I hope its ok that I started this thread over on the post-op side! Just wanted to check in to see how those who have been banded are doing?

Im 5 days post op and Im HUNGRY. This all liquid business is really getting annoying. I think Im dehydrated too but Im going in to see my doctor today just to make sure everything is ok. I was feeling nauseous and still running a low grade fever. I talked with the doc last night and she said she didn't seem too worried about it but wanted me to come in today just to followup. Im going to ask her about starting some applesauce, pudding or thinned out cream of wheat. I need something more solid in my stomach.

To top everything else off- Im having female issues and bathroom issues. I started my period a week early 3 days before surgery even though Im on the pill and technically not supposed to start until this week. And I have a yeast infection from the antibiotics I got in the hospital. And then with nothing but liquids coming out I have a hemorrhoid. SHOOT ME NOW.

And the worst was last night when I was taking care of some lady business and was trying to be real gentle with my insicions so I didnt stretch too much and hurt them- well I got the MOTHER of all cramps in my lower abdomen (down below my belly button) that would not go away. I was in EXCRUCIATING pain and it hurt so bad that I really thought I was going to black out from the pain. After what seemed like 10 years (but really only 30 secs) things started getting better. But I called my husband upstairs and had him lay down iwth me just to make sure I wasnt going to pass out.

Anyways, after last night Im glad Im going in to see the doctor. I think I need to get some gatorade to drink because im probably dehydrated but just want to check with her to make sure its ok. And hopeing she will clear me to eat a little something. Im tired of feeling so weak and tired all the time.

Hey august bandsters-

I don't come her often (i should though!) and i haven't been here in a while but i just wanted to ask...is anyone else as frustrated with this as i am ???

I have had FOUR fills! I was banded August 4th - and i am STILL not getting full....i don't get it. I get stuck WAY too often so i'm trying really hard to eat slower and chew more. But i'm not noticing the amount of food changing. I'm still hungry so often! I can't drink these damn shakes anymore either!

This whole process is making me feel so depressed. I feel so disappointed in myself AND in the band.

I have lost a total of 29 lbs. (11 of that the week before and week after surgery ) 18 lbs in 4 months! that's it!! I wasn't looking for a quick fix but people who know i have this make me feel inadequate, like i must be eating ALL wrong cause i had weight loss surgery so i should be skinny already. It's REALLY getting to me and my emotions

Any words of wisdom?

Everyone drops weight at different rates. On average you've been dropping approx. 1lb or slight more a week. That isn't bad! The band is only a part of the solution. How is your exercise regime? Caloric intake? This isn't gastric bypass where one is expected to drop their weight faster. Perhaps those people that you know need to be educated and in the end this is your life not theirs. Slow down work on the type of foods that you are eating and chew, chew, chew. Take care and good luck

Hey august bandsters-

I don't come her often (i should though!) and i haven't been here in a while but i just wanted to ask...is anyone else as frustrated with this as i am ???

I have had FOUR fills! I was banded August 4th - and i am STILL not getting full....i don't get it. I get stuck WAY too often so i'm trying really hard to eat slower and chew more. But i'm not noticing the amount of food changing. I'm still hungry so often! I can't drink these damn shakes anymore either!

This whole process is making me feel so depressed. I feel so disappointed in myself AND in the band.

I have lost a total of 29 lbs. (11 of that the week before and week after surgery ) 18 lbs in 4 months! that's it!! I wasn't looking for a quick fix but people who know i have this make me feel inadequate, like i must be eating ALL wrong cause i had weight loss surgery so i should be skinny already. It's REALLY getting to me and my emotions

Any words of wisdom?

I am in the same boat. 4 fills and I'm still eating the same amount and not losing. My doc says not to get discouraged that we just haven't gotten to the right restriction yet. I find myself falling back into bad eating habits. It's depressing. After I had my surgery in August my daughter announced her engagement and wedding date in June. I thought, I have lots of time to lose weight. Scales not moving but time is and I am the same size I was in August. Do you have a realize band by chance? The doc told me they take longer to get to the right restriction because they hold more. ??

I just got home from my doctors appointment. He said that the pain by my port is probably from exercising. He added a 1/2 cc in my band and said that I have 1 1/2 ccs in my 10 cc band. Thats it!! I thought I already had 1 1/2 ccs in my band from my last fill...guess not ( I had surgery in August and thought that he would of filled it more. He said my next fill will be in 6 months after I loose another 30 pounds!! I am fustrated, but I have to say he showed me a picture that is in my records that they took before my surgery, and its amazing how much I have toned up and lost!! It makes me feel really good ) I exercise everyday and the doc said I am toning and turning the fat into muscle and you can really see it in the picture. So that makes me feel good ) I just wish I could of had a bigger fill. If anyone is fustrated like I was you should find a picture of yourself before surgery and just take a look at it and see the difference from then to now. It does make ya feel good ) I am down 40 pounds and seeing that picture just confirmed how good I really am doing even though its coming off slow.

Hope everyone is doing good )

Really? I thought my doc was conservative. And he won't give you a fill until you lose 30 lbs. You are stronger than I am.

Diane I wish I could say I have strong will power, but I have none ( It baffles me that I have to loose 30 pounds before another fill because really if I lose 30 pounds I will be at the goal the doctor wants me at. Its confusing to me that the doctors are all so different. Even for the pre-op diet the doctors all seemed so different.

Hello August Bandsters! I was banded 8/30. I lost 50 lbs pre-op and have only lost about 12 pounds post-op. I know I should be beyond excited but I'm fighting frustration.

