV's for today. I have to remember not to take them for granted- thanks, Vines for the reminder. Megan

What everybody else said... plus... have you thought about getting a fill? Maybe your band isn't as tight...especially if you can eat fries!! Even with mayo I can barely choke down three or four (and I SOOO want to!) when I have good restriction. I also find that as my band gets loose my mind goes crazy about food again...food and self doubt. So, do a calorie check, do a weightloss check...and if you're not losing- get a fill!!! Megan

Anytime there is SEVERE heartburn, I'd suggest you get it checked out by your doctor- TODAY. ASAP. Bad news- you could have slipped your band with the pb. Good news- it could just be you irritated the heck out of your stomach (I did this once) and a little Priolosec or Nexium and you'll be as good as new in no time. Keep us posted and don't panic...you'll be ok. Megan

This is a great question and one I wondered about as well. In the beginning sometimes it felt like I could think of nothing else! But now, after two years...it's in the background more than anything. I have a list of food in my head that work and a list that doesn't...and when I eat I just choose foods from the list that works. Of course whenever I eat too fast or have that one bite too many...my band reminds me that it's there! Good luck! Megan

Cloey, Superdaddy is right on. And just because you don't have a surgery date yet doesn't mean you can't start trying...and starting to make some new habits. Megan

This is one of the things that I keep saying I"m going to do at 250, then at 240, now I've moved it to 225. Scew that, I'm calling right now! I wore a full body sucker-inner last time I went horseback riding because I can't stand the feeling of everything flaping around all over. I highly recommend it! Thanks for the renewed inspiriation, Vines! Megan

Gag gag gag.

WHere can I get some liver water? I'm in serious need of some punishment.

So do you feel like kids are riding around on you like they do the ancient tutle at the zoo? I want to be a sea turtle so I can hang with the dolphins. Megan

I'm all choked up. I just can't thank each and everyone of you for your kind words and thoughts. I...I'm speechless! Thanks again, Megan

Vines- I removed my ticker too- what was the point? Then I remembered that there was a turtle as one of the little marker thingies so I decided to try again. Turtles Rule!!! Megan

Sue, I'm shocked! and sad, and greatful that you're taking care of yourself. I'm so sorry you've had to go through this. I so appreciate your story, and think that it's very important to tell because, like you said, newbies sometimes are overly enthusiastic and have expectations that everything will just be perfect. We must be able to temper that...just in case. Good luck with your upcoming surgeries, and keep us posted on how you are. I've always found your frankness comforting. Megan

I agree with the others- but you may find that you still have trouble concieving and need to lose a little more weight to make it easier. You still are significantly overweight (so am I!) even after your loss...and we all know that-statistically anyway-overweight women have underweight babies (how in the heck can that be?). If I were you, I'd go off of all birth control and see what happens. If after the next 6 months you still haven't conceived, then go to a specialist. Roll the dice and see what fate has in store!