Spaness2012

2 things i am jealous
and I am so happy.......you are awesome...so proud of you

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

...finally made it to "Onederland"?? This girl! I have been working to get down under 200 for weeks!! I really thought it would never happen. But with this last fill and kicked up exercise.....I finally made it! And it feels GOOD! When stuck at a certain weight....keep plugging along......keep working it......it will eventually start moving. Never give up!

Let me be the first to congratulate you. Fabulous work. Hope to join you soon!

Honestly...I set pretty low standard goals at my first Dr consultant. I told him that if I could lose 50 pounds and keep it off...I would consider the procedure and my efforts a success. Obviously keeping it off its a lifetime commitment but that 50 pounds came and went. I am now looking to a normal BMI which will take another 50 pounds or so. This will take work on my part. Bringing that effort everyday and being super patient with myself and the band.

My rock bottom was when I couldn't fit in a rollercoaster with my 11 year old. I had to get off the ride. I was mortified and so was he (he wouldn't ride if I couldn't go). I knew right then and there......that was IT for me. I no longer could ignore it.

Sorry you are struggling as this journey isn't easy. I do have a few comments for you.

You aren't a failure, you just need to find your way. If you haven't given up, you haven't failed.
Find a new doctor that is supportive of you and will work with you. No, the band is not supposed to do all the work and is not meant to keep you from eating; it is a tool to curb your hunger between meals. It does seem like you could benefit from a fill (or two) and being "half full" doesn't mean the band is really effective for you yet. I know some people that are at almost 80% and just now feeling like they are "in the zone".
Please understand the band is a tool. You do need to modify your eating habits as well. There are a lot of great threads on here with suggestions but I would first suggest meeting with a dietician that works with lapbanders to get realistic expectations and a plan for how you should be eating. There are things you can do for you to make this easier and to help you get back on track. Certain foods I can eat unlimited quantities of and want more, others really satisfy me and I eat a quarter of what I might eating other things. (Starting my meals w/ 3-4 ounces of Protein, then veggies, etc really helps).
You CAN do this.

Yes this is normal. I was very fatigued for about 10 days post op. Your body is recovering....sleep is the perfect remedy for that. Be nice to yourself.

Yes this is normal. I was very fatigued for about 10 days post op. Your body is recovering....sleep is the perfect remedy for that. Be nice to yourself.

Two things pushed me to my breaking point. First was going to an amusement park and not being able to pull the lap bar down over my rolls. The other was a discussion I had with my OBGYN regarding the need for a bladder lift. He told me it wouldn't help because of my weight. I left his office that day and made my appointment with my bariatric doctor.
I have not looked back since... (bladder lift is not longer needed either )

For me it is about getting back to a comfortable weight I was at in 2005. In 2003 I embarked on an Atkins journey where I ended up shedding a 170+ pounds. I let my guard down completely and put it all back on plus another 90 over the years. So my goal is 220 or under at which I would still be considered obese for guy my height. I am only 5'6. I believe BMI charts are unrealistic. So I don't bother with it. Comfortable and healthy in my own skin is all I want.

You have a great attitude! Having a good attitude is an important and key part of the journey! You'll do great!

Take a deep breath and call your doc and nutritionist. They are there to help. Believe this tool can work for you.....and help it...help you.

Take a deep breath! We all had some pre-surgery anxiety but are here to post about our banded lives. The neck and shoulder pain will be from gas that they pump your stomach with to get to your organs. Although the gas is uncomfortable....there are things you can do to ease the trapped gas feeling. I am sure they will go over all this at your pre-op appt. Recovery is quicker than you think. I felt worlds better after each day and pretty much 100% at Day 7. Hopefully your apnea clears up after some weight loss. I have read this a lot here on the forum with very little weight loss. Good luck!

What are your docs instruction after a fill? Mine strictly order liquids for 2 days right after a fill. I am sure eating anything right now (I got a fill today as well) would NOT be a good idea. Hope you feel better soon...maybe trying some liquids for a day may help.

Had a great NSV this weekend that I just had to share with a group that would understand.
Spent the weekend in Green Bay for a football camp with my son. Temps were in the upper 70's/low 80's, sun shining, and a good amount of walking. Before my surgery I would have been sweating like a pig just getting out of the car. The walking would have killed me. This weekend I was able to keep up with my sons team when they were on the move and didn't sweat once, even sitting on the metal bleachers. Such a great feeling.
Thanks for letting me share.
Jen

Today I'm two weeks post op & I had my 1st post op appt & 1st fill. I must admit I was nervous. But my surgeons & his staff are GREAT! I received a shot of a local anesthesia & was given 3.5cc in my band. I was able to get all the barium liquid down with out a problem. I'm really hoping to have a good amount of restriction after this but I know that maybe asking much from my 1st fill. I'm just excited now & feel like a real BANDER now since my first fill cherry has been popped lol. The only thing I seem to keep feeling like I'm going to burp. And its a 50/50 chance that I actually burp. Other then that, so far so good.... I started this process from a three week pre op liquid diet on 4/16. I'm happy to say I've lost 32lbs since then for a total of 63lbs GONE & NEVER COMING BACK since Oct!!!!
What should I expect now???

Yay!! 1 more darn pound! It'll probably take me 'forever' to lose it BUT I am determined!! Thanks for the "onederland" shout out!!!

As I was reading this, I wondered if she was properly informed on how the band works? Did she go to support meetings, meet with a nutritionist, etc. She really is the "poster child" on who shouldn't even bother with the surgery.
Although you really don't know the day to day life with a band, until you get one, I was completely aware of the basics......small portions, small bites, eating slowly, listening to your body, putting the work in to assist with weight loss, etc. But I guess I did my own due diligence on all of that info. I am always suprised on the very little info people get (or what they don't hear) when undergoing this surgery.
Having SURGERY for weight loss was a major big deal for me. One that I didn't embark on lightly. I was aware that it wasn't a cure...that I had to do the work and then I marinated on this lifestyle change. Could I do this mentally, could I commit to this, could I follow the rules they enacted? The answer was YES but I really had to soul search to make that a YES.
Thanks for sharing this article.

Dearest Mark..........I cannot add much more to what the others are saying but it's all true. As bad and miserable as you feel right now, things do get better, I promise. If I could reach out and hug you...I would. Be kind to yourself during these rough weeks and have some patience. Come here often as it does help! xoxox

This is a very, very hard time. I completely agree. The only way out is through it. I just told myself that THIS is temporary. A small, small part of the journey. I only took it one day at a time.....and soon....I was over it and banded. Good luck!