Big Fred

Chris NJ, Your weight loss ticker is awsome - how did you loose so much weight since May?? I was banded on 10-25-07 and have only lost 30lbs since then. Overall 55lbs, I lost 25 on my own before the surgery.

Found out I had sleep apnea when I started this weight loss process. Had a sleep test done in April and began using the CPAP machine in May. The pressure was set at 14lbs psi. I the band put in on 10-25-07. Lost 25lbs before the band and 30 after. Three weeks after banding I had to reduce the psi to 10, then reduced it to 8 a week later. This past week I have been off the machine completly and my wife says that I hardly snore and when I do it's so low that it does not bother her. So to answer your question - Yes the psi will need to be lowered as your weight comes off. Please discuss this with your Dr., they will help you with the process. PS.. Depending on what type of machine you have, you can find out how to lower it on the internet. The company my insurance carrier got the machine from said they would need to send out a Tech. and would charge my insurance, thisproces could take two weeks. I searched the internet and found my machine and how to do it. It took me exactly one minute to change the setting. Good luck.........................

Isvadela, congratulations on the weight loss. Keep up the good work. My surgeon said the same thing as Dave01, liquids after the fill for a day - then watch what you eat. I had my 1st fill this week (12/5), felt the restriction and only had liquids that day and the day after. Today on regular foods and all seems to be OK. 374 - 03/24/07 - Journey Begins 349 - 10/25/07 - Surgery Date 319 - 12/05/07 - First Fill - 3cc's in a 10cc band

I have lost 30lbs since my surgery on 10-25-07 and have lost a total of 55lbs since I started this journey on 3-24-07. Went for my first fill today - 3cc's in a 10cc band. Thought I would never be saying this but I'm happy to feel the restriction again. This entire process is just so awsome, good luck to everyone. 374lbs - 3-24-07 - Journey Begins 349lbs - 10-25-07 - Surgery Date 319lbs - 12-5-07 - First Fill (3cc's in a 10cc band)

Hang in there, we all went through this phase. It really helps with the healing process. I went for my first fill today and met the person that had surgery the same day as me. We had a good long talk about the process, he confided in me that he did not follow the Dr's orders and has had various problems. He has not lost the weight I have and they believe his band might have slipped due to the vomiting he experienced when overeating. He told me that once his band is straightened out (he might need surgery again) that he will follow the Dr's rules to the letter. Moral of the story, please - please hang in there. You are almost throught the liquid stage (I was on it for three weeks) and the musshies do taste good. Please remeber this is only a small step twoards the overall goal.

Received my first fill today - 3cc's in a 10cc band. I have lost 30lbs since banding on 10-25-07, until last week it was easy but for the last week it has gotten harder. The Dr. said that as the swelling from the surgery goes down the restriction becomes less. I had the fill at 9am and can already feel the difference. I have to be on liquids for a day, had Soup for luch and could only eat about a quarter of it. Hang in there and listen to your body, please let the Dr. know what's going on with you.

I was banded on 10-25-07 - since then I have lost 30lbs. I would do it again in a heartbeat, the whole process was not that bad. Even if it was bad, I would do it again. Prior to surgery I lost 25lbs and since March of 07 a total of 55lbs. I'm off one blood pressure medication completly and almost off the CPAP machine. Down two pants sizes and one shirt size, feel better, have more energy and love the compliments. All this in almost 6 weeks - what's not to love..................... 03-24-07 - 374 - Started Journey 10-25-07 - 349 - Band Date 12-04-07 - 319 - Current

I was banded on 10-25-07 and know what you are going through, believe me it gets better. Once the swelling goes down you will be able to drink more, sip slowly and make sure you do not get dehydrated. It took me about 5 days to feel normal enough to where I wanted to get out and walk, that really sped up the healing process. I walked everyday twice a day, eventually by the third week I was up to 2 miles a day. Walking helps get out the gas and helps you loose weight as well. Hang in there and come here to get support if you need it. Good Luck ........................

Congratulations, I was banded on 10/25/07 and lost 25 pounds in the first three weeks. Only lost three pounds since then and the hunger has been increasing, I believe it's from the swelling going down. Go for my first fill next week - 12/5, hope this cures the hunger pains! Speaking to people on this blog, it seems to be the normal progression of banding. I stopped weighing myself because the numbers are not going down, I'll weigh myself a few weeks after the fill. Thanks to everyone here that provide the moral support and share their experiences. This is really a journey we are on and I'm on it till the end.............

I agree with you guy's, making the decision to have the band is not easy. I applaud all those who have struggled through this process. Deciding to have surgery and sticking to the diet says a lot about the mindset and committment we all have to loosing the weight. While I'm not saying the show doesn't help them loose weight, how many of us can afford to take the time off from work, pay for a personal trainer and then maintain that level. This band is for life and I'm bound and determined to make it work, as mentioned it's a tool to be used. Whatever works for the individual is the right way.

I am having my first fill on 12/5/07 - was banded on 10-25-07. The first 3-weeks I lost 25 lbs but recently I haven't lost any. At first I wasn't even hungry but now it seems that I can eat more and really have to supress my hunger. I know some of it is probably head hunger but I can honestly say that I could eat more if I wanted to (of course I am watching everything that I eat - I really want this to work). Did anyone else have this issue? Will it be better after the fill? Everyone on this board has been so generous with their experiences, I value your opinions.

