notateechanow

Hi, Sandy. The first few post-op appointments are covered by the program fee you paid---though I don't remember for how long. Help me out here, guys--it's either first 3 or 6 months. After that, I pay my usual co-pay. Nothing else.

OMG. I haven't laughed this hard in years-----a former co-worker of mine once described the "froggy" pose necessary for this. Heck, my blood pressure tops the charts for a mere gyno appointment. I could never do this! I have NEVER been more thankful to be naturally blonde with sparse body hair!!! But you ladies definitely have me dying. I'm with the woman who asked about doing this at a larger size. I have what feels like a ton of extra skin and stretch marks and I don't even like to be caught in my bra and panties, let alone lose the panties. I never could go somewhere AND go back another time. I just don't think I could face the same woman twice! My hat off to all of you. OH, in the name of vanity. I'm happy to live in an area that has a short summer.....:wink:

Hey, ladies---your body is healing. You won't lose right now, or at least you shouldn't really be doing much at this point. The first 6 weeks or so (according to MY surgeon) is for healing. You are unlikely to lose substantial weight until the 3rd or 4th fill, depending on the size of your band. (For most of us, that's about 3+ months out....) Don't get discouraged. Until your band truly provides restriction, you're simply dieting. Diets didn't work for us or you wouldn't have gone this route. Stay on it. I was banded in Dec. of 2007. I didn't lose any substantial weight until nearly March. I only lost about 55-60 pounds in my first year, but am now down 115 pounds. Not everyone will lose at the same rate, but follow the directions given by your surgeon. Your surgeon and nutritionist will be your greatest supports at this time. Keep in touch and follow the dietary suggestions they've made. Take measurements. You may not notice the difference on the scale, but you will notice a change in measurements.....Stick with this! You will make it through!!!! Follow those guidelines of sticking to Protein first, followed by veggies, and limit the starches. (When you're on solids!) Be sure you get enough Water. sleep. Move as much as you're able. This won't happen over night, but in the end, it will work if you keep with it. Don't give up, ladies! We've all been there, and you WILL make it through this frustrating time! :laugh: OH---AND MOST IMPORTANTLY----STEP AWAY FROM THE SCALE!!! You WILL drive yourselves crazy if you keep on and off of it all day long. I never realized how obsessed I was until my now ex reported he SAW me on it 12+ times in one day. (And that was only the non-working hours....) It won't change much. Once a week is best. On and off the scale all day long will only add to your frustration!

Good move. STAY away from the scale!! You going Monday? Debating about getting another fill. I have barely any restriction and am up about 7 or 8 pounds----not surprising because I can eat just about anything---but I also had to stop working out a few months ago, so I have that working against me, too. I don't want to be overfilled, but seriously....I need some help from my band, too! What to do?!

The best thing I ever did for myself was to start counseling. I love my nutritionist's saying that they've banded your stomach, not your head. On a very different level, if you're not eating out of boredom, let me suggest that you might try increasing your Water and Protein. Before my life as a banded woman, I found my food cravings to really diminish when I was eating well balanced meals and making sure I was getting what I needed nutritionally. Let's face it, though....you didn't get obese by eating healthy. These habits are so difficult to break. I spent the night curled up on the couch last weekend with my two best buddies---Ben and Jerry. I very consciously did it. I was well aware of what I was doing! I just "needed" it. Now, when I get on the scale and see I've gained a few pounds, I just accept that I have to get back on the wagon and make a better commitment to myself. By the way, if you've recently started back to work, is it stress eating??!! I KNOW, without a doubt, that this is why I'm eating this week. I just started back to school. We're all right there with you or we wouldn't need to have this tool surgically implanted. Find a healthy replacement behavior or just keep the tiny sizes of candy around so you aren't able to over indulge. Being banded doesn't have to mean giving up everything you love---it just gives you a way to better control your portion size. Good luck to you. Just know you're not alone.

