leatha_g

There is no set schedule for fills as each and every band and person with a band is different. They do say that 'sneaking' up on the sweet spot is the best way. Too aggresive fills leads to more complications. Amounts mean nothing really, it's which one works best for you. I think they took 2.4ccs out of mine when it was extremely uncomfortable. Before that I was at 2.0 which was pretty perfect. Good luck!

rolling on the floor laughing my ass off.

I agree with Megan. If you've had a sudden onset of reflux at night. This could be several things. Most importantly, when was your last flouro or Upper GI to make sure all is well with your band? If all that's been 'ok'd, then maybe your last fill is too tight? Or maybe you've gotten a hiatal hernia? Or maybe you just need to be taking Nexium or some type of GERD medication for a while. As always, any change like this would definitely warrant calling your doctor. Just to be safe. Please let us know what you find out.

Good luck to you, Tied2!! Let us know how it goes for you!! Just think, once they get this thing in place, you'll be able to get fills as needed, which means more weight loss coming your way!!

Way to go Patty!! Very uplifting post! I agree that focusing on 'day' is NOT what this is about. I have been thinking about this the past few days. The reason why is because I remember fretting so much when I was at 12lbs lost and waiting and waiting, then somewhere I crossed 25 - I really don't even remember when. People kept asking me around 33. I really can't tell you where the 40's went and I don't remember hitting 50. It just dawned on me in June that I had lost 60lbs! How, I'll never know, but it sure seemed like a snail's pace to me and it was so subtle that I really never realized where it was going or even how. Today, it's 63 and I am just in awe! I'm looking at the scales, thinking 187. If I can hit 187 after all these years, I might have a chance at 185 or 180 or even less!! Amazing! Just keep doing the next best thing! It works! Leatha

We'll do the best we can, C. Look at your stats. I can see where you've already lost a considerable amount of weight. I don't know how long you've been banded, but, to me it doesn't matter. What matters is that you've already lost this weight, so you don't really want to go backwards and undo what you've already done. That is my only saving grace - being un-filled. At first, I felt myself gravitating towards the hamburger joint and then it dawned on me that whatever I choose to do will have an impact on how far I've already come. That scares me. Please don't give up. Try to name what it is that urges you to eat. Write about it, post here, get up and go for a walk. So you've had a bad day of choices. It's okay - don't beat yourself up. Just resolve to make the next day a little better. We didn't get here overnight and we're sure not going to be finished overnight. Hold on til you can see the doc!! We'll be rooting for you here!

Welcome Gina! Fasten your seat belt and hold on tight - this crowd can be quite a ride!! Sounds like you're doing a great job! Keep it up girl ! Leatha

Welcome Dianne!! I wish you smooth sailing with your insurance carrier. Actually - you just learn to eat slower, chew well and pay attention to what you are putting in your mouth. Proteins first, then veggies, if you still have room anything else. You can definitely eat sweets although, this will definitely slow your weight loss down. Surprisingly enough, you'll find that you eat far less of these things as the band actually does affect your hunger. This is more about YOU and changing the 'why' you eat. It is for life. In my case; I found it to be a great relief to me that I no longer go to bed at night feeling stuffed and miserable. I think that's the best side effect of the band that I have, besides the obvious - weight loss. Stick around, ask questions, we're all in various stages of banding or preparing to be banded so surely there is someone who can help you with any anxieties.

:alien I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness. I will not succumb to this mass madness..

That IS very sad and I'm so glad I didn't go there. Hello ladies, welcome! I've heard this band called 'the thinking person's wls' and I totally agree. This band helps you to learn to make the right choices and believe me, if I can lose 62lbs with it, anyone can. I'm the world's worst sinner, but even with that I'm 62 lbs lighter and still moving down the scale. As for the Protein. The reason you want that first is because as you lose you do not want to lose your lean muscle mass. In order to help prevent this, you must take in enough protein to maintain that balance. The rules are easy, protein first, veggies second, starches if you still have room. Drink, drink, drink, walk, walk, walk. I love my band!!

Yessum. Everyone goes through this on the liquid phase. Your tummy is beginning to heal and there will definitely be hunger pangs. I just keep pouring more stuff in it. I think that helps. It seems like the one very important thing that many people are not told is the the first 6 weeks are sometimes the very hardest. You're on liquids and mushy foods to begin with to allow your stomach to heal without having to work to grind up more solid foods. This time is needed to allow the stomach to become 'seated' and grow scar tissue that hopefully helps in preventing the band to slip sometime down the road. Often people begin eating much faster without really understanding how important this initial 6 weeks of healing is for. I'm doing liquids right now, too and will be moving into soft/mushy foods this coming week, so I feel your pain. I've been tracking my intake on www.fitday.com and even though I feel like I'm continuously pouring something else in, I'm still not getting in over 800 calories a day. Are you restricted to Clear Liquids or are you able to also take in full liquids at this time? Congratulations on your banding! Just remember, this is only temporary.

lmao!!

ROTRO!! Here we go!!

