Calling All MARCH '09 Bandsters - We need a name!

[Texasgal09 0]

Keep your chin up! I had the same thing happen. scales really vary, so don't get depressed over it. Be sure and drink lots of Water. I haven't cheated since the surgery because I have gone through too much to blow this; however, I have been very tempted. Now that I am on soft foods (5 weeks after surgery), I am ready for next week when I can eat more solid foods.

[xandriacharlee 0]

Hello to all I was banded on March 30th and have lost a total of 20 lbs but have gained 2 lbs back. I really am battleing with not snacking but after a total liquid diet just eating anything I have gain 2 pounds back. I have read many comments and it is amazing to me at how many of us are not as supportive and seem to pass judgement and feel we are helping each other. I did not become overweight overnight and I will not loose weight overnight. I am an emotional eater and just because I made my mind up to do better. This is a long life battle and I feel like I am fighting and I am fighting everyday. Some days are better than others. I hope and pray I will win. I just really hope we think and think hard about how we respond to people. Thank all of you for your possible comments, and congrats to all who are not having as hard of a time as some of us.:sneaky:

[Big Momma is Shrinking 0]

Hello to all I was banded on March 30th and have lost a total of 20 lbs but have gained 2 lbs back. I really am battleing with not snacking but after a total liquid diet just eating anything I have gain 2 pounds back. I have read many comments and it is amazing to me at how many of us are not as supportive and seem to pass judgement and feel we are helping each other. I did not become overweight overnight and I will not loose weight overnight. I am an emotional eater and just because I made my mind up to do better. This is a long life battle and I feel like I am fighting and I am fighting everyday. Some days are better than others. I hope and pray I will win. I just really hope we think and think hard about how we respond to people. Thank all of you for your possible comments, and congrats to all who are not having as hard of a time as some of us.:sneaky:

Congrats on the 20lbs..that's no small task. Like you I also found a few pounds when I got to start eating mushies, but the good news is your bodies is going to adjust, you won't hold onto them for long.

I think everyone here can relate to the fight, we are all battling the same or very similar demons. I'm sorry you feel like some people are harsh in their comments, personally I haven't really felt that way.

I think when folks post about their failures they want to here reinforcment that they can do this. Some will reply with it's ok just don't do it again, and others will gentally remind you that this is a life changing experience (I guess I look at it kinda like tough love).

I believe we all want to succeed, and want everyone around us to succeed too. Best of luck, I know you will come out the winner in your fight!!

[conetha 0]

Hello to all I was banded on March 30th and have lost a total of 20 lbs but have gained 2 lbs back. I really am battleing with not snacking but after a total liquid diet just eating anything I have gain 2 pounds back. I have read many comments and it is amazing to me at how many of us are not as supportive and seem to pass judgement and feel we are helping each other. I did not become overweight overnight and I will not loose weight overnight. I am an emotional eater and just because I made my mind up to do better. This is a long life battle and I feel like I am fighting and I am fighting everyday. Some days are better than others. I hope and pray I will win. I just really hope we think and think hard about how we respond to people. Thank all of you for your possible comments, and congrats to all who are not having as hard of a time as some of us.:smile2:

HI Xandriacharlee, I was also banded on 3/30, I would love for us to be support buddies :sneaky:

[skeeterbait8 0]

Hello to all I was banded on March 30th and have lost a total of 20 lbs but have gained 2 lbs back. I really am battleing with not snacking but after a total liquid diet just eating anything I have gain 2 pounds back. I have read many comments and it is amazing to me at how many of us are not as supportive and seem to pass judgement and feel we are helping each other. I did not become overweight overnight and I will not loose weight overnight. I am an emotional eater and just because I made my mind up to do better. This is a long life battle and I feel like I am fighting and I am fighting everyday. Some days are better than others. I hope and pray I will win. I just really hope we think and think hard about how we respond to people. Thank all of you for your possible comments, and congrats to all who are not having as hard of a time as some of us.:woot:

I am here to tell you that you are NOT alone by any means. I'm having the worlds worst time of it. It does seem like I'm eating less, and I know I'm moving more, but OMG it refuses to leave this old body! So to me what you have lost already is AMAZING to me. Really something to be proud of.

