Sherree.mongrain

It is so normal to feel frustrated and confused. You are trying to listen to your body for maybe the first time in a long time. I was so afraid to eat in the beginning, expecting pain, nausea, all the horror stories. But I didn't have that. My doctor did not yell at me, but certainly has been very direct throughout all the years I have been seeing her. She knows a certain way to do this that works for most people, and she wanted me to succeed, not blow it! One thing I was told by other "bandsters" early on is to treat your band like gold. It is the tool you will now use to lose weight forever. You don't want to hurt it or test it or stretch it...but...having said that, I would say take it easy, one or two cheats this early on are good chances for you to think about what it is you want and who you're "cheating" on. This is a long journey, but you will discover so much...don't freak out. Just go with it! Trust yourself

You'll be fine...you'll never be the same again...you'll just keep getting better! Now that you've made the choice to take care of "you", you'll never look back. Good luck...!

I have IBS too...it's complicated...try to be patient with your body. It's working very hard to adjust to all the changes...

This is a common problem...I have used fiber additives, which have helped. It just depends on where your fill is...talk to your doctor. Also, drink TONS of water. I know you are probably already doing this, but drinking water helps a lot. (It's good to prevent wrinkles too...side benefit!)

Hi, I got my band January 8, 2003. I am 5'0" tall and weighed 276 lbs. My doctor, Robin Blackstone, had never done a lap-band before, only gastric bypass...but I had done my research and knew I wanted the lap band and that I wanted her to do it. She and her team, Melissa (you rock), worked diligently over all these years to help me achieve my goals. I weigh 151 right now and still want to loose 10 more pounds. It has been such a ride of a lifetime! I can still remember how much time I spent on the boards trying to find someone to help me, someone who had the same things going on as me, someone who was worse off than me, someone who had "made it". When I had my surgery in AZ, the band had only been approved in the US for a year or so. Everybody was going to Mexico to get it done. Some even to Europe. I am forever thankful that when I was ready for my band, Dr. Blackstone had been studying and was ready to do one. Also, that my insurance paid for it. Each step of this journey is long and not at all what I expected, but I would do it all again tomorrow to learn all the amazing things I have learned about myself, to be able to be living in this moment, not sitting on the couch watching my family live life all around me. The lap band is a life-changing experience...if you are ready to really change, one day at a time, it can be the best decision you will ever make! Good luck to all of you!