bulawookie

Terry,

I a newly banded and learning about the experiences we must pay attention to. I thank you for posting what was going on with you. I like that you shared what we should not view as normal. I am really hoping you get to keep your band.

Way to go!!! I love what you said. Getting that compliment for your hard work is well deserved by you!! Thanks for sharing and you motivate me to go to the gym. I have been dodging the gym because I feel to big.

Yes when you lose enough belly fat the port will probably show. I was banded years ago and got really thin and my port showed. It even showed through a bathing suit and people would ask. I avoided the questions. Then I started to date and was really self-conscience of the port sticking out. I eventually got the band out but gained all the weight back. Now I am recently banded again but have a new positive outlook on the band. I have not lost much weight, now at 163 pounds, and my port is slightly showing. I am prepared for people's questions and I will now proudly say I have the band. I will be thin again and this port is going to show even more. I am ready to tell anyone that I have a lap band. I know what it is like without the band and that life was miserable. We are all brave to get banded so I hope you learn to accept the port showing as a sign of your bravery. I have read that not all people's port's show as much as my first one did. My first port was just under my breast's and as I said it stuck out like a broken rib. Now my port is just above my belly button where I will retain more body fat. I hope this helps with your post.

Gained 2 pounds is this normal!? I am 4 weeks post op. I am wondering if I did something wrong????

No dear you are just fine. More than fine at losing 80 pounds. I weigh every day and fluctuate more than two pounds. Somedays up three then down four the next day. Just keep what you were doing to lose that fantastic 80 pounds and don't fret.

I think stalling on the scale is still part of weight loss. I have stalled on the scale for 10 days now but kept up with my healthy eating. Then this morning I got on the scale and was down 4 pounds!!! That is the way it seems to go with me. I stall stall stall then all of a sudden I drop 3 to 4 pounds which makes it feel like it happened overnight. That helps motivate me to keep my food intake down because my weight comes off with this pattern. Don't deter from your healthy eating and portions because I am sure you will soon be pleasantly surprised on the scale one morning soon!!

Weevigurl,

What happened at the office that made you have to get an unfilled? I was in today for my 4th fill and stayed in the office for a while drinking Water. The Water stayed down. Now I am at home and worried about the swelling. The last fill I had I was able to keep water down the first day but then after that I was vomiting all liquids. I am worried what will happen once I start to swell because today is Thursday and that puts me into the weekend. My next fill I made sure was scheduled on a Monday.

I have the same problem and went a whole week with the urge and sensations of needing to go to the bathroom but couldn't. I take Fiber pills daily and drink tons of Water. I also am walking which has helped me. I hope this helps with you because I know it is no fun.

Definitly going to make it!! Tomorrow I have my third fill. I am ready for the tightness and having a hard time getting down liquids. I am ready for all the liqiuids and no food. I am prepared and committed to this process. I am working the tools cause my band can't do it all. I used to eat at fast food resaurants several days a week and eat volumes of foood late at night. I am prouds to say I have not visited a fast food resaurant since before surgery. At night I am dealing with some hunger but ignoring it and going to bed. My fill tomorrow scares me because the last fill was too tight and I couldn't keep Water down. So I will ask for a small fill and try to be satisfied with that. I am perservering and I am going to make it. My wieght has plataued but I understand that is a normal process and just not going to let it discourage my weight loss so far which has been a huge 20 pounds. My face looks thinner and my size 14's are a little loser. I am on my way guys and gals.

Wow 35 pounds in 3 months is fantastic. Try to ignore your mothers comments. You are right that taking the weight off slower is more lasting. We with WLS have to develop a thick skin. Family members can hurt us the worst because they know where we are vulnerable. You are doing great so just keep up the good work. 35 pounds is inspiring to me!!

Okay dear this is my understanding of depression. Depression is anger turned inward. Listen to your self talk and begin to analyze it. My guess is you have a pattern of saying self-hatred statements to yourself. Begin to take these statements and debate them. The mean self-statements are not true. Really start paying attention to your self talk. Our self talk is usually meaner then anything another person would say to us. I know it is hard when you are heavy but get out and walk. It clears the head, makes us feel more confident and stimulates positive thoughts. I have suffered from severe depression all of my adult life. It took years of trying different medications until I finally found one, Cymbalta, that works. My depression was very treatment resistant but I never gave up hope I would find the right combination of meds and a therapist to help me. We are all here to support and help you so keep reaching out to us. I will be there for you. I don't know how to get you my phone number without making it public but I can talk to you on the phone if you need that kind of support.

