notateechanow

Great, strong heartbeat! Congrats. I'll assume your doctor knows very little about the band. It's not common to have B 12 difficiencies the way GB patients do. You may want to remind (tell) her that the band doesn't change how your body derives nutrients from meals. I requested the screening for diabetes early. When I was much heavier, I was prediabetic. I've had a lot of dizziness and just want to be sure all is normal. Most get tested after 25-30 weeks. If you are still more than 30-40 pounds overweight, it is because of that, not the band. I'd assume your OBGYN hadn't had many banded patients before. Good luck!!

April 21st is a great date to have a baby. (It's my birthday and my anniversary!) I'm due March 16th. Had one internal exam and one ultrasound so far. It's hard to imagine I'm pregnant because aside from morning/afternoon/evening/late night sickness and horrible fatigue, all else just feels like I'm getting fat again! Because I'm constantly reminded I'm 'very high risk' due to my weight and age (40) I don't want to get overly excited in fear of a late miscarriage. I should mention I have never been pregnant before and have never before tried. Thankfully, it worked naturally for us, though I was prepared for In-vitro in the event it didn't work naturally for us. I did all of my homework first, though. I workout regularly, eat healthy, and am tremendously fortunate that I do not have PCOS or any other issues with regularity. I've followed my OB's directions carefully and hope for the best. I can only hope the same for all of you! I've had a few friends miscarry late in the pregnancy, so I'm holding off being excited and focusing on each day as it comes. As a totally different note, I was a 16/18 or 14 W before conceiving. I'm having issues finding maternity clothes. Anyone have any suggestions? I need professional looking clothes that don't look too maternity as I don't want to disclose my pregnancy at work for a while.....I even tried going up a clothing size, but only my waist needs it and the clothes hang horribly on me!

I'm only 14 weeks and have gained about 5 pounds. I expect it's mostly because all I could tolerate during my first trimester was carbs. Everything else made me nauseous and sick. I'm accustomed to working out hard at least 4-5 times a week and also had to curtail that. (I'm 40 and pregnant for the first time...) I still workout, though certainly not as hard. My OBGYN wants me not to gain weight. I had to see my bariatric surgeon last week because my port is no longer anchored. Yep, it moves freely. It protrudes from under my ribs without forcing it out, too! After congratulating me on losing over 8 pounds after my wedding, I mentioned my pregnancy and concerns about my floating/flipped port. We opted to drain the band as a precautionary measure. I haven't had food intolerances related to my band (after nearly 5 years of experience, I can definitely tell the difference between band issues and basic stomach issues) and decided since I've still managed to lose weight, I'd rather take the fluid out before really getting big. I certainly don't want them manipulating this silly port at 7 months pregnant and trying to get the fluid out. So.....my band is on hold for now. Gaining weight has me horribly stressed. This is noooooo fun!!

Thanks! Picked up my dress. I only need a few alterations. For once I'm very happy to be so tall. I only need about an inch or so taken off the bottom. The rest is fantastic! (Oh to avoid the expensive alterations.....) I've got my fill and I'm ready to roll!

I wrote that over 2 years ago. Since then....I've had a major slip, my band unclamped, gained about 40 pounds, and finally re-clamped my band. I've worked my a$$ off---literally. I'm getting married in 54 days and the only thing I can't do is waddle down the aisle large again. I'm almost the size I want to be, but about 20 pounds heavier. I'm working with a trainer and my dietician to get there.... I had a fill today. I think it's important you get over the embarrassment and go back to the doctor. Remember that s/he works FOR YOU! This is and should be all about YOU!!! Maybe it's time to schedule with your dietician, if one is available. Go back to the basics. Are you eating in the right order? Measuring what you eat? Drinking only before you eat? Journaling what you eat? I believe what you said about the office not reaching out is likely the reason many offices don't do banding. We are labor-intensive compared to the GB patients. Just remember that you've gone through this long process to lose weight. This is all about you and your willingness to change your life. When you're ready to get back at it, your band is still there. Just don't let embarrassment keep you from getting the medical care you need. You've worked too hard to let that happen. Good luck! Keep me posted!!!

