rcain03@hotmail.com

I am really sorry I didn't get back to you sooner! I just now seen this post! If you are still around...I would be more than happy to talk with you. I am on facebook and you can add me on there. Just send me a message letting me know who you are! LOL...and yes! Life with the lapband gets so much better as time goes on. I really went through a time of anger and depression after first having my surgery. It was a huge adjustment for me mentally. The best way I could describe it to my family was this way...I felt like a crack addict that just got ambushed with an intervention and sent to rehab! I was pissed that I couldn't turn to food anymore! I no longer find "enjoyment" or "comfort" from food here almost 9 mos. post op. I have learned to treat food as it should be treated...as fuel for my body...not a reward, a comforter, a solace...but, just as a neccessary fuel. I now find enjoyment in living life..going on walks with my children...being able to ride go carts or rides at amusement parks without fear of not being able to "fit" in the seats or belts...being able to shop for clothes and not feeling like crying everytime I came out of the dressing room...liking what I see when I put on a bathing suit and not feeling self conscious...not hiding from the camera anymore...wanting to be in the picture! =) ....I look forward to going to the gym...I look forward to stepping on the scale! ...I want to get out of the bed in the morning...I want to move my body...All the anger...All the depression...All the fear...has subsided and I am enjoying my life once again. I have my life back and I look forward to my future! My best advice I can give is to "embrace" the change..."feel" the pain and the feelings you have stuffed with food...life gets better from here! You don't have to "hide" behind your wall of fat anymore...life and health await you!

My GI doctor told me to get 35 grams of fiber a day. It will do three things....keep you full longer, make you lose weight, and keep you regular. I have had horrible bowel problems since being banded. I have severe constipation most of the time. I now take Miralax once a day, Fiber One bar "oats and chocolate" is really good...once a day, two fiber gummies daily, two fiber choice chewable tablets daily, and Metamucil Pink Lemonade mixed in with my water bottle and Miralax once a day. It really does the job! You can scale it back to fit your needs...but, this is what has worked for me. Good luck because I know how miserable it makes you feel to be so bloated from poo! I lost 13 lbs. in two days just from finally being able to have a BM!

I had 6 cc's as of Jan. 4, 2011 and it was too tight for me. I had to go in on the 21st and get an unfill. I was puking and sliming everything I ate up. I even had trouble getting yogurt down. My doc took 2cc's out and I feel so much better! I am able to eat good, healthy food now. I dropped from 258lbs. on Thursday to 251.2 lbs. on Sunday night just by being able to get more calories in. I think my body went into starvation mode because prior to the unfill I wasn't even able to get 500 calories a day in and then what I was able to eat came right back up. Good luck and hope you find your spot soon! It's amazing just how different this works with each individual.

Day 2 and 3 post op was miserable for me! I was so swollen and bloated that I looked like the Michelin Man with a tire around my stomach! Gas X and lots of walking is the only thing that helped me. I gained as well right after surgery. Here I am 6 months out and I have lost a total of 64.8 lbs. I would do it all over in a heartbeat! I feel better than I have in years. I am no longer diabetic nor do I have have high blood pressure anymore! No meds for me! Just hang in there and things will get better. Be prepared for the emotional rollercoaster you will find yourself on through this journey. That is the one thing I did not expect myself to go through. I "knew" how the band worked before my surgery and "knew" that the weight loss is slow and steady...but, for some reason I found myself "expecting" entirely too much of myself too fast. I still struggle daily with that even though I "know" I have really done great with my weight loss thus far. We are our harshest critics. Once the swelling goes down in your stomach after surgery..you will find that you are really hungry and will probably be able to eat as you did before just not to the same extent. Realize that is normal until you get your fills started and reach restriction. I have a 14cc band and I was fortunate enough to have reached pretty good restriction after only my 2nd fill. I know lots of people that it took longer. So, everyone is certainly different. Take what positive you can from this site and leave the rest behind. You will learn the ropes soon enough! =) Good luck on your journey and hang on...it's going to be a long ride! =)

I get a B12 shot monthly and have started taking Centrum liquid daily. I can tell a big difference in my energy levels and how I feel. =)

I know that my husband has complained lately of me talking excessively about calories, pounds, workouts...etc. It really is so hard for me not to talk about it though. This is what my life has become since being banded. For the most part, my husband is very supportive...but, there are definitely times I feel he tries to sabotage me by bringing foods to me that he KNOWS I shouldn't have. I know ultimately it is my choice as to whether I eat them or not...but, it certainly doesn't make things any easier to be tempted like that. I can understand how hard it must be for our spouses and family members to deal with such a turn about from us WLS peeps. I really do think it would be a good idea for them to have their own support system. Unfortunately, I believe my husband would rather not ever have to talk about weight loss, lapband, calories, or exercise again! I just hope he is able and willing to hang in there with me for this journey!

