shaggs

Hey Sunshine! I've heard lots of different outcomes from band slipping situations. If you're with private cover it is all covered otherwise you might want to call an ambulance and admit yourself as an emergency patient (tell them you're choking on your food or in hideous pain or something and then they have to deal with you as an emergency altho I dont know if they replace it then?????) One of my friends had a slip and the doctor took all fill out and left her for the afternoon and when she came back the band had gone back into place and it was all good. another friend's slip is more of a move and is all ok and liveable still with good restriction. I'm so sorry to hear you're having problems please let me know how you're going and make sure your doctor tries the whole emptying the band and leaving it for a bit to see if it corrects itself could save alot of money and trouble! In the meantime chin up and always hold out for the best!

Its funny how people make cameo appearances in our lives! You are going great guns and what a difference those (seemingly) little moments in our life make to our overall well being. The psychological stuff is really the hardest part of all of this - if only there was something to help that side out a bit! I sometimes find myself having almost out of body experiences and going for food that I know is going to really hurt me, or eating when I'm full or drinking when I just ate and I marvel at how strong our urges are to override physical harm and searing agony. Is it our need to self harm? Or is it just addiction/comupulsion? I dont know - probably never will all I know is there are parts of me I barely remember anymore and I love it! I do feel so sorry for the old me and the people around me I see struggling with the urge to eat - no one realises just how uncontrollable it is until they've had a lapband or other situation happen where the urge is almost completely taken away and you realise you never really stood a chance in the first place. Whats your biggest battle? Mine is to not nibble all day long. I'm a grazer. And also going for food when I'm bored or upset. Oh and not eating chips and chocolate cause they go down so well. Still, even when I do have a go at the bad stuff its not very much of it so I guess all things in moderation??!?! Still, I would have had a lot more success had I made better choices and eating habits. Anyhoo looking forward to hearing from you again!

Hiya! Its been a while since I've been on and its a strange weird dream like memory/flashback thinking about how much I used this site when I was being banded back on feb 10th - I feel like a whole new person. I have lost approx 17kg (37.4 pounds) and feel fab! I sometimes feel a little disheartened when the weight loss can be a lil slow and tedious but that usually means I need a fill. But no matter how disheartened I may feel I will never get over the fact that the weight does not come back on, I'm am down to a size 16 (12 USA) from a 22, I can shop at any shop and wear pretty summer dresses, my efforts can not and will not be sabotaged - the band is here to stay, I dont hate myself anymore, I can eat pretty much whatever I want with control and moderation and not feel out of control and useless, I'm not obsessed with food anymore, I leave food on my plate without mourning it, I dont gorge, I dont ever eat til I'm uncomfortable (unless I get stuck!). I just LOVE IT! Its a strange road and can be a little unpredictable at first but once you get to know your band and you get your fill level right - its brilliant. I've had about 5 fills and am at 7mls in a 12ml band and I'm contemplating getting another fill before xmas so I dont go overboard, keeps me honest! I do very little exercise which I'm not proud of but it is remarkable that I lose this much weight without killing myself on a treadmill but having said that, I'm joining a gym tomorrow and I'm finally psychologically at the point where I feel comfortable putting in the effort knowing that I cant sabotage myself and undo my hard work. Its so good to hear from you serenity and to know that all my ol favs are still on and we're all still plugging along. Sooooo much happier now than a year ago when I used to come on this site! Let me know how you're doing - love to hear all the details!

I had hideous chest pains and tightness post op didnt get much of the shoulder pain but woah! the chest pain! Not much does help but I found crossing my arms over my chest and holding on to each shoulder and giving myself a "hug" squeezed the pain and gas out and it really helped. I also had peppermint mentos and that really settled the discomfort around the chest and stomach. You'd also be surprised how sucking in the air and forcing yourself to burp helps also. I was too scared to try this as I thought it would hurt more but I remember the moment I tried it and it really relieved alot of discomfort. Anyhoo, good luck and rest up and you'll feel tip top in no time!

What a nasty pri&*(! I'd rethink my doctor if I were you - I wouldnt let anyone else speak to me like that if I was spending such a huge amount of money with them so why would I let a doctor??? Anyhoo - Sunshine's right - just keep up the opti so long as you're on a losing streak your liver will be good doesnt matter what weight you're coming from so long as your liver is giving up the fat you'll be alright - there are much heavier people than you getting this done with no probs so dont sweat it! Be prepared that you might not lose much more on opti as your body has a way of shutting down after about 5 kgs but keep it up anyway as your liver will be better off for it. Good luck and dont let the bastards get you down girl!