GREATFUL

OMG YES - LOL - I need tought love!!! Thanks

untfluter - thanks for the website - I had not been to that one. I loved the recipes that they had. cathy - you may be right about some of it being just Water. Got on the scales this morning and have already dropped 6 lbs since monday. Now to get the rest off. nkara - thanks for your kind words. Good luck all, Laura

I need my LapBand peeps. I was banded May 2007. I have lost around 80 lbs and was trucking along good. In November I got a slight fill, I so want to hit my goal by the 3 year mark. Two days after receiving the fill I got real sick with the flu, it was later determined that I had H1N1 and I later developed pneumonia and spent 3 days in the hospital. I had to have an emergency unfill due to being severly dehydrated, and the Doc wanted me to stay unfilled for at least 6 weeks. OMG, so I have been unfilled during the Christmas holiday food fest. I tried to reign in my desire to eat hamburgers and Pasta, but heck a little bit will not hurt right. Oh what that little voice in our heads tells us. I also felt very sick and tired during this time and soothed myself with food to try to make myself feel better. On top to everything else I did not have the energy to exercise. (love the excuses) Long story short - I went back to the Doc yesterday and got a fill. I am up 14 lbs and disgusted with myself. The upside to all of this is that I have really learned that I need my band, and I have really bad food addictions. So I am trying to be back on track. I have moved from the town where I got my surgery and there is no support group here, SO I am turning to you guys. I need you....... HELP!!! THANKS SO MUCH Laura

Mini, Sorry I had missed this thread. I am so happy for you - YEA FLATLAND. You sound like you are doing great. I am glad that the hematome is getting better. Take your pain meds as needed, they will help you, they are your friend. Like you, I am happy to be seeing some parts of my body that I could not see with that big roll of flab. J Just rest, and rest some more. You will never get the chance again to heal well now. Take care, Laura

I don't know how long it will take, but my PS says it will show up in time. You just have to give yourself time to heal. So how are you doing? Pictures?

JMS - I have not see any change in the scales. Doc. says that is due to swelling. He took off around 5 lbs. So I hope to be seeing that reflected in the scales in the near furture. I have also been released to exercise, so that is making a big diffrence. Thanks for your sweet comments. Take care all, Laura

Trip to the PS Wednesday was good. I am now a free woman. Free to exercise and take a bubble bath if I want. The appointment wast at 3:30 PM which was good because that is my typical swell time. And I was swollen. So I got to show it to him, he said it was all normal and that it would get better over time. I have to go back in 3 months for my final visit. I have posted some new pictures. Don't see much diffrence in them but took em anyway. Don't forget the Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Do you ever think what will consume your mind and time when you have lost all of the weight and gotten rid of the flabby skin. I hope to be finding out just that thing in the near furture. OH, going to see the grandbaby in two weeks....YEA Take care all, Laura

It is so nice when people notice your hard work. I am so looking forward to being able to exercise again. I bet you will catch your sister in no time. Laura

Have follow-up with PS this afternoon. Will let you know how it goes. Also took some new pictures this AM. Will post them later. I just love how my belly button is looking. And my scar is looking real good also. Iam very thrilled with the results thus far. See what the Doc. has to say today. Take care all, Laura

OH, swelling is almost non existent today. I tried to stay off my feet after work last night. And, Well I have had this thing about popcorn the past few weeks. Well, I did not eat it for the past two night. So I thing we have the cause. Salt and over doing it. (at least I hope) Take care all, Laura

Thanks Shalee... How are you doing Girl. I thank you for sharing your journey. Your were an inspiration for me I want you to know.

