StarsZie

I'm sorry I thought I mentioned in my post, I had been to see the doctor right before my son was killed, my band looks to be OK. Time for me feels like it stands still. Things are so hard to believe even now thinking that its been almost 2 years already! I called them a couple months back and spoke to them about everything that happened that's when they recommended a revision! I was kind of annoyed that they jumped right to "revision" instead of trying to help me through this. I'm reaching out for hand holding I guess...

Hi there so I'm finally ready to reach out for help. My 24 year old son was killed by a drunk driver on April 29th 2012, and only 11 months before losing my son I lost my father. I had wls (band) in 2009. Needless to say my weight loss journey fell way off the wagon. I have since gained most of my weight back and I have no idea how to start over again. When I went to the doctors they had made a suggestion that maybe I might want to have a revision... no I don't want any more surgery I want to try to work with my band but I need much more support than what I'm getting from them! I am very scared that I stretched out my pouch but the odd thing is is that I still do feel restriction so maybe I didn't and I just got used to eating slider foods. I think I'm going to try the 5 day pouch test, has anyone done this before and been successful? Has anyone else fallen so far off the wagon and been able to pick themselves up and start over??? Oh and did I mention I also got divorced and had to buy a house by myself? Yep you can say I'm depressed and feel helpless and trying how to figure out how to start over again and again... I could sure use some help, support and ideas. Anyone?

Wow... that's not as bad as I thought. I hope I can find someone here in CT that is comparable! Thanks!

Hi Sue.. None of the pictures can be seen. :thumbup: Maybe if you upload them to your profile and make an album? I wish I could see your results! Lynn

Hi dfav... Where are you located? That's not such a bad price if it included the hospital overnight!

Hi Lisa Marie, Money is an issue for me too. :thumbup: I'm hoping someone from my area (Connecticut) will read through these and provide me with some insight as well. I'm so nervous from hearing some stories but at the same time encouraged by reading the good stories! I'm sucha baby! :confused:

Hi Sue, Thank you for your response. I'm glad you had a successful surgery. So far I've only heard nightmares and people saying they are sorry they did it. :thumbup: I want more than anything to get rid of the flab that waves on forever and fit comfortably into a blouse or not be embarassed to wear sleeveless tops. I've heard the pain is aweful... I've heard the scars are 2" wide and look horrible. I posted on here hoping to hear from people like yourself and possibly see before and after photos. I am also hoping someone from my area can reply with a PS recommendation. ~ Lynn

I'm looking for PS in Connecticut. I've been referred to some by my BS, but I would prefer to hear from patients. Let me know? Thanks! :thumbup:

Hi everyone, I'm considering Brachioplasty. Had anyone had it done? Can you tell me about the cost, scarring and pain involved? :thumbup: Thanks!

I DID IT!!!! :thumbup: I still can't believe I did... but I had my son whispering in my ear the whole time. "You can do this Mom... you're doing great... You're Doing IT!!!" I did my first 5K in 37:17 That was probably 5 minutes or so faster than I had run it in the past. I really truly feel like if I could do this... anyone can. I started preparing for this back in November. My knee's are not the best nor my hips... but I did it!!!! :cool2:

Hey... hang in there. I had a fill about 3 weeks ago and i'm also at 5.5cc's and just now started to be able to eat a little more. I just keep telling myself that I can eat what I want as long as i just have a little and 'listen' to what my band is telling me. Stop eating when I feel full. Don't over eat but enjoy life and a second chance at losing weight and feeling healthy! Do you work out at all? Maybe when you feel blue you should take a walk or go for a quick jog. That's what I do... I used to turn to food for comfort and now I turn to exercise. It usually helps take away that feeling and then I end up feeling better that I did a positive thing rather than eat. :Banane20:

Don't be afraid of what you read. Everyone is different! :Banane20:) Good Luck on your journey!

Good luck with it Todd... slow and easy that's really the key. OH and rest... key #2! ;o) :thumbup:

I have done the couch to 5K and signed up for my first road race... it's April 11th! OMG I can't believe i'm doing this. But yes, it works. I never ever thought in a million years that "I" would be jogging never mind running a 5K road race. I'm slow... but WTH.. i'm going to do it! I also started cycling and have been using my elliptical and running outside weather permitting. I just got the New Balance Zip sneakers that seem to be pretty good. I also wear Nike Air Pegasus... both of these are good on my heels and knees. Good luck to everyone! We can do it! :thumbup:

Hi Mominkansas.. Congratulations on what you've accomplished so far... hard work, isnt it? I noticed that if I pay attention to my fluid and protien intake it seems to help. I too have just recently hit the 100 lbs weight loss and have been hitting those plateau walls. I try to change things up here and there. Try not to do the same aerobic exercise all the time and try to hit different muscle groups. So if the treadmill or walking is your thing... try the elliptical or bike for a while - target different muscle groups... 'confuse' your body. The scale will start to move again... honest! Keep up the great work... you're doing awesome!