Any time your body swells your band will feel tighter. This is a great time to workout! If you're moving and sweating out some of that fluid, it will really help. Even if you're just doing a brisk walk, you'll see a difference. Watch your sodium intake, too. It shouldn't last more than a few days. If it does, you may want to consider a slight unfill.

I miss you guys! I've been really struggling. I have been going to the gym 4-5 days a week, working out with a trainer 2 of those days, and doing around 4-5 miles each time. (I work for 20 miles a week now...) Needless to say, I'm 'home'---back here. I am hoping that being back on here will give me the needed push to work on this. I've been trying to add more protein and work at eating more. I remember this horrible up 2, down 3 phase the first time around and I'm not liking it any more this time than last. Course, this time around I have a wedding to worry about! I've been trying to make it to a meeting, but I just don't see that happening right now. I know I'm not the only one struggling and miss commiserating with all of you. Hope 2012 has been a good year for all of you thus far....

Outstanding! Congrats. As soon as you're healed from surgery, your band will be waiting and ready for you. I, too, had 4 surgeries in a year and managed to gain some weight back. Good news is that after healing, I'm back at it again. Wishing you continued success.

Ok....had a really hard reality slap today. While I'm still down about 65 pounds since surgery, after my band slipping and re-clamping, I'm still back up around 40 pounds.....and my engagement photos showed every single ounce of those pounds. I'm horrified. THIS is why I had the band. To prevent ever having to feel like this again. Good news is, I signed up for a new gym today---meeting with the trainer tomorrow. (mind you, I had no idea how bad my engagement photos were going to be or that they'd arrive today!) I have 133 days until my wedding and a new resolve. I'll allow myself a few hours of serious sadness for my wasted efforts and move on. My 4 year Bandiversary is on the date of our next meeting. Looking forward to focusing on Dr. Robinson's 5-10 pounds a month and getting back to where I was at this point last year. It's just disgusting that I managed to gain so much weight back in such a short time. I really thought I had this thing all figured out.....and then life set in. Hoping to see some of you on the 12th as it may very well be my last meeting for a while.

Good luck! I hope it all goes well. After 3 consultations with my PS and paying ahead of time, I had a major slip over Thanksgiving last year and my surgery was scheduled the following week....and was canceled. Money returned...I was 'unclamped' and without a band for nearly 7 months. 30 pounds later, I'm relieved I didn't go ahead with PS. I'd definitely need revision if I had. I'm using my PS money for a down payment on a house. I had my band 're-clamped' and am working on getting back on track now. I hope to one day get that PS I waited so long for. Good luck with your legs. Post pics when you're feeling well enough to do so!

Is it possible you misunderstood the added fees? I was 'accepted' into a Surgical program that had an extra $500 fee---this allows me to attend monthly support groups, unlimited meetings with a dietician, etc. I had no costs for the first 6 months post-surgery, not even a co-pay. With regard to the 25 pounds comment---Most surgeons quote that a 'successful' banded patient will lose in the neighborhood of 40-60% of your EXCESS body weight. Thus, if he thought you should lose approximately 100 pounds, you will most likely lose (and keep off) between 40 and 60 pounds. Is it possible he did not think that having surgery was worth the risk for the possibility of only losing 25 pounds? With all due respect, you sound very defensive. I assure you that MANY of the people I know out here are intelligent, hard working people. We are not lazy people who sat around eating bon-bons. We expect you're likely the same as the rest of us..... I didn't find my surgeon to be at all condescending. His entirely livelihood has been built on helping overweight people. Perhaps you expected, and thus were given, the worst?!

Jay, thinking we're beyond 'lying'. Call to schedule an appointment soon---it takes a long time to get one. Even if you want it for Sept. I honestly think you're better off just going in and telling him you're making a new commitment to making this work. You might even consider making an appointment with the new dietician. He works for you. Don't let him intimidate you. This is all about you...and his supporting your quest to lose weight. @ Tiny---hope that fill works well. I'm scheduled again for my 2nd fill on August 1st.

