socalgal3

You are only two and a half weeks post-op, so your body is still recovering. It will take time to adjust to your new way of eating. You can try Maalox or something, but natural fiber will eventually regulate your system. It shouldn't cause diarrhea. Are you supposed to be on solid foods already? Sometimes in the early stages, we are eating liquids and mushies, so that's what comes out! Sorry! TMI! Hang in there. It should get better. If not, talk to your doc.

I've only been at goal for 2 months, but I still worry that the weight will come back. I'm not a true believer in myself! Last week I had to have an unfill, so I am very afraid of regaining. I've maintained for 1 week so far! Yay! But the head hunger still haunts me. I think it will get better as more time passes. At least I hope so!

This subject has been mentioned here before and as a closet bandster, I just want to say I AM NOT ASHAMED. It is nobody's business but my own and who I choose to share it with. I am a very private person for the most part. It has nothing to do with shame. I support those who choose to tell everyone they meet as much as I support those who chose to keep it private. It is a personal decision just as much as having the surgery itself, the surgeon we choose, etc.

I'm sorry for the loss of your band. Will you be able to have another band sometime in the future? Find positive ways to deal with your emotions like journalling, going for walks, talking to friends and LBT of course! Keep up with the healthy habits and exercise you have started in the past year.

Have you seen your doctor lately? I would think heartburn that bad would require an unfill. I've been unfilled for nearly half of my journey due to being too tight, a slip, etc. I was still able to reach goal and have maintained(so far!) for 3 months. You may just want a slight unfill, not a total unfill, but I would definitely check with the doctor. You don't want to make things worse. Don't be afraid of weight gain. You may just need an unfill for a few weeks to heal/rest and then get some fill back to maintain. Congrats on the great weight loss and maintaining it for so long! That is what we all hope for and you've done it!

I used Dr. Ortiz and have been happy with my results. Many people have complained about the lack of follow-up care. I would have to agree to the extent that they don't call you. YOU have to call them. I have always found them helpful and available when I needed them. But, also, I live in the San Diego area so it is a 20-30 minute drive to Tijuana. If you live further away, you should secure follow-up care in your area prior to surgery. Mine cost $8500. Port infections happen to plenty of people regardless of where the surgery takes place. I'm not saying there is no risk in Mexico, but the same risks exist around the world. Check out WASA's thread and call the docs yourself. But beware of surgery coordinators who will try to convince you that their doc is perfect! Best of luck!

I'm at goal and was recently unfilled due to being too tight (AGAIN!) I have considered trying to lose more, but honestly I am tired of all the comments about my "wasting away", etc. I am happy with my size. Are you losing on a consistent basis? If you are at goal and still losing and want to stop, I would get a slight unfill. Not a complete unfill. If you aren't losing regularly, just keep your fill as is. That is the good thing about the band-it's adjustable! I understand about learning better habits as well. Since I was unfilled Monday I went to get some fast food. Not because I really craved it or anything, my mind just said go for it, since I had no fill. It didn't taste that great and I was disappointed in myself, but we just have to start each day anew. Congrats on the great weight loss and continued success in the future.

Sorry for the frustrating road you've traveled. Hopefully, with your new fill and dedication, you will have some weight loss. Glad you found us! It's a great place to be.

I joined facebook about a month ago and already have 18 friends! They are all people I knew. I even found my old college roomie!

Happy Birthday and Happy Valentine's Day Wheetsin!!!

I am not having plastic surgery. If I could afford it, the only thing I would get done is my arms! Although many people say the scars of a brachioplasty are as bad as the bat wings! My tummy isn't washboard abs or anything, but I'm fine with it. I think it really depends on your age, your genes and how much you lose whether you need it or not. Of course, it is up to you whether you "need" it. Hopefully, the slow loss and lotions will reduce the need, but extra skin is just a fact after significant lweight loss.

I was given some sublingual tablets that I never took. I had surgery in Mexico, so the medicine name wasn't something I recognized. Other people told me it was something similar to Aleve. I wasn't really in pain, just kinda uncomfortable. But, I also have a high pain tolerance.

Glad all was clear Barb! Sorry to hear about your son Cathy! Happy Valentine's Day to all!

