MeganA

There are a few things to do (I'm sure you know all of these, but thought I'd just remind you in case :-)) 1. Make sure you are eating Protein first, veggies second, and carbs last. 2. Get moving...increase physical movement. 3. Don't drink with meals- or for at least an hour after (I wasn't loosing for awhile because I would drink too soon after eating and I'd be hungry again- so I now don't drink for at least two hours) 4. If you've done the above three things at least 80% of the time (who's perfect?) for at least three weeks and you still aren't loosing, then you probably need a fill. You may be on a plateau, you may have Water retention from your period, you may not be getting in enough calories (under 1000 and sometimes you metabolism drops significantly and your body holds on to every peice of fat). Hang in there, and remember it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. Again, let us know how you're doing. Megan

Hello! I had my second fill a couple of weeks ago and am experiencing sort of the same thing you talk about- I can eat more than I think I should be able too...but then again, I don't think I've wrapped my mind around being able to eat ANYTHING and loose weight...so, I talked to some bandster friends and they kindly reminded me that.... it's not how much you *think* you should or shouldn't be able to eat- it's if you are loosing an average of 1-2 pounds a week. I am loosing about a pound a week, and to tell you the truth- I love being able to eat. I don't feel deprived, I'm not on some diet, I'm just eating like a normal person. So, be patient- we didn't gain this weight in a month, we're certainly not going to take it off in one. And- how cool is it that you can eat a taco and some rice- get kinda full- but stop because you know you should? I know before my band, I would have eaten two tacos and stopped- but I could have eaten another one ot two then, too. I don't know if that answers your question or not...let us know what you decide! Megan

You gals are just the best! Thanks for all the kind words of support. I just had another two cc's added yesterday to bring me to 5 total. I am definitly tighter than I was! I always feel like I have the flu for a few days after a fill...so eating isn't really on my mind. It's funny, though- after I get all needle stuck and everything for a fill, I sometimes get really angry- like, what the heck...I can't beleive I have to have something like this to loose weight! Then I get mad because I know I"m not going to be able to eat...then I wise up and realize that's totally within my control. It sure isn't easy, though... I am indeed in the FDA trials for the Swedish Band. I am one of the very lucky ones...so I try not to complain! It does get frustrating, but I know that the pounds will start to come off now...I can just tell. How's everyone else out there in the study? I should maybe post my own topic- we've seemed to hijack Claires! Well, I hope everyone has a very happy New Year...thanks again for your kind words...they mean the world to me. Megan

Welcome to the board! I am glad to see another Swedish Bandster...I had mine placed Oct. 15th and just had my second fill today...so we'll see. I am struggling to keep off the 16 I lost right after surgery, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this fill works. Congrats on your 29 pounds! I know that it doesn't seem like a lot, but really, you're above average!!! Those 29 pounds will never, ever be back. Megan

funny...I have been reading and watching everything that has been going on,too...just not saying much. It seems like we work so hard to get our band- worry, fret, think, research, etc...then we get it and it's like...oh...back to regular life! I am hovering, too Alexandra...but get a second fill on the 29th. I am hoping that jump starts my loss again...but like you- it hasn't been this insane battle to keep off what I have lost. What a feeling. I hope everyone has a very happy holiday and that the next year brings you your hearts desires!!

Once I decided to have surgery, I told everyone. I made my decision with the help of my mom, dad, brother, and sister. They came to the seminars and meetings with me (well, at least two of them at a time!). EVERYONE I have talked to has been nothing but supportive. There hasn't been a negative word spoken about lapband surgery. Everyone was so glad to hear I wasn't having the bypass and that the band seemed like such a better option. I decided to tell people for a few reasons. Everyone can see that I struggle with my weight, and I know they are concerned. I figured- why not tell them so they can be happy that I'm being proactive and taking care of myself. I also told people because I was tired of pretending I wasn't fat. I don't want to be in denial anymore- about my weight or anything else in life. I also told people because I'm tired of being alone in this battle. I've been amazed at how many people have asked how I'm feeling, etc. and have not asked how much weight I've lost. I have needed that on a few really bad days. One thing that has surprised me is that it seems that everyone battles their weight. I've told skinny people, and they are envious I've got something to help me... I also am surprised by some people's reaction to my loosing weight now. I feel bad telling anyone with a problem with their weight how much I've lost (it's only 14 pounds in a month, but heck, it took me three months on WW to do that!!). I have so much more sympathy for the weight struggle than I did before- which is interesting. I guess I feel like I have a secret weapon and I wish I could hand them out to everyone who battles their weight. If you do tell someone and they are negative, remember that it's about them- and not you. That's my story... megan

