FallsTooFast

I don't know about others but I didn't fall victim to ice cream until long after I got the band and began experiencing weight loss. When I look back to evaluate what I could have done differently.......when you need a fill....get a fill! My weight loss plataued, I wasn't going to the gym anymore, just lost all my Umph, etc... I didnt gain anything back but they were bad habits I dont need! After my fill on the 16th, I haven't even thought about ice cream. :wink2: Now lattes are another story! I will go an extra 30 minutes on the eliptical to keep those in my life, and I must have b/c I cont to loose weight and still enjoyed them while doing so! :thumbup: Good Luck...you've got the right attitude! :thumbup:

I went to a Fill Center yesterday and received my 2nd fill. My first one was in TJ, and I have been without sweet restriction for awhile but have maintained and not gained! Anyway, they recommend 24-48hrs of roomtemperature to warm full liquids....then normal food. I have no problem following these rules but they also endorse a 72 hour un-fill policy at no cost if I am over filled? But you have to call in the 72 hours....how will I know if I need an unfill if I'm on liquids?? Right now I'm worried I may be a weeee tight! I've been drinking broth, tomato soup, strained soups, basically. I'm soooo not hungry, No major pain, but I can tell I've had an adjustment....I burp air, I don't have reflux but after a tsp. of peanut butter I could taste it in the back of my throat_ but not burning ?????? At the center they said, "can you feel the water in your pouch and then feel it pass?" I couldn't, but now with soup I CAN...what will solid food do??? So, should I just be VERY careful until this fill is my sweet spot? After I drop a few pounds I may be perfectly filled, ya know? I'm going to GENTLY SLOWLY try some fish tonight ( always done me right) and see how it goes. Maybe I have just forgotten what diligence restriction requires since its been so long and I'm over-reacting? Just curious what you all think!??

Julie- I am temporarily in SF and just got a fill on the 16th. I inquired with your DR but was stunned by the price....I could fly to TJ where I had my first one for that....that's my preference anyway! I looked into Fill Centers in the area and only came up with Gardenview (sp) who doesn't use fluro! I wanted my pouch evaluated so I was checking into other options. The Fill Center recommended I go to Boise, ID to get plugged-in to the Fill Center System and they were having an introductory fill offer: grandfather into entire system, fill & fluro for $168! I found a cheap flight and jumped on it! They ONLY used fluro to find my port and my pouch was never evaluated....no barium since c-arm doesn't move to accomodate the seated position!!! Kind of a let down....just wanted to give you a heads up if she is recommended this option. I would go to TJ EVERYTIME if I was a perm North Cal resident.....its not that far and tickets are cheap. I love TJ and Dr Ortiz's staff!

YES YES YES....I was filled on the 16th and I was having the same feelings. Gas pain like surgery (inside and out) and burping air, but no reflux. I am an RN so I have been racking my brain to understand the anatomy and physiology of this, but nothing makes ABSOLUTE sense? The only burping theory I could come up with is: now that I have restriction I am noticing that I swallow air when I eat and talk more so now than before???? I feel a lot better just knowing my experience is validated by others! :thumbup: This band is a funny thing...mind of HIS own! :Banane34:

Hang In There! You have to baby your band right now and that is what is best for your future...this is just temporary! I would try to see my band under fluoroscopy with a barium swallow to completely evaluate the band. If everything looks good, I would get a fill and CHEW CHEW CHEW....SLOW DOWN. Don't get anything else stuck! We all have a warning/close call then we remember we have to SLOW DOWN & CHEW! Good Luck! You will start loosing again after you know your band is OK

Why did you schedule the fill? Have you plateaued with your loss? You mentioned that "you weren't hungry".....those are the reasons to get a fill, don't feel like you have to stay on a time - line. My first fill lasted MONTHS! Don't forget to exercise!

YOU NEED A FILL! BUT, if you eat fast and do not chew chew chew and continue to eat past the band(liquids with food?); you will put yourself at risk to damage your band. :smile: It happens. To answer your question, it is much easier not to "eat the whole thing" when you're restricted. :mad2: When are you eligible for a fill? How much is in your band?

