we did it. we have made a commitment to a better life to start out our new year with.. I was banded Dec 20. I started out at 214 preop and then the day of surgery I was 201. Today I am 195-196. I have GOT to get rid of the scales and only weigh weekly. They torture me. I have had no pain.. No nausea. No vomiting. And better yet.. I have made it through the holidays. First fill is not until Feb 2.. Going to start an exercise routine of walking in Jan hoping to help increase my weigh loss without the fill. How are yall doing??? We have to stick together and support each other. I am here for ya.. If you need to ask me anything and I am not on here, you can send email to hlorettawilliams@gmail.com!

I had surgery on December 20th. When I made the decision to do the lap-band my weight was 279. Day of surgery I was at 264. Today I am probably 5-10 lighter still (haven't yet weighed myself as I don't want to get stress myself out).

Strange as it may seem I feel great. I am only filled to a 3 which is probably why I am eating probabably more than I should. I know I will have to get a fill as my doctor said average is between 4-6.

Other than the first 2 weeks I really have no pain. The only thing I notice is that when I bend down on my left side I can feel the hardware inside and can be uncomfortable for a moment or two, but nothing major.

Am really excited for this new chapter in my life. Just a little nervous that I haven't felt ill, or that too full feeling when I eat, when I hear that is really common.

I had my surgery on 12/22 and went for my post op exam on last week. So far so go. I have lost 22 lbs (including pre-op diet). Back at work, other than the gas I feel fine.

I used to weigh myself every day, but I had to stop (the reason my other diets failed is because when I followed them to the letter if I did not see immediate feedback from the scale, I felt as if I was failing and would get into a "what's the use, this is not going to work mentality).

I will be having my first fill on 1/25 a little over a month after my surgery. I am celebrating all of the small victories; like having the bottom of my pants under my shoes, because they are getting bigger. I like the fact that I had a coat that I could not button, that now I can put on with a heavy sweater underneath!

I was talking to my daughter on yesterday about how I could easily drink a liter of pepsi a day (had to give us soda for pre-op and subsequent surgery). Now I do not even miss it. I love, love, love the sugar free Hawaiian punch and crystal light pure. I drink a protein shake every morning (chocolate flavored protein powder, fat free milk, 1/2 banana and ice) and I feel as if I am having a treat. Trying new things (like those green giant veggies in szechuan sauce).

Overall, taking it one day at a time.

Thank you SandyB. I will definately ask them to do a xray or ultrasound. I suppose to get my fill Wed. but there is no way I'm letting them putting anymore into me til we find out what is wrong. I see my doc Thursday so I'm going to cancel the fill appt.

the hospital / er did give me fluids for dehydration which made me gain 7 pounds!!!!! but right now I'm more concern about these pressure headaches and not being able to eat like the rest of you all. This was the one thing I pray wouldn't happen that I'd regret my decision to get lap band. I'm praying this will all be a quick fix so I can be happy again because this has been a long weekend being sick.

Thank you SandyB. I will definately ask them to do a xray or ultrasound. I suppose to get my fill Wed. but there is no way I'm letting them putting anymore into me til we find out what is wrong. I see my doc Thursday so I'm going to cancel the fill appt.

the hospital / er did give me fluids for dehydration which made me gain 7 pounds!!!!! but right now I'm more concern about these pressure headaches and not being able to eat like the rest of you all. This was the one thing I pray wouldn't happen that I'd regret my decision to get lap band. I'm praying this will all be a quick fix so I can be happy again because this has been a long weekend being sick.

I am so worried about you! I asked my husband if I told you to do the right thing. he said that it sounded to him like your hiatal hernia wasn't right (he had his repaired a few years ago) - like maybe the opening is too small - and that's why you're vomiting everything back up. Anyway, you definitely need to tell them that you don't want blood work or a sinus scan done but an x-ray or ultrasound to see what's going on where you had the surgery.

Sandy I'm going to inbox you.

I was banded on Dec. 28th. My doctor requires me to have five days clear fluid and 64 oz. water and 3 proteins a day for two weeks. For all the fluid I am taking in, not much is coming out. I spoke to my Dr. and was told I am not retaining fluids, it is just because I am really not eating anything and my body requires the water. You would think the weight would be falling off of me with kind of a post op diet but I have only lost 12 pounds (29 prior to surgery). Anyone else have this experience?

One thing that I am reading alot of is that some December bandsters have unrealistic expectations of what they should be loosing in a one month time. It needs to come off slow yall. If you loose to fast, you are going to have a lot more excess skin to contend with. Dont kill yourself, Dont push your self to far.. It will happen. Just follow the program..

You're absolutely right, Loretta. After the initial loss right after surgery, doctors say 1-2 lbs a week, which also prevents weight gain after you lose it too fast.

Hello everyone I was banded dec.29 and I am back to my normal routine. I went back walking in 4 days after surgery and I am back up to 2 miles in not going to stay back jogging until I have my first doctor visit which is the 19 of January . That's the only thing that I hate is that my appt is so far out because I am worried if I am doing everything correctly. The major downside is that my appetite is back and I am scared. I am truly taking it day to day and with increasing my workouts it's making it worse. But all in all I am happy with my decision and do not regret it at all. I'm just hungry and I am trying to make it to the 19th

Had my lap band replaced on Dec 13. Boy is it working this time!!! Only bad thing is I can't take my meds. I'm between bariatric dr.'s right now. I called the office and they said to contact my primary. Only thing is he isn't the dr. that prescribed the meds. I don't see him until the 23rd. I see my primary tomorrow at 2:30.

