AngelaAnn

I cannot believe it--I'm 9.5 months out and finally, I can almost taste 199! 202 this morning. I truly might cry the day I look at the scale and see a '1' instead of a '2'. I just turned 29 a couple of weeks ago and I have not been this weight since 7th grade.

You want to know something else, too? I never realized I didn't have confidence when I was 250 lbs. I always thought that I would be a 'big' girl and I was always told I had a 'pretty' face and I believed I would always be the fat friend or the third wheel. I had one boyfriend through my twenties and never dated. Last week, I went out on two dates with two different dudes who both told me I was beautiful, which was flattering not only because they told me, but because I finally believed it. I know I still have a bit of a ways to go, but it is truly amazing that I feel 'normal' for once and comfortable in my own skin. And I am thankful for this forum and I will continue to journey alongside all of you in our quests for our outsides to match our insides.

So, after all that mushiness--anyone else close to onederland??

I totally take adult gummy vitamins--2 a day. I get mine at costco. It's $10 for a bottle of 200.

Yeah, the post-op was weird. I wasn't hungry for like the first 12 days, then the last week I was hungry!!! And it wasn't head hunger. And I feel you on the fatigue/dizziness/fuzziness, there really was nothing to be done. Someone told me that's your body's way of preserving your "living" functions when it's not really getting enough nutrition. And there was no way I was able to eat even 1000 calories on liquids. Congratulations!

I was a daily morning weigher--now I usually weigh once a week. I am happy to report that I haven't weighed in 10 days and this morning I got on and weighed 204.6!! I'm so close to being under 200 I can taste it! Good Luck!!

I am sure this question has been asked many times but I am going to ask it again lol. I was wondering how long I should wait before getting my 2nd fill. I looked at 6 peoples profiles and each person waited about a month in between their first and second. Any suggestions?

The OCC made me wait four weeks. But with the second fill I definitely got good restriction going from 2cc's to 2.8cc's in my 4cc band. I now have 3.0cc's after my third fill in Feb.--had amazing restriction for 3 months, now it's starting to loosen up a bit. Will probably need another in a month or so.

HI EVERYBODY

WELL I CAME BACK TO CANADA ON TUES, I WAS BANDED ON THE 20 MAY WITH SOME OTHER LOVELY LADIES, WHICH I MAY ADD MADE IT MUCH BETTER. LENA AND I MET ROBBYN THE NIGHT BEFORE SHE HAD HER OP AND HAD A GREAT CHAT. IT IS REALLY GEAT TO HAVE SO MUCH SUPPORT ON THIS FORUM.

SO I AM ON MY 10TH DAY OF LIQUIDS NOT SURE HOW MUCH I SHOULD BE DRINKING AND HOW I SHOULD BE DRINKING IT

( FULL LIQUIDS AND WATER)AND IF I CAN HAVE JELLO OR NOT, WOULD LOVE TO HAVE SOME FEED BACK ON THAT PLEASE.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE SUPPORT

TRACEY

Look at your paperwork. I know that I wasn't allowed jello or pudding on full liquids. Mainly I lived on water, juice, popsicles, protein shakes, gatorade, and drinkable yoplait. And the occasional cream based creamy soup. Though I wasn't a soup eater then, and I loathe it even more now! Good Luck!

OK so here is a strange question...Does anyone carry more weight on one side of their body then the other making them appear lopsided? I am not talking about breasts I know that is pretty common. I am talking about around the mid section. I am carrying more weight on my right side of my stomach. I am wondering if anyone else experiences this or for the people closer to goal if they experienced this and if there is anything they did about it? I am hoping there is an excersise I can do to help?

Yup! My left upper arm deflated skin hangs noticablely lower than my right. It's really annoying, but someone told me if I kept up my strength training for a year, it should help itself out. I'm pretty sure I'm going to need an arm lift.

I had mine done in Mexico at the OCC too. I believe it was $7000--I live in San Diego so I didn't need hotel or airline fees. Fills are $100 under flouroscopy. Unfills are $30

Good Luck and for everyone that's never been to Mexico---they run on their own time system that is different from the U.S. Getting fills are the worse for me. The actual fill only takes about 10 minutes but they make you wait 1.5 hours or more before the fill. My second fill was the worse. Over two hours. Everything will go smoothly and I hope to read more of your entertaining posts on your adventures in T.J.!!

I was on a plateau for 3.5 months. Since my third fill in February I've lost 21 lbs. Now I'm back on a plateau. I'm pretty sure that I only lose well if I eat about 1000 calories a day and work out 4x a week. But I can tell my fill is starting to loosen up a bit, but like many money is tight right now so I'm going to try and milk this fill for another month. Right now, I'm just desperately trying to lose these last 8 lbs. in the 200's so I can be in the 100's. Now that I've had my last finals, I have almost three weeks off before summer school and my goal is to try and get under 200. I really want to be in the 180's by my one year bandiversary in August. I think it's doable, but these plateaus are really annoying when you try to do everything right. Gook Luck to all of us!

