parisshel

I am sorry to hear that you are having to go this this, I am sure being just 15 months out is frustrating. Hang. In. There. You can do this, until everythignis resolved, it may take more of an effort, again, you can do this. You have the "want-to" to lose weight or else you would not have had the surgery, as you know surgery is no the "easy out", it still requires work from you. You will jsut have to do your part a little more, but it will all be worth it in the end. Promise!

My port flipped at 3mths out, I continued to lose.
No fill at orginal LBS. 6wks post op 2cc, 4 wks later port is flipped no fill. Revision surgery and another 6wks until a fill. 4wks after that another fill and finally restriction.
During this whole process, I continued to lose weight by sticking to my surgeons instructions. It was another diet for a long while, but the band does work.
Sorry you are having problems. Its time to log what your eating and being sure to get in your protein first.
Tell your hunger to shut the hell up, mind over matter.IMHO

I had complications too. My band was leaking for 15 months. I gained weight fast and I struggled with hunger. BUT I stopped and took stock, and started focussing on losing again. And I did - 15 lbs in 5 months until I got my band replaced. Gaining and over-eating is not the band's fault, no one controls that but you. The band is there to try to help you NOT over-eat but it won't do it for you.
If you want to lose, you can do it with or without the band. I won't lie, it's HARDER without a band, but it's not impossible. I know it's frustrating having complications and not ever knowing if you'll have a functioning band, because it's something you can't control. I understand, I've been there. But there is ONE thing you can control, and that's whether or not you manage your weight in the meantime, while you're waiting for answers.

dont hate me for what i am about to write
i write it because i care
if you eat more calories than your gonna burn off, you will gain...so dont..eat your band allotted amount..focus on lean protein, fruit and veggies, get out of the processed/fast foods...drink alot of water/crystal light and get on with it....so you cant access your port...dont use that excuse as a reason to gain weight..the band is there, working fill or not..i have no fills but i am cautious of my food intake....some call it a diet, i dont care...
i call it doing what i have to do to make it work
and so can you, if you want.

Can you recommend some good Facebook pages that aren't filled with products being pushed? Thanks.

Thanks for the advice! Dylanmiles - Your shake sounds delicious, btw! And LadyDiva - I am burnt out on Muscle Milk drinks. They disgust me because that's all I had during my pre-op diet! LOL Luckily I found GNC ones that I tolerate and I ordered flavorless protein powder to put in my food. My ex was someone I cared about but I had no desire to contact him AT ALL since I broke it off until these past few days. So I know that it's just me being super vulnerable right now. I've been reading these forums all day and been in chat and I feel way better. Thank you all!

First-congratulations!!!!! I have a protein shake every morning, here is my recipe: chocolate protein, 8 oz. skim milk, a little decaf instant coffee, a little peppermint extract and tons of ice and it is as thick as McDonald's. I have a Hamilton Beach small blender that doubles as a drinking cup. So when everything is in the cup then add the ice until filled. I have ice cube trays that make very small cubes and use a whole tray for each shake. I bought them at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $3.
Next, you love life. Dear Abby/Ann Landers, one of them says to make a list of the pros and cons of the boy friend. Do you think you can live without him or was he just someone you liked, not loved, having around knowing you were not alone. These are questions only you can answer. I am married for 42 1/2 years to my high school sweetheart and we went to different high schools. My husband and I broke up for 3 months when we were 16/17 and it was his birthday and I sent him a birthday card and then a letter and we have been together ever since.
The protein shakes are not forever but hopefully the weight loss will be.
I just love having them first thing in the morning because I hate eggs and breakfast foods. I use body Fortress, at Walmart around $17.
Good luck with your new journey.
Arlene

Oh, I feel for you. I am 9 weeks post-op and developed a toothache 2 weeks ago. Root canal scheduled for next week! Luckily I had my first fill last week so I have been on soft foods and have not had a big need to chew chew chew...which would be impossible since I can only chew on one side of my mouth.
So you have all my sympathies....get it taken care of so you can be a perfect bandster and not get stuff stuck!

2 ounces Jamison's Irish Whiskey, 139 calories. It isn't BBQ, but it helps

"Right now, I want to succeed, but the fear is that the greater the success the more terrible will be the tragedy of my eventual failure. Yes, I know this is not a productive thought process, but as we all know the band only works on your stomach, not your head."
Every diet I have ever been on, I was extremely successful, some of them for 6 months or more!!! Only to fail, have everything revert back to as it was before....if not worse. not to mention what it did for my self esteem and self confidence.
Now, with the band, as good as my progress was, I was scared as all heck tha eventually the bubble was going to burst, as before so many times, and I would be as depressed as can be...surgery being my last resort.
But slowly and surley my confidence rose, realizing that this is different. That this is real!
I put it to the test...we were on a cruise, 9 nights, surrounded by all the food and drink one can ever want any time of day....I decided to let it hang out there and see what the band would do...not even think about it, just be as natural as can be....
I did exercise every morning, had a case of water deliverd to our stateroom, and brought protein shots with me to have one per day first thing in the morning...other than that I was just a guy on vacation out to enjoy himself.....and get his moneys worth.
Bottom line...I did not gain a single pound....my little experiment showed the band is the same no matter where I am or what may be put before me....
I now now know this is for real! This is different indeed......I told my Dr. this once and he said "You Had Surgery..what did you expect?" (DUH)
Asisde from some medical issue that may arise, (which aslo scares me and I analyze every post) this is not going to change.....(knock on wood)

Good post Terry. I've been on this site since late December to get info and find out what to expect. I didn't really get the hand holding I was looking for from the doctor's office and I was really nervous about this procedure and my life afterwards.
It seems to me...also a generalization...that alot of folks have unrealistic expectations...that the weight will melt off...that hunger will no longer be an issue, and that somehow this will all happen magically. When that doesn't happen, people make poor choices.
Then they post this experience and you get the moms and dads giving advice and/or sympathizing. When I post something, I just try to be positive and encouraging without lecturing. I think most folks know when they know they did something self sabotaging.. .
Now I do admit that I have lost more weight than I expected at this point in my journey, but I know this will not continue. I'll slow down and plateau at some point. I just find that the band helps me to make better decisions because I'm not hungry all the time and I DO NOT want to get stuck or throw up. That is a great motivator for me..

