Monica S

My doc said that if the pills are small enough you can take them. So I had my shrink switch me from one 20mg pill a day to 2 10mg pills a day, and haven't had any trouble!

I have recently been thinking about joining WW again after the new year. I was banded on 11/23/05 and will be getting my first fill on 1/4/06. I think the band will help me to stick to the points, which I have never been able to do before. If anyone else is on WW or planning to be, let's email each other for support and for that all-important accountability! Monica

It is very important NOT to stop taking Lexapro all at once. You have to taper this drug down or you will feel very anxious. So if you want to discontinue the drug, make sure you have your doc tell you how to do it. As far as Lexapro not working, I have experienced that, but large scale clinical trials found it to be a good drug. Lexapro increases the amounts of some brain chemicals (serotonin, norepinephrine, and even dopamine at higher doses) that are related to mood. It DOES increase these chemicals, but if these chemicals are not the reason why we are depressed, it makes sense that they won't work for us. These meds do work for some people, just those who are depressed because of a chemical imbalance.

Ever try Xanax? It helps me.

I take 20mg/day of Lexapro. I used to take 10mg but was bumped up. I was taking Effexor before but it seemed to stop working. I have tried Prozac and Wellbutrin but too many side effects. To be honest, I'm not sure whether the Lexapro is working. I still seem to be pretty anxious, but I don't know what it would be like if I weren't taking anything. Has anyone ever taken an antidepressant that helps with binge eating? I've heard of this happening but haven't experienced it.

I am feeling absolutely fine. I have all my energy, I am working full time, and I feel like nothing has even been done to me. No port pain, my incisions have healed. I was told to do full liquids on day 2 after surgery and I was on full liquids for 2 weeks. I am supposed to be on mushy food now, but I'm pushing "mushy" a little--had soft chicken last night with no problem. The only thing I am still having is moderate left shoulder pain from time to time. I just wanted to know what you all are going through. I guess we never get over wanting to feel "normal". Thanks for your stories!!!

Is anyone else where I am (had surgery and waiting for first fill)? What's it like for you?

For those of you who have lost a lot of weight with the band, how has your life changed? I have been warned about changes that might happen after losing the weight (I'm only 3 weeks post-op), and I'd like to hear about the good and the bad of having lost a lot of weight that REAL people experience. Thanks.

How long before/after eating do you avoid fluids? First I was told not to drink a half hour before and a half hour after eating; then it was 15 minutes before and an hour after. I've read some advice syaing it's okay to drink all the way up to the time you start eating. What do you do?

I have a bunch of questions--go ahead and respond to anything that inspires you. I had the lap band surgery on november 23 of this year (3 weeks tomorrow). I lost 16lbs the first week and nothing since. I am supposed to be on liquids until tomorrow, but have been eating soft foods for 3 days with no problem. I am beginning to worry whether I should have had RNY because I want to lose weight so badly, but I haven't had a fill yet so I'm still open to the possiblity that this might work (although I have doubts). So...am I obsessing over not losing weight or is it possible that I made the wrong choice? Right now I feel like nothing ever happened to me. I don't have a sensation of fullness after eating anymore, I can eat a lot, I don't have PBs or vomiting or nausea or anything. I got too full a couple of times in the days right after surgery (from drinking too quickly or having too much Jello or something) but here's the scary part: it felt good! I love the feeling of being very full. It's like a drug for me, it calms me down. I'm afraid that may never go away and I won't lose weight. I also have the following questions: --how many calories a day should I be getting? the nutritionist said about 700 per day but that seems low to me. --would it benefit me to continue with weight watchers (which I was doing before the surgery)? I liked the plan, just had a hard time following it. --I was told I could never take ibuprofen again. Is this true? --I was told I can never have a carbonated beverage again. True? --I was told I can never eat anything sweet again, both real sugar and sugar alcohols (manitol, sorbitol, etc.) Also, I have had moderate to severe pain in my left shoulder since the moment I woke up from surgery. Tylenol doesn't help. Is this just me, or has anyone else experienced something like this? Finally, I am struggling to stay on the diet until my first fill, scheduled for Jan. 4. I am worried I won't be able to maintain it for that long--I was never able to stop myself from eating before the surgery and I don't know how they expect me to stop myself now, without any restriction!!! I really appreciate any advice you have to offer!!! THANKS

Thanks so much! I have received a LOT of misinformation from the nurses, psychologist, and nutritionist I see. I think almost everyone they see has RNY, and they told me the exact same info they told the RNY people. I was in the same informational class as the RNY folks and received the same packet of info that they received. I have no problem digesting sugar, not diabetic or anything, but was told I could never taste anything sweet again. I was also told I would have dumping syndrome, which I now know from this site is unique to GB patients. To make matters worse, I was told some horrible things by the psychologist who evaluated me. Lucky for me I didn't believe her, or else I would never have had the surgery. She told me I would become angry and aggressive after losing weight and my fiance would probably leave me because my personality will change so much. Can you believe that? My fiance called the office to complain but they supported their psychologist. Does anyone have any idea how to report someone to the psychology licensing board in Texas? Again, thanks for the advice, I could use it. And I'm SOOO glad I found this website!

Not to sound vain, but I chose the lap band because there's less excess skin (or so I've heard) due to the moderate speed of the weight loss.

I feel like I'm dying without ibuprofen. I am achy and sore, and tylenol does nothing but my doctor forbids any NSAIDs. I didn't think that getting a band would mean that I'd have to be in pain for the rest of my life!

I take Lexapro, 20mg a day. I had my psychiatrist change my prescription to 10mg twice a day instead because the pills are smaller. I was told by the nurses not to take any pills ever again, but the doctor said that my lexapro and birth control pills are okay.