sHeLLaBee

I only went in for a fill every 6 weeks and there were a few I skipped, so sometimes it was every 12 weeks. I think you will be fine. Also, I have heard from people who are traveling by plane with the band that it feels tighter anyway. It has something to do with the cabin air pressure, the same way it effects your ears. So, you may even fill tighter than you actually are. Good luck!

Lap-Band AP (Advanced Performance) is the brand name of a gastric band produced by Allergan. They have 10cc (standard) and 14cc (large) bands, which is used is strictly based on the thickness of your stomach lining and is determined at time of surgery. There is another company who produced a gastric band called the Realize band. I believe they are mainly on the east coast. I am at 7cc in a 10cc Lap-Band and am great. I know people who are at 4cc in a 14cc band and they are good too. I personally know people who also have the Realize band and it is basically all working for them the same way as it is for me. Hope this helps!

Thanks everybody for your encouragement! I weighed in this morning at 188.8, so I am down about 3lbs for the month. =) I definitely need to find some type of dance class or something that will keep me interested. Thanks again!

My final weigh in for the month is 188.8. Didn't quite meet my goal, but at least I am down! =) Hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving! See you in December!

Yes! I have the hardest time in the AM. I only eat oatmeal or a protein shake for breakfast. Everything else makes me really uncomfortable.

192.4. Gain, ugh.

Def gas. Walk alot. It helps. Also, heating pads and pain meds. Mine lasted a few months. I am now one year out and still have those pains if i over eat. =/ I've heard there is a nerve that can be damaged by the surgery and cause this, but I can't find anything about it. Hope you feel better soon!!

I also just kept with my docs scale until I was at my one year mark. Now I only have to see him every 6 months, so I've been using my own scale. Just stick with the same one, whether it's the office or yours. They all vary so much.

I'm at 7cc in a 10cc band and am perfect! It took 5 fills to get there and over 7 months, but it's all good now. =) I am now just trying to re-learn everything and completely change my habits, not just "diet". It takes time, but I can tell I'm getting there. Good luck!

It is forever and I thought it would be super hard for me because I always had something to drink in my hand, but I have found that it isn't. I drink a lot while I'm not eating so that keeps me hydrated. Maybe that makes me want to not drink while I'm eating? Not sure. It will get better.

Yeah, it sounds like we both should be. =/ We knew about 50lbs ago that my port had tilted forward. They said it was due to the weight loss and it was no big deal, but I think I'm going to get mine checked as well.

If that is where your port is located then that is the answer to your question. I had my surgery on Friday (over a year ago) and went back to work after one week off, but my port incision was sore for, at least, 2 months. =/ Heating pad and baby Tylenol were my best friends. Start some light stretching (if ok'd by your doc) and that will prob help...

Papaya is suppoed to be amazing for that. I have some on hand, just in case, but I ahven't had to use it yet. Good luck!

In my personal opinion, I don't see why visiting a doctor would make you eat better. To each their own and whatever works for you, stick to it, definitely! I just don't think it would make a difference for me. I am currently at 7cc in my 10cc band and am only able to eat what I should be eating (quantity). The problem is I can still make bad choices and no one can fix that but me. You don't have to be doctor dependent to be successful with the lapband. Obviously, any medical issues should be directed that way and if you have a nutrionist that is aware of your situation that may help. If anything I think a support group would be great for accountability. It makes you want to do good because those people are doing good and are going to see you next month. Haha. Good luck!

I am only a little over a year out and feeling the same way! I haven't gained any weight back, but am at a major plateau and I know it's due to my habits. I haven't worked out in months and am eating pretty much what I want. A big problem is scheduling my time. I need to make myself have time to work out and eat correctly. Good luck to you all!

191.0 I think the same as last week?? I thought I was losing!

Unjury is great. Unflavored or it comes in many flavors and you can pretty much dissolve it in anything. In some things you will still notice that chalky effect that powders give, but that is the best one I've come across. Unjury also has a chewable multivitamin specifically designed for LapBand patients. I love it.