I agree with the premise of finding out what caused the eating problem to begin with. I was banded on 10/25/07 and will have my first fill on 12/12. The first three weeks on liquids went OK (really wasn't great) then onto mushies, I am now onto regular foods. I guess the swelling is going down because I feel that I can eat more. To date I have lost 50 ponds, 25 pre-band and 25 post-band, this last week I have not lost anything. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the weight that I lost but I'm concerned the old habits will kick in. The only thing that saves me is excersise, when hungry I go for a walk. When I get back the hunger has subsided. I guess this is a life long journey that we are all on. I appreciate this site so much, it provides guidance and inspiration. This site and the monthly group sessions keeps me going and sane. Perhaps someday I will understand what brought me to this place but for now I'm working the band to it's fullest. Thanks to all for being here and listening...............

I was just banded on 10/25 and for me it's all still new. It's just so awsome to see that you guys have done so well, loosing that much weight is great. It's amazing that I have no stomach hunger but really do have head hunger. It must be our make-up or something. Like the Dr. told me, "it is a life change that you need to go through'. I hope that I can loose as much weight as you two, hang in there and good luck changing the old habits. Journey Began - 3/24/07 - 374 Banded - 10/25/07 - 338 Today - 11/15/07 - 320 End of year goal - 300

Had the surgery on a Thursday 10/25, went back to work on the following Monday 11/5. Could have gone back a few days earlier but they gave me the time off so I took it.

I did not have one put in. I had a problem the first night - could not pee. They said if I didn't go by the morning they would install one - thankfully I was able to go before then.

I was banded on 10/25 and am on the last phase of the liquid diet. See my surgeon on Friday for a 3-week follow-up, hopefully she will advance me to the mushie stage (fingers crossed). I never really felt the old familiar hunger pains but the head hunger is there (I miss the chewing). Believe me, that's what got most of us into this predictament in the first place. It does get easier as time passes, please be patient and listen to the good advice here, when the hunger hits - do something, don't just harp on it. I find that walking is the best for me, I put on my coat, go out and walk around. This takes your mind off of hunger and really helps your body. Everyone keep up the good work..... Journey began - 3/24/07 - 374lbs Surgery Date - 10/25/07 - 337lbs Today - 11/14/07 - 320lbs

Was banded on 10/25/07 and am down a pant and shirt size - Can't believe it. Went through my closet this weekend and took out all the 3x shirts and larger pants. Three bags went to Goodwill, I hope someone can use them.

I was told to take between 45 - 60g of Protein a day. I purchased Protein Powder called NECTER, an 8oz serving has 23 grams. I drink 3 a day (still on liquids). The Dr. said once I progress onto solids I can adjust the protein drink according to what I eat. Banded on 10/25/07 - 3 weeks of liquids, one week of mushies then into solids. I have lost 25lbs since banding.

I was banded on 10/25 and feel great, I'm still on the liquid diet until Friday. Thats when I have the 3-week post-op visit with the surgeon. I'll be on mushies for a week after that. I too get the hiccups, especially after the protein drinks. Not sure why ?? So far I have lost 25 pounds, combine that with the pre-surgery weight loss of 25 ponds - That's 50 total ! - Highest weight - 374 Pre-Surgery - 349 11-13-07 - 324 Goal - 220

I thought I would interject a males perspective. Having been married for 29 years to a great loving woman I can honestly say that sex is only a small part of our lives. Don't get me wrong, being intimate is certainly fantastic. There are other ways of being togehter, just a simple hug or cuddle at night can make you feel loved. My wife has vetrtigo and as such she has to be careful on how she moves. Oral sex does work but sometimes just mutual satisfaction is enough. You have to be satisfied with yourself before you can have a great relationship. If you area willing to work with your spouse, the marriage will work. Some people here have had a tough time, my prayers go out to them. We all do whatever it takes to make it work, we should not be judged on that. Good luck to everyone.

I was banded on 10/25 and can happily report that it does not hinder your love life. The port is located directly under the skin so you will feel what appears to be a small lump. The only slight discomfort I can possibly say is around the incision (scar) aeas, once they heal you should have no discomfort. There are no hanging tubes or frankenstein like devices, only the small bump. Believe me it will not affect your love life at all. Good luck...........

It took me about 5 days to feel normal, I am 14 days post op now and feel great. Went back to work on Monday, this was the best thing for me - It made me think of other things. Hang in there it will get better, the worst part is being on liquids for three weeks, well - I have just another week to go - then I will be on the mushies. The best advise I can offer is walk, walk, walk..... and drink plenty of Water (48oz a day).. Good Luck !

Was banded on 10/25, went back to work on 11/5. So far things are progressing well. I have no pain and continue with the liquids until my Dr. visit on 11/16 when I hope to move on to mushies. Hang in there, going back to work actually improved my outlook. It keeps me busy and I don't think about the liquid diet. I have my Protein drink for lunch, a sugar free Jello for a snack and my Water bottle beside me. At my PCP visit last Thursday I had lost 11 pounds in a week - AMAZING! Walking has helped with the gas pains, keep moving.....

I was banded on 10/25 and will be on the liquid/protein post-op diet for three weeks. I can have decaf coffee with fat free milk, please check with your doctor. Hang in there, its only a few weeks out of the rest of your new life.

To all, Please listen to wassa, what she is saying is the truth !!! It will only make the journey harder if you do not follow the post-op diet. I am on liquids for three weeks and then the musshies for 2 - then slowly transitioning into solids by week six. I was banded on 10/25 and am on this journey with you, hang in there. You made the hardest decision already - having the surgery. Stick it out for the six weeks and things will go smoothly. Perhaps men do have more self control with weight loss but I can tell you from experience that women can do anyhthing they put their minds to (speaking from 30 years of marriage).