I missed the very first show, but watched tonight. I don't really like the "all single" format. I know they are trying to stir up romance and drama, but a better mix of people is what makes it interesting to me. Maybe it'll get better as I watch more......

Amy- 50 pounds since October is AWESOME! Sometimes we hit a plateau and then the weight eventually comes off. I agree with some that you may be building muscle which won't show a loss on the scale. Also, I think you may want to reconsider a protein shake right before bed. If you go right to bed, you can't burn any of those calories. Maybe have that protein earlier in the day. Just a thought. Hang in there and good luck!

Welcome Chanter! This is a great place for support. Check out some of the specific threads for your age group, your BMI or the month/year of your surgery. Those have been a great help to me. I wish you the best of health and continued success with your band!

That's too bad that happened to you Jacqui! As far as people's comments, I think they just don't know what to say. If you tell them you are getting surgery and they say "good for you!" They may think they are saying "you need it!" If they say, "Oh, you aren't that big", they are really saying, "we love you the way you are". Well, that may not be true, but it might-just trying to think positive. You know-they don't want to insult you by agreeing with you that you need surgery. But, also, in America, so many people are morbidly obese, so we have become accustomed to bigger people. So, someone who is just "overweight" seems normal sized to us.

This room is becoming a ghost town. Anyway....I was having a little heartburn and since I am off work today for Abraham Lincoln's birthday, I decided to drive to lovely Tijuana for a check-up. It only took 90 minutes to get back into the USA. So, as suspected, I was too tight-AGAIN! The doc said all looked well with band placement, etc. and there were no signs of slippage, but that I was too tight. The barium was sitting in my pouch and not passing quickly as liquids should. So, once again, I am completely unfilled. I guess I should be glad this fill lasted 8 months and brought me to goal. Maybe I am just not meant to have fill. Melissa- I am not training. I did walk for a hour and a half yesterday with a friend, but my heart wasn't in training mode. Maybe as the weather warms up, I'll get out and train more. You seem to be doing quite well though. Keep it up! Everyone else needs to get out of hibernation and come say hi!

How many grams of protein were in the bar? I usually have one and it holds me til lunch. I've been eating a Pria bar with 11 grams of protein. I also get the Pure Protein bars sometimes and they have more protein.

I've done fine with lobster, crab and shrimp. I have, however, PBd twice on scallops. Those were 2 BAD PBs, so I now avoid scallops! Good luck! Just chew thoroughly and you should be fine.

I honestly thought it would be impossible to give up my Diet Coke prior to surgery. Now, I am almost 20 months out and haven't had a soda that entire time and NEVER even think about it. I never have it in the house and when I go out I get water or iced tea. At home I have Crystal Light and decaf iced tea. I was never told not to have caffeine, but I avoid it most of the time. If I need caffeine, I have some coffee or hot tea. I used to have at least 3 cups of coffee a day, now I have maybe one a week, if that. A lot of things seem impossible before surgery, but they become second nature in no time.

It took me a year a half to lose 95 pounds, so it might take you 2 years. It really depends on how aggressive you are with exercise, etc., but it is a slower process than gastric bypass, so you'll need to be patient.

I know you may not want to hear it, but an unfill may be in order. Just a partial one, not a complete unfill. Or, you may be swollen from PBing. Do at least 24 hours on liquids and slowly reintroduce solids, taking very small bites and chewing thoroughly. It is NOT supposed to hurt when we eat. That is a sure sign of irritation or overfill. The trapped gas pain is generally right after surgery, not at your point of the journey. Best of health!

That is a great feeling. But, unfortunately, soon you will be unable to wear it again as it gets TOO BIG!! I had that happen with some favorites. You will find plenty of new favorites for the new you.

It sounds like you are unhappy with your doctor, not the band. You were given misleading information I guess. I agree with Julie-get another fill. You may need several to get the right adjustment. But, you also must advocate for yourself. Don't let the doctor push you around. I don't understand what "wrong information" you gave your doctor. Many people cannot just tell their doctor immediately how the fill is. It takes a few days for any swelling to go down after a fill and there may be a delay in the fill "kicking in". Many of us have had to go back and have a small adjustment + or - less than a CC. I'm sorry it isn't working for you, but it is a successful tool for many, so don't give up until you have exhausted all your efforts.