I was regurgitating at every meal for a super long time---like 5 or 6 months. I specify regurgitating because for me it wasn't the whole vomiting thing---as soon as I would eat, it would come right back at me, not even having time to get to my stomach. I had an Upper GI last month and had an unfill. While I've managed to gain about 6 pounds, I also finally don't have as many intolerances! I still have issues with eating before lunch time. I can't even have a protein shake unless I take it really slowly. But, later in the day, I'm all set. I'm just happy to be able to indulge in foods I thought were long off my list---salads, rice, breads. I never imagined I'd crave a salad or sandwich! I also realize that maybe I'm simply trying to eat too much. I started going back to the basics with measuring and eating slowly and have had a lot more success and fewer incidents. It doesn't sound like reflux. Reflux is really different, but you might consider a very slight unfill. I think they took out .4 last time and it made a world of difference for me. I thought it was going to be like this forever----with regurgitating at every meal---but it doesn't have to be. Sounds like you're too tight. No restriction is worth that. Get some fill taken out. Good luck!

Excellent job, Heidi. Now don't weigh yourself again for a few days---your weight will/should fluctuate throughout the day and from day to day. Don't keep checking because you'll get frustrated if it goes back up. You going to make it out next Monday for the meeting? Keep up that great work! :thumbup:

Heidi---I LOVE the new pic!! Mondays are always at the Faulkner, Tuesdays at the Brigham, though they're not usually the same week. I'll go the 14th. Hoping to see you guys all there! Paige

Heidi, Tell your daughters that teachers are JUST as nervous and excited about the first day. I never used to sleep the day before school started! I'm not teaching directly any more, but was an elementary and middle school teacher for 14 years. I now work in Professional Development for our school department and Teachers' Union. I go back next week...one more week by the pool! As far as the liquids go, I'm not disciplined enough to do that. I've now gained 9 pounds since my unfill and since I haven't been able to workout . It's killing me. I have an appointment on the 14th at the Faulkner at 3:45. Maybe I'll stick around in the area and go to the support group meeting if you are going. Let me know! :tt1: Paige

I chose not to tell anyone for personal reasons, but rarely regretted keeping it to myself. This isn't GB and it may be a few months before you lose more than 10 pounds. I'd suggest holding off on telling people until you've had 3-4 fills---otherwise you may be frustrated by people watching to see the weight fall off and watching every thing you put in your mouth. Read up on this thread. You'll see that many people have felt frustrated for the first 2-3 months by slow to no weight loss. Chime in, guys----what you do think about telling people?

According to the surgeons and Phyllis, you won't notice a difference in bands---it's just a different manufacturer, like taking generic medicine. As far as going out after being banded, once you're back on solids, you won't even notice that you're banded for the first few months! No worries. Really, the first 10-12 weeks are frustrating because you don't even feel any different. Many of us wondered if they forgot to put the band in.....

Keep up the great work, Heidi! That's not easy to do. Hope the week ahead is a good one. The scale will eventually give in! :wink2::thumbup::ohmy::thumbup::thumbup::wink2:

K8, I went back to work after 2 days because I had to. I didn't tell anyone I was having surgery and couldn't play it off any other way. I didn't even tell my family.....so you do what you have to do. Hope your pain improves. It does get easier to sleep. Just be sure not to pull on any of the steri strips or anything hanging off the incision.....If the steri strips starts to lift up, trim the edge with scissors. Don't pull! Megan, I tried the stupid liquid diet for like 8 weeks pre-op so I'd have the greatest liver Dr. R had ever seen. He didn't care. It made no difference. No worries, You'll be fine.

I read this today and thought we could all use a laugh....I've had bad first dates, but never THIS bad!:frown: Police: Detroit man stole woman's car on 1st date - Boston.com

Thanks, Heidi. Jay, how are you now? I allow reflux to be my deciding factor. I waited to get to Dr. R's office only because I didn't want it all taken out, as you mentioned. I had only 4 long nights with reflux that left me gasping for breath. I couldn't have gone much longer. Stick to liquids for a few days. Enjoy the extra weight loss. Wait til he's back if you have to....he does have a new PA though. Wasn't I once told they have a "hotline" that you can call? Hope you're ok, Jay.

