donali

Even though I was excited but nervous right after surgery (that's how I voted in the poll), I was also HYPER aware of every little feeling, every little pain... worried that my band had slipped, etc. The first weekend after I was home (I worked that whole week after my surgery the Thursday before), I was SO SO SO sick - super nauseous (although not actually throwing up), and in lots of pain. I do believe this was from going to choir practice Thursday night (1 week after surgery!!! DO NOT DO THIS!!! LOL). But after that horrendous weekend, everything just got better and better. Now, nearly 8 months out and 60 pounds lighter, I am still certain that this is the best thing I could have done for myself. It has been mostly smooth sailing for me, and very gentle. I have struggled with port discomfort, though, and I believe I did slightly tear the port from its anchorings in late July. Do not keep stretching when you feel that port resistance! lol I was in agony for two weeks. Now I feel my port sticks out more than it did, and I am hoping it is not flipped. I will have another fill no later than Oct.11, so will find out then... Hang in there, and don't worry about second guessing yourself. If it really DOES turn out to be the wrong decision for you, you can have it taken out, but I think that will be very unlikely. Take a deep breath, try to relax, and enjoy the ride as much as you can!

Once you are at your goal weight, I believe that MOST peoples' fills remain more or less stable. There is some talk out there about osmosis, and the band gradually losing its fill due to that. Then there's the talk about self-filling bands, that gain Fluid all by themselves - those tend to be more the ones filled with iso-osmolar (?) fluid (mid-band), although there are some claims that the lap-band can also gain fluid. I think most people with the lapband filled with saline do not experience these phenomen, although restriction does seem to vary throughout the day, and sometimes on a day to day basis. Most hypothesize this has to due with stress levels and fluid retention, and the general fickleness of the stomach itself. Until you get to goal, it would not be unexpected that you will need ongoing fills, as losing weight and becoming smaller effects your stomach as well. Some people not so much, others much more. So... I'm afraid this is a "your milage may vary" (YMMV) type of situation.

:devious :lick :sleep :banana Thanks, Bright - You'll always have a warm place in my heart, as well... lol

Glad I'll be having so much good company when I arrive in Hell myself - lol. ROTFL - roll on the floor laughing ROTFLMAO - roll on the floor laughing my a$$ off

I DO get full. On vacation in August, I was feeling very restricted. One time at lunch I couldn't even finish a bowl of chicken noodle soup! I ate very little for those two weeks, and was very satisfied. But, the resulting weightloss invariably means a slightly looser band, so back I go for another adjustment! Thank goodness for the adjustability part of the AGB... lol

Hi Shelly - I've had 3 fills, and am currently at 2.1. Although I am much more restricted than wide open, and tighter in the mornings, I am still able to eat a "healthy" amount of food. Yesterday at lunch I had a big slice of large pizza (ate all but the bit of crust at the wide end), plus all the topping off another large slice, and the doughy part underneath, leaving only the very outside part of the crust. A very sad looking wedge when I was done. Then I had about a cup of cottage cheese with tomatoes and basil, and wouldn't have minded trying the toppings from another piece of pizza, but held myself back... lol I was basically done eating for the day, though, even though I did not feel totally stuffed. For dinner I had a huge serving of SF/FF chocolate ice cream with reduced fat Peanut Butter. Guys, be glad you don't have these hormonal rages!!! lol I am still able to eat a whole sandwich, but that's pretty much it. Anyway, probably needless to say, I'll be going in for another fill soon.... I'm planning on 10/4, and want to be super restricted this time, where liquids trickle through. Bear in mind with fills, though, that it is important EMOTIONALLY (as well as physically) to go in gradual stages so you have a chance to adjust to your new intake. I have only PB'd three times since being banded, and all three of those were within the third week after my first fill. Also, the amount of the fill in your band is not comparable to anyone else's - it all has to do with how restricted YOU feel. 2.1 would totally close some people off.

ROTFLMAO!!! Boy, who would have thunk it? Although my thoughts do tend to revolve around sex (I have the libido of a teenage boy - lol - too bad my boyfriend lives halfway across the world! Or perhaps that's a blessing - to him! lol), I am not into porn. Guess I'm one of those that'd rather be doing than watching... lol POM is short for Pomeranian - little bitty dogs, bred down from Spitz. They look like miniature sled dogs. I used to have two black Poms, and I miss them dreadfully. I had to put my "son" Max down 10/5/01 (he was almost 13), and my adopted daughter Sadie passed 2/5/02 at 15. Someday I will have at least one Pom again. Mom has an orange Pom named Mitzi-Sue. She's a sweetie, but it's just not the same.... Thanks for the laugh! Thanks even more for accepting me even though you thought I was such a porn lover I had to put it in my avatar saying. lol No offense to you true porn lovers out there! I'll take this as an indication that I should NOT get personalized plates for my car that say POM LOVER. LOL

