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.

Hello to all of you..I am here to support my daughter who continues to encourage me through her successes. Feel free to shout out if you are another parent of a winner such as my daughter is. Continued success to all of you.

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

It is never to late to get back your good habits *this is true you have established. You seem like you talked yourself into believing you were bad for not going to the gym, so you added more sabotage by eating incorrectly also.(How'd you get inside my head? This is true) You need to learn to stop beating yourself up every time you have a slip. It only makes the problem worse. Stop eating the junk. Throw it away (DONE) and if you don't have any now, don't buy it. Eating correctly again will make you feel better about what you are doing. Then slowly go back to the gym if you are ready. If not, the eating correctly in itself will start your weightloss again.

Thanks for the support, refocus, I needed that....I am horrible at beating myself up....got the bad mentatility with "what the heck, I am stuck and will be forever...so why try??" But now if I can stay on this board I can get remotivated....Already planning on going to Curves gym starting tomorrow, got my low cal, low carb Soup stewing right now, smells yummy and boiled me up some eggs, I do best on low carb diets....so thus the eggs. I don't get nearly as hungry either on low carb.

So now, I am refocusing and gonna take ONE DAY AT A TIME. They will reweigh me tomorrow at curves and I go for my yearly follow up with my lapband surgreon March 24th so there is me a date goal to work towards....

Thanks again

Good luck on your journey as well, I can't eat cereals either, I starve to death! Hang in there. See ya:thumbup:

Hey Ibbanded,

Wow, I could completely relate to your psot and also to your renewed commitment to getting back on track. I haven't been banded yet, I go in on March 30th, but I have noticed myself slipping back into some old patterns recently.

I wish you the best of luck and hope that by talking to us you feel more encouraged and strengthened (as I do from reading all of the posts).

-music

Woooo hoooooo!! That's where I got my surgery done! Dr. Vivian Sanchez did mine, she has since started her own practice in Salem. But I've gotten follow up care from Dr. Schnieder, who is really nice!

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

Usually, each trip I take is measured in the smallest increments- each step.

For years, I have painfully walked to each destination, marking each breath and the pain in my feet.

Now, I'm NO where near where I want to be, but I can say that today I've noticed that I no longer get so short of breath when walking from one building to another at my job. And for me that's a really huge non scale victory! :thumbup:.

Wow....I think this whole process, even before being banded, has really inspired me. I can't wait to keep marking the next phase in this incredible journey.

Have a good night everyone,

-Music

Hi All, Haven't checked in since the 14th. My husband has been home and left out today. Anyway, I ate what I wanted, didn't write down my intake, or do any real exercise. Even though I didn't keep track, I was still very aware of what I was eating. Anyway got on the scale and didn't gain and didn't lose, so I'm really pretty happy. We went to dinner had a birthday party etc. I'm happy. Now its time to get back to the basics, write things down, exercise, watch the carbs, etc.

Tabithan, you were saying that when you eat more you lose and when you eat less you don't. I'm the same way so what I do is trick my body. They say sometimes your body thinks your starving it, so it holds on to the calories. What I do is; Day 1: I eat 12 to 1400 calories. Day 2: I eat say, 9 to 1000 calories. I just keep flipping back and forth. It seems to work for me. You might try it. Hope it works for you. I do have to still watch my carbs.

Hey Kaelin's G-Ma, tricking the body sounds like a great idea. I've been working on keeping my calories under 1500 (more like under 1700 most days, but still) and I do notice that I seem to be MORE hungry on days that I eat more than on days when I barely eat. I'm going to try to do that on again off again thing.

-music

Oh my goodness, I had to tell someone this.

I went on My Virtual Model.com today because I thought I could create a new cute virtual model.

I was shocked, when I went to put in my weight, they wouldn't accept it! I put in 274 and got an error message saying that they were recalculating my weight to fit their BMI maximum requirements. They wouldn't accept a weight larger than 249!!!

This site: My Virtual Model - Your portal for social shopping

Wow, it's bad enough that we have a hard time shopping at stores, let alone to be kicked out of a "Virtual" site for being too big!!!

Anyway, that's my rant and I'm stickin to it, lol.

Hope you all are having a great day.

-music

Hi,

I was banded on August 1/08 by Dr. Patrick Yau, so far I have lost 20lbs, and I am now trying to get this kick started again. Very slow going for me, the way it has always been when I've tried to lose weight :smile:

Look forward to chatting with others that have been through or are going through the same things as I am :thumbup:

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 Tabithan,

I'm crossing my fingers for you on that Nyquil situation :sneaky:. I haven't even gotten down to eating 1300 calories a day, so CONGRATULATIONS on keeping that up :thumbup:.

I have a question for all of you post-ops. Are you able to do ab exercises now that you've been banded? I think about the way the stitches are held in there and the stories I've heard about the ports flipping and wondered if any of y'all had a problem with that.

Not that I'm uber excited about ab exercises anyway, but I'm trying to think of ways that I can combat the excess skin post surgery.

