jennibee

I have been hearing "you have such a pretty face" for years and years now. My favorite "compliment" has been by far "you have such a great personality" Geez, like if you could take my face and personality and stick it on a skinny body I'd be just perfect! That has always upset me, after awhile I just learned to tune it out, people don't usually mean to be intentionally rude they just don't know how to be supportive in a constuctive way.

I went in for my first fill under flouro (the dr. always does the first like this) He had a whole lot of trouble and mentioned that perhaps my port may be flipping around a little bit. After a couple of sticks he was able to give me a pretty good fill and I was on my merry way. Keeping my trouble with the first fill in mind I thought it would be to my advantage to remind the dr. and his nurse about my "tricky" port when I went in for my second fill two weeks ago. It must have fallen on deaf ears because they seem totally annoyed that they weren't able to stick me and send my packing. They had me do half sit-ups, leg lifts, and hold my breath to tighten up my stomach. I was physically exhausted by the time they decided to give up on filling me in the office. I was scheduled for a fill under flouro a few days later. I had a similar if not worse experience this time, that was a week ago and I am still bearing the bruises and needle marks from it. Somehow he even managed to get the needle stuck in me (I mean quite literally stuck in me, like leaning back in his chair, tugging on the needle to get it out stuck) it was bent when it finally popped out. So anyway now I am headed in for port revision surgery tomorrow at 11:00 am. I'm not sure what the problem with the port is anyway he never explained it to me, just said "we need to fix this" I guess that's how it has to be though, I need a fill pretty bad (I can eat any and everything I want) and I REFUSE to ever go through another fill like the last two I've suffered over.

I have been having this problem too. With my friends most social outings revolve around food. They all know about my surgery and are very supportive, but I can't help but feel weird around them. I don't usually overeat to feel "normal" I just sit there while everybody else is on their second plate at the buffet or ordering dessert. I feel kind of left out in a way. I felt sad during Thanksgiving dinner because my plate was barren compared to everybody else. and even though I chewed everything ten billion times I was finshed way before them. I guess this is something that I'll have to work through myself. It's nice to know that I'm not the only person floundering in social situations that involve food.

I was banded in Sept 07 and had my first fill at 7 weeks post-op. I felt restriction right away and noticed that I was eating very little. I actually had a hard time eating my three small meals. I was never really "hungry" and skipped breakfast usually. I didn't lose much weight at first, the nurse at my surgeons office said that it was because my metabolism was slowing down because I wasn't eating enough. I stated to have a very small breakfast and in the six weeks since then I've lost 15 pounds. Lately I've been eating alot more and not feeling satisfied for longer than three hours. I have my second fill tomorrow afternoon. The dr said he'll try a 1cc "booster" and we can see if that makes a difference.

I was up early this morning and happened to catch a little of the Today Show on NBC. One of the segments was about People Magazines' "half thier size" annual issue. They featured the woman responsible for this particular story and two others who were 300+ pounds and now are 150 pounds each. While I applaud these remarkable women for finally taking charge of their lives and making the necessary changes (diet and exercise) I couldn't help but be majorly annoyed at a comment the lady from People made regarding their efforts. She said "these women didn't cheat by having surgery or taking pills, they did it the hard way by old fashioned diet and exercise" How freakin annoying! If the hard way had worked for me then I wouldn't have had to pursue the "cheaters" way out of being 271 pounds, hypertensive, having high cholesterol, asthma, arthritis, and the like! I hate that society looks at WLS like its a quick fix for fat lazy people who don't want to work hard at being healthy. Being banded is not, never was, or ever will be easy for me. It took two years to get up the nerve to attend a seminar, and another 9 months to jump through all of the hoops my insurance company requires for payment. That was a long, nerve wracking time! While my surgery went smoothly, it wasn't a walk in the park, feeling like a mule had kicked me in the gut for a few days (I would do it over again today tho) all the liquids, and mushies, and learning what I can and can't tolerate that wasn't easy either. I guess if people think that being banded or having gastric bypass is "cheating" then I am estatic to be a cheater! I can live with people being uneducated about all of the benefits that come with being banded, what I can't live with is being overweight and spending another 11 years of my life doing things the hard way!

I decided to write an email to the Today Show and voice my displeasure about the segment. I suggested that perhaps they could do a segment on just how hard it is to have WLS and live with it for the rest of your life. I think that if they are going to feature one side of the weight loss "coin" then they should also educate their viewers about the other as well.

Was banded 9/13 (best day of my entire life) have lost 50+ pounds and feel wonderful! I'm starting to get hungry again, time for fill #2 I think.

