notateechanow

I'm BAAAAACCCCCKKKKK. Yep. Re-buckled. Re-banded. OH, and in pain. Totally forgot about this part. Had my surgery on Wednesday. Because last fall went so easily (surgery to unbuckle) I went ahead and planned to be at work on Thursday night, knowing I bounce back from anesthesia pretty well.... So.....had a nightmare roommate and once again remember why I prefer the Faulkner over the Brigham. Private rooms. That's all anyone needs to know. There's nothing more challenging than "rooming" with someone who orders up a storm of food or whose bells and whistles go off all night long to make a hospital stay miserable. I gained over 8 pounds of what I can only assume is fluids while in the hospital. It's been 3 days since surgery and I still feel as though I've swallowed a martian. I'm excited and relieved to be headed back down the scale. I took for granted how easy this was the first time---but it could have been my level of commitment or my complete ignorance, too. I never anticipated the intolerances and things I could never eat again. This time around I had a lot of "last meals" and things I knew I could never have again. It's been a huge emotional struggle this time because I'm trying to keep it all together while thinking about planning a wedding. I've finally decided to start dress shopping in the beginning of June. I know I'll never "just do it" if I don't commit to it. I never considered 6 months ago that I'd be worried about losing weight again, rather than recuperating from the long planned tummy tuck and Lipo I paid for last fall...and never had. I'm no where I planned to be right now and trying to appreciate this journey for what it is intended to be. This last surgery has absolutely reminded me of the parts of the journey I managed to block out of my memory. YET I'd still do it all over again...and again...and again. I want my life back. With every mile I log on the treadmill, I'm one step closer. Hope you've all had a good spring holiday season. I'm hoping to make it to the next meeting. I know I need to be with all of you if I'm going to make this work. Hope to see you soon!

"conservative"?! That's putting it lightly. I think he's on the spectrum. Don't get me wrong--he's a very skilled surgeon. He's operated on me twice in 3 years. This will be my 3rd surgery with him. I wouldn't be going back if I didn't trust his ability. HOWEVER, I didn't choose him based on personality.

I think he was dumbfounded when I accidentally dropped the "f" bomb. Not nearly as bad as when I cried that time, though! I finally told him that if he wasn't going to be supportive, I'd find another surgeon who could/would be. I pay for his service. I should get the service I want, unless it's medically unsafe. I assure you that I'm far healthier now than I was at over 300 pounds. Enough is enough. I'm done with feeling like a failure.

Today I stood up for myself. I explained that I chose this route and that I'm looking for support not sh/t. Enough is enough. I need this...and you likely do, too. Do what's best for you. The lecture is only as effective as you let it be.

Jay, My band was 'unclamped' after a horrific slip on Thanksgiving. Emergency surgery 3 days later. 6 days of no eating, drinking, or even ice chips. They used my feet for iv's because I was so dehydrated. Was @ Faulkner for just under a week. Been a living hell since then. Dr. R told me it would be "quick" to fix...which I thought meant it would be repaired at Christmas or January at latest, but he kept putting me off because I gained weight. Duh. So I have all of the hardware still in place, but I have to have it re-clamped in 2 weeks. He may replace the band, too. We'll see.

Just walked in from what I "think" is my last pre-surgical meeting....but with the way things have gone for me since Thanksgiving with Dr. R, I never know.....I'm scheduled for the anesthesiologist next week and surgery on the 27th. I'm hoping this time things go as I've planned. I noticed the posting about last night's meeting after it happened. I'll go when you guys go!! I miss seeing all of you and I want control over my eating and my life back. After living for 3 years with my band, the past 5 months have been absolute hell. I now understand why the people who need to be unbanded are bitter. I recognize that the underlying reasons for my obesity are still there, though latent for a few years. Hidden well by my working out incessantly and eating very little, but nonetheless, still all there! Jay, you'll appreciate that I've been on the pre-op diet for 4 weeks now. Dr. R kept sending me home to lose weight.....thought I was gonna die. Seriously, I wouldn't have this band if not for needing it. I assure you, if I could lose weight without it, I would. I didn't think surgery was just something fun to try! Even WITH my weight gain, I've still maintained 55% of my excess body weight lost.....so I wasn't very nice the last few times he gave me a hard time. This time I even accidently swore when defending myself. With as far as I've come in the past few years, I'll be damned if some man with a few degrees more than me is gonna make me think I'm a complete effing failure. So....I miss you guys. Need my old life back and need to drop a few so I can go wedding dress shopping. My life has been on hold for 5 months and I want it back.....