Hey Scarlett, congratulations on keeping up with the exercise! Hope you get good restriction soon :thumbup:.

-music

I feel the same way, I am even getting somewhat nauseous! I am excited, but alittle scared. This site really helps! thanks to all who give their imput,it helps! My date is on the 21st, Jan. I read your list and agree, I am 47 yrs young, and started over with 2 litttles ones, almost 6 yrs and almost 2 yrs....no ...I am not crazy...just happen to find the right man later in life, he is wonderful and so supportive. I too would love to play with them on the floor and not worry...can I get up!. This in not to mention the blood pressure prob. so I hope to get healthier and live to be at least 90 yrs of age.

thanks for reading, understanding

Good luck to all of us, doing it for the right reason....ME

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 was just looking at the pics thinking....OMG I need to get back down to 212 and then work on getting back to that 197 I saw. Then work on getting to my goal of 175 (right now anyway). I'll get there one day at a time is the best we can do.

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

music..I usually get an emil notification of replies to threads, but somehow missed this one and just got it today..Sat.

I did go to the meeting on thurs...VERY informative , I thought.

I was sitting way in the back against the wall.I left early because of the prking rates..I parked in the wrong garage!

I was impressed with the 3 'losers' who spoke to the group.

Before making up my mind, I am going to the one this tues at Brigh & wom.

I was amazed that there is such a LONG waiting list before one has the surgery!

I'm sorry I missed your email.

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 Everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted, I've been running around like crazy, trying to get back into the swing of things with work. But I'm happy to post that I had my series of appointments at BIDMC today, my echo, abd ultrasound, my nutritionist appointment, and my appointment with Dr. H and everything went really well !

Also I've lost 5 pounds. Woohoo!

I have been writing down every single bite of food I put into my mouth since my first appointment on January 2nd, and I swear, that has helped me tremendously.

Wow, I love the idea of predetermining calories. Now that I've been writing everything down, (without dieting, just portion control), I can see some major areas where I can cut down on calories.

Ok, I'm off to read more of your posts and catch myself up. I hope everyone is doing well .

Best,

Music

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

I was just looking at the pics thinking....OMG I need to get back down to 212 and then work on getting back to that 197 I saw. Then work on getting to my goal of 175 (right now anyway). I'll get there :thumbs_up: one day at a time is the best we can do.

I hear you, Sherry. I was looking at some pics the other day of myself before, when I'd done the Master Cleanse for 40 days. I remember feeling so healthy, I thought "well, what happened?".

But I read this great quote that Oprah wrote:

"Here's another thing this past year has been trying to teach me: I don't have a weight problem—I have a self-care problem that manifests through weight. As my friend Marianne Williamson shared with me, "Your overweight self doesn't stand before you craving food. She's craving love." Falling off the wagon isn't a weight issue; it's a love issue."

And you know, I thought to myself, "Wow, that is so true!" A lot of my issues are less about my actual weight and more about how I take care of myself all around.

-music

If you'd like, we can meet a little bit before then for coffee. I'll be checking my email until I leave work at 5p, hope you get this message :thumbs_up:.

-music

Singin in the rain, I'm trying to decide if I'm going to the info session at BIDMC tonight. Will you be there? Let me know.

-music

Oh my gosh, Sherry you look wonderful! I know it's been a difficult journey, but you look amazing.

Congratulations on everything so far :thumbup:.

-music

Hi Music...I think my profile still has a before and after but it's really a before and IN PROCESS LOL. I just went to my post-op visit today for my revision surgery. I'm not off liquids YEAAAA lol.

I see the comments going back and forth regarding BW and BIDMC truly both hospitals are great. I can only say from experience I really like BIDMC and I'd recommend it to anyone. The nutrionists there are awesome and truly you spend more time with them than the docs anyway. They really help and give alot of suggestions on how you can substitute things, better choices, work on stress etc. Kelly and June are great and both very very friendly. The staff also gets back to me pretty quickly when I ask a question too it's nice. They also have a Bari-buddy program if you want to join it. It's a list of fellow bariatric patients you can contact for a buddy or questions etc. I'm on the list....feel free to look me up :thumbup:

Good luck with the process friends...I wish you the best.

Thanks Sherry!

For some reason, I can never see people's photo albums when I click on their profiles. I can only see them if I follow a link or if I look in the huge before and after forums. I wonder if I'm doing something wrong, I couldn't see your pics.

At any rate, thanks for your response. I, too, feel really comfortable with BIDMC so far.

-music

Hello Singing, I have to say BOTH my stays at BIDMC were great. The first surgery 2/13/06 to place the band I stayed at the West Campus. That was prior to them having a dedicated Bariatric floor that, I'm understanding BIDMC DOES have now. Then I just recently have revision surgery and stayed at the East Campus hospital and although it's not a dedicated Bariatric wing it was fantastic. The beds were really comfortable and no patients kept me up really. Just the usual coming to take my vitals woke me up. They kept me really comfortable and all the nurses were really friendly and helpful. My calls to the nurses station never went unanswered. The staff at the Bariatric center for my regular visits have also been great and I can't say enough about the nutrionists I've met with. Both Kelly and June are great and very supportive and really listen. I can't say enough about them.

