GoingforGoal

I can understand your logic. I was fortunate to have been banded w/ my husband on the same day. Sometimes you hear the stories of how difficult it is living with nonbanded spouses, nontheless, finding someone entirely new to understand and support you. Mis is right, of course you can find men open/understanding. However, I too would be inclined to find someone who related as it is a huge change/adjustment in your life and you don't need the problem of convincing or battling others as well. Ironically, if you look at the chat room, there is a room for singles. It's just never used. Some of the singles should start a singles chat forum with certain days/times so you can mingle. Not sure how successful it'll be because I'm unsure how many singles are chatting etc etc. But worth a try?

Yes your vits are essential, not elective. Just like Protein shakes, finding a version that is most palatable to you takes some experimentation. I take multivits, B12, Biotin, vit D (I'm low), and calcium daily for support. Short term you may get by just fine, long term you can cause serious issues. Best to be proactive than dealing w/ avoidable conditions

Hi Black, I too have had the same experience after losing all my weight. I call it bony butt syndrome, but to each their own lol. The only thing you can do is postural training. You may even want to see a physiologist and/or chiropractor who can assess your alignment. It is not uncommon for obese people to have their skeletal system unaligned due to the stress of carrying excessive weight. If this is the case, things like basic strength exercises, SI joint stretches and even adjustments can help with those issues over a period of time. Isn't is amazing how we suddenly become aware of our anatomy after losing all the cushion. For example, ribs and floating ribs. Goodness..haven't felt those things in over 20 years lol.

No just fingers. The nurse will put a pulse oximeter on your finger which reads your oxygen levels and pulse. If one finger doesn't work, you have (I assume) 9 others to choose from Good luck

And going into detail..I have done every move man made under the stars...port's still intact <WINK> Your port is well sutured (unless your doc specified otherwise). So, just like working out, sex and the fun positions it puts us in will not impact the port. I have gotten pregnant on the band. Beware, it makes you fertile (but maybe it was position 2,345 that did it) And girl, sex is the first forum post we all opened up..are you kidding me LMAO

I know and they keep postponing it another week....what gives. I miss my lbt friends

I just wanted to also mention, that if you use the search button you will get an extensive list of posts that discuss these terms AND related issues for further research

Woohoo... Good job on kicking Insurance butt See you on the other side

NEXT MONDAY???????? It was supposed to be done THIS Monday!!! Unhappy camper

foxychick, <love the name btw I just underwent major cosm. surgery (tt, arm lift, breast lift and aug). Prior to this procedure, I had multiple surgeries, to include x3 c-sections. The very first c-section made the area directly underneath my incisional scar numb and it never returned. Neural issues (whether it be an occluded nerve in your spine, to nerve damage during surgery) are very long healing. However, I would guesstimate that if by one year you do not have any feeling you can count it as permanent. Hey, the + side is that if you ever need subq injections, you can just do it there since the abdomen is a common place for them and you won't even feel it (smirk). I'm sorry that you are having issues/pain. So far I am healing on schedule, no real pain. I still have my steristrips on so I have no visual of the actual scars but doc says they should heal similar to what my previous c/s scars resulted in. You mentioned you have more work to be done. The good thing about that is perhaps some of the scar tissue that is creating havoc will be removed in the process and your new incisional line will heal nicer with less complications. Your results look great. I will be posting mine after a month or so when everything looks 'normal' again ahaah

^5 and congrats

Sounds like you have a great surgeon. You, as the patient, would not know to ask for lidocaine. It's a dr protocol. However, it's a good q to ask or request in the future since you know there will be difficulties accessing your port.

