illuminationlady

Glad to hear your feeling better Denise. And yes, we must care for our teeth. My DH has had a heck of a time with his but so far mine are okay. It sounded just awful for you Denise! So sorry to hear you went through that. Everything is status quo here. I have yet to cancel the second knee construction, so I must be going to do it. I, too, enjoy the sliders much to much and that is a problem. As I've read on here before, "to bad we can't band our brains also" :thumbup: I want to thank you all for your input on the surgery. Your wisdom means the world to me!!! Has any one heard from Betsy? Did she quit LBT? How is her husband? I hope she is doing well. Gonna head to the gym here in a few...just dropping in to say hi and thanks a thousand times over for your support...lots of love, Dottie

I'm here...wow Denise what an episode you had! You have really been through the ringer my dear! I HATE sliming! It's the worst part of being banded and being stuck too. I got stuck on a piece of broccoli once and slimed in the bushes. I haven't touched broccoli since that day...oh and another one is eggs...scrambled eggs...and I used to lovvvve them! Anyways, I went to my PA (bariatric) and she used to be in orthopedics...so I took the opportunity to ask her opinion on whether I should get my knee replacement now or after the holidays. She leaned strongly to getting it over with. We realllly discussed it in detail...weighing the pros and cons out loud....and I'm leaning that way although still quite hesitant. Melody, you make a good point that I should drop more weight before I do it and my surgical leg is not 100%. But the PA said that it is pretty common to do the other one without the first one being 100%. She used the analogy of getting two babies out of diapers...you just want it over with so I can get healthy. She gave me a little fill and I did gain over 10 lbs. which I'm very sad about. But she didn't seem to think it was a big deal. I do! I now have 5.8 in a 10 band. I'm on liquids today and tomorrow. Just checking in...thanks for listening...lots of love, Dottie

Are you still on pain meds? They can make you very thirsty. Just a thought...best wishes!

My doctor gave me one of these and I wore it for 2 weeks. He recommends it for port flippage. He has NEVER had any ports that he places flip. I also needed a pillow for the ride home and the liquid Adult strength Tylenol. It helped a lot! Best wishes on your journey...

Thanks to all for telling me not to feel "shame". It's amazing how much shame we all face with our weight problems. Melody-sorry to here about your loss. They were very worried about that with my knee surgery. I had to go on cumidin (sp) afterwards due to swelling in my leg. They watched me like a hawk. I had to go to the doctors every three days for 2 months. I'm glad you didn't kill the kitty...she/he may become your best friend...who knows? Praying for you to find a good job. Denise..my thoughts are with you and am praying for a speedy recovery...I went back to the knee surgeon and he says I'm ready to do the other knee. He scheduled me for Nov. 2nd. I'm hesitant because I'm just getting good restriction back now and then they will have to go and empty my band again :thumbup:. I might wait until after the holidays just to lose the weight I gained. And my daughter (who is a big help) will be on winter break...I don't know what to do...what to you all think I should do. The only reason I would want to get this done and over with is that by next Sept. I want to return to work...fully recovered. I am a school teacher. I've been on disability for about 2 years now and am anxious to get back in the classroom. I already have a job waiting for me...I just need the other surgery done. Let me know what you think..please. Stacie, I'm a cat lady too. but down to one kitty at the moment. My husband also would divorce me if I got another one...but I love kitties. They are so sweet...well most of them. Anyways, I'm off to the YMCA to work on cardio..Lots of love, Dottie

Hello all! Yes, I'm still here alive and well but not kicking...lol...had first knee replacement surgery and am still recovering. I have not done well with my weight but haven't gained as much as I would have preband. They had to completely empty my band for the surgery and I am still not back to my correct restriction. I go back to the surgeon next week and I'm sure I've gained. I feel just awful about it but as soon as they took out my fluid the hunger returned. That just goes to show you the Lap Band really does work...for sure. I'm sorry I haven't written. I've been in hiding on FB playing that silly game...I read a little bit of the thread although there's no way I can completely catch up...too much. I think of you often but like I said I have some "shame" issues about gaining weight back. Hopefully this next fill will give me my dang restriction back! My knee is still recovering. I go to the YMCA for water aerobics, recumbent bike and the weight machines 3 days a week. Just started driving last week. It's been 10 weeks since my surgery. It's a hell of a surgery to go through,,, I gotta say. Anyway, I will promise to check in more often...I miss you all...lots of love, dottie ps. I updated my ticker to the correct weight also.

Eflie--glad you're back with us healthy and happy. Denise the rings are beautiful. Stacie--heartburn can be a real pain in the neck and you had good reason to worry...glad you went to the doctor's about this. As for me, I am home, recovering, from my knee replacement and boy is that a whopper of a surgery to go through. But I made it and am recovering nicely. Thanks to all for you prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. My first home visit from a PT is this afternoon. Just checking in...can't sit in the chair that long...but wanted you all to know that it's done and over, and I survived. Love, Dottie

Up until about two weeks ago (50-60 lbs. lost) I still felt fat. Now I'm beginning to fit into regular size clothes, can cross my legs and just feel and look thinner. I still have a ways to go but I can definitely tell the difference.

I agree with Leigha. It doesn't matter as long as your caloric intake is less than you burn. I wouldn't worry about it. I can honestly say that I'm hardly ever hungry anymore though...but that's just me. Best wishes!

My diet right now consists of protein and then more protein...lol...other than the occasional banana I don't do fruit anymore. I eat some veggies like salad and steamed veggies at night. But until I'm at goal it's lean protein and lots of liquids for me...Best wishes!!!