I went for my first fill this past Monday. So far I can't tell any difference what so ever. It's looking like I'm going to be one of those lucky few that will loose so little and take so darn long to do it. So for what you've done to date......... be proud!!! :sneaky: :smile2: :mad2: :hurray: :party:

[fixin2notbfat 0]

Yes, that is your port! They attach the port to that muscle, so when you are laying down it is in general area of the incision and when you stand up it moves higher above the incision w/the muscle! Kinda creepy huh!

[conetha 0]

Does anyone have this issue. After I eat no matter what it is I burp for about 15 mins. It drives me crazy.

[LittleOleMeinFL 1]

OK..... I survived! It took way longer than expected. Do you guys remember me complaining about a swelling over my port site? Well it ends up it was a seroma. Seromas are REALLY common after any kind of surgery, especially abdominal, breast and colon. Word of the day: "Seroma is just a gathering of serous fluid.

Serous Fluid is the pale yellow straw colored fluid that is produced by lymph vessels and by the tissues that lie beneath the skin. You'll have seen serous fluid if you've ever had a blister on your hand or foot - the fluid that comes out when you puncture a blister is serous fluid."

The good news is the seroma didn't open to the outside of my skin. Sometimes they can cause the wound to not heal and actually leak and it becomes an "open" wound that has to be packed and is a wound clinic nightmare. The bad news is it will likely return and have to be drained again.

After I was on the exam table... prepped with betadine and a sterile drape placed... my surgeon then palpated the port area. He agreed that my "swelling" wasn't within the normal and decided to see what he would find. (Medical people like to stick needles in things to see what's in it). So, he numbed up the skin first. Then he took a 20cc syringe. Stuck it in and it filled instantly. He asked his nurse for another.. and another and another. He got out 120cc! He said there was probably more but he didn't want to poke too deep. The fluid was clearish yellow (normal) and no sign of infection. Then he went on to find my port. The seroma had actually displaces things a bit. My port ended up being lateral to my belly button a clear 3 inches below my port scar! I got my 3cc and was instructed to be on liquids for 2 days then mush.. then back to normal. I have to return in two weeks for fill #2 and most probably another seroma drainage. It already feels as if it has filled back in some. I will try to post some photos of before and after. He told me very few patients have any restriction with the first fill. 3cc in 10cc realize band. But that they don't do more because of the increase incidence of nausea.

So, I spent my morning feeling like a pin cushion. It really wasn't that bad. After about 10 min. my Dr. said, "you might be one of those rare patients that I have to do under fluoro." This guy has done thousands of bands and bypasses. He teaches surgeons all over how to do them. I honestly think he could do them with his eyes closed.

My gut (no pun intended) instinct was something ain't right. But... he said he wouldn't have drained it earlier anyway... b/c it just increases risk of infection.

I had a shake early this morning (6:30am) made with light soy milk, Unjury Protein Powder (20g Protein per scoop), 1/2 banana and Divinci raspberry flavor. For lunch I had a Muscle Milk Light (pre-mixed), 160 cal, 20 g protein. For afternoon snack I had a Yoplait light Fat free yogurt, 100 cal, 5 g protein. I haven't had any Water. I am hungry. But this too shall pass. I don't have the energy to exercise today. Guess I will give myself a break today.

I'll keep you updated!

peas out!