I am looking for those who have been banded in Austin. We can get together and support each other. Let me know you all are out there!!!

I got the band out the first time because I was thin for a long time and my port stuck out pretty far. I was dating and did not know how to tell my man about the band surgery. Once I got it out I quickly gained all my weight back again. This band I got on May 15 comes with new respect. This surgery was hard. Now when I date I will be proud of my band because I am very brave to do this again. I feel if an alcoholic or diabetic had a chance for surgery to cure their ills they would. My compulsive overeating is cured because of the band. I only want a man in my life who would understand how brave and courageous I am to get rebounded. I am succeeding even though I am not in the green zone yet. I am so thankful for this band. We are all so lucky to live in a country where we can get the band and the support from our surgeons and their staff. I go to monthly support groups which helps a lot.

blood sugar lows. they are going to happen because we are eating so much lies food. it is tempting to drink fruit juice or other high calorie drinks but do not dp that. We mist get used to a little feel of low blood sugar because we are on a Protein diet with cutting out sugar. sugar gives you a high followed by a huge drop in energy. follow eating good nutritious Protein based foods.

I have been banded twice. The first time worked wonderfully and I lost all my weight and maintained it for many years. I had that band taken out because I was living a thin life and started dating. I was terrified of telling my boyfriend about my port and surgery. It really hindered a healthy relationship because I avoided physical intimacy so he could not see the port and so I would not have to feel like a failure and tell him I have a lap band in my stomach. Anyway, years past and I could never find the resolve to learn how to be proud of my band so I got it out. Surgeon wasn't concerned at all and accepted that I wanted it out because of the dating situation. Then I gained all the weight back. It is not worth getting the band out when it works and is genius. You need to establish a good relationship with your band. You stated you are not eating right. Sliders and high calorie foods so you are not following the rules. You, like all of us, have to follow the rules. I gained weight by eating late at night. I ate every night after starving all day long. I ate ice cream. I ate fast food and I was numbed to the world. Food is a drug that numbs us. You have to stop numbing yourself and start respecting the band because it will work for you. Go to your appointments and be honest about what you eat and what you experience because we are lucky to live in a world that affords us the luxury of a lap band.

I am now banded for the second time. I am not in the green zone yet and I endure a lot of hunger. I have been filled too tight and was miserable for days. I was nauseas and couldn't keep liquids down. I was spitting up so much and burping I couldn't be around people but I went to the doctor and got unfilled. I don't eat late at night anymore because I am determined to be the thin happy person I used to be!! You are worth it dear......so please don't give up. Really think hard about getting the band out because I really regretted it and learned the hard way. Now I had the surgery all over again but I have a new respect for the band. I know it is just one part of many tools I must practice. Don't give up on your band yet..Jenn

Your breathing has everything to do with your anxiety level. Jumping jacks are a good idea or something else that grounds you. Thanks for sharing and welcome to banister land....we are glad to have you here.

Take it easy and don't worry about no bowel movements. When you are not eating or are eating much less it is normal for you not to have regular bowel movements. I was banded May 15th and since then only go to the bathroom every 5 days or so. No problems to worry about as my doctor says. Great to have you in band world. You will love your band but we must respect it's delicacy as it is a tool to our weight loss. One tool among many others. Welcome!!

This is my second lap band. The first one worked great and I got down to 130 and stayed there for several years. Then I got it taken out and gained all the weight back. May 15, 2014 at 186.5 and went back into surgery and have the lap band again. Since then by sheer will I have lost 20 pounds!! 20 pounds is a lot of weight and I am so proud because I am not in the green zone and I get hungry a lot. My worst problem that made me gain all the weight was late night eating. I would take my Ambien and be in a altered state and get up and eat and eat and eat. Now I don't eat past 7 and sometimes I don't eat past 5pm. It is hard but I am doing it and the weight is coming off. I am much more active but not exercising every day. I can;t wait to feel the green zone because I am having to ignore a lot of hunger lately. I can cross my legs now without them going numb. I am wearing a size 12 comfortably and even though I have cellulite all over my legs I am wearing shorts because it is so hot here in Ausitn. I go in for another fill on the 17th and am going to ask for just 1 or 2cc cause I want to ease into this green zone with patience and perseverance. Love to hear from you all and your recent experiences.

