Drake alp

Saw the doc today and got a fill. I gained 4# since last month. They weren't upset though and said I shouldn't beat myself up either. I guess when some folks get their fluid out, they really take advantage and over do it. I tried to stay focused although it was hard with the added stress of thinking I lost my band. I decided that I"m going to do 5 days of protein shakes. I haven't been feeling as good and I've been at basically the same weight for a month or two now, give or take a pound or two. Hopefully this will jump start my weight loss and I can start feeling better too. I did notice today after taking my vitamin and the 1st shake that it's almost like overloading my body - been feeling sick most of the day but I am sure this will wear off. Hope you are having a great week!

Wow - amazing day!! I can relate to all your experiences - the arm rest, the seat belt, the tray table, being tired...how we feel we look...it goes on and on. You are doing great --- you are bringing your health and your confidence back. GO YOU!!! Congratulations on your hard work and your successes! There are more to come!

I will be thinking about you and waiting to hear the news. I am crossing my fingers that you are right - you were irritated and needed the unfill. I pray it is not a slippage. As hard as it is, try to not stress. That makes the situation worse and it's hurt my stomach for almost the past week. I was positive I had a slippage and couldn't ignore it. You sound like you've been doing all the right things and this came on all at once. I think there's a good chance that this isn't a slippage and I will continue to hope that is the case. Good luck!! We will be there with you either way!

I'm mentally skipping on top of the clouds - I got good news today. My doctor went to the hospital to look at the esphogram (the one the radiologist used to tell me there was no pouch above my band and the band had turned.) My doc wanted to see for himself - not go off the radiologist report. Turns out the radiologist doesn't know what he's talking about. My band is PERFECT!! Safe, sound, well positioned and WORKING!! It's been a long 6 days waiting for an answer, but I couldn't be happier that all is just fine. Thank you for your support these last few days. Whew --- I'm glad this chapter is closed! Now...on to enjoy the ONEderland I reached and whittle some more weight away. I have an appt Monday with the doc and I'm not hungry so am feeling like no fill is in order. We'll see what he thinks. 18x# here I come!! God bless you all!! I hope you've had a good day and if not, that you've had the blessing of others holding you up. You are worth it - keep fighting! This is tough work but we will be rewarded!

No surgeons response today - will update you tomorrow if I hear from him. Thanks again for your support.

Thanks for your note on my blog. I loved reading yours -- happy bandiversary! You sound fantastic - keep it going girl!! You will be surprised when folks don't recognize you. Seems like they don't notice for awhile and then all of the sudden they do. I know YOU can tell the difference --- and it's awesome when we can see it in ourselves, after all we're the best/worst critics of ourselves!! Good luck...and will be looking forward to the kayak picture when you reach that goal!

Thanks everyone for the encouragement. The virtual support is awesome - I've spent more time on here this weekend than I have since the liquid diet. You will never know exactly how much your encouragement and sharing your own stories means. fire girl --- it's nice to talk with someone who had an obstruction before. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. When you swallowed the meat, did you know right away there was a problem? I was fine for a little over 4 hours and then this came on suddenly which is hard for me to get my mind around. Also curious what the process was for replacing the band --- is it like the first surgery? Did it take 2 to fix yours?

@J_BandRanger - you are so encouraging - thank you so much for your support. I will let you know!

Love you Rose - you're a blessing. Thank you so much:)

@finallyncontrol - thank you so much for the encouragement! I have really appreciated your support - you lifted me up tremendously when things were going well so it's hard to put into words what your confience means in the down times. I will let you know. Thanks for your prayers - He is great and in the big scope of things like my friends who are fighting cancer, it makes me want to hang on and not question my ability to fight. You look fantastic -- keep being an inspiration and congrats on your hard work and results!!

As you know from former blogs, it's been going great. I was banded on 6/24. At the beginning of my pre-op diet I weighed 242#. On 10/4 I hit 199#...finally below 200#! I love it! Unfortunately, I have bad news also. At about day 100 after surgery, I got what my doc is calling a total obstruction. I ate last Saturday and 4 hours later I went into extreme pain. 12 hours later I met my doctor at his office and he took out all my fluid. I haven't been hungry since then. I did have an esophogram which showed that my band has slipped - there is no pouch above it according to my radiologist. I am waiting to hear what my doc says before putting too much stock into that diagnosis. What I can tell you is thte last 2 days I've done pretty well, but both nights after I've eaten I've gotten super nauseated and there is a terrible pain in my stomach. Yesterday I was crying in fear of losing my band and becoming fat again. Tonight I'm almost crying because it hurts so bad inside my stomach. It feels like the band is super tight around the bottom of my esophogas. Lots of reflux too. My insurance only pays for one surgery a lifetime, so we'll see where this goes. Take it easy and keep looking forward. I'm posting this only really to help me process. I'm 44# and really happy to be under 200#. I wish you all the best. What I can say is I stuck to my program and didn't do the things I read on here from folks who are cheating. Know if it can happen to a person who is disciplined like me, then you have no room to cheat. It's just not worth it. Stay strong and fight the fight! Nothing tastes as good as skinny looks, as they say! :frown:

@seanamw - i'm interested how you struggled with chicken - what does that mean. i haven't had any trouble with anything and that's why this situation is such a shock to me. I can totally relate to what you are saying about how everything has changed for you. Me too. I am so scared --- I don't want to gain weight or go back to the ugly, fat, shut in person I was just 3 months ago. Best of luck to you. Keep up the great work - it's paying off and I bet you are looking more beautiful every day!

@imaluckydog -- I didn't know you had to have unfills. What caused that? I have so many friends on here like you that I look up to. It seems yall have figured it out. Thank you for being open and honest. It does help to know those that I admire have struggled too. I am so amazed at where you are. I hoped to be there too. Keep it going!! You have it figured out -- you have a recipe for success that not everyone can achieve. I'm rooting for you.

Debi - you are doing great - keep it up. I hope your spine pressure subsides as you continue to lose weight - I have every confidence it will. My heaviest was 266 and now I'm at 198 today. It is a world of difference. "If it is to be, it's up to me" as they say. YOU can do it!

Thanks for your encouragement. I can tell from your post that state of mind is important. I couldn't agree more. You are doing great by getting your exercise. Keep it going!! And don't worry about how you respond to folks. go with your gut --- what you said sounds just fine. Good luck to you in this journey! What is your end goal by the way?