Katie, I know that I talked to you on another thread. But, just wanted to pipe in here. I was off work for 3 weeks. And boy if I could have taken long I would have. Not because I could'nt go to work, it is just the fatguie. It hit me real hard. I would be fine in the morning then the afternoon it was all I could do to make it home. But I did it. I have heard of alot of people who go back at 2 weeks, they are alot stronger than me. I guess if you ask me what has been the biggest suprise for me post-TT it would have to be how tired I am. Just wanted to wish you good luck, and keep us up to date on how you are doing. November will be here before you know it. Take care all, Laura

Ebony, On the subject of GOAL weight....I am funny about it. This is just how I look at, some may not agree with me. I think it is important to set small goals while you on this "weight loss" jounery, it help to keep you motivated. But, to have a ultimate magic number that you have to reach, well, I don't know if that is for me. I am learning to listen to my body, how do I feel, etc. I am only 5'2", very big boned for my height, and if I tried to get to what thoses charts say I am supposed to weight I would have another 35 lbs to loose. My Doc and I bother agree that I do not need to shoot for that weight. My body really likes where it is at now. I can eat normal food and enjoy it and I do not seem to gain. I would like to maybe drop another 10 lbs, and I think that will happen over time. So for the first time in my life, and I do mean the first time, I am happy with my body. So I think that is my new goal. To be happy..... Went to the support meeting last week, and the guest speaker was a psychologist. He was speeking about how this is a life long journey, not just a destination. It made me do alot of thinking about where I am and where I want to be. Does it mean I am going to quit trying to loose weight? NO, but it does mean that it is not going to be my main focus in life anymore. I am going to focus on eating healthy, exercise, living and being happy with my body. It is funny but I finnally can say "I love myself" enough to just take care of myself. It has taken me two surgeries to get here, but I am here. OH, and if you are like me, you have lost the weight before and gotten to GOAL weight to only fight to keep that number and then gain it all back. So I am setting diffrent goals now. If have never been to this place before, where I do not have my weight to worry. So, this is how normal people live? Who Knew..... It is almost funny to think about what am I going to do with my life when loosing weight is no longer my main focus Did you ever notice that healthy weight people really do not obcess over their goal weight, they just take care of themself. So to answer your question.... Do I have a definate number on the scale in mind, a clothing size, or did I use the height/weight tables to pick your goal? No Sorry to rable on, Take care all, Laura

Katie, Thanks for your sweet comments. You know, when I was going through my research and info gatering before I had my band and the TT I so counted on other people to tell their stories. I just wanted to do the same. And, well you will need to do it also. So, you are having a TT on Nov 6th? Very exciting!! You have amazing weight loss, congrats. My PS did offer the pain pump. If your PS has not talked about it, I sure would bring it up. I would make sure it was a done deal. I just know that it helped me so very much the first few days. I have talked to others who did not have one and it was hard for them. I get credit to my pain pump for making this experience no worse than having a c-section. (had 2 of them) How do I feel?...... FABALOUS! Before the band, well I felt hopeless, fat, old, ugly, unhealthy, slow, sluggish etc. I could go on and on. Now that I have had the TT... well, I am getting adjusted to being in my own skin. Every day I feel more normal. What is real nice for me is that I have had a job change in a new town. So the people I work with never knew me as FAT Laura. They do not know about the band or the TT. There are not any comments about "Wow, you have lost alot of weight", I like it that way. It is just like I have alway been this way. They just make comments like "You sure eat heathy" "You eat like a bird" "I bet you have to jump around in the shower to get wet" LOL. Funny, but I find myself pretending that I have always been this way. Sounds silly, I know. Look forward to you sharing your journey. Take care all, Laura

OH, by the way, THANKS for letting me wine. I just hate to be such a baby.... Take care all, Laura

Well you asked for em.... I guess it could be worse, But I just hate this swelling. Going to try and take it easy the next few day, see if that helps. I was reading to day about how the swelling could last well over the 6 month mark. I sure hope mine does not last that long. I am going for my follow-up with the PS next week, will see what he has to say. Don't forget the Password - OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792. Take care all, Laura

I think the swelling is from over-doing-it. Very busy at work and lots going on at home, so some very long days. I have notice that those are the worst days when it comes to the swelling. The swelling is just in my tummy area, seems to be the worse right around my belly button. At, least that is when it bugs me the most. Oh, I do have a little of the "Ken" look going on also. I am still wearing the compression garment during the day. Will takes some pictures tonight, let you know when I have them up. Take care all, Laura