Oh, the emotional eating is BACK....I hope this is PMS. I've had that overwhelming feeling of being on the verge of tears for the last day and a half but I don't know why! Tried retail therapy. I need to vent. Shopping sucks. Even now I still can't find anything that fits. I bought two shirts at Lane Bryant, but truth is, I'm no longer plus sized. Unfortunately, I'm not misses sizes for tops yet, either. At least when I was fat, I knew where to buy clothes. I can't even get into one store to find something now!!! Hit up the mashed after shopping. Fro-yo for dinner. Canceled plans to go out and am wallowing with Cosmo at home instead. I'm so out of sorts without being able to workout. Never thought I'd say that, but I'm hoping that's the source of this...cuz I can't deal with this for much longer. I think I need to get back to work. I need my schedule and I need to feel useful again. I don't know how some teachers take the entire summer off. I've only been off for a few weeks and I'm ready to shoot myself. I just need my routine.... Just when I thought life was getting easier....it just manages to get more overwhelming. :frown:

I love my Champion bras from Just My Size dot com. I actually also layer 2 bras. I've found that one isn't enough---one has a much wider back and the other I put over is nice and tight. You'll pay more, but it's to worth feeling comfortable enough to workout! Like Mel said, don't go for the S,M,L bras. Wear one that has a band and cup size. Here's a link to one I really like. Champion Powerback Underwire Sports Bra - Plus Size Apparel from JMS ! They have some great bras that have motion control ratings! I broke down and had some mashed yesterday. I now realize I do it not only when I'm hungry, but when I'm totally stressed. Canceled a lunch date yesterday and ate them before canceling. The guy must have asked me what size I work 7 times....and it totally stressed me out. So I made some potatoes then canceled. Sad, huh?! Good news, though...didn't have any today. :crying:

Wow, Laura! No swelling after 12 days, either! Your pics are great. Thanks for sharing. Were you at goal when you had your surgery? I'm currently 205 and 5'10". My surgeon keeps telling me I should see the plastic surgeon now. I feel like I should wait til I've lost another 20 or so.....we've never discussed a "goal", so I don't know what his goal is for me. I just know my BMI won't be normal until I'm at 173. So I'm not sure what to think. I worry because I'll be self pay and wonder at what point I'll be happy. You have great thighs, so that doesn't seem to be an issue for you. I'm worried if I do just my abdomen, it'll make the rest of me look bad and I'll want to go back and do more....when I should be investing in buying a house and planning for my future!

Flirty, Congrats on your weight loss! You've done an amazing job!! I had an outstanding date last night---though I hope you don't think I'm rubbing it in your face---but the reason it was amazing was because he made me feel downright beautiful. From the way he acted to the way he looked at me, he was fantastic. BUT, I go on TONS of dates. I go out 4-5 times a week so it's not all fun and games. I've been on those crummy dates before. I'd rather stay home alone than be on another crappy date. I canceled on Monday because I had a feeling the man was really superficial. The moment he made me feel less than how I wanted to feel, I canceled. We teach people how to treat us. Don't hook up or sleep around. (Was pleased to read what you said in your post!) You get what you give. If you teach the men it's ok to use you or treat you badly, then they'll do just that. Hold out for the right guy. You're worth it. You deserve it. Learn to love yourself and be alone if you need to be. Men are attracted to women who respect and love themselves. Don't give up yet. You'll find the right, worthy guy. :blushing:

You're worrying is for naught---they don't weigh you at surgery. You're all set, hon. No worries. Good luck. You'll be fine! Just so you know, they check your blood pressure and temp. all night long. Rest up tonight. Tomorrow night won't be restful. You'll be good!! :thumbdown:

I just noticed that you're 7 years post-op! HOW encouraging!!! I've never seen anyone on here who is that far out from surgery. I'm excited to see you've kept it off and find it really reassuring!! Thanks!