The reason they don't want you to smoke is because it hinders your body's ability to heal. It won't kill you, but try to get back on track. Keep your hands busy doing other things---reading, washing dishes, etc. I remember vividly how difficult the liquid diet is. It gets easier, but it is definitely a challenge for the next few weeks. Good news is that this isn't forever....it gets easier. Good luck!

And now........ So much has happened since August!!! I had emergency surgery right before my scheduled TT. My band was "unclamped" due to slipping. It's been hell since then. I've gained about 35 pounds since the day of surgery, though I was down 20 on the day of surgery because I wasn't able to keep anything down for about 2 weeks. (One of those weeks spent in the hospital with no food, water, ice--anything!) I had my 2nd foot surgery as planned, but never did have my TT. I got ENGAGED earlier this week. We're moving forward with wedding plans, but I'm petrified about my weight. My surgeon has been a complete jerk. He hasn't re-clamped my band because I gained weight. After 3 successful years of being banded, this has been a tremendous loss. I'm working on re-gaining control. I have 6 more weeks before I can even start walking on a treadmill because of my foot. Not working out has been hard, and not having my band to restrict portions has been hell. So.....while my band situation really sucks, the rest of my life is moving forward. I'm hoping to have surgery to repair the band in the next few months. I'm also hoping to get pregnant as soon as I'm married, so maybe it's all for the best......I knew leaving my ex would be the best thing for me and I am pleased to say......I was right. Life is good. Hope you're all well!

Ok---I hate the new format of this website. I couldn't find this thread to save my life and wonder if that's why no one (Other than me!) seems to come on here any more! I'm 3.5 weeks post op for my foot. I can't believe how much faster/better I've healed this time around---and can't help but think about the nutritional implications of having a band. Mine still hasn't been "re-clamped". Went to see Dr. R again yesterday. Finally made wait. I finally have come to realize that EVERY visit I have with him, I'm more confused by what he says....and it's no longer my fault. He initially arrived and asked if I had come for a fill. Maybe he should start working to read a patient's file before entering the exam room?! It was just odd---so I made weight. I lost enough for them to re-submit to my insurance company. Mind you--I have all of the hardware still in me. Seems simple enough. He made a comment about how I "already was assigned a surgery date" but must have forgotten he told me I had to lose weight or he wouldn't do it. I was scheduled to go in 2 weeks ago and canceled when I thought I might not make weight. Was scheduled for surgery tomorrow, but was canceled when I canceled weigh in. This whole experience has me shaking my head---and I don't know if I have even explained it clearly because I don't understand any of it. Here's my one big question---I'm waiting for them to submit for insurance and for my new surgery date. Do any of you remember if I have to see HIM again before surgery? GOD, I hope not---but not just because talking with him is exasperating, but because I can't possibly not gain weight if I'm a few months out from surgery again. If I was honest with all of you and told you what I had to do to make weight this time, you'd be horrified.....but you've gotta do what you've gotta do. If he didn't hold me to this odd standard, I wouldn't have been forced to do it. Sad thing is, I'm still well within their "40 to 60% of excess body weight lost" category yet nearly couldn't have surgery again if I couldn't drop at least 5 pounds. Yep. 3+ years out. Even with my weight gain, I'm at 58% excess body weight lost. AND yet Dr. R wasn't sure I'd be able to have the stupid thing re-clamped if I couldn't drop 5-10 pounds to SHRINK my effing liver. I'm guessing my liver is far smaller NOW than it was when he did the original surgery and I weighed over 300 pounds. So....I'm confused. I'm annoyed that my life has been on hold since Thanksgiving. I don't want to have to agonize that I'll be weighed in again before I finally have surgery. I'm waiting for my phone to ring. Let's hope they're prompt!!! How are the rest of you? When is the next meeting????