I have tried cutting my meds (which I'm not supposed to do) and they still go down hard. Anyone else having this problem? What solution did you come up with.

Thanks!

Hi everyone. I'm happy to say they ran test on me yesterday (x-ray and cat scan) to find out what is going on with me, they don't think it has anything to do w/ the lap band but I'll know for sure Thursday when I see my doctor to get the results. I did have 2 hernia repair at the same time as the lap band surgery (Dec. 14th) very possible it could have something to do with that. Whatever it is, I'll be happy when this is behind me and I can join you all in our lap band journey. It's been a nightmare for me, weird how even with all of my fill taken out I still have restriction???? Does that even make sense??? I'm going to ask the doctor Thursday if that is because I'm still swollen even this many weeks later???? The pressure headaches over my left eye have gone done. I'm not getting them as often, but I noticed like last night when I tried to sleep on my left side, then I could feel the pressure/pain and instant nausea... so it's just weird whatever is going on. I can't wait for thursday to get here so I can have some answers!!! Thank you all for your prayers. I appreciate them!!!

I was banded on 12/13 and can't say how great I feel. This was the best thing I ever did for myself. Can't wait until Spring to go out and buy all new clothes! I have lost 31 pounds to date and 22 of them just since surgery. I see the surgeon on 2/17 to see if I even need a first fill. This site and all of you have been so inspirational and helpful. So here is to a very successful year to all of us December Bansters

Well the test results are in... my surgeon said your primary doctor had extensive testing done on you... pretty much everything under the sun, and every single test came back NORMAL - the only thing they could find wrong was that I was severely dehydrated. Okay... I know what your thinking, we'll praise the Lord right? Of course I did, BUT I'm still having the pressure on the left side of my head. Guess what the doctor think it is? SINUS... can you believe it??? I said even though the sinus test came back normal, he said yes - we live in Cincinnati where most people have sinus problems (though I never had in the past) My dad agrees w/ the doctor as he has sinus problems and said yes, it's worse than a migraine and yes you can fill it behind your left eye socket into your jaw line, left side of the back of my head, severe pressure and pain. Sooooo, even though I'm not totally convinced (yet) I am going to buy the sudifed and sinus rinse the doctor told me to get over the counter and see what happens. He didn't seem too concern that I'm still not able to eat really a lot of solid foods (surgery was Dec. 14th w/ 2 hernia repairs) Liquids and mushy goes down okay but solids 90% of the time I throw back up. He said I'm still very swollen and says it's acting like a "fill" even though they took all of my fill out a week ago because I was severely dehydrated only drinking 4-6oz of liquid a day. Now I can definately get the water in and my doc seemed pleased about that. He said your where most people want to be... he said don't worry, soon enough you'll be starving and eating everything in sight (as he didn't put my fill back in yet since the swelling is acting like a fill) So I just wanted to thank you all for the many prayers you said for me. I must admit, I was beginning to get VERY worried... crazy thoughts of what "could" be wrong were going thru my mind. Hopefully it is just sinus and I can clear it up soon. Doc did tell me I could start my daily walking of 30 mins. a day which he said would help w/ the swelling and said it would make me feel better.

Well the test results are in... my surgeon said your primary doctor had extensive testing done on you... pretty much everything under the sun, and every single test came back NORMAL - the only thing they could find wrong was that I was severely dehydrated. Okay... I know what your thinking, we'll praise the Lord right? Of course I did, BUT I'm still having the pressure on the left side of my head. Guess what the doctor think it is? SINUS... can you believe it??? I said even though the sinus test came back normal, he said yes - we live in Cincinnati where most people have sinus problems (though I never had in the past) My dad agrees w/ the doctor as he has sinus problems and said yes, it's worse than a migraine and yes you can fill it behind your left eye socket into your jaw line, left side of the back of my head, severe pressure and pain. Sooooo, even though I'm not totally convinced (yet) I am going to buy the sudifed and sinus rinse the doctor told me to get over the counter and see what happens. He didn't seem too concern that I'm still not able to eat really a lot of solid foods (surgery was Dec. 14th w/ 2 hernia repairs) Liquids and mushy goes down okay but solids 90% of the time I throw back up. He said I'm still very swollen and says it's acting like a "fill" even though they took all of my fill out a week ago because I was severely dehydrated only drinking 4-6oz of liquid a day. Now I can definately get the water in and my doc seemed pleased about that. He said your where most people want to be... he said don't worry, soon enough you'll be starving and eating everything in sight (as he didn't put my fill back in yet since the swelling is acting like a fill) So I just wanted to thank you all for the many prayers you said for me. I must admit, I was beginning to get VERY worried... crazy thoughts of what "could" be wrong were going thru my mind. Hopefully it is just sinus and I can clear it up soon. Doc did tell me I could start my daily walking of 30 mins. a day which he said would help w/ the swelling and said it would make me feel better.

That is really great news! Bounce back

Two full weeks today on liquid going from 800 calories down to 500 per day. no weight loss at 800, went to 700 lost .3oz, next day put on 1.6 lbs! Went down to 500 & NO lost. Okay I think I'm staying away from the scale, upping my calories back to 750-800, still walking 30 mins per day & to just relax! My stomach is still spasming daily, bathroom visits hardly ever. Waiting for some great stuff to happen soon! I quess we all just hang in there & know it will all get better soon!