gerio

Rich, I was worried about that too and asked my doctor. He said that if I got sick to go to the doctor immediately. The band prevents you from throwing up what has gone into the stomach. They also said if I were to go out of the country to take a needle with me. The nurse said that doctors that are use to chemo therapy could remove some of the Fluid from the band. She actually went to a hospital in California and no one knew about the band and she had to take some fluid out herself.:thumbup: I just hope I never get sick.

I should probably have a little taken out but I like the restriction I currently have. I have been on a liquid diet for two days and I feel pretty good. I am now eating soft protein (doing the 5 day pouch test but only for 4 days since we are going on vacation). Part of the band is just knowing what you can and cannot tollerate. Trying to find more time to exercise. I talke the stairs at work instead of the elevator. At night my daughter wants me to run the bleachers and around the track at the hight school. She is married and trying to drop a few pounds. I ride my bike there and then walk the track. I have a bad knee that will have to be replaced in a few years. Have a great day and keep up the good work,

It seems like we are all at the same place. We just need to look at where we have been and where we are now. I know that I have good restriction, I just need to exercise more and stay away from the ice cream. Sometimes I think my restriction is too tight so I crave the ice cream because it goes down so easy. I also have acid reflux at night if I eat after 6:00. Not fun. I also have to sleep with my head proped up on two pillows. It takes about 4 hours for the food to go through and I usually eat mushy foods. You would think I could lose this last 20 lbs. Don't get discouraged,

I just keep thinking that I look soooo much better than I did. If I just get to work and lose this last little bit I will feel better about my accomplishment. I am also focusing on being healthy and eating good. I eat mostly vegetarian I have problems with most meat. Can't eat anything after 7:00 and if I eat dinner after 6:00 I have to be very careful or I get acid reflux when I go to bed. I love this band, this would have been hard to accomplish without it. It is also so much easier to maintain. Have a great day,

I make a protein shake every morning (I can't eat anything in the morning, the band is real tight). I use 1 1/2 cups of skim milk, a carnation instant breakfast (no sugar added), some extra protein (I have been using whey protein but it gives me gas so I just bought some soy protein to see if it is better) I put in about 1 Tbsp, and a spoon of benefiber. I usually make a chocolate shake. This morning I used vanilla instant breakfast and put in some fresh strawberries. Good luck,:biggrin2:

That is GREAT! I was so excited when I finally became overweight. My next goal is to have my BMI say normal for once in my life. Congrats.

This is a great place for support. Everyone has been on the road that you are starting. Sometimes I will just read the posts and it gives me encouragement. Good Luck!!

I eat salad just every day and have not had any problem. I put olive oil and vinegar on it. I put my protein on the salad as well too (usually black beans or chicken). I was told to be careful with salad because it is mostly water and will go through the band too fast. Everyone is different for sure.

Last week I was at a convention and they had Chinese for lunch (does not do well for me). I had one bite of Broccoli and Beef I guess I didn't chew the beef well enough. I couldn't eat anything for the next 24 hours without it hurting. I ate something and pb. Up came a piece of the beef (over 24 hours later). Has anyone had this happen? Luckly the small pouch does not have the acid that the normal stomach has. I feel I have a good restriction, I am having a difficult time losing the last 20 lbs. Patience is the word.

Hey I could use some too. Since I lost weight I am down to a 36 A. Pretty sad. My husband keeps bringing up PS too but I would rather have a tummy tuck and get rid of some wings. Just got back from a week vacation and only gained 2 lbs. Happy with that, time to get back in control. Have a great day!

I think when you have been overweight it is hard to see yourself as thinner. I am not happy yet where I am but it is a lot harder and slower to lose the rest of the weight. My goal is to have my BMI to say "normal" for once in my life. You have done great. 100 lbs is fantastic. Keep up the good work.

Does anyone have suggestions for reflux. I have just starting having it at night. I don't eat after 6:00 pm and I have been sleeping with my head elevated. I have had to get up the last two nights and take some TUMS to try and relieve the acid that ends up in my throat. I really don't want to have any fluid taken out because I am struggling getting the last few pounds off. Is there anything that has worked for anyone?:drool::frown: Thanks,

I am only going to the doctor every 3 months now. I went on June 6 and got what the nurse called a little tweek (she added .1 to my 4cc band currently at 3.7cc). I only started to feel the full effect of it Wednesday. I am probably a little too tight but it usually loosens up or I get use to it. My band makes a lot of noise about an hour after I eat (while the food goest through). It takes about 4 hours before I feel hungry again. I can't eat anything in the morning because of the tightness.

