musicfrommyheart

Wow, I have to say that I'm so relieved to see this post. I'm not even sure what to do anymore. I was banded last March, lost about 30 pounds before the surgery and another 20 after the surgery but I had the weirdest issue with gas (and still do). For me, I always get severely bloated if I DON'T eat. It drives me crazy. The only way that my stomach can feel better is after I eat. Sometimes, if I wait to long to eat, my stomach gets so bloated and gassy, I can't even stand up straight. I went to the doctor, and they did the GI test and discovered that my band was working properly and that I had no other issues, but still the gas hasn't gone away. I've gained almost all of my weight back and am very disappointed in my band. I'm almost ready to just have the thing taken out and go back to square one. If I continue to have this gas issue, I'm going to go to the doctor one more time, and then I'm going to look into alternatives. I can't take it anymore.

Awwww, thanks Mom! I'm glad to see that you are posting and getting familiar with this site. It has been so much help to me! :smile2:. Love you! -music

I also wanted to say, don't forget that muscle weighs more than fat. I would ask, how are your clothes feeling? Are you still getting smaller in size? Generally when you are working out like you should you are also building muscle and toning up, so you might be having more muscle mass, which would make it true, you aren't losing pounds, but you are probably still slimming down. I hope this helps and that you feel better. You still made the incredible decision to have this surgery and to take 50+ pounds off of your body. Congratulations! -music

Wow, I am so glad to read these posts, lol. When I first starting working on getting my surgery done, I refused to get on the scale. I think I even threw mine away cause I can't find it now and will have to buy another one. I thought that by not getting on the scale, I could hold myself accountable by keeping my eating in check and weighing in at the Bariatric center. My surgery date is March 30th, but I've been slipping recently and haven't been keeping to my diet program. So, I've decided to buy a scale and get back on track monitoring my progress. I definitely do not want to get to my surgery date and not be able to get my band .

Hey Sonipez, I had an appointment with Dr. Schneider, he was so nice and patient with me that I decided to choose him. I'm really glad I did. I know that people like Dr. Jones, but since I hadn't met Dr. Schneider yet, I wanted to wait and see what he was like. My surgery is on March 30th, I can't wait. How are you doin?

I actually didn't see anything offensive to me personally in those photos. I think that all of us who are fuller figured have been ignored for way too long in the media and that America (or even the whole world) needs to get a good look at what obesity looks like. And also get a good look at what someone who's "different" from you looks like. Perhaps by doing so, we can love a little more, and learn a little more about others. That being said, I do agree that were I to take photos like this of myself (with no Spanx on, or naked) I would not find it attractive at all. Seeing the effects of years of misuse on my body does not make me proud. As a plus-sized model, I've struggled with this issue. How can I portray myself as beautiful and confident, knowing that I wasn't taking the best care of myself? But also, how can I encourage other women who have low self-esteem like I did, how to love themselves, right where they are, so that they can treat themselves better? I appreciate your post. I think the issue of larger people in the media and whether it promotes or denotes obesity is a real one, and one that we should look at very carefully. Especially as we are looking to have this surgery, to give ourselves the gift of better health. -music

Hi Lips You should check out the thread "I have failed my band", not to say that you have, but there's a whole host of people on there who are trying to get themselves back on track. Hope this helps -music

Hey PVTash, I agree with you. We've gotta do this for US, not for anyone else. I always notice when I start paying attention to everyone else and stop paying attention to myself, that's the moment when my weight starts getting out of wack. I am really looking forward to this whole process. Take care, Music

Omg, all of these stories are hilarious! I haven't been banded yet, but I remember once when I was getting my wisdom teeth taken out. They had given me the laughing gas, and they were putting an IV in my hand so that they could give me the anesthetic. I remember watching them stick a needle in my hand (GROSS), and slurring my speech, telling the Doctor "you'd better be glad you gave me that laughing gas, otherwise I'd kick your ass for stickin that needle in my hand". lol

I hear you, Sherry. How are you feeling? Are you healing well?

Hey Singingintherain! Aw, I'm sorry we missed each other. I kept thinking I should email you sooner so that we could connect before the night of the meeting, but it kept slipping my mind. I do plan on attending the info session on the 22nd, so that I can see Dr. Schneider in action. I'm hoping that will help me make my decision on which surgeon I'd like to choose. I know that you're partial to BWH, but if you'd like to connect and just keep talking through this, I'd love it. I had my series of appointments today at BIDMC with the nutritionist, Dr. H, my echo, my abdominal ultrasound and I'm happy to say that everything went really smoothly. In fact, I've already lost 5 pounds even before I saw the nutritionist! I think it's the idea of knowing that I've finally made a decision to seek help. That has really motivated me. How are you doing? Are you having a good week? Talk with you soon. Oh, and hello Everyone! -music [link=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wV7NDZi/] [image noborder]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/t/wV7NDZi/weight.png[/image]

Hey Good Luck on your surgery! I'm sure you will do really well. My goodness, everything on your list (minus the hubby and kid, *sigh*) is the same reason I'm doing this surgery. I wish you the best of luck . -music