I had my surgery on 9/13 and have lost over 50 pounds already. I had one fill at about 7 weeks and felt super restricted. Lately it seems like I can eat more than usual and I don't feel satisfied for as long as before. I have an appt. on 1/3 and will ask the dr. for a fill. Maybe I just need a little adjustment to start losing again. I struggled through the holidays because in my family I am known for baking 12-15 different kind of Cookies every year. I didn't want to let anybody down just because my way of living has changed. So I baked and baked, and baked. With so many yummy cookies around (before they reached their various destinations) I was like a crazed maniac. I seriously opened the cookie containers at least twice an hour just to smell them. I wanted to eat every last one. I won't lie, I tasted a few but was able to walk away. I think that is a small victory for me, before I would have eaten till I was sick. Just yesterday I purchased a new shirt to wear out with my friends for New Year's Eve. I didn't have the time to try it on so I just brought it home and hoped it would fit. I haven't worn an XL shirt for a really really long time. When I tried it on I couldn't believe that it was me in the mirror! I called my best friend to come over and see it too. I know this sounds silly but I think that for the first time I have actually "seen" the change in myself. It finally dawned on me, I'm not a 271 pound woman anymore! OMG what a feeling! :whoo:

Was just curious to see how many others are only getting in two meals a day. I wake up in the morning and just can't make myself eat. I am not hungry until about 11:00 a.m. so that is when I have my "breakfast" I am staying full for between 5-6 hours which makes my second meal in the late afternoon or early evening. Usually I am ready for bed long before I am ready to eat again. I haven't lost any weight for two weeks now and decided I better call my doctor about this. He said that I have to eat three meals no matter what and that he'd force feed me if I don't. He said my metabolism is slowing down because my body thinks it's starving hence no weight loss. I have tried eating breakfast sooner even though I am not ready for it and all that does is make me nauseated. The doctor referred me to the dietician and she said I should have something really little in the morning like string cheese or a 4 oz. yogurt. I guess all I can do it try it for a week and if things don't get any better then the doc will see me. Anybody else having similar problems?

I have been working out at Curves three times a week (a half an hour on their circuit equals one hour of exercise) The nurse at the doctors' office said that since I've begun to be more active that maybe weight loss would slow and the inches would start coming off. Either way I'm not going to complain, losing weight or losing inches is a good thing as far as I'm concerned. I will try to take the advice of the dietician and eat something small just to see if it makes a difference. I figure a week should be enough time to know if I can stomach three meals or not. If I can't then I'll go back to two and take things from there. Thanks for you input!

A size 14! You rock girl! I have lost almost 50 of my unwanted pounds and still haven't made it into a 14.(But I'm not complaining, just wanted to be clear about that, I am THRILLED) I am kinda just hanging around at an 18. I look forward to the day when I can shop in the "normal" sized section of the store. How great that must feel! Congratulations! I agree that it's nice not to be referred to ask "big" anymore. People used to distinguish me from another Jennifer by saying Jenn and putting their hands apart by about two feet (to mean my size I assume). Being rather catty I just referred those people to the finger in the middle of my hand and bid them a good day...lol! Sometimes I just can't help myself...hehe

I had a guy tell me once (when I was out dancing with my "skinny" friends) that he thought it must be hard to look like I do and have friends who are thin and pretty. I told him that it must be hard to only have a two inch penis and that he only wishes that somebody like me would give his sorry behind a chance. I figure it this way, if he had to make himself feel better by trying to make me feel bad then he is a pathetic human being. The man that will love you no matter what size you are is out there waiting to be discovered. Don't let his a-hole get you down.

I am 28 and was banded on 9-13-07. Prior to surgery I was pretty much a slug (not doing more than I had to, no energy or ambition) I spent most of my time at home and it was like pulling teeth to get me to join in pretty much everything. It's funny now that I read what I'm writing here because it's hard to believe that I was okay with living like that. Since I've been banded I have so much energy that my 10 year old often asks me to give her a break..lol! I find myself wanting to go out into the world and do things I would never have considered before. I want to run wild and free and to explore everything! I feel like I've been liberated in a sense. I have lost almost 50 pounds but have gained a whole new outlook on life. I am liking myself for the first time in a very very long time. I am so glad that I did this now and didn't wait (like I am prone to doing) I am healthier, I am happier, and I'll be around a whole lot longer to enjoy life now! :whoo:yipee! lol p.s.- I need update my ticker...I have lost 48.5 pounds

munchkin I have been having trouble with my teeth since being banded also. They seem to "hurt" almost. I was worried that I am maybe missing something in my diet that I need for them. But then I thought about it and it seemed silly. Not drinking soda and avoiding sweets is good for my teeth so I am stumped as to why they are so sensitive. My gums also seem to be swollen a little too. I have a dentist appt. on Tuesday and plan to bring this up to him. Perhaps he can suggest something. For now I have just been using toothpaste for sensitive teeth and trying to avoid foods/drinks that bother me.

My hands are always like ice! I have noticed that ever since my surgery (9-13-07) that I am nearly always cold. I used to sleep with a very thin blanket at night. For the past two nights I have piled on three or four blankets just to stop my shivering. I live in Pa. and the temps have been pretty low the past few days but geez. I am glad to know that I'm not the only popsicle out here...lol!

