Jessiebear

I have PCOS. I have been banded a little over 14 months. I've lost 75 lbs.. That averages out to be 5.35 lbs. a month. That's not bad at all when you look at it all averaged out. Of course I didn't lose it like that. There were many months the scale wouldn't move & then wham -10 lbs. over night. In my opinion it's harder, but definately doable! Good luck to you!

Don't worry! You're normal! You don't have restriction. Keep getting fills until you feel like you are comfortable with your level of restriction. Sometimes it takes up to 3 weeks for a fill to kick in. Believe me, you will know when you get restriction. If it were me, I would wait 3 weeks to a month between fills. Hang in there!!

YAY!!! Congrats!! Your pre-op diet sounds so much better than mine was! I had to do sugar free clear liquids for 3 weeks. You can do it!

What a beauty! Well done!!

WOW!! You look great!

Cool NSV! Way to go margo!! Congrats!!!

LOL! Sorry! Let me clarify a few things. First of all I have 2.9cc in a 4cc band. This is really tight for me. I have to be extra special careful about chewing well, taking small bites, etc.. That day I PB'd I was really rushing myself because we were traveling. Lonnie doesn't like to stop & eat when we travel. He had rather do fast food to make better time. My Mom & Grandma were with us so we stopped. FOR EVERY MEAL. I have also come to realize that when I get upset or really emotional, my band clamps down. So all this combined is what I think made me PB so badly. I have had like 4 PBs in over 14 months of being banded. Soooooooooo....... Do you need a fill? Are you losing weight? Are you eating any & everything you want & as much of it as you want? Can you eat bread with no problem? If you're losing, then probably not. If you answered yes to the other 2 questions & you are not losing, then in my opinion, if it were me, I would get a fill. Even though you are at 3.2cc in a 4cc band. No restriction is no restriction. But if you don't have restriction with 3.2cc, I would ask my doc to make sure that the 3.2cc were actually in there. Some people have had leaks on here. Okay! I rambled with you! LOL! Hope that clears things up for you!

I think most docs say to stay away from carbs. That doesn't mean that we do it. Personally, I can't! I have a tight fill & I am asking for trouble if I try bread, potatoes or potato products. They are problem foods for most banders with good restriction (they cause PBs or the dreaded golf ball). We all know that bad carbs = slow to no weight loss & possible gain. I hope that helps! It sucks, but I hope it helps!

LOL!! Congrats!!

Congrats! That's awesome!

Welcome! Nice to meet you! Congrats! Keep us updated!

Hi Molly! Welcome! It's nice to meet you! Congrats on your upcoming banding!! Keep us updated on how you're doing.

Congrats! Happy belated Bandiversary!! Awesome job!!

Congrats! Welcome to Band Land!! Walk, sip, gas-x, heating pad & let 'em rip! Hope you have a speedy recovery!!

WOW Vines!! I just got goosebumps! I'm totally jealous! If I tried to belly dance they'd be wheeling me to the ER. You go girl!! Congrats!

Good advice! I think I learned something! LOL!

(((((HUGS))))) I don't think I can add anything here other than I have been exactly where you are. I probably would have considered GBP if my insurance would have covered it. I was self-pay. I have been a turtle from the beginning. But I am a little over 14 months out & I have lost 75 lbs. I have had 4 fills & I have very tight restriction right now. I was down in the dumps up until I had my last fill. I can't exercise due to back problems. I have a cousin who had GBP & last week I saw her for the first time in like 3 or 4 years. She looked great! She didn't know I had had WLS. When I told her, she assumed I had had GBP. She began to tell me all the problems she is having. That conversation made me feel a lot better about my choice. I hope you decide to give the band a try. It really does work. The progress is just slower. Hope you get to feeling better!

It sounds to me like you are having more of a golf ball feeling. Try taking smaller bites & chewing to goo. Try drinking warm liquids before you eat. I have always had big problems with eating any kind of bread, potatoes & potato products & peanut butter. You might try laying off these items for a while & see if it helps. I was told to start with protein & if I'm still not "full" I could eat some veggies & or fruit. My doc & nutritionist said absolutely no bread or starchy foods. Hope this helps! If you truely think it is heartburn & you're having reflux, contact your doc & ask to maybe switch to Prevacid or Nexium. In my opinion, they are both better than Prilosec. I had reflux for years before I was banded. Once I was banded it disappeared!! Praise God!! If I never lost another pound the band would be worth it just to be rid of reflux! Hope it gets better for you!

Welcome! Nice to meet you!

Yep! You have restriction! Congrats! I have really tight restriction & had to learn the hard way. Try drinking really warm liquids before you eat. Like 30 mins before. Hot tea, coffee or hot chocolate all work great for me. Take tiny bites & "chew to goo," as Vinesqueen says. I have to swallow a bite, put my fork down & wait a few minutes between bites. It sucks eating cold food or having to rewarm it constantly, but it's better than golf balling!

Gas is what I'm thinking too. Gas pains happen at the weirdest times & in the weirdist places after these kinds of surgeries. If you're not sure, call your doc. Hope it gets better for you!

Welcome! Nice to meet you! A fudgecicle would be considered full liquids, not clear liquids. Sorry! If your doc says clear, stick to clear! Congrats on your band! Sounds like you are doing well & experiencing normal post surgery stuff. For the gas try walking, a heating pad, gas-x & other gas relief products, & if all else fails.............glycerine suppositories. Keep up the good work!

You look great!!! Congrats! I know you have to feel like you're on top of the world. Thanks for sharing!

Congrats! Happy belated Bandiversary! Awesome job!

WOW! Congrats! I'm so happy for you! I'm especially happy that you're pleased with the outcome & that you have had a relatively easy time of it. You give me hope for my future PS (which is a long ways off in the future). Take it easy! Can't wait to see your pics!!