DogLover88

How'd your dr visit go? Hopefully everything is okay, make sure you're getting enough Protein and Water so you stay strong. Consider a Multivitamin just for banded patients as well if you aren't already on one. I know I wasn't ready to go after just 1 week so I'd really recommend taking 2 weeks. Hope you're doing well!

Hi Erin!!! Crazy stuff, I'm a May 2011 bander too! I had lost just over 100 lbs in about 9 months and continued to keep it off until last year....started with some health issues, steroids (the dr prescribed kind), and slacking on my gym time. Had a very rough year with lots of ups and downs (moved houses, family issues, new job and got engaged...very up and down!). Due to the health issues I had most of my Fluid taken out in Nov 13 since I was unable to get my antibiotics down and having issues keeping food down most of the time. Then in January found out my new insurance doesn't cover my fills! So I started feeling down and just avoiding it. Finally decided I got my band for a reason and I'll just have to suck it up and do it.

Got my band filled on Friday, started back to the gym on Sunday and cleaned out the cabinets at home! I'm also on MFP again too, love that site. I too have about 50 lbs to get back to where I was and would like to lose another 50 on top of that. Can't believe how similar our situations are! Too bad you don't live here, we could even be workout buddies! Hope your motivation is staying strong and your willpower stronger. We can do this!

Oh I feel your pain! My dr had issues finding my port on Friday (mine has always been a pain! I was banded almost 3 years ago) my dr's office ONLY does fills under fluoro, they like to see how tight it is and make sure I can swallow the proper amount and make sure it's still in place. It's nice to have that reassurance.

After reading the problems you've had, I'd highly suggest looking for a new surgeon! This one sounds like a jerk for starters (he can't admit when he's wrong and doesn't know when to say he needs a little assistance, such as doing with fluoro) and you should not ever be poked 7 times! I am still sore from the 1 poke that was moved around about 3 times and bruised, I can't imagine being stuck that much!! I also have a 3.5-4 hour round trip commute (depends on traffic and construction which has been ridiculous) but if you're willing to travel, try to find someone else!

Hope that you're doing well otherwise, hang in there!

Yay! Congrats, so sorry I haven't been on for a while! I got my band tightened on Friday (it's been 6 months since I had most of the Fluid taken out so I'm kind of starting over but excited to have my band filled again!)

Anyways, my nausea lasted a week or 2, they gave me a little pill that I'd stick under my tongue and it helped a ton! I'd suggest calling your dr to let them know.

Gas pains for me lasted almost a week, it's not your new life. Walk as much as you can to get it out, that was probably the worst part of the pains you'll have.

Hang in there! It will get better and you will start loving your band.

When does nausea wear off? I was banded Friday but occasionally feel nausea. Also, when does the gas pain go away? Or is this my new life?

It's not all about losing weight on the liquid, you're shrinking the fat around your liver. Please don't give up! You've come too far to quit, we all know it's rough and we are here for you.

Come on girl, we got this! You got on here for a reason....I was wanting ice cream and instead came on here to read some positives from others. It's not easy but we can do it. You've already gotten this far, you can do it! I'm going for some sugar free Jello now.

Screw this. This is BS. I'm starving and I'm miserable. Maybe I'm not cut out for lap band surgery. I'm going to go to the pizza parlor.

I don't want to discourage you but the weight really does not melt off...be realistic and Celebrate the small successes! Especially in the beginning, I retained a lot of Water it seemed like and wasn't losing but my pants sure we're falling off! I highly suggest taking full body pix, Celebrate the differences you see! I couldn't believe how happy I felt when I was 200 lbs! No one really says they'd like to be 200 lbs but it felt great! I loved how thin I looked from the old me (my high was 291). I wish you the best of luck but also look for nsv's as well (non-scale victories). I don't want to see you frustrated when the scale may stick for a week or doesn't move as much as you think it should. You can do great!

Thanks so much, I'm still trying to figure out this forum..... Meds aren't helping lol. I just keep getting confused. I can't wait to see the weight melt off.

Ok let's do this! My fill is next Friday and I'm so ready for it! Good luck on everything this week, you can do it. We just moved in January so I feel your stress there. My fiancé has an interview tomorrow so good luck to both of you tomorrow.