I am a physical therapist also and had my surgery exactly 1 week ago (May 14th, 2009). I felt great up to 4 days after surgery, but then the gas started. I started working 2 days ago and each day when I come home from work I am so bloated and in such pain (sharp achy pain in my upper left trap) that I can barely move. The gas-x only helps a little bit. My port site is sore, but the one that bothers me is the tiny one under my left boob. It is tender like you wouldn't believe. I cannot bend down either. If I drop something in the car then it is down there for good. The worse part is the gas (and that is what is causing the shoulder pain). I can't even expel it like I used to. It is impossible for me to burp even though I feel like I need to. I also don't pass gas anymore. I am thinking about buying beano and trying that. Good luck. If I find an answer then I will let you know.

Yeah, my gas pains didn't start until a few days after surgery. I had bad gas pains for about 4 weeks and walking didn't really help me much, but lying down did. Also, anyway you can get the gas out is good. I was never much of a farter but I was a farting machine for about the first 4 months. At about 6 months, I'm back to being non-gassy. Good Luck. It does get better. Sitting for long periods was terrible for me as well.

I stayed right here in Kansas City and had my surgery at Menorah Medical Center.

The Baptist girl had surgery with the Catholic doctor at the Jewish hospital. There has got to be a joke in there somewhere.

I want your new arms! My stomach hasn't been too bad because I never carried tons of weight there--all in my ghetto booty and legs, but my arms have been the bane of my existence. They're always bigger and now I've got fun hanging skin. Doesn't seem to matter how much I do strength training, they just get floppier. I'm totally going to have them sucked and tucked once I get closer to goal.

Great post! I am so happy for you and it is amazing that you already have the support in the form of a friend with a band. I wish I did--Congrats on your decision! My weight is coming off slowly, but it's coming off! I love it.

Congrats! I can't wait until I make 50 lbs.--only 9 more to go! (Love your wig!!)

I only have problems with carbs mainly bread and rice and beef if I don't chew until it's liquid. I do have a problem with corn, but not popcorn. Everything else goes down fine that's listed.

Hi Paula,

I had the band last August and I still struggle with the head hunger, but it has helped me immensely with my binge eating. I used to eat my emotions whether I was angry, happy, sad, celebrating, etc and I used to think about food constantly. I'd plan what I was going to eat, when, where, etc. You get the picture. Now sometimes it's a chore to eat and I probably eat 1/2 or sometimes 1/3 of what I used to eat. Though I haven't lost as fast as some, I am happy with the results because it helps limit the amount of food I can eat. I excercise 4x a week which I didn't do before, so that's probably helped and I've gone from a tight size 20 pant to a regular 16 (not 16W) and a 3x top to a regular xl. I know I've still got another 40 pounds or so to take off, but if you can swing it or find a way, I wouldn't trade this band in for anything.

I totally agree with everything you're saying--I just gave half my closet away to my Grandma for her lawnbowling rummage sale. And I tried on everything before I put it in the bag to make sure. The clothes just look soooo frumpy when they hang. Question: did your heart burn ever go away? It was so weird. The minute I started my TOM, it went away and my band loosened up. Right now, it's a bit too loose, but better than too tight any day in my opinion! Congrats on the new clothes! I'm going to have to buy a new bra or two soon as my boobs--they are a-deflating. Back to a B cup for me.

I am officially 31 years young today.....

Last year at this time I made the decision to have the Lap Band surgery along with my sister. We had surgery in July and it was the best thing I could have ever done for myself. Last year at this time I was coming off of a failed Weight Watchers Dieting episode (lost 30lbs in 9 months, gained it all back in 2 months). Since being banded I have dropped 60lbs and gone from a tight size 18 to a size 10/12. I am actually wearing a size 10 capri today and it is an amazing feeling to be able to look at yourself and say wow you look good and mean it.... I am not at my ideal weight yet but I am HAPPY!!!! I am struggling to find what I weight I will be happy with, not the worst thing to be struggling with.... Just thought I would post because I am sooo happy with my decision.

Shy

Congrats and Happy Birthday! My 29th is next week! I hoping to enjoy my last year in my twenties being able to shop in a regular store. 60lbs. is great and you're not even a year out! I was told 50-60 in the first year is normal for female bandsters. We just don't lose it as fast as the men. My goal is to just be under 200 by my one year in August. I really want it. Your weight now is actually close to my goal weight! I think a size 10 is the perfect number. You can always find that size in the store.

