mannamay

I went for my third fill yesterday. Over the last couple of months, I have noticed how hungry I get and how much I can eat, so I decided that I needed a fill. My surgeon usually does my fills under flouro, but due to finances, I asked him to do it in office. He agreed. Once on the table, he was pulling out the old saline and I asked him how much came out, and said none, but not to worry, that this is not uncommon. I was at 2.5 cc's out of a 4 cc band. Now, because he did not do it under flouro, he didn't want to fill too tight because he was going to be out of town for the next week. He told me to wait 2 weeks, see how the restiction goes, and if not working out, come back and he will put me under flouro. I am feaking out right now, thinking that I have a possible leak. I have heard of losing Fluid because of the helium balloon technique, but that does not mean I am not freaking out. Hope that is all that is wrong. I guess we will find out in a couple of weeks. Any advise would be appreciated on this subject and if anyone has delt with this before, please let me know so that I will know I am not in this alone. Thank you.

Hi everyone- Okay, where do I start? May 14th 2008 was my one year post-op. During the one year, I lost, maybe, a total of 35 lbs. Now, what I do know is this. I do need a fill because I can eat virtually anything and it goes down. About 1 month ago, I was going to get my 3rd fill, but of course, life happens, and I could not make it. I have to travel 110 miles to get a fill, so it is not always easy on the pocket or time to get there. Next, I was exercising regularly, but then I had gotten sick, bad sinus infection, so once that was over, I got out of the habit and am having a hard time starting up again. I just can't seem to get motivated and I know that if I don't get the fill and start exercising, I am going to stay in this rutt. On top of that, I have family around me, making comments about how I am gaining weight and my husband getting upset that I spent money on perfectly good exercise equipment, and how I am not using it. He is 6'4 and has never had a weight problem, so it is really hard for him to understand what I am going thru. I try to make the best food choices. I am not much of a sweet eater, I will occasionally around TOM, have something, but other than that, no. I try to get my protein in as much as possible, and none of my food will hardly ever get stuck (thank God) but on that same note, I almost wish it did, so I would know that the band is still working. Has anyone else had this issue? Believe me, I don't care what it takes, this coming up week, I am going to get a fill regardless, but in the mean time, I would appreciate any ideas on how to jumpstart my motivation again. I WAS-getting up every morning, working out, watching my eating, even though I could eat almost anything, and then I expected something to result from it, and NOTHING. It is very discouraging. Something else I wanted to ask about---Is it normal for your body (WHEN YOU START EXERCISING) to feel run down? It seems like everytime I start an exercise program, I get sick---which will usually cause me to stop. Should I keep going (exercising) even though my body starts feeling sick or just tone it down? This is what I usually do when I exercise: Walk on treadmill for 30 min. to get heart rate up, then switch to Total Gym for about 15-20 minutes to strength train and tone? Am I doing something wrong????? Any advise is appreciated and I apologize for writing a book. Thanks!

Sue, Erica, and Jack--- Thank you for the comments. Yes, I should probably get on here more often and use (YOU-My Band Family) to keep me motivated. I understand the two on WW are using a buddy system, I just get down on myself because I paid so much money and I am following the program to the best I can, some days are worse. Every body slips sometimes though. Jack, yes, I have actually thought maybe I had a leaky band---What do they do about that? I will find out soon. I hope to be at the doc's office by Tuesday to get that fill. Another question I have is this: I know the Doc will know what fill to give you, but can you request them to give you a certain amount? I know they will say they don't want you too restricted to where you become malnourished, however, I do know that the 2.55cc's I have right now is not enough. I have actually heard on here that some people do not get the restriction until they are at or almost at 4cc's. Not sure, but I will keep you all updated as to what the doc says. Hopefully, everything is okay and I just need that tire inflated. Thanks again.

