Daddyof4

Hi Everyone! I have been absent for a while - we moved August 31, the computer didn't know it had Vista installed, etc., but I'm back now. Anyway, I got a second fill on August 28 (now at 6.2 in a 14 cc band) and MAN did I get stuck a lot. I had a couple of PB episodes (I didn't know what it meant either - till it happened to me). I would take a small bite of anything and it would be stuck for around 10 minutes. I made the mistake of drinking a little bit of Water when it felt like it was loosening up. It wasn't and the water made an immediate repeat appearance. I came close to going back to have some saline taken out but I remembered people here saying it can take a week or more to settle down. Fortunately, that happened for me. I think I am actually in the green zone, hard as that is to believe! I lost about 40 lb fairly quickly before my first fill and then stayed the same for two months. Since the second fill I've dropped another 15 lb. I am having a hard time believing it myself. I wore a suit that I last wore at my 12-year-old's baby naming ceremony. I put on my size 54 pants and asked my wife if I was actually that size! I went with my wife to see the doctor we both see and he couldn't believe his eyes - said my weight loss was very noticeable (he's very understated). I was going to post this under Fills but it now seems better for a success story even though I'm not done yet. I am so grateful for the surgery and all it has done for me. This proves that with the right tools we can do anything!

This proves to me that there's no one right way to do this. For that reason, I like to read about the different approaches that work for people and differing advice they're given. I know that I would have a big problem if I had to eat beef liver all the time but that might be just the ticket for someone else. Posts on this forum have helped me know what questions to ask at my appointments so, Lapbandster, you might ask your doctor why he is OK with carbonated drinks when nobody else is. You can and should (in my opinion) trust your doctor but that doesn't mean you can't ask questions.

This is really great advice. I am the chief cook and bottle washer at my house and, probably like many others, like(d) to sample along the way. Shortly after surgery (5/21/12) I made the mistake of taking a bite of my daughter's steak sandwich and, of course, got stuck. After that I did what Suzbuni said - prepare things they like but I don't. It's better now but I still want some of the fries the others have with their burgers. On burger night I make mine with a slice of onion in the middle and a slice of tomato and cheese on top. Guess what? Nobody else here likes onions or tomatoes so I feel like I've gotten a treat. Good luck Roxygirl, I'm sure you'll do great.

I posted some of this before but want to again. When I was 23 in 1979 there was no lap band. Bonnie and the rest of you who responded are really brave to take control of your life while you're in your 20s or so. No need to be embarassed shy about it because we have all been there before. Good luck!

I had my first fill two days ago and felt the same thing - I wasn't certain my band was still there till it gave me this sign. I was stuck for a few minutes, then OK but I was glad to be reminded to take smaller bites and slow down. I also have to remember to stop eating when I feel like I've had enough. I've been finishing whatever is on my plate so I need to put less on the plate. It's really easy to fall off the wagon but worth the effort to get back on.

I was told four weeks too. My 12-year-old daughter was very disappointed that I wouldn't be the first one in the (freezing) pool on Memorial Day weekend but I told her I couldn't go in the water until I was waterproof again. She thought that was funny - pictured me filling up with water like a balloon

I agree that the day after would be better as well. I want to respond to radarluv, though, as to why people stay overnight. I had to stay overnight because of my sleep apnea - they wanted to make sure the anesthetic didn't depress my breathing too much.

Hi Lisa. You are doing fantastic! Your experience is perfectly normal. I've only had a couple of stuck episodes, when I have eaten too fast, but I've never PB'd or vomited due to the band. Believe me, you do not want to get stuck! The weight loss seems slow to you but really, 38 pounds in nine weeks is quite a lot - that's just over 4 pounds a week when they recommend one to two pounds a week. Keep up the good work! We are at about the same place loss-wise and I feel that I am at a plateau. The first 40 pounds came off fairly quickly but my scale is not moving. I just had my first fill yesterday and am trying to see if I have restriction. Lots of people on this site remind us that this is not a sprint but a marathon and I am trying to learn patience but it's hard. I want to be done tomorrow but I realize that's not going to happen. All we can do is keep trying and keep following the program because it actually does work.