I'm more than 3 years out and I still struggle. (I had a major slip at Thanksgiving so I'm technically "unclamped" right now) My nutritionist used to refer to this as head hunger. No surgery will ever fix the emotional eating. I have spent a lot of time going to counseling and found it to be tremendously helpful. You've really got to figure out what's eating YOU, since you say that the food you eat really doesn't provide any relief. You need replacement behaviors---alternatives to eating when you're feeling that compulsion. I've stopped buying the foods I shouldn't eat, but I live alone---so it's that much easier for me. This battle never ends, but it can be easier. Many years ago, in one weight loss program or another that I did, my group leader encouraged me to think before eating anything---am I eating because I'm hungry? bored? tired? stressed? happy? sad? I also had to learn that smaller people eat to live, not live to eat as I always have. People without weight issues eat only until they're no longer hungry. The rest of us eat until the food is gone. I think it's important that you recognize this relatively early in your journey. That's the first step to finding a way to make it easier for you. If you have access to a counselor who specializes in eating disorders, that is the first place to start. Does your surgeon off a support group? Mine saved my life. Knowing I am not alone has made it so much more bearable, but also having the chance to talk with other "bandsters" about their experiences and behaviors they've created to avoid over eating. I wish you luck in this journey. Success starts with a single step.....and you've taken that by having surgery---but now it's time to move forward and figure out how to use this tool in a way that makes you happy. Finding a way to end your compulsion will bring you the success you need/want. Good luck!

OMG---No Phyllis??!! Just wanted to tell you all---even though I'm in band hell (my band was NOT re-clamped and because I've gained weight since Dr. R Un-clamped it in November [not shocking!] and I can't get a date til I've lost weight...) I had foot surgery again today. Totally different experience from the last time. I had it done at the Faulkner again. This time my post-op care nurse HAS a band!! He was awesome. Granted, no bad side effects from any of the drugs this time. I was so sick last time. I tried to convince the nurse to come to the group because I think it's great to have a medical perspective, but also because he's more than a year out and has never attended. To say the very least, I'm happy with my foot, but discouraged by this band. Trying my best to make this go in the right direction. Hoping to make it to the March meeting. If nothing else, I do have a schedule. Hope you all had a good Valentine's Day! I miss all of you. Been forever!!!!

Thanks, Sue---and I totally agree. Fortunately, I was "up" last fall when he last weighed me. I was never weighed when I was hospitalized, so he was shocked that my post-surgical (unclamping of my band) weight was actually 5 pounds LESS than it was in October. SO...that weight was still more than I usually weigh---but more than 5 pounds lower than where I am now. No worries. I will make this work! I'll just have to work my a$$ off, literally and figuratively, for the next few weeks.

Hey, all---been a month. I'm struggling. I have an appointment with Dr. R on the 24th. If I've gained weight, he will not "re-clamp" my band.....are ya kidding me?! I've had this hardware for 3+ years and you won't allow me to have it again if I can't maintain without it?! So....working hard with journaling my intake, focusing on eating well and doing all of those things I thought I had internalized 3 years ago.....evidently I did not. Who is in for the next meeting? Happy New Year!

Hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving. I've solved the mystery that surrounds a "slipped band" and how you'd know if you have one!! Mine may have slipped a few months ago, when I was in the ER for dehydration....but I had a trip to the ER on Friday and finally came home yesterday. I had to be stabilized before they could fix my band. I was so dehydrated that my IV's wouldn't stay in place..the veins kept collapsing. Dr. Lautz (not my surgeon) was on-call over the holiday weekend and had to come in to do the unfill on Saturday. The resident who tried to do it failed--not once, not twice, but jabbed me at least 5 times before I told him to call a surgeon or I'd do it myself. (I know my port is slightly tilted and difficult to hit, but even the PA's are able to do it!) Thankful I was able to call Tiny before meeting Lautz as he told me to consider revising to GB---she warned me he might. When I asked why, and explained that I'm less than 40 pounds from goal, he couldn't really give me a good answer. Incidentally, I made the choice to have a Lap Band because I wanted the least invasive procedure. I'm not now, nor have I ever been, looking for the quick fix or surgical alteration of my stomach. So everyone asks at one point or another HOW you know if your band has slipped----Tiny, I remember you saying this way back when---when you eat something that sits in your stomach and it comes back at you without feeling stuck, a few hours or even a day later. I had a ton of pain in my lower abdomen and swore it wasn't my band! Apparently it's that "referred pain" my surgeon has mentioned before. So my band is still in place, but it's been "unclipped". I was told I can return in 4-6 to have it re-clipped. I will probably wait a little longer, but we'll see....I was tremendously impressed by all of the nursing staff at the Faulkner. They were amazing! If I had to be stuck somewhere without food or drink for 4 days, this was the place to be! Hope I'll see you guys at the support group meeting. Is it next week or the week after?