I got banded May 15, 2014 at 186.5. Now I am at 166 without yet being in the green zone. I still have hunger in between meals but it is because I am eating much smaller portions. I don't think being 190 has anything to do with how successful you will be. I was first banded years ago and started out at 190 and got down to 130 which I held onto for many years. So the band has worked for me in the past and is working again and i was the same weight as you starting off. I am exercising a little bit and being persistent about getting support. You will work it girl....good luck with your surgery!

Thanks menbers! I am totally motivated to use all the tools. I am eating small portions of nutrient dense foods to delay hunger. It isn't working all the time but most of the time. I used to get up at night and consume so much food late at night and I have not done that in a month. I have a huge blister for the 1 hour and twenty minute walk so can't walk until it heals but I will be back hitting the pavement soon. The walking really boosted my confidence. My weight is stagnating but I just keep doing what I have to do to break the plateau. Walking at first my thighs rubbed together....no fun....but now I noticed it less of a hindrance. Keeping on Keeping on!!

I was banded May 15th, 2014 for the second time. I almost hate exercising but yesterday I walked 1 hour and 20 minutes. It cleared my head, boosted my confidence and clarified I will do what it takes to get to my goal weight. I am hungry oftentimes but dealing with it by drinking a lot of Water. I am patient and persistent. Last weekend I had to go in over the weekend for a slight amount of Fluid taken out. The days prior I had been miserable. I was nauseous and sptting up all liquid. I hold on to that misery because it motivates me to lose weight. I don't like being miserable and I don't like being hungry but I am persisting with my desire to get this weight off. Being overweight has isolated me and kept me from reaching out to people so I hope to hear from as many of you as possible. Thanks.

I am on my second band. The first one worked fantastic and I lost all my weight. Then I got embarrased of my port when I started dating. I also got a little cocky so I got the band taken out. The weight came back so I just got the band again and love it. I am almost in the green zone. I have very little hunger and I am starting more and more movement which is coming easier. I say go back to the band because it has worked for you.

Exercising is hard. I really have to make myself since my thighs rub together and it is hot and humid here in Austin. I started with just 15 minutes twice a day. Now I have a treadmill in the A/C in front of a TV and I watch my favorite programs. Sometimes I walk barefoot. I park my car farthest in the parking lot. I opt for the stairs often. It gets easier when some weight comes off. I try to call it movement instead of exercising because it sounds better. If you have a dog that helps. Just stare in to their eyes!!

Remember progress not perfection. Oh yeah ..........and persistence, persistence, persistence.

I want to start an Austin banters group. Anyone interested contact me.

I did go back to the doctor yesterday. From Thursday morning until Saturday morning I was miserable and very weak. Things did not get better and I was throwing up all liquids. The doctor took out .5cc's so I think I am at 9cc's in a 10cc band. I am enjoying drinking and had some chicken noodle Soup last night. The misery that I felt gives me motivation to make this band work. Surgery was tough as was the recovery so I remember all these difficult steps as motivators to win this obesity battle. I will win. I walked today twice because I felt good enough to.All your comments really help me so thanks all you out there.

Go back for another fill and let your medical team work for you. Being in the green zone is worth it. You have gained back weight but not all of it yet. Don't get discouraged. We all have to go back and get adjusted. I just spent 3 days spitting up liquids and went without food. I was so weak, miserable and sick. I called in and went in over the weekend. They took out .5cc's and now I am drinking and it feels so good to have liquids go down. I had some chicken noodle Soup last night that stayed down and tasted so good. I am thinking this may be the green zone even though I am not on solid foods yet. I won't stop the readjusting until I get into the green zone. The surgery was tough for me. It hurt and took days to recover. This last overfill had me miserable but I won't stop until my weight is off. You deserve the same.