I'm all set for April 2nd and ready to learn as much as I can from everyone here!

I have so many questions, I don't even know where to start. Just wanted to post how exciting this is for me.

Feel like I'm finally taking control.

43 days and counting.

j~

How do I attach the weight tracker on here?

I am 3 and a half weeks. I kinda get this pain on my left side like if I have a side crap from running too much. That only happens occasionally, I'm guessing that's the port site. I have the most tenderness on my center incision, the largest one. Hopefully that goes away. That scar also kinda dips in feels harder. thoughts?

How is everyone doing?!

Frustrated! I've only had one fill and I still don't feel a restriction. I'm trying to be good, but it's difficult when you get depressed because nothing is happening. Doc says it will take 4 or 5 fills before I really begin to notice it. Just hoping I can keep the 20 pounds off that I lost so far until that happens. And of course I told everyone that I was having the surgery so now I keep getting questions about how much I have lost now. Sorry don't mean to be negative. I know it will work eventually. Anyone else going through the same thing?

scalico I'm in the same boat treading water

I'm down a few ounces and gain a few the next day. Back and forth like this since my surgery. I was hoping after my fill it would change but I don't feel a ton of restriction so I just keep hoping for the best and keep my food intake on track.

Your not alone!

I'm in the same boat with you! I don't feel any restriction at all and my willpower is getting weak.

Despite my requests to keep my surgery private, my friend told everyone I had it and now I am starting to get the questions too.

It is so frustrating! I am beginning to think that I made a HUGE mistake by choosing the Lap Band instead of Gastric Bypass

Ok we are all in bandster hell. We had all heard bout it. Thing my dr told me is my first fill will only get me in the neighborhood of where i need to be. 2nd fill get me to my street and the 3rd fill should get me home. I am going to look at that and not let these few first mos get me upset. We did not gain this weight over night we wont lose it over night. Its not an automatic cure for us. I know its hard to keep our heads up and not be upset by not losing alot but fact is we are losing no matter if its slow. We gotta keep together and help each other through this stage so we can all be successful. As for the gastric bipass as a nurse no way i would have went that route. I have seen to many patients with problems from it. Also losing slow has a good part to it. It gives our skin time to shrink some. So lets look at that bright side. We are going to make it remember it wasnt the the hare who won the race but the turtle!! SO lets go turtles!!!

I love turtles!

Thanks Deb!

Thanks Deb!

No one had talked about this "Bandster's Hell" so I just wasn't prepared for this. Your pep talk definitely helped

I know I must have skipped over bandster hell ones. I was for a month or more.. Now very slow scale movement but at least moving. Also broke first goal to get under 200 which hadn't been there for a year or more.

Its funny, I don't even consider myself in bandster hell. It had such a negative ring to it. I just feel like getting to the level of restriction is a process and getting fills until I reach that level is just part of the process. I'm not gaining and that in itself pleases me. I suppose if I thought the weight would melt off then thats kind of a bit much. People that have way more to lose than I do have already lost the 40 pounds im trying to lose at this point, but everyone has a different path.

I was banded on April 26. I've had one fill sense and have only lost 9lbs and have no restriction. Hoping it will happen on second fill in 2 weeks

Well....I am that 1%...band infected....had to have removed June 16th..almost had band 2 months...never had a fill, and had a port site infection....there was no band erosion....so they are not sure just where the infection started.....can have band replaced in 3 months....at this time...I will try to take this next three months as a time of trying to do it on my own(as I did lose 20 pounds) and make a decision on replacement as it gets closer....

I did not feel that I wanted to take a chance of getting really sick from an infection and opted for removal....I waited over a year for this band....now more waiting.

Good luck to all..

Marlene

Well....I am that 1%...band infected....had to have removed June 16th..almost had band 2 months...never had a fill, and had a port site infection....there was no band erosion....so they are not sure just where the infection started.....can have band replaced in 3 months....at this time...I will try to take this next three months as a time of trying to do it on my own(as I did lose 20 pounds) and make a decision on replacement as it gets closer....

I did not feel that I wanted to take a chance of getting really sick from an infection and opted for removal....I waited over a year for this band....now more waiting.

Good luck to all..

Marlene

Good Luck Marlene!

I think the best thing you can do after removal is to continue to eat as healthy as possible. Whether you decide to have another band placed or go without it will help. I lost 70 lbs on my 6+ month pre op before I was banded and feel that was part of why I had such an easy recovery. I know an infection can happen no matter what and there was nothing you could have done to prevent it. If you have another one placed I hope your next recovery is smooth sailing!!!

Hi ! Just checking in with my April 2012 bandsters ! .how is everyone? Is bandster hell over for you?how many fills have u had?what was ur starting weight? How much have you lost.?

For me pre op diet started 3/23/12 banded 4/6/12

I feel like I'm just starting bandster hell.I have not been hungry until the last couple of weeks.

I've only had one fill . I refused the last 3 cuz my weightloss was steady but now I'm starting to get really hungry.

My starting Weight pre op was 339

I lost 48 lbs total since starting pre op. 34 lbs since surgery .

What's your story !?

Hi Bigenuf. I had also had very steady weight loss till the last few weeks when i actually gained (Groan) But this week the extra 3-4 lbs i gained (not sure why i gained it) has went away. I am back to 285.4 my starting weight before the week preop was 313 and my surgery day May 2, weight was 305 I really thought i would be farther now but least like you i have lost. I have had 2 fills for a total of 3 cc. I felt this last fill did it for me for a week i had great restriction and i still have more restriction then before. I really think one more will do it for me. I am scheducaled to go back to the dr Aug 16.