I would probably bet money that it is your gall bladder. Same thing happened to me when my gall bladder quit working. Luckily, it happened before being banded. I couldn't imagine having gall bladder problems with the band! Better get that checked out ASAP. And remember even if it isn't gall stones...be sure to get a function test....I had gall stones but, my 15 yr. old daughter was having the same problems...kept having to take her to the er...they did an ultrasound and it came back fine...after several trips to the er...they finally did a HIDA scan and found that her gall bladder was only functioning at 13%...so, they had to take hers out. It is very painful and made us sick as a dog! Good luck!

Thanks everyone for your input. It is amazing how strong the mind is! I am really beginning to understand people with anorexia and bulimia. I can see now how easy it is to look in the mirror and not actually "see" what is really there. I always wondered how they could be so thin yet see theirselves as being so fat. Although, I am far from being thin...I hope that I will be able to see myself that way once I really get there! It just seems like it would be a shame to have worked so hard for it and not be able to enjoy it because of some freaking mental block!

I have got stuck a few times and trust me...it is not a feeling you want to have! I have had only two fills and the last two months I have went to my check ups...my doctor did not give me a fill either. My doctor said I was averaging 1.75 lbs. loss per week and he said that is great! I have lost a total of 51 lbs. in a little over 5 months and that is something I would have never done without my band. I totally trust my doctor and I think you should too! He isn't in this to have you fail...and I am with him when he says "if ain't broke, then don't fix it". Sometimes getting a fill can do more bad than good. Think of it like this...if you are too tight...it can actually make your weight loss stop or make even make you gain weight! If you are able to go 3-4 hours without starving and you are satisfied with your controlled portions...you are losing weight...then leave it ALONE!!! And "BE HAPPY"!!! that you are one of the blessed ones that is progressing as successfully as you are. I see alot of people on here with alot of problems and I am thankful to not have had any problems thus far. You are doing a great job! We all can be so hard on ourselves and I think we are our own harshest critic. Congratulations on your successes so far and continue the good work! Give yourself some credit! Have a very Merry Christmas and a Healthier New Year! =)

Today, I feel...profoundly happy! Since I began my weight loss journey on June 26, 2010. I have lost a total of 51 lbs. and a total of 25.5 inches from my body!!! Just sitting down here and actually calculating all of this made me realize just how far I have come! I guess in the day to day grind of everything you lose focus of how much one has accomplished. I often feel like I should be doing more or losing more but, when I see numbers like these it makes me realize I am way too hard on myself. I should be proud of myself! I AM PROUD OF MYSELF! =) It is strange because when I look at myself in the mirror...I really don't "SEE" it. Yeh, I "KNOW" that I have went from a size 26 jeans fitting too tight to wearing a size 18 now. I know my clothes fit totally different now. I know that the scale goes down each time I step on it. But, for some reason my mind has not made that connection! I still can't "SEE" it in my mind. It is crazy! I really hope to one day get to the point of where my mind is where my body is. I want to be one with myself and actually be able to put my progress into a realization for my mind. I want to "SEE" it! I know I have been extremely lucky to have had only two fills and to have great restriction. I realize I have REALLY been lucky to have lost what weight I have considering I have not really been exercising like I should for the past couple of months. I have been so busy taking care of my Mom that I once again...put myself and my health on the backburner. I am recommitting myself to myself for the new year! I am going to HAVE to put myself first, my health first! I am definitely going to get started exercising again. I feel great when I exercise! These winter doldrums have definitely gotten me down but, I will do it! I plan on making 2011 my best year yet! Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Healthy New Year! =) P.S. I was just wondering for those of you who have been on this journey longer than I...When was your moment that you actually could "SEE" all of your progress? When did your mind actually "catch up" to where you are now?

I just have to be honest here...Even at my highest weight...I would not "BED" a heavy dude. Now, don't get me wrong...I don't like skin and bones either. My dream guy is fit and built...with lots of stamina! Lets face it...whether you are a man or a woman sex is just better when you are both fit! You are not limited in your positions or stamina. All this talk about women go for personality and charm is B.S.!!! They are not being honest...Just like when women say "size doesn't matter"...WHATEVER! YES, IT DOES!!! The truth is this for both men and women....LOOKS MATTER, SIZE MATTERS, because no matter which way you dice it...no one comes up to you and says "WOW, you have such a nice personality"...LOL...they approach you because of looks! Whether it be a smile, your eyes, an ass, your legs, your rack, your package, whatever the case...you best believe it wasn't your personality! Not to start with anyways. Someone may start to like your personality after awhile but, that is not what turns heads your way!

