chandatay

I Am Curious As To Your Fill Levels?????????????????? I Have Had 6 Fills Now And I Am Currently Around 12.5cc In My Vg Band. This Is Just My 2nd Day Of The 6th Fill So I Can't Tell You Yet If This Will Be The "one", But I Pray That It Last At Least Until The Next Fill This Time. Anyone Others Out There Higher Than That??? My Dr. Says That It Can Be Filled Up To Around 15 Or 16cc's! Any Comments Are Welcomed...............

HELLO TO ALL, IT'S LONG LOST CHANDA.........I SURE HOPE I REACH SOMEONE OUT THERE WHO UNDERSTANDS WHERE I AM COMING FROM THIS MORNING.TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT.........I HAVE HAD UMP-TEEN FILLS AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE GOOD RESTRICTION. MY LAST VISIT TO THE DOCTOR WAS NOT GREAT AND I AM WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO NOW. HERE ARE MY VITAL STATS. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT U THINK I SHOULD DO...... # OF FILLS - DATE - WEIGHT - FILL AMT. POST-OP LOSS - TOTAL LOSS 1/1/07 - 304 - B4 SURGERY 7/9/07 - 284 - SURGERY DAY - (20) 7/24/07 - 265 - 2 WK POST OP - (19) - (39) 1 - 9/4/07 - 267 - 5cc - (17) - (37) 2 - 10/23/07 - 266 - 4+5 = 9cc - (18) - (38) 3 - 12/11/07 - 263 - 9+2 = 11cc - (21) - (41) 4 - 1/22/07 - 257 - 11+1 = 12cc - (27) - (47) 5 - 3/4/08 - 248 - 12+.25 = 12.25cc - (36) - (56) 6 - 3/11/08 - 247 - 12.25 +.60 = 12.85 - (37) - (57) 7 - 4/29/08 - 239 - 12.85 + 1.0 = 13.85 - (45) - (65) 8 - 6/5/08 - 230 - 13.85 + (.50) = 13.35 - (54) - (74) 9 - 7/29/08 - 231 - 13.35 + .40 = 13.75 - (53) - (73) 10 - 8/19/08 - 234 - 13.75 + .40 = 14.15 - (50) - (70) 11 - 9/9/08 - 231 - 12.17 (53) - (73) 12 - 9/23/08 - 229 - 12.17+.50 = 12.67 (55) - (75) 13 - 10/3/08 - 234 - 12.67+.50 = 13.17 (50) - (70) 14 - 11/11/08 - 229 - 13.17+1.00 = 14.18 (55) - (75) 15 - 11/14/08 - 225 - 14.18 + (.50) = 13.68 (59) - (79) 16 - 1/27/09 - 230 - 13.68 + .30 = 13.98 (54) - (74) I HAVE NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT IN OVER 6 MONTHS. ON MY LAST VISIT TO DR. BRODY HE BASICALLY SAID THAT I HAVE GOTTEN ALL THAT I CAN GET OUT OF THE BAND AND THAT I SHOULD BE REALLY HAPPY WITH THAT. THE VISIT B4 THAT HIS ASST. TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD CONSIDER THE SLEEVE BECAUSE THE BAND REALLY DOES NOT WORK WELL FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN. I AM AT A CROSSROADS... MY HUSBAND NOR MY FAMILY WILL SUPPORT ME EVEN CONSIDERING GOING UNDER THE KNIFE AGAIN. THEY SEE THE WEIGHT LOST THUS FAR AND LITERALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT MY PROBLEM IS. I KNOW THAT I WILL NEVER BE A SIZE 8, 10, OR EVEN A 12, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET UNDER 200 POUNDS. I DON'T THINK THAT IS ALOT TO ASK. THE SCALE JUST WON'T MOVE. I AM WONDERING IF I SHOULD SEE ANOTHER DOCTOR. WHAT DO U THINK? MY DOCTOR DOES NOT USE A FLUOROSCOPE DURING FILLS SO I AM CONVINCED THAT THEY REALLY NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH OR HOW LITTLE FILL THAT I AM GETTING; THUS HAVE NO CLUE WHAT MY RESTRICTION IS. DO ANY OF YOUR DOCTORS USE A FLUOROSCOPE DURING FILLS? I KNOW I AM RAMBLING......BUT I HAVE NO WHERE IS TO GO FOR HELP. NO ONE UNDERSTANDS BANDSTER PROBLEMS BUT FELLOW BANDERS.....SORRY I HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE LOOP SO LONG, BUT I REALLY HAVE LOST HOPE WITH THIS BAND. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY, CHANDA P.S. I HAVE THE BIG VANGUARD BAND...WHICH THEY SAY CAN HOLD UP TO 16CC'S!

