stI24nger

Hi everyone... Don't know if anyone will even see this....has everyone else kinda stopped logging in too? Now that I'm so close to goal, I feel like I will never really get there. We'll see. I had a little set back last weekend. I don't know how, but somehow after no fill for 4 months, I got super-tight. I must have eaten something that got stuck forever, because by Monday morning, I was in the doc's office. I got 2cc pulled out, so now I'm down to 4cc in my 10cc band. It's unbelievable what a difference it makes to reduce restriction. I pretty much had thought that my new habits were permanent, but man oh man, I sure have been eating a lot more in the past week! I think I've gained about 2 pounds. And I cannot help myself. It's the weirdest thing. I get hungry between meals now, and I eat more in a sitting. It's like I know when I would have stopped eating before I got an unfill, but for some reason, I eat right past that point. Clearly, it's enough food, but it's just not enough to satisfy. It's quite obvious that I NEED my band! I have a fill scheduled for Thursday--I'm hoping I can control myself a least a little bit until then. If I go back above 170 I'm certain I will feel terrible. Plus, I'm going to Costa Rica in less than 3 weeks!!! I DO NOT need to take any extra pounds with me!!!!!!

LOL...I recently heard a funny update to "why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free." Here it is: Why buy the whole pig when all you really want is a little sausage? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

OHHHH EMMMM GEEEEEEE! That is by far the funniest EVER!!!! "What's for dinner, Batman?" BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA :tongue2:

No kidding. Delrio:

I definitely understand what you mean. Then, there's also the feeling that maybe my big goal isn't enough and perhaps I should be shooting for more. I really get a lot of comfort out of encountering people I haven't seen since "before" or just after. They are always STUNNED. It really reminds me of how far I've come. But, then, there are still the people who say, "What's different about you?" And I'm like, "uh, I've lost 60 pounds!!!!" Kinda makes it seem like they've noticed something different, but I'm still fat or something....probably all just in my own head--who knows.

I know this will probably be stuff you already know, and may not want to hear, but perhaps you need it anyway: 1) Congrats on 100lb loss! 2) I've hit a plateau too. I've only lost 2 pounds since early October. UGH. 3) Take the Ambien. You need to sleep. You can't expect your body to work properly on 3 hours per night. You have control of yourself. If you don't give in to the emotional and mental addiction, it will not take over you. Besides, getting back into a normal routine will help you not get attached. 1) Take pills. 2) Sleep. 3) Feel refreshed and alert. 4) Make better food choices. 5) Get outside, do some walking, move your body. 6) Feel better--physically and emotionally. 7) Get a natural full night's sleep. YOU CAN DO IT. 4) Stay focused on your weight loss. I always say: Who cares how long it takes? You have the rest of your life to lose weight and be healthy. However, it is true that most people lose their weight in the first 18-24 months. That means, there is still plenty of time for you to lose. Just stay focused. Appreciate what you have accomplished so far, and remember you goal. I really really really hope this helps.

Eh, maybe.....well, probably. I just wandered in at random and really felt compelled to comment. I'm not sure "hijacked" is the right word....the people who initiated the conversation are still running it. "Strayed off topic" is probably more accurate. And strayed is putting it lightly. But, like I said, I wandered to this thread at random, and just had to comment. It's too brazen for me to not put my two cents in.

Never mind. My friend moved to Austin AND she's lost 43 pounds on Isagenix.

delrio. I hope you were on the debate team in high school. If not, perhaps you could find a fun Creative Writing class at your local Community College. Your words are elegant. Your grammar, spelling, and syntax -- bar none. I am jealous of your clear, precise thought processes and unrelenting attention to detail. However, I agree with WASaBubbleButt--you were shockingly RUDE (ooppps, sorry for yelling) to Mindy. No one gets on these boards to have every opinion and experience they express BLASTED (oops, there I go again--tee hee) and over-analyzed by others. She's just a person like you and me. You came here to express your distaste for your fill center's pricing policy and ended up tearing coltonwade a new one and offending all of her friends. I sincerely hope that was not your intent.

Click on the Texas Weight Loss Surgery Summit link ON THE LEFT. That one takes you to the info page and agenda, not the Bariatric Advantage page to order tix. Looks interesting if you're into that sort of thing. I personally don't have $50 plus hotel costs to spend on this kind of activity......could be informative and motivating though, which is NEVER bad!!!!

Just wanted to throw this out there--didn't seem to be covered at all in this thread so far. Regarding the liver thing and the "diet." Like Restless said, the diet isn't necessarily to lose weight before banding, but more to shrink your liver. The specifics of that diet are LOW CARB. That way, your liver does not have to produce as much glucose to process the simple or complex sugars. Because the liver is not producing those fluids, it shrinks. When it is smaller, it is easier for the doc to go in laproscopically, move around the liver, and work on the stomach. A knicked liver could be DISASTROUS, so they will opt to not do the surgery at all. So, whatever preop diet you're given, just follow it to the letter and you won't have to have 2 surgeries or revisions or anything else. Good luck!

