lessofme

I've been banded since Feb. 12th and have had 12 fills. I'm at 2.9 cc's and I'm not sure where to go from here. I've lost 42 lbs., but goal will be around 60, so getting close. Loss is slow now, only around 2 lbs. a month, but can't eat more than 2/3 cup of any solid food at a meal. I'm itching to loose the rest by summer. One more fill might put me over the edge. Any advice? Thanks All! My ticker is not updated, sorry.

OK...can't say my skins changed, but I do have something that has totally changed since banding in Feb. I've been able to grow fingernails for the first time in my life. Anyone else ever heard of this?

Sorry...but I'm missing something here. You've lost 30 lbs. in less than 3 months and you think you're loosing slow? You're off the charts in my book! I'm happy with 1 lb. a week! I've lost 35 since being banded on Feb. 14th. Only have 20 more to go, but I'm feeling pretty good about the pace. I just had my 10th fill, and am barely arriving at 2/3 cup of solid food per meal. Can't quite eat that much now. I was told a Lean Cusine was still too much (1 1/4 c. on average)...so I'm still getting there. Found that not being able to eat anything...only lasts for a while, then things change. Like a rollercoaster for me, but I'm a happy camper with 35 lbs.! Hang in there...

Hi all you Utahn's...I'm also from Utah...currently So. Jordan. Born and raised in SLC. Dr. Hansen is my Dr., but have really only seen him on the very first follow up visit. Nurses only from then on. Best part is...all of his nurses have all been banded, so they totally know what you're going through..they can give you personal hits etc. Kind of cool. Good to hear from my neighbors! (8 fills...30 lbs. lost but a lower BMI to begin with) About 25-30 lbs to go. So far, so good

I'm totally backwards I guess..but the worst is the first week on liquids..then the mushy stage...which is just hard to find enough to keep you full..after that (3-5 weeks post op) was really the hard part for me. I was able to eat far too much! Just my opinion, but the couple of weeks prior to your first fill would really be a good time to go out of town. There's little or no restriction yet, but you're still healing, therefore you still need to stick to the soft foods. Quantity wise, you'll probably be able to eat more than you think. Just pick around the meats, unless there's some good soft turkey with gravy or something to choose from. I'd just load up your suitcase with cup of noodles & oatmeal packets in case the choices are not perfect for soft food. You can always add Water and fill in the gaps that way. Then..come home and start fills until you get there...I'm 5 months post op and I have a much harder time traveling now that I have a lot of restriction than I was 1 month out. Good luck & congratulations!!

Just had my 8th fill yesterday. Suppose to be on mushies today... Breakfast (every weekday at work around 9:30...) 2 envelopes Kashi (hot Cereal, made with less Water than calls for). I top it off with a teaspoon of brown sugar, a few raisins and 5-6 pecans. It's very yummy and seems to keep me very full till almost 1:00. lunch - usually a clear type soup or I go through a salad bar and get a cup of toppings only. I add some fat free ranch and shake it up. I get finely diced up chicken, bacon, cabbage, egg, mostly the good Proteins...can't usually eat it all, maybe 2/3 c. dinner - husband eats before I get home, so usually a Lean Cusine. Snack before bed - 2 c. skim milk with Hershey's syrup. Seem's like a dessert

It really feels like all the mini lumps...just out of place. It feel about the size of a garbanzo bean. It doesn't move..but actually get's sore due to my constant rubbing...trying to make sure it was a lump and not just my normal "lumpy" tissue. I think you keep checking, hoping it was just one of those infection lumps...and it would go away. A diagnostic mammogram is different in that the radiologist actually reads them during the testing, goes back for more tests, does a physical test..and possibly an ultrasound as well. Should know right then, the make-up of the lump..then we go from there. Might need a biopsy at that point, not sure what would be next. I figure it's no use getting all worked up about it till I have to. Thanks for your concern

Thanks! I'm also 54...hoping it's just a cyst or something. Just had a mammogram in Oct. of 06 so I'm pretty surprised at finding a lump. Still feels kind of strange telling people I have a band I guess. I'll jump back on tomorrow night after I have some answers.

