Kime-lou

Speak to your doc for sure. Sometimes reflux can mean you are to tight, sometimes it is you are over eating, sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with the band. My mom has hyperactive acid producers in her stomach and has taken meds for years. She just had a hernia surgery and also had the reflux surgery- she is worlds better. If you are currently having sinus problems like me tell you doc that when you tell him you are having reflux. The only time I seem to have reflux is this time of year. The pollen starts falling and I get a horrible post nasal drip that is more like a post nasal river- this causes coughing, sore throat and reflux. Doc has checked me out and all is okay. But it is always best to talk to the doc.

That's great. Glad to know you found long term success. The band journey is lifelong.

You are very right AJ. I felt the same why when I went into this. I knew if I cut all the things I loved I would never be able to stick to it long term. So I cut back on everything instead of cutting out. However, after 4 months stuck in the 190's I may need to do some more cutting.

Ok, stress again......... So this is a question I frequently want to ask people, when they want to be encouraging, but they really don't have a clue. As I have said on this site before, I have had 3 miscarriages. My friends and family are aware of this also. Everyone says, oh it's already, you will have one, don't worry it'll happen when the times right, I just know you will have a little one next time. I always want to flip them off and say just how the h@## do you know, because I sure as heck don't? I realize people mean well, but I have come to believe we are a "know it all" society. When we try and encourage others insert I "know" xyz will happen, when sometimes we just don't. I have come to the point, where I want to be realistic. There are somethings I just don't have answers to and that isn't always a bad thing. People tell me about my WLS to just stop stressing about my weight being stuck in the 190's for 4 months. Well, easier said that done! Some say oh, just keep doing what you are doing it will come down. Some well exercise more it will come off. Some say cut the carbs and you will loose it. Well bottom line the ONLY truth I know is- if I eat less calories than I burn I will loose. However, there is a point when you eat two few calories and you body refuses to release the fat it already has- however there is A LOT of contraversery around this and how long it takes. I get to the point where I worry I am stuck forever, will I lose anymore. Am I a failure? The only person that can make me a failure is me because I define failure. Also, and I am saying this to me- we need to be careful when talking with others to encourage realistically. If we feel for them in their situation whatever it may be say that you don't need to add to it- sometimes just knowing someone care is enough. I don't know if anyone on this site I meet will be successful- I don't live with them or know their history. There are people here that have done so amazing and I wish I could be more like them (Carolina Girl and Missy here is your shout out), but I am me. My body is different, I lead a different life, I eat diffrently (we all have things we like and don't like) so I can't be like them. The only things I can say is what I know- we all have the power to be successful and we all have the power to fail- we must decide which one it will be. People get offended if we are harsh, poor Carolina Girl gets picked on to much about this, but in my book sometimes we need the honesty to make us look at ourselves. You, me, anyone will not succeed in this if we continue living and doing as we did before. So why the heck do you expect anyone to say oh, it's okay to eat an entire pizza at one time- WTH? NO it's not ok. If you doctor tells you do xyz and you abc then no you DID NOT do right. Wake up folks be honest, be realistic, and if it calls for it be harsh then do it- you might actually help someone. While it pissed me off sometime ago when someone said oh there are worse things than never having kids. After I got over being pissed I realized it was true. Just because I don't have a child born to me doesn't mean I can't lead a full and amazing life. Now I appreciate that person for helping me come to terms with my reality even though it hurt at the time.

There is no normal with this "darn" thing. I think we all have days we feel like failures. I am 9 months out and 54 lbs smaller, but still at times feel like a failure, because I read about others who have lost more in that time period who were the same starting size as me. From what the pros (docs and NUT) tell me, everyone reacts differently to the band and the band life. Some lose quickly to begin with then slow down a lot (this is me). Some loose slow at the start, but then pick up to a steady pace. My doc said as long as I was following the rules then that was all I could do, it was up to my body to do there rest and to just be patient. I know being patient is easier said than done, but what else can we do?

my doctor also losely sewed my band to the stomach to prevent early slippage.

There are a number of factors that play into that: Age, genetics, length of obesity, size of arm befor losing weight. My arms are smaller, but still flabby. My BFF has lost about 140 lbs and her arms look great, but before she lost weight, even as a heavy girl she was toned. I am guessing that played a role in how her arms look.

I have always been cold, so I haven't really changed, but then again I am a southern girl.

