Sultana

Hi Alex, Yes, I did eat the yogurt in her office---when she had the saline syringe in my port and after the .9 additional fill. I did drink cold Water, and I could feel it sitting there--the cold. I have had nothing since my soup earlier...AND I AM NOT HUNGRY!!! I'm hoping I am onto something here. Dr. K. does not do fluoro--she (and I know many doctors disagree, and I can see why) believes it is a "flawed practice" because it only shows the passage of liquid and not food. She was making comments when she was injecting the saline that she could feel the resistance. She has so much experience that I guess it is second nature to her. I appreciate your rambling--it makes me think. I sure hope this is the one that does the trick for me. I just wonder why I require so much fill? I have to agree with you that if there was something wrong, I would probably have problems or symptoms. I guess I am just a freak. Oops! Now I am rambling. Hey, good news about band longevity, eh? Thanks for your wisdom and support. I will keep posting! Sultana:confused:

Welcome to the Ladies Room, I think that you will find that we are equal opportunity Band-its here! Wow, I am amazed that your Dr. filled you to 2.8 on your first fill. I am have had three fills, and am only at 2.0. Maybe you have a bigger band? I know that I have a larger Inamed band--not sure why my Dr. chose a larger one. Congrats on your weight loss, and keep posting! Sultana:cool:

Thanks Alex. If I ever....WHEN I get to a workable restriction I will be sure to learn the warning signals soon. Not that I have ever had the experience, but aside from being not good for one, PBing does NOT sound like much fun. I was worried that at the stage I am at that I might be stretching my pouch too much because I eat too much....because I CAN. I have managed to not gain weight, and I have lost between 23 and 26 pounds. I don't know how I would have survived all this without all of you! Sultana

Hi All, Thanks for the replies about pouch stretching. I am still (alas) at the stage of trying to get proper restriction so I can lose weight faster than an ounce a day (it has been 6 long months), and I when I read about pouch stretching, I was worried that maybe I was doing that. It was reassuring to know that such stretching results in PBing. I have NEVER PBed or even felt remotely like doing so, and I can still eat a LOT. I am going for fill number 4 tomorrow; I'm hoping this will be the one! Donali, I know you are busy for a while, but when you come back and read this, I wanted to say again that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Sultana

Hi All, Sometimes it is just so convenient to drink water before eating so as to avoid drinking afterwards. Is there a problem with drinking before eating? If so, how long should I wait after drinking before I eat? Thanks. Sultana:confused:

Hi Sisters, I cannot offer you words of wisdom or success, but I can offer lots of empathy. I am in the same boat. I was banded 12/29/03, and have lost only 25 pounds. I have had three fills (I am at 2cc), and I feel very little restriction. Sometimes I feel the first few bites go painfully through, but they do go down, and never up. I can still eat anything and lots of it. I get depressed about it too, so I know how you feel. I am having another fill on the 23rd, and I am so hoping this will be the one. My Dr. is conservative with fills; it is her philosopy to have the band a little looser so that there will not be incidents of reflux. I don't disagree with that; I don't see much future in PBing all the time, but I NEED more restriction. Lately I find myself avoiding this site, which is not good. I am always happy for the success of others, but when I read about all the weight loss, I feel like a band failure. I try so hard to eat right, and I exercise. I am trying to believe that I am just not restricted enough, and that I am one of those who just needs more restriction. Luckily, my Dr. seems to be willing to work with me. Why don't you contact Inamed about fill data that you can present to your Dr.? I am sure that it is not the same for everyone. I am glad that you have each other!! My doctor does not do fluoro, but last time she did withdraw all the saline, and said that it was all there. Did your dr. do that to check for a leak?Please keep me posted, especially if you get some cheerful news.

Hi Donali, I am so sorry to hear of your problem. I can certainly understand how devastated you must feel. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep in touch; I have always valued your advice and insight. Sultana

Hi, I'm Sultana. I am 50 and a high school English teacher. I live in the suburbs south west about 15 minutes outside of Philadelphia. I have been happily married for 27 years to a wonderful and THIN husband. I have no children, but I love my students. I was banded Dec. 29th of 03 in NYC and I am not a banding success story yet. I have had three fills and I am currently at 2cc. I am scheduled for another fill next week, and I hope it will be the one that will give me the restriction I need. I have lost about 25 pounds, and I do not regret my decision. I do already feel better losing only 25 pounds...I am just getting impatient. I love to read and I have traveled to most states and over much of Europe. I am so very appreciative of all the support that I have received here. I have been whining lately about my lack of restriction, and no one has told me to just shut up! Glad to meet you!