Something else I forgot to mention is, my sister-in-law and niece were overweight as well, and a couple of months ago, decided to lose weight, so to throw it in my face that you don't need surgery, they started weight watchers together and have lost a lot of weight already. Which, I am really happy for them, but they will occasionally make comments like I have lost-X amount of weight-so far, but what is going on with you? Basically, we have lost this much weight w/o surgery, and you have lost how much? That does not help my emotions, and they will say it in a way where what they are saying is not a direct comment, but enough of a comment that it hurts you and I don't know how to deal with that? Especiallly when I am in a rutt like I am. In my mind set, it is really hard to see them doing so well w/o the surgery and knowing that I have paid thousands of dollars to lose 35-40 lbs so far. I really would like to show them that I didn't do this for nothing and not only prove to them, but also prove to myself. Does that make sense?

Hi, I know and understand what you are saying. Everyone watches you like a hawk. I think they are just waiting to see if and when you will screw up because surgery fixes everything automatically, right? Nope, and that is what they think. That, once you have surgery, you are fixed and will loose weight every 5 seconds. I face that everyday. Even if I have a lot on my plate, people are like, are you really going to eat all that? I have to remind them, that even though I had the surgery, it is still a mind game that I have to play everyday. I think what you should tell them is this---Listen, I have a tool not a magic lamp, I appreciate that ya'll are interested in what I am doing on a daily basis, but please give me sometime. Then tell them, I don't appreciate you watching me like a hawk on everything I put in my mouth and question it. Until you know what I am going thru, if I am having a bad day, then I will talk about it, until then, please leave it alone. After you tell them that, if they are your friends, they will understand, and leave you alone about it, if not, this could possibly keep going on. I hope this helps. Keep up the good work, you are worth it.

Does anyone know what your credit score has to be to be approved by care credit? I have to wait until at least May to try and apply, but I was just curious??? If anyone has been approved or denied, please explain so maybe I can get my ducks in a row. Thanks...

Hi Jim, I too was self-pay. I went through Care Credit to finance the whole kabob. It was a tough decision due to finances, but thanks to my DH, he helped me make the best decision for me. I had mine done May 14th of this year and so far, I am happy I did. I dont recall ever losing this much in this amount of time. I am very happy with the results. I still have a ways to go, but in due time, it will happen. As long as I might be able to count on being at goal by my anniversary, and with God's help, anything is possible. Good luck with your journey and I hope all is well.

Congrats on being banded. Way to go and good luck on your new journey.

Hi Betty, congrats on being banded a while back. Thanks for joining, we always like new people.

In all honesty, I am glad to see that I am not the only one having these eating problems. I too am having a hard time eating when I am supposed to. Lately, its been my breakfast that I am skipping, and I love breakfast. It is because I am not hungry. I am going to eat breakfast this am, because I know I am throwing my body into starvation mode. Yesterday was a bad sweet tooth day, all's a wanted to eat was junk. I didn't, but wanted to. The next issue would be no energy, I am guessing it is because I am not eating that much during the day and then OMG, in the afternoon, my tummy gets upset, don't know if its gas or something I ate, but I almost have to take to bed because I feel like the room is spinning. Anyone else had that issue??? Something else I have noticed is that when my bowles are not moving, I eat something with peppers, and Lord watch out, that usually gets it going. I found out that peppers are a natural stool softner plus they burn calories, so eat your peppers...lol. My family and I went to our local lake for the weekend and I ate pretty normal, I actually bought me some of the 100 calorie pack hostess cakes (carrot cake) and let me tell you, they taste great. When everyone else around me was eating fattening food, I had my pack of cakes (very tiny) and I was satisfied. My DH has a ski boat, so we hooked a tube to it and I got to get on the water and play. He threw me off of it a couple times going so fast and when my body hit the water, I was like HELLO?!?! But, all in all, we had a great time. Okay, will write back soon. Take care everyone!

