lauragshsu

Well, it looks like I might have a leak. I had a fill a month ago, and there was at .75cc less than I thought, and the saline was discolored (cloudy and orange, not clear). They took it all and out filled me to 2.25cc with new, clean saline. Had great restriction for a few days, but it slowly waned over the next week. Went in yesterday for another fill. They removed all the saline (it was yellow, even though they put in new, fresh stuff a month ago), and instead of being at 2.25, I was at just under 1 cc. I'm going to schedule the dye thing next week (they inject dye into the band to see if theres a leak). I can't think of any other reason for both the discolored saline and the missing saline other than a leak. It also explains why I'm struggling (barely any restriction). This will be my fourth lapband surgery if they have a leak to repair.

I'm more adventurous in bed now and love being on top. I'm also more willing to let him just look at me naked and not try and cover up.

I've already had three surgeries, think I might have a band leak (and if so, have a fourth surgery). I guess I'm not worried about having to have a replacement surgery years down the road. I do wish I had a frequent surgery card, though.

I might have taken my IUD out too soon! My hubby can't keep his hands off me and is so bad about not using any of the backup method (of course, it's my fault, too, for not insisting he use one). Now I'm feeling nauseous, but tests are coming up negative. Guess we'll wait and see. I really wanted to be at goal and enjoy strutting it on the beach before getting pregnant, but hey, I can always do that another time.

I didn't want to tell my husband's family for the same reason. They're all super skinny and have never experienced being overweight, let alone being morbidly obese. They would make snide comments about heavy people and even about me. My husband did, however, tell them, and much to my surprise, they were excited for me that I was getting it done. People may surprise you.

I haven't had anyone tell me (luckily) that I'm taking the easy way out with the band. I have, however, had several people make insane comments. One insinuated I was having affairs with two male parents of my students, that they like me because of "my new hot body". I had another tell another (male) coworker, that she thought I was trying to seduce him before his wedding next month. None of this ever happened before losing weight.

I have PCOS and used to be on metformin to help control periods (about 4yrs ago). I just had my iud taken out and am hopeful I will regulate and ovulate on my own. We're hoping to get pregnant this summer.

I've lost 117lbs in a year.

The filled me under flouroscopy this past time. Every other time they've filled or unfilled me, my saline was clear. I'm not having any other odd symptoms. Might call the office tomorrow and ask to speak to my surgeon to see what he thinks, to see if there's a leak somewhere. I hope not: I've already had three surgeries (first surgery and two to remove an infected port {let me heal} and then replace the port).

I meant the girth of your ribcage, not your actual ribcage itself. Guess I should have worded it better.

I saw a commercial for it and it looked great. Read some online reviews and couple of comparison articles. They say it's almost as tough a workout as Insanity, but more focused on cardio, kickboxing, etc. Just curious if anyone's tried it and their thoughts on it.

I realize this may be a very stupid question. Does your ribcage shrink down in size or shrink inward (ever??) when you lose weight?

The doctor seemed a bit surprised by the color (not the quantity) but didn't seem concerned. Then again, this is the same surgeon (not mine, but the other one in the practice) who didn;'t seem at all concerned that my initial lapband incision hadn't closed up after more than seven months.

I'm in! It's eleven weeks from now, I'm setting my goal at 15lbs lost.

I went in for a fill today. I haven't had a fill since May of last year, but have had several unfills. I thought I was at about 2 CC. When the Dr pulled out the saline, there was only about 1.7cc, but that's not the weird thing. The weird thing is my saline was an orange-iish yellow and very cloudy looking. The Dr thought it was odd and completely emptied the band, filling me with new, fresh saline. Has anyone else experienced saline discoloration?

I never even thought about the band being tighter during a period. I'm having my IUD removed tomorrow, and haven't had a period since April 2007, before my daughter was conceived. I have a feeling this first one is going to be awful. Now I'll be tight, cranky and bloated!