Yes, this is normal. It may take many fills before you reach restriction. It is critical that you make good food choices, measure your food and count your calories. It took me many months and 5 fills before I reached restriction...but it was worth the wait! Now I'm not hungry at all and it's heaven. My brain has even been retained to not think about food all day long...buck up little camper! Best wishes!!!

It's not fun, that's for sure! Just to add to the PPers as time passes you get "stuck" less and less often. When I finally got restriction I got stuck a lot. Now I hardly ever do...you learn how to work your band, so to say. The two main things are to get to a bathroom and wait it out, until it passes and don't panic. Panic will only make it worse. Know that this too shall pass...best wishes.

Unfortunately I have had a lot of surgeries. But I have never even thought about "anesthetic awareness" before. I've heard of it but never worried when I was put under and don't remember any of them...so I guess that's good. You'll be fine. You really don't remember anything at all. Best wishes on your journey and welcome to LBT.

I can feel mine too!

Agreed! My intent was no to say it's okay to do this. I myself am banded and follow the rules. And guess what? She has started to gain a little now. So, I couldn't agree more. Sorry if my post came across the wrong way....

I'm having knee replacement surgery on Tue. so they had to take all the fluid out of my band today :smile: I lost 5 lbs. last week alone. I've been doing so good and now my band is empty :thumbup: I have to wait two weeks before they will refill me. Well wishes my way....Dottie

In need of thoughts and prayers. My first knee replacement surgery is Tue. of next week. They took all the fluid out of my band about an hour ago :smile: I had lost another 5 lbs. in one week. Total of about 60 lbs. She said to expect weight gain right after surgery because of all the fluids they give you. She said I could gain up to 5 lbs. but will lose it quickly after I'm off the IV. Anyway, my band is empty! Oh No!!! I haven't been hungry at allllllllll. I wonder if this will turn my hungry switch back on. We shall see. I can get the fluid put back in two weeks. Wish me well and think of me!!! I am looking forward to improvement in my mobility. Love, Dottie

Yes, they took all the fluid from my band about an hour ago :smile:. I can go back in two weeks to get most, if not all, put back in and only if I'm doing well. Thanks to all for the well wishes!!!

Hello all! I have been reading your posts...I, too, have bat wings :bored:...not good...not good...to catch you up...I met with the surgeon concerning my knees and he said that I've lost enough weight and plus the fact that I'm a Lap Band patient, who follows the rules (I guess, proven myself) he can start with the surgeries. My first knee is next Tue. and I really need your thoughts and prayers. I'm highly motivated to get my mobility back but am fearful of the recovery process. I've heard soooo many horror stories. Just trying to stay positive, listening to my music, cleaning the house like crazy, and getting all the preop stuff done. Tomorrow they empty my band . The PA said that if I do well they can put it all back within a weeks time. But that it has to be about a week and no longer. If it's a longer time then they will put the fluid back in slowly. Sooooo, I'm hoping to do well so I can get refilled right away. That about catches you up. Anybody wanna watch a farm for three days?...lol...Dottie

I felt compelled to jump on board! I know I still have 20 lbs. to go but can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have joined other threads too and it's nice to get to know a group of people. And congrats on doing so well...to all of us!!! Best wishes!

When a piece of food gets stuck you feel pain in your chest. This is often followed by "sliming" which is clear mucus that just seems to magically appear from your mouth. Sometimes it's like burping and gurgling combined. It isn't like throwing up although sometimes you are able to bring the food up, regurgitate it, and this is called a Productive Burp or PB. It can be painful. The main thing is to get to a bathroom and stay there until it's over. Also, don't panic the first few times it happens. Stay calm. Breathe...Best wishes :bored:

My nose runs every time. They call those "soft signs" apparently. some people hiccup, some burp, me, my nose runs every time! Glad you have restriction though...ain't it sweet??? Dottie

Don't be so hard on yourself. You are only human. I do the same think and have to remind myself to have patience and be kind to the newcomers. I guess what gets me the most is that everything you need to know is right here on this forum if you do a little reading. Plus, what about their doctors? I was over educated when it came to banding due to my doctor's office and team. I think they post questions without doing any research and then expect us to not say anything, which, I guess..we shouldn't. Or at least I try not to. Anyway, we are all guilty of this so called crime...so...be kind to yourself and let yourself off the hook. I do believe confession is good for sole though....and this is a good, safe place to do that...Dottie

Hello December Delights! I'm still here. I've been lost in Farmville on FB. I know, silly...anyways..I'm down 57 lbs. Had my 6 month bandiversary a few days ago. The doctor is really pleased with my progress. Will be making my appointment for knee replacement soon. I'm nervous about that but you've all heard me whine enough about that! I'm working on a 1000 piece puzzle..and it's interesting....it's a picture of a butterfly but it's made up of 1000s of little photographs. Very difficult but fun. I joined the YMCA. Water aerobics 3 days a week. Recumbant bike 5 days a week. Weights and Strength Training 2 days a week. It's already made a difference and I think I'll be stronger to have the knee surgery. Everyone says it makes a big difference if you're in better shape. Besides that nothing is new. I read all the threads and am thinking of you all...hugs...Dottie

First, give yourself a break. You have been through a looooot of stuff here. They say it's best not to make any decisions when you're under a lot of stress. As a PP stated this is a place to vent and find support. So, feel free to unload! I don't know if I could have gone through all you have and stuck around. Although if you really love someone and they are your solemate then you just do it! And it sticks! You say your husband doesn't like coming home anymore. That would bother me. I want the person I'm married to to like me. Ya know what I mean? You certainly have a lot on your plate and I will say a prayer for you. Best wishes!!!