New Update Hi everyone, its been a while. Thought I would update. I went to my doc on Thursday and had my first fill done. They put 2cc's in a 4cc band. Now, I do feel some effects already, but what is this I hear about some people not feeling the effects until 1-2 weeks after they are filled? That threw me for a loop. I am not really sure how the fill is doing for me yet other than I cannot eat as much as I could 3 days ago. But anywho, nonetheless, I guess it is working. I am down 26.5 lbs in 6 weeks. Guess that is a good number, not sure. I am happy with it though. I could not have lost that much any other way with what I have tried in the past. It is going a little slower than my brain would like it to, but as long as I can get to my goal by my 1 year anniversary, I will be happy. I have 10 months to lose 80.5 lbs, does this number seem reasonable? I hope so. I don't think I am being to drastic with that time frame. Well, I am really hoping not to have any more fills done if not nescessary. I wish this could keep me restricted enough till goal, now I do know that might have to change later down the road, may need more restriction, so time will tell with this fill I just got. I definately know that I have to give it time. Anyway, you all take it easy and keep on trucking.

Hi everyone.... Okay, since starting my little venture, I had decided to be a self pay patient, but am having a different view. Not to say that I won't end up being a self pay patient, so here's the deal. My DH's company insurance does not cover the band at all, heck, they don't even cover the bypass. Well, what I am thinking about doing so that I can get this covered is have my husband drop me from his insurance which is not cheap anyway, and have a different insurance pick me up. I have priced the different ones out there, and they end up being a little bit cheaper than my current insurance. For example, UHC doesn't necessarily say its covered, but doesn't say that its not, so therefore, I need some imput. Who is the best insurance company out there in ya'lls opinions for me to choose and do ya'll think this is a good idea? It ends up costing me more or less the same premium every month, so I will not have to spend that extra money out of my pocket for the self pay issue. I am open to suggestions and comments, if anyone knows, that would be great! Thanks...

Hey everyone--- Here is another update. Finally called my lap doc and scheduled my first fill appointment. I will be filled on June 28th. That will be my 6th week from band date. They told me to just drink liquids 6 hours prior to being filled. Don't know why, but I better do it. Anyway, the weight loss I have experienced is still at a loss of 22.5 lbs. I have not lost anymore, but what I have noticed is that I will go 2-3 days a week and lose and then the next 4 days will not lose. I guess you could say that I am losing about 2 lbs. a week which I was told is very normal and a good loss. So, we will again see. Take care and congrats on all ya'lls progressions.

Hey everyone--- It has been a while since updating! So far, so good. I have managed to lose 22.5 lbs. since being banded. It is nice to finally see the 220's. I have not been this low since I do not remember. I know that when my DH and I got together, I was hovering around 215. So, needless to say, I will be so excited once I get below 200. I see that some people on here are already exercising. Now, I have not started yet because doc say I needed so heal some first, but not I am feeling better and am ready. I have an elipticle(don't know if I spelled that right), a gazell, a stationary bike, and a treadmill. Between all of those, I should be able to get something accomplished..lol. Although I have been doing a little swimming, I guess you can count that as exercise. Anyway, I am happy to report that I no longer have a double chin and I am losing weight in the strangest places. My toes are actually getting skinnier. LOL...I mean, come on, I am not worried about the toes. I want the mid-section to go bye-bye. Well, time will tell. I am also happy to report that my sister joined to band-wagon on June 6th and with her pre-op diet and surgery she has lost a combined---22 lbs. She was heavier than me. Right at about 320 lbs. I hear the heavier you are, the faster you lose at first. Nonetheless, she is doing awesome and her outlook now is fantastic. Now, this may sound kinda gross, but I am finally on a regular bowel movement schedule. I was getting worried because I just was not going as often as before and doc reminded me that I am not eating as much and so therefore, there is not much to get rid of. Makes sense huh???? Well, I will keep my may-bandsters posted on the progress and I am so happy to see that everyone seems to be doing good. Keep up the great work and I cannot wait to see more progress from you all. Take care!

Just wanted to say that you will start feeling more like yourself at the two week mark or so. Personally, thats when I started feeling better. Take care and good luck!

Hey everyone--- I have a question. Did anyone on here lose a lot of weight on the liquid diet after the surgery, and then slow way down once they got to mushies? I lost 15 lbs. first 8 days, then have lost nothing? I feel like I am losing my mind. Any responses would be appreciated. Thanks.