Well, I got my first fill today. I learned that they "prime" the lapband during surgery by putting in saline and then taking out most of it. I have a 14cc high pressure band with 0.2 cc in it from surgery and an additional 4 cc today. The worst part was the PA telling me when the numbing shot was going in, that it would burn a little, etc. Next time I'll ask her to just do it without describing it. There was no pain whatsoever with the fill needle and the barest pinprick with the numbing medication. I'm on liquids for 24 hours, then mushies for my first non-liquid meal, then be careful to see if I have any restriction. They said I lost 3 pounds since my last visit but I think that's a clothing difference. I've been having a hard time following the program lately but I'm going to jump back in with, hopefully, some restriction again.

Hey guys, I just found this group and wanted to join! I saw the list of groups some posters belong to and realized, duh, that I could join too! I was banded May 21, 2012. I was lucky enough to feel some restriction from the band alone and was doing fine at my last checkup and did not get a fill. I no longer feel any restriction and have not lost weight in the past month so I'm planning to ask for a fill at my appt today. How's it going for you all?

Hi everyone, I just joined this group today, my surgery was May 21, 2012. I kept seeing the groups people are in and, duh, realized I could join one too! I was lucky enough to have some restriction from the band alone and lost 40 lb but I no longer feel the restriction so I'm planning to have my first fill today. Last month the nutritionist and the PA said I shouldn't get a fill since I was doing OK but that has now changed. I hope it doesn't hurt - I am a total wimp about needles. Anyway, I'm glad to be here. Debbie, would you please add me to the roster for May 21? Thanks.

Seeing some of you mentioning being out of breath when tying your shoes - that was a big one for me. It seems so petty but it's one example of something we do every day that would be easier if we weighed less. I had similar health issues - about to be diagnosed diabetic, gastroenterologist said I'd be dead in 10 years from my fatty liver. Those were pretty ugly words but they had their desired effect; I want to be around to see my kids grow up (currently 17, 15, 12 and 8) and see my grandchildren. I had done most of the programs - anyone remember the Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet that I tried in 10th grade in 1970? I had lost 45 lb on Atkins one summer but couldn't stay off the carbs after a long plateau (my dad died that year which threw me for a loop as well). I had talked about wls for some time but my primary doc said no and my wife said no but eventually they both came around. Went to the seminar with my wife and she agreed that the lapband was the way to go so I did the 3 month program that federal BCBS requires, got approved first letter and was banded May 21, 2012. I've lost 40 lb so far with no fill but have not lost any more the last month so I'm planning on getting my first fill today. I had restriction with no fill but don't feel it anymore and my will power won't much longer. I did OK when I felt restriction so the fill should help me get back on track. At least I haven't gained! Everyone keep up the good work. And keep up the inspirational stories too. They really help.

Hi RockieBarbie09, How did your appointment go yesterday? Did you get your fill at last? I hope your healing has progressed. I go next Tuesday to see if I can get a fill. I think I need one but we'll see how it goes.

Hi Vahonie, I was originally signed up with Dr. Halmi but Dr. Moazzez had an opening sooner so I grabbed it. The staff at Fair Oaks was wonderful, they will treat you like a queen. I hope your procedure goes smoothly and your recovery does too. I had some pain with the bigger incision they make for the port but the laparascopic ones never bothered me a bit; hopefully your experience will be the same. Keep us posted!

Bandedlauren, I think it's great that you have taken control of your weight issues. When I was 20 in 1976 there was no lap band and I would have been too scared to try it. I really give you credit for doing this now so you can enjoy the benefits longer. Congratulations.

Hi all. I am checking back in after a week in Massachusetts with family and a week of catching up at work. Went to my brother's house in the Berkshires for Fourth of July week, met family there. All were appropriately amazed at my smaller shape, even Mom! It was tough to keep to my plan on vacation - nobody wanted to eat on my schedule and I had to make some choices like having protein bars while driving. First day back the scale was the same as when I left so happy not to have lost ground. How's it going with you guys?