Just found a lump in my left breast. Gulp. Thought it was enough just to deal with my new band (since Feb.). Anyone had a diagnostic Mammogram since being banded? I've had plenty of them (1 per year since I was 40)...but I'm more nervous for this one tomorrow with the band.

Nope. Dr. checked it too, since then, I just see the nurses. They said lots of people have rashes by the incisions, they just dont like injecting through an irritated area. Thing is..the only one that was red, was the one where the port is. They also asked me if I was allergic to latex. Guess they thought it was from the tape. Duh...there are 4 more..they were all fine. It was really sore there too..like it was way too close to my rib cage. I had to sit up straight all the time.

I had the red irritated area under the port as well. It was still there at my 5 week check up. They were a little surprised it hadn't cleared up and I was afraid they wouldn't give me a fill. They still did...but had to do a lot of poking to get it filled as not do inject right in the rash type area. Finally went away..but my first fill was not very pleasant. I got very light-headed, probably just nerves. It does eventually go away, but I was pretty concerned too.

From what I've read from over 50 bandsters...it's a slower journey. I feel like my age (54) and the fact that I began with a lower BMI (33) which also seems to add to the lower weight loss per week. I'm averaging 5.5 lbs. per month. Banded Feb. 12th, lost 30 lbs. so far. I've had 6 fills..go in again on Friday, but doubt I'll get another fill. Might get close to 3/4 of a cup of good solid food..but a little on the painful side. I would be happy to stay where I'm at..even 1 lb. a week would make me happy. Kind of discouraging when you read of people loosing 30 lbs. right off the bat. Have to be tough..I know I can't eat much less...hanging in there..seems slower than I had planned on though :eek:

My BMI was 33.5 when I had my surgery in mid Feb. 07. Normally, 35 is best, but I had high BP, backpain and a few other discomforts...I pretty much ruled out even going through my insurance, so I didn't bother. I think it's pretty much the same as having any type of cosmetic work done..if you're willing to pay, what can they say? Good luck! I'm down 22 lbs but only had 50+ to loose, so I feel pretty good.

I burp a bunch of times...every time I eat! Kind of embarrassing. I get the hiccups too, but only for a short time. I was banded in February and it's hasn't stopped yet. Maybe it's a new part of our "banded character" ??

pacupatty I'm on BP meds too, along with several others. I worried about getting them down, cut them all in half first, but turned out I had no problem at all. I was told to take them like always. Band get's tighter in the morning, so if you can, switch to nights for a while it might be easier. Mine aren't too large though. I'd worry more about them after you get your first fill or two. Feels a lot different then, believe me.

simmons775 Exactly! I think we're on our own for now. I guess the hardest part after paying $13K out of pocket for my band...is that I'm so ready to take a break from dieting on my own. 25 years of fighting the lbs. by myself is enough! I was anxious to let the million dollar "band" control my portions rather than my brain for a change. Instead, I'm finding myself measuring, counting, literally dieting once again. Kind of discouraging. Glad to hear I'm not alone though. Be sure to tell the Dr./nurse the truth about what you're actually able to eat comfortably, so they'll be agressive enough with your fill to do some good! Sound's like the fill amount is totally based on what you can eat.

I'm in the same boat. Just got my first fill on Monday (had to beg for a 5 week post op fill)...and they only added .5cc's which is literally nothing. I can't tell one bit of difference, and could probably eat an entire cheesecake by myself! Are you gaining any weight? I was more worried about that than anything. I lost my initial 13 or so lbs. the first week. Since then, nothing much. I think inches are coming off though. Another fill scheduled on Monday. I'm going to talk them into a much more agressive fill. Hang in there...we'll both make it. I'm sure we won't be able to eat normally for long!

