sprtsmom

You are clearly motivated and following thru with all the things that we all need to do (me included) to make this work. We all have to remember (especially me) that the band is just a tool. One spoke in the wheel! Thanks for the info. Clearly the first thing I need to do is drink more water! Lori in PA

Babs- What a great weight loss. You should be sooo proud. I know that all of us lose at different rates/speeds and have different fill amounts. But I'm curious. What's your fill, and what do you eat on an average day? Lori in PA 7/9/03 239/215/125

I am 3 months post op and just had my 5th fill. My doctor believes in going in tiny increments and since he is around the corner and the price of the fills is included in my surgery cost (self pay), I didn't argue with him. I can tell you that I had absolutely no restriction (could eat a whole steak) until my 4th fill which brought me to 2.25 cc's. But eventhough I had some restriction, I could still eat 2 cups of food at a sitting (easily). So this past week I went to 2.5cc's. There is no question about it, there is a big difference. I still am not at that "sweet spot" as I can easily eat 1-1/12 cups per sitting, but we are making progress. The MD told me that at this point each fill will only be 1/8th of a cc, as when you get past 2.5 each 1/8th of a cc makes a BIG difference. So I am going to set up an apt for next week for an 1/8 of a cc and see how that goes. Each one of us want a different level of restriction. I don't want to be able to only eat 1/2 cup, some people like that idea. I want to get down to 1 cup per sitting and if I lose a little slower because of it, so be it. I have to be able to live with the band forever. I think the key word for all of us is "patience." I have to keep reminding myself that I have been heavy forever, an extra month or two doesn't spell "failure." Lori in PA

I'm trying to understand the "anatomy" of the band. It would seem to me that regardless of the amount of fill, the pouch itself is still the same size. Therefore regardless of how tight the band itself is, there should be no difference of what can go down the esophagus into the pouch as that area wasn't touched. The only difference would be how fast/slow the pouch empties. So why do some foods...like steak..or for me fish...come right back up. Why do some foods "hurt" when they are first going into the pouch? Why does one feel more restricted at different times of the day? I'm so confused. Lori in PA 7/9/03 239/216/125

Welcome to the "otherside." Congrats on your incredible weight loss. Just stay the course, eat slowly, follow the rules, be patient. and the lbs will fall off. Lori in PA 239/215/125

I am 10 weeks post up and have pb'd 3 times. What's strange is that it is only when I eat fish. The first time I ate broiled salmon, the second - rainbow trout, and the third lobster. Each time I ate slowly and chewed. The fish was not dry. 2 nights ago I had hamburger, no problem. Last night I had lamb chops, no problem. This is so wierd. I have to change my complete "diet" mentality as to what to eat. Lori in PA

You've lost 42 lbs in 3 1/2 months and you want to speed it up? If I were you I'd keep doing exactly what I was doing and not change anything. Lori in PA

Now that I have good restriction (and my first restriction at all) at 2.25 cc's (4th fill) I find that I have to eat small amounts. I can't eat much even if I wanted to...it just won't go down. So I pick things to eat that I really want...knowing that I can only eat a little bit. For example the other day I was forced by circumstances to pick fast food for Breakfast. I got an Egg McMuffin...knowing there was no way I could eat most of it. I threw the bread away, and ate 3/4 of the egg patty out of my hand. I was very satified....and what was even better...is that a)I would never have an EggMcM when I was on a "diet" and pre-band I would have eaten two! Eating this way allows me to enjoy the foods I never allowed myself while dieting and keeps my total calorie count down and my Protein level high. Just to check myself at the end of the day I have kept track on Fitday of my foods for the last 3 days to see how its going. Curiously enough, each day I have between 60-80 grams of protein and less then 1200 calories. I am not going to be on a "diet" anymore. I will once in a while check myself to see if my protein and calories are in line. I will go to the MD in 3 weeks to get weighed. Lori in PA

Aren't you lucky! Paris! My MD is around the corner - less then 10 minutes from my house. After my consultation the only shopping I got to do was the food shopping. Good luck and have a great time! Lori in PA

I feel like an old pro...and I'm only 2 months out! Do not push yourself to eat if it is uncomfortable. At this point your body is healing. Anything before 6 weeks post up is during the healing stage and you want to give your body a rest. If you don't lose weight during this period, don't sweat it. Whenever you try to eat something..and all of a sudden you have a strange feeling...STOP. Step back..and evaluate...stay on liquids another day...try again..perhaps something different...softer/wetter...try again. Believe me you'll get there and be happier and healthier. Lori in PA

Thanks for all of your advice. I called the MD and cancelled my fill apt for tomorrow. I am going to stay at 2.25 cc's for a month and see how my weight goes. Clearly I am in a place that I can only eat 3/4 cup or so of food at a sitting. It's terrific. I feel so ready to start losing weight. So for all you newbies out there...be patient...it took me 2 1/2 months to feel any restriction at all... I went from no restriction to what seems to be perfect for now. Lori

I had my fourth fill last Friday...I now have 2.25cc's and for the first time I have restriction. I was banded on 7/9 and have never PB'd..that is until yesterday. I notice that I must eat much less...perhaps a cup of food...at a sitting. Now that won't take me from lunch all the way to dinner, so I usually have a snack (healthy) in the afternoon and evening. If the food is dry...forget about it. chicken breast just won't go down. Well yesterday was the first time that I really felt the restriction. I had a cup of chicken vegetable Soup and then I took the first bite of broiled salmon...and OOPS...it got stuck...felt like I had this GIANT burp that was stuck. I had to leave the restaurant and tried to walk around the parking lot to get some relief while I pounded on by chest..as if I was an infant needing to burb. Finally I took my courage in hand and I leaned over and tried to gag...and low and behold...by first PB. It was just like everyone discribed....I feel so apart of the bandster world now!!!! Now my question is how do I know if I have too much restriction. What are the signs? I had previously been at 2cc's with no restriction and now I am 2.25 and am finally feeling something. Should I go to 2.50 or should I stay where I am? Lori in PA