I'm one of those people who have had to have multiple surgeries. I don't blame the band, I blame my surgeon. Even with the issues I have had (port infection, 2 additional surgeries, several emergency unfills due to suddenly being to tight, etc), this has been the best desicion. I had a friend have bypass, and had an issue with it which put her in a coma for two weeks. Even after all that, she only lost 45lbs before gaining some, and ended up having a band put over her bypass.

I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've been banded. It's been a wild year- three total surgeries, two fills and five unfills. 117lbs lost. Last year at this time, I was 319lbs and morbidly obese. Now I'm just under 202lbs and considered "just" overweight. I'm having my IUD taken out this next week to see if I can regulate (since I have PCOS). I had a hard time conceiving my daughter and am hoping having lost this much weight will help me easily conceive our second child.

I've tried dieting, so many times. I lost 40lbs for my wedding but couldn't keep it off. Once I went "off" the diet, the pounds came flying back on. With the band, I've lost 117lbs in just under a year. Have I had to use willpower? yes, when my students are bringing me baked goodies, candy and other treats, I have to say thank you and either give them away later or toss them. However, with the band I can "cheat", but with moderation. I can still have mashed potatoes and gravy, but not 2lbs of it. I can have chips and dip, but not the entire bag. The band keeps me from overeating (or else I vomit or am in pain).

My one year bandiversary is in 10 days. I went from a bmi of 47.1 (morbidly obese) to 29.8, which means I'm just overweight. I can;t even remember the last time I was "just overweight".

Actually, from what I've read, a lot of surgeons won't do a fill if you're losing the 1-2lbs a week. I know my surgeon told me one time he didn't think I needed a fill because I was still losing (I was there for a reason other than a fill, though).

My husband is active duty Air Force and we have prime. Other than the $250 "program fee" not covered by tricare, everything has been free, including two revisional surgeries (one to remove an infected port, and the other to put a new port in). All my fills, even when done under fluoroscopy, have been free.

I got the band March 15 of last year. I was 319lbs. Now, 10 months later, I'm at 207. I've had a few problems with the band (problems I blame solely on my surgeon and his cocky attitude), but it was a huge blessing. I've been able to lose weight myself as well, but never been able to stick with the diet and keep it off. I haven't had a problem this time.

The main reason I did it was because of my daughter. I was 28 and didn't see myself living to see my daughter get married (she was 2 at the time, 3 now) because of my weight and the family history of weight related problems (diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol). Now I see myself beig there (and looking hot!). We're actually talking about trying to conceive another one in six months, depending on how close I am to goal.

The only advice I can give you is make sure you research your surgeon and feel comfortable with him. If he brushes off concerns before surgery, he will brush them off after surgery, too.

We tried to conceive for almost two years with not luck (this was back in 2005-2007). Finally diagnosed with PCOS (I knew I had it but ignorant/rude doctors wouldn't diagnose me), sent to the fertility specialist 6 weeks after the diagnoses...only to be told I'm already 5.5 weeks pregnant. My daughter turned 3 last weekend, and I'm getting my IUD removed in April, hoping to chart my cycle and start really TTc in July.

This is my first bathing suit season (ok, yes, it's January, but the stores are starting to bring out the bathing suits, even though it's snowing) since losing a large amount of weight. I'm used to wearing a two piece, but a very concealing two piece. normally it's a tankini top that covers EVERYTHING and long boyshort bottoms.

I tried on a two piece two weeks ago that was not as covering. I'm not used to seeing peeks of my middrift of my thighs all out on display. I don't know what to do. I'm tempted to just continue wearing the same bathing suit (even though it's baggy) because it covers me. Thoughts?

I was able to try Zumba last summer, and it was a blast. Unfortunately, the class schedule and my work schedule don't mesh. I just started doing the "Insanity" video last week, only 2-3 times a week instead of 6. It is kicking my butt big time.