wanabthin

I had surgery on Friday (8/3/07) and went back to work on Monday, never any problems at all!

Not only am I banded but I am a licensed counselor and I do mental health evaluations for new pts seeking lap band. I always ask my pts if they are telling a lot of people and if they say yes, I always caution them. What sometimes seems like support can often turn into un-needed pressure following surgery. Others are often not educated to the procedure and what to expect which means you may get questions like "should you be eating that?" or "shouldn't you have lost more weight by now?" I feel that bariatric surgery is a privated decision and should be shared with only those who need to know in the beginning. That being said, once the obvious "what are you doing to lose weight?" questions start they can be addressed however you are most comfortable. Telling others you are eating less is not a lie, essentially that is what we are doing. I kept me decision personal for the first few months following my surgery, however now I tell everyone and anyone who will listen to me! I love to talk about the band! This will be different for everyone and there is no "right" or "wrong" way of handling it. .....just my two cents!

It is actually more likely that you already had a hiatal hernia before you had the band. My surgeon (who I work for) fixes any hiatal hernia while placing the band. Most overweight people have hiatal hernias and the may not even know it. I had one that was fixed during banding and I had no symptoms what so ever. As for the reflux, it can be caused from a stretched pouch or from eating too close to laying down. Its always a good idea to have a barrium swallow if you are having any problems at all just for peace of mind.

I just wanted to add my story with this as well. I am banded and I also work for the weight loss center where I got my band. For me I knew I had a stretch when I would wake up with heart burn every morning and also we just couldn't get my fill level exact, I was either too tight or too lose. If anyone is having heart burn issues you should definately have a barrium just for peace of mind. Also yes you can eat larger portions because the stomach is holding more. I had a very slight stretch but our surgeon believes in taking out all the fluid for four weeks. It has been a nightmare for me and I am gaining weight, I don't have to be on liquids but I almost wish he told me I did so I would stop gaining! Anyway, I just wanted to share and also just put it out there that I think anyone who is struggling should always have a barrium just to rule out any problems. Better safe than sorry.

First of all, any advice for getting off the last 20lbs? I swear it is taking forever and they are not moving. Did anyone else have a hard time closer to goal and if so how long did it take to finally get there? Also, for the ladies, any suggestion on where I can buy a great strapless bra? I have always bought mine at Lane Bryant and they are so nice, they hold everything in place even without the straps, the problem is the smallest size they have is a 38 and it is too big for me now. Anyone have a recommendation on reasonable priced bra's that are supportive? Thanks!

great thread! I have been all about getting a tattoo for the past couple of weeks, I just don't know what I want. I have a small dolphin on my ankle now and i've never wanted another one untill recently. I need to acknowledge this time in my life, not only have i lost 75lbs, I also just finished my master's degree, and I'm turning 30 in 8 days. I'll keep checking in for ideas, I know I want it on my lower back, just not sure what it will be.

I totally agree that it depends on body size and shape. For example, I'm quite sure that my size would have been different at my current weight had I not had a baby and things have not been the same since! That being said, I'm 5'4, currently 154lbs and I can get into some 8's especially in a stretch denim but mostly a comfortable 10. I'm hoping for another 20lbs lost by Christmas and a comfortable 6. Believe me I never thought I would see the day I could wear an 8!I love my band!!!!

My son was not quite a year old when I had surgery. I had surgery on Friday and my husband cared for him over the weekend. My surgeon said I was fine to lift him by Monday and I also went back to work on Monday so sugery was pretty easy for me. I just couldn't let him bounce around on my stomach (he is pretty active). I didn't have any nasuea but they gave me something to make sure i didn't . The only thing I regret is not doing it years sooner! Best thing I ever did, I've lost 65lbs in 10months. I went from tight 18 to a comfortable 10. I hope to be at my goal by my one year anniversary date. I eat whatever I want and I never exercise so I'm thrilled with my progress.

Be patient! I know it is hard, I was banded in August and gained back my preop wait until finally after 4 fills I hit restriction the end of October and the wait started to fall off. I don't believe in working for my band, it works for me. Keep up on the fills and it will start to work for you too.

Hi! Fellow Buckeye here, banded last August by Cincinnati Weight Loss Center (now Synchrony Health) Had a wonderful experience! Lost 65lbs so far, best of luck to you in your journey. If you have questions or want to chat let me know.

