LaMonica

For the first 1-2 nights after surgery I slept leaning back in a recliner, not all the way flat though because it was a pain getting up. After some of the pain subsided, I slept on my right side, with pillows under me and behind me to keep me still. I found the pillows helped relieve pressure on my port (on my left side) and helped me be comfortable. You just have to try what you can!

Well at first when I was getting prepped, about 10-15 minutes before surgery they gave me a "happy shot". Whatever it was, made me super relaxed similar to laughing gas, without all the laughing lol. I felt like I was floating, I barely remember being wheeled into the OR, and the next thing you know I woke up sitting up in a comfy chair with my dress on, under a blanket, with my Mom sitting there with me. You'll be fine!

I think my doc charges $150 cash for fills, but my insurance covers the visit as a specialist visit which for me is a $50 copay.

Happy Surgery Eve! I wore sweat pants and a tshirt and flip flops for surgery, which didn't matter much because they change you into a hospital gown of course and those comfy socks lol. Mine was outpatient, so I had a maxi dress waiting for after, no bra (the girls aren't that big) and I stayed in loose dresses for several days after.

My surgeon told me the first 30-45 days are more about healing than losing weight, and any weight lost is a bonus. Make sure to check with your doc to specify the proper amount of calories you are to eat, if it's too low then you may not lose weight due to starvation mode. Try not to pay as much attention to the scale at first. Just come up with routines that incorporate exercise, plenty of water, and learning how to eat properly. One day you'll wake up and your clothes will fit MUCH different. Hang in there!!

I try to keep a jug of water with me, and give myself small goals throughout the day. Sometimes I'll say I won't talk to my coworkers unless I drink __ sips of water first or I can't get up from my desk to make copies/see a PT (I'm a counselor) until half of my water is done. Little competitions like that, because it's motivating to me. At first it was hard because I used to only like cold water, but once you get it in, it's like your body craves it. I can drink room temp water now, and usually "hunger" is really thirst. Good luck!!

Glad to hear from you!! And I understand about security of information. You can add me on FB LaMonica Michele I will search for you too in the mean time.

Tina - I am happy to hear from you again although all the news isn't the best, it's not the worst either. I will definitely keep you and your boys in my prayers. I hope all of your legal issues get resolved smoothly and quickly also. Thanks for keeping us up to date, like I say often you are truly an inspiration and testament to strong will. Have a wonderful weekend

Maybe lower your caloric intake? Try 1200 per day instead of 1500

Just a note to those of you comparing how many cc's you have in your band - remember there are different types of band (Realize vs. Allergan/AP) and then also there are different sizes. I know that Allergan has 10cc (which I have) and also 14cc. I am not sure about Realize. And also the amount of Fluid is a very individualized process which is dependent upon the size of your stomach and more importantly the amount of fat around it. The reason you feel like you're at a good spot, and then weeks later you don't is because as you lose weight fat goes from everywhere including from around your stomach and the band gets more loose again. So remember that just because you and I both may have 5cc's even in the same size band, it doesn't mean we will feel the same amount of restriction. Think of 2 people, both size 14, with an XL belt on. Each of them may feel comfy, but have the notch at different levels. Good luck to everyone, keep up the good work!!!!!

Georgegirl - good for you! I thought it was restriction at first too but with the throwing up and stuff I knew it had to be something more. Luckily most of the time it is a quick fix with a little unfill...I haven't had any other problems since and it's been 3 weeks. Maybe in another month or so I will go back to get fluoro to see what my size looks like to see if maybe I should get a little Fluid put back in. Restriction is only restriction when it's healthy and doesn't hurt...so good luck!!!

oops...disregard this tried to delete but don't know how

That is AMAZING!!! Definitely worth it even if those 5 pounds keep being stubborn!!! Maybe try switching up something with your workout to get them out of the way...I remember I plateaued once for like 6 months lol I was soooooo irritated. I can't remember what changed but eventually my body pushed past it. Best of luck in your continued journey!!!