Sheryl- Sorry to hear about your no fill. It does sound like you're doing just great...It's hard to remember that this isn't a race but that slow and steady wins in the end. You're lucky that you got such great restriction coming out of the gate...most people have to have several fills to get to your level. If I were you, I'd count my blessings!!! Megan

Hi everyone. I just need to vent a little tonight. I'm frustrated with my band. I had the Swedish band placed Oct. 15th...at first I lost 14 pounds. I've gained back about 7 and I'm really sad. I understand that the Swedish band is flexible (vs. the molded rubber of the Lap-Band) so that may be the cause of my problems. You see, I have absolutely no restriction what so ever. I've eaten everything in sight, and then some. I went on a long weekend vacation to South Dakota and ate my way across the state and back. My intellect tells me to be patient and that after my fill on Nov. 22nd things will be better. But, my heart is sad and I feel like a failure and if only I had more willpower that darn macaroni and cheese and chips and candy wouldn't have jumped into my mouth. I've heard so many stories of people online being so successful even without a fill...they "made a commitment" to a healthy life...you know the stories and you may have even wrote the stories. What's wrong with me? I thought I was ready to make that commitement, but without the band's help I feel hopeless. Can someone who's been through this give me a little story or information that I can hold onto? I'm trying so hard to stay positive but man, it isn't easy. Thanks, everyone... Megan

Go to Oprah.com and I believe there are photos and a story there. I did see it, and I think that woman was very brave to show it all to the world. She had 7 surgeries. Amazing transformation. Megan

Tonia- Hang in there!!! I will be crossing my fingers for you all day and hoping or the best. Whatever happens, you'll be ok. Keep us posted and best of luck... Thinking about you- Megan

I just want to thank everyone who responded to my post. I am feeling much better after getting a handle on my emotional eating and figuring out some things in my head. I also think I have PMS so that can explain some of my chaotic feelings. I think a lot of my frustration stems from the fact that, before I got involved in any of this surgery stuff, I was content with my body. I knew it wasn't healthy to live at my weight, but I wouldn't allow myself to say all those negative things. I need some new clothes because in the months before surgery I had gained some weight (imagine that!) and now I have only a few ugly, frumpy things to wear. I don't want to buy any more clothes because I only will have to loose about 20 to fit into the stuff I already have. Since I've had surgery, I get so angry that I don't have anything to wear. I'm just not going to let it get me down anymore. Thanks again for everyone's kind words. Donali- a special thanks to you. I have been working on replacing those negative tapes with some new ones. I think it's working :-) Take care, everyone... Megan

How exciting!!! He sounds like a breath of fresh air in the whole crazy weightloss surgery lap band chaos! If I knew my insurance would cover him, I wouldn't hesitate to go with a "newer" surgeon. It's not like he got a lap band kit at Target and practiced on a teddy bear...these guys are educated!! Even if I had to drive five hours (which is how far Moose Lake is from my house) I'd still have him do the surgery...the no waiting list is a huge bonus. Sometimes things just work out the way they are supposed to work out! Keep us posted! Megan

I went to a seminar at Abbott, not so long ago. I was horrifed by their attitude. I decided after the seminar that there was no way I would ever let those people near my body. That's just me, though. I totally disagreed with the RNY thing they would make me sign, and also, the idea that if I were more than 60" around they won't do the band laproscopically---that is rediculous. My surgeon said that was the dumbest thing he's ever heard. He's performed lap surgery on patients that were 400, 500 pounds. It's the skill of the surgeon and the right equipment. Don't wait any more for them to call you...call someone else. Call your insurance to findout what other doctors cover you. There aren't a huge list to choose from, but keep trying! I highly recommend Dr. Ikramuddin at U of M Fairview. Although it's the nurses and dieticians that you come most in contact with. That's what scared me about the Abbott lady- she's the person you see at follow up! Maybe the surgeons are great there, but they don't have a lot to do with you once you've had the surgery. Shop around- this is the rest of your life! The whole process will take months no matter where you go...at least have the piece of mind that you are waiting for the best!!! Best of luck, Megan