Maybe I should have worded my post differently. The statistics are high that infidelity and divorce increase after weightloss. I am interested to know how others have dealt with the increase in attention from the opposite sex and what it has done to their current relationships.

Anyone had an issue with weightloss ending in an affair?

It doesn't sound to me like you are at restriction. Get back to the doctor and discuss this ASAP! My doctors office would never let me go a year w/o losing, they would be doing everything in their power to figure out the problem is and get it fixed. And as far as all the counting calories well if I could do that I wouldn't have needed the band in the first place. My band works for me, I don't work for it. But thats just my opinion. Good luck to you!

I'm not trying to cause trouble but I find it VERY hard to believet that "eating what you want" is cause for removal and believe there must be more to it than that. I eat what I want. I didn't pay $16000 to be on a strict diet! I do NOT overeat the limits of my band nor chew too fast or not chew enough or swallow too much at a time, however I do eat bread, and pizza, and anything else I want, I just eat much much less than I used too and apparently that is working for me because I don't believe in forbidden foods.

Thank you for the responses. I am familiar with the support groups offered and I realize that all places will be different. I'm actually curious for other reasons in regards to one on one counseling if needed and how that is handled. I just want to get an idea of what type of variety is out there for a project I'm working on. Thanks again.

Just wondering about support/counseling offered by your surgeons office for post band. What is being offered? How are you billed for it? Ect.... Thanks!

I was just thinking about posting a period question when I saw this thread. I have the opposite problem though, I've bee very regular and now all the sudden 6mo post op my period shows up 10 days early and is heavier than usual. Could it be weight loss related?

One of the reasons that I decided on surgery was because it was a safer alternative to the many, many, many diet pills I had taken over the years. However, that being said, my mom has recently lost a lot of weight on Alli which acutally is much safer than most diet pills and does NOT affect metabolism. I have considered it but to this point have opted no since this is working for me, I'm comitted to the choice I have made. In other words, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

It can take MANY fills before you actually feel a difference. Continue to call your doctor and schedule fills at least weekly until you are at your sweet spot. It took 3 months after surgery before i finally started losing. Hang in there!

I can relate! The hair loss for me has been terrible, I'm concerned I could go bald! Anyway, I've been researching a lot and it seems that protein may not actually be the issue (I've found lots of debate) but maybe a combination of things. I've also read that biotin (a vitamin I found at Walmart) can be helpful. I'm hoping that between the protein, multivitamin, and biotin that I can retain a few strands and my body will adjust appropriatly soon and it will start to grow back in. Good luck!

Leather - I can only speak from my experience of coarse, my doctors office recommends at least a week between fills but I think that when you start to know your band and your reactions to fills they are more easy to work with. I have had a fill on Thursday evening and called and got in on Saturday morning before. My fills are included for the first two years so it isn't a money issue either and they are aggressive when I ask them to be within reason of coarse but I'm sure others have had different experiences.

I just want to commend all of you that do such a great job eating the right foods and exercising all week. However, that being said, I didn't spend $16000 to diet and exercise! I eat whatever I want and I never get a chance to workout and I've still lost 50lbs. I keep my band tight enough that it works for me so I don't have to work for it. If I could diet and exercise I woudn't have needed the band to begin with. I get my protein and I take my vitamin, I think the band is what you make of it, find what works for you and go with it.

Fills make ALL the difference! However don't expect a lot of change with just the first fill. It usually takes 3 or 4 to really feel it. I know it is easy to get discouraged but I'm sure in researching the band you learned that this is not a fast fix, it is a long slow process. Hang in there, keep up on your fills, if I'm not at good restriction within a couple of days after a fill I'm calling and scheduling another one, I have been in 3x in one week before. Without the fills the band isn't even working yet so just give it time.

I really have no idea what the official stats are but my nurse told me this week that in all the bands they have done at the office she has only seen two slips ever and they are very rare.

First of all, it is very unusual to feel any restriction after just one fill and usually takes numerous fills to be at restriction so don't worry just TRY to be patient. I know its hard, I didn't feel anything untill fill number 4. As for the liquids (my doc. only requires one day) I think it is due to the possibility of swelling after a fill.