They say carbonated drinks may stretch your pouch. Would it be safe after 6 months ?

I was told moderation after the six month mark--before six months, I did not have any soda. I had everything checked out in February, and nope, no stretched pouch. And five sodas in four months ain't going to do much except maybe make you gassy.

I had surgery in August of last year and I've had about maybe five sodas since February. For me, they're sometimes uncomfortable to drink now because of the carbonation. It makes me feel super bloated. If I sip one, I'm usually okay. It's weird, I generally don't order anything to drink anymore when I'm out and about so, it's really easy to not drink soda or my calories in general. I do like a nice glass of orange juice once in awhile--it's a nice change up from water/coffe/crystal light for me.

(((((((((((((((Hugs Everyone))))))))))))))

Just wanted to ask if I'm the only one who gets like this. My personality drastically changes if I'm following a food plan. I am far more sensitive about stuff and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this how long it lasts or how they change back to the person their family knows and loves on a daily basis.

Hell Ya! I was a B.I.T.C.H. while on the pre-op 'cause I was hungry!

Hi

I am a teller! Anyone and everyone strangers at the airport ,custom officer people in stores and I even offer to show them my scars.LOL

I'm proud to say I've lost 90lbs and this is what helped me.

Everyone is different though.

LMFAO! I totally will show anyone my scars too! I personally like them and wear them like a badge.

I'll tell anyone or everyone, and most people are curious, especially those who are "larger" like myself and want to know details. I'm happy to give it to them--one person is actually looking into banding. My family has an open door policy when it comes to information so, I'm probably one of those annoying people who holds nothing sacred and will talk about anything. It's just the way I was brought up. You'll probably see that you'll tell those that you know won't negatively judge you and will be supportive. The couple of naysayers I've had--I just tell them that it's my body and this is the way that I choose to get the weight off. I ate my feelings--good or bad so, for me, I needed the band to help with my out of control binge eating. I KNOW that I would be well on my way to 300 lbs. if I had not had the surgery and if I do have a bad food day, I might not lose that week, but I sure don't gain!

Good Luck!!

Been reading about all who are stuck at same weight for "weeks". Like Mammaof2wins I have been on this plateau for 6 months now. Same 5 pounds lost and gained numerous times. Have been filled to the max and unfilled. (The fill to the max ended up stretching out my esophogus to a huge size apparantly since I can no longer feel the food in there.) Had an upper GI and Dr. was floored that I could not feel pressure in my chest since the barium stuff was just sitting there in my esophogus. I don't know what is going on, but I am frustrated. I go to the gym and either swim or tread water for minimum of an hour 5 days a week. I drink all of my water and then some. Do not drink any soda. I know that i eat more bread products than most bandsters since i have no problem getting them down. i have decided to start logging my food daily on thedailyplate.com to really get a better picture of it. I am currently weighing in at 215. I think in October it was 213. I have (I think) 7 cc/in a 10cc band. I started this journey in Sept. 07. so I am 19 months post op and am down 75-80 pounds depending on the week. I know that is great, but doesn't stop me from being frustrated sitting on this plateau.

I was at a plateau for over 4 months--same 3 pounds lost and gained like you. My third fill I lost 14 lbs. but now at a plateau again, losing and gaining on a day from 212-215. It is very frustrating.

Angela, I didn't know if it was my imagination because it seemed to start right after I read your post, but I'm now having heartburn too. There are days I think I'm too tight and plan for an unfill and then the next few days I am fine so then I decide to stay at this fill level. Today I am too tight for sure. I just tried a couple bites of baked potato and it got stuck....mushed up potato!!! After thirty minutes, the pressure in my chest was driving me nuts so I went and bent over and up came slime and potato but this time I could taste stomach acid like you have when vomitting- no wrenching but I could for sure taste the acid and that has NEVER happened, even though I have pb'd before. I guess I'm going to need an unfill too. I remember reading somewhere that heartburn was a bad sign but I can't remember why. Please tell me everything they told you. Thanks.

Sabrina:)

Hi Sabrina,

Right after I made the appointment, my heartburn went away and I was able to eat a decent amount of solid food for dinner and breakfast the next morning (and I can NEVER eat in the am) and today I've eaten okay too. No heartburn either. I told the OCC that if I didn't feel better after my period started then I would have a partial unfill. I even ate a piece of toast today and I can't remember the last time I had bread. I'm sure I will tighten up again due to stress from finals, last semester I didn't have as much of a fill and I could only do liquids finals week (I did lose 5 lbs.) but once the stress went away, the fill loosened. Stress and the band ain't no joke. If I go get an unfill this week, I will let you know.