VegasGrace

Well, it will get worse before it gets better...that's for sure. Dieting caused me to be lethargic...slept all the time or wanted to sleep. Was very irritable, too. Moody...not quite the word. Banding FORCES you to diet so be prepared. Now? No hbp meds, no sleep apnea, no snoring, no limping due to back pain, I found myself skipping the other day...me, at 37yrs old! I have more energy now than ever before! Will I gain it back? I sure don't think so...I did a mini binge and puked it all up. The band is my safeguard.

Oh, before someone says this is off topic.... I never wanted to do anything before being banded. Felt like a prisoner in my body and in my home. Now, I want to travel the world, meet new people, do new things!

Wow, what a film! Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson outdid themselves...wouldn't be surprised if they win awards for this one! I've actually been thinking about such a list...didn't know it had a name. What are 2 (let's leave it to two) things you'd like to do before you die?

When I need to throw up and it just ain't coming... drink your favorite drink....fast and lots It will mingle with any food and bring it up...FAST.

Well, was having a nervous breakdown last week...for real. Single and struggling! 2 oldest children moved into campus housing...they are out of the house....of course I moved 4 blocks away. All the pressures of 2 parents/4grandparents have been on ME all these 17 years. Multiple personality? Couldn't have gotten along without them! (no, no diagnosis here...just a joke) Being banded and my healthcare seems to be the only thing in my life that I do solely for ME.

Well, remember 1st and foremost that you will go through phases and hormonal changes monthly can cause weight gain. I tried to keep this in mind when I saw the scale go up a pound or two....just wait it out. Having a fill doesn't mean you are adjusted to the correct amount. You may have to go back for another fill. We all hope we can be lucky enough to not have even 1 fill! Or hoping the first fill does the trick...but often times it does not. Just enjoy yourself these next four weeks before you see your doc again for another adjustment. Meantime, try to re-learn how to eat. Get a jump on a new way of eating for nutrition and wellness. pizza is a tough one...was my toughest. I would eat a bite...and then rationalize I could eat more/alot more and just slime it up. Yep, my children hated it when I ate pizza!

I've lived months and months that way.... and towards the end ended up crying frequently because I couldn't eat. What I found was 'missing food' was missing an old friend...a friend who turned out to be an enemy. But hanging over the sink daily to slime was no fun...but became normal for me. You can tough it out but make sure your doc knows as you don't want to cause harm OR you can get a slight unfill so that you can eat more. I chose the first option and just toughed it out until after the holidays. I met my goal but still waited for my appointment for the slight unfill. No regrets! (no damage, either)

May be! I've thought for years something must be wrong w/ my hormones or something...but each yearly physical the results come back within normal range. Doesn't make sense. However, I have found that even though things may be in normal ranges...what is normal for one may be considered low or high for YOUR body. But, I'm glad I don't have to worry anymore about why can't I lose weight...why didn't that diet work...

I'm sure that statement is true. Some can't but some can. But isn't that true for everyone, even w/o WLS? Many on the board say to stay away, bad, etc. And that very well may be true. For me, since being banded I lived off Mt. Dew. I know, I know...but that was the only thing I didn't throw up. And with my body being throw out of kilter, I was having headaches from lack of food-large quantities of food. Mt. Dew soothed me daily. Don't think it was 20oz, 16oz, or even 8 oz....it was more like 3 or 4 ounces. Now that I loosened my restriction, I don't have soda but 2x weekly.

Just though I'd update: I got the unfill .3ccs....and what a difference it made! I can drink w/o a straw! Before when I drank...too fast evidently...I'd spew. So I went to straws. Guys, tonight was chicken enchiladas - made myself w/ chicken breasts, salsa, cheese, onion, flour bread and POOF! lunch was hot dog burgers....but I slimed it up. Breakfast was a bananna split: banana, strawberry yogurt, grapenuts, fresh blueberries, strawberries, etc. I've learned a new way to eat without relying on McDonalds! food is better now than before I was banded.

Mine recommends hot chocolate after a fill until the next morning. But what you describe is what is suppose to happen...hunger...gonna happen sometime!

When something wonderful happens, you want to share it with others....that's natural. But in medical situations....bowel movements, dental cleaning, fillings, ingrown toenail removed, lapband, ear wax cleaning, etc... I just don't say anything.

A few days after surgery I removed my sutures.... alcohol, a pair of small scizzors, tweezers, and bandaids. Beware....my largest, centered up top, incision opened up. Had to run to the drugstore for butterfly tape. I don't think mine were the type to dissolve on their own....they were what you described as wiry and like a fishing line. But if you want to go to the nurse, they will remove it.

Sure. It happens more than you know. It's common for a un-surgeon to operate with other staff when the real surgeon is there observing. Remember, all surgeons have been an un-surgeon at one time.