My appointment went well. Got my first fill since my re-clamping. Gained like 13 pounds. I told him that I had an appointment scheduled with the Dietician and that I've got a lot going on. This isn't a time when I've been able to focus on myself, and he seemed to get it. Gave me the fill and told me he'd see me in a few weeks. Moving right along... If you'll go in August, I'll go. Just remember to remind me!

Can't imagine the group over at the Brigham/Faulkner would be happy to read that they're not on that list....or that you'e posted it here. I expect they KNOW already.....

Changed my appointment for this afternoon. I'm in for tonight. See you then!

It depends on who attends....they're run by the dieticians. Typically they have some topic or another, relating to "banded life" and how to deal with frustrations, issues, concerns, etc. After that it has always been a free for all. However, I've not attended since Monica started working with the program, so they may be very different. Attendees range from pre-op, people considering LB and post-op. Didn't you have to attend one of the meetings before they allowed you to be banded?

Sorry I missed you guys tonight. I had to make the decision before lunch today, so I went to meet with the Dept. of Ed since no one responded earlier.

Wow---I was you a few months ago. After nearly 3 years of working with my band to lose 120 pounds and keeping it off for over a year, I finally scheduled plastic surgery--completely self-paid. I don't make a ton of money, but it was so worth the investment to me to be able to live my life as a "normal" person would. Unfortunately, that all came crashing down on me a week before my PS. My band slipped. Yep, 3 years and the damned thing gave up on me. for those 3 years, I LOVED my band. I loved how I felt (not the daily puking part....) but I loved feeling comfortable in my own skin, even the extra parts!! So here I am, able to eat bread, pasta, rice, pizza---all those foods I couldn't eat for 3 years. And in just 8 short months, I managed to gain back about 40 pounds before having my band replaced. I saved myself 12K for plastic surgery. Couldn't go forward with it. I've learned a very valuable lesson in all of this. I gave my band credit. I took away the true essence of what work I put into this process. The band certainly helped me get control of my eating, but it didn't change my life. I DID. And now, I'm working to get it back. As much as I will miss those foods I can't tolerate, nothing compares to the pain of having been a comfortable size and knowing that freedom, only to have it taken away by my lack of self control. Years ago I managed to gain weight without noticing the difference. This time is very different. I know my post-band life. I loved my body. I loved myself, and I loved how happy I was......You're not alone in feeling the hate for the band. Realize that the band doesn't give you a self control that never previously existed. It merely helped you exercise what you already had but didn't use.....good luck. I hope for better days ahead for you. We all have that band-regret from time to time, but I absolutely wouldn't give my band back!!!

Anyone headed to the meeting next week @ the Faulkner? I'd like to go, but if most of you aren't going.....I'll head to the DESE forum on teacher evaluation instead! Keep me posted!

Stan, It wasn't until seeing pictures of myself from a 'landmark' birthday a few years ago that I realized how large I really was. A few things I've learned about myself through my 3+ year banding journey--- 1) I rarely allowed myself to be photographed at my heavier size, and definitely not at my biggest unless drunk. 2) I always hid behind structures and other people in photos. 3) Larger sized clothing (for me it was sizes 20 and far beyond...) has far more stretch than smaller sizes. I wore the same clothes for my first 40 or 50 pounds lost, yet at my current size, every 10-12 pounds makes a tremendous difference. 4) I rarely looked at myself in mirrors. If I was using a mirror to check out my hair, that's all I looked at....avoiding the parts I couldn't bear to see. This journey has had a lot of ups and downs for me. Acknowledging my size was only one of many of the surprises. I couldn't believe how much my family and friends supported my fat "me". They never said anything about my size, fearful they'd upset and offend me. Evidently I was very irritable and easily upset when I was huge... I never realized how many ways I enabled myself to be large, even when I was wearing the largest sizes available in retail stores and needed larger clothes. From only going to stores and restaurants that had plenty of close or valet parking to going places with wide aisles and roomy tables. It's hard to be honest with yourself and recognize the truth you've created. This journey can be an amazing one, but it's important the very first step you make is to find something to appreciate about yourself and your efforts every day. Do not demean yourself---rather count the steps you make in the right direction! Good luck.