I was banded on June 22, 2012 at 244, now I am 190 - size 14 like you. You are doing wonderful, keep hitting it. I hope to hit those 180's soon- my weight loss feels sooooo slow.

I think a lot of people have the same problem. My mom's highest weight was in the 180's, she is now 127 and says she still feels fat. To me she looks tiny, but she said when she looks in the mirror she still sees fat. I am wearing a size 14 right now. I always thought I would be happy there. But, while I am in a size 14 I still weigh 190. For my height of 5'2 I need to be between 120 and 135. I don't think I will ever hit that range. I am hoping for the 140's, but I I get to a size 10/12 I think I would be happy, but who knows.

Hopefully, you husband is just against this because he is worried. People handle worry and stress in different ways. Yes, the way he is handling is a Jerky way, but hopefully once he sees the positive outcomes he will adjust. Don't worry so much - no point in worrying over what if's most all of the time the what it's never happen.

I posted this exact topic a few weeks ago. Everyone is different find what works for you and do it. I choose to weigh daily and track the trends (technology is wonderful) with my FitBit Aria scale and ap. Sometimes it gets me down, but if I see an up or no movement so fat it has just motivated me to stay the course or try a little harder. No turning back- no giving up.

If you are easily offended stop reading now- here come some tough love! I am a human, a woman, a wife, a mom to 4 wonderful fur babies, a daughter, sister, friend, emplyee, co-worker and many many more things. I have a big life, but that doesn't mean I need to be big. I am the first person to tell you I am NOT perfect, I have my vices, and life gets the best of me at times. I use to think I was active - I was kidding myself. I came home from work and stayed there- not moving any more than I had to. I was lazy, I am still lazy, but I move now in spite of it. If you are like me then I am sorry you gotta get your fat tusey up and move. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting the same result. Soooo, if you want to and expect to loose weight, guess what you have got to CHANGE!!!! If you sit on your big butt and do nothing you will NOT loose weight!! If you continue to eat unhealthy things and large portions you WILL NOT loose weight!!!! Sorry, but it is the truth!!! I am speaking to myself as much as I am others. I push myself to get up and do things. For instance, yesterday I working in my yard for a bit - planted a few flowers after work. Then made a healthy dinner (tacos - mine with out the shell). After dinner I went to a friends house and treated their yard for fire ants (they are blind and can't see the little buggers). I came home played with the dogs, got a shower, got stuff ready for today, cleaned the kitchen. You know what after all that I felt good and then slept good. You have to push yourself sometimes to move. If you don't want to exercise find something you do enjoy that gets you moving and DO IT!!! I love gardening. Even though I live in the city, I put in a 20 x 3 row garden in my yard and am planing some yummy veggies (cumcumbers, peppers, tomatos, squash). I plant flowers in my front yard and am working on relandscaping that. I love working with my hands so I am finding ways to do that but that make my body active while doing it. I love walking the dogs so I do that instead of WALKING to exercise. It's all in how you define it. As far as eating goes, we all got fat by eating things we don't need and to much at a time. To start with I thought if I just cut portions I would be fine - WRONG. I have since learned a lot of things I ate were not as healthy as I once believed. I read labels now. Do I do with out things - some, but not many- Am I unhappy about that - NO. For instance I LOVE alfredo yum oh. Alfredo sauce at a resturant and store bought is really not good for you- full of fat and calories. Sooo, I experimented and created my own healthy alfredo sauce that the hubs and I actually like better. I've also experimented with other recipes and veggies to make them healthier. How do you do this - read a labels, experiment. I enjoy cooking so I get up and move around my kitchen and experiment. I have lots of friends and family who don't mind being gunie pigs. I cook and dance around my kitchen to some good 'ole country- guess what I am burning calories while doing this . Yeah, I have only lost 55 lbs in 9.5 months- but hey I have lost half of my excess body weight. I am in a size 14- so that says something. Plus I am learning more everyday about what leading a healthy life style means and making small changes all a long. While it is FRUSTRATING, SUCKY, CRAPPY, to loose slowing after having surgery, I am loosing. Plus, like others have said this is not a race- this is a life long journey. I will get to a healthy weight it won't be tomorrow, but I just as well enjoy the journey and learn as much as I can so when I get there I can stay there!! Sooooo, CHANGE already you are worth it. If you are a person who can't make a lot of changes at once, make little ones along the way- they will add up.