What were you wearing? Perhaps the fabrics were much denser than usual, or it was humid and they were heavier from that. Or your shoes. Do you always weigh in the same outfit? My tennis shoes weigh 3 pounds! Also, if you've been exercising, you could have added muscle, which weighs more than fat for the same volume. There are just too many factors to believe the numbers on the scale - they are NOT a true representation of what's going on. Anyway, this is one of the reasons the scale is NOT your friend. In order to have gained 10 pounds of FAT, you would have had to consume 3500x10 excess calories this past week (that's 35,000 extra calories! in a week! That's an EXTRA 5,000 calories per DAY!). If you haven't changed your eating habits this week, then it's NOT possible that it's fat. scales also have to be calibrated periodically as a part of usual maintenance. The freight scale here at work is calibrated by the state MONTHLY.

Kudos and cheers! I'm so proud of you!!

This is an unfortunate situation that highlights the fact that our WEIGHT is not our problem - it is a symptom of our problem. So when we refer to the band as a tool, people assume it all has to do with "a tool for weight loss". It doesn't - the band is our tool that helps us with the physical hunger part of our problem, and the volume part of our problem. For some people, that is enough, and they don't really dig much further psychologically, and they succeed in the surface goal of weight loss. They may not have solved the underlying psychological/physical reasons for their weight problem, but as long as they have their band, they are considered "successful". For others, such as the man in this example, this one tool is not powerful enough to combat the symptoms of his real, underlying problems. I have no doubt that his sabotaging actions are motivated through a real fear of changing. No doubt it is difficult to know prior to surgery that you are too fearful to really change. Most of us have symptoms of this same problem on a smaller scale - those of us who have spent small fortunes on exercise equipment, gym memberships, exercise videos, diet supplements, etc., and then never used them... All of these things were tools that would have helped me, but I didn't put them to good use. Some things I haven't even opened!!! It was as if I felt buying them would be enough... lol I am grateful that so far my band has been a very effective tool for me. Apparently my tools have to be permanently implated into my body before they work... lol My heart goes out to this man, as he is undoubtedly in a great deal of emotional pain. I hope he is able to find the help he needs to feel successful in his life. As focused as we are on our weight and wanting to lose it, I hope none of us ever forgets that regardless of how we look, we are valuable and worthwhile beings. It is what we make of our lives, not our weight, that is important. Being slender is not a cure all - just look at all the rich, beautiful celebrities and how miserable their lives can be - drug abuse, broken marriages and relationships, depression, suicide... Being slender will not make those things go away. We have to heal our inside selves to be truly happy in this life.

Hi Lori - You will probably eventually need to have another fill, but NOT NOW! Your mind needs time to adjust to your smaller portions! Being on your fourth fill in only two months seems very fast to me - I was banded 1/23/03, and had my third fill July 12. Also, my fills tend to tighten-up after about 4 weeks. If that happens to you, you may end up being too tight. I personally would recommend that you work with this fill for at least a month before you decide to add another fill. Give yourself a chance to adjust emotionally to all of these changes - remember, this is for life, not a temporary, short-term fix. Good luck!

As far as I can tell - it means that is a thread you have posted to. Generally that means you have an interest in the thread, so when you're looking at new posts, you can see which ones you've posted to and see if someone has responded to you or added something interesting to the conversation. Also, if you select the Email Notification box under options when you post, you will get an email when a new post is added to that thread. Donali Dr. Lopez, 1/23/03 303/243/135

I made myself the designee to get up and get stuff for others at the table. So and so needs ketchup, more potatos, another napkin, whatever - I would jump up and get it. That really helped me slow down. I also take very big bites - one of my eating pleasures is having my mouth full. There have been many times I have been beyond chewing with a big mouthful of mush, and nowhere for it to go... Sorry, I know that's gross! I haven't quite learned not to do that to myself. I have gotten up a couple of times to spit out what I had in my mouth. Keep practising! Apparently I'll be looking for other people's ideas as well, since I obviously need help too! lol