Haha. How come I never seen this post until now? Strange. Thank you all so much!! Yes, Babs, my birthday is Christmas in July too. Aww.. I'm touched. Thanks guys.. but How come I never seen this until today?? I do the 'view new post's every time.. hmm.. ?

Someone mentioned Fredericksburg for a place to possibly get together. I found this link that tells about hotels, lodging, etc. I am single - so my weekends are usually pretty free. However, I will be in Los Angeles the week of August 16th, so I don't think I can make it the weekend after which would be the 21st. The weekend after that would be Labor Day, right? No hurry - this is purely for input and discussion. http://www.wliinc2.com/cgi/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirecatn?catid=39&city=&lcZip=&client=FDCC

lol, my screen name is Lethalwoman everywhere else band boards. 'tis just me..

I understand. I have to fight that same demon, sometimes it wins, sometimes it doesn't. Now, the waking up choking is another story. This you should NOT be doing. Are you seriously tight during the day? It's interesting how this works. Sometimes, it's because you have too tight of a fill. In my case, the Dr now says I had a hiatal hernia that could have been the culprit. I am no medical expert, so of course you need to see your doctor, but, just to be safe, please try to eat as far away from bedtime as possible. If the band is allowing food to settle above the stomach up until you lay down to sleep, this can cause you to aspirate in the night. Aspiration pneumonia is something none of us wants and I hear it takes a while to get over it. Either way, it's dangerous to be spitting up in your sleep and darn nerve wracking. I did it for a while and I got to where I was afraid to go to sleep. :think Also, try bolstering yourself with enough pillows to get your head above your chest. I know.. it's very frustrating. I wound up having to eat nothing else like at least 3-4 hrs before I went to bed. Even that didn't always work. Once they un-filled me, it went away immediately. So, no, please don't get another fill on top of it. Does your dr use flouro to give your fills? If not, maybe he would order an Upper GI to make sure everything looks okay.

I'm in Plano and I don't know what your meeting schedule might be like. I normally work during the day but might be able to get together somewhere in the evening. There are several others in the area too. I understand what it's like having to attend meetings or have dinner with your travel companions, so just let us know what you'll be available for and we'll go from there. ?? Leatha

LMAO!! You two could be dangerous in the same room.. :laugh

46lbs in 11 weeks???:cool: No fill?? You are doing great! I had to start another thread so I didn't hijack the other. I bet you are feeling awesome!! Keep it up girl!! :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny :banana :Bunny

I think I was approved and done in about 4 weeks?

Oh! Very cool! We will be working at USC Norris Cancer Center. I travel with a team, so I don't often get too far from them. They're also workaholics so sometimes it's late, so I don't know what kinda social arrangements I can make. We will be staying at the Westin Bonaventure downtown LA - without a car, which sorta sucks too. But, I'll definitely try to remember to call. Thank you!

My hiccups are really not your normal repeated hiccups. It's usually one BIG hiccup. Sorta like your diaphragm suddenly declaring it's existence? That was 'my sign' before this second surgery. Interestingly, this time I've had some other signs, like suddenly feeling like I need to sneeze and not really sneezing. The scratchy throat and suddenly having a coughing problem. I had this the first time around. But, if I get to that one big hiccup, I'm done.

Tina, Here's wishing you a safe and very successful banding journey. We'll be here waiting to hear how it went when you feel up to posting. My biggest suggestions. Lipbalm/Carmex for your dry lips after surgery. A 'cough' pillow for your sore tummy when you need to cough/sneeze/move. I take a flat sheet and fold it into a compact square, then tape it across so that it doesn't come open. The sheet is much more 'solid' than a fluffy pillow and gives you more support while taking up a whole lot less room. It will be your best friend for at least the next few days. I promise. It's always normal to be nervous but it seems the best thing for that (to me), is to be grateful for being allowed to have this opportunity. I thanked my 'higher power' all the way to the OR table, for allowing me to be there - and it helped so much. I can't wait to hear how it goes!!

Sadly, this worries me too. I didn't go to Mexico, but it does seem like the Lapband or any WLS has suddenly become everyone's 'cash cow' so to speak. I believe that many of these people have gotten into the business because they genuinely care about obesity and those who are trying to free themselves from it. But with my limited experience, lately, I'm getting a feeling of something a bit more sinister. Even here in the DFW area, I've met people who genuinely care and yes, they're making money. I don't begrudge them that, but when it comes to sugar-coating the truths of the bigger picture just because it means $$$ in your pocket at the risk of someone's health. I think it stinks. I've met opportunists here who are jumping on the 'band' wagon so to speak, simply because they see it as big bucks easily made. I really don't see their sincerity when it comes right down to an individuals well-being. I'm hearing stories of them in other places. Maybe they originally wanted to "help' people, but once telling the truth isn't as important as making a sell, there is definitely something wrong. There is a saying in 12 step groups 'you're only as sick as your secrets'. When people start 'shushing' me, it really worries me. I do not appreciate an undercurrent of secrecy especially when it concerns my health or my pocketbook. anyway.. better not go there, but yea.. I'm feeling a sort of 'carnival/snake oil' type of approach from some of these folks and I hope other people feel it too and put them out of business. This is our lives we're talking about, not a used car.