I was banded July 8th and I am feeling great! I have lost over 48 lbs.!!! I have had two fills and am lucky to have great restriction. At times I am too tight but it tends to eventually loosen up by the evening time. I have not exercised nearly as much as I should be due to taking care of my mother and not myself. But, starting today...I intend to get back to taking care of me! I had to go clothes shopping today because my pants that I was wearing yesterday were pitiful. The crotch was hanging nearly to my knees...lol...so, It was definitely time to get some new pants. I was excited to try on clothes today because I have went from a size 26 jeans being too tight...to being able to comfortably wear a size 18 jeans!!!! I even have one pair of 16's I can wear!!!! =)))))) I have lost most of my weight from the waist down....now, if I can get rid of this dang muffin top...I will be a happy girl! I am so proud of everyone's accomplishments! People don't realize how hard this is....definitely not the magic potion for weight loss. But, it is definitely the best "tool" I have ever had!

I was banded 7/8/2010. I started out at 316 lbs. and today I weighed in at 267.8 lbs.!!! I was so excited!!! =) I am loving my band!!!

I have been losing my hair for about a month now. I was banded 7/8/10. My hair is really getting thin..but, it seems to slowing down a bit this past week. I sure hope it stops soon! I am pretty sure that is caused by surgery. I had the same problem the first of the year after a surgery I had for another issue. I freaked out! I lost hair for a couple of months and then it stopped. So, hopefully that is what is happening this time! =)

I am with the other posts...NOT ENOUGH CALORIES! Also, you need to rev your metabolism up. Don't go longer than 3 hrs. without eating a little of something. The key is to keep your metabolism going by keeping digestion going. If you go long periods without eating your body conserves all the calories you take in and stores it as fat because it thinks you are in famine. If your body gets used to the fact that it knows it will get food again (ie. energy) in another couple of hours then it will allow the calories you take in to be burned because it knows it will get food (ie. energy) again in just a bit. Of course, exercise and lots of protein helps alot as well. Good luck!

I have recently experienced extreme fatigue. I went to my family doctor Friday and he gave me a B12 shot and ordered labs to check my vitamin levels, thryroid, and iron. I am waiting for them to call me with my results. But, I will say that since having the B12 shot I did wake up the next morning with more energy! So, maybe my levels are off. I too take a daily multi vitamin but, I'm thinkng that maybe my body isn't absorbing it as well as it should be. Good luck with your problem and I would definitely get your family doc to do some labs so you will know what is going on. =)

I totally understand how you are feeling. For some reason...since I've been banded...I feel worse about my self image! I've lost 40 lbs. and feel fatter than I did when I had the 40 lbs. on me! It's weird how that works. Maybe my fat is not as full as it once was...lol...more jiggly I suppose! =0

I was banded July 8, 2010. I too, have 4 herniated discs in my back..two of which I had to have surgery for at the age of 30. I was having to get steroid epidurals in my lumbar, sacroilliac joints, and caudal area every 3-4 months just to be able to make it through the day. I was diagnosed with hypertension and Type II diabetes also within the last couple of years. I really was at a point in my life where I HAD TO DO SOMETHING if I wanted to live to see my kids grow up and have kids. I started out at 316 lbs. at my consult June 28th, 2010, 308 lbs. day of surgery, and today after two fills...I weighed in at 276 lbs. I am so excited to have lost this amount of weight so far...and I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat! Since, my band...I am off my diabetes medicine, off my blood pressure meds, and have not had any back pain! (which means...no steroids or epidurals!!) I did have my days early on...post op...that I really had to learn how to cope with my emotions in different ways besides eating. I also, have had to change my life as far as how I spend my time now. When my husband and I go out now...we have to think of other things to do besides go out to eat. Which is really a good thing! I enjoy being active now. I enjoy exercising. I enjoy trying on clothes. I enjoy going to the doctor and getting weighed. I enjoy doing things now...that 4 months ago..you couldn't pay me to do! My 3rd and 4th day post op...I felt like crap! My port site hurt and I was really weak from not being able to eat more than 1/2 a sugar free popsicle. But, after day 5 my surgeon ok'd me to start mushy foods and I started getting some Protein with chicken and tuna salads. I felt a 100 times better. The first two weeks was rough on me as far as walking but, I kept at it and slowly built myself up to a mile a day. Now, I feel great!! A mile is nothing to me! I have so much more energy now. I don't want to lay in bed and sleep my day away anymore. I want to get up and go! I have days where I can't eat much at all...then there are days I can eat more than I should...but, the thing is...this band keeps me in check. I can't go crazy with food anymore and if I try to...it reels me back in real quick. It can sometimes be a painful reminder...:thumbup:...but, you learn not to do whatever it was that caused you to get "stuck" real quick! I also keep up with my calories eaten and burned at www.livestrong.com/mydailyplate It has really helped me to keep myself on track and actually see what I am putting in my body now. When I first started using that site...I could not BELIEVE the calories I had been taking in on a daily basis pre-band. No wonder I was so unhealthy! It's a wonder I didn't kill myself eating like that. It was crazy. Anyways, didn't mean to ramble on...but, I was just giving you a view of what the band has done for me so far. :smile: Good luck with whatever you choose!

