VegasGrace

Tami, you are so right. That's my goal - to get an unfill so I can go on maintenance. A total unfill will surely do me in. But I've been so restricted I can't eat green leafy vegetables, chicken, vegetables, etc. All I can do is eat something- slime it up- and go on. I've been so blessed that the band has worked to get the weight off...now I need to go to the next phase of having the band help me maintain the weight loss. Can't wait to sit down to a meal consisting of meat and veggies...been so long!

Don't you dare! Throw that needle away and like above, just say you lost it or it broke..anything. Shame on that doc!

Thanks for the post. I don't think water has hit my lips since summer...I'm just not a water drinker.

No, it doesn't. Weightloss does. My gallbladder went WACK 10 years ago when I was dieting. So, if your gallbladder is going to go...it will go w/ weightloss, not just because of the band.

Hmmm..... when you "can't take it anymore". I'm restricted and so well that I slime everyday, wake up choking, had something stuck in my esophogas and had to go under for a retrieval, etc. And I just now got to the point where I said I can't take it anymore. But, I'm crossing the finish line so have made a commitment to myself to go 1 more month and have the band adjusted to let fill out so I can begin maintenance. So, if you don't like to slime, and you don't want to slime...but you do...then it's too tight. If you don't want the restriction you have...you are too tight.

I did it, spent alot of money and after a few months...lost 3 pounds. (used my points for Pepsi and BBQ chips)

No, did't test it...but I went into ketosis. Was on Atkins a few years ago (it worked got to 136 but gained it all back when moved to a pacific island) and remember that ...don't want to gross you out...but the smell/color of urine and the taste in my mouth from ketosis. I hit it alright...same thing happening again. I'm not spending money on the strips this time since I know what it is. I'm getting my band losened next month as I'm hitting my goal...I plan to go on an Atkins diet...modified for me, of course.

I've not had a Csection...but I did have a tummy tuck and from what I gather...it's the same thing. Abdomen being opened, muscles ripped...etc. And goodness NO. The band was a breeze compared to that!

I would have had lapband done at 23....but didn't know about it...course that was 14 years ago and it probably wasn't around then.

Thanks for the advice...seems that maybe since I had 2 fills...and the first one didn't give restriction but the second one did... maybe I should go to the amount of the 1st fill...as in remove the 2nd fill. I'll surely update everyone on what works.

Oh, I thought you were a 10 year bandster...hahaha 11/28/97 You are starting your journey where mine is almost over...restriction part anyway. Good luck.

Don't feel like a failure. You purchased an appliance and it will only work correctly if you follow the directions. Hate your missed the first fill date of 6 weeks...but, it's not too late. Go in for an adjustment. If your doc isn't getting it done right... take your money elsewhere. Cheated...you said cheated... I still eat fast foods, drink soda, etc. But I have cut back and done away with certain junk foods. Get the restriction!

I was one of them...lost over a hundred pounds but gained it back. This time...it's permanent!

Frankly, it was cheaper. Of course it's cheaper because it's not as evasive and not as much tinkering with the innards. Not as risky as well. If something goes wrong it can be removed...w/ bypass...if something goes wrong..you are screwed.

Yes...isn't that something! But don't do it....vericose veins will certainly come.

I'm with you! I was banded and after a few months of restriction...and boy am I restricted... I am reverting to my old habits. I eat to much and throw up...and I KNOW I am going to throw up so I say things like... go ahead and eat it because you are going to throw it up anyway. Or... eat fast..really fast because it's coming up anyway. I'm going in January to have my band adjusted to remove some of this restriction because the band is the only thing keeping the weight off and causing me to lose weight. I've got to change my behavior if this is going to last.

