123crod

I will be praying too. God is good and He is with you as you go through all of this. Weight loss can be slow that is okay right now you have more to be concern with. Let your body heal and then you can step up the weightloss.
Cheri

hope you won't mind if I pray for you. thank you for working so hard!

Sorry for the trick but I wanted to say thank you to so many posters who have heard it all. Wishin you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May we all continue to lose and maintain our goals. And thanks again everyone.
Cheri

Sorry for the trick but I wanted to say thank you to so many posters who have heard it all. Wishin you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May we all continue to lose and maintain our goals. And thanks again everyone.
Cheri

CM,
I make no judgments and I'm not suspicious when someone says the band isn't working for them. I do take time to ask questions because one thing I have learned is that many do not know how the band operates. There's an awful lot of misinformation out there and much of it coming from the doctors!
.

You probably should see a GOOD WLS doctor soon. You shouldn't be having those problems. It sounds as though your
band has slipped, eroded or you may have developed GERD, all of which need medical attention. You need to either get to
an ER, or make an appointment tomorrow. Please take care of this immediately. I hope it turns out well for you.

future, I don't think anyone has the right to say who should or should not be posting here. Many people come to the boards for many different things. Personality types are spread all across the board here. I post at several boards and the tone of each one is different, but I would never take it upon myself to tell anyone that they shouldn't be posting if they didn't meet my standards.
I personally do not think care is better or worse in Europe or elsewhere. It is just that I live in the US, my insurance covers me here, and I have access to some of the best doctors anywhere. I live in the city which houses UAB which ranks in the top five hosptials in the US in many instances. We have a very diverse population due to people from all over the world coming here to study and research medicine. My reasons for not considering surgery in another country have nothing to do with level of care, but with finances and logistics.

I have found that my "Draino" is wine! Seriously! Especially red wine - small sips helps unclog you or prevents you from PBing. The key is small sips and you can actually feel it declogging. Now I realize this might not be a good solution for work, but in the evening it would work

I agree, you can't really change who people are or how they act. Success is the best revenge. Keep your eye on the prize.

Hi Maddie, I don't think you could stretch your band, and while you can expand your pouch, temporarly it will
assume it's original shape when the pressure is off. If you're interested, there's an excercise called 'the 5 day
pouch test'. You can find it on Google or look in the search box in this site. It's free and has helped several
people to get back on their weight loss journey. It's worth a try. You've done quite well so far. Keep up the good
work. Someone is always here to help.

Each day is a new day, sometimes we all have to start over. I have been bandded 2+years and sometimes I go back to liquids, mushies and then solids to break a bad pattern from starting. Forgive yourself and move on. Congratulation to all who can stick with it but not everybody is the same.
Cheri

Hi, I am not the one being banded, it is my husband. He is the pastor of Ashley Road Baptist Church in Morris, IL. His weight has affected his ministry. He isn't able to visit like he wants to. Our church has been awesome. They have rallied around him. Tonight they all were excited about his Psych appt on Saturday. It has been a blessing to have our church family in our corner. Stick with it, want a blessing you can be to the ladies in your church.

Hi Kate. I did the same thing, and I'll make you a deal. I'm going to try to lose 10 lbs by Dec. 2. I will if you
will, and I promise to be honest about it.

Sounds like your band is doing it's job. I may or may not say you are too tight.
I would say it sounds like you are not making the right food choices. Perhaps you have picked up some bad habits, and have learned the little secrets to eating around the band. Increasing your chances of getting stuck, and vomiting.
You may need to get self-motivated again.
IF it was me I would go on a straight liquid diet for 2-3 days, then mushies, then solids.
In other words, go back to what new bandsters have to learn during their post-op learning period from the start. (what I call boot camp - basic training)
Proper food selection, calorie counting, meeting daily Protein goals(and fiber) and getting plenty of Water.
If someone wants to cheat the band, they can. At the risk of getting sick all the time.