It's definitely worth checking out both hospitals and go with the one you're most comfortable with. Good luck with your journey

Sherry

Hey SherryW, Just wanted to wish you a happy new year .

I hope that you are healing well and feeling better.

Sherry, do you have any before and after pics? I tried to look at an old thread to see the link that you'd posted a long time ago, but so many other people had posted since then, I couldn't find yours.

-music

Tomorrow I go to the meeting at Beth Israel Deac and next week I go to my final meeting at Brigh and Wom.

For some reason I gravitate towards the Brig.

One thing I definitely want is a facility with a good post op support ring to attend and good aftercare as well as a good facility and , above all, experienced specialist.

So next week I will be on the forum looking up drs and finding out about the treatment received by the guys and gals here.

Do they provide a nutritionist to help you lose the 10 lbs? Even 10 lbs is monumental for some of us!

One of the many reasons I chose the Band vs the GP, music, is the weight gain is not scaringly dramatic! I'd rather lose steadily and moderately...if I don't do it that way, my body will look sick and saggy ...especially at my age (a young looking 59 so I am told)

Hey Singin ,

I know what you mean about BWH. I worked there for many years. I did find the staff in the weight loss clinic weren't as nice as BIDMC, but that could've just been one bad experience and not the whole team.

So far, BIDMC seems to have a great post-op process. In one info session, a large group of post-ops came in at the end and spent a lot of time just talking about their experiences (they meet often right in the area where the info sessions are held) and answering questions. It was great to pick their brains and hear about everything from their decisions to have the bypass, or the lap band to excess skin and how they dealt with cosmetic surgery.

I agree with you about choosing the Band over GBP. I for one, just would prefer to have all of my organs in one piece. I do think it's a great surgery and it works well for people. But I have a hard enough time electing to have surgery on my body at all, let alone to have irreversible surgery. I am hopeful that, with the band and the BIDMC team, I can help conquer my weight issues without having GB surgery. Some of my friends who have the sleeve or the bypass feel the exact opposite. They feel like it wasn't UNTIL they had GB surgery, that they started feeling like things turned around for them, so *shrug* it truly is a personal decision.

I like the Lap Bands slow weight loss. I like hoping that the slow weight loss will help me not have to deal with so much excess skin. I looked at my puffy stomach and tried to imagine all the fat gone, but the skin still left. That was a hard thing to picture, lol.

Oh, and one more thing! Yes, they do provide you with a nutritionist. In fact, the same day next Tuesday, when I have the echo and meet with the medical doctor, I have to meet with a nutritionist. I've had to log my eating for four days into a form that I will present and go over with her so that we can make an eating plan for me to help me lose the ten pounds (or more, hopefully) before surgery.

Lately, too, I've been wondering which size band the surgeon might recommend for me. I wonder how they choose which size to put into a person? I know that BIDMC uses different sizes for different people, so I'm curious about that...

-music

Great to hear from you music.

Last night I went to my 1st intro meeting and heard pros and cons of both surgeries.

One problem was the requirement to lose 10% of the weight BEFORE being banded. LOL...if I could get rid of this hunger that causes me to eat, I COULD lose the 20% on my own and wouldn't need a Band !

Anyway..I am still determined to go to any lengths to get this done.

I am going to another meeting tomorrow night in Boston to et more info and visit another fascility.

What are you looking into these days to get you going closer to having the Band?

singingintherain

Hey Singing in the rain,

Was your meeting over at Brigham & Women's? Wow, the 20% does sound like a lot! At 280, if I had to lose 20% before having the surgery, that would be 56 pounds for me. At BIDMC, they say that you have to lose at least 10 pounds. That seems more reasonable to expect from patients who are really starting from rock bottom. While I do agree that being a part of their weight loss program can help you reach, if not exceed, your goals, I want to be sure that I'm involved in a program that sets small, manageable goals that help me feel like I'm making significant progress. (and that's just my two cents on that subject, lol.)

These days, I'm celebrating, I have logged my food intake for the last five days (small goal #1 met :thumbup:) and I've also started a journal. I've noticed how much of my thought process is so centered around how I feel physically. While others are focused outward, on life, or on the next social engagement, I spend so much time mapping out events based on my physical pain. For instance, the walk from my house to the bus takes so much energy. Or, the pain in my ankles at the end of the night. Deciding where to sleep to minimize my back pain (the couch wins every time, even though I have a brand new bed. aaargh!)

On Tuesday, I go to BIDMC to get an echocardiogram, meet the medical doctor, and the nutritionist.

I've been looking for scar pictures from people. I'm concerned about the healing process after surgery, since it doesn't look like I'll have much down time, unless I postpone the surgery until the summer time, which I just can't bear to do.

So, those are some of the things on my mind. How about you? Did attending that info session give you any kind of thoughts on the pros and cons of the surgery?

-music