09Freedom

Hi everyone......I was banded 7/21/09 and was 60 when banded. To this date I have lost 72 pounds. Just wondering if anyone has been going thru what I have. Having this procedure was the best thing I've ever done for myself. Struggled all my life being overweight, losing and gaining more. After surgery, I faithfully followed all and I mean all the rules. The weight just dropped it seems like daily....For the first five months, I was on this website several times a day, it helped soooo much. I recorded every bite I took on My Daily Plate. I didn't consider it as a shore, it was exciting, getting healthy, seeing the scales go down, more energy, everything I've always wanted. During the Christmas holidays, I tasted a little of this and that, and it was like I was resorting back to my old ways which I didn't think I would ever allow!!! It's not that I've been going crazy, and I've not gained any weight. My weight loss has really slowed down. It has been my fault. I've had a total of 3 fills. My port moves like crazy, so I have to go in and have a flouroscopy(spell??) We tried to have my 4th fill last Wed. in the office, but it wouldn't be still. To SUM this up. I'm back on line, I have recorded what I've ate for the last 3 days, and I am promising myself to follow the rules.....I always says that surgery was not a miracle, but a WONDERFUL tool to help me finally find success. So lookout, you all are going to be hearing from me .....thanks for listening....I had to get it out and I must FOCUS...

I do not want to discourage anyone, that's for sure. I will give you my update, however, on my journey. I was banded July 09 also, was happy with my weight loss the first year. My port had flipped about 10 months after my surgery, had it corrected. The weight loss slowed down, but I take part ownership of that. Two weeks ago I started having pain under my left rib cage. I thought possibly I had pulled a muscle, so just really didn't do anything about it. It continued for about 5 days, so called my family doctor and went in and had xrays done and an ultra sound. That was on a Friday and was told if pain got worse, got to ER. The pain did increase and went to ER on Monday AM. Test were taken and discovered I had abscess all around my lapband, and the band had eroded into my stomach causing a hole. Surgery scheduled for next day, abscess and lapband completely removed. In hospital for 5 days and now home recovering. It was a complete surprise to me. Mentally, I am going to treat this as if I still had my band. Right now my scales are at the lowest they've been, and I just feel optimistic that I can continue to lose weight. I'm thankful that I went to the hospital in time and didn't delay any longer. I wish all of you the very best, just continue to be aware of your body, and just remember, this isn't anything to play around with.

I'm down about 80 pounds also.. You know I've done pretty good avoiding complications, except for when my port flipped and they had to go in and repair it back in May... Well, all of a sudden, things are happening. Last Saturday thought I had a stomach bug... Wondering if any of you have this problem. I can't throw up---I just get horrific dry heaves. I called and spoke to my PA, I told her I had a bug and asked if this not having anything come up was common. She said unfortunately some do have this problem. Well by Wed night I wasn't any better. Started checking out different problems about the lapband, and knew something was going on with band instead of a bug. Doctor saw me Thursday, all my symptoms showed that my band was too tight, so some liquid was removed and they scheduled me for the next day to have a upper GI. Afraid withall my dry heaves, maybe band had slipped. Good news about that, it doesn't look like it had slipped. Also put me on a generic of nexium. Last night had a violent episode , tonight I have had 2 bad ones. Praying that the medicine will get into my system soon and help. Was told if this continues, will need to come in Monday for more liquid to be taken out. I haven't had to have a fill for approx 2 months, have great restriction and thought I was at my sweet spot finally. I did not know that your band can tighten up on you even if you hadn't had an adjustment for a year. So it is still a learning process. Well, had to unload. I'm a little nervous---don't want anyone messing with my band, but I can't go on like this. Hopefully will be able to fix this problem.

Can't believe I haven't posted for a week or so. Right now I'm out of town and don't have any scales to weigh.....I'm a scaleaholic, so I am kind of antzy without them. My restriction is still good and just still taking it a day at a time. Hope you all are doing well...talk later

Lisa, I am so glad you posted...Yes you and we can and will complete this journey together. You have lost 60 pounds, that is great. I know what it's like to stay the same for months...I am happy to say, my scales are finally starting to move. That can and will happen for you. For some reason, all of a sudden I've got great restriction. How is your restriction? Is it time for a fill? More importantly than that, I started making better decisions about my food intake. I got out my food journal and reviewed as to what i was eating the first six months after surgery. It is so easy to let our old habits creep back in. I really believe when you sit back and remember why you started this, how miserable and unhappy we were before lapband, how hard you have worked, you are going to say NO NO NO I refuse to go back to that life..We all must remember and I think about this alot--lapband is a tool---not a miracle cure. It takes work and dedication. For me this tool is exactly what I needed to be able to finally succeed at loosing weight.. Most importantly, I am able to finally keep it off. I refuse to yo-yo ever again. I am going to be successful. Lisa, I say this from the heart, if I can do it, I know that you can do it. I am 61 years old--I have struggled with a weight problem since elementary school. I am a Christian, and felt so bad that I wasn't able to hand this problem over to God, and to take better care of my body. Now, I thank God every morning for allowing me to have this procedure and I am now a better witness for him. Losing weight has allowed me to come out of my shell, to be more self confident, and most importantly, more energy and feeling so so much better. I have found that also coming back to Lapbandtalk is really helping.. I was surprised to see how many others are dealing with the same problems that I have. Sorry to be so winded, but it feels good sometimes to let it all out. I want to hear from you if you can on a weekly basis. Let's all try to do that and see where we are 4 weeks from now. I'm not talking about a scale thing either. We all know, if we go back to the basics and follow the lapband rules, those scales have no choice but to move. Take care everyone.