Becky, yes this is only a tool but a great tool. You have to keep positive and make good food choices. I find that I am more aware of my food choices because I can't eat very much so I want what I eat to be healthy. I also exercise 5 days a week. It is sometimes hard to fit exercise into my schedule but even a half hour walk at lunch helps. My sister had the by-pass surgery and has started to gain back her weight. She lost faster than I did but I look healthier than she does. She lost a lot of hair (I lost some but it has come back) and looked ill for awhile. I have lost weight so many times before and just gained it back. I always saved my fat clothes for when I would gain my weight back. This time I have thrown away all my larger clothes because I know that I have the tool to help me keep my weight off. I agree with IndioGirl that the positive attitude very important. Just remember this is a tool and it will help you become a healthier and happier person. When you get a little older the healthier part is as important as the thin part. I am so greatful for the health I have. My blood pressure and cholesterol are excellent and I no longer take any medications. I have a bad knee but with the weight I have lost it does not bother me near as much. I have gotten a bike and I am not embarrased to ride it in public. This is the best thing I have done for myself in a long time. I have also gotten a promotion at work (which I don't think I would have gotten when I was heavier). I also have so much more confidence. I don't think you will regret your decision. This site is also a great place for encouragement. Good luck, Geri

mom lambert I go to the same doctor (see nurses but they are great). I like the way they do their fills and the way they let you help decide if you need a fill or not. Keep up the good work. Slow loss is always the best.

I was banded January 2007 and I have probably had about 10 fills. I have about 3.7 cc in a 4.0 cc band. The clinic I go to always ask me how much I can eat and if I can eat over 1 cup they will give me a slight fill. They have always given quite small fills and increased slowly. Don't get discouraged, this is only a tool (a great tool) but I still have to watch very closely what I eat. Each person is different, as I watch the posts everyone has different fills, and have different restrictions as to what they can eat. It seems that every doctor is different also. Talk to your doctors about your concerns and frustrations. This site is great for giving encouragement. Hang in there!

I know I have made weighing such a habit and now the weight loss has slowed down it can be frustrating. I will try for once a week starting today. I need to put the scale where it is not so accessable. I have enjoyed this thread. It is nice to have people about the same age and in about the same progression. I like to eat popcorn too but right now it usually makes me sick the hard part of the kernels doesn't like to stay down. I have really been watching what I eat. I bought a book called the "Worlds Healthiest Foods" they also have a website and it has some really good recipes. Thanks for all your support on this site.

I usually don't feel the entire effects of a fill for a week. Usually after one week it kicks in. I currently have 3.7 in a 4cc band and it is pretty tight but I want to be able to reach my goal. I have already reached the doctors for me. It would be nice to have my BMI at normal for once in my life. My weight goes down about 5 lbs and then it will stay the same for a couple of weeks. I keep telling myself to not weigh every single day but can't break the habit. Keep up the good work the weight will come off.

I usually did not feel the entire impact of a fill for one week after. About one week after a fill I became tighter and had to watch what I ate. Give it a few days.

If I eat anything after 6:00 at night I get reflux and it is not a good feeling to wake up in the middle of the night with that in your throat. I also have to watch closely what I eat at night and once in awhile I have to go on a liquid diet to settle things down. I could probably use an unfill but want to reach my goal. I agree with everyone that you need to go see your doctor. Good luck,

I started with 1 cup, I usually use about 12 oz. of milk (skim milk) now. The nurse at my doctors makes this shake, it is a good way to get some of your protein. I lost quite a bit of hair when I first started losing weight (which is normal) but it is coming back. My hairdresser is happy. She said that even on Weight Watchers she lost hair so if this happens don't stress, it will grow back.

I once in awhile go on the South Beach Diet for a week because it is pretty much how I eat. I can't tolerate any bread, rice or white carbs. I bought a great book called the World's Healthiest Foods. I went to a seminar for Library Science and one of the speakers was talking about whole foods. There is a great web site that talks about eating whole healthy foods it is at www.whfoods.org. You might want to check it out. The book is great and has some great recipes and general nutritional information. Since we can't eat a lot it is important to eat as nutrionally as possible. Good luck on your new life, it is great.

I make a protein shake every morning. I can't eat anything so it works good. I use 1 cup of skim milk, No added sugar instant Breakfast, and about 1 TBSP of chocolate whey Proten ( I was putting a scoop in and had horrible gas), 1TBSP of Benefiber. I mix it in my magic bullet and off I go. If I want a fruit shake I use vanilla instant breakfast and vanilla flavored whey and whatever fruit I want, 1 TBSP Benefiber. I found that some mornings I can't handle the thicker fruit shake. The protein helps me not get hungary until lunch.

You seem to be the same place I am. I get discouraged but am losing slowly. Right now I go between 175 and 180, up and down. I feel like the band is at a good place, have to watch what I eat. My problem is I like ice cream. It is too bad that sweets go down so easy. Keep up the good work. I told my kids that it will take me the entire year to lose the next 20lbs.