I'm ready to start today! I'm waiting to get a fill right now! Let's get back on this bandwagon. I gained 7 lbs since I was here in Jan! Not terrible but NOT good! So ready to get this started.<br><br> I have 2 job interviews tomorrow, I close on my house on Friday and move on Saturday! Here's hoping me and my band can handle it all!

I can't say that things are going to just magically get better. For me, food was a huge comfort and something I enjoyed. It was a way to spend quality time with family and friends. So it does mess with your head a lot! Right after I felt like crap, it was frustrating because I had very unrealistic expectations that I'd come out of surgery and be down 40 lbs and be ready to go shopping for new clothes. But after a couple days your body will start healing and finding a new normal. Then you're going to be tested on your own...you will find that you can probably eat any and all food and that's when you need to start controlling your portions. As your band gets tighter, you will want to be eating properly - eating plenty of Protein, chewing your food very well, following the rules (no drinking while eating) and becoming accustomed to living with your band and working with it not against it. Come on this site when you're feeling down and read about the successes and happiness the band brings. There are times I've regretted my band but then I remember what my band has done WITH me. It's helped me learn to eat better, eat less and to become a new person. I've been banded 3 years and I've recently gained weight due to poor choices after getting sick (totally not related to my band) and I've allowed myself to make excuses when I had some Fluid removed. I'm getting back on this train to be friends with my band again because I love my band and I know you'll learn to love yours! Good luck, you will start feeling better soon, promise.

Either everyone here is way stronger than I am, or I am a major cry baby. My question is: when does the pre-op fasting get better? Today is my 1st day and I have never felt to miserable in my life. This is making me wonder what I signed up for. Please tell me that life as a bander will not be this way forever. I'm here sipping on my chicken broth, Protein shake, and just downed a popcicle like it was going out of style. My head is killing me, my thoughts are all over the place, and I'm in an emotional funk. I read posts and people are like, "Today is my 10th day on my fast!" and they sound so encouraged and strong. I feel like sh*t. I'm mad at myself for being overweight and why did I get myself in this in the first place? I'm sad, because I cannot sit and have a happy dinner with my husband. Thank goodness I have a wonderful spouse who supports me. He doesn't furnish food in front of me because he knows how hard this is. I feel like I won't be able to make it to the 2 week mark for my surgery. When does this get better? When is there a light at the end of this tunnel of a hell called liquid diet?

Thanks Zeniada, I'm hoping he will welcome me back. It's only been about 4 months but he's not going to be happy with the 20 lb gain. I know I'm not! The nurses there are amazing and I know they'll give me some encouragement. I think it's great to come back on here and have people to talk to that understand and can help with the support. I was on this site before and it's great to talk to others and get the encouragement. Thank you for your positivity! Good luck with your journey as well.

I felt the same way you did I went back to my doc after 2 ½ years of not getting fills. But he didn't say anything in fact made me feel welcome. Remember you did this for you, not him/her. Good luck!

Short, I know the feeling of pants feeling tight. I was a size 26/28 and was down to a 14 and a very tight 12. Now I'm a solid 16 and missing those 14's terribly. I'm getting married this year and would love to be under 200 lbs again. (I was down to 190 and never hit the 189 but I'm looking forward to that day now! Like you, I'm looking for that good girl again. I was amazing! I lost 70 lbs in about 5 months. I could walk by cake and be like, "Looks good, but I look better!" I need to find that person again. Hopefully you can join Erin & I with our support system and we can do this together!

Doglover I am so sorry to hear about your struggles..I understand so completely. I have had my band almost 3 years lost 124 pounds and have recently lost my will power, had some band issues and had to have most of my Fluid removed and fell in love with food all over again. Now, 10 pounds gained, my cute little size 8 pants are getting snug and I feel like a BLIMP. I am so angry with myself, so much so, I eat more crap food..By the way, Erin, put down the bagel!!! Anyway, my doc is a hard nose case. He really thinks you should tough it up baby and follow the rules. When I saw him last week, he actually was kind, gentle and understanding (I really thought it wasn't him there for a minute). He added to Fluid to my band, gave me some soft encouragement and said he would see me in 3 weeks and hopefully down a bit. Well, not down any yet, because I haven't put the crap down yet. I know what I have to do and I know somewhere deep down inside I can find the will power back but only one person can do that and that person is ME. I really need this board to help me. I can vent and confess and still hold my head up. Hey, guys, this bad girl boat has a lot of seats in it..we just need to hang in there together and get over the rough spots and back to the person we were when we got our bands in the first place. I would love to find that person again. She had such willpower and courage. Take care and have a "good girl" weekend.