Hi Y'all~

Wheewwwwwwwwww! OK... I survived Fill #2! I was able to bump up my fill by 4 days because I was convinced my seroma had gotten bigger & I was having pain and couldn't lie on my stomach. In reality it was more an illusion... my abdomen had gotten smaller and thus the seroma SEEMED bigger, but in fact it was smaller. This time he only was able to drain 35cc of serous fluid (it was a bit blood tinged but ZERO signs of infection). I immediately felt better. Then he put only 1cc more in my band. I was praying for some restriction or a trickle feeling with the H20. Nothing. But that's ok. He said that usually it is fill #3 before we feel much. But he says tomorrow when I can eat solids I should feel some. So now the two week wait for fill #3. I am down 30 lbs in 44 days! He reminded me AGAIN... NOT to expect this every week or month. And that the plateau I had two weeks ago, where I actually gained 2 and then took two weeks to get back down, might happen again. Mon I was 276 and today 272. I am just about to PMS... so I am bracing myself. He also told me to not concentrate too much on calories.... but to limit myself to the 1/2c each meal with a protein supplement in betweeen. He said if I make "healthy choices" I should be ok. The thing is... If I don't keep track of calories and protein and fat... then I do go over. I guess that is the ultimate goal... once we get to our "sweet spot" then we won't have to fret as much because our bodies will tell us when we have had enough. :sneaky:

I wore a pair of pants today that I haven't worn in over a year and a half! I remember the day I bought these over priced designer things. I remember even more clear the day these pants didn't fit... and how shitty I felt. Today was a good day.

peas out~ Laura

[Big Momma is Shrinking 0]

Congrats Peas!!!

You are doing Fabulous!!! I'm hoping that by my stomach shrinking it's going to give me the illusion of bigger boobs...LOL

I wonder which you will remember more....how bad you felt the day you could no longer wear those pants...or how AWESOME you felt the day you put them back on....oh wait I know....it's going to be the day they are TOO BIG!!!

[teachergirl 0]

Yeah to all of us!!!!

Laura, it was great to hear about your 2nd fill, and what the dr. said. I also, got into a pair of jeans I haven't been able to wear in quite a while. I was feeling so depressed yesterday, and that really helped!

My first fill is next Thursday. I can barely wait to start the next stage of this!

Keep up the great work, girls! We will get there!

[Mom2six 0]

Hi everyone! I was banded 3/20. I am really excited to be getting my first fill next Wednesday and boy do I need it. The past few days I know I am able to eat way more than I should. I haven't gained any, but haven't lost much since surgery either. Hope everyone is hanging in there. It won't be much longer now before these bands really start working for us :sneaky:

[snereb27 0]

i hope you guys are all right.... i was banded 3/30 and i'm starting to get discouraged. i feel hungry more now and less satisfied with what is on my "ok to eat" list. the really sad thing is that i struggle with cheating everyday now... at first it was great, i wasn't hungry, didn't even think about food, now i just want to eat a lot of something. i don't have cravings per se, but i just want to eat... i usually don't, but i'm starting to doubt if i'll be successful.

did anyone feel this way and how did you 'get over it' or motivate yourself?

thanks.

[Pezo 0]

i hope you guys are all right.... i was banded 3/30 and i'm starting to get discouraged. i feel hungry more now and less satisfied with what is on my "ok to eat" list. the really sad thing is that i struggle with cheating everyday now... at first it was great, i wasn't hungry, didn't even think about food, now i just want to eat a lot of something. i don't have cravings per se, but i just want to eat... i usually don't, but i'm starting to doubt if i'll be successful.

did anyone feel this way and how did you 'get over it' or motivate yourself?

thanks.

I'd love 2 give u some wonderful words of wisdom....BUT I and 3 1/2 weeks post -op and I 2 m finding it extremely hard to get through my days w/out being very hungry....I just keep hoping that once I start w/fill it WILL get better.....I can't really get into alot of my jeans still more so due to soreness....I really hope we all do well.....:rolleyes2: Good luck and hang in there...

[Texasgal09 0]

Hi everyone,

After I posted my last comment, I suddenly started having a difficult time satisfying my hunger and cravings. My first fill is next week, and I think I am ready for it! :crying:

I am glad to hear that everyone is having similar feelings, because somehow it makes me feel better knowing I am not alone.

I really appreciate the strong support from all of the March Bandsters :crying:

Since 3/16 I have seen some great results in my clothes fitting better. I wore 2 outfits this week that were 2 sizes smaller, so that is what keeps me going. The people I work with keep telling me how much better my complexion looks and how much thinner my face looks. I just want to feel healthy again, but I am getting there.............

March Bandsters: We can do this !!! :rolleyes2:

[Texasgal09 0]

Peascorps........

So glad things are working out for you......