Heidi, Glad to hear it all went well thus far. I'm totally PMS'ing today and just finished crushing MY ibuprofen!! NO choice. I'm dying. When did you have your surgery? Doesn't seem like it was that long ago. No worries about the 40 pounds. You'll get there. Mel and I used to talk all the time about being afraid to get rid of clothes because you just couldn't imagine not gaining the weight back this time. A year and a half later, I haven't!! THAT to me, is the biggest success of the band. I didn't lose it fast, but I have KEPT it off this time. As far as telling people, you have to figure out what works best for you. I can imagine not eating lobster sucked. I usually make up some BS and just say I can't do it. My friends know I rarely eat solids in public. Why take the chance at being uncomfortable in public?! I just make sure I'm the one keeping everyone talking while they're stuffing their faces.....they're less likely to know. I also tend to push the food around on my plate. I'm going cold turkey from my instant potatoes. I know this sounds gross, but it's been such a comfort food for me all summer.....always goes down without issue and gives me that warm, full feeling that I love. Unfortunately, all carbs, no protein and just BAD choice....so I've been 2 days without. It's not killing me, but I've already noticed on the scale. Gross habits we somehow manage with this thing, huh?! Now if only I could walk away from the icecream I eat every day.....

Melis, Let me tell you a few things that I hope will put your mind at ease: 1) Until you have restriction, you're simply dieting. The band isn't doing its job until it's at a place where it has to kick in. With that said, don't test it! I know I did, and a lot of my friends did, too. I've told a lot of people on here that my band didn't start to work for me until after my 3rd or 4th fill and it is entirely true. 2) I didn't lose weight consistently in this process. Just as we don't gain it uniformly, some of us just don't lose it the same way as others do. I would stay the same weight for months on end, then drop a quick 15. My surgeon was happy because I still managed the 1-2 pounds average by the time my next appointment would come. 3) You're doing great! Keep up the good work. If, like me, you've never stuck to a plan regularly of eating well and exercising, it's just a matter of time.....don't give up now. I know how frustrating it can be, but it will happen. If you lose slowly, you'll lose more permanently. The weeks I drop more weight than others, the scale manages to creep back up a little on me. You're only 7 months post op and you've lost 35 pounds+!! That's more than 1 pound a week. You're doing this right and it will happen for you. As difficult as it sounds, you just need to be patient. If you wanted the quick fix, you would have gone the route of GB. You chose this instead. You'll make this work. You've clearly committed to changing your life and you're doing great! Take measurements--Particularly if you're working out. Your body will change in ways that the scale doesn't measure. My mom saw me yesterday for the first time in about a month and asked if I was continuing to lose weight. (My family thinks I should be "done" by now and worries....) I've actually gained about 6 pounds this summer. Sad, huh?! BUT, because of working out, I've re-shaped my body. Take pics. This will be a better way to be objective, too. Melis, you're running a marathon here, not a sprint. I know how defeating it is and how frustrating it is not to feel and see immediate results. I also suggest keeping records of your workouts. I did that so I could track my progress. I went from walking on a treadmill at 2.7 to running at 6.0 in about a year. THAT was my biggest accomplishment, not losing 100 pounds. Keep in touch and look on here for support. This website SAVED me when I most needed it. We've all been through (and are going through) the same thing. You can do this and you will! Take pics of the scale as you go, too! I love reflecting on how happy I was when I hit 275!! OMG that was nearly 80 pounds ago now, but I was SO excited!!!! You'll get there, little by little! You CAN do this....:tongue2::thumbup: As far as increasing my protein goes, I may have gone a little overboard. I was up and in and out of the bathroom all night long with huge stomach pains. Anyone else have really bad constipation? I did take a laxative and fiber but I thought I was going to die last night. Thank goodness I'm on vacation for another week...... MELIS, As an added thought after the fact---1 pound per week ends up to be 52 in a year. You'd be happy with that, wouldn't you?! My biggest weight loss came between months 11-15 for me.....

I'm anxious to hear what you get for responses. I don't have really large pannus, but I have more stomach weight above the belly button, too. I won't need to have muscles tightened as I've never had children. But, like you, I'm worried about the appearance of my breasts after having my tummy done. I went to a seminar with a PS who mentioned the possibility of using fat from other areas to supplement the breasts. Might this be a viable option for you? He said it's safer to use your own fat than to use foreign bodies for the augmentation...... Keep me posted!!! I'll be entirely self pay as I don't have "enough" excess skin/fat to consider it medically necessary....but I'm still very interested. In the meantime, I'm saving my nickels!!

I can't drink Soy products because it counteracts my thyroid medicine. I use the Designer Whey protein powder that mixes with water. It's 18 grams of protein and only 100 calories.