Melinda in Florida

Yep! Let's start today, I was not good all weekend....life happened but I'm ready now!

Are we starting on Monday? Because I had a bagel for Breakfast :/

Erin, I'd love to help you as well! I've been trying to get back to the gym and it seems like I do so well and then something happens. I got bronchitis this week when I had planned to start back on Monday. Now I'm on prednisone which is making my whole body swell and my hunger out of control. I'm off the prednisone in 3 days and hoping my cough is better so I can work out without making myself more sick. You are exactly right, I need to eat like my band is properly filled and I'm having a horrible time with cravings and then I give in. I'm going to try to start again tomorrow and hope I can do this! I think we're in the same boat of weight lost and gained so lets do this together!

Congrats on the baby also

Erin, you can start when you're ready! I did awesome today, hopefully I can resist having a cocktail tonight as I'm going to a happy hour right now. We can do this!

Are we starting on Monday? Because I had a bagel for Breakfast :/

I love my dr but he really doesn't think "life happens". He's amazing and great at what he does but he acts as though the band is magic and that we should be able to stick to it. I may have a talk with him that I need him to be more positive with me because I dread going there and I think that just increases my anxiety and makes things worse. So I'll let him know that life happened and I'm ready to restart. I did this once and I can do it again!

I'll pretend you're going to my doctor. Dr Chae would just say, "Hey, life happens" and then advise you on how to turn it all around. Bariatric doctors know their patients and why and how we became obese. Especially if we've had other medical complications.

Erin, I'd love to help you as well! I've been trying to get back to the gym and it seems like I do so well and then something happens. I got bronchitis this week when I had planned to start back on Monday. Now I'm on prednisone which is making my whole body swell and my hunger out of control. I'm off the prednisone in 3 days and hoping my cough is better so I can work out without making myself more sick. You are exactly right, I need to eat like my band is properly filled and I'm having a horrible time with cravings and then I give in. I'm going to try to start again tomorrow and hope I can do this! I think we're in the same boat of weight lost and gained so lets do this together!

Congrats on the baby also

Your doctor should know that sometimes life gets in the way and your health takes a backseat! Don't feel ashamed! You had the guts to go and get a fill and that's what they are for. What you need to focus on now is getting back into mindset of banded eating and rules...this is what I'm working on after gaining 50 lbs after getting pregnant and getting a partial unfill (I was 97 lbs down). I'm getting another fill on Tuesday and have decided to eat like I'm in the green zone already. Cutting out breads and thick pastas, detoxing from sugar/chocolate (my weakness), and upping my exercise and Water intake! I'll help you if you help me!

Try not to worry too much, my port has always been hard to find. My dr has me stand against the wall and he has to push and feel in circles to find mine and it's only gotten harder as I've lost weight. I've had it for 3 years and mines always a little sore after a fill and mine does fluoro. I think the fluoro won't really help him find the band as much as making sure the fluids are sliding through the band properly. Good luck with your next one, try not to get too discouraged!

Around here they will consider you if their patient book is not too full. However, they will want all the records from your prior dr so make sure that is available.

I'm really needing a support system. I've had my band for 3 years and lost 100 lbs! I was doing amazing and feeling great. Life got hectic and my depression started to kick in and I've gained 50 lbs back and I'm feeling so lost. So the end of last year I had major health issues and was hospitalized, I could not swallow the antibiotics because my body was a mess and had to have my band unfilled a fair amount. At that point I was down 80 but up 20 from my lowest band weight. Then my new health insurance started January 1st and does not cover anything for my band so I just figured I could do this on my own. Obviously not....I'm scheduled for my next fill in a few weeks. I'm dreading the dr's reaction to my failure and I can't seem to find the willpower and motivation I once had to eat healthy and work with my band.

I just need a friend that understands and some positive words. I have messed up and I failed my band but I'm ready to work with my band and get back to being healthy and eating right. Please share your struggles, some positive words and help me through this! My family and fiancé are so amazing but they don't truly understand and I need someone to relate to...