iluvlongnecks

Okay so I'm not alone. I was banded 4 yrs ago and lost 50lbs. I weigh 185 and have managed to stay around that, all tho I would love to lose more, but have not gone in for another fill in about 3 1/2 yrs due to the restriction that I have already. Considered going in for a fill and know that I would be mostly on mushy foods and liquids, but considered doing it for a few months to drop more weight and get where I'd like to be. My problem is that I have to travel from Sac to SF to get my fill. kaiser has no fill drs in Sac. Ugh! I should just do it!

At first I was able to eat anything, but now that I'm at 5.5cc in a 8cc band, I can no longer eat things that are dry, that includes chicken breast and steak. I can eat some steak that is med well, but hate all the chewing that I have to do to get it to go down and then some times it just has a hard time, so I have found myself avoiding those foods and eat the sides. It's all worth it tho, since I am now finally 189lbs....down 42lbs since starting this process. You learn as you go as to what your band will allow you to eat.

Welcome.......you will be happy with your lapband.....just remember to not get frustrated and be patient. Always remember that it's just a tool and to use as so, it can't lose the weight for you all on it's own, you have to do your part too. Good luck! :smile:

Yeah.....I'm thinking more and more of not getting another fill just yet. I have to be very careful of what and how I'm eating, even then I can feel it having difficulty going thru. I'll play it by ear for the next 2 weeks before making up my mind, but I'm leaning towards not getting another fill even tho it would be only a .5cc fill I think it would really put me in a tight spot. :thumbup: I'd hate to have to drive back down to SSF from Sac. to get an unfill. Thanks for answering me and giving me your input.

I was banded onApril 21st and have had 3 fills so far. I'm suppose to go back for another fill in a few weeks and I'm not sure I should. I have a total of 5 1/2 cc in my 8cc band and I have some restriction at times when I'm eating, depending on what I'm eating. I have to be very careful when eating and make sure I chew very well or I can feel the food having problems going thru. There is times that I have to just stop eating whatever I'm eating cuz it's having difficulty going down. I'm having great weight loss right now, but want it to continue.....sooo should I go in for another .5 fill in a couple weeks or not??????

Ohhhh Yeah....I know that feeling and believe me it only reminds you to chew everything really good and more slowly, It's all about changing bad eating habits. I have noticed that I have the pain in my chest followed by the pbing and sliming when I first sit down to eat, which is telling me it's my fault and that i need to remember the lapband rules of eating. I have to go for a fill next Friday and am a little concerned as to how tight I may be from it.....but I'm going for it since i don't have the restriction that I need. I hope this will put me at my sweet spot!!!!! :biggrin:

Jess Congrats on getting to onelander, I too finally got there. I noticed that you had your surgery on April 11th. I had my surgery on April 22 and it's been slow moving in the weight loss. I have lost a total of 34 lbs, but feel that it's been to slow. I go in for another fill next Friday and I hope it will give me more restriction....my dr keeps telling me to be patient.

Getting a fill doesn't hurt at all, the first time I went my dr numb the port area, but the last one he didn't and I didn't feel the needle at all. As for the question about food getting stuck.....it's just that...food that wasn't chewed well or your band is not allowing to go through. Some times the food is sitting there and trying to make it way through, which can be be very painful until it finally gets through, but there was one time and I'm not trying to scare anyone, I had meatloaf that I didn't chew well and it wouldn't pass, after an hour of pain,pbing, and walking the floor I finally stuck my finger down my throat and had instant relief. This whole experience has taught me to take small bites and to chew my food well, almost to a liquid before swallowing. It's all about breaking the old and bad eating habits.

I go for my 3rd fill next Friday, my dr. only gives 1cc at a fill and I am now at 5cc in a 8cc band.....my concern is that since my last fill I have to really watch my bite size and chew really well otherwise the food gets stuck. I on the other hand don't have the restriction that I'm looking for in regards to how much food I can take in, I remind myself that I don't need to finish everything I have on my plate, but then at times my mouth really wants all of it because I don't have that full feeling and am still hungry. I'm wondering if I should get another 1cc fill next week or should I get .5cc instead.....I'm confused as to what to do. I don't want my food to get more stuck than it has been, but then i have learned these last 3 weeks to change my eating habits and take my time at eating. Is this what it's all about?? I guess I'll go for it and get the full 1cc and get to that sweet spot that everyone is talking about.....but gosh I'll really will have to be careful while eating.....yikes!

pbing = productive burping...... when you have your first pb, you'll say to yourself ...Oh! this is what they call pbing.

I got to tell you that it's wonderful to have a supportive husband while going through this journey. My husband at first told me that he didn't want me to do this and I explained to him that I was'nt doing it for him, but for myself and if I was doing it for him I would be doing it for all the wrong reasons. He has been by my side for every appointment and even stayed in our motorhome in the hospital parking lot when I had surgery. I have to travel from Sac. to South San Fran. for all my appts., including my fills and he hasn't missed a one even tho he has to take time off from work to go. He doesn't have a weight issue what so ever so I feel that I am blessed to have such a supportive partner in helping me go through this. Not that he doesn't love me for who I am, but I'm sure he'll like the end results later. :biggrin:

What I mean is...I have food that is having a problem getting down, but am able to eat as much as I want. I have no restriction as to how much I can take in. I want the restriction of the amount of food I can eat. I know I'm suppose to watch what I eat and I try in so many ways, but I need that full feeling after eating about 1/3 cup of my food like everyone talks about.