IBelieve, so good to see you today!! It's the unexpected meetings that mean the most. I hope your appointment went well today! So I saw Dr. R today for the first time since my re-buckling. Technically, I've gained weight since he weighed me in 2 weeks prior to the surgery. However, I gained about 10 pounds between that day and when I actually had the band re-buckled. So....I'm 2.5 weeks post-op and am about 5 pounds down since my surgery, but 5 pounds up since my pre-op over a month ago. SHOCKINGLY, Dr. R said very little about it. In fact, he spent more time talking about my hurrying to get discharged after my surgery than anything else. He pointed to my weight on the chart and said, "This is going in the wrong direction." I told him very honestly that I'm struggling. (I'm entirely overwhelmed with work right now---and let's be honest---it drives me immediate to the stuff we shouldn't eat. I'm human. This is temporary, but right now, I'm over my head.) I also followed that with, "I've been talking with Monica." which is also true. I'm up a few pounds today, expecting it's actually PMS. So...that was it. He looked at my sutures to be sure they're healing. Asked if I have any restriction. Wondered if I'm feeling ok....and never lectured. Never gave me a hard time. So.....I was ready for a lecture and nearly called last Friday to cancel today's appointment. I'm really glad I didn't. I go back in 4 weeks (assuming I EVER get through to make an appointment. Does anyone else struggle with this "new" woman in making appointments???? I know the voicemail says she'll return your call in 24 hours, but that has NEVER happened for me. In fact, it typically takes 3-4 calls for me to make a simple appointment. She doesn't return my calls. EVER) for my first fill. I'm feeling huge. Overwhelmed with work, but so relieved I'm headed back in the right direction. I'm still down 65 pounds since my original surgery, but I don't have any clothes that fit and am scheduled for a vacation in 12 days. Not how I wanted to look or feel, but I so desperately need it. I'm just relieved to be back on my journey. Will absolutely be at the meeting @ the Faulkner this month. Hope to see you guys there, too!!

Faulkner is this coming Monday. I won't be there, but hope to make it in June! Lapband Support meetings: 6-7:30pm May 2011: Faulkner Monday May 9th!!

Carol, Remember that the initial purpose of the band isn't to FEEL restriction, but to make you less hungry---not head hungry, but physical hunger. When you constantly seek to have restriction from that outside source, you could jeopardize yourself and your band. (as I undoubtedly did....) Jennifer, I went through a really difficult time about a year and a half post banding. I completely relate to what you are going through. I'm sorry you're dealing with a break up---I know how disappointing it can be---and daunting to consider dating with this band, too! Just remember how much BETTER dating will be at -70 pounds..... The best part of the band is that it is keeping you from gaining the weight you likely would have if not for having it. It's a tool that will be there when you're ready to get back on track. Stop putting pressure on yourself. Realize that some days are better than others and there are bound to be set backs. Anyone who tells you that this is about losing constantly is not being honest. We're human and we have life issues. We wouldn't be in this predicament if eating didn't provide us comfort. Think about getting back on track one behavior at a time---portion size, diet, water, and exercise. To make all changes at once and expect perfection is not only setting you for failure, but you're more likely to resent it. Ladies, if nothing else, I've come to re-appreciate how much I need you all!!! Thank you for being here for me and for helping me through this seemingly impossible rough patch. I'm still in PT for my healing foot surgery so I can't make it next week. I hope to be at the meeting in June, when life becomes routine once again. Be well. Have a good week, and thanks again!!!

While I understand his frustration, this isn't about Dr. R. This is about you. If you need support, ask for it and get it. Please don't let this be yet another place where you feel that people are justified in putting you down. We teach people how to treat us. Teach him better. Tell him you understand his frustration, but that you feel and live it every day. No one went through this extensive process of having something surgically implanted to gain weight or be unsuccessful. If they need to redesign their program to include a behavioral component, then so be it....but please don't let him deter you from being where you want to be.