Thank u so much kimmy for replying..... I really am gonna consider all of your suggestions....... Will let u know how it goes. Thanks again for replying.

Happy Friday To All........ I Was Wondering If Any Of You Have Had A Colonic Since Being Banded??? Just Curious, Chanda

Thank You So Much For Replying To My Question. That Is Enough To Scare Me Away! Skip That Idea. Thanks Again.

Who Is That Lady??? I Bet Vegas Didn't Recognize You Either!!! Great Job Tina!!!

Thanks guys for the responses. I will keep praying and trying to do what what I am supposed to do. This is BAND HELL! Take care all, Chanda

Hello To All, I Am New To This Thread. I Am Up To 11 Cc's In Vanguard Band. My Doctor Told Me Today That It Can Hold Up To 15 Or 16 Cc's. Is Anyone Else Up This High With Fills??? Btw - My 1st Fill Was 5cc's - Did Nothing. 2nd Fill Was Another 4cc's/total Of 9cc's - Worked For About 3 Or 4 Weeks. Now I Just Had 2cc's Added For A Total Of 11cc's - Praying It Works This Time And Lastttttttttttttttt. Just Wanted To Know If There Were Any Others Out There Suffering Like Me With This Band. Five Months And Only Dropped About 20 Or So Pounds. Started At 285 On Surgery Day Of July 9th And Now 263 As Of Dec. 11th.

Hello Gang, It's Another Lapbander In Progress (lbip)! Sorry I Have Been Mia For A Minute, But I Have Been Working My Butt Off Trying To Get Some Results To Report! Unfortunately, I Have Not Significant At This Point. I Am Going To Dr. Brody On Tuesday For My 3rd Fill And I Have Only Lost 7 Pounds Since My Last Fill On October 23rd. Exactly 1 Pound A Week! (bummer) Overall, I Have Only Lost What Seems Like The Same 25 Pounds Since Surgery In July. I Really Was Praying To Be Under 250 At Least By Now. But Of Course As They Say It The Weight Lose Gets Better With Each Fill. I Am Up To 9cc's Now So Hopefully This 3rd One Will Be A Dream. Good News Is That I Definitely Know Now What It Is To Have Restriction. I Have Had About 3 Episodes Of Sliming And Pb'ing Since The 2nd Fill. But I Have Corrected Those Issues Of Eating To Fast And Drinking To Soon After Eating. So I Am Good With That. In Addition, I Have Not Given Up On My Workouts. I Am Amped It Up To 5 Days Of Cardio And 4 Days Of Weight Lifting. Since My scale Has Seemed Have Gotten Stuck On Stupid, I Decided To Add Some Circuit Training For A Boost. (btw - Kee I Work Out Everyday At lunch In The Gym At My Office - Sorry For Just Responding, I Just Realized You Addressed Me In An Earlier Email). Yall Take Care And Have Fun At The Lunch. I Wish I Could Come But I Will Have My 3 Year Old And You Know How Boyz Are When Mommy Wants To Really Do Something For Herself. Everyone Please Post And Update Or Something. I Would Love To Hear From You All. Someone Please Tell Me The Is Light At The End Of This Tunnel And That This Scars & Keloids On My Belly From The Lapband Are Not In Vain. Take Care And See You Soon, Chanda