I haven't been here in forever...well I made it to my goal and actually passed it!!! Recently was having issues with vomiting, reflux, pain, etc and needed an unfill. Because of how swollen I was, they took out almost half of my fluid!!! Still trying to maintain my portions, etc. but I know that I needed this to not have any bad complications. Now just working on toning up my jiggly areas, but I am so happy that I can't put it into words. Almost 3 years, and I am at a place in my life I would have never imagined!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! And keep up the good work...

You guys gave such great alternatives, they all sound yummy!!! I am one of those that if I deprive myself of the tasty things I like, I am more apt to go overboard. So I eat whatever I want (this started moreso after being banded 1 year) but since I'm at goal weight, I have noticed that keeping balanced and paying more attention to portion and exercise worked best for me. I don't just sit and eat junk all the time, but instead of eating a pint of ice cream in 5 minutes like I used to, I get the smaller 1/2 cup portion sizes. Or popsicles, etc. I like candy, but I won't buy a big bag. I'll get the individual size when I have loose change. I was going to suggest like a fruit/fondue bar, with all kinds of exotic fruits with melted chocolate, whipped cream, yogurt, etc. Like fruit sundaes instead of cake/ice cream. Which can be sweet, and you can get low fat/low sugar alternatives. I've never seen this in action, but it sounds like with time and someone with a good taste for fruit could be able to pull off, and boy would it make great pictures!! I am sorry that your inner circle is not as supportive so maybe try to find outlets with people that ARE supportive..in addtiion to LBT. )

This is a struggle often for me also! I think our society has been conditioned into thinking eating a lot is good...which is what got most of us in this obesity mess in the first place lol. Some days I am super tight, some days I get full quick. I really do get annoyed with waiters who repeatedly (after I've told them I'm fine) ask what was wrong, why didn't I eat, etc. I get tired of explaining myself whether it be talking about the band or just that I "eat small meals throughout the day" etc. Most of my friends and family that I eat with know and luckily they don't joke too heavily or push me too much. I get very nervous when going out with large groups, to conferences, etc. because I don't always know what's on the menu and how my band will do with it.

Thanks Bama! Trust me I understand just how you feel...the first time I had the unfill I gained about 10 pounds back but now looking back it was a slight hiccup! I am a little sad now that he took SO MUCH out but he basically had to because of how severe my swelling was...and thinking back on it, must have been that way for several months! So I can eat more of course, and unfortunately my appetite has slightly increased so I'm back to drinking 1/2 gallon water/day and am going to try to start the Couch 2 5K program to combat the increase in calories. I am thinking maybe in 2 months or so to go back to get SOME fluid put back in, but not all of it because I don't want this problem to creep up on me again, plus I really just want to build muscle and maintain my weight, not lose anymore. Congrats to everyone on their weight loss so far and keep up the good work!!!

A great topic!! I was banded 3 years ago, my highest weight was around 280/size 22 and now I am 146/size 6. I don't necessarily "feel fat" but I still do things like look at small walking spaces and think "It will be hard to walk through there" and I still look at Lane Bryant and other plus size clothing stores when I walk through the mall and stuff because that used to be the only place I could really go. While I have been this size for serveral months now, it still feels weird that I am no longer plus size. I agree with the previous poster that said "skinny people" make such negative comments about "fat people". I guess since I was so big I was never at liberty to hear all of these secret conversations and now that I do I get highly upset and make sure to tell them how rude they are being. Inside I will always be a "fat girl" as I spent 24 years that way and not "fat" in a bad sense...I am still compassionate and I don't look down on others who have weight struggles or any struggles for that matter, It will always be a part of who I am no matter what the clothes and scale may say. Just in a positive and learning way instead of a beating myself up kind of way.