Hi Anne, I am trying to remain optimistic, and I have to say that all the encouragement here helps a lot. I am very sorry that you are having the same problem. I really hope you don't have a leak. At least my Dr. has been able to withdraw all she has previously put in each time I go--a good sign. My Dr., like yours, does not do fluoro; she believes it is a "flawed process" because it only shows the passage of liquid and not food. I know many doctors disagree, and I think I would feel more secure with fluoro. I will keep you posted about my 4th fill on the 23rd. Please keep us posted about yours too, okay? Here's what I can typically eat: (today's lunch)--about a cup and a half of chicken salad with grapes, walnuts, and pineapple, 5 small meatballs, a two-inch square of spinach lasagna, a chicken leg, two large strawberries, and two small brownies. It was an end of school covered dish lunch (I am a teacher). Isn't that ridiculous? I have never had even a twinge of heartburn or felt even remotely like PBing. The most I ever feel is some pain with the first few bites going DOWN (never up), probably because I am hungry and not chewing well. My doctor keeps talking about what I eat (and I do watch carbs) and portion control. If I could do portion control, I would have never gone through this process! I am trying to maintain my 26 pound loss; I do exercise regularly School is out tomorrow, and I am now setting my sights for September and hoping that I can loose a noticeable amount of weight by then. Thanks for the encouragement. Same to you! Sultana

Hi, I am trying to be optimistic and hoping that when we do get filled to the point where this will work that this will seem like needless worry. I am going for my fourth fill on the 23rd of this month. My Dr. fills very conservatively, so I am at 2cc after 3 fills. I am hoping that this one will be the one for me. I really do know how you feel. I, too, try NOT to think that this is just a failure that I went through hell for!! I say let's just give it more time, keep coming here for support, and hope that the next fill will be THE one!! Sultana

Thanks Donali and Alex, I have never had a fill after which I felt restricted for more than a day or two. Maybe my next will be the one.....? It has been 5 months and I have only lost about 25 pounds, and I am struggling to keep it off. I think the fact that weather here is dank and drizzly (and has been for weeks with brief interludes of sunshine) doesn't help with keeping my chins up. I really appreciate your support. Sultana

Hi Alex, I just read your post. It is your third fill you are talking about? I remember you writing about how it was effective when you first got it. I was the same way. I lost about 5 pound pretty fast after my third fill, but after only a few short days I felt like I had no restriction and I could eat anything and lots of it. I guess my question to all is, will there come a time when I get a fill that will be THE one which will remain tight long enough for me to really lose weight? I have had three fills so far--around 2 cc I think. I am discouraged, but trying to rally. Sultana

Hi, I am also at 2 cc's and feel very little restriction. I see my Dr. again soon (her office just called to cancel my appt. for the 16th so I have to reschedule). My doctor did withdraw the saline last time, and said that it was all there, so I assume I do not have a leak. She also does not do fluoro because (in her opinion) it is a deceptive practice because it only shows the passage of liquids and not solids -it seems many doctors disagree. I, too, am very frustrated because I can eat anything and lots of it. I have not gained weight, but it has been the same old struggle. I am hoping, and assuming that it is just because I need more of a fill to be properly restricted; it seems that some do, I guess. My doctor has not billed me for fills, but my insurance has been billed for two of my three (first seemed to be part of surgery cost) for $500 a pop! I think it is very odd that your Dr. will not do further fills??? I suspect, that like me, you just are not properly restricted yet. Please keep us posted about what happens, okay? I am definitely in sympathy because I feel the same way sometimes---all the testing, surgery, anxiety, and no results. I am really trying to stay postive and be patient. The people here are very supportive and have lots of information for you! Sultana

Hi, You know, I did ask my doctor (Kurian) why she doesn't do fills using fluoro, and it is her opinion that it is a deceiving (her word) practice because it only shows the passage of liquids and not solid food. I'm so happy for you that you are really starting to experience some real restriction. And away you go!! Sultana

AthyKay, I wish you the best of luck, and I feel sure that you will never regret your decision. You are right about this site; so many people here are willing to help and support you. Please keep us posted!

Hi Sue, Thanks for your reply, and it was not smart-assed at all. I absolutely know that fills are very individual. I guess what I really wanted to know, and didn't make clear, is what is the different fill capacity between bands--kind of a percentage or number comparison. I was not even aware that bands came in sizes! I know that I have not yet reached effective restriction, so I have to speak in numbers at this point. I find it imformative when I hear people say (like you did) that your magic number is 1.6. Or better yet, that they didn't get desirable restriction until 3.0. That gives me hope that I just have to be patient, and I will reach my "happy spot". I guess, since I am new to this, I feel frustrated because I am following all the rules, but the band is not doing its job yet. Numbers are just part of band language, and like any language, open to interpretation. I sure hope that the week later fill kick-in applies to me!! I have read many of your posts, and you are always a great help!

