OnMyWay2Thin

So sorry to hear you are having these problems. I was banded in September, 2008, and fortunately, it has been smooth sailing. What happened to you is very upsetting and scarey. I think you can rest assured, though, that it was unusual and it will not happen again to you. It's so hard to get back on track after something like this. In my case, it was my gallbladder then a misdiagnosis that had me possessing a deadly disease (the nurse misread the results), and I just said to heck with it for a while. Unlike you, however, I did gain back 30 pounds but have now lost all but 12 of it. I'm following the rules now and starting to lose (I think!) Hang in there, you had a setback that was no fault of your own and you will now lose the weight you need to lose. I look forward to seeing your posts as you move forward on your journey. Good luck!

Susidivah, don't feel bad, I think I've done this three times so far! I now have the PIN saved so it automatically fills in when I go to the ticker web site! How nice being able to update that you have lost weight, now that's worth taking the time to create a new ticker! Congrats on the weight loss!

OMG, cwm812, WAY TO GO! I'm so motivated by your post and weight loss. Congratulations! Great post, therealsouthernbelle! I think the lapband is what you make it. If you use it as a tool, it works great. If you misuse it, it will be tough to lose. I also agree with the poster above who said we all lose weight, basically,l the same way; lower the intake, maybe exercise to get rid of extra calories, and if you put out more than take in, you lose. I've had my struggles but I'm back on track. I was misusing the band, in my opinion. Now, I'm hoping to start losing again! Good luck to you!

Amanda, just wanted to say GOOD LUCK TO YOU! I read your post and haven't been on a lot lately so I didn't see what you saw (thank goodness) but then I looked at your stats and saw you are having surgery this week. How exciting!!! I wish you the best of luck and want to let you know we are here for you should you have any questions, concerns, or just want to chat. Don't be scared, you'll do great! A whole new world is about to open for you, take it easy and enjoy it!

I had mine out last year. Evidently, if you lose weight fairly quickly over a short period of time and you are prone to having a gallbladder problem, this will bring it on. Muelle explained the pain perfectly. Excruciating pain... Mine radiated in the right frontal area and between my shoulder blades. It was horrible. I didn't really have any symptons, maybe some stomach pain for a few days prior but then woke up in the middle of the night and thought I was dying!! Went in the hospital and they had it out with a few hours, that's how bad it was. I requested my lapband surgeon to do it and he came right in (delaying his vacation!) Definitely get it checked out, the pain relief you will get if that is it is night and day! Good luck!

TracieCat, you definitely have the right idea and from your stats, YOU ARE DOING AWESOME!!! It is so nice to hear that you are happy about yourself and life, in general. I really wish more people felt that way! Keep up the great work!

I lost 70 pounds, then got off track. I gained 30 pounds and was devastated. I went and got a fill and am now almost where I was. It did take a fill to get me on track. It sounds like you have a great attitude and are very motivated. You can do it, I have no doubt; it's just that you have been on Cloud 9 lately and it's hard to focus on that amazing woman and your weight. Back to reality time (haha), just pay attention to both!! Good luck!

That's terrible! I can't believe they would cancel you then reschedule for April 7th! That is completely unacceptable. My response would be, "You canceled me, now please give me a realistic date." I mean a whole extra month when you are needing a fill now, no way - you now have me mad (and I never get mad!!!) But seriously, tell them how you feel and don't accept that date that is over a month away. Good luck! PS. - I've never had an appointment canceled or rescheduled.

Sorry, just saw your post today. There's a support group in Camden County at Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. It's actually held in the fitness center building there. The name of the program who runs it is New Beginnings. I hope this helps! Good luck!

You don't have to pinch yourself, it's real!!! Congratulations, you are getting a great start. It definitely gets slower so take advantage of the early months. No, you shouldn't gain it back, you should keep losing. I'm sure you are just thrilled, as you should be!! Keep up the great work!!

I do like your way of thinking!!! Have fun, wished you lived in southern New Jersey, we could go together!!!

You have all the symptons I had when they had to take my gall bladder out immediately! I looked online, diagnosed myself, woke my hubby to tell him I was heading to the hospital (at which time he flipped for not waking him as soon as I was in trouble), then he took me to the hospital. They diagnosed the gall bladder immediately and I asked specifically for my lapband surgeon to be called so he could do the surgery (and he did!) He put off his vacation a day so he could do it the next day... My understanding is I lost 70 pounds very quickly and that contributed to the bad gall bladder. Run, don't walk to the ER and get it examined; mine almost exploded! After the surgery, it took me a little bit of time to get back on track, but I'm there now and almost down another 50! Only 40 something pounds to my goal!!!! Good luck and take care, let us know what the outcome is!!

Though the ultimate treat is actually feeling and looking good, I completely agree with motivational gifts! I even posted a topic called "What Does it Take to Motivate You?" People gave some fantastic ideas in that link. If you look, you should be able to find it. The one I liked best was a Pandora charm bracelet and every time she loses 10 pounds, she adds another charm! Then I looked at the cost and said, hmmm, maybe, maybe not?! My goals tend to focus on short trips for small goals and a large trip when I hit landmarks, like an additional 50 pounds. Either way, it's so nice to get small tokens of success and feel good at the same time. Good luck!