Hey, hey, hey...right up my alley. I've ordered fastin online for years. Discovered it when I was on the Fenphen diet. When pondimin was recalled I still used the fastin. It really didn't work for me as is obvious....I had to have surgery. Don't fool with online sites as they charge more than quadruple for the less than 20 bucks any pharmacy will charge....get a script from your doc- just ask and you'll be surprised!

Agreed! I always had something to drink close by. But I have to admit I didn't touch Water until after I reached my goal. This isn't everyone mind you, but I was well restricted and I had to make choices in what I put inside my body. I wasn't able to eat alot of healthy foods and began to suffer from malnutrition. ... started with low potassium levels...so I sipped juices ALL day. Water has absolutely no nutritional value....good for you for hydration, though. So I chose another liquid that had nutrients...but calories. If you can eat poultry and eat fruits...you won't have the problem I did. Now, after getting a .3cc unfill to ease the restriction.... I drank 3 bottles of Dasani the next day and now drink water constantly!

For me, it was. After struggling for years with obesity surgery WAS the easiest decision I ever made and the easiest way for me to lose weight and hopefully keep it off.

New one for me! Wasn't told that. My incisions aren't around my breast area and the highest incision is at least an inch down from the bra line. Of course, I hadn't worn a bra in years...only sports bras. Too fat and couldn't get one to fit right. Now I am happy and wear a minimizer 38D from JCPenney.

So know what you mean. Even though I read up on the surgery, spoke with other patients, read the forums.... Reality sets in when you've had the surgery. Nothing can compare. I'm so glad I did it and wish I would have done it sooner. I find myself skipping, singing in the shower, just happier! I'm a size 6 now from a 22w.... I ate too much yesterday and slimed. So grateful to have the band help me maintain my weight! Good luck!

Frequently. I have a nice array of teaspoon sized dots on my plates...yes, plates w/ an S. I don't eat but 1/2 of that....but to have variety is something I love.

Sure, sounds like they just don't want to do it. Surely your back has hurt? Right? Surely you snore and may have sleep apnea, Right? And surely you have a family history of obesity w/ diabeties, heart conditions, etc? Surely so! If you are self pay...don't let NO stop you. You can have this procedure done for as little as $7,000. Insurance? You will need to befriend a good doc who will go to bat for you. Good luck!

Guys, I am isolated...for real. I live in a state far away from home and have absolutely no friends. Haven't been here but 2 days so that will change soon, I'm sure. I hit my goal and beat it by 2 pounds. Buying size 6 clothing. Had a .3cc unfill this week to ease the restriction to go on maintenance. Moving into a new home. 2 of 3 children moved into college dorms yesterday and are starting the semester next week. My hair is so gray now. I color frequently. I stopped shaving my legs, sorry to gross you out. I ate an apple for the first time today in 6 months. Can I call the nuthouse now? Things are hitting me left and right! I feel like binging. STOP ME, please. Anyone share advice on how to handle tons of stressors at one time?

Yes, I can offer advice as I don't go but once a week...maybe two. So I suffer, too. But from all my years of dieting I remember this quite well. The band doesn't cause constipation...dieting does. I've taken laxitives only to slime them up the next day...the pink came off the pills... so they didn't make it down. Saline laxative at the drug store in a glass bottle. This stuff works miracles. Works in as little as 10 minutes and is the same stuff they use pre-op to cleanse the system. About a buck or two.

Well, just tell him. He knows about cuts, scrapes, teeth, and probably 'sick' - flu, cold, etc. Mommy's getting better and this is Mommy medicine...as you drink your Protein shake. No biggie.

1) Would you do it again if you could reverse time? Yes, if would have done it SOONER. 2) Does everyone have such bad pain after the op? Nope, was up and around in 2 days...shopping the day after was tiring though. 3) How long would I need to take off work after the op? Well, it's according to what you do...home based...start back same day...forklift driver-I'd wait a while. 4) Does everyone have problems with bad breath, dry wretching, nausea, vomitting, leaking ports etc? Bad breath comes from dieting, so those on Weight Watchers can have it (attended a meeting and it was discussed at length), Atkins, South Beach, etc....the band doesn't cause bad breath. Dry wretching? Didn't happen with me. Neither has nausea or vomitting or leaking ports. 5) Why would you have an 'emergency unfill'? When you swallow a wad of gum because you forgot you had the band. (it happened to me but I didn't get an unfill...just had the wad retreived) 6) Has anyone had one in Belgium or Prague Never been there...yet. 7) Can anyone recommend a good surgeon / clinic in the UK? Sorry, no...but read the boards and hopefully you can find one. 8) Does it really help much more than trying to restrict portions yourself? Oh my goodness YES! Complications are few when you look at how many thousands are banded....bet it's in the millions now. With every procedure there will be a certain percentage to experience complications.