Hi All, Two days ago I had my third fill. It was odd because my doctor had the saline syringe in my port where she would inject a little and then have me drink. I never had a problem drinking but she only added .7. She did say that my two other fills of .6 and .7 were still there. So I have a total fill right now of 2.0. I think she is conservative because I live in the Phila. area and commute to NYC to see her. Having to have an unfill could be problematic. I do notice a little difference, but I can still chug liquids and eat a decent amount. My doctor did say that I have a large band (I think she said a 10). Does anyone know about band sizes and why I might have a larger one? How does that affect fills? Thanks. Sultana

Hi Kathy, I just had my third fill (I am at 2.0 in a larger band), and I still do not feel much restriction. It gets frustrating, but I am trying to stay upbeat until I get to what my Dr. calls my "happy place". From all I have read here and heard, it is very different for everyone. Congratulations on your 30 pounds! Sultana

Hi All, Today I got my second fill---another .7cc (in addition to my first fill of .6). When I was with my Dr. she was drinking Water and said to me, "Isn't it annoying that I can just chug water like this when you have to drink slowly?" I told her that I can chug liquids easily, and I could after my second fill today too. I did lose 4 pounds (in a month and a half), but I still do not feel very restricted. I ate a grilled cheese sandwich (thin rye and minimal margerine) the same day as my fill. Please advise me--is this normal? Am I just one of those people who needs more fills than some others? Both fills were easy and painless, so that is a good thing. I realize that I am rambling, but how would I know if the band has slipped or has a leak? I have lost twenty pounds in about 3 months, but most of it was right after surgery. I do eat solid foods, mostly avoid white bread, rice, potatoes, and sweets, and I exercise regularly. Again, does this sound like it could just be a normal banding stage or do I need to be concerned that I might have a leak or that my band has slipped?? Thanks for sharing and responding to my neuroses.

Hi Gang, I agree Alexandra; it is hard not to notice that people are mentally clucking (some actually greet me by looking at my stomach now!), but I can surely deal with that. The people that matter to me know the situation, and the rest can amuse themselves how ever they see fit! It is most certainly the least of my worries at this point. I suppose that since it is taking me a while to get some real restriction so my band will be effective, it adds to my frustration at not losing weight faster. It's like I am an addict waiting for my next fill!! Even though I am very extroverted I do not like to be the center of attention either. I have told my husband many times NO surprise birthday parties; I would HATE that! I like people, and they like me back, but I prefer it to be in small doses! Hang in there.

Hi, I'm so sorry that you are so miserable. I guess a happy medium is not an easy thing sometimes. How much fill did you get at a time? Don't you think that after three weeks you have suffered enough? I guess the only up side is that you have probably lost a good deal of weight, but what a price! Please hang in (I would go for the unfill!), and keep us posted. Does anyone know what the capacity is for an Inamed band? I have one, and am not sure.

Hi Anne, What you wrote was extremely helpful because it is exactly my case! I am now up to 1.3cc and I too can eat anything and chug liquids. I will be getting another fill on May 5. I will be very anxious to hear about your fill at the end of the month, so please FILL us in! I have to agree that I do feel much better already too only losing about 20 pounds. Even though it has been VERY slow, the numbers have only gone down at least. How about this: Being the extrovert that I am, many people knew about my surgery, and I did lots of explaining about the difference between lap banding and gastric bypass, but I still feel like people are looking at me and thinking "....still fat". Do you (or anyone else) ever feel that way?

Hi, Isn't is frustrating sometimes how fills vary? I personally think, both before and after my banding, that those dreaded female hormones play a significant role in appetite and in all kinds of swelling and water retention. Does your recent weight gain coincide with a hormonal fluctuation perhaps? I have heard from others here that sometimes fills do take a while to kick in, and that the restriction does tend to fluctuate (for hormonal or WHATEVER reasons). I think it is positively SEXIST that the two gentlemen who I have seen post here (Leo and ??) have lost tons of weight with no fills!!! Guys, really, I am happy for you!! Please keep how ever many chins you may have UP Alexandra, and thanks for sharing. Frustation needs empathy!

Thanks Ladies, I do feel better. I suspect that the reason that my doctor only fills in such small increments is because that might be enough or too much for someone else. I have another appointment early in May, and I will discuss the issue. Before then I am going to e-mail her and let her know that I still feel very little restriction. I certainly don't want to have difficulties eating and drinking, but I do want to get this weight loss rolling. It is frustrating. Alexandra, how is your latest fill going? I love your new picture. And thanks Chantal.

Hi There, I thought I would chime in here because I, too, was banded on 12/29/03. I have lost about 18 pounds, which was during the first two weeks, and I am struggling to keep it off. I do eat less than I used to, but I don't feel like I have restriction. I did get one fill (.6cc) in Feb., and I will get another early April. Some days I feel like I don't even have a band! I hope that the next fill or two will really get things going so I can start losing weight! Does anyone else feel discouraged sometimes?