I can certainly relate to being lap-banded out. I, too got that way. I made the decision to just walk away from it all for a few days( especially as my date got nearer)...it was like emotionally I just couldn't take any more! I think we all need some time to let things really settle in and I needed to not talk about it or think about it to do that. Once I felt like I was calm and ok with myself, then I read all the posts I had missed and I had such a different perspective. Hang in there...time goes so fast and yet seems to take so long. Take a break, we'll all still be here when you get back! Good luck!!! Megan

I'm sitting here, only a week banded and this is the kind of stuff I'm thinking about!! It's hard to eat cream of potato soup because I've been watching carbs for so long. But, when I'm on the pureed food, that's about all I can eat so I'm having a really hard time not beating myself up for eating stuff I haven't "allowed" myself to eat in a long time. Ok, so I allowed myself chips and popcorn, but this is the stuff I tried to cut back on to justify eating the chips and popcorn. I already feel like I'm eating way too much, yet it's just a few cups of soup a day and a shake or two. Man, I have my work cut out for me. I didn't even realize how distructive my own thoughts have been. Thanks for giving me a wake up call, and for reminding me why I got the band in the first place. I will no longer be ruled by what I can or can't have. I can have it all...in moderation. Thanks guys, Megan

Just a quick question for you newbies out there...I'm 5 days post op...does this burping and other unmentionables ever go away? I drink ANY thing and burp burp burp. I never have been a gassy person so this is taking a little getting used to! Thank everyone! Megan

Thanks you guys! That makes me feel better! I had the hard, painful burps until two days ago...now they are just feel like hey are from the bottom of my feet but they aren't loud, thank goodness! They just suprise me! Thanks again! Megan

Hi everyone. I'm glad to tell you that all went well on Wednesday. I now am the proud owner of a Swedish band. My surgeon said everything went perfect and there were no compliations. I stayed overnight one night at the hospital...I can't imagine going home any sooner. I really liked the medicine they gave me. :-) I'm feeling so much better already- just after two days home. It's amazing how fast we heal. I haven't used any pain meds since yesterday- I'm sore but not in pain. The only thing that drives me crazy is anytime I think about eating broth, I get queesy. If I think about eating a sandwich- no queesy! I'm on Clear Liquids for another few days, and so far really haven't been hungry at all. I have to force myself to drink and to eat a popsicle once and ahwile. The gas is subsiding slowly, too. I never did get any sharp pains from it, just a consitant litenly of burps and well, you know. I also have been going #2, which I am suprised at...with a ll liquids I didn't think I'd have an BMs. They are more like baby ones, though. Did anyone else have them? Weird! Well, I am off to shower. That is the highlight of my day. Thanks to everyone for their support! Megan

I don't know if this will help or hurt, but a lady I saw speak about the RNY said that when she gets something stuckin her pouch, she drinks some coca cola and it helps to disolve it faster. Maybe not such a good idea for a bandster...but thought it was kind of cool that coke can work magic. It can clean a dirty penny off, so I suppose it would work on food, too. I definitly think you should call your doctor though...no sense in getting sick over something like this. Good luck! Megan

Hi everyone! My surgery got moved last week- from today to next Wednesday, the 15th. I'm a little glad, for it has given me a little more time to get ready. I am part of the Swedish Band clinical trial and was given about a week to get ready for my first surgery date. That just was a little too soon for me. Luckily, things work out for the best and my new date is not soon enough now. I"M READY! Anyone else a part of the study? We should chat!! Megan

I'm an October bandster, too. October 15th! Megan

Thanks for your good wishes. I started my clear liquid diet today, and have to take that Fleet Phosphosoda stuff this afternoon. NOt looking forward to that! I really am ready this time...and can't wait to join the rest of you that are banded. I told all of my family yesterday- aunts, uncles, cousins. They were so excited for me and no one made any desparaging comments or said anything negative. I have the best family in the world! Thanks again, Megan

Hi there...sorry to hear your hurting. The nurse practicioner at the surgeon's office warned me about the gas pains. She said that I have to get my head lower than my butt for the diaphram to push the gas out. She said to stretch way over and try and touch my toes (without stretching the incisions). She also mentioned Imay want to lean on something if I'm still a bit off balance. I'm having surgery next week, so I have no first hand knowledge if it works. Best of luck, and I hope you feel better soon! Megan

Congratulations! Thanks for the update! I hope you are feeling better every day. I'm so excited for you, and glad that everything has been great so far. Btw how did you make the broth? I've been thinking I should get some of it read but need some help. Megan

Sheryl- Congratulations! I hope your surgery goes very well and that you are up and around in no time. Make sure to write and let us know how you're doing! Megan