6 months post op- checking in

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am not a very active member of the group but I wanted to check in.

I read the posts everyday still, but I am not much of a poster. I am

6 months post-op. I had my surgery done 04/19/06 with Dr Aceves. I

am so grateful that I had the surgery but must say, it has not been

as easy as I thought it would be. I had alot of problems with my

first and only fill being too tight. Silly me, I didn't have an

unfill until I got so sick of the severe pain when eating. It took

me about 3 months to finally get a slight unfill. I have to say I am

still very restricted.

The good news is I am down 62 pounds. I was wearing a size 24-26 and

now wear a 14-16 depending on the fit. For all the newbies, I want

you to know that I did not start seeing significant weight loss until

about month three. This was of course, after I had an unfill. If

any of you are like me, I OBSESSED about my weight loss or lack there

of. At first I took my measurements and weighed every day... or two

to three times a day. I knew that was not healthy so I put the scale

and measuring tape away. I went by how my clothes were fitting. If

I didn't do this, the weight on the scale dictated to me how my day

was going to be. If I was down, I was happy. If I did not lose, I

was miserable.

I still struggle with eating. There are days I can eat fairly good

and then there are days when everything I eat gets stuck. I use to

live to eat and now I eat to live. I yearn for the days when I can

sit down and really enjoy a meal. Now sometimes I feel like eating

is a chore. I worry if things will get stuck, how long it will hurt

until it goes down, etc. Yes 6 months out and I am still on a

learning curve.

Please make sure you get your protein in whatever way you can. I was

not doing this and ended up injuring myself. I was simply walking my

dog in our local park, took a step and felt a severe tear in the back

of my leg. I limped back to my car, went to an Urgent Care Center

and they diagnosed me with a severe tear to my calf muscle. The

doctor told me that it is very possible that my lack of protein

intake could be a significant cause of tearing my muscle. Now I work

alot harder getting my protein intake.

Even though I have had some difficulties (which I take full

responsibilty for) I love my band. I thank Dr Aceves every day for

allowing me to change my life for the better. I would do it again in

a heart beat.

Anyway thanks for listening. I do not regret my decision one bit and

would recommend the surgery to anyone.