I'm a little late to join this month, but this is exactly what I need! I ALWAYS feel sooooo much better when I'm working out, but I slip out of my routine so quickly........AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! :) In fact today I have been going back and forth but after checking in, I am going to the gym :crying: ........ well...... as soon as it opens! :ohmy: I'll stay in touch! Thanks Again!

How big is your band? Whats your BMI? What do you eat in a day? Whenever you aren't loosing go back to the basics: #1 FILL #2 MEASURE food #3 FOOD DIARY/COUNT CALORIES #4 HIT THE GYM!!! If this doesn't get the scale moving then repeat! In the beginning, before my first fill I struggled with head hunger vs satisfied vs stuffed. Once I got restriction it was easier to control the head hunger and I started dropping weight. But the band is a tool not a quick fix....stay patient, keep doing your part and you WILL loose! :crying: PS: How did your second fill go?

Hey Sue- I couldn't tell where you are at with fills, but I too am in a slump and have a fill scheduled for 8/16. If you are working out 1-2 hours a day, then what are you eating? It took me some time at the same weight before I took it back to basics: #1 FILL #2 MEASURE FOOD #3 COUNT CALORIES #4 GYM THEN....if I don't loose I will go back to #1

Jachut took the words out of my mouth! It is inevitable!! Sorry to scare you but its the truth. Also, the band has a mind of its own. One day_ something works fine and the next day_ up it comes??? However, I do think this happens down the road (if everything is ok) You will get a fill, find your sweet spot, and when you are not paying attention you will have your first experience I have gotten very creative when out in public and trying to "look normal" by using my napkin, blaming it on indigestion etc... But sometimes I have to excuse myself and go to the restroom...just in case! To answer one of your questions...sometimes it comes without warning (maybe happened twice in 1 year) so you could be anywhere! Although, it is like nothing you have ever experienced. It isn't pleasant but it isn't/wasn't for me like the way you think of throwing up......its throwing up, just different! :confused2: Remember....CHEW CHEW CHEW....SLOOOOOOOW DOOOOOWWWWN :crying:

If you are drinking juices at full strength this will increase your loose stools. I did not experience this....my experience was more so in the other direction! I think Imodium comes in dissolve strips? Good Luck

I used to drink a lot of diet coke, but since my surgery MANY things taste different and soda is one of them. I don't enjoy it when I cheat and drink it?? Don't know why but its just another one of those things that has been out of my life since the band! Now it tastes VERY sweet to me. :crying:

You are in excellent hands. I had an amazing experience. Embrace the whole event and try to put your fears aside; this is the beginning of something great! Good Luck and Keep us Updated!

Mostly out of discouragement, but also due to motivation by wasa bubblebutt I thought I would log in and say "hello" The scale isn't moving and although my clothes fit better or don't fit and I feel great; the scale has the brakes ON! I usually eat: coffee string cheese healthy choice chicken Soup (can never finish) south beach bar (140 cal, 10g protein) lean cuisine (240 cals max) 1 egg When I tally everything up, my cals range from 680-1200.....just depends on the day So I'm back to the gym spicing things up; I was getting bored with my work-out. NowI'm just waiting for things to change....they have to, right? Less going in than what's expended = weight loss???? I eat SOOOOOO much less than before so I thought I would have lost more? I was lurking on some other posts and other crazy ates have lost almost double what I have, so I have blamed it on my lower BMI and figured I would hang out in this forum for now :kiss :biggrin1: More updates to come! You guys keep up the good work!

Hi Crazy Ates! I meat the OCC crew @ noon today to head across the border! Pre-op is today then surgery tomorrow!!!!!!!!!:clap2: I'll keep you posted as best I can....not sure what type of access I will have to the net?? :cry From the way things are going I hope I am as fortunate as the others posting this month??? YEAH!!!!

