MsButterKup23

Before 297 (Christmas, 2004) After 170ish (November, 2006): I saw this dress and fell in love with it, I will post new pics from the Christmas party with my hair and make up done.

I had a good one happen today. As most know I've had a slight unfill while awaiting the install of my new port (I feel like a computer waiting for a spare part or something). Anyways, I decide I want to try out a BBQ place. I figure the sauce would lube just about anything down and I shouldn't have a problem. Well.... I start to slime in the resturant, apparently the ribs were a little too tough and dry for me to eat even with the sauce. We go to the mall and I decide that I can handle it. We get into Sears and I need to find a restroom as I am sliming horribly. The first one I go to is locked, they are remodeling it. We go up to the second floor, I am making all these scary noises like some demon from a horror movie trying to not slime on the floor in the middle of Sears. I finally find a restroom and there are people in it. I think to myself I have to do something, I can do this quietly. I swing open the first unlocked door and go as I bent 1/2 way down toward the toilet ready to rid myself of my misery I realize there is a small child sitting in there. I had to stop and go WAIT for someone to come out of another stall. The child's mother looked at me like I was insane, but she should have taught her to lock the freaking door. I seriously don't know who's eyes got bigger with that one, me or the kid.

your banded is when sodas actually expire because nobody drinks them. I just threw out four 2 liters of soda. I never knew it expired. hehehe

I was 5'6" and 300lbs when I was banded a year ago. The first step toward any problem is to focus on what is important. We all know what being obese is a problem, obesity kills. No, I don't think anyone should be pushed into a surgery, but you need to be realistic as to the risks you take staying obese versus having surgery. Personally I looked at the chance I would lose 150lbs on my own and keep it off long term. I knew the chances were zero and that I had to do something drastic to insure I would see my daughter grow up and be an active parent she deserves. It's a personal choice. Think about it and do what's right for YOU. Best wishes,

Welcome back Sister!! You are definately taking the right steps to get back on the train. Please don't be so down on yourself as you are human and many of us suffer from a disease called obesity and depression. Focus on feeling better, becoming more active rather than the weight loss, I find it's a better motivator than anything else. And know you are going to have times when you want something. A bowl of ice cream every once in a while is not a problem, you just have to know when to call it quits. Remember we are here for you and you CAN do it! (((((HUGS))))))

Yeah we had that problem, thankfully hubby is also banded and the 2 year old eats enough to share a typical resturant meal 3 ways.. :hungry: We call it the mini-buffet.

Hubby and I have been together for almost 6 years. We have a very open relationship we talk about everything. I got married at 23 and had been around enough guys to know that when I found him I didn't want to ever be with anyone else. There are marriages that last without the cheating and drama.

I haven't read all the responses, but working in the medical field I don't know how they could get away with that. Needles get dull after they are used, when we give medications to people we change the needle after the drug is drawn to lessen the pain to the patient. I don't think reuse even on your own needle is a good idea.

Welcome to the board. I had this surgery for my daughter. I never focused on losing X number of pounds. I simply wanted to be able to be a more active parent. I started this journey at 297 and I am the same height as you. I would definately let your surgeon know about the other problems you have. The pain you suffer from your knees and joints can definately be caused by weight. Lossing weight will also help with the depression. My husband and I have both had this surgery. Our daughter just turned 2 and I am able to chase her around and keep up with her the best you can with a toddler. Best of luck to you.

Confusion over my port replacement. I was told I would be having a surgery under local simply to replacement my port. Now they wanted to do exploratory surgery under general. Nobody informed me of the change. I am very displeased with his office staff. I pray we can get things straightend out, he is a great surgeon, but his office is falling apart.

Congrats on the banding. I know it sounds harsh, but you aren't going to starve to death. Something that most people don't know is that after decreasing your calorie intake it is common to go through a depression, so your moodiness toward advice maybe from that. As far as cravings, give yourself time. I can't say I have been a complete angel the past year. I still have an occasional soda,although I prefer Diet Lemonade as the carbonation causes the farts and my co-workers don't like it. :success1: Eventually you should get to the point where you can have a bite or two of just about anything, the trick if you will is to know when to stop. As obese people we don't know. It's something you will learn as a banded person. Half the battle is mental. Whenever I can't eat what my brain tells me I want I just look at the food and remind myself how I got to 300lbs. Best of luck to you!