After my surgery Gas-X was practically attached to my right hand...lol! I had pain in places that I never imagined due to gas. The nurse explained that it was because of all of the air in my abdomen being disturbed/displaced during the surgery. It passed after a day or two (and boy was I glad when it did) Congrats on being banded and beginning a new life! I hope you are feeling better real soon!

I was adjusted last Wednesday and have not really been hungry ever since. I was wondering if I should still eat even if I am not feeling hunger. When I get up in the morning I am not hungry at all. Sometimes by lunch time I still have no desire to eat. I'm worried that if I don't eat three small meals a day then I won't be giving my body what it needs. Is it possible I have too much restriction? My nurse told me to wait about a week and call back if my appetite doesn't come back. Just curious if this has happenend to anybody else and what I should do about it. :help:

Thanks for your suggestions. I am headed to the mall today anyway, I'll pick some up at the vitamin store. Thanks again!

I started my process by attending a seminar in February and was banded on September 13th. The time goes by pretty quickly with the doctors appointments and whatnot. My insurance paid for mine, perhaps it will take less time since you are paying for it yourself. I had alot of hoops to jump through to get approved. Good Luck!

I had a guy (I refuse to call him a man) approach me once in a bar. I was out with my "skinny" girlfriends for a few drinks and some dancing and minding my own business. So he comes up to me and says "It must be hard" Of course I asked him what was hard, and he replied "being friends with girls like THEM and looking like THAT" I was so incredibly mad that I had to refrain from knocking his a** out cold! How dare he bother me with that nonsense, and who made him the authority on what is attractive and what isn't? I told him that it was obvious that he wasn't man enough for any of us and probably just needed to make himself feel better by hurting someone else's feelings. And that is was no wonder he was dancing by himself with a f'd up attitude like that. I played tough and put him in his place but later that night I ended up crying myself to sleep.

The person I have considered my "best friend" for the last five years really disappointed me with her reaction. I chose not to tell anybody but my close family (since I'd be needing their assistance) and her. Her words were (and I quote) "So now instead of being fat and miserable, you'll be skinny and miserable" I cried, it really hurt to have her say that. It is often said the misery loves company, I can't help but think that she was scared that I would become even more bubbly (which she can't stand) and then she'd be all alone wallowing in self pity. I have never thought of myself as miserable in the least little way. I have always been a happy outgoing person who likes to make new friends. And that is just what I did, I decided that if she ever was my best friend that she would have supported me especially when I needed it most. I distanced myself from her and her negativity during my recovery and in the eight weeks since. I am feeling wonderful! Like a whole new person and have finally made the decision to fill my life with people who are kind and considerate. Instead of having one best friend now I have a whole group of good friends who are supportive and encouraging. It's the second best decision I have ever made. Being banded was the first!

I am having the same problem, but with my daughter. She is almost eleven years old and is constantly riding my butt about what I should be eating and what I shouldn't. I am post-op six weeks and have a really good handle on what is good for me and what isn't. Sometimes I get kinda mad at her for examining every bit of food that goes into my mouth. I know she is just doing her "job". But geez, I never thought my sweet little baby girl would turn into the food gestapo...lol:)

About a week or so after my surgery I had an allergy attack and sneezed probably 100 times or more. During one rather forceful sneeze I felt a hot burning pain right above where my port is. It hurt so bad!:eek: I called my Dr's office and asked the nurse if I could have damaged anything by sneezing and she said probably not. Yesterday I went in for my first fill and the Dr. spent over 45 minutes trying to locate the "sweet spot". It turns out that I did indeed pull my port by ripping the stitches out when I sneezed. My doctor gave me a really "aggressive" fill this time.(6cc) I think he did that to avoid having to do it again right away since it took so long and he had to stick me 10-12 times and then dig for it.

I noticed the difference in my face about 2 weeks after surgery. I am proud to say that I only have one chin now! Other people have mentioned to me that I look much thinner when they see me from behind. My pants are sagging now in the bum so I suppose I have lost a good deal from the butt/waist area. Also my fingers have gotten pretty boney, I had a ring sized up 2 sizes in August, had my surgery 9-13 and just got it back from the jeweler 3 sizes smaller yesterday.

I was banded on 9/13 and haven't much experience with port pain (except for one rather painful sneezing fit) but seem to be incredibly tired ever since. I am very good about eating healthy foods and always push my protein first. I asked my dr. if this is to be expected and he said that sometimes fatigue is a problem but eventually it goes away. Prior to surgery I was taking a sleep-aid prescribed to me from my family doc. Since surgery I haven't had the need to take it since I am so darn tired at the end of every day. I have even adjusted my schedule to allow as short nap each afternoon just to keep myself going all day. I wondered if it was just me or if other people suffer from fatigue too.