lianna

22 lbs last month!!!!!!! No fill for you woman! You are doing fantastic right where you are at! I dont think your doctor would even consider a fill with that weight loss, "if it aint broke, dont fix it"!

I feel your pain. I felt like I tried everything also and the weight just kept creeping up. I would diet with friends and be more strict with the calories and more intense with the exercise and still lose less than they did. I would diet for literally 5 months to lose 20 lbs and my diet buddies would lose 2 and 3 times that. Being banded the weight has come off slow for me, but has come OFF nonetheless. I think you need to keep researching your options and see what seems right for you. I wish you the best.

Well Havin, there are things that determine if you are candidate for lapband. What is your height and weight? Most doctors want a BMI of 40, or 35 with co-morbidities like diabetes. It is a major decision to make, and this researching part is the first step. I hope you find whatever solution works for you.

Perfectly normal to have second thoughts and cold feet! I was a wreck the week before and then strangely calm the day of surgery. It will totally change your life, and if you do tons of research you will be well prepared. What does your preop diet consist of? You might ask your doc or nutritionist if you can add some chicken or tuna for more protein.

Jacqui, dont misunderstand me! I have totally stopped exercising! I have to get back.... I just dont (really do) know what my problem is! I have lost my motivation, but still expect the pounds to disappear. I have tons of room for improvement on what I am doing and NOT doing. It just really helps me to get feedback and to see it in print. I am at least glad I am maintaining. Is there maybe a physcological block for some of us when we get close to goal?

I made it 16 meters.......must have some repressed memories from my 20s, lol!!!

Jack, you are most wise as always. I am very comfortable and feel very healthy and happy. My BP is back to normal and my blood sugars are remaining great. Too comfortable ....too complacent, not much difference. I do think these last 20-30 lbs will be the death of me though, lol. I used to use Fitday religiously....complacency again. Time to go back to what worked. Mousecrazy, I love what you have to say! The problem is not that I am comfortable with the current me...it is that I can see the OLD thinner me emerging and I cant totally find her. You are totally right that it is not a race and I love the stressfree aspect of being where I am right now. I think my honeymoon period is over......it will not be all-wonderful and glorious now unless I work hard at it. I guess I need to cut the Fritos and go back to cuke slices for crunch and dust off the DVD and tapes, if not the walking shoes.

Me 3!!! It sends straight to the 1st post.

Do you mean should you tell him that you had WLS before you meet him? I think that would be un-necessary imformation at this point, until you meet him in person. He has seen photos of you! He is already interested in you or he wouldnt keep corresponding. Make plans to meet him, and if it seems right at the time then you can tell him!

I used to have horrible heartburn and reflux. I took acid inhibiters and still kept Tums on the bedside table. Literally since the day I was banded the reflux and heartburn disappeared. I barely remember how miserable it used to make me.

I drink tons of fluids too. I drink 68oz at work alone. I drink two 16.9oz bottles of water (or diet greentea) before lunch and 2 after lunch before I leave work. That is in addition to my morning coffee and anything I drink at home after work. I have never had any issues getting all my fluids down. Liquids like water and tea just gurgle straight through, drinking plenty of noncarbonated fluids is a key thing for bandsters! You already have one thing in your favor!

I assume you have the larger band with a 3cc initial fill? I know that when I got my first fill I was miserable. I felt every bite sit for a second and then squeeze through the stoma. It was painful. I went back to my doctor 2 weeks later and he actually did another small fill. It did the trick for me. I dont know what caused it, but I think I was in some gray area of not being restricted enough....yet having some restriction. The only other possibility is that you are still taking too big of bites, not chewing to mush, or swallowing bites too soon apart... all of which can cause that miserable feeling without actual sliming or PBing. Try having something warm to drink before eating, it truly helps, and practice all the things that might help. Hope it gets better soon!

I do what Wheetsin was describing also. I take fairly small bites, but sometimes I swallow a bit at a time to be extra careful. I am so used to the smaller bites that they seem normal now, but I suppose I cut meat up about the M&M size out of habit now. I also keep with a "when in doubt, spit it out" rule. Anything that wont chew down completely...broccoli fibers, meat fibers, etc... is discreetly spit into a napkin.

I doubt your band slipped, but beer is probably what caused you to throw up. The carbonation in beer makes it impossible for me to drink. Get a grip today and recommit yourself to following the rules! You can get through it, we have all been there (newly post-op).

My best friend is 5'10" and very slim and went from a large A/small B to a regular D cup and they look very nice on her. I think it depends on how you are built as to what you can pull off. Have you tried on the bras to see what size looks right and feels comfortable? I am also going for the apron removal this coming summer. At my consult the doctor said there was no reason to do the full TT, since I have never had children the underlying ab wall is in great shape. I also need to lose about 20 more pounds before I get that (and a breast lift) done! Isnt it exciting! You have to share pictures when you have healed up some afterwards! *edited to add... I also dont want a reduction. I have been a size D since junior high at 125lbs, busting out of DDs when I got fat. I am back to a 38D but I really have to depend on GOOD bras to hold them up where they used to be! Bust size is just one of those things....I have always been chesty and cant imagine being smaller chested, I just wanted them higher and perkier again!

Angela, are you giving it a rest after you have problems trying to eat something? Sometimes you can irritate your esophogus and stoma, like with the chicken you were choking on, and cause some swelling that makes everything else difficult to go down. It sounds like you need to give yourself a day or 2 back on soups and mushies.

I am glad that your husband is recovering well and that at least that part of the worry is alleviated. Hang in there the best you can until your fill, it is really all you can do right now! Dont beat yourself up over raisins and cookies, in the grander scheme of things it really isnt that important. Just dust yourself off and try to have a better day!

Hmmm. I am a smoker. I dont have any sagging skin anywhere yet. I have that tummy roll that I will definitely get rid of (via tummy tuck?), but the skin looks great on my arms and legs, neck, ab, etc... Maybe I am just lucky. I personally think the factors that affect how your skin will bounce back are how severly overweight you were, for how long, and genetics.

Looking HOT there Dianne! My scars are only slightly more visible than hers. They really fade over time. As for fills, at most the fill will sometimes leave a small temporary bruise at the injection site, but never a scar.

Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I will be sending thought and prayers for a speed and smooth recovery!

Just wondering if anyone had heard anything new. I wasnt seeing him for aftercare, but was still speaking to him on the phone just about monthly. I feel slightly bereft here. What a sad and bizarre thing to happen.

Sherryjo, I am just sick over this. Poor Dr. Susannah, having to witness this. That is so bizarre it is almost unbelievable.

I am speechless! He is my surgeon. I am totally dumbfounded over this.

I have PCOS and fibroids. I take continue to take Metformin, but for my diabetes not the PCOS. I have lost fairly slowly, but the weight has definitely come off! It seemed like I could not get it to budge before I was banded. I swear I could effortlessly gain 10 lbs, but have to struggle, exercise, and diet myself crazy to LOSE 10! I really dont know if I could have gotten my weight and health back under control without the band.

Welcome to LBT!