great news.........the scale is definitely starting to move again.....what a relief

Cheri, to drop 5 pounds in two weeks after being banded a year is wonderful!!!! My scales just stopped from about April to the present---it was like my body was saying, ok, I'm done--don't need to lose anymore, just maintain..I have noticed about 2 pounds that is staying off.. I'm a scaleaholic---every morning, first thing hit the scale. This past week has really been an eye opener and a surprise. Remember all of the lapband rules we were to follow-- eat very very slow, drink very very slow, eat protein first, no snacking etc etc etc. at first I really applied all of that, but as the months went on, I found that by eating protein first, my other food got cold, so for me I could still eat enough protein but was able to like eat a salad first. Right now, I know for sure that I am going to have to make every bight count in order to get my protein in--and I get sick if I drink too fast--I'm really hoping this doesnt change. It's what I always wanted--great restriction- but never really had. So will see. Don't mean to be so winded, but just unwinding. Listen, I hope you continue to do great on this journey--and girls, let's continue to talk and encourage one another. I know our lives can get so busy with work and family--but we started this journey together--lets celebrate when we hit our goals, and to always remember what a different life we are experiencing now. I've never been so happy about the changes that I've made

Hi Girls. Glad to hear from you all. I am experiencing something new right now, I think it's genuine restriction!! This is so weird. I had my last fill 7/15. Usually within a few days afterwards, I really don't experience great restriction. I just have to work hard and eat the right things which is not always easy. Well, right now I can barely eat 1/2 cup food and I am full....It just started all of a sudden. Does this sound like I've hit my sweet spot that I've heard others talk about?? Seems strange that it would take that many days after a fill. I really don't know how many total cc's I have, I'm going to ask at my next appt. I was banded 7/22/2009, so I've passed my year mark. Hopefully I will see the scale start to move again. Good luck to you all, and let's try to stay in touch--let me know you you are doing.

I was banded 7/22/09... I've lost about 78 pounds and I need to really get back to the basics. I feel great but still have alot more to lose. It's wonderful to get all the nice compliments, to be able to wear misses clothing, but I need to get back on track and to become alot more serious about finishing the job I started out to do. In the beginning, I was so faithful about reading and keeping up on our lapband talk. I use to record everything I ate, which I really enjoyed doing. It wasn't a chore, and it helped so much. Starting tomorrow, I pledge to do this for a week. Anyone want to join me??? Will just take it a day at a time.....

I was banded 7/21 and had my first fill last Wednesday. Mine had to be done under fluro due to the fact that my PA wasn't able to fine my port. So by using the fluro he was able to see that my port had flipped. He was able to maneuver it and give me the adjustment. At first 2 cc's were placed but I had trouble drinking the water after 4 sips. So I ended up with 1 cc and I've got alot of restriction and all is doing well. Sure hope I keep the restriction. Love my band

Are you on blood pressure medicine. I was banded July 21, feeling fine in the morning but starting around 2 in the aftn the bottom fell out, I would have to lay down. Around 5 pm I started feeling better. I started monitoring my BP and discovered I was dropping at that time, so the Doctor had me go off my bedtime meds, and now I'm feeling better. I am still monitoring, and hopefully it won't be long until I'm off the AM meds. Hope you start feeling better

I finally figured it out. I was able to delete the other two tickers

Good question. I was banded 7/21/09 and went into this journey with alot of enthusiasm and doing everything to my ability to make this successful. www.thedailydinnerplate.com is a wonderful site to journal your food. They've made it so simple. It will tell you all your totals, carbs,proteins,fats,sugar,fiber. I am doing great and have lost 29 pounds. I know that I am in the time of healing, but the weight and inches are dropping, and I'm thrilled. It may not work for everyone, but I highly encourage you to journal your food. Good luck

Just take a deep breath and slow down and enjoy this journey. You have done your homkework, and went into this with knowledge and for the right reasons. Health issues. I am 60, was banded 7/21/09... Best decision I have ever made in my life. I've decided to follow the rules (first time in my life) and let this band do its work. BUT...you've got to work too. This isn't a miracle cure. It's a tool that we have never had before. Portion control. We must make the right decisions as far as what we put in our mouths. I am not a seafood fan. I'm in the soft food stage, so I am eating salmon and baked fish. I'm learning to like it. I put salsa on it and to my amazement, I'm beginning to like it I even went out to a restaurant and ordered fish!!! Being overweight, and as the years go by, I've developed high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholosterol, not to mention years of yo-yo dieting. I decided I missed out on soooo much, that hey, I'm going out with flare and black boots (which I never have worn before but always wanted to) If you follow the rules, this band will work. You can do it. You've heard the saying, "If I can do it, anyone can" Believe me, that applies here. My biggest challenge will be exercising. I dragged myself out the door last week to the gym, and I will this week. Everyone's body is going to react differently. Don't look at those who have lost fast or whatever.....Like they've all said, this is a healing time for our bodies, the pounds will come off. Every morning your get up, remind yourself how excited you were to start this journey. It's not easy, but we will do this. Some may get there quicker but we will get to our goals. You take care and take it a day at a time.