Kat225

I am a huge ice coffee drinker and as we all know, it can be really high in calories and fat. McDonald's has a sugar free vanilla that I really like. Anyone have any thoughts about it. Is this ok? I think it's 90 calories which isn't too bad to me, especially because I consider this a treat vs. ice cream. Oh and it's sooo much cheaper than Starbucks!!!

Doesn't smoking restrict blood vessles or something like that??? I'm pretty sure that's why they say not to smoke before and after surgery....

My doc didn't restrict straws from me. They gave them to me in the hospital....

Since my last fill, I have the burp and food come back up in my throat too. I was wondering too if this means good restriction or I'm overeating. I find that I want to eat more than I should. It's very hard to accept such little portions....

What about green tea? Any thoughts? I heard it has less cafeine or something??? I still drink McDonald's sugar free vanilla ice coffee a few times a week?????