ginger205

Thanks for the information. I noticed that you said you have 6.5cc, is that from one fill? Do I add what I have had each time to get a total of what I have in my band? If I do that, it comes to 9, that seems like a lot in a 10 cc band!

I understand. I think I was there last week. I am doing better this week, just dealing with TOM issues! Do you have another fill scheduled? I decided to just wait on my 4th fill. I just don't have time to go over there (1 hour away) this week and then they are on vacation. I wish I didn't feel guilty about waiting. I feel like I am throwing away money each time I eat!

I wonder if we all have similar cards to carry? Has anyone used their's to order a smaller meal?

How did you find out if you had a leak? I am having trouble deciding if I should push for a 4th fill this week. My dr swore that I would be too tight this past time, that he had had to unfill everyone he had put over 1cc in the 3rd time, NOT me, I had 2.2!! If I don't go this week, I can't go until Aug 13th. Please tell me one of you has advice! :help:

That makes me feel better, I do the same thing, but I don't every weigh at night, LOL

You all are such an inspiration!!! I am only 5'1 so I just grow wider! I started at 233 and I am down to 209. 24lbs in 10 weeks. I have not seen a difference in my clothes at all. I know it will come, but that is hard to not be able to wear my pretty smaller clothes yet, LOL! I called the doctor today and know they are telling me that sometimes it is the 4th fill before you get restriction with an AP band. Know I just have to decided if I should push for that 4th fill this week before they go on vacation! Question- are you weighing a certain time each week or day?

Thanks for the suggestions with the water. I think the problem with me, is that I am very inactive right now, so I have to get up off my butt to get water, LOL! Once I am back to work (when school starts) it will be much easier for me to get the water in, b/c I will be doing something!! My 3rd fill seems to be ok so far. Does anyone have tight restriction? I am wondering how long I should wait to see if this one took?

Melissa O- sounds like you have a plan! Manatee- that is great that people are noticing! I am amazed at how my body has adjusted to not drinking with meals. It is like it knows. About an hour after I eat, I start to get thirsty! Then I check my watch and it is time!! I have never been a big drinker so it is not that hard. However, it is very difficult to get water in each day!!

You have a very valid point. I will tell you that I have been disappointed with my band, for that same reason. The cravings do not go away completely. Most days, it is just like being on every other diet you have been on before. The foods we like are what my doctor calls "soft foods" that simply means you can chew them down to nothing and consume more. My doctor also insists that to make this work you only eat 3 times a day. That is hard for me not to snack! I will say that I have noticed I can be satisfied with less. If I am really craving something, then I watch the portion size. I am also living off of 100 calorie packs for my sweet tooth. I don't mean to sound so negative, but I didn't expect to be hungry and I am. Some people are not, so I may not be the best person to judge by! I just got my 3rd fill yesterday, so I am hoping it will give me more restriction!! Good luck!

That is so exciting!!! How long does it take to get the dress in? Heck, you might be a 12 by then!!!!

I went for my 3rd fill today. I told the nurse that the first 2 had not helped me. Her response was "you're thinking there is no band!" I thought that was funny considering what had been posted on this thread. We'll see how this one does!!

I'm back from my 3rd fill and a nice chat with the dr! I thought I had gained 4 lbs, but I had actually lost 4 more lbs. I guess I forgot what I weighed, LOL! The nurse told me that the doctor wrote in my chart after my 2nd fill that he just knew I was too tight. He wrote that he thought I would be back by the end of that week. I thought that was interesting, because I felt like my 2nd fill was not as good as my first! Then today, he told me he was only adding 1 cc on the 3rd fills of the new AP band. Well, I guess I was different, he put 2.2 cc in mine. His nurse again, feels certain I won't make it. I guess we will see, but so far today, I have been fine. I talked to him about being so hungry and dealing with what I consider to be "head hunger" He swears that once I hit that sweet spot, that it will get better. So, we will see! They will be closed so, after this week, it will be 3 more before I can get another fill. That bothered me because the nurse said sometimes it takes a 4th fill on an AP band to get it right! I am going to call Monday and make an appt for the 4th fill, so I can be prepared. Thanks for letting me vent!! Also, please post what your post-fill diet is?

Wow, we have a lot in common! I have 3 kiddos and I teach school too! I understand exactly how you feel. I think that the hardest thing for me is that I didn't have instant restriction. I got my 3rd fill today, so hopefully that will be enough for me to quit eating like a horse!! I am 10 weeks out and I have lost 24 lbs. My doctor thinks that is very average. Have you started the process with a doctor?

That scale was interesting. Most of them put me at about 150. I will take that with a smile! I would really like to be at 135 and have lost 100lbs. I just don't know how realistic that is since I have not seen that in over 7 years! As far as the burger, my doctor actually suggested ground beef for protein. I have eaten beef patties, no bun, and with ketchup without any problems. However, I don't think I have much restriction! Tomorrow that will change, I just know this 3rd fill will help!!

I have felt the same way. I am going for fill # 3 tomorrow, 3rd times a charm, right??

Thanks for the info on the 10cc band. 3rd fill tomorrow, 3rd times a charm, right!!

I have the newest band on the market. It would be considered a 10cc, but it actually holds 11

Dr. Wellborn is my doctor. I feel like he is very knowledgable! I was reading on the boards about the new band that came out in June, only to find out that he was able to get it for me in May! I think he really keeps up with the research and that impressed me. Have you been to a seminar?

My doctor suggests pouring the soda and letting it sit out for at least 15 mins. Pouring over ice helps get rid of the "fizz" too. That is how I drink my sodas! If I don't wait long enough for the fizz to be out, then I can tell and it is uncomfortable!

I am glad I found this threa tonight. I have been having serious doubts tonight. Like, why did I spend all this money and I am still not losing! I have lost some weight, but is has been all willpower. I am going for my 3rd fill on Saturday. I will have gained since my 2nd fill, so hopefully the dr will be able to provide restriction this time. I have a bad case of buyers remorse!

I had my band placed on 5/4 by Dr. Wellborn with Arkansas Obesity clinic. I had to pay for it myself, no insurance coverage. It was $16,000. So far I have not had to pay any more. Have you been to a seminar? What is your history with weight loss and I might be able to give you more insight!

Thanks, Legster! I am afraid I will just start crying! I know I have gained, and that makes me feel like such a failure!

Keep us posted! how did you lose 80lbs before? I will tell you that the band is not a quick fix. I am not losing weight any quicker than I have on other diets. I am having to watch every bite and have even gained this week after my second fill. So just be prepared that it will be just as hard to lose this weight as it was before!

I wanted to say thanks to all of you and congrats! Your post are always so encouraging. It seems that you are finding the key to making this work for you! I have had a rough week. So far I am up 4lbs. I am going for my 3rd fill on Saturday. I have a serious addiction to food. I thought the band would help me not eat or want so much, but that just isn't the case. I have a bad case of buyers remorse, espeically with my large loan payment. I can eat anything and as much as I could possibly want. I don't drink with meals ( I am not drinking anything really, so that is another problem!) What do I tell the dr when I go Saturday? I hate answering all those questions while drinking that water, because I am afraid of answeing them wrong and also afraid of being too tight. Please send me suggestions of what to say and do on Saturday to get help from my doctor?