momlambert

I have the same problem, Carol, except I've only lost 21 lbs. since March 19. I now have 3.1 cc in my 4 cc band and am feeling a bit of restriction finally so I'm hopeful that my next fill in 2 weeks will give me better restriction. My doctor said that sometimes people with a 4 cc band have up to 5-6 cc in their band--that they use to think a 4 cc band would only hold 4 cc but now they've realized it can hold a lot more on some people. Anyway, I think I'm getting closer--at least I hope I am. Luckily for me, I only told my husband, my sister, and my children and I know they are watching and expecting more but they seem to just think it's another diet failure for me. I hope I can prove otherwise once I get some restriction and once I lose and don't regain what I lost. Here's hoping!

Wow, Wendy! 70 lbs! That is just awesome. I'm so jealous! Who did your surgery? How many fills have you had? Good for you working our your emotional issues in healthier ways than eating. Been there, done that! Good luck to you on your journey.

My doctor advised that when flying after a fill, to try sipping water on the flight before eating anything just to be sure it would go down. I imagine it would be good to do the same after banding. Apparently, flying can change the tightness of the band. My rings are always tighter after I have flown--my doctor says it's the same principle with the band, sometimes your band is tighter than others and it often corresponds with the tightness of your rings (not just when flying but day to day).

That's such a tough decision. I had to make one similar to it and chose to get the band six months earlier and self-pay. We used retirement money (I figured if I didn't have the band i wouldn't live to use the money anyway) but it only cost about $13,000 and that includes a year of fills. My problem was that our current insurance didn't cover it and there was a strong possibility that my husband would be hired to be a professor and that insurance would cover it. I didn't want to wait six months and wasn't sure that he would be hired that soon or that they would cover it anyway so we went ahead. It was the best decision--he didn't get the offer (hasn't finished his dissertation) and I'm 20+ lbs. lighter and finally have a decent fill after six months of trying to have restriction. I'm glad these last six months are behind me. I just know I would weigh 30-40 lbs. more than I do now if I hadn't gone ahead. My biggest concern (besides the money itself) was that I might have complications and then have to self-pay for that as well. Luckily, everything went smoothly. One thing that helped me through the decision was that my doctor said that they have found that most insurance companies only pay for one surgery so if I did have a slipped band or erosion later, the new company would probably pay for that then but wouldn't if they had paid for the initial surgery. Anyway, I feel great about the decision. Good luck with your personal decision--it is such a hard one to make. Let us know what you decide!

My first symptom of fullness is a pain in my left shoulder. Once that starts, I know I better quit or I'll progress to the "stuck pill" feeling, pressure in my chest, and burping. Twice I haven't "listened" and have then progressed to swallowing hard, sliming, and a pb. It IS a learning experience and we are all different so we have to learn for ourselves. I agree that one of the band's greatest purposes is causing discomfort for eating too much--when we go too far and experience pain, the band has done it's behavior modification job! I'm trying not to be a slow or stubborn learner.

ONE-derland! How ONE-derful! Congrats--I hope to be right behind you. Way to go!

Congrats, Juli. Won't it be great when we don't have ANY x's???? We won't be x-rated any longer! Wooohooo.

Dance away, Mischievous1! Congrats! I had my 7th fill a week ago and FINALLY feel SOME restriction--I'm so excited! I'm at 3.1 in my 4 cc band. The restriction is only with the first bite and then if I wait a few minutes it subsides and I can eat pretty much like normal--maybe just a little less. But I'm optimistic and finally feel like I actually have a band! Woohoo! Jobyone, give your DH a huge hug for me--tell him I totally understand. I didn't have a preop diet so didn't lose then but I did lose for a few weeks after the band was placed and then absolutely nothing since. I was banded almost 6 months ago so I've gone about 5 months with no restriction whatsoever. It's so disheartening! You have all these expectations and, even though they seem realistic, they aren't even partially met. It's so tough. I hope it doesn't take him 7 fills to get some restriction but tell him that if it does, he's no alone. Hugs all around. Good luck everyone!