Mine itched...and I scratched. Found it was the adhesive that was itching me...pulled them off. My center incision opened, of course...boy was that dumb. Went to the drugstore and purchased butterfly/steri strips. I didn't have a problem with hunger...but sleeping all the time, yes. Felt good though. Going from a zillion calories to barely none can do a whopper on the body...so it goes into sleep mode. I did the shakes...but only a few day...when I remembered. If you are hungry...eat. And since you can only have liquids...get high calorie liquids. I even went for a Mt. Dew - although I don't recommend this to anyone. Try cereal. I love Fruity Pebbles. Put your cereal in a bowl, pour the milk...let it sit for about 2 minutes..then drink. Yum! Drink chicken noodle soup but don't let noodles pass thru your lips. I drank chocolate, too. You'll get thru this time but take advantage of the rest. I'm a single mom of three and claimed my recovery period as MY time. Even made the kids buy groceries, do all the cleaning, cooking, etc. Was kinda nice.

Im curious if thats the only test the doctors do, or if they test muscle mass? Tests? A 'history' and should be enough. 1. How much did the surgery cost you? I know this is supposed to vary between 12-25, but im curious after all is said and done what is costs you. $7,000 + $218 +$299 +80 +155 What does that total? 7k for the band going in, the rest were fills and fluro. Spending more than that...hey, just donate your money to me rather than your doc. 2. The lapband website says that people with a sweet tooth dont tend to do well with Lapbands, any opinions? Yep, I have an opinion. I'm addicted to food. And over the course of being banded, I have lost my sweet tooth for Pepsi, taco bell, and McDonalds. But, I still love Olive Garden and pizza Hut. If I don't get a grip... I could gain my weight back. 3. the port site....does this mean that you have an open tube somewhere on your body for the rest of your life???? No, it's under the skin...kinda like your vein. You can have blood drawn or a shot, right? But that doesn't mean your vein is poking out. Same with the port. It's under tissue and can have a needle go into it. Kinda like what they do to you in a physical, laying down they mush your abdomen and feel your kidneys and innards... just like that the doc can mush til the port is located. how does the port site work? Hopefully the previous answer went over that. how long does it need to be in your body, and is it buried beneath skin, or just poking out somehow? Need? There is no need...but if you want adjustments...it's required. i cant imagine that being safe... just like implants, hip replacement, a pace maker.... all inside and safe 4. after all is said and done, was it worth all the BS???????? I am an anti-BS person. Plain and simple and short and to the point. I don't buy into all the hype so many put on the band. It's an appliance for weight loss and there...that's all I have to say about that. You've got a great mom!

Call your doc and ask for your appointment on ...whatever 6 weeks is. If they refuse, take your money elsewhere. Inamed recommends 6weeks...NOT 8.

Nah, that's just what he says. Does he drive for you so you don't have to take the risk? Does he pump your fuel, climb all ladders, deice every step you take? He's afraid alright, but not risks and complications. He's afraid if you step up to the plate to be a better person..he will have to as well. Oh, people are always afraid of change.

Day of surgery weight: 183 One month post-op : 183 Pounds lost from surgery: 22 Calories at one month: unknown: don't count calories

Addicted? Me too. Just last night I ate... expelled it 3 times but kept eating. I've got to kick this thing!!!! I've done so good by giving up Pepsi, taco bell, McDonalds... but I am having such a hard time. When I eat, I want to rush and get as much in as I know it's coming back up. I was even going to go thru the trash and get out the pecan pie from thanksgiving..... no...didn't do it. Let me know if you cure your addiction.

Push the limits? You and me both. For dinner tonight I had ravioli, Olive Garden salad/breadsticks and V8 fusion juice. I slimed after the 4th bite. Expelled it and went for round 2. Then expelled that and went for a 3rd round. Just got rid of that one. Frankly, I'm still addicted to food. I've gotten rid of so much junk out of my diet and am doing better each month. Now, I have just a few demons left.... overeating being one of them.

Erin, I had a bmi of below 30...so don't let a low bmi stop you. Good luck on your journey.

Well, no. Inamed recommends 2cc for the first fill in a 9.75 band. Maybe your doc felt pressure when filling and stopped...meaning she met resistance at .8cc and felt you would get restricted with that amount. Of course, I've heard some others go back, and back again for fills just to even equal 2cc...meaning their doc was ripping them off. I'm sure this is rare. Just get the handbook out from your band and read up on your fills. You and your doc should be working together to be efficient...gaining restriction w/ minimal fills.