I have to agree... Biotin and hitting your daily protien will help. Remember... what goes in affects your body. Since hair is protien... you need protien to sustain it nicely. Grab a protien bar or a protien shake if you need to get that extra protien in. You can do it! Hang in there! :thumbup:

Awww thanks Willowcat... you brought tears to my eyes thinking that I am an inspiration for someone! I've always wanted to be able to 'pay it forward' and if I can do that for you... that'd be awesome! I'll post how I do that day... provided I cross the finish line of my own accord and not on a stretcher! LOL!!!

Just tossing in my 2 cents... don't forget to get youself some Papaya Enzyme... this will help with the stuck food and break it up faster. I got a chewable from a health food store and carry it with me everywhere. Thank goodness I only needed to use it a couple times. It's the worst feeling ever in the world!

Thanks Jen... your post made my literally Laugh Out Loud! My 22 year old son, my chiropractor and one of my coworkers have signed up to run with me. I'm hoping with my little posse they will give me the encouragement I need and the adrenaline to keep on going. I just recently hit a mile stone on my WL journey of losing 100 lbs.... so the run will give me one more thing to check off the list. Good luck on your C25K - maybe one day I can run that too!

Thanks Ohm... very inspirational. I have to agree that running 7 miles in 45 - 65 minutes is awesome! It takes me 45 minutes to do just 3 miles :biggrin:. If not for anything else... it's more than I have ever done in my life before. Having this lap band has changed so many things in my life and not just the weight! I have to admit... I'd be a nervous wreck to try to run with a dog by my side... i'm sure i'd trip and kill myself!

Thanks Leigha - you post made me smile and start to feel better about myself. Today I actually have a knee brace on and my doctor wants to take a look at my old MRI's of my knee. I do have a small tear and I think i've been aggravating it since I started training. My run is April 11th and he said to keep on training for it so I could check it off my 'bucket list' then we'll worry about how to 'fix' the knee. Wish me luck!

Yup... talked to my doctor about it. He told me it's because I'm losing weight! :laugh: He said that because the port is attached to my abs and you use your abs while runningwalking it could be rubbing up against my ribs which is causing the soreness. He told me that I'm probably going to need a "skinny girls port" in a few months time. See what your doctor tells you too! Good luck! :blushing:

So I took a huge step so to speak yesterday... I signed up to do my first ever 5k Road Race! I started the couch to 5k program pretty vigoursly in November... then I hurt my knee so I backed off. I started running on the weekends outside again and using my elliptical every other day. I'm almost down 100 lbs which is why I started running in the first place. This is obviously a goal of mine. Once I hit that one I'd ideally like to lose 35 lbs more. I was hoping running would help and between the fills and training I seem to be on the right path. Has anyone ever not run before... did the couch to 5k program and run a road race? If so... how did you do? Did you make the entire run without walking? I really want to make it all the way but fear I'll have to walk. If I do I'm going to feel like I've let myself down and the others who have said they'd run with me. Am I stupid for doing this or feeling this way??? :blushing:

I had a fill a couple weeks ago by a 'newbie'... needless to say it hurt like heck and I still have a huge black and blue mark. According to the doctor it looks like I may need to get a 'skinny girls' port has he put it in time. So i'm thinking bruising is normal but lumpy? I'd call your doctor to just take a look and see... can't be any worse than it already is right? Better safe than sorry! :smile2:

Hi darkangel - congratulations on getting your surgery date! I too can eat pretty much anything. I was banded in June '09 and pre-op lost 40 lbs on my own... post-op with my band i've lost 55 lbs more. I'm looking forward to hitting 100 lbs by my BANDiversary! :smile2: With that said... soup, tender meats, pasta's are all OK with me. At times I have some issues with breads but only when I'm in a hurry and forget to chew chew chew! LOL That's really what it's all about. Making good food choices and remembering to really really chew your food. Good luck with everything!