That's right, Sugarbear. Isn't that crazy? There were a few times I felt like I had a bit of restriction but before the 6th fill I didn't even feel like I had a band. Finally I have a bit--especially after my first bite of the day. But that dissipates quickly and i can still eat way too much. I am hopeful though! I go back in two more weeks for another fill. I'm thinking that may be THE ONE. So we continue our quest toward the "sweet spot" right? Good luck!

You guys are great--what a group! (And where are all those other Marchies???) I started solids today after my fill on Wednesday and guess what? I ACTUALLY FELT SOME RESTRICTION!!! Wooohoooo! I had a piece of homemade wheat bread toasted for Breakfast and only could finish 1/2 of it. Then I ate a peach for lunch and I ate it all but could feel the tightness starting. I'm just so excited to finally have restriction. Maybe this is it, or maybe I'm finally getting close! Hope I can learn how to use my band now without too many PB's (not that I don't want to join your group, gals). Thanks for the support and have a great and healthy weekend everyone!

Sorry about your knees, Mary! I have one knee that just kills me when I go up and down stairs but I'm hoping losing weight will help. I was worried about that when I signed the year contract at Curves but they said that with the year contract you can put your membership on hold if you have a doctor's note--a month at a time--and they won't charge you for those months. You then have to get a doctor's note to start again but I thought it was a good policy so that you don't get charged for something that is out of your control. "Oldies days" definitely sound fun!

I signed up last night and had my first workout today--I really liked it! As far as the year contract, you don't have to commit to that. You have to pay a joining fee (which is half price right now--$76 + tax) and then you either pay $36 a month if you sign a year contract or $46 (I think) a month if you want to pay month by month. There are a few perks with the year membership but I won't go into that now. The current special ends next week and they don't know (or won't tell) what the next special will be, although my lady said that usually the specials are 30% off, not 50%. This is the summer special and the monthly fee was waived but since it's the end of summer you have to pay again in Sept. Anyway, it was fun and I can feel muscles I haven't felt for a long time. The workout took 20 minutes and then 10 minutes for stretching. The music was fine for me (some oldies but I didn't hear "MY GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD" ). There were about 6 people there when I arrived but they were just finishing and by the time I left there were just three of us. The lady was really nice and helpful and made me comfortable with my ability level. Of course, there had to be one size 2 20-something girl there (to inspire, right?). The rest of the ladies were probably in my 40-65 age range. I'm actually anxious to go back tomorrow! Thanks, everyone, for your input. It's nice to hear from people who have tried it. You guys are great!

Yes, Carol--that's me, too. I just had my 7th fill yesterday and now have 3.1 in my 4 cc band. I don't know yet if I have restriction, since I'm on mushies today and liquids yesterday. My fill nurse said that it is normal for some people to feel little or no restriction at this level of fill. I asked her how much fill is possible in a 4 cc band and it shocked me that she said some people have 5 or 6 cc's! Isn't that crazy? She said that they used to think a 4cc would only hold 4cc's but that isn't the case, they have found. I hope I'm not one of those people--I'm SO ready for restriction! I've been really discouraged, too--it's been five months and the only weight I've really lost was in the very beginning. I'm hopeful that I'm on the way now and I'm actually going to join Curves this morning. I'm so sick of dieting (for 5 months now without restriction) but I'm recommitting today to doing all I can--stepped up exercise and diet--to get things going. I just hope I have restriction to help. We can do this, Carol. Good luck to everyone!

Thanks SO much, Crabcake. I'll go tomorrow and consider the costs. I'm assuming they have different plans for different costs and lengths of time (a month or a year, for example). I think I'm looking for a "trial membership" if they have such a thing. Anyway, thanks so much for your quick response. I need something other than walking every day. I got my 7th fill today and am at 3.1 in my 4 cc band so I'm energized and optimistic that the band will start helping me out with some restriction and subsequent results. Here's hoping!