Vicky and Mamadot, I absolutely love the bracelet idea! I'm stealing it... Can't wait to tell my husband about this idea and to think both of you had it!!! Bodyfixer, I'll take the smile and some positive reinforcement!! Thanks for sharing!

Just wanted to say, great job! You've taken a tremendous step towards making the lapband work for you. I congratulate you and know I will be reading successful posts in the future. Keep up the good work! Good luck with the job search, as you mention, you will find employment while feeling better about yourself at the same time!

After reading the article, I think I would select another surgeon. Yes, I know, articles can skew things a certain way but three patients passing after having surgery done by the same surgeon... I haven't heard of many deaths at all due to lapband and this doctor has had three, that would send up a red flag for me. It sounds like the laparoscopic placement was wrong in one which really scares me. Whatever you decide, the support group is here for you, and I wish you the best of luck!!

Here's what I tell myself, "Self, as long as you are going in the right direction it doesn't matter how long it takes!" I know it can be frustrating but I often wonder how much heavier would I have been if I never had the surgery... Just keeping plugging away and enjoying life and you're shrinking self as it occurs. You'll get there! Just think, 5 months from now in July, how much further you will be down; then it won't seem quite so slow when you can look back. Kalipso2, I think you are very inspirational! Great job on achieving your goal!!!

Just don't give in and I'm sure the cravings will pass. Can you substitute something healthy for the craving? Such as a sugar free pudding or Jello for the chocolate craving? I've had cravings. I don't mind when the cravings are for healthy things like snow crab legs and such, but when it's something sweet, I try to substitute. This past Friday, I substituted a Fiber One bar for the chocolate eclairs everyone was having for a co-workers birthday. Good luck with the cravings! (By the way, I LLLLOOOVVVEEEE sweets, but won't give in to them at this point!)

If you are feeling fine now, I tend to think you caught something from your daughter. If you had a slip, you would still have spasms of pain and feel uncomfortable (at least I'm pretty sure they are the warning signs.) It could also be that you got comfortable with the band and have been kind of testing the limits and eating more than perhaps you should (I say this because I did it!) If you're feeling good now, I think you are okay now. Just be careful and revisit all the rules and maybe you'll stop the vomiting after meals. Good luck!

The same exact thing happened to me, even the same weight - I had lost 70, then it a little here a little there, then a gain. My advice, find a new fill doctor and go get a fill. That changed it all for me. Once I had the fill and the restriction came back, I am right on track and losing again. It's been approximately three weeks since my fill and I am down 15 pounds! You can do it, everyone has lapses, you just need to get back on track!! Good luck!!

His fills are COMPLETELY painless and surprisingly quick since he's doing it under x-ray. His assistant and him explain everything very carefully and are so accommodating. No surprises, he really makes it easy. I actually go in right before work and am not even late to work (I arrive by 8:30/9:00 even with the fill procedure.) Tell him Siobhan Kelly says hi and that I've lost 14 pounds since my last fill three weeks ago! If he doesn't remember me, just tell him we talked about the Goldstein Keys in Florida! Good luck, let me know how it goes!

Wow, how strange, we all are obsessing!! LOL I do the same thing then tell myself how silly it is because if I fluctuate a few ounces up, I'm upset and thinking about it all day. We do need to just go to once per week! It's so hard, though, because when your really trying to do the right things, you want to know if it's paying off! I, for one, am starting my weighing just once per week (starting tomorrow and then I'll weight for the next week Sunday - ha ha!)

Wow, how strange, we all are obsessing!! LOL I do the same thing then tell myself how silly it is because if I fluctuate a few ounces up, I'm upset and thinking about it all day. We do need to just go to once per week! It's so hard, though, because when your really trying to do the right things, you want to know if it's paying off! I, for one, am starting my weighing just once per week (starting tomorrow and then I'll weight for the next week Sunday - ha ha!)

Wow, how strange, we all are obsessing!! LOL I do the same thing then tell myself how silly it is because if I fluctuate a few ounces up, I'm upset and thinking about it all day. We do need to just go to once per week! It's so hard, though, because when your really trying to do the right things, you want to know if it's paying off! I, for one, am starting my weighing just once per week (starting tomorrow!)

I think you may get lucky and get banded prior to the start of your classes so you don't have to be concerned about attending class so soon. Two weeks off from work is what I had and it worked great. I'm sorry to tell you, though, you would not be able to get banded one day and return to class the next... I think you would need at least a few days considering I went through with no complications and was feeling good at about day 4 or so. You don't want to chance rushing back to something and tearing something or being too eager to return to your routine and foul up something. You didn't mention what insurance you have... I have Aetna and it was about 3 months before final approval. Good luck with the timeline working out for you!