Sorry to hear of your trip Jennifer. That is a total bummer. With regard to your fill level---something to keep in mind (and I sincerely hope not to sound condescending with this. Please accept my apology if I do. It's genuinely not intentional!) with regard to your band. The intention of the band isn't to make you feel "full" faster. It's to make you less hungry. "Normal" weight people eat until they're no longer hungry---whereas most of us have always eaten until we're full. The reason Dr. R asks if you're hungry between meals is to gauge your level of hunger, not "fullness". Your goal in eating needs to be to eat until you're no longer hungry and to reach a level of fill in your band that makes it so you're not hungry until the next meal time. So while I'm sure he means well by putting you off to see Phyllis or the other dietician, you need to remember the point of the band. If you're experiencing more and more intolerances, then it's time to really consider whether you're hungry when eating. As your fill increases, so too will your intolerances. Also consider the speed at which you eat. If you're eating too fast or slider foods, you will not feel as full. Dr. R's focus is on the mechanics of the band, whereas it's the job of the dietician to help you work out how to make it better work for you. Hope that helps. Again, I apologize if it sounds b/tchy. It was a concept that I have to keep reminding myself, even 3 years into this journey.

My bariatric surgeon actually suggested it to me a good while before I finally decided to meet with any Plastic surgeons. I lost about 70 pounds in the first year. I'm 5'10" and a very muscular build. Even though I'm still wearing a misses size 14, I likely won't be much smaller. My surgeon asked if I wanted a referral at that point---I waited until the end of my 2nd year, after losing another 45 pounds. At this point, the charts say I should lose another 30 pounds. I've maintained my weight for over a year and a half--give or take about 10 pounds. I will be having surgery on my 3rd anniversary of banding. I intend to keep losing, but at this point, the extra skin actually gets in my way. I wasn't someone who gained weight late in life, like many of the other LB people. I don't have a weight I intend to "get back to" as I have always been overweight as an adult. Despite being a division 1 scholarship athlete in college, I still wore a size 18/20 for most of school. I've spent nearly 20 years with horrible stretch marks in my abdomen. In fact, my PS asked if I had ever had any other kind of surgery because some of the marks are so deep. So....I'm not looking to wear a bikini. It's not a vanity thing. I'm looking to make life easier. I expect to lose several inches in my lower abdomen, though I don't anticipate losing my in my actual waist. We'll see what happens. My PS knows how much I weigh. I'm active---run regularly and workout. I could be more comfortable if not for all of the bouncing of my extra skin. I can't wait!! Their requirements were that my weight was stable and that I was merely "overweight", not obese. I'm self pay. Nothing covered by insurance because I've been meticulous about taking care of my skin to avoid rashes. If I didn't think this was the right thing for me, I wouldn't be investing so much money in this.

Tiny, my 3 year "bandiversary" will be mid-Dec. While I'm still not where I "hoped" to be, maybe my problem is that I didn't PLAN to get to goal. Unfortunately, life got in the way. We've all had our struggles, but I'm still closer to goal than I ever imagined humanly possible for me. I never kept any of my clothes from my biggest weight---and I wish I did. It's a nice way to reflect on how far you've come! We watched a video last month at my brother's from probably 4 or 5 years ago....my nephews couldn't believe how large I was back then. Sometimes it helps to reflect on how far we've come, rather than wallowing in how much farther we have to go..... Last weekend was the 3 year anniversary of KNOWING I would absolutely have the surgery. My grandmother was very ill and I knew she would soon die. I spent her last days struggling over finding something appropriate to wear to her memorial service and funeral. It was an absolutely horrible experience for me. While I'm still about 30 pounds over where I want to be, I will NEVER allow that to happen in my life again. You can't control what stressors come into your life and put the focus off of weight loss. Good luck tomorrow. Hope it's the fill you need.

Elizabeth from Dr. Vernon's office just returned my call. All 4 (who knew we had 4?!) dietitians are at a conference. None returned her e-mails or pages sent nearly an hour ago. She thinks it's a safe bet that the meeting WILL NOT BE TONIGHT!!! I originally called the receptionist at the Faulkner to find out and they put me through to her. Sorry, gang, but Holly, thank you so much for the heads up. Left a message for Phyllis on her voicemail, so if it's next week, I'll let you guys know!

