sue72704

Hello everyone, I am so discouged at this point. I have been banded for 2 years now and I have not reached my goal weight. I started out at 351 lbs and once was 197 lbs, and now am at 210 lbs. I gained that weight back after I was filled too tight, and actually couldn't eat, and gained 13 lbs. I am not doing well, very discourged, I have this big belly, just hanging there, can't jog cause it hurts my back, I do walk alot, but it just don't seem to be doing anything. I don't want anyone to think I am whining, I am grateful that I have lost the amount of weight I have, and I would never regret my choice of having the lap band, and I know that I would of never lost the amount I have without having the band. I have read alot of post on the website here, and I get alot of support, and I relate to alot of things. One thing that I can relate to is not being able to eat all day long, and being able to eat anything after 6 p.m. I really am under alot of stress at work, and I believe that stress makes me tight, and I can't keep anything down, so I am not getting my Protein in. I need to take responsiblity for some of this. I get frustrated and then eat the wrong things, then beat myself up for 2 days. I just had to vent to people who will understand. I can tell my very supportive friends, and family, but they don't understand fully what is going on inside my head. Thank you for listening to me Suzan

Hi All, Thought I would post a newer picture of me. Thank you for all the support I see and read. Suzan

Way to go!!! :D I have so enjoyed reading all the post you reply too. Your words of wisdom :biggrin1: really have helped me out. Suzan

I am almost 2 years out and I have experienced the same thing. It is really weird. Glad I am not the only one.

After losing weight my wedding ring went from a size 12 to a size 8. I was really happy, when I got them from the jewely store after having them sized I thought no way those are mine, but they were, and I could put them through another ring I didn't have sized. That was awsome.

Mercedes When I refer I use my band, I eat the foods I should, I could drink milkshakes, eat ice cream, or high suger foods but I consider that not using the band to its fullest. Does that make any sense? (I get confused with my words sometimes :knockedou) Take care Sue

Hi all, I wanted to share my first year with my band. I am writing 3 days late, but with my work schedule this was the first day I could sit and write. I was banded on July 27th 2004, and in one year I have lost 144 lbs. I went from 351 to 207. I can't remember the last time I was 207, maybe 7th grade??, but boy what a year it has been. I have learned alot about myself and the band. I consider my band as a tool, either I can use it or I can leave it in the tool box. I have learned that I need to eat protien, protien and more protien. I have learned that Water is in deed my friend, LOL. I have also learned to chew my food, and take my time. It is pretty wierd, I am the last one done at supper and I am the fullest. I love my band, right from the beginning. I woke up after having it done and said oh boy what did I do, and I think that was the shock that it all happened. I remember going back to work 3 days after surgery, and saying oh boy this is so great if I had the RNY I would be at home for 6-8 weeks, but not me I am a bandster and I get going. I have not experienced any horrible side effects. I did suffer from a bout of consitpation, but I learned water and benifiber was my friend too. I know I have along way to go. I hate it when people say how much more would you like to lose, I say another 67 pounds, and they say oh my god you don't want to lose that much more. I think well I can dream, and who knows if I will, I will keep plugging away day by day. My Doctor and I was talking and he said that I have done really well, I told him that I am happy with the results, and if I didn't lose another pound then I am healthier than I have been in 20 years and so much more energy. He said that is true but you will keep losing which I hope is true. I sometimes get discourged when I look at my arms, and thighs, and abdomen, but who knows maybe someday the plastic surgery fairy will come and visit me...LOL , but that is something I will need to deal with. I would have to say that buying clothes is fun. I can remember going to the store and hoping to see some size 32 clothes, now I go in and know there will be size 18's and how fun it is to shop. I sometimes think this is a dream, I never thought I would lose 25 pounds never mind 144 pounds. I also am so glad I can run and play with my girls. I go for walks and hike with them, before my surgery they had to beg me to go outside, now I am saying come on off the couch and outdoors. My lawn has never been so maintained as it has been this summer. I am planning a day to go kayacking (spelling is not good) and I am planning to go on a motorcycle ride, something I have never done before, I can't wait. I am so thankful that I found this support group and I read all the post, and everyday I learn something new. I want to thank everyone that has responded to my previous post, and gave me some awsome words of wisdom and support. So thank you all. I will post some new pictures when I can. Thank you all again, and for everyone remember that we need to take one day at a time, and we all will succeed!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you all and god bless you all Sue

My PCP was interested in the Lap Band. When I asked her about a referal, she did, but really didn't know anything about it. So everytime I go and see her she is amazed at my weight loss, and has done lab work and can't beleive that it is all good. I was her first lap band patient that she has worked with post op. So I am teaching her alot about the band. and I am loving to show her the results.

Hi there, I was and still am a smoker. My dr. didn't ask anything about smoking, but when I met with the pre op team the anetheolist (really bad speller) asked me and told me that I should quit for over all health too. I had my surgery, I didn't smoke the morning of surgery and I made out good. I would let them know before you go in for surgery just so they are aware. Good luck and it is a great journey!!!!!

My 8 year old daughter says to me "Mommy can I play with your bread", now my bread is my bat wings....I just have to laugh at that, and I felt it and it does feel like bread dough..LOL

Hi Wanted to put a 11 month picture up. I am down 137 lbs. I tried to put a before picture but couldn't figure it out. My before is on page 1 of this thread Thank you all Sue

Hi there, I too suffered the good ol' runs for 3 to 4 days after surgery. My Dr. said it was the anesthia (?spelling) from surgery going out of my body. It got much better as time went on. Take care and welcome to the journey!!! it is GREAT!!!!!!!

One thing I would recommend is to cook a chicken before surgery, and save the broth from the chicken and freeze it in very small containers. I know after my surgery I had bought the can stuff, and to tell you the truth I didn't like it. My friend had cooked a chicken and she brought me over some of the broth and I was in heaven!! So that is one thing you could do to prepare. Hope all goes great and remember it is so worth it!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi All, Wanted to give an update, I had my fill done on May 20th, and that weekend I did Clear liquids, PB'd a couple of times on liquids, and then started on soft foods, well I had one PB after another, so I did another couple of days of liquids, then soft and again PB'ing. I then called my Doctor and I asked if I needed a unfill, they said I could, but what has probably happened is my stomach has become swollen and the band is real tight, I could come in and have some taken out, however once the swelling goes down it will be time for another fill, so they said to try just my protien drinks, and liquids for about 5 days, and then start out again. Well it has been 3 days of liquids, and I havent PB'd at ALL!!!! I can actually feel the liquids go down better, so I am hoping it all works out and I hope I won't have to have an unfill. Has anyone else ever had this happen to them??? I was just wondering. But I still love my band, it is the best thing I have ever done in my life. I hope to reach 140 lbs weight loss by my band-anniversay, I am at 133 lbs weight loss now, so I think by July 27, 2005 I can do it.