NewLife'sGr8

What next? Nope. Haven't heard of it.

Hehehe yes I do! lol Thank you

I'm certainly benefitting from all the suggestions & timely reminders of what I already knew but haven't been applying. For me, lack of motivation is due to LIFE- thumping me down- hard, over & over. Hard life-stuff, like yesterday, just as I opened my car door upon arrival at work, a huge black truck flying by fast & close, drove way inside the parking line & smashed / folded/ shoved up the driver door into the front end, & nearly took off my leg. I'd just started to maneuver my leg out of the car. Thankfully, I wasnt hurt. I'm trying to keep my focus on that! Not easy. He must've been texting or cell-talking to go that far over the parking line to hit my door- which wouldn't open nor close after that. This, just a couple/few wks after someone at work put rubbing alcohol in my Water bottle while I was on break at work- which made me vomit blood for several days, then sporadically, now occasionally. Still trying to manage the inflammation from that. Life's a real BITCH sometimes! It's like I've been in a black-hole, a never-ending looong cycle of BS-pummeling- keeps putting me down- on the couch. I get my energy back- then BAM! Something else. Big stuff. I really need to go do a hyawaska negative energy-cleansing to finally disperse this black cloud that's been following me around for way too long. Next band appt, I get to consult with my actual surgeon for the 1st time since my survey 5yrs ago. (they use PA's for fills, unfills etc after surgery), I'll get some tests to see what the damage was/is. Hopefully the doc can help me fix this. I'm going to ask her about hyawaska. It's common for most people to purge repeatedly following consumption Sometimes, ok frequently, it's all I can do to get my chit together and go to work- an extremely toxic work environment filled with unbelievably toxic people. Getting up to do the "happy-happy-joy-joy" dance to tunes is the last thing i feel like doing right now. BUT I know once I do, I'll feel 'lighter', my spirits & mental energy will lift UP! Way up. Sometimes what I know, is hard to apply. Real hard. I'm working on it. Thanks to everyone for posting so many fabulous ideas & methodologies that are truly helping me pick myself up again. <3 I'm following this thread closely

I think a huge part of the band-failure problem (and this is just my opinion) is that many do/ have done the research, and then decided on the band because "it can be removed" if you don't like it, you can get it unfilled if you want to gorge yourself on vacations, family gatherings, holidays- whatever. WTF? For me, banding was/is forever! Unless life-threatening, I will work through any and all issues and eventually arrive at the green-zone and in band-synchronicity. I can't imagine going through banding with another one or two excruciating surgeries in the back of my mind- as ok - if this doesn't work, or if I'm not patient enough to get to the green zone, or if I don't want to follow doctor's orders, or eat around the band. IMHO, people who continually, consistently self-sabotage their weightloss simply should not have any WLS! Anyone can eat around the band, not follow Dr. orders, and blame it on the banding so they can get the next best thing (latest fad WLS) just like they (and I) did- onto the next fad diet, fail, next fad diet, Fail... on & on. NO MORE! For me, my band is for life! MY life!