I would highly suggest that you attend not only one info seminar, but multiple. In my area (Raleigh, NC) we have 3 great hospitals that do WLS and many clincs and docs. By going to a couple of seminars you get different view points from the presenters and diffrent questions ask. After that, schedule an appointment with a surgeon. Sit down and have a flat out open and honest chat. I was really scared of doing this at first, I do not like being put to sleep! I sat down and had a nice chat with the doc, I felt very comfortable with him and safe, so I felt much better about proceeding. Remember, horror stories and success stories you hear and read about different WLS will not reflect your exact journey. We are all different and will have different experiences. I am not going to lie, you do have to change to make WLS a success, you make have to make changes, to the way you eat, drink and somewhat to how you live - but some of the changes are amazingly rewarding. Before, deciding on ANY type of WLS make sure you are committed to and are comfortable with the changes you must make! Good Luck!

Go for it!

Just like the temps in NC today my temper is warm. Last week I went on a wonderful 5 day vacation with the hubs. We were in Orlando and took in Disney and SeaWorld. It was great and boy did I move it, move it!! My step counts for the days were redic- 22500 the first day and the following days from 15000 to 20000. I only partook on one alcholic drink. Due to band tightness I wasn't able to eat very much. However, when I did eat it wasn't the healthest due to it being away from home. I tried to make good choices, but you just never know what they put in things. I spluged and had ice cream twice - not huge amounts - one cup. The icecream and one crepe was the ONLY desert like things I had while there. When we returned and I weight on the 6th I was up 4 lbs from the 30th when we left. I thought, okay, salt in take was likely higher than normal, plus I was on my TOM. I figured once my monthly vistor checked out and I got back to flushing my system the weight would drop. Well....... Sunday I was down a half lb, Monday down and half more. I have now been at 192.5 for two days. Before leaving I was 190. I was so looking forward to the 180's. I have been in the 190's since Dec and I am soooo sick of it. Since getting back I have remained moving. I have been trying to keep my steps around 8000-12000 a day. I am drinking my water again my TOM is done. So why are those pesky pounds sticking around. I am frustrated. I have been in the same 10 lb range for 4 months- enough already!!!! Frankly, I am worried because what if my body won't let go of more weight? I am sticking to the plan, moving, talking to my doc and my weight is not going down any more. My doc says I have done great and not to worry so much, I should just stay the course and I will be fine. I so want to hit the 140's, my body just doesn't apparently. Have any of you experience long plateaus or extreme slow down in weight loss? Please your expereices are welcome!!!!!!!!

This WLS thing is a true adventure. Just like any adventure, you have times where it is awesome and you feel amazing, then there are time when you just wish you could turn around to the comfort of home, and then there are times when you are scared pooh less. 9 months post op and I can say it has been a roller coaster. The first few months was the big exciting hill, where the weight is coming off and I am screaming hell yeah. Now I am in the boring slow moving time that makes me wonder if this ride will get better. With being a woman in childbearing years I still have the wonderful monthly cycle to throw some excitement in- water retention, cravings, ect. I am currently greatly stressed at work, which doesn't really help, apparently my band doesn't like stress- it tenses up. Last week while on vacation, eating each bite was ad adventure in it's self. One morning I wouldn't be able to get anything down but Vitamin Water Zero. Then Lunch would do great, but dinner wouldn't budge. Next day breakfast wondeful, lunch no go, dinner no go. Even though I was chewing well and chosing things that shouldn't have been an issue (baked fish- really should go down). I was also burning between 2400 and 3000 calories a day due to walking close to 8-10 miles daily (Gotta love Disney). Yet, my weight is up 4 lbs when I returned. The last two days my weight has dropped a half pound a day. Who knows what it will be tomorrow. WLS really does appear to be an adventure that you must do what the tour guide says ( the doc and NUT) and hold on for dear life. We must look forward to those days when we are feeling the sun on our face and screaming hell yeah with our hands in the air and the days when we are in dark cave and creeping slowly remember that there must be light coming. Heres to our health adventure!!

Sorry, but yes. My doc keeps telling me plateaus are a normal part of the journey. The important things is to keep doing what you are suppose to and in time the pleateau will break and you continue to go down. Good luck. I have been bouncing for 2 and a half months between 195 and 190 - totally sucks.