Hello Gang, It's long lost Chanda. I have been checking in from time to time, but not posting, for give me. I have been really battling this weight loss and it's no fun. I am struggling to keep the 20 pounds off that I lost after the surgery. Had my first fill Sept 9th. And only had restriction for about 2 weeks. So you know I am in Band Hell! I go today for a 2nd fill and I pray to God that I get some help. This is not funny anymore. After this weekend I felt like someone played a sick joke on me after I was able to eat a whole dinner at Sakura, a little popcorn at the movies, and to top it off Cold Stone afterwards! I was beginning to wonder if I even have a band inside of me. I can feel some sensation of discomfort but obviously not enough to make me stop. Only good thing that I have to report is that I have not given up on the gym. I am still working out 45-60 minutes at least 4 times a week. Still not great but better than the nothing I was doing over the past several years. Please share some of your struggles. All prayers are needed right now! Take care all,

Tanya, Thanks for bringing us back down to earth! With us seeing the scale move for this first time in years, it's just all so exciting. Makes you just anxious to keep it going! That's why we have you our resident "Veteran Waldorfian"! Thanks also for the insight on the "sweet spot". That sure gives us something to look forward too. My husband actually asked me late last night if I would have to go for a fill every few weeks for the rest of my life. And I tried to answer him but really wasn't sure. It's like now after I am over 2 weeks out, he wants to now ask all types of questions about the Lapband as if I am now the expert. I am wondering where were you when I wanted you to ask these pertinent questions before the surgery. I guess either he didn't know what to ask or he didn't want to upset me beforehand. Men I tell you, got to love them. Take care, Chanda

Tina, I have to wait until after Labor Day for my first fill. I was banded 7/9. I haven't a clue where Jorgina is. I know she told me that she was applying for Federal positions. But I am not sure if she is still there or not. Boy do I wish I worked locally! No. I am on the other side of the world in Rockville. I love my job but the commute is no joke. I switch it up and take metro some days and drive on others. I came back to work last Wednesday after a week and a half. And by Friday I felt like I worked a full week! Take care, Chanda

Tina, You are right I was about 15 minutes late getting into town this morning and I literally sat down at 10:00 and they were calling me back at 10:05 and I was back in my car at 10:30. I was thinking, BOY wouldn't it be nice if all Doctor's appointments were that way! So did Dr. Handsome say that since the 1st fill didn't kick in that they still won't adjust to the next 6 weeks??? That's a bummer! Girl go to the beach and enjoy! Just imagine if you were even heavier than your heighest going to the beach this year. I am not even going on our annual cruise this summer, because my Lapband was my vacation this year! (smiles) No really after being on a ship last year at 305 and not wanted to go out or do anything, I figured I would not even put myself or my family thru that this year. We will go all out next year and do maybe a 10 day to Hawaii. But I sure will miss that Freedom ship, it is the best. But only goes to the Caribbean. Have fun, Chanda

Chimboree, Unfortunately with time we all come to realize that EVERYONE that you know does not want to see you happy. And that's the bottom line. When we face the fact that our happiness is determined by only 2 entities then the BS will literally go in one ear and not out the other BUT won't even go IN! You know those 2 entities are GOD and yourself! So shake those haters and keep it moving girl! Good luck tomorrow and eat some ice cream or something tonight cause you won't be having any for a longggggggggggggggggg time. Take care and my prayers are with you, Chanda

Thanks so much for the support Tina. Really means alot! I am lovin my band thus far. I told Mr. Handsome -aka- Dr. Brody that whatever he did to my body 2 weeks ago to DO IT AGAIN! I told him if what i am experiencing is what life will be like with the band, please can I have a fill early! He said no of course. But I know that this tightness will wear off before that first fill and I don't want to loose the restriction. Is your 1st fill not working??? When is your 2nd? Keep the faith and Thank God for what you have lost thus far. My mom just put it all in perspective for me when I called her a minute ago. She reminded me that you don't want 20 pounds every month because you don't want to have to have plastic surgery after all of this. And she is absolutely right. See ya, Chanda

Hello To All! Just Wanted To Let You All Know That I Just Returned From My 2 Week Appointment With Dr. Brody And All Is Excellent! Down 20 Pounds And Counting! Good Luck Tomorrow Chimboree! You Will Be Fine. Hello To Sonya, Tina And Tanya. See Ya Soon, Chanda