Can't really speak to caffein because I'm a consumer of- full strength. I did cut back from drinking it all day up until 3-4pm, to drinking a mug-full, mornings. coffee has strong, deep family roots. This is a tough one... Re: soda I gave that up pretty much completely, sometime in the 1980's or '90's. Didn't really drink much before that anyway. Mom only bought it for holidays/ special occasions. I used to curse her for that because all my friends had free-flowing soda-access. Now, I thank her. Besides all the reasons already mentioned, Perhaps THIS will help inspire you to give up nasty soda for good: - Soda corporations knowingly SACRIFICE PEOPLE'S HEALTH FOR PROFIT! Who knows? Maybe they have an inside deal with the Medical Industry- who view our bodies as COMMODITIES FOR PROFIT. Hey! Your mindless consumption guarantees job-security in both industries. Sweet, eh? - Soda is 100% LAB-CREATED CHEMICALS INFUSED WITH CARBON DIOXIDE to make bubbly - Soda has ZERO NUTRITIONAL VALUE - Colas REMOVE RUST FROM METALS. Now that's some strong chit! Do you really want that in your pipes? - Colas LEECH Calcium FROM BONES (osteoporosis anyone?) - Unbelievably high, natural sugar-laden sodas contribute to a myriad of health probs; diabetes, hi-body fat after conversion to glucose--> stored, etc., etc., etc. - Artificially sweetened sodas have a whole other myriad of health probs. - They are also 100% LAB CREATED with ZERO NUTRITIONAL VALUE - Studies show high Aspertame intake causes LESIONS ON THE BRAIN (brain scars). - Studies also show the Chemicals in pink & yellow packets have been ASSOCIATED WITH A VARIETY OF CANCERS - Longterm (generational) affect is not fully known. DO YOU WANT YOUR LEGACY TO YOUR FAMILY TO BE SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS PASSED ON GENETICALLY TO YOUR CHILDREN, GRAND-CHILDREN, GREAT-GRAND CHILDREN? 100yrs from now, do you want your family to do a genetic history of health probs, and find the source was YOU? - Bubbly "flavored" waters are also LAB CREATED with zero nutritional value. Use these in moderation. Most are also artificially sweetened (see above) These are just a few reasons why I quit sodas about 30yrs ago- way before banding. It was a huge, shocking learning curve for me. I was like; NO THANK YOU! Fast forward: I don't drink many carbonated beverages in general, I used to be a big beer-drinker in my 20's & 30's. Now, maybe one in a whole year. When I do drink carbonated beverages, (I like Champagne on New Years or for 'celebrations" to Cheers! and an occasional Hard Apple Cider) I 'flatten' them, not totally, but I like most of the bubbles out so I don't stretch my pouch, burp, fart, etc. much. Either gently shake & unscrew cap on & off a few times, or tap bottle bottom on my hand a few times with cap off (not very noticeable in social settings), or open way before I drink them to release gas. Good luck! I hope this helps jump you off the soda-train. As for me, I still have the coffee-work to do. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I'm paying close attention.

ooohhh this sounds so yummy! I'll def have to try it sometime

It sounds different than what I'm feeling. I hope you can figure it out and feel better soon!

The "gross thick saliva" is a mucus plug that (I think) sits at/ near the band site. I've had it, and other things come up. I've had stuck "things" come up from above the band and other nasty stuff from below the band. Below the band is way worse. Always, the plug comes out 1st, in my case anyway. Was wondering what affect a negative-energy-purging hyawaska journey might have on the band. Probably not recommended. Probably should've done that first. hindsight...

Say it isn't so! I get so much info, comfort, support, & ideas from the bandster community forum thanks to all the last remaining band-people. I see value in co-mingling with other WLS patients- all supportive & informative too. Still, it's good to hear from same-kind re: complications, tricks of the trade, successes...

I'm where you are now. No motivation after a really harsh set-back. Weak & tired, can't get off the couch. Thank you for this post! Lets me know I'm not alone & is helping me find ways to get myself back on track. Thanks you posters!!!! <3

My pants last longer than they should. For example, taking my HUGE (125lb), super strong, 18 month-old puppy to vet for post-op visit, she decided she wanted to walk around outside rather than wait in waiting room- and so it was. Rainy, cold with a dusting of snow, she pulled me around where she wanted to go- and as she did, my jeans fell lower... and lower.. and lower... so I had the leash in my right hand, and a belly-sling huffed up over my left shoulder with my overstuffed purse, and tried to direct her in the direction "I" wanted her to go in (cooped up for two weeks, she just wanted to run all over the place! Thankfully, I had a mid-thigh sweater on, but my pants were drooping like those "pants on the ground" pants some of young guys like to wear (no clue why!) so there I am, trying to huff my pants up - while being yarned around- overladed with massive pup-on-leash, too-big purse & belly sling- in the cold rain. I'm sure I looked like a hot mess. when we got back to over by my car- I tried to 'discretely' hike them up to an acceptable level - got one side up & the other side drooped. Back & forth... Then, I noticed the receptionist looking at me out the window with an odd, "What the FK is she doing out there???" look on her face. so when I finally got back inside, I chimed for the whole world to hear, "OMG! My pants were falling down the whole time! I kept trying to pull them up, but they kept falling down!" which made everyone chuckle & diverted embarrassment (for the most part) with comedy. A NSV- of sorts. take-home: I need a belt!

