michellyoh

Admitting it is the first step, right? I remember how helpful this site was for me when I first started my journey. I am sorry that I left all of you, and forgive me for coming back and asking for help!!

I had my surgery May 31, 2007. All was great. . by September, I had lost 60 lbs. I still had another 70 lbs to lose, but being almost 1/2 way there felt so great! Well, I started to get lazy. I started drinking with my meals, which allowed me to eat more. Now, I have gained back 10 lbs. I have stopped exercising. I'm moving in the wrong direction!!!

I guess I should also mention that I had been having problems with my DH, and we are now, getting a divorce. My decision, and I feel much happier, but I'm still punishing myself for something. I've got to get back on track!! I know that I can do it! I think some words of encouragement will help, and maybe some "don't worry, I've been there" stories!!

Thanks to you all for always being there. . .even when I wasn't!!!

I am an a"MAY"zing bandster too! I missed the list, but here is mine. . with a few already checked off!!

1) Ride a roller coaster again (I couldn't fit in the seat at Dollywood a few years ago. . I was mortified). CHECK!!!!!

2) Buckle my seat belt in an airplane (haven't traveled yet, but we'll see)

3) go jogging. CHECK!!!!!

4) buy jeans at the Gap. CHECK!!!!!!

5) not huff and puff walking a flight of stairs. CHECK!!!!!

6) go skydiving (this is my prize for hitting my goal weight)

7) wear shorts w/out being self conscience. CHECK!!!!!!

8) not weighing over 200 lbs

9) being smaller than my husband (I'm close)

10) no longer caring about food (I'm getting there)

I'm not a professional singer, but I am a member of a community choir. Recovery time is minimal. It all depends on the individual, and how quickly you incorporate exercise into your daily routine. I was in the gym walking within 2 days. By week 4, I was doing sit ups (they recommend you wait a few weeks before doing abdominal exercises). It's all up to you! Happy Singing!

walk, walk, walk, then walk some more. It hurt worse for me to lie on my back, so I had to sleep sitting up, with a heating pad. Eventually, I was able to lay on my side. That helped a lot. I would lay on my side with a pillow propped under my tummy, and I would gently rock back and forth. It worked wonders!! The less pain meds you can take, the better (even Tylenol). They actually CAUSE gas!!! I swore off of them after that first painful experience and luckily. . it was my only painful experience. By the next day, I was fine!! Hang in there. . it only gets better!

Most likely, it is gas! I had gas pains across my back, and in my shoulder! It was excrutiating. The thing that helped the most. . .walk, walk, walk, walk!! Also, try lying on your side and gently rocking back and forth.

I know, I know. . it sounds completely superficial compared to most of the other questions asked here. But I started a tanning membership, and as I was laying in the bed yesterday, I got a little freaked out about the fact that my port is right under my skin, up against those bright lights!!! Will that hurt anything?

I went through the same emotions. About a week before my surgery, I started having dreams about my grand-parents that had passed away years ago. This is a huge decision; a life changing decision. Subconsciencly, we're all faced with our own mortality when having surgery. I'm sure that's what the dreams were about. Stay calm, and think of all of the right reasons you are doing this. The hardest part of the whole process, is the path you took to actually make the decision! You can do it!

Be careful of the pain killers though. . .most of them actually cause gas! Once one of the nurses told me that, I quit taking the pain killers and haven't had a problem since.

It may sound crazy, but the shoulder pain is gas! and yes, IT HURTS!!!! Worst pain of my life!! The only thing I could do to ease it was walk, walk, walk, and in between walking, sit upright w/ a heating pad on my belly. Other people have said to get on all fours and rock back and forth. I do know that laying on my side helped quite a bit too. It will get better. Don't worry.

Michellyoh, I have seen that new cymbalta advertised and have wanted to talk to someone who is taking it. I have been on wellbutrin for a about fifteen years and it's not quite cutting the mustard any longer. Tell me more!

I love Cymbalta!!! My dr. started me off on 30 mg for the first month, then 60 mg after that. I experienced slight side effects the first week (fatigue and nausea), but after that, nothing!! It helps with both anxiety and depression. I call it the "wonder drug" because it is wonderful!!!