PLEASE people whenever you are throwing up ANYTHING GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR A SLIGHT UNFILL!!!! I was banded in 2008 and first had a reflux/vomiting/foamy (NASTY MESS LOL) issue in 2009 due to allergies as many others have stated. I went to my surgeon, had a slight unfill untill the irritation from all the vomiting went away, and slowly had Fluid added back. I also started taking OTC allergy meds more regularly to help. I had my last fill in January 2010 up until last week, May 2011. I started having the issue again December 2010 and took Mucinex, drank hot fluids, ate earlier in the evening, etc. and none of that helped my problem. Sometimes even when I didn't eat anything I would have the issue, to where often I wouldn't eat at all just drink due to the pain, and embarassment of trying to eat and it immediately coming back up. As nasty as it sounds, sometimes I would have slime come up in the middle of my sleep and wake me up. During that time I was finalizing a divorce and moving to another city so I didn't see my doctor as I was caught up in other things. Fast forward to last week when I finally saw a surgeon - he did a fill/unfill under fluro - my lower esophagus and my pouch were both SUPER SWOLLEN!! He took out about 1/2 of my fluid and I immediately felt relief. Doc said basically the band over time had gotten too tight and wasn't allowing everything to get through. Add post-nasal drip, and irritation from the vomiting, and swelling and irritation came. After the unfill my pouch immediately went down in size, and he said my esophagus should take a few weeks to go down also. That night I did NOT have any issues, and I haven't to this day. The longer you go with the issue the worse it can get, including slippage or erosion of the band. I was super scared, but it was a simple fix.

What are you eating? Make sure that you are mostly eating proteins and vegetables, and lay off on starches and breads as much. Keep drinking plenty of water. Just because you can eat it doesn't mean that it's great for you to have, and it's quite possible that the weight you have put on is because of your increased carbohydrate intake. Do you exercise? Remember the band is a tool, not a "cure" for eating so make sure that you are putting in the same effort the band is as far as food choices.

I am sorry that your experience was a bad one. I was banded by Dr. Felts May 2008 and he also called me from his cell phone the day after surgery and also the next week although he was out of town on vacation. Dr. Felts is no longer with True Results which would be the reason why they turned you away, and like the other poster said most surgeons will not just "assume" or take over another surgeon's client, especially when the original surgeon is still local and still practicing. I was very educated not only by Dr. Felts' staff but by him as well during each one of my fill visits that were all done by him personally. If I had any questions, he would answer and not just some nurse. He would never rush through any appointments and was always prompt. I haven't had a fill in over a year but to date I have lost 130lbs. I was featured on his website after 1.5 years for a success story so I know these stories are real: http://drfrankfelts.com/patient-results-weight-loss-surgery-dallas-texas/lamonica-lap-band-results.html Maybe if you visit him in his new office you can get some of your issues resolved. Also nobody I know personally or researched had any complications. Thanks,

Hey Tina...it's been a while since I posted and I apologize but I am thankful that you are still updating as you are still inspirational to me. I am keeping you in my prayers as far as your physical health goes, and I am sorry but thankful to hear that you saw a negative pattern rising in your relationship. You may not remember me but long long ago I was contemplating divorce myself. I filed in December and am waiting for February 7th to have my final hearing so I can be as excited as you were about being FREE. Can't wait to read your next update, and I hope your boys are doing great. Much love, hugs, and prayers to you sweetie... ~LaMonica

Good morning Tina - and he is definitely a cutie!!!!! Glad to hear how much fun you guys have been having, especially with all the kids too. I'm on FB too - LaMonica Hale Dallas/Ft Worth if you want to add me. There is a way to block a person in the privacy settings, and if you need help doing it just let me know. I think you just go to Privacy and at the bottom under the Profile section there is a place to Block Users. I haven't been in it in a while but if you can't find it I will walk you through it. I agree with Ebony to keep documentation and contact authorities so they have a record of everything in case she elevates her wacky behavior. Be open and honest with your guy about how you feel and about needing security because of your past situations. Don't let it get you down...I've had my share of crazy exes meddling and it never goes anywhere!! Have a great week sweetie!

I know I'm a few days late but HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!!! Sounds like you had an awesome time...and he handled it that fast?? He's DEFINITELY a keeper!! :-)