I'm tentatively scheduled for 12/14 for a TT and lipo and wondered the same thing. I have a lot of excess skin as I've lost over 115 pounds. I'd still like to lose another 30 or so and worried that I haven't done enough to get closer to that before the surgery date. However, after talking to my surgeon, she assured me that having this done and losing another 20 pounds would not be an issue---it would be like any other person losing 20 pounds and it would unlikely leave much skin after. I've been putting this off for over a year now and am nearly 3 years post banding. I'm only tentatively scheduled because my surgeon is pregnant and due a week after my date....with her first child. When I went to my first consultation early last spring, she wasn't pregnant yet. Just my luck. I don't so much worry about the size of my pants so much as I look forward to finally being able to wear my pants where they were intended to be worn, not way up over the muffin top!! I can't wait. I just hope it goes off as planned!! 5 weeks to go!!!

Just called. (Thanks, Holly!) Phyllis IS out of town.....according to the calendar there IS a meeting. However, after asking a few more questions, I was told that they will call me back. So, I guess the answer is----DON'T make plans to drive all the way over until I hear back from them!!!

Welcome, Baby! I hope the info session went well for you. I know there are other programs in the area that do not charge a program fee, but one of the very important aspects of this program is the aftercare----the visits with the nutritionist and the support groups. Many of the area hospitals do not offer these, and I've personally found them to be essential. (I had surgery 3 years ago this Dec.) Let's face it---this can be a VERY lonely experience. Your surgeon likely will never have actually had the surgery, and few friends have, if any. Having a group of people to help you through this is essential. One major word of advice---the surgeons in our program will operate at either the Brigham or the Faulkner. You can do follow up appointments at either one as needed---but the Faulkner offers only private rooms. I had mine at the Brigham, but I think others would agree that having your own room would be a fantastic benefit!!! The support group meets at both hospitals, as well. It would be a good idea to attend one if you're really interested in having your surgery at one of these hospitals. We have all sorts of people in our groups---from prospective patients to some as many as 4 years+ out. Hope you've gotten some answers to your questions. If not, shout them out. People will answer when time allows. Good luck on your journey. :thumbup:

OH, Tiny...my issue was that I gained that much in like 3 weeks!! I've been at 3.5 and 4 CC since my hospital visit in early Sept. I just started working out again about 3 weeks ago. Yep--totally coincided with my weight gain. I'm not a believer in that whole "muscle weighs more than fat" thing. I know I was hungrier when I started working out. I ate more. I ate healthy, but tended to eat more fibrous foods and not enough protein. Funny enough---I saw him today. I was in by 4:19 for my 4:30 appointment. I never even had a chance to fill out the paper that we do before each appointment. I was out before 4:30. He didn't even mention my weight gain! He simply told me it was "a good time for a fill". Oh, and to think I agonized about it!!! So he put me up to 5.0 cc's. Hoping the restriction will help with the hunger!!! Staying away from Halloween treats and candy hasn't been easy.....

A few days late and a few dollars short---been crazy with work and life. Sorry I forgot about the meeting this week. When is November's meeting? I go back in next week for another fill. Been at 4.0 for about 6 weeks now. Working out again and not losing weight, though I'm not shocked. Tova, I know you mentioned you gained when your band was all let out--I'm seeing Dr R. next week, and for the first time have gained nearly 10 pounds. I'm a little nervous about how he's going to be about it. I figure I'm eating all the right stuff now, just WAY too much of it. I'm hungry all the time---tummy grumbling, the whole 9 yards. Just a little anxious about what he's going to say.... Hope you guys are well. :wink2:

I agree with everything that was previously said---the most successful banded people are those who have had success losing weight in the past, but who struggle with keeping it off. The Lap Band will not lose the weight for you---it's not like gastric bypass that forces your body to function differently. Many people are not successful with the band, and it is absolutely possible to "eat around" the band and to gain weight. I had nearly all of my fill taken out a few months ago after having tolerance issues. (This isn't all that common, so no worries!) I've gained about 10 pounds. However, pre-banded life would have been a great deal more. I have been able to keep it in check and with regular visits back to my surgeon, intend to return to my previous weight and even lose a few more pounds. The Lap Band won't lose weight for you. You must make life changes. However, the life it has given me far outweighs any type of "buyers remorse" that I may have encountered along the way. Any frustrations I've had have been somewhat temporary. When I encounter those, it's time to return to my surgeon, nutritionist, or find support on here. I wish you the best in making a decision that fits with your lifestyle.

Thanks, BetsyB. That's actually one of the reasons I decided to go to the hospital. They ran blood tests when I arrived, and thankfully everything was ok. I was just horribly dehydrated.