Yvonne

Hi, Was wondering if you could suggest some brands of tasty Protein powder for me and I'll try to find them on sale here in England. Getting filled again after 18 months of going it alone. Maintained till this Jan then fell off the wagon and gained 2 stone. Time to try again and try harder this time. Thanks for your help, Yvonne x

Hi all, Have had a chat with my surgeon, explained about the lack of proper restriction and he's agreed to take all the fill out so I can go it alone. They will still monitor me every couple of months so that should keep me on the straight and narrow. Just waiting now for my fill appointment - can't come soon enough. Longing to have meat, salad, fruit and veg again, and to be able to eat without getting stuck - heaven. Will diet as I did in the first six months with no fill - take turns about with a low cal diet then the atkins diet when my weight stalls. Will let you know how I get on. How are you all getting on? Yvonne x

Glad I'm not alone I've been referred to a dietician but I don't see the point - bit angry about it really cos I need restriction not someone telling me what to eat - I've been being good and that's why I've been maintaining - I could be sitting eating crap all day - then I'd see the point of a dieticians advice. I thought I'd give the fills one more go then if that fails I'd get the whole fill out and go it alone - at least I could eat healthily and not have to worry about food getting stuck. I know the difference between a blockage and restriction. The whole point of the band is the restriction limits your portion size - we haven't got that so what do we do? I'm fed up with people assuming it's my fault I'm not losing - I know restriction and I haven't got it. Why don't they believe me. I'm on the NHS here so have to wait till I'm referred for a fill - prob is they didn't let me have one last time so I think I'll have to be forceful and ask for one - not good at sticking up for myself - no confidence. I could even put up with being really tight - as long as I could get fluids down (I had to have an unfill because fluids kept coming back up last time) We know our own bodies - I just wish they'd listen and understand. I'll let you know what happens at my next appointment this month and with my next fill should I be granted one. Take care all - and let us know how you're doing and if you ever find true restriction. Yvonne x

Hi all, Been banded 19 months and still haven't found restriction - briefly experienced it after a large fill but it went when the swelling went down. I'm at 8.9ml in a 10ml band - was too tight before at 9ml and had to have some out - the fill provider said some fill is lost at every fill so the 8.9 amount might not be accurate. Now my surgeon thinks I've got restriction and just eating around it - I can't eat certain foods like Pasta and other things get stuck but I can still eat bread and large portions - I feel like having the whole fill out and going on a diet again - the only weight I lost was when dieting in the first six months and I've just been maintaining since then. Anyone going/gone through the same? I feel like a failure. Yvonne x

The swelling didn't go down - waited a week - got an unfill yesterday and it makes the world of difference - sweet relief to be able to drink again. Yvonne x

I recently had a fill and am so tight that I can't drink in the morning - does anyone like to be like this or is this just too tight? The only thing I've managed to keep down food wise is a handful of pretzels - not very healthy - the weight is falling off me but I'm so miserable like this. Think I need a little bit out. What should normal restriction be like? Thanks for reading Yvonne x

Thanks for taking the time to post some advice girls. Since the pb this morning I've been ok and liquids are going down better - what a relief - so will wait a while longer and see how it goes. There is swelling there cos I can feel discomfort when Fluid is passing through - so hopefully things will improve. Yvonne x

Hi all, I had a fill on Mon - 4 days ago and was getting liquids down albeit very slowly - then this morning I pb'ed on some coffee - have been sipping milk since and it's going down - gurgling all the way - I have little burps as it's going through the band. My question is - will this ease after a week or two? My last fill caused swelling but I could drink OK. I've also read that fills can take 2 weeks to kick in - could I get even tighter? Was thinking of waiting two weeks then if still like this getting an unfill. What do you advise? Thanks for reading. Yvonne x

Hi Girlies, I turned 40 in Nov 07 and had my surgery Nov 06 - have lost 70lbs since then although the last few months have been terrible and I've stayed the same - just been yo-yo-ing. I've had my 3rd fill on Mon 4th Feb and that's me up to 9ml in a 10ml band, hoping for true restriction now - will be able to tell when the swelling dies down. liquid is taking it's time to go through so hoping this will be the sweet spot for me. Wishing you all continued success with your bands. Yvonne x

you could try WLS information and Support - Home british site for weight loss surgery - lots of info on there and members are always happy to help. Good luck, Yvonne x

It's normal to be nervous. I wish I'd had mine done when I was your age. Good luck to you. Yvonne x

You're not a failure - you just want proper restriction - sometimes it can take many fills to get there. I've heard that some fills kick in up to 3 weeks after the fill so maybe they make you wait that long just to make sure. With my fills I know in a week or so (once the swelling goes down) whether I've got restriction. Good luck - hope your restriction comes soon Yvonne x Just thought I'd add - I got my 3rd fill on Mon taking me to 9ml in 10ml band - hopefully this will be the sweet spot for me - was at 7ml before that and had no restriction. Everyone's different though - you might get there sooner.

I've also heard the sweet spot is when you're losing 1-2lbs a week. Yvonne x

Congratulations on your weight loss Mick - inspirational. Wishing you continued success. Yvonne x