I've had 3 fills. After the first two, I hardly felt any restriction; however, after the third, I felt some. I thought it was perfect at first, but now after 7 weeks, I'm able to eat more. I've gained 3 pounds in the last 3 weeks. I usually just stop eating when I know I should have had enough, but sometimes I don't. (I have to admit, I've been on "vacation mode" with this winter break...snacking more, even drinking some alcohol on our recent vacation.) I see my doctor tomorrow and I imagine I'll get a small fill.

In the mean time, I could use some support. I'm feeling kind of alone in this process. I was very active in the local support group during the summer when I lost the bulk of the pre-op weight. Unfortunately, they meet in the morning on a weekday and I can't attend now because I'm a teacher.

Anyone else out there going through some of this?

Calling all August Rushers......time to check in, at least by Jan. that will be our 5 month mark! Hope everyone is working it! I actually jogged for 20 minutes today in between rain showers. It was cold and windy and rainy so I just decided to jog instead of walk! WOW! I at 49and1/2 went jogging for the first time in 20 years! Well anyway just had to toot my own horn! Please everyone check in!

~Kelly~

Hello! I myself seem to be doing okay. I have finally made it under 200 pounds which was a huge goal for me. I'm currently sitting at 198 lbs with 38 lbs to go to get to my goal weight. I find myself "jogging" in place in the house since I'm home with our twins all day long. That is something I couldn't do before for more than a couple minutes. Overall, I am happier and seem to be healthier than I've ever been before.

Can't wait to hear others updates!

I'm doing pretty good now but I'm stuck at 191. I bought a heart rate monitor and I've been exercising every day. Wow what a difference it makes! My legs are so sore:)

I start back to college next month and I don't want to be that frumpy overweight old person you know?

I hit 43 lbs last week. I have my port replacement surgery scheduled for Jan 6th, so I'm hoping that my weight will continue to lose and that I will not be sick to my stomach anymore!! Everyone is doing so well, I can't believe we are almost at our 5 month post-op mark

WTG girl!! I hope your surgery goes smoothly!

It is so good to see how everyone is hanging in there! I have had a good holiday time while keeping to my goals and continuing to loose weight and exercise on a routine basis. Managed to get through what seemed like a ton of potlucks and holiday get togethers and managed not to loose myself in the bad stuff. Still loosing about 2 lbs/week. I see my surgeon on the 4th and doubt that he will give me a fill which means that I am still fill free since surgery.

I have not made any lofty new year's goals and have just decided to continue the one that I made last year and that is to continue the lapband process, be supportive of those that need it and seek support when I need it.

Happy New Year everyone!

I'm such a loser. I gained 6 pounds over the last 3 weeks. I'm so disgusted with myself. I didn't exercise for nearly a month, and I made horrible food choices. I got to drinking sweet tea again. That is a big no no. I think I counted one day where I had 4 glasses, and we are not talking small glasses. I was drinking a cup of coffee a day with sugar and cream. That is another big no no. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I wanted to cry. Maybe that was the motivation that I needed to get back on track.

The only thing I can do is get back on track. Today is a new day and a fresh start. I've already done my exercises for the day. I've already got supper in the crockpot. We are going to have chicken tortilla Soup. I dumped all of the sweets that have been in the house for the holidays in the trash. I'm bound and determined that this is a new year, and that I will lose weight. I don't want to be the fat mom any more.

Hang in there! This journey has it's ups and downs. I've gained too over time a lb here and there, but it does come back off.

I'm such a loser. I gained 6 pounds over the last 3 weeks. I'm so disgusted with myself. I didn't exercise for nearly a month, and I made horrible food choices. I got to drinking sweet tea again. That is a big no no. I think I counted one day where I had 4 glasses, and we are not talking small glasses. I was drinking a cup of coffee a day with sugar and cream. That is another big no no. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I wanted to cry. Maybe that was the motivation that I needed to get back on track.

The only thing I can do is get back on track. Today is a new day and a fresh start. I've already done my exercises for the day. I've already got supper in the crockpot. We are going to have chicken tortilla soup. I dumped all of the sweets that have been in the house for the holidays in the trash. I'm bound and determined that this is a new year, and that I will lose weight. I don't want to be the fat mom any more.

Tylee, hang in there. You were banded the day before me. You have lost 70 lbs! I have lost 50. Both in 5 months. We can get it back together and get on with it!

I hit 43 lbs last week. I have my port replacement surgery scheduled for Jan 6th, so I'm hoping that my weight will continue to lose and that I will not be sick to my stomach anymore!! Everyone is doing so well, I can't believe we are almost at our 5 month post-op mark

Jamelyn.....you have done sooo well, on sheer will power...be very proud of your self!

I'm such a loser. I gained 6 pounds over the last 3 weeks. I'm so disgusted with myself. I didn't exercise for nearly a month, and I made horrible food choices. I got to drinking sweet tea again. That is a big no no. I think I counted one day where I had 4 glasses, and we are not talking small glasses. I was drinking a cup of coffee a day with sugar and cream. That is another big no no. I stepped on the scale this morning, and I wanted to cry. Maybe that was the motivation that I needed to get back on track.

The only thing I can do is get back on track. Today is a new day and a fresh start. I've already done my exercises for the day. I've already got supper in the crockpot. We are going to have chicken tortilla Soup. I dumped all of the sweets that have been in the house for the holidays in the trash. I'm bound and determined that this is a new year, and that I will lose weight. I don't want to be the fat mom any more.

Tylee, you need to be in this for the long haul, remember.....protien,protien, protien...and exercise. Make your tea with truvia, or splenda, and the flavored creamor is only 35 calories per tablespoon! Come on lets kick weights butt!