Best thing I have every done. Right now I have been stuck about 24 hours and it is not a happy feeling but I went from 251 to 169 lbs and it was so worth it. People get confused and lump all weight loss surgery together. I know I have heard of people say people have died but was it really Lapband or Bypass? Was it because of Band or other problems they already had? Some people talk bad about WLS because they can not have it.
I think we have to decided for ourselves my choice involved prayer and I felt it was right for me. I am so glad I did it I am not gonna lie and say it is just wonderful but better than any diet I have been on. Even stuck it is so worth it. The stuck phase will pass and I will be fine again. Do not live your life in fear, trusted yourself and your dr to be smart enought to make your choice. If you believe in prayer it helps too.
Cheri

Good luck by the way!! I really hope you feel better soon!

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.


Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!



Cheri

So sorry I had no idea I had wriiten that much . . . sorry!

Cheri

November is the month of my birthday. I have been banded for over 2 years down 84 lbs. I love my LapBand and will always be happy I to decided to do this. I thought I might give you all some advice even though you did not ask for it and I am not a November Bandster but its something I wish I had known when when I got banded.

The surgery is not bad, and the recovery time for most is very short. I think you need to go into this already knowing you will be hungry for about a month afterwards. You will not die if you feel some hunger pains. But if you go into it with the mindset that it is only one month out of your life. You can spend this time getting ready to really lose weight.

The first 6 months to a year is when most people lose the most weight. You are getting banded right before the holidays it is a hard time since people make everything about food during the holidays. I tell you it is a must that you do not give in to temptation, be strong and see food as what it is just food. It does not mean you can not enjoy the holidays just because you can not have "All you can Eat" on all the food. I do not know about all of you but I can not just have a little of a food that I should not be eating so stay away from it one bite and it can start you on a roll.

Be as strict as you can during that first year eat only what your are suppose to and work your butt off once you get an okay, but remember you do not need an okay to walk. You will see the weight drops pretty steady the first year and then it slows and for some people it really stops. I wish I would have worked out more during that time period. I did workout but and extra 30 minutes could have pushed me along faster. But if you are not careful the holidays can really hamper your losing from Thanksgiving to New Years Eve. that is 2½ months of peak losing you time could miss out. There will be plenty of years of holidays to come, by next year you will be ready to face the holidays and know how the whole band thing works.

Also something seemed to happen to me and a couple of my banded friends about the 6 month post op, we had drop a lot of weight and we kinda dropped the ball on our diet. It was like we rewarded ourselves with food for being so good the first 6 months (What were we thinking.) Some of us gained some weight and that really upset the ones who gained. Also it is not always easy to get back on track when you give in to the bad eating habits. I need to lose another 15 lbs and I have been playing with that for a good six months. I know that if I would just step up my exercise it would take just a couple of months. I have made a promise to myself that this holiday season is not gonna be about food. Yeah, we have to eat, but not pie, cake, rolls, Cookies, etc. figure out another way to not make food be the center of the Holidays you will be so happy when it is New Years Day and everyone is wanting to lose you will be so far ahead. Since most who post here will be getting banded in November (unless some other crazy like me invades your thread) you should make at least one contact and exchange e-mails or phone numbers and get that add touch of support. I met a lady on these boards and she was banded 2 days after me and we met for coffee alot and we talked on the phone everyday or text each other. Then you are with someone in the same stage you are. Do not compare yourself with each other on pounds lost or fill amount as everyone is different, just support each other because nobody will understand you like someone who is going through the same thing.


Also stay on these boards for support too and find a support group you can attend in person. I always hated when the support group meeting is over. Also I would find you a couple of books that deal with the LapBand as when you really need some support or understanding you can read them. (amazon has some great ones I have about 5 )One last point always listen to your surgeon over what you read or someone says on these boards. Sometime you have to decide what is best for you, but always follow your Doctors rules. You trusted he/her to cut you open and mess with your inside listen to them. If you think at some point you surgeon is wacko find a new one. We all have to remember food is food it is NOT our friend, or a shoulder to cry on and getting something you know you should not when you are sad, upset. That is when you should workout. Oh and how can I not tell you all what you have heard or been told "The band is just a tool" it does not control what you stick in your mouth, drink all your Water and just my opinion never touch Ice cream in your peak losing time as it takes only one bite to get you hooked as it goes down smooth and taste so good and will become a habit just because of those reasons Also chew, chew and chew some more.

This time next year you will be wearing your pretty, smaller clothes looking good and feeling great. I believe in prayer and before I sign my name to this I am going to pray for all of the Novermber Bandsters to have and great surgery, short recovery time, courage during the holdays and a great band experience. YOU CAN DO IT. starting picking your buddy now, buy your books and go for it!



Cheri

If you but the ready to drink Muscle Milk or Muscle Milk light you can heat in microwave lke hot chocolate. I do it all the time. Mucle Milk light 100 calories good on cold night before bed. I buy ready to drink at Sams Club by the case so much cheaper.



Cheri

Good Luck to all those who will be banded this week. Hang in - think positive - listen to your Doctors - and go for it with gusto!
Mine will be on one week tomorrow and already it seems soo much longer. After a couple of days of rough Patches - I turned a corner and feel fabulous. Yea!
Positive vibes heading out to all who recently banded and about to be banded (oh and of course everyone else too!)

John, I don't know if you're in the right headspace for getting the band. Yes, you want to lose weight, but you say you don't think you have a weight problem, you love to eat, and you have a big sweet tooth. In my opinion, I think that's a recipe for frustration and failure with a band. The band is not a magic bullet that will somehow dissolve your excess weight -- it's a tool you can use to assist you in your weight loss efforts. But you have to commit to eating right, exercising, and making the most of the opportunity. If you aren't willing to commit to that process, you'll have marginal success. And if you give in to that sweet tooth, the weight will come right back. The band will limit the way you eat, but it will not stop you from overeating, or from making poor food choices.
I'm not trying to discourage you. I'm just being honest. If you come to a different frame of mind, you'll likely have great success with the band. But you have to totally want it, or it isn't going to work very well. Keep doing that research, and turn the camera inward. Analyze how you REALLY feel about things. Denial is a powerful thing many obese people have a strong personal relationship with.
I never felt like I had an out-of-control weight problem until I realized I weighed over 300 pounds, and I couldn't successfully lose any weight anymore. I'd lose and gain, lose and gain, over and over. I finally got disgusted with not being able to buckle an airplane seatbelt,, or fit into a restaurant booth, or find clothes that actually fit. It got worse and worse, and when I found I was unable to do my job properly, I decided to take action. I was banded last December, and I've lost 125 pounds since then. I'm feeling better than I have in years, I can fit in that restaurant seat and buckle that seatbelt, and I feel as though I've gotten my life back. It's amazing to feel as good as I did twenty years ago.
Good luck with your research, and with whatever decision you come to.
Dave

I felt the same way. But the physcogologist said not to do a food funeral or a food bucket list. She said why do that to yourself your just setting yourself up for failure; if you think you will never be able to eat certain foods again then you won't be able to. That's not what the band is about its about eating the same things as before just less of them. I know it sounds crazy to have to eat a steak or piece of chicken cut up like its for a toddler but isn't it better to do that with a great cut of steak then not have it at all. So I say no to the food bucket list.

Final 15 pounds to goal!

I can't really say I know how you feel. I'm in my 50's . Although I have to say if I knew in my 20's what I know in my 50's, the 20's would have had a lot less problems.

I'd say that instead of thinking about intimacy so soon let a guy get to really know you. If he's wanting to jump in bed right away, he's not for you anyway. The longer you hold out ( not have sex) the better chance you have of finding someone who cares about the real YOU not just what they see.

Men enjoy a challenge.