Camping7768

Hi, I had my last fill in the beginning of Jan. and did well until now. The last 5 days I've been not able to keep anything solid down. I've been trying soft foods like mashed sweet potatoes and ground beef and I pb after the first tiny bite. I'm o.k. with liquids as long as I drink them slowly. Just wondering if anyone else has had this? I've got an appt. with my Dr. tomorrow afternoon to have a partial unfill since I'm having my thyroid removed on Thursday and won't be able to come home until I can eat/drink. I don't want to have to be in the hospital longer than I need to be, LOL! Is it normal for the band to tighten 3 months after a fill? Thanks for any thoughts, opinions, or advice. Dee

Way to go!!!!!! I hope I'm as successful as you've been! Keep up the good work!

One more thing I forgot to add. I've always been a real guzzler when it came to liquids. You know, always in a hurry, and yet wanting to make sure I got enough liquids in. After my last fill, I noticed I can no longer guzzle. I have no problems with taking (what are probably normal) sips, but it's very painful to guzzle. I'm still learning, LOL!

Wow! Congratulations on the weight loss!!!!! At my last fill 2 months ago, I thought my band might of been too tight. I was just like you - able to get liquids and soft food down but pb'ing and getting sick on the solids. I took a couple of days and stayed on liquids/soft food so the swelling could go down and then slowly started with the solids again. I figured out that I've never had that much restriction before and wasn't taking small enough bites/chewing well enough. For me, old habits are hard to break, LOL! I've not gotten an unfill but feel the band is right about where it should be as long as I slow down and remember to watch my bite size and chew thoroughly. I'm interested to see what others thoughts/ideas are. Keep up the good work!!!!! Dee

Just a thought......are you on blood pressure meds.? If you are, you should discuss this with your provider (either way, please contact your provider.) Possibly it's time to decrease the dosage or do away with the meds all together. I've only lost 52 lbs. but my b.p. has really fallen. I used to be around 140/90 but today was 111/78 so my Dr. is having me come in every week to check and if it continues to stay around the same or drop more, she'll take me off one of my pills. Congratulations on the weight loss!!!! And I hope you get to the bottom of this quickly!

Hi, I live in Bethlhem and was banded by Dr. Gillarmo Garcia at St. Lukes in Allentown on Oct. 7th, 2008. I have no complaints what-so-ever and think Dr. Garcia and his staff are AWESOME! Started at 320 lbs 1-15-09 - 264 lbs.

Just hoping someone could explain this to me, please. I know to stay away from slider foods such as ice cream, shakes, etc. but was wondering how the stomach differentiates between well chewed foods (ex: Soups, crackers, and even salads) if we're supposed to chew them until they're applesauce consistancy? Went to Olive Garden for their Soup and salad special the other day and couldn't eat the soup even though I chewed very well (Soup Fajoule, but it was very, very think - stew consistancy) but the salad went down great. I had to stop when I thought I had enough because I really didn't feel my band helping me out like I usually do with other foods. Hope my question makes sense. Thanks in advance for any responses! Banded 10-7-08 320/284 as of 12/17

Congratulations!!!! Sending prayers your way for a quick recovery!!!!! Can't wait to hear/watch your journey!

Not sure the size of my band, but the first fill was 1cc and my Doc. will only do 1/2 cc fills after the first. Seems like it's going to take a long time to get there, LOL! I've only felt some restriction after a fill for a couple of days. I'm scheduled for another fill next week and will find out the size of my band.

Awesome job!!!! Keep up the good work! It took me 2 months to lost 36 lbs. and I'm happy as can be with that (that's including the 10 day pre-op diet, LOL!). That's a lot of weight to lose in a month!!!!!!!

Hi, Hoping to find some 2-3x clothes within 2 hours of where I live. I had LB surg. in Oct. and am down 36 lbs (yippee!!!!!!) I'm 5'7" so any pants would need to be reg. or tall length. I wish I could offer my clothes to someone else on the list, but honestly, they were really pretty shabby. For me at least, before my surgery, I never felt worthy of having any "nice" clothes so I just wore the same things over and over for MANY years, LOL! I would be willing to pre-pay for shipping also if that would suit you better. Thanks for reading and I wish everyone a Safe and Happy New Years!

Wow, thank you so much! I was 320 lbs. before surgery and at my last fill on Dec. 17th, I was 284. Again, thanks so much!

Oh my gosh, I'm still wiping the Water off of my computer screen, LOL!!!!!! What a stinker your friend is!!!! Initially, I wasn't going to tell anybody but changed my mind. This is the best decision I've ever made and if my experience can help just one person then I've made a difference. I wish I would of heard of this surgery years ago but I only heard about it the summer of '07 and it's taken me this long to get okayed by my insurance. I was way too chicken to try gastric bypass and feel so grateful that this procedure has been found.

Hi, The size would be 22/24 or 26/28. Thank you so much for responding!!!!!! Dee

I was 49 when I had my LB in Oct. and so wish I would of had it done sooner. Actually, I didn't hear about this procedure until 2 summers ago and started my 6 month supervised diet then. While waiting for my insurance to o.k. the surgery, in the meantime, from being so overweight I had both my knees replaced Nov. '07 and tore my hip cartlidge while in rehab for the knees. Now I await a hip replacement. But that's all done and behind me now and I'm on my way to being a healthier, happier person and I'm so thankful to have had this surgery done.

Oh I hear ya!!!!! This was my first holiday season since my band this past October and it's been rough!!!!!! I too, made lots and lots of cookies and every evening they were screaming my name, not to mention I just had to sample them as I was baking. And of coarse, I had to sample the dough too! Not sure how I did weight wise as I don't have a scale, but I go for my 3rd fill in a week and a half and I'm determined to get and stay on track again. Boy, this is quite a learning process trying to eat healthy and only when your really hungry! But I WILL do it. I haven't come this far to blow it and I keep telling myself that by next year I'll be able to handle the temptation of the cookies. I will, I will!!!! Good for you for being so determined. I know we'll get through this and will learn from our mistakes.

Wow! I ached for you as I read your post. Sounds so much like my family, which I haven't seen in many years. I finally stopped visiting because of the way they treated me due to my weight. My father used to go outside and bring in a bench from the picnic table set for me to sit on because he was afraid I would break one of his kitchen chairs. They would watch me like a hawk when I ate and tell me when they thought I had enough. I hoped they'd be thrilled when I told them I was having LB surgery and yet, it's been 3 months and they haven't even asked how I'm doing. My in-laws are kind of clueless too......I saw them for the first time since my surg. 3 months ago and even though I've lost 36 lbs and am down a pants and shirt size, they said nothing. Oh well, at least I've got my immediate family and they've been so supportive of me. I keep telling myself that they're all that matter and I thank God every day for their love and support. Hang in there cause we're with you and celebrate every milestone with you. Way to go, TPB!!!! That's the spirit and I can't wait to hear about your journey!!!!!!!!

Hi, I'm from Bethlehem, PA and had my surgery done by Dr. Garcia on Oct. 7th. Would love to meet up with others in the Lehigh Valley who have had LB surgery.