I had mine on March 20th and recovering at a normal pace, I'd say. My biggest complaint is not being able to sleep on my left side, where my incisions are. At least my surgeon left the right side untouched...I'm a side sleeper. Otherwise things have gone well and I'm already down 6 pounds!

Very helpful and thorough. Thanks for walking us through it. I'm going to print this out for myself.

I just read your "History." You are a fighter! Much more than I. I would've had the band taken out long before this. You put up with a lot!
Good luck as you move forward. You seem to be quite strong and I'm sure will be fine whatever you decide post-band.

Yes it is an emotional journey. I promise you will look back and be grateful you had some time to get used to the idea if WLS. It took me 10 months to get banded from my initial exciting consulatation with my surgeon. In that 10 months...I cried, I beat myself up that I got so fat, I convinved myself I had no self control, I was excited, felt guilty, etc. etc. etc. But even with all those emotions....I started to learn to eat slower....take small bites.....chew my food....drink more water. I cherish those 10 months before the band. Because when the surgery finally got here....I was more ready than I was ever going to be!
Be kind to yourself.....use this as a chance to slow your eating down...take smaller bites.....chew your food (regardless of what your eating or how much)!
Sending good thoughts your way today!

You are a beautiful woman. I am sure your husband loves you no matter what. You will be the person you want to be. Right now it is easy to eat for all the wrong reasons, but in months to come you will develop a new relationship with food. Emotions before and after this surgery certainly run high as to the uncertainty that lies ahead, however there is a light at the end of the tunnel and you will become the beautiful swan you set out to be. Keep your chin up it only gets better.

Sorry that you had to go through this but glad you shared it with us. When I remet with my surgeon last week, the question of what to do when one has food poisoning or stomach flu was first on my list. He pretty much said to do what you did (if the vomiting goes past 24 hours).

Sorry that you had to go through this but glad you shared it with us. When I remet with my surgeon last week, the question of what to do when one has food poisoning or stomach flu was first on my list. He pretty much said to do what you did (if the vomiting goes past 24 hours).

This is precisely what I'm planning to do. I have "nice" designer plus sized clothing; no way am I just going to give it away. And where I live (France) there's a good market for this, since so few women here are plus sized...the ones that are really appreciate being able to find nice things.
Funny ebay story, also: my sister lost 150 lbs (sadly through illness, not diet) and ebayed loads of items, including her old bras. OLD BRAS! Some wierdo dude bought them and gave her an A+ rating for the transaction.

Do you see a nutritionist? If not I would recommend seeing one. They can help you plan out health meals. I agree with what CG said, she gave some good advise. Going back to liquids is not going to help, you will still feel hungry and you won't be learning how to eat healthy.
Focus on taking small bits, chewing till mush and waiting 1 minute between bits. This will make a big difference in the volume of food you eat, I can always eat more food if I eat fast.
Setting a goal of 60 pounds in 4 months is setting yourself up for failure. You don't want to fail, so regroup talk to a nutritionist, read some of the posts in the nutrition & food forum (a lot of good ideas for healthy foods) and talk with your doctor about your frustrations.
You can do this. Good luck to you.

you and i were banded about the same time. and i recall reading your posts and blogs. i hope nothing i say offends you. so forgive me if i do.
we all have been there but going back to drinking protein shakes (will help in the beginning but you cannot live on shakes for ever) but really eating food to lose weight is best.
3500 is a pound whether its ate or drank. and if you take in more calories than you burn off, you will gain (or not lose).
def eat 1 cup of food per meal..(protein first option and then veggie/fruit)..
def need to stay away from processed items (as that has salt and that is a water retainer)....if you can, eat more foods to fill you up. and drink ALOT. (to me, eating bread is not a filling item..you can eat the chicken and burger but leave off the bread..just MOO)
i cant exercise like some because of my bad knees so i have to be aware of my calorie intake but i do try to eat high protein/very fill my tummy up foods. and you being on your feet every day teaching is a wonderful thing.
and trying to lose 60 pounds in 4 months is way way too much. if you dont get there, i am afraid you will be upset. how about just losing weight without putting a number on it...just do the best you can.
you can do this. the band is there and its working. now you just need to help it along

The first thing I learned from this site was, "Listen to your Dr", and that I will do.

She went to Duke??? And they still let her practice? There out to be a law!
FYI, before people flame me, this was humor.

This underscores what I plan to say to people/waitstaff when I'm banded (next month). "I've had WLS and can't eat a lot, but this is delicious and I'm really enjoying it."
I know a sleever who always says this when ordering in a restaurant. She only gets a starter, and explains that she's a sleever and only needs a small bit to really savor the meal.

This underscores what I plan to say to people/waitstaff when I'm banded (next month). "I've had WLS and can't eat a lot, but this is delicious and I'm really enjoying it."
I know a sleever who always says this when ordering in a restaurant. She only gets a starter, and explains that she's a sleever and only needs a small bit to really savor the meal.