Bandakat412

Ugh. I hate to get caught up on negativity...BUT...this is a sensitive topic for me. I actually made a well educated, purposeful decision to go to Mexico for surgery...on multiple occasions. Likewise, I made a decision to have a 4cc band.

It is factual that there is a higher slip rate, but as previously stated, there are some contributory factors to that statistic that are not band, but rather surgeon related. Also, why get a band if its not as efficacious? 4cc banders reach and feel restriction, and for that benefit need to be smart about their fills more so than those with a larger band.

We can all banter for a while...each has pros and cons. Some of the evolution was in response to band competition and marketing in the market...some was for reduced slippage.

Regardless, people with 4cc bands are not damned to horrible complications. And on a final note, Mexico can be a very safe, and for me SAFER because of anesthesia issues, than in the US.

I'm in the same boat! 10lbs first week, now almost three weeks and not an ounce more. I'm eating 800-1000 calories with the exception of yesterday (1200). Maybe it's normal? Or else misery loves company :-)

I've seen people post that even really early (first few months), their surgeon won't fill the band if the patient loss sufficient weight. That seems like punishment? Anyone else's doctor do this?

Anyone can follow a diet for a month or two but we got the surgery to use (though not abuse) the tool, right? I don't want to burn out on willpower before I'm ALLOWED to get a fill.

Wow. Every 4 weeks sounds common. That's a long time. :/

What you eat matters to weight loss. It's not just calories in/calories out. Sugar and even high glycemic fruits and white starchy food, spikes blood sugar which can cause weight gain and metabolic syndrome, and then the blood sugar drop leads to hunger. Some foods cause cellular inflammation that leads to weight gain. These vary with individuals but can be wheat and corn.

Anyway, as long as you get your nutritious foods, maintain your weight if you're happy where you are- I wouldn't compare to others. Everyone has something different that doesn't agree with their band.

Thanks for the support everyone :-)!!! And for sharing your own experiences. I really needed a boost.

Thanks. I guess I'm more disappointed than feeling like a failure. If I randomly said I lost 8-10 lbs in three weeks, I'd be happy. I haven't lost ANYTHING since the immediate post op shock. On the calories it seems I should have lost more.

Anyway, I might be feeling a little down because I befriended a VSG surgery the same day and she's down 18lbs, but more importantly she's lost consistently for weeks. I feel like I'm eating too much for this early out.

What was your experience?

Thanks :-) I agree with the pudding. It was a flavor godsend but no nutritive value. If the 10kbs were real I'd be ECSTATIC! I know they are the fat cell Water loss though. I was looking forward to week 2...only wanted 2lbs off!...nothing.

I am logging my calories. I'm a "lightweight" so I'm not sure if its normal or I should cut calories.

Thanks for helping!!!

Thanks so much. These responses are very helpful. It's also comforting to hear that the band MAY feel useless to some people post op until a magical fill amount. I was pre-loaded so to speak and can't wait till my first fill. I don't feel it at all.

No- not so much after walking. Post work out Protein is to aid in muscle maintenance, growth and recovery. A small shake before and after can assist your body with using less of your stores protein (muscle) and catabolism, but for light exerue your best to minimize calories. Be sure you are getting over 70g per day though. 90-100 is even better through a reduction in simple carbs.

Hi. I hate this question so please don't yell at be about everyone is different. I want to do well!

I have surgery may 31st, lost 10 lbs quick (the water), and pretty much nothing for 8 days. It should be too erly to plateau (after 1 week of loss nothing for week 2)

I'm eating about 800-900 calories on soft foods, mostly from Greek yogurt and sf pudding. I'm getting about 80-90g of Protein and walking 30 min per day (port and hernia repair still hurt or I'd do more).

Advice?? I tried to cut out sugar except what's in the milk products.

You should have 20-30g of whey Protein within 60 minutes of a work out to preserve strength/muscle gains.

I just had a band placed over bypass so I have limited experience with the band, but plenty with WLS. No one knew I had surgery. The first two months were very hard to eat out with people because I couldn't really eat. I imagine the band will be similar until you have a good idea of what your safe foods are. Then, I just are small portions with no comment. If someone commented I'd tell them I was on a diet or I eat smaller portions more frequently, rather than large meals.

Good! I wish people would stop worshiping food around me! Lol. Totally kidding, but you wouldn't invite an alcoholic who just started rehab to a bar, right?

Anywho, weekends are the devil for me too, especially in the evening. I try to compensate by being an angel mon- fri, exercising HARD Saturday, and never giving myself permission that its an off day. I really need to work on it though. It's a bad mental place to feel like I've lost control.

I agree legit complications are sometimes the reason but I've had a few people say, as their first answer, "I wanted to be normal and I tired of starving".

Thanks for responding!

So I'm 10 days post op and cautiously optomistic. I've read a million posts from people who hate their band passionately because of sliming and PB and being hungry. Usually they are a couple years out or more.

Question is, no matter what other medical reasons, we, the overweight or obese, have an unhealthy relationship with food.

In your opinion, are these veteran banders (not the ones with slips, etc), getting unfilled because of band failure (its a bad tool) or because of food addiction?

Even fruit can slow weight loss. Try a week with 100g of Protein and no more than 50 g carbs

I agree. Not a first date topic. I actually dated someone for two years and never told him. I was crazy in love and I'm not ashamed, but it wouldn't change anything and people don't get it really well, even if they are awesome. In other words, what's the benefit of sharing?

Www.quantumscale.com

I have a scale that tells me how much I gained or lost, but not the number. Godsend.

Depends. Fat also holds toxins so if you are losing really fast and toxins are floating around, you'll break out. Make sure you are taking your Vitamins, getting a little dietary fat, and use something exfoliating a few days a week (your cell turn over will slow down and clog pores)

I'm new to surgery, but theoretically you should be able to eat anything if you chew it into tiny pieces. That being said, many people have a problem with bread, Pasta and rice- anything the expands or is sticky. Dry chicken can also be the devil.

Yuck! A month between?? Two weeks I get because of the swelling.

Thanks!

Don't tell at me! I know tight is bad...

I'm 8 days post op and I'm dying to feel the band quietly at work. How long did your doctor make you wait between fills at the beginning? I've heard quite a range so I'm just trying to see the range. Thanks!

I had plastics in Monterrey, MX and lap band last week with Dr. Aceves in MX. I had PS here at home one time, and RNY several years ago here at home.

I still talk with my Mexican PS surgeon. He was caring and I had a daily personal nurse come to my hotel before I could go home. After my LB in MX I was motoring around with my IV pole the same day. The have different rules about anesthesia- for me it was MUCH better than surgery at home.

I will say I have a 4cc band, but I didn't argue. They had the AP and realize. 4cc have higher complication but better restriction sensation. Since mine is band over my bypass pouch, I figured higher pressure was better.

What do I know! But I know I have a band and port. Fluro to prove it. I can't imagine where people are getting gauze instead. I believe bad things happen everywhere.