Agreed. I guarantee I don't eat that much a day. I struggled for awhile trying to get that much in and talked to my doc about it. He says that as long as I know how much protein I'm getting in and I'm taking all my vitamins and such that I should not stress myself out trying to count calories. I have pretty much figured out the basics and don't need to count down to each individual calorie. You figure it out after a while and it comes natural so the counting and weighing, etc doesn't last forever. I have had my tests done and it confirmed that all my levels are good and I'm eating a good amount, so I don't freak out about it anymore. I am just trying to actually live my life now. Being fat, my whole life focused on food for years. I don't want it to be that way now. I really tried to learn what I could and now I am able to live my life with the changes I have made and the new skills I have learned. It's pretty amazing. Good luck!

My highest weight when I started my 2 week pre-op diet on 09/23/11 was 276lbs. I was banded 10/7/11 at 258.3 lbs with nothing added to my 10cc band. First fill: 10/31 for 3.5cc at 249lbs. Second: 12/12 for 1cc at 237.5lbs Third: 02/08 for 1cc at 228.5lbs Fourth: 04/09 for 1cc at 225lbs Last: 07/03 for .5cc at 213lbs I am now at 188lbs and loving my band! Everyone is different and you will find a comfortable spot eventually. It took me 8 months, so don't get frustrated or over-anxious. I'm glad my weight loss has been slow and steady. No major health issues and less excess skin! WoOhOo! Good luck!

Hello! I was banded 10/7/11 with 0 added to my 10cc band at time of surgery. My fill schedule went as follows... 10/31 +3.5cc 12/12 +1cc 02/08 +1cc 04/09 +1cc 07/03 +.5cc I am now at 7cc and in the perfect place. =) It just took a little time to get where I needed to be. I know people who are at 4cc in the same band and they are also good. It depends on you. Just be honest with the doc about how you feel and they should be able to get you to the right place. It took me 8 months! Good luck!

I have heard it makes a big difference. I have more hair than I know what to do with, so the minor hair loss was not a big deal to me. Be careful if you have any condition that causes unwanted hair growth. PCOS, for example. It causes hair to grow on your chin, stomach and nipple area. If you take Biotin it will multiply by 10! Good luck!

I have felt for the last few months that I have been in this state of suspension. I thought I wasn't moving anywhere, up or down. I decided to look back at the monthly challenges, that Lisa Holland so graciously organizes each month, and I see that I have actually been steadily losing! WoOhOo! 08/01 - 205 lbs 09/01 - 198.8 lbs 10/01 - 195.2 lbs 11/01 - 191 lbs ...and this morning I weighed in at 188! So, 17 lbs in almost 15 weeks. I'm not thinking that is too shabby! Averaging more than a pound a week, do you guys think that is a fair loss based on your experiences? Of course, more is always better. Just curious if that even seems like a plateau or if I am doing ok?? FYI, ate tons of candy in October and haven't worked out in a month, so I know I can be doing better and have started to pick things up. What are your thoughts!?

Thanks PattyGirl66! You guys have just reassured me that I am on the right track. =) Love my LapBand!

Honestly?? The hardest part was the 2 week liquid diet through the one month after surgery (healing and adjusting to new diet). It really hasn't been hard since then. It gets complicated sometimes, going out to restaurants and stuff, but I figured it out pretty quick. You will learn by process of elimination what you can and can not eat, which is different for everyone. I wanted this so bad for so long I just kind of adjusted into it and have been pretty successful. =) You can't look at it like you are going to be on a life long diet. You are changing your lifestyle all together and keeping it that way. Once you find what works for you, that's what you do. My advice would be 1) Take a lot of pics! You want to be able to look back and see what you have done. 2) Don't try to be perfect and not eat sweets or other "bad" stuff, like pizza. I have not deprived myself of that stuff and have still lost 88lbs. I just get thin crust and I only can eat half a slice. I, honestly, eat ice cream at least once a week. I just go for half the amount and stick with fat/sugar free and no toppings if at all possible. =) You will learn what is best or you! Good luck.

I can chew bread, yes, but I can not physically get it down. I'm a little over a year out from surgery and that still stands true. I take little pieces here and there if I get a craving, but your body pretty much adjusts, well at least mine did. Things I shouldn't eat I don't even want anymore, except ice cream. =) I can't eat/don't want pasta, rice, bread or tortillas anymore. It could be my body figuring out that the end result is not fun with any of those and just ceasing to crave it. Good luck and don't worry! It gets soooo much easier.