nkara

Oh yea.. well I had 6 weeks off!:wub: I work as a CNA and there is no way I was going back to work too soon. Take whatever time you need at the beginning.

The band is supposed to be a permanent fix. You should not think that it is temporary. The only times the band needs to be removed is if it errodes, slips, etc. I believe some of the people who had to have revision surgery was due to complications. I know for me if anything happens with my band I will have no second thoughts about getting a revision and keeping it. I love my band and I'm so glad I have it.

the health care industry will always have jobs. That is why I became a CNA when I lost my career in the mortgage industry. I'm now in school to obtain my respiratory license. The pay they get depends on the area you work in as well. I know at certain hospitals RN's get about $20 hour to start. Anyone in the health care industry should be paid well. It's a difficult job that requires you be responsible for someone else's well being.

so far I've been able to tolerate any kind of food. I had a cast iron stomach prior to banding so I'm hoping that will last. I've only had 1 fill so as I get more restriction it might change.

Well I think it's what we expect once we get banded. That the weight will just magically fall off? Or at least I was hoping. But I loose weight slow. I always have and it looks like now that I have my band it's no different. I'm down 21 lbs and I had my band placed November 12th. So I'm trying to be ok with the slow loss. I am most days until I see a post where someone who got banded the same day as me has lost twice as much weight! But I know I'm eating well and doing everything I can for me.... that's all I can do and I'm happy with any loss. I feel great and I know in the long run it's going to be worth it. I think my greatest joy now is eating and actually being full after only half the food I would normally eat. Sometimes less than half! To me that's an accomplishment in itself!

whooooohooooooo! Awesome job. Keep up the great work!:cursing:

Love my band!

is she telling her doctor this? I doubt he would be putting more saline in to her band if he knew she wasn't able to keep food down. also eating steak and bread might be the problem as well. Everything I've read and my NUT told me that those are two foods that some people might not be able to tolerate anymore after surgery. She needs to re-adjust her diet and see how it goes and definitely not get another fill until this is solved. She can get anemic, malnourished. It's not worth it to loose the weight quickly if you only going to be sick from it.

My divorce was the best thing to happen to me. I wouldn't hold back on doing something for yourself just because of that. You will do great and be healthy for the next chapter in your life. :w00t:

Oh my ... me too. I thought I was the only one. I only have to go about 3 times a day and I do drink Water all day as well. I'm also not doing #2 as much. :w00t:

Oh no no no no no. :thumbup: I'm a CNA in a hospital and my doctor kept me out off 6 weeks. You will not be ready to return to work in 2 weeks. You need time to heal. I wasn't ready 2 weeks after surgery and I certainly wasn't going back with a note from my doctor saying "light duty" that doesn't fly in a health care field. You either do the work or you don't. :thumbup: I felt good after about 4 - 5 weeks but was very grateful I had the extra time to heal. :tt1:

Oh do you sound like me. :tt1: I'm just past 2 months out and I've only lost 16 lbs since surgery. I did feel restriction with my first fill but I'm still not loosing much. I started feeling less restriction this past week but I'm still keeping my food intake under control. I also started to exercise with the Wii Active and still nada. :thumbup: I'm going back for a second fill end of February and I've also spoken to a former co-worker who had the band done and she said it took a few months before it really started to happen for her. She's lost about 100 lbs in a little over 1 year. So here's hoping it will start falling off for us. :thumbup:

I stayed overnight. I didn't expect to but after surgery I was in soooooo much pain I couldn't really wake up fully and I needed major pain meds. I was sent home with liquid morphin and vicodin and it just took the edge off. I felt better a little over a week after surgery. Not what I expected but I'm so glad I have my band now.

yup - add me to that list. I'm 5 2 1/2 and my goal weight is 150. I'll still be considered overweight on the charts. :thumbdown: I say to hell with those charts. My doctor said that's a perfectly fine goal for me and if I'm happy with that when I get there than that's good enough for me. I'll just be happy to get there and maintain that weight.:smile2:

I'm still trying to figure out my band and making it work. :thumbdown: I haven't been counting calories but I'd estimate about 1000 calories a day give or take. I really need to start keeping track better because I think I'm not eating enough calories or Protein. I have been eating mostly protein. Not too much fruit/veggies/ or carbs :smile2:

This is called being human. Your allowed you know. Just dust yourself off and go back to what you were doing prior to this set back. Your initial loss is awesome and I'm sure you'll be at goal sooner than you think :smile2:

I haven't thrown up yet either but I'm also relatively new. I have always had a cast iron stomach so I'm hoping that helps me! "fingers crossed"

I have been dying to get the Wii and Wii fit plus. I'm actually going today to buy one. I got some $$$ for Christmas so I'm finally able to at least buy the Wii. I'll have to wait to get the Wii fit plus though. Not enough funds for all of it. I am thinking this will be better than joining a gym because every time I do I never go!

I don't think people really understand how emotional weight loss is. It's not just about being physically healthy but emotionally. Most overweight people are there because of emotional eating and the emotions are still there once you've lost the weight. I think support is needed for all going through this. Just getting "skinny" doesn't take away the raw emotions we feel. I'm not talking anyone specifically but for me I know my emotions are up and down everyday. Loosing that much weight that fast was probably a jolt to your system along with all the complications you've had to deal with. Could you make an appointment with the psychiatrist who did the initial consultation prior to surgery to discuss this with them? Maybe they will have more of an insight and can offer some advice. Let us know how you make out. I'm sure your not the only one dealing with things like this.

What a wonderful husband you are by caring and asking how to help her. I give you an A+ for that. :biggrin: As far as helping her. Just be there for her every step of the way. Don't worry about the outside world if she doesn't want anyone to know. I can totally understand her not wanting to tell anyone. She is afraid and excited, which is normal. I will say be patient with her. The beginning stages are rough. Emotionally she will need you and of course if she has pain physically she will need you to help her. If she works with the band she will succeed. Always remember it is a tool to help loose and keep the weight off. It's not a miracle where "poof" the weight will just disappear. Good luck to both of you and keep us posted on her progress and yours.

My doctor told me it is not that easy to "stretch" your stomach. I also saw a post here where someones doctor told them you would have to gorge yourself on food to do this. I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just get back on track eating healthy. Don't go to the extreme by doing a liquid diet again. You'll be messing with your metabolism. Go back to measuring and writing everything down and see how you do.

Very surprised the nurse didn't suggest a DVT? I would call and speak with the surgeon directly. After experiencing this first hand I wouldn't chance it.

Don't compare what others are loosing to your lose. I'm down 15 lbs since surgery and it's been a little over 6 weeks. It's the end result not how fast you get there.

I have a suggestion for getting in fruit/veggies. Try getting V8 juice? I don't get in enough either and that's what I've been trying to do.

I also was admitted the day of surgery because of pain issues and was told I couldn't not be home alone. You'll need to get someone to drive you and stay with you at least one night. What about putting an ad for a CNA for one night?