You guys were right...what a difference a couple of days make! Thanks for the encouragement and positive vibes Hope this finds you well, -FTF

I think day ONE was cake compared to days 2-3! But I've never had a c-section and based on what people post days 2-3 aren't as difficult as a c-section either......just follow the advice and "lists" of things to have from the kind people on this forum and you'll be fine! IE.....use the GAS_X strips, walk, take liquid tylenol......etc.

Well my surgical experience has been the least of my concerns. My Dr Ortiz experience has been the best part of this but I guess I am a wimp compared to the other Crazy Ates here posting their post=op experience. I am so gassy.....the only times I feel good is when I haven't taken down anything EVEN water!! If I chew ice cubes I can get Water own without burping and hence having pain. I couldn;t fathom returning to work, drinking milk based product, or blending down anything to thin??? I walk constantly! sleeping at night has been a challenge. This morning I woke up feeling like my throat was closing up (major anxiety) IS this the AM restriction everyone speaks of??? Anyway I am trying to stay positive and I will advance my diet as my stomach allows -just frustrating I guess??? :faint:

Hi there! I was baned on the 15th but day 2 was the worst for me....I was crying from the gas pain....I know I am a wimp but it was incessant!!!!! Are you using Gas X strips??? They helped me so much!!! Also you might want to introduce Protein later after the gas has subsided....every doc is different but protein is hard on the GI tract especially based on what you are describing? I gets better....try ice cubes if the sipping is hurting and also popsicles for some reason they didn't hurt me like sipping did? By day 3 sipping didn't hurt anymore Hope you start feeling better

I too was baned in Mexico....just got back yesterday! I work in the medical field as a nurse and right now I have been traveling for 3 years AND I have NEVER seen a surgical center as nice as the OCC with Dr Ortiz. I would go back in a second! Couldn't have been happier! If you search these threads you will find journals of people's Mexico experiences and lots of helpful info on "crossing the border"!!!!!

First let me start by saying, "I am very sorry you are going through this" I can only imagine your fear and concern. Sounds like they are on top of things but I thought infected ports were not to be treated with antibiotics for fear of the infection traveling up the tubing to the port??? I am a newbie as well, but I think I have read almost every thread here....LOL .....and remember coming across that info? Just a concern? But what I do know is NOT to put straight hydrogen peroxide on ANY wound!!! Straight hydrogen peroxide is TOO strong and kills good skin flora as well as the bad....dilute it with H20 first! Good Luck, keep us posted, you'll be in my thoughts!

Well so far so good....things couldn't be better, just as described! I was picked up right on time and in the van on the way to OCC was a young girl 2 yrs out (whose father is surgeon in the states) whose is having her port moved behind the muscle from all her weight loss!!!! The facility is beautiful, the staff is amazing, and I can't wait till tomorrow! I'll be picked up @ 7:30 am. More to come once I can write! :whoo:

ADD ME TO THE LIST TOO!!!!! :bounce: :phanvan:rolleyes I haven't been able to log on this past weekend since I was working, but I have been having MAJOR anxiety and second thoughts about this; hearing that I am not alone as well as the follow-up on our early August banders is SOOOO helpful....THANK YOU, Crazy Ates !!!!!!! Oh Yeah, How could I forget...I failed at my first pre-op diet option and thought..."What a failure, already!" So on the 7th I go to 3 Protein shakes a day for 7 days until surgery !!!!! It's nice to hear it gets easier ?? :faint:

I have done A LOT of looking around myself as I have a "lower" BMI and US insurance companies weren't going for it...so just let me say, "this is what I have come up with" * the docs (most of them) in Mexico do outstanding work * arrange where your fills and who your f/u will be after your surgery if you wont return to Mexico each time * bad outcomes happen in Mexico just like they do in the states, but have a plan to receive treatment if you are "one of those" that has a run of bad luck there is a TON of helpful info on this site...by using the search function you can search the docs name or mexico and you will come up with lots of info, I think I read that half of this site has been banded in mexico!