So frustrated!

Hi Laura,

I have not had my lap band that long, so I haven't experienced the problems you have.  Is it possible that your pouch is dialated?  Is it possible your band has slipped?  Did your surgeon do any tests to see if these were a possibility?  Is your primary Dr. able to give you anything to help with the GERD?  I know you mentioned your insurance is not the same, so going to your surgeon. may not be as easy for you.  There are so many things that could be the culprit of the problem, but your surgeon may have to do an upper GI to really get to the bottom of your problem.  If your surgeon won't order the test, maybe your primary Dr. would be willing to do it.  You shouldn't have to suffer like this.  Please go to the lap band board and post this as a new thread if I wasn't a help to you.  There are a lot of veteren bandsters and they will be able to give you advice and encouragement. 

I know this has to be hard for you, but you have done such a wonderful job so far.  Please don't give up!!!  Just imagine where you would be if you never had WLS.  If at possible, focus on your success. 

Lisa

Unfortunately I do not have the band so can not help w/ those types of questions but if you are in need of support, feel free to join my support group. we meet once a month. please try to not put yourself down so much. you have to love who you are before you can ever expect to become who you want to be. the negative feelings you are generating are causing you to continue to be unsuccessful. until you stop wanting to be different than who you, you might not ever get there. sad but true!

i am stuck at a size 18 so i know how it is. i start putting myself down but then i realize how horrible I am treating myself. I would never do this to another person so why myself? acceptance of your shortcomings is essential in being content w/ your current situation. what happens if you never lose the rest of the weight? do you deserve to be miserable the rest of your life? you only have one life and you shouldn't waste it on all those negative feelings toward yourself. trust me, i go through the same thing every day. it's a constant work in progress.

Honey I was in that SAME POSITION!!! Go to DOTS! They ROCK! They have the most fashionable clothes and all under 20 bucks each! They are from size Large to 28W I think but there clothes are so damn STYLISH!!!! There is one in Glen Burnie in the Target shopping center. You go in there once and you will get HOOKED I kid you not!!!! 

 New york and co has 16/18 too. good sales and you dont fel like ur wearing plus sized clothes. good luck to you! 

Brandy:  Too funny.  I'm in the exact same situation as you.  18s are too big, and 16s give me muffin top too!  And I weigh exactly what you weigh!  I doubt shopping anywhere else is going to change that until we lose another 5-10 pounds and can get in those 16s without making muffins.  I have noticed though that if the jeans are made with a bit of the lycra material and have a little "stretch" to them that the 16s fit nicely.  Look for 16s with lycra.  that's what I did and they fit much nicer because they have a little stretch to them.

Please go to Ashley Stewart!!! I found the best jeans a that store.  They give you a little extra room in the stomach and it helps to reduce the problem of the muffin top.  I had to try on a few styles to get the right fit, but it was worth it.  I got my first pair of skinny jeans there (size 12) and I was ecstatic.  They have a website so you can check for a store in your area.  Let us know how you make out.

Lisa

Brandi,

I recently discovered Ross, and I love it!  They have so many different brands, that it's much easier to find something that fits well, because it seems Anne Taylor's 10 isn't Lee's 10, isn't Nine West's 10, etc., nor are the cuts the same.  And OMG, Cheap!  I bought a pair of Liz Claiborne dress slacks for $24.99.  Same, and I mean EXACT SAME pair, same tags, everything, at Macy's:  marked "On sale for $58.00 from suggested retail of $72.00."

Terri