I was banded just over 5 months ago and just had my 7th fill today (.3 cc) so I'm now at 3.1 in a 4 cc band. Hope this one does the trick! As of last night (before the fill) I could still eat a whole hamburger or three pieces of pizza with the crust and not feel any restriction. I am crossing my fingers for restriction!

Speaking of exercise, have any of you had experience with Curves? I've heard some good things about it and am thinking maybe that is what I need. I checked out their website and it talks about a 6-week weight loss program. what is that? Do you do that along with the exercise or is it a separate program? I may have to go check it out. We're staying with our daughter right now while our house is being finished and I saw a Curves down the street so I thought maybe now would be a good time to try it out. our house will be done Oct 12 so I could do the 6-week program. Anxious to hear...

When are your seminars, Trying? Good luck. Let us know how they go and if you have any questions we can collectively answer. Get all the info you can and look forward to the future!

Oh, for sure, Andrea. Having second thoughts is perfectly normal (not having second thoughts is probably NOT normal, actually). Good luck to you and congrats on your progress. Hang in there--you WILL succeed!

Congrats, Andrea! That is just awesome. Yeah, we've all heard comments like your husband's--I hope he can be supportive of you because you will need it. People who don't struggle with weight as we do just have no idea. Good luck to you!

Great news, Alexandra! You cut that red tape like no other--congrats!

We all have our ups and downs--before the band as well as after. Don't be too hard on yourself--it sounds like you are making some great forward strides on your road to health. Keep it up, you'll do just fine. Good luck with your surgeon!

I haven't had great success with the band (yet) but am still really happy that I have it. I just couldn't face having my insides rearranged through RNY and this did and still does seem like the best option for me. Congrats on your band!

Congrats on your fill, Carol. That sounds pretty aggressive--I hope it works for you! As far as the liquids after the fill, I think it's because the stomach can become irritated from the tightening so you have to give it a rest for a few days before trying solid food. I've read on here that some people have to have liquids the day before, too. I have no idea what that is about, though. I try not to eat much before the fill because I don't want the food to interfere with the fill but that's probably just in my mind. We're all learning! Let us know how things are in a few days! (I've also read that some people don't experience the benefit of the fill for 2 weeks--now that is strange!). Good luck!

We really do need to hang in there, don't we. Thanks for your empathetic words, Carol and jmcambra. I wish I couldn't eat pizza crust and bread, etc. but I can eat every little bit. Last night I ate an entire hamburger--bun and all the fixin's. I really wish I had more restriction, but if I did would I eat the right foods? I hope so, but who knows. It's always hard to decide on fills but I hope you don't feel like you really messed up with having part of your fill removed, jmcambra. Like you say, it's trial and error for us as well as for our doctors--every single person seems to be different. Early on my fill nurse said I might be one of those people who need over 3 cc in a 4 cc band. I'm up to 2.8 now so she was probably right. I have to admit I'm jealous of others who are losing like gangbusters. Like the man on here (or was it another thread?) who was banded in March and has lost 117 lbs. with only 4 left to goal. I'm so thrilled for him but look at my piddly little 21 lbs. and want to cry. When I get down, I wonder why I did this and if it is every going to be the tool I thought it would be or just an inconvenience that doesn't help me in my weight loss goals but just makes me chew forever and take small bites (which still isn't the case for me but I'm sure will come). Okay, enough whining. But thanks for listening and understanding. We really can do this!

Sure, Linda51, you can belong to as many groups as you would like! I think I'm subscribed to 75 threads or so--most aren't active anymore but I probably participate in 8-9 that are active. I haven't done the "slow losers" yet, although I've visited it many times. I don't want to label myself that yet until I have the proper fills, am doing everything I should be, and am still not losing. I REALLY don't want to be a member of that group (just me trying to be positive). Good luck on your new start. My doctor says one of the biggest causes of failure with the band is drinking with food--even small sips. Apparently, it washes the food through the band so you don't feel full for as long and you can eat more than you should. He asks that we don't drink for a full 2 hours after eating. That's pretty extreme from what I read others do but I'm trying hard to follow his rules. FWIW. Good luck!