Hey Gang! Hi Tanya! Thanks so much for the well wishes.......... Glad that you are back online. I am happy to report to you all that I am doing much better. No more gas or constipation. Thanks to Maaloxx and good old Castor Oil! My only problem now that I AM HUNGRY for the first time in a week. I just had some watered down cream of mushroom Soup.........I know I know. I am a week early but I can't take another cup of broth or another Slimfast. It seemed to went down well but my check feels a little funny. I guess that's a sign that that is my limit. Yall pray for me! Take care and stay online, Chanda

Hey Tina, Did you find out about your fill from Dr. Brody? Everyday is getting better as far as the gas and the pain. Only problem I am having is drinking. I feel like everytime I swallow I am getting air in with the liquids. I just had a bad experience with a can of Slimfast. Yesterday it took me about 3-4 hours to get one can down. And today for some reason I thought I could do a whole can in about and hour. Bad idea.... Anyway, I just walked up and down the stairs and all around the house immediately to move the gas.........And I feel better already. Boy this is ruff. If I can't even drink right, I have feel like I will never be able to learn to eat properly with the band. Also, I have question for you regarding bowel movements. Sorry but I have to ask. I haven't had one since Sunday which was the day before the surgery because I took some dieters tea to make sure I was clear before Monday. I feel like if I took a laxative or something I would feel 100% better. Let me know what you think! Also anyone else from the gang, if you can shed any light please help...... Take care, Chanda

Tina, Forgot to tell you CONGRATS on the 45 pounds.......You are my inspiration!

Guess Who's Home??? It's Me! Surgery Went Fine.......thank God. I Woke Up In So Much Pain Last Night In Recovery Around 7:00 Pm. They Started Me Out On My Morphine......and I Was Feeling Better By 7:15. I Didn't Get To My Room Til Around 9:30pm. I Had A Terrible Morning And The Doctors Wanted Me To Maybe Stay Another Night. I Couldn't Urinate And I Was Sick To My Stomach All Morning. After A Good Nap, Some lunch, A Nice Walk Around The Hospital And A Lonnnnnnnnnnggg Shower, I Got My Act Together And At dinner And Now I Am Home......... We Later Out Figured Out That I Basically Pushed The Lil Black Button To Much All Last Night When I Couldn't sleep And Made Myself Sick From To Much Morphine. Then I Turned Around And Ate My First Meal Of broth, Jello And Water Tooooooo Fast. So Needless To Say Couldn't Keep Nothing Down. I Am Home Now Relaxing And Trying To Get This Gas And Pain Down To A Minimum. I'll Be Home The Rest Of The Week, So Keep Me Busy With All Of Your New Posts...... Take Care, Chanda

Thanks Tina! I Needed That (your) Reassurance......... I Am Scheduled To Be There At 2:30 For A 5:00 Surgery. I Told Them I Will Be There At 2:00 Because The May Push My Time Up. The Sooner The Better! I Will Be Home Tomorrow Night And Back Online. So I Will Let You All Know How It Goes........i Wish I Could Take My Laptop To The Hospital With Me. I Tell You This Website Has Been So Helpful And One Of The Best Support Systems I Have Ever Known. Take Care And Chat With You Tomorrow, Chanda P.s. Tina Please Give Me An Update On Your Progress And You Current Eating Patterns So I Can Have Something To Look Forward Tooooooooooooooo.

Hello Cathy And The Rest Of The Gang! I Know It's Been Awhile But I Must Say I Have Not Been Myself In This Past 14 Days! Struggling With This liquid Diet! Today Is This Big Day! God-willing I Will Be Having My Band Placed This Afternoon. So Please Pray For Me.............. I Am Not Nervous, But I Am Afraid That My Liver Will Not Have Shrink! I Have Done The Liquids For The Most Part, But Everyday I Have Also Had Something Or The Other That I Wasn't Supposed To Have. Go Please Don't Let Dr. Brody Have To Cut Me! Cathy, Since You Are Newby, Please Tell Me How You Did On Your Diet! Need Encouragement For You All! Chanda

Are any of you able to eat protein bars during your pre-op? The Kellogg's Bars are addictive!