MrsColeman

Thank you for your replies, I'm thinking surgery eventually but that scar is holding me back . Apparently tricep dips all day everyday will shift them, will give it a go and report back in what maybe a year, (I've a lot to shift). Ha ha....

I have tiny fill by tiny fill as its all I can tolerate. My fill nurse would like to up ml by ml but I can't take it and feel ill instantly so we now take it slow and I have .5 every 6 months ish. I understand what he is saying and I understand how you feel, try asking for slightly more when you go and say you just want to try a .5. I got silly last year and had 6.5 restriction (not all at once but over time) and one day something happened and day by day I got pains everytime i ate but the weight was falling off so I sucked ice and carried on, I was on holiday and had to search out a clinic to give me an urgent defill, they took me right back to 3.5 and that's what I'm at now. I'm less than I was straight from surgery. My next fill is in two weeks, I'm scared but feel like I want a good fill as some weight has crept back since last year but my head is saying go tiny. I hope you get what you would like. )

Hi all, I am 3.5 years post op, have lost 4 stone and a bit with 4ml restriction. I have exercised constantly and got advice on what I should do with my arms to constant fail. My bingo wings are bringing me down, I cannot seem to shift them. Has anyone got any tips, advice on what exercises have worked for you or is surgery our only option? Thanks for reading.

Well done. It feels so good doesn't it. I took ages and ages to buy a new pair of jeans, literally until they were hanging off me (a friend who knows about my band shouted across the road 'oi skinny get some new jeans' ) I had such a saggy jeans bum going on that my new well fitted jeans were like a glove. Only thing now is that I already need another new pair of jeans. Always a great confidence boost though! Get shopping!

No, hardly been able to eat anything due to the pain. Got a defill booked for Sunday so will see if that helps to start with and if not then go to my gp on Monday for further tests or questions etc.

Oh my word, I am going through all this pain at the moment. Started last Wednesday (I had put it down to the band as I was extremely stressed - I have a very sensitive band). I am on holiday at the moment and had to see a doctor this morning with the pain. The pain is in my right shoulder and down both sides of my ribs. The Doc felt my tummy and said everything seems ok but it's hard to explain the pain and band situation to people that don't understand a band to start with. He has given me strong indigestion tablets and see my regular GP next week when home (of which they won't understand either). What do people here think i should I do please? Thanks in advance for your replies.

I've been looking for a fill specialist that's closer to me. At the moment I drive over an hour and it's one lady by herself and I can never get an appointment for weeks on end, alternatively I could go into London but that's so expensive. Wondered if anyone knew of anyone who does the mobile fills or a specialist in Essex? Thanks in advance. )

Thanks everyone, nice to know I'm not alone on this one. ) Day two of sucking ice cubes - roll on school holidays and less stress!

Hi all, Just wondered how many of you (and your band) are affected by stress. I've always suffered with an emotional band and the slightest mood change will play havoc with my band. At the moment my 8 year old son is being a little (insert your own word here).....wotsit lets say, at school and everyday I wake up and wonder what his day will bring to my band. Today is the worst day, I cant even tolerate Water today, I'm constantly sucking ice cubes as I presume I'm inflamed. Ice is going down nicely. If you get stressed, slightly wound up, irritable etc can you feel your band tighter?

Hi, Just wondered how you are doing? Did everything go well? How are you finding the restriction? And did you get the trapped air and be burping for days on end? Looking forward to hearing your story. )

Its going to come round pretty quick for you now. Are you doing your pre-surgery diet? I lost loads on that diet. Do your friends & family know about your surgery plans? I am nearly 3 years in my journey and Im losing nicely. Ive had 4 fills and at the moment am comfortable. I also do Atkins as I have PCOS (polycystic ovaries) and that produces more fat cells and the low or non carb helps my weight loss even better. I do know what you mean - I am not obsessed but some people I have spoken to are and I find it a bit strange and couldnt live that way myself. Each to their own I say. If I fancy something i'll have it, the band helps as I cant eat a lot and cant each many different foods anyway. I think I am filled slightly too much but its just become a way of life for me now, knowing what i can and cant eat. Let me know how you get on and any questions, this is the place you will live at for the remainder of your life. Its crazy. These people feel like family and some of your closest friends......because they understand exactly.

I'd be tempted to still stick to liquids if your unsure, If getting a small unfill is not possible to clarify. In a couple of days the swelling will have subsided and you'll feel whats going on. If you can get liquids down without bringing up what i call frothy saliva then id say your probably just sore from swelling. I find this forum great for hearing so many different experiences. After a fill im very inflammed and it takes a good week for me to tolerate anything but others you read are happy eating 'normally' by day 2. If I get something stuck, fizzy pop works great for me but I am incredibly sore after. Its nice to know someone here has always had a problem your going through. I hope you get unstuck and less sore soon. Let us know how you get on.

Also if your swollen and not stuck, some people respond better to ice cold drinks as apposed to warm fluids. Think what helps you after a fill and do the same. Cold for me reduces the swelling the best. Once unstuck (if you find out you are) i'd have a couple of dispersible asprins and that will ease some discomfort.

Have a fizzy drink, you'll burp a few times, and sometimes you just bring up the chunk, that always works for me even days on. Then the pineapple juice is good for settling the stomach and can ease the pain. If youve been in pain with it you will probably be a bit swollen so i'd stick to liquids for a couple of days and then mushy foods until you can feel things going down ok again. Good luck!

Hi all, I have been banded since 3/7/09 and have always semi-watched my carb intake. I also suffer from PCOS and being carb free really helps that. I used to have Tescos own Low Carb shakes (you know like Slim Fast) but they have stopped doing them, so it seems has every supermarket and they have also stopped the actual Atkins shakes. I'm lost without them in the mornings! Does anyone know where I can get some from please? Have you seen them in some random shop? Please help me...... )