Lassie, you're not the last May bandster to get a first fill. I was banded May 21, went for what I thought would be my first fill June 28 but since I was losing and able to feel satisfied on 3/4 to 1cup of food the PA and nutritionist advised me not to get a fill so I didn't. I go back again July 24 and this time I think I will get a fill. Having a hard time getting back on track after vacation so a fill might be just what I need.

Hi everyone, I want to report on my appointment today. I ended up NOT getting a fill. The nutritionist asked me how much I was eating at each meal and I told her around a cup or less of food, mostly protein. I told her I feel full after such a meal as long as I eat slowly and chew, chew, chew. I also told her that I feel hungry again within an hour and a half. She pointed out that I had lost 13 pounds since my first post-op visit, am able to feel full (at least for a little while) on ony a cupful of food per meal and that I was not having any bad symptoms other than a couple of stuck episodes when I ate too fast or ate some steak sandwich. She and the PA thought that I am mostly in the green zone already, without any saline in my band. I was told that if I get hungry I should maybe have a protein-rich solid snack instead of the protein shake, about the size of a cheese stick. I found another lapband site called Banded Living where one of the cofounders lost 100 pounds with no fills ever. I have come to believe that what I thought was Bandster Hell turned out to be what restriction feels like. The pros recommended waiting for the first fill and I agreed since they've been through more of these things than I have. Besides, we're going away next week and my resources would be more limited should I have a problem with the newly-filled band. I was a little disappointed but I am trying to focus on my accomplishments thus far and downplay the hunger part. I recognize that I'm in a very small minority of bandsters who have restriction with no fills and feel very lucky for it. I didn't realize that what I am feeling is actually restriction. I go back in a month for an evaluation and we'll see if I need a fill then. Someone else posted that he was hungry after 3 and a half hours - I'm nowhere near there so I will probably opt for a fill next time, rather than have snacks between meals. Diets fail because you're hungry and don't feel full very long but if I can have healthy snacks maybe that doesn't matter so much. Sorry to be so rambling but this was either an A Ha moment or a Duh moment, I'm not sure which. How are you all doing?

You're lucky - the front of my body looks like it got a horizontal reverse Mohawk and it is beginning to ITCH!!

I have my first fill (I hope!) on June 26 as well. I was banded May 21 so it's 5 weeks and one day. That seems to be a common time for the first fill. After reading some of these posts I know pretty much what to expect. Does the doc charge for a fill? I have Federal Blue Cross. Good luck everyone!

The band isn't around the esophagus, it's around the upper part of the stomach. The restriction is between the pouch (small part of stomach above the band) and the rest of the stomach below the band. I am not quite 5 weeks out (May 21) and feel no restriction at all. I'm scheduled for my first fill next Tuesday. I've lost some weight but it has been a big struggle - feels just like the last diet I failed on so I'm hoping the fill will help keep food in pouch longer and not feel I have to eat again within an hour or so.

Apparently I didn't remember the date either. I go next Tuesday, the 26th at 2:00. I've lost another couple of pounds so now I'm worried that they won't give me a fill at all! The weight is coming off but I'm still pretty hungry and meals last me about an hour and a half. I feel like I'm supposed to put something in my stomach all the time, either meal or water or some other drink. I don't think that's the green zone yet. I did find a smaller swimsuit that I had saved in a box and put it on - it's now my new swimsuit! I'll report back Tuesday evening.

Hi Kate, I go to see the nutritionist and PA tomorrow - planning on getting a fill. Are they more conservative or more aggressive? I have no restriction at all with no fill and want them to be a little aggressive, not put in a tenth of a cc but maybe fill the band a third full? What were your fills like? BTW, I did get to swim a few laps (6) and my daughter gave me some pointers on improving my stroke - she's a good coach.

I wish I could say I have trouble getting in all my needed calories! I am 4 weeks out and am hungry all the time. The liquids went straight through, the mushies stayed with me about 20 minutes and solid food stays longer but I find myself eating a little too much at some meals. I've never been one to lose my appetite due to sickness either so I guess this is no different. This must be bandster hell because it feels just like other times I've tried to eat right to lose but had a tough time. I go for my first fill tomorrow and I will ask the PA to be somewhat aggressive with the amount.