I couldn't have said it any better...Cleosmom! I have seen so many posts where some people tend to get on their soap boxes and often times forget...They are here for the same reason the rest of us are here. We have all failed ourselves at some point bringing us to where we are now. Let's not forget...if it was so easy to follow the rules...none of us would have needed to get WLS because, well..we would have "followed" the rules of living a healthy lifestyle...eating well and exercising! I'm glad to know that "SOME" people have it all figured out though! Words of advice: TAKE AND USE WHAT YOU CAN AND WHAT IS USEFUL IN THESE FORUMS...AND LEAVE THE REST BEHIND! YOU WILL SOON LEARN WHO IS BEING SUPPORTFUL AND WHO IS HERE TO FILL THEIR OATS. IT'S LIKE THE BULLIED KID THAT GROWS UP TO BE THE BULLY...YOU CAN SPOT THEM A MILE AWAY!

I am fairly new to this as well...but, I have read alot of posts on here and I have seen where doctors will do an unfill to try and fix a pouch dilation/slip. From my understanding, the logic is that once the band is unfilled it will relax enough around the stomach so that it can go back into place. I also have read where it was suggested that you go back onto your liquid diet during this time as to allow it time to heal. Kind of like starting over from scratch with post op instructions. I'm sure you can dig around the forums and read more info on the subject...but, just thought I would let you know what I have read thus far on the subject. Good luck to you and I hope the problem resolves itself without any further surgery!

OMG! REALLY? GET OVER YOURSELF!!! LOL...Obviously, if you didn't have the same issues with food you wouldn't even be here on this site much less be a person with a band! With all that pent up hostility...you may be the one who needs some counseling! :biggrin:

My first fill was a little less than 3 ccs and I had no restriction. My second fill was 2 ccs and I am really tight! I am definitely not going to be able to eat like I was before! Good luck to you!

My doctor allowed me to start mushy foods at 5 days post op. My band was put in empty...the first week I was really tight because of the swelling. As the swelling decreased my appetite increased. My doctor told me this was normal because essentially the band is just sitting there until your first fill. My first fill I got a little less than 3 cc's and still did not have alot of restriction. Yesterday, I had my second fill of 2 cc's and OMG...I can't even eat a pulverized, mushed up, chewed up until its paste french fry from McDonalds. Yes, I know I shouldn't be eating there but, it was an on the fly...after a ball game thing...and it didn't work anyways! So, I see now that I am definitely not going to be able to eat what I was before yesterdays fill. Oh, and by the way...until yesterday's fill...I was able to eat wayyyyy more than 1/2 to 1 cup of food. Not now though! Best of luck to you both! Hang in there...this is definitely a learning process for all of us! =)

I was scared to death when I went for my first fill. I watched videos on youtube of people getting fills...worried over whether I would be numbed or not...etc. I had myself really worked up over it. So, I get there for my first fill...went in to see my Dr. everything was good...then he sent me to the hospital (outpatient services) and called a whole group of people back to the fluoroscopy room. The nurse called us in the room one at a time. I layed down on the table..he stuck the needle in my port (of which I had NO PAIN! ) =) I felt a tight squeeze around my stomach and he was done! He had me take two sips of barium to make sure it went down fine and out the door I went. The whole thing took maybe two minutes! I felt so silly for being so worried about it. I just had my second fill yesterday and same thing. No problems at all and it didn't hurt any worse than getting a shot. Good luck to you! I'm sure you will do fine. :biggrin: