lizzie_07

I've always been able to shop at regular stores for tops, even at my heaviest (272). Pants on the other hand, I wore a size 18 (I'm 5'8) from a plus-size store a few years back. Now I'm a 16 and I refuse to shop at a plus size store (the only ones around here are way too expensive..plus it's a mental thing for me)...so I can get 16's at a regular store and that has worked great for me.

Hmm...My mom says this too me all the time..."the band will help you deal with your weight but what about whats up here?" (pointing to head). I understand why she says that but at the same time I think everyone has some sort of issue and their actions are partially the result of them. I have had a wonderful life technically. My only real "issue" is my problems with food and the way I judge myself. I've been overweight since I was 6 so I literally don't know what it feels like to be thin. In my family food brought us together. It made me happy, took away any sadness, was a way a celebrating. When I became depressed as a result of my weight what did I turn to? FOOD, of course. When I felt I couldn't control how much food I was putting in my mouth I became Bulimic to try to compensate (which no one knows about I might add). So yeah, I have issues, and so does everyone else, whether they want to admit it or not.

I was wondering if I had done any damage as well. I'm on the puree stage (solids in 5 days) and for the last 4 or 5 days I haven't had too much to eat in total for the day but I have kind of combined some of my meals and snacks and I know I ate more than 1 cup of food at a time. I am worried that I may have stretched the pouch or caused damage to the band. I know I need to get back on track but do you think a few days of doing this could have caused harm?

Dena - If you like celtic music you would love the celtic colours festival. It's a week long event held every October all across Cape Breton. I haven't gone myself but I've heard many people talking about it (my parents grew up in Cape Breton). To everyone else: It's so nice getting to know all of you! Glad to see so many replies to this thread.

Dena - Yep I'm from Nova Scotia. I didn't think many Americans knew about Nova Scotia let alone wanted to visit! lol There are some really scenic places around here. Peggy's cove is STUNNING and so is the Cabot Trail in Cape Breton (especially during the fall).

I have trouble trying to get all my water in so i usually just have 2 glasses of water for breakfast (also, I'm never hungry then). My first meal is around noonish and I'm usually a little hungry by then. But come late at night I get quite hungry.

My surgeon only uses 10cc bands now. He explained to me that the more saline it holds the more cushioning and traction created and the less likely it is to slip.

I have a midband placed by Dr. Yau and didn't experience that though. Perhaps like someone else mentioned it's because you've lost weight?

That's strange...I went through the airport 4 days after my surgery and my port didn't set anything off.

I'm 21 and had my surgery 3 weeks ago. I notice that the main complaint people who have had the band make is that they wish they had it done when they were younger. Well, we're young and most likely still quite healthy. But in 10-20 years, if we don't change our ways one way or another, we could have some serious health issues. I knew I'd be a yo-yo dieter my entire life if I didn't do something drastic now. So far I'm extremely happy with my choice. It's nice to know that a healthier and happier me is just around the corner.

I really like this idea! I'm 21 and live in Nova Scotia, Canada. I'm in my 3rd year of nursing and currently work at a nursing home when I am not swamped with school work. Nursing is a huge reason for wanting to get my weight under control now. We learn so much about health and healthy practices and when I graduate I want to be a healthy example for my patients. It's hard to talk to someone about turning their health around when they look at you and can clearly see that you haven't done anything for yourself. I recently moved back home with my parents until I graduate which is the only reason I could pay for this surgery. I don't have any children but I do have a pug =) He's my baby for now. I have the rest of my life ahead of me and I'm so excited to know for sure that I will be a healthier, happier me.

Linda - That is the EXACT question I asked the nurse at the clinic. I said I dont understand how I could lose weight once I reach restriction if Im eating so little now and not losing anything. She said she didnt fully know the reason for it but it happens to everyone but she assured me that once I get my first fill I will start to lose again. Im really hoping shes right.... glad to know im not alone though! I feel like such a failure but im trying to just get over it and accept this as the weight im stuck at for the next while. Ive been weighing myself less, naturally, as the scale hasnt moved in almost a week (other than to gain the 2lbs initially..)

I get the feeling that the other bandsters haven't experienced "bandster hell" yet. I'm in it, and it's so depressing. It sounds like you could be in it although it is a little early. 2 weeks out once I started mushies I gained 2 lbs and have stopped losing since. I read a few threads from the october group and MANY of them reported the exact same thing. I guess we're just the lucky ones experiencing it before everyone else. I'm eating well and exercising but losing nothing. I called the clinic where I had my surgery and they said it's normal and that I'm doing everything right. Yes, I know it's the healing phase but whenever you are doing the right things and not losing/gaining it really sucks.