Don't eat bark off the trees! ...even though, ravenous, you'll want to over the next few weeks while getting fills that at 1st- you don't feel any restriction from

Reducing stress (exercise, meditation, breathing exercises) lowers cortisol Easier said than done, right? I need to do more of these, myself I also heard there's a new med that reduces cortisol. cortisol is the biggest factor for piling on / maintaining belly fat. Def. check with your healthcare team for ideas, suggestions, regarding the cause as well

My port is stitched to the right-side abdominal muscle. Sometimes when I stretch upwards or twist a certain way I get a sharp pain. like you, I can't replicate or pinpoint the trigger. It's sharp, hurts but goes away after I relax it. I always figured it was the port because it's exactly where the port is installed. Maybe you need a longer line from the port to the band? Sounds to me like when you have fill, it shortens the line making it pull on the muscle it's sewn onto. I'd check out a different surgeon. Sounds to me like yours is in denial about your pain being associated with the banding- like he's more concerned about preventing lawsuits, by denying causal relationship, than taking care of his patients' needs.

It'd be nice to have a general (not just banister) back to or started dating place to go for all WLS patients

Lower your cortisol level & stress

Back off to Clear liquids for a day or two, then full liquids fro several days to allow inflammation to calm down. re-integrate to solids slowly.

Fabulous! I'm SO happy you're freeeeeee from that unnamed horror-center. Your Angels were working OT on your behalf! So cool you were able to reschedule with another surgery- in DEC '14 - a day earlier! wow! This tells me the Universe has your back on your WLS journey- that now, it's the right place, at the right time. Best wishes

Our WLS "father" - the giver of new life! Thank you

I've been pretty successful with banding. A few bumps and humps to get over. Always had an iron-stomach. With banding, it's a lot more sensitive. Takes getting used to. carolinagirl: I have Realize band. Surgeon stitched some of my tummy up over the bottom of the band to prevent slippage. DOn't know if I had "with plication". What's plication?

I've been on a date site for awhile, went on a few dates. No connection. Feels weird. No good selection. Could branch out onto other sites. Don't want to pay to be on them. Then again, you get what you pay for.. Would love to meet someone organically; get all tingly looking at each other from across the room., then meet. Do men even ask women out these days? Or is everyone meeting each other sitting in front of their computers now?

gowalking: How wonderful for you! I enjoyed reading your post. So exciting, a breath of fresh air. You've got my wheels turning... yes, I want that feeling of a new relationship again too hopefully, I will

I haven't dated in so long, I don't even know how to meet anyone anymore. Any tips on THAT would be really helpful. I put off dating to raise my kids, then I put off dating to finish college, then I put off dating to have & recover from a boatload of (non-elective) surgeries. I realized there's always something to put off dating for... but now there's not really a good reason. I feel ready but have no clue how to meet a good, respectable man. Clarification: I've had a lot of 1st dates, a couple 2nd & third along the way, but wasn't ready to date 'seriously'. I had a couple bad experiences dating after my marriage ended. Wanted to get to know ME well enough to be a good "I'm interested in him" picker. So now I'm ready, but frozen, like a deer in headlights without a clue where to go 50 dates in a couple months? wow I wouldn't even know how people can 'connect' that many times to go on a date. Did they all ask you out? I like the man to do the asking but ... none have. I need to get out more, that's a good 1st step- but where? lol And what's the get it started protocol these days?

Thanks for the heads up on the Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Exercise, exfoliate, cocoa butter, bio oil, epsom salts baths, and baths with strong coffee in it