I'm starting to have problems with my band and my doctor's office. I am heavily considering having it removed by another doctor. I am tired of feeling like I have a fist in my chest all the time. My doctor won't even give me phenergan. I spent 4 hours in a Dallas ER just to walk away because of the 72 people in front of me. I'm tired of hurting at least being obese I didn't hurt. I had to leave work early and take 3 tsp of hydrocodone just to ease the pain. I'm just ready to throw in the towel. :think

Congrats!!!

Best of luck with your band. I'm surprised you weren't told to be drinking Protein (as tolerated) at this point. Most doctors have their patients on at least 1 shake a day.

I have been doing pretty good since the unfill. I am going to call the office on Monday (when everyone is supposed to be back) and see what they have to say. I know I need a port replacement and the insurance has already approved it. I've been eating pretty good in the last couple days and have actually lost a couple pounds.

If you can control yourself with just one I say do it. Many doctors don't require the pre-op diet, mine wanted a low-fat diet with Myocel added to it. They do this to make sure your liver is in prime shape as they have to move it out of the way. Best wishes on your surgery.

My band is fine, no slippages. They took out some saline and sent me on my way. I have picked up my records and hubby's from the surgeon's office. He is at a conference and still hasn't been made aware of the situation. I am feeling a bit better, my port is still hurting and because I was stooped over my herniated discs in my back are bothering me. I asked to have him call me, but so far nothing from him or his back-up person.

I am so fed up right now. I am in constant pain taking 3 tsp of hydrocodone just to make it because I feel like I have a fist in my chest. I've been banded since Aug/2005. My doctor won't even call in Phenergan for me. N or will his office page anyone, I spent 4 hours in the ER and finally left when they had 72 pts ahead of me. If only I had known I was going to be in this much pain I would have never had this surgery. I might have been fat, but at least I lived life w/o pain killers.

I ended up taking 3 tsp of hydrocodone every 3 hours last night, I kept waking up in pain. I have a 10:15 appt with SCOR to have some Fluid removed. Then I am probably going to head over to the Baylor ER to try and be seen again. Hoepfully they can do a scan and tell me why I am hurting so bad if SCOR can't find it. I called my doctor's office again this morning. They don't care. He is out of town until Monday as is his office manager. They are right around the corner from SCOR and I will be there to pick up mine and my hubby's medical records as soon as I finish with SCOR. I'm sick of being ignored and treated like a bother

I ended up taking 3 tsp of hydrocodone every 3 hours last night, I kept waking up in pain. I have a 10:15 appt with SCOR to have some Fluid removed. Then I am probably going to head over to the Baylor ER to try and be seen again. Hoepfully they can do a scan and tell me why I am hurting so bad if SCOR can't find it. I called my doctor's office again this morning. They don't care. He is out of town until Monday as is his office manager. They are right around the corner from SCOR and I will be there to pick up mine and my hubby's medical records as soon as I finish with SCOR. I'm sick of being ignored and treated like a bother.

Thanks for the encouragement, after losing 130lbs I am still the same person. Best of luck to you.

I work in the medical field for a group of specialty surgeons. I see over 300 people a week and honestly I don't have time to see anyone. I finally got to the point I was hurting so bad today that I had to leave and go downstairs to the ER. I have requested my records and hubby's from our surgeon and spoken to a different surgeon's office. I know that in many cases they charge a transfer fee IF they will even see you. The new surgeon's office is supposed to get in touch with me by Thursday. I have a 2 year old daughter who I did this for and I am so hiped up on pain killers right now I feel like I am missing out anyways. I feel like I have been abandoned by my doctor and left to be in pain.

I had a visit with my surgeon the other day. He is going to submit to my insurance company for me to get a new port. He said some of the older tubing had a tendancy to stiffen up and it could cause discomfort as well. So I'll let ya'll know.

I wouldn't think so.. I had a bit of irritation in my top 2 incisions after surgery. Just give it time to heal. Best wishes!

I honestly don't think any of them give a crap about the American People. They are all rich and have no idea how the "common man" lives. Make them pay their own medical bills (as most doctors comp the bill for VIP's), drive themselves around and not give them the ability to give themselves raises whenever the mood strikes them. I used to consider myself a Republican, but I honestly don't know where I fall now. I love my country, it's the government that scares the hell out of me.