I am taking Cymbalta, the wonder drug!! I love that stuff (Welbutrin made me angry)!!!! It is time released, so I have to open the capsule and put the little pellets in apple sauce or pudding. As long as I don't chew the pellets, I'm fine!! HOWEVER. . . .I've only had 1 fill so far, and I can still get the capsule down just fine. But eventually, it'll have to be the pellets.

no cath for me either. . .and I didn't have to do an enima the night before either. My doc had me on all liquids the day before surgery, with nothing 12 hours prior to surgery (not even water). The gas pain. . depends on the individual. I had it really bad one night (5th day post op), but that was it. Get a heating pad, and lay on your side (prop a pillow under your belly for support). . and WALK, WALK, WALK!! All of that helped me immensely!! Good luck on your journey!!!

Vixie!! You are totally correct!! I'm pretty sure this has been the issue! Someone else mentioned it last week, and after thinking about it and talking about it, I have been MUCH better!!! Luckily, I wasn't taking it out on my friends and family.

"DH" stands for "Dear Husband", "Darling Husband", "Damn Husband", whichever you choose!! LOL!! But really. . it's referring to your hubby!

Welcome to LBT!! Good luck on your journey, and keep us all updated!

COUNT ME IN!!!! I've been hitting the gym hard lately, so this will keep me on track!! Woo Hoo!!!

Thanks all!!! GREAT suggestions!! This is why I love this site!!

"Before your next refill, see if that med is available in liquid or a pill form that can be cut up."

I've already checked on this, and because it is time released, it can't be put into another form (I checked w/ my local compound pharmacy). It is for my Cymbalta (anti-depressant). I was hoping I wouldn't need it now, but my mood swings are out of control!! It takes next to nothing to make me angry. . .and that is TOTALLY not like me!!!

I've been told that it's best to not take capsuls after surgery because it may not go down. I was banded on 05/31, and I do not have a problem swallowing anything right now. But I get my first fill on 07/02, so I'm not sure if I'll still be able to take my capsules!?! They are time released capsules, so I cannot sprinkle them on my food.

Anyone have issues?

Oh holy moly!! My mood swings are OUT of control!!!! I was banded on 05/31/07, and I was just wondering if anyone else had experienced this. I'm usually a pretty laid back person, but it takes NOTHING to set me off now!! Grrrrrrr! What is happening to me?

JodyG~

The results of the band are completely dependent upon the patient. The difference between the bypass and the band (aside from the fact that one is much more invasive than the other), is that the band is just a tool. YOU have to make it work. I have seen people on here lose more than 200 lbs. I started at 307, and right now, I'm at 275 (after being banded 05/31/07). You still have to change the way you eat. You still have to excercise. The band is the "tool" that will help you not to cheat.

Have you been to a weight loss seminar yet? The one I went to gave details on the bypass and the lap-band. They weren't "selling" one over the other, just gave the facts on both. They posted weight loss charts side by side for both surgeries. Over a 2 year period, the bypass patients had significant weight loss during the first 9 months, with a more gradual loss over the next 6 months, and then a slow climb up after that. The Lap-Band chart showed a gradual weight loss over a 2 year period and at the end of those two years, it was even with the bypass chart.

My suggestion. . .do some more research, attend a seminar (if you haven't already) and make the decision that is right for you.

Good Luck on your journey!!

If you lay on your side, and prop a thin pillow or folded blank up under your belly, it should feel fine. This was my most comfortable position after my surgery. As for sleeping on the belly, I was banded 05/31/07, and I've ended up on my belly every morning for the past 2 weeks. . and I feel great!

One other thing. . the belly/pillow prop while laying on your side REALLY helps with those gas pains we're all prone to!! Good Luck!!

OH NO!! Not at all!!!!! It's all good sweet lady!!

I usually end up on my stomach. . and I feel just fine! I was banded on May 31st!!

yes, that's the best bet. . see what your surgeon says. It's different for everyone (as you can see)!! Good luck!!!