I started my mushies 2 days ago and according to my scale I've gained a couple pounds already. I know people said this happens to them, but god, it SUCKS! I'm following the post-op diet exactly except for substituting puree soup for my moms homemade stew (with added broth). I'm eating so much less and healthier than normal so this is a real motivation killer. I guess this is "bandster hell", huh? I can't see me eating any less when I'm on solids and have reached restriction so I'm hoping this stall (or gain) in weight will end soon...Anyone else experiencing this?

Oh Tish, I'm so sorry to hear that. Please tell us when you know for sure what the cause is. If you had no problems in September perhaps it is something other than hepatitis? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.

I'm thinking that there are several reasons for my body putting on a bit of weight. I'm not drinking nearly enough Water because I find it hard to fit in all in when I'm drinking it so slowly. So I've been trying to drink more today. Also, the obvious reason of going from starving myself practically to eating more calories. I don't think I'm eating badly at all. I'm following the post-op diet exactly as my surgeon intended. Typical day: B: 1/2 cup puree stew (with added broth) Snack: 1/2 cup puree fruit L: 1/2 cup oatmeal diluted with 1/2 cup skim milk (cinnamon and sugar added which may not be good...) S: 1/2 cup stew again and about an hour or 2 later 1 egg with 2 egg whites. Snack: 1/2-1 cup milk I also add Protein powder to my meals. It sounds like a lot but like I said it is what the post-op diet called for. Any ideas?

My surgeon says to crush pills (that are allowed to be crushed) for the first month. After that we're allowed to swallow them normallly, although I think I'll break mine up into a few pieces just to be on the safe side. I also bought chewable multivitamins, etc. My thyroid and birth control pill I just chew. Sounds gross I know, but it doesn't taste bad and it saves me the trouble of crushing them everyday.

I lost 80lbs when I was 18 y/o so I literally have about 15-20 pairs of jeans ranging in size from 18 to 10. I'm a 18/16 now so I have pants to fit me through a large portion of this weight loss jouney. Yey! =)

The feeling I had wasn't pain, but it was definately a tight feeling in my chest that was a little uncomfortable but bearable. I asked for pain meds more because I was afraid of any pain kicking in lol.

Tish - I read the other thread and I was feeling hurt right along with you. I said my two cents to them just now. Hopefully they won't jump down my throat (eek lol).

I'm in shock right now at how worked up people get over signatures. My only rant and rave is RELAX people. It's not the end of the world if you have to scroll down a LITTLE further and look at glitter. My signature may be long, but as a new bandster it brings me a little piece of happiness. The things that I and others choose to put on them and how we choose to do it (glitter, monthly name, etc.) clearly makes us feel good as we can show our individuality, progress and show support to our fellow monthly members with our group name. I prefer when people have a signature (the more detailed the better). It's easier to remember them next time and I get a better idea of who they are and how their journey is going. Maybe you can look at signatures in a positive light instead of getting worked up over them. If it helps one of your fellow bandsters in some small way, I think that's the most important thing.

You should read the main thread on this topic and the poll. They say that the hair loss occurs between the 3rd and 11th month after surgery. Majority said they didn't experience any hair loss I think but there were still high numbers of people who did (25 or 50% hair loss).

I'm really worried about hair loss myself. My hair has always been my blanket. No matter how fat I was growing up, I was always complimented on my hair lol I wrote down a few suggestions mentioned on another thread. The main one that stood out to me was "biotin" (sp?) which I haven't been able to find yet. I desperately want to prevent hair loss but some say you can't.

I know that the pre-op diet is hard, but stick with it. I'm on the post-op liquid diet now and it's just as hard (to me) as the pre-op diet except if I cheat I could risk hurting my band and recovery so I have an extra incentive to stick to it. So, if you are truly committed and want to see results and have a safe surgery and recovery you'll have to try to push your way through it. We all have issues with food and I'm sure we all struggled with the pre-op diet too (I struggled a lot in the beginning, but I got through it). Stay on track. It'll be worth it. The surgeon said my liver was great and my surgery and recovery has gone extremely well. Good luck on your progress and surgery! You can do it.

Wow! I've never heard of such fast weight loss with the band. Congrats! Do you have a before pic?