Been reading about other "first fills", and I'm a bit on the discouraged side. I've had my first fill on Monday the 19th, of only .5cc's. My nurse has the personality of a rock...and I was pretty nervous. Took MANY pokes (2 different needles) to find the port, then after all that, I can't even tell I've had a fill at all. I was restricting my portions, just because I knew I wasn't suppose to eat more than 2/3 cup at any one time. Evidently, had I told her I was able to eat 2-3 cups of food I would have been able to get a more agressive fill. Didn't know this was a game Now I've begged for someones cancelled apt. to have another fill on Monday the 26th. I'm just mad that I have to go through all this again so soon. I had no vomiting, etc. so I can't figure what they're basing the fill amt. on. I have a low BMI (35) to begin with, so I would have thought I'd need a more agressive fill. Any thoughts how I can convey my need to get on the road to weight loss?

hil26 - Totally feel your pain! Yes, it will go away, eventually. I had my surgery on 2/12 and it was almost 3 weeks till I felt like I didn't have a basketball in my chest/stomach. I also had a lot of shoulder pain from the excess air. That was almost worse than any tummy pain. I used one of those spa neck wraps heated for 2 minutes in the microwave. It literally became a part of me for a couple of weeks. The area by my port is still tender after 4 weeks. I was pretty surprised anything would still cause some pain. Here's wishing you luck! I've only lost 10 lbs. so far (first week)...which is a little discouraging, but Dr. said anything lost prior to getting a fill is pretty much a bonus and due to diet change. We're all good at dieting, but in the end, I think we want to be able to sit and eat a regular meal like everybody else, just be able to control our portions without starving. You can do it. After the first 4-5 days my Dr. said it's OK to use 800 mg. Ibuprophen every 6 hrs. It helped sooooo much more than the liquid Tylenol. Hang in there...first fill next Mon. I'll keep you posted!

Need help from any banded International travelers out there. I received my band on Feb. 12th, so far so good. I'm very anxious for a fill since I know I can eat almost anything right now, and 2/3 cup of mushies does not last till next meal. I have my first fill scheduled on the 19th of March. My Dr.'s OK with an early fill due to an upcoming trip to China mid April. I'm nervous that there won't be enough time to adjust to the first fill, possibly add more, to travel overseas? I keep reading about bloating during air-travel and am worried that I'll have trouble on a 14 hr. flight. Also, what can I possibly take with me to eat if I have trouble with airline food? Any suggestions? :paranoid

Thanks for the traveling advice. My Dr. recommended about 1.5cc's for the first fill. He seemed to think that wasn't too risky. Also, he said I could come in a week later if I needed to and still have time to adjust. I appreciate all the help. Good idea to take the card from the packet. It'll be a good trip, I'm sure I'm worring over nothing. Thanks again!

Thanks so much for the information. I'm a little nervous about China...when everyone say's how hard Rice goes down! :omg: I appreciate the comment...and will pack some goodies for the trip, just in case. Thanks again!

I also had only 55 lbs to loose. I guess I'll never really understand the pre-op dieting thing. We wouldn't need the surgery if we could get the weight off and keep it off ourselves. I was banded Feb. 12th by Dr. Hansen in SLC Ut., and he's done hundreds of surgeries, including my daughter's a year ago. Must feel the HBP, high cholesterol, backpain, sleeping problems, low self esteem and general depression from trying to get these 60 lbs off for 30 years is a good enough reason to allow it. Also, why should a Dr. feel any different about banding, vs. any other body image altering surgery if we're willing to pay for it?

I'm sure anyone in the same situation would know what MRSA is, but for us "casual viewers"...can you explain?

Sounds like everybody's definition of "liquid diet" is a little different. I'm sure you'll get information (written) from your Dr. on this prior to your surgery. Everyone in my pre-surgery seminar were told that clear liquids does not mean "see through"..liquids. I promise you, clear bouillion will get very tiresome for two weeks! broth from canned Water based soups such as vegetable beef, chicken noodle etc. will feel much more substantial than bouillion. Just heat it up with everything in it, strain and toss all but the broth and it tastes great. I really needed something hot for lunch and dinner and felt I deserved a real can of Soup with seasonings since that's almost all I could eat. Only problem is you'll probably be pretty hungry fairly soon afterwards. I would find myself starving in the middle of the night, shaking a little, so I'd get myself a small glass of OJ which was enough to get my blood sugar up a bit and stop my stomach from growling. Good luck! Be sure to get as many calories as you can in the clear liquid stage. Banded 2/12/07 First fill coming up on the 19th of March! Yippee