OMG - I am in SWELL HELL!!! I know it is normal, but I still hate it!! I think I am going to take some pictures tonight just so everyone can see. And maybe I will see that I am not as bad as I think or feel I am. Take care all, Laura

Now new pictures.... I don't think there is that big of a diffrence since the last ones. But I will do more at 2 months, not long. Hope to drop these last 5 lbs. Not having much luck in that department, but giving myself some grace. I can only walk, and PS says not fast walking. So I hope when he releases me to exercise that these last five will just melt off.....(hey I can dream right). Swelling has been better the last few days, that is a great thing. It sucks when you swell, I feel like a drum that is way too tight and about to burst. I am wearing my compression garmet and I thing that is helping. It is helping how I feel, so it is helping. My pre surgery clother are fitting looser. Everyone at work keeps asking if I have lost weight. I tell them "A little, Thanks". They do not know that I had this surgery. My following up with the PS is Sep. 9th. So I expect him to release me to full exercise then. And then I can lift my grandbaby.YEA. Take care all, Laura

Thanks for your sweet comments. I was not at goal when I had my TT. I still have 5lbs to go. Thanks for the thight comment, LOL, I guess I was lucky I carried most all of my weight in my belly. (if you can call that lucky) The first time I saw a PS I still had about 20lbs to go. It does not hurt to go talk to them. It als helped me get more motivated. Take care all, Laura

I had my TT 6 weeks ago today. When I first went to talk to my PS we discussed a possible "anchor" incesion due to the large overhang that I had. He wanted to keep that option open, and I gave him full freedom. I did not need it in the end. During surgery he said that it went together great and he was happy with the results. I am too, thrilled really. I would just talk it over with your PS. Trust is a big thing. If you want you can see how mine turned out: password: OMGnoflab http://www.makemeheal.com/pictures/viewAlbum.php?albumid=9792 Good luck, you will love your new flat tummy. Laura

Tomorrow will be the 6 week mark for me. My how time flys....The last few day have been a challenge. I have had some swelling issues. But, I am going to take full responsibility for it. I have slacked off of my low sodium diet and have stopped taking the bromeline. I had read that you only needed to take the bromeline for 2 weeks after surgery. I don't know if it will help me, but it sure could'nt hurt. I have incresed my Water intake and cut out some of the salty snack I have been munching on the last week. We shall see if it helps. I guess if you asked me what is the hardest part now, I would have to say not being able to lift more than 10 lbs. We are putting our house on the market and trying to move things, clean and paint. It is such a pain not being able to do much. But, I will behave, yes by dang I will. I have come to far to mess this up. I mean I look fine, and well, MEN......well lets just say, he forgets that I am limited. He will say "Hey, help me move this table". I tell you what, you sure can tell when you do over do it. Your tummy will tell you..... and it is not nice. Doc says 8 weeks, so 2 more weeks. But, I tell you what, I dont plan on going hog wild then either. I thing easing into it is the best. Take care all, Laura

Thanks for the nice comment. I am very glad to be out of the binder. Starting to feel kinda normal again. I have started walking, slowly. Glad to be exercising in some way, so want to drop these last 5 lbs. But it will happen. I can't wait to see that baby. He is just the most wonderful thing. They live in Waco, TX. I have another son that lives in Hillsboro, so I will get to see both of them when I go. YEA Take care all, Laura

Yes, I agree that the binder was supporting the muscles. Doc also said that it was to keep me from moving so that the skin would re-attach and I would not pull it loose by moving. The reason to come out of it was because Doc said it was time, and it it was uncomfortable as hell. I have hear of others who felt they were dependent on the binder. I also think that my nerves are "waking up" and I am feeling more in the tummy area. Plus, I am doing more. Maybe just a combination of all factors contribute to me being tender. But each day is better, time is such a big factor I think when it comes to this surgery. Take care, Laura

Okay, been without the binder now for a few day. Funny thing is that I find I am much more sore, and tender. I miss the support, but I do wear something like a spanx thingie. Each day is better, I have more and more energy. Second week back at work and I am making it all day. Still take time to baby myself in the evening....lol, I think I am just spoiled. Take care all, Laura