bjlang68

:w00t: Yeah, I did have SOME restriction - but, not nearly as much as I would have expected. I remember earlier on with less of a fill, there were stages where I had more restriction. The band is SO fickle, huh? After getting this fill yesterday, though, and being on Synthroid......I think I got my mojo back! Thanks!

I actually had 3.8 cc in my 10 CM band. I heard it's only supposed to hold a max of 4.5 cc's. Anyway, I had lost only 3 pounds in two months. My doc was actually very supportive, and did give me another fill. When he pulled out what was in there, it showed 3.5. He added .5, for a total of 4cc's. He gave me the reassurance that I needed - the pep talk, and the support I felt I needed. So, no complaints. I'm on liquids for a few days, of course. But, I feel fine. It's back on track time for me! Thanks, everybody!

Does anyone else get that "pain-pressure" in the middle of the back, that eventually radiates to the diaphram and sometimes even up into the shoulders? It's that "trapped air" feeling you get after having laparoscopic surgery. I am at 3.8 cc's in a 4 cc band - but I have been for several months. The problem only started about a month ago. I take Gas-X. I don't know that it helps, but it doesn't seem to hurt! Also, since September, I have been lightheaded off and on. I am positive it's not nutrition related. Lord knows I can and do eat more than I should.....not horribly, but enough where I have no nutritional deficiencies. Anyway, some days, it's really bad. Other days, I'm fine. It comes and goes. I have not fainted, but feel like I'm coming close. I have seen my primary doc about it, had a sinus x-ray, saw an ENT who says it's not related. I guess my next step is a neurologist. I WAS diagnosed wth hypothyroidism about a month ago. I was started on Synthroid, and my bloodwork that came back yesterday has me within normal limits. I know hypothyroidism CAN cause dizzines/light-headedness. Maybe I'm just not back to normal, yet, despite my TSH being normal? Thanks!

Thanks for your positive feedback, Guys. It's good to know that there are others out there who have the same issues. It's easy to get discouraged, but ..........harder to get back on track, huh? :wink2:

Hey, everybody! I have been a member here since April '07. I was banded on March 23, 2007. I wanna whine and bitch and moan. LOLOL Just like everybody else, I was all full of hope and shiny bright thoughts, and a surplus of motivation when I had my surgery. I did all the right things, bought the treadmill, ate pretty well, got fills.....lost a pound here, 3 pounds here, two pounds there - while others I have talked to have lost 100 pounds + in the past year, I have lost about 30. A month ago, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. My TSH was off the charts. I have been on Synthroid for a month. I am praying that this had a lot to do with my slow weight loss. I gotta admit, for the past few months, I have not exactly been the poster child for following the lapband rules. i basically gave up. I haven't been exercising regularly, I have been indulging in junk food, and basically being a "wallowing in self pity bowl of jello". I have a follow up appointment with my surgeon tomorrow. I almost canceled it, because I haven't lost any weight. But, I guess I'll suck it up, go in, tell them what's going on, and take my much deserved chastizing. I need to kick myself in the ass, and get back on track. I gotta admit, though - if things aren't better and I don't see some significant progress soon, I'm gonna scream. (I just read what I wrote. God, I can't STAND people who whine like I just did!) Anyway, thanks for listening. I really needed to vent all of that to people who get it. :scared2:

Hahahahahahahaha! I am ALWAYS confused, anyway! And, regardless of what size band I have and how much saline is in there, it ain't enough, cuz I'm still hungry! Thanks for the fun debate. :scales: :huggie: :biggrin1:

Glad to hear that! I don't want to have to get 8 more fills at 1cc each, in order to get restriction that's effective! LOL I also was having a hard time imagining how big the band must be to hold 10 cc's. I guess this means that Syrah's doc is NOT conservative! Good for you, Syrah! You should be feeling pretty full!

I have been so busy, I feel like I'm missing all the girl chat! After getting a 1 cc fill on the 4th of may, I still have no restriction. That's okay, though. I have convinced myself that good things do indeed come to those who wait! BCBS Federal insurance covered almost everything. I had a $100 co-pay for the hospital, overnight stay, and that was it! I DID just have to pay $250 for my first fill. The office is unclear if we can get reimbursement, or if they can bill for it. The office is supposed to send me a claim form, so I can try to get my money back. I'll keep you posted. I DID have my surgery with Halmi/Tran - but, I had it out of Inova Fair Oaks Hospital. I had been going to the Fairfax office. My first visit to the Woodbridge office was last Friday, for my fill. I THINK I covered everything! LOL I'll try to be better about getting on here. I know I still owe Tina and Pamela an email. I'm a bad band buddy! Please forgive me! BJ

I heard from a nurse in my surgeon's office that the 10cm band is the same as a 4cc band. Am I wrong? Did I hear incorrectly?

I guess filling you to the point where you have no opening and then backing off a bit is a time saver, but I hear that your stomach swells after being tightened. Couldn't that cause a complete obstruction? It sounds kind of scary. Have you guys had problems with needing un- fills or band slippage or obstruction, or anything else bad? Plus, so many people seem to have that "delayed restriction/varied restriction" stuff happening. I'm frustrated that I am having to go so slowly to get enough restriction. I guess we all have to determine what we consider to be the lesser of the two evils.

Gretchen, you took the words right out of my mouth. I just had my first fill on Friday. It's 1cc in a 10 cm band. I feel absolutely no difference. I had no restriction before the fill, and I feel like I have none now! It's really frustrating. I gained a pound back since my one week post op visit. I have a follow up appointment on 6/1. It's really gonna suck if I have to wait another month to try for some restriction again. I'm hoping I get that "delayed reaction" a lot of people report after a fill. If not, you and Becca77 have given me a little faith that things will get better. Thanks! BJ

Hey, everybody! I got my first fill on Friday. It was 1.0 cc's. I still am not feeling any restriction. Will it take time to kick in, I wonder? I don't want to have to wait until my next appointment on 6/1/07 to try again. Sheesh. I don't mean to sound so impatient, but .....I'm impatient! Thanks for any info you can provide! BJ