Hi Falcon... I can help with a couple of your questions: 1) Don't tell your coworkers anything. As far as your time off, you're just taking time off. And, at your weight and BMI, you probably won't lose 100 lbs in 6 months (seems like the higher the BMI the faster the weight loss -- just an observation I've made), your weight loss will probably be slower/slow-ish. After banding, you will probably be inspired to start an exercise program (I personally recommend the Couch to 5K running plan, which can be found at coolrunning.com and on several threads on lbt.com). Moderately-paced weight loss and a consistant exercise program will leave your coworkers saying "wow, you're looking great," instead of suspecting anything. 3) I don't know exact percentages either, that's something to get from your surgeon's office, but what I can tell you is that I'm almost a year out and have learned a lot on this website. It SEEMS to me that many many many of the people who have to have revisions of any time caused it by not FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS. That means: 1) you can't keep your band too restricted because you like "losing quickly." 2) you can't "PB," "get stuck," "or throw up" too often. 3) you MUST EAT SLOWLY AND CHEW YOUR food THOROUGHLY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. (This is hard, but important). 4) You MUST follow your doctor's pre-op, post-op, pre-fill, post-fill, etc. recommendations TO THE LETTER, AT ALL TIMES, no MATTER WHAT. It is NOT okay to "assume" you're fine, or bend the rules, or push the boundaries. that's my two cents....sorry for going on and on...I'm feeling a bit fiesty this morning!

Welcome, Cedar. Hopefully, you will find a lot of helpful info.

Ugh. Sounds like it's not going to top the list of "Most Awesome Surgery Experiences." "Dang It, Aunt Flo! Your timing is TERRIBLE!!!"

Of course. It's not going to be fun afterwards, however, maintaining hygeine while you're recovering....

I agree with everyone else...You need to see a doctor...If I were you, I wouldn't be getting advice for something like your situation on the forum, your symptoms sound very unusual, and possible severe. Please see a doc right away!

french vanilla....24 pounds in 3 months is 2 pounds a week! You're doing FINE!!!

You really won't see the benefits of having a lap band until you have good restriction. In order to get good restriction, you need to have Fills. I see that you had your first fill last week. Based on your signature, I'm guessing you have a 10cc band. I've heard of people (and this is how it was for me too) needing two or three fills before they start getting restriction. The idea of the band is that it will physically limit you from eating, thereby reducing your intake, and causing weight loss. You are doing fine....don't panic. Oh, and one other thing I always like to remind people of: YOU ARE NOT ON A DIET!!! You have made a LIFE CHANGE. Don't worry about dropping a bunch of weight very quickly. The band WILL work, you WILL lose weight, and you SHOULD keep it off for the rest of your life. Think bigger, sister--beyond just what the scale says once a week....hope that helps.

Is changing the port a whole other surgery? Would that procedure be "cosmetic?"

Yes, Dr. Longoria is my doctor. I think Dr. Brady assisted in my surgery, as a matter of fact! Their office has been great to work with.....no complaints!

Hey Lonestar, Who's your doctor? Congrats on the approval...lap band has changed my life and I couldn't be happier!!!!

Don't worry about it!!!! I'm not going to slap your wrist. This is LIFE. You will eat cake and have ice cream every now andd then. If you didn't, then what you're doing would be considering dieting anyway! You've only been banded for 8 months and have lost 68 pounds. According to the doctors, you still have 10-16 months to lose the rest of your weight...and it's only 22 pounds! You're doing the right thing by talking to your doctor. He/she will reassure you that you're doing great, and help you make a plan to lose the last 22. Stop beating yourself up. You're doing AWESOME!

Hi Gabi! I did insurance. My BMI was 40.7 when I started out. Although my starting weight was 230, I am only 5'3", so that probably makes a big difference. For my insurance, BMI of 35-40 requires comorbities for approval, and over 40 is "morbid obesity" which is approved. HTH

Why NOT take the meds?? If you're in Pain, that's what they're for. It's not like taking them for 5 or 6 days instead of 3 is going to get you addicted and Make you end up on INTERVENTION (show on A&E) or anything. Don't tolerate the pain, there's no point. Take the drugs, take the DRUGS!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAAHHA ....Happy Friday!

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People....this is NOT GOOD. You SHOULD NOT even be getting stuck once a week, much less every day. You have the potential to really screw up yourself AND your band. In case you haven't figured it out yet, THE BAND DOES WORK!!! Some people lose very slowly, others quiet fast. It doesn't matter...this is the REST OF YOUR LIFE we're talking about. If it takes 3 years, it really doesn't matter. Do NOT end up with a slip or a tear or erosion as a result of too much PB'ing! It's just not worth it. I mean....if anyone can even imagine what Hollie was going through during the 36 hours her stomach was so swollen, you will understand. Or check out many of the bandsters here on this forum who said "I knew I was a little tight, but wanted to keep losing." See how they enjoyed their revision surgery--more money, more time off work, more anesthesia, more pain, more "shoulda, coulda, wouldas." Get some Fluid taken out of your band, and take it easy.