Let the doc determine the quantity. You'd be amazed what a mere 0.5cc can do. I'm at green and now when I get fills they are between 0.1 and 0.3 cc. If I overshoot it, I'm only getting 0.1 taken out. So again, you can imagine what 0.5-1 can do Good luck and good attitude not suffering through a too tight band

Hi You hit it on the head. Maybe they started at a higher weight. Maybe they are being more restrictive with cals. Or maybe working out like gym freaks. Who knows haha. But by numbers, you are right on track for the avg weight loss stats. I think sometimes we hear these wonder losses and we are so hopeful it'll happen to us we feel defeated when it doesn't happen. But those are not the normal results. AND may I stress here, it's not how much someone loses, but loses AND maintains. I see heeps of people losing 100+ lbs and gaining it back after becoming lax w/ rules or not getting fills etc. The same person who got a head start, may be trailing you in the end. Again, it's not a competition, but if you stay vigilant and observant, you'll see that's what happens. Stay positive. Don't track others results, just yours. That's hard enough

Ahhhh helll no. .... CHOKE HIM!!! CHOKE HIM!!!! I'll be your alibi ahahha

britt, I lost 100+ lbs. I am actually currently recovering from my cosmetic surgery (the last phase of my journey). I would guesstimate 100 lbs in 1 year as long as you are consistent and follow the rules Definitely worth every dollar. This is not like anything you've done before (aka weight watcher memberships, pills, expensive delivery meals etc) where it was just a loss of your investment. I wish you all the luck. If you have specific q's, please feel free to email

Oh That just makes me sad hon. Does he use lidocaine to numb the area prior to accessing the port? If not, request it. As an RN, I also think it's not too much to ask for extra helping hands, pillow behind your back to help w/ the crunch position...whatever it takes. My hub and I were banded same day. He is larger than I and he too has had previous difficulty with access to his port but not to the point they couldn't get it. I know it's a pain, but keep going. You seem to have a great and go get em attitude. The fills are essential to your success so make that doc earn his money (snicker)

^5 happy to hear you are getting the necessary support Good luck on the test..its simple

<<<< I'm an RN too and banded ^5 on your choice to get banded, good luck w/ surgery

cc, I got what you meant Good luck w/ the surgery. Glad the kiddos are your support system. I think with them knowing it'll be an even greater motivator to kick band butt

Unfortunately any remedy someone suggests will just be a recommendation w/out guarantees. No product guarantees their results. I just had cosmetic surgery. It was my #1 question as well and the dr's and cosmotologist both agreed that you can use things like vit E, biooil, mederma etc but it's a 50/50 shot. However, I also learned that if you have had previous incisions, you can predict how future incisions will heal based on those old scars. So I have had 3 c/s scars that are super faint and should assume all my other scars will result in the same appearance.

Standard rule of thumb is 60-90g of Protein daily minimum. I drink like a fish, but 64 oz should be your minimal goal for Water intake

NO NO NO It's not crazy at all!!!! This is PRECISELY what you do when you are hit plateaus. It's an old body builder's trick. You are merely tricking the brain into thinking your status quo is not 1000 calories and it doesn't adjust it's metabolism for 1000 cals or hold weight if it fears you are going into starvation mode. I do this time and time again. Sometimes I even deliberately have a "cheat" day each week to shock the system if you will. Keep this ace card in your back pocket next time you hit a stall! Trust me, works every time

Hi Jenny, We all (mostly) struggle with variances in restriction. Some are tight in the morning and loosen up as the day goes by. Some vary meal to meal, hour by hour etc. Everyone is different. As for some reasons for why this is happening: 1) Hydration. Your esophagus and stomach is nothing more than tissue cells. When dehydrated the cells are lax. So think of lax tissue, it would create a more narrow passage resulting in increased restriction if there's a stoma. This is why hydration is important. However, that's not possible while sleeping so most of us wake up with tight bands. Rehydrate and slowly introduce foods to work the band. 2. I sort of inferred this already, but if you go long periods between eating. Or if you only eat a small amount one meal and than wait hours before your next meal, the band just may not have been 'used' enough to keep it open. Only suggestion for this one is to ensure you are eating on a regular schedule opposed to some who can go 8+ hrs w/out eating (eeeek).

We use pounds and ounces. Medically we use Kilos. Stones is UK