Hi Alexandra - One of my biggest mournings before I got the band was that I could no longer do the "All you can eat" deals - Home Town Buffet, Olive Garden, Red Lobster... I knew it was crazy, because that's exactly why I was getting the band! I spent some time trying to figure out what exactly I was going to miss about the AYCE buffets... I realized it was the actual act of eating something good for a LONG time, and then having the sedated, sleepy feeling of being full. Then I realized that although I wouldn't get the gratification of the intense, long term eating, I WOULD still get the full feeling. I decided I was still meeting my goal, then - being full. I had to come to this understanding in order to not be resentful paying $12 for a meal that I could only eat half of. Mom was very apologetic the first several times, saying eating out couldn't be worth it to me anymore. I told her, "I met my goal. I am full. Whether I eat it all or not is not the issue." Just eating out for me is such a pleasure. Only one time was I actually MAD that I couldn't eat more - fresh made breadsticks from Oscars. That was the week I had my only three PBs, and I was SO frustrated!!! I wanted MORE, and there was no room! I realized then that it's a good thing that we are not self-adjusting, 'cause I would have taken all my fill out that day! lol But the above is one of the main reasons that it is important to be filled gradually - in addition to giving your physical time to adjust, the MIND really, really needs time to adjust. Be gentle to yourself! You will do fine! Do not slip back into diet mentality and create cravings for yourself. You can have whatever you want - promise yourself that! But, if you're NOT really, really craving it, choose something more healthy. Keep us posted, and put away that scale!

My sister is only 1 inch taller than me, and it makes such a HUGE difference! I think she can carry an extra 20 pounds than I, and be the same size. No fair! I've never felt short, but now I wouldn't mind being taller! lol

Michelle - Are you really tall (I hope)? I'm 5'6", 245 and just fit comfortably in a size 24 "Just My Size" stretch jean.

I am assuming your Dr. said it's okay to start solids? Perhaps you're eating too fast, and your stomach doesn't have a chance to tell your brain it's had enough? You could try eating just half the meal, then waiting 30 minutes. If you're still hungry, have the rest. Maybe that will help. Good luck!

Great info, Jerry. However, your post should be directed to Megan. I wonder why there's no info on that list about Dr. Lopez? Dr. Ortiz used to be his partner.

Nope, no mistake - I go for a gallon a day. A gallon of Water is slightly more than 126 ounces. The water intake for a normal person is recommended as eight 8 ounce glasses. That's 64 ounces. Since the human body is about 60% water, and I'm about twice as big as a normal person, I figure 126 ounces is about right. I don't always get the full gallon in, but almost always make it to 94 ounces (3 quarts). This site recommens 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight: http://www.tbfinc.com/water.htm According to them, I should be drinking 122 ounces of water a day - almost a gallon. Water flushes out the toxins from burning fat! It also helps keep you from feeling false hunger (many people mistake thirst for hunger). Yeah, water!

With the caveat that prices can change at any time... 1/23/03 I paid $9995. This figure included my transporation from the Tijuana MexiCoach station to the Dr's office, an assistant that walked me to all my pre-op tests and checked me into the hotel, transportation to the hotel and back to the MexiCoach station, all my pre-op tests, my meeting with the psychiatrist and nutritionist, one night for two in a 5 star hotel (actually, I think it included 2 nights, but we only used one), all the hospital fees, surgeon and anesthesiologist fees. My only out of pocket costs were for the shuttle that took me from the border to the MexiCoach station and back, tips to the drivers, and my meals prior to surgery. I do not know Dr. Lopez's charge for fills - I think it's $50, but the radiology department for fills under fluro charges about $100 - it fluctuates slightly for currency values, I believe. Hope this helps!

Hi Becky - Welcome! There are lots of Mexican bandsters on this board. I am one myself. The more I read about people's experiences who had been banded in Mexico, the more my prejudice dissipated. If I ever needed to be rebanded, I would not hesitate to go back to my doctor, even if I could have it done here in the states. Good luck on your journey!

Hi Laura - Congrats on your massive loss! I want to remind everyone that this is NOT the usual amount lost for most people in 3.5 weeks, so don't be depressed and think you're doing something wrong! Most people use PB - Productive Burp. I guess BP could be "Burping Productively" lol Are you still in the mush stage? I blended chili, and that was my mainstay to help me feel full longer in the mushy stage. I also was careful to drink all my Water (a gallon a day), that helps take up room, too, and lots of hot beverages. I would not worry about eating too much at this point. Without a fill, you're band is wide open and your hunger will not be as easily satisfied as it will be later. Do not be afraid to regain some of the weight you have already lost - if you do, it will come off again. Remember, this is not a diet - this is the rest of your life! You're doing great!

Right away!!! I never let a lost pound go by uncounted... And once I lose it, I never up it back up unless I regain over 5 pounds. I figure that allows me plenty of room for normal weight fluctuations.

Whoops - sorry, Lisa! I didn't see your name at the end of the post when I was replying.

Hi Bunkie - The same thing happened to me - slightly more than a week after surgery, I felt absolutely horrible. Super painful burps, and everytime I moved I thought I was going to throw up - ACK! I hate that feeling! I just lay on the couch for 2 and a half days, drinking liquids. By Sunday I had forced myself out to the grocery store, as I was out of supplies. Had a couple bouts with nausea while there, and have been fine ever since. I did not have any anti-nausea medication available to me at the time. You have to trust your own instincts, though - never hesitate to call your doctor if you feel as though there might be something wrong. Feel better soon!