ToniaPatt

Thanks so much for this post. I have had a somewhat similar experience with my band. I have always had difficulty with fills, usually getting overfilled and having to go back a day or two later to have some removed. I lost weight but was always throwing up. When I got pregnant I got almost completely unfilled because I couldn't take my prenatal Vitamins. Since having my child I have been avoiding getting a fill because I have hated the whole process of fill/unfill/throwing up. But, of course, I have now gained back all my weight back. I have finally scheduled to have my first fill in years, and I am excited to lose weight again, but an so worried about the issues I've had with the fills. Good luck to you. Please do keep us posted on your progress!

what websites are you using to track your menus/calories/fitness goals/etc. I know about SparkPeople, but are there other good ones out there? Thanks!

Hi Diane, congratulations, you look great! I just wanted to ask how long the recovery time is. How long before you can go back to work full time?

I got my band about 7 weeks ago. After the end of the healing period, I could eat whatever I wanted. Except for the scars on my tummy, it was like the surgery never happened. I was longing for my first fill. Now I finally got it -- 4ccs in a 10cc band. And I still have NO restriction! Is this normal? I am sort of worried that maybe something is wrong with the band or port or tubing or something. I know that many people are not at the 'sweet spot' after just one fill, but I don't have any restriction at all! :faint: What is your experience after the first fill? Is this normal with the 10cc band? Thanks.

My understanding is that, once you have achieved proper restriction, you will feel full on the limited food amounts you quoted. But generally, not before. The people who are full on 3/4 cup of food have good restriction. That usually takes a while to acquire - maybe 3 or 4 fills in some cases.

I completely agree with waiting. I had a BR four years ago (looonnngg before the LB was even a thought), and I LOVE the size of my breasts now. But with all this weight to lose, I know I will have to probably have implants when I reach goal. If you get a reduction now, you could end up having to turn right around and get them 'pumped back up' when you reach goal. :confused:

I only told my mom. Before the surgery, I was thinking that I would tell more people later on, maybe when I am close to my goal. Now I am thinking "why bother?!":heh:

Jammy, I am so sorry to here about your struggles. Some doctors seem to be so reluctant to be aggressive with fills, while other doctors and centers are more open to it. Have you thought about trying to go elsewhere for your fills? It would suck to have gone through everything you did to have the surgery, and still have to wait nearly a year to get the full effect of it. From what I've read on this site, some docs will give up to 4 ccs at the very first fill, and then let you come in for adjustments as soon as a week afterwards if you don't feel restrictive enough. The fill center I was planning to go to also will only put .5cc in at a time. I am in the process of looking for someone else! With a 10cc band, .5cc a month just isn't gonna cut it!

Brandottie, did you feel weird at all in your port area, or have any pain? Did your doc say why the port flipped?

You're lucky! I can't have mine until Oct 17. I have NO restriction, and will need a fill ASAP. My hunger has been back for a while now!

That's amazing! You are doing great. Chinokitty, we were banded the same day. I hope to have a victory, scale or otherwise, pretty soon. Haha. Keep up the amazing work. When do you plan to have your first fill?

I had a breast reduction in 2003, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I lost absolutely no sensation in my nipples. In a sense, my nipples are even MORE sensitive. Before they were so heavy and long, and the nipples were pointing straight down. Now they are were they should be, and readily accessible. LOL! I was worried about the nipple sensitivity issue too, but my doc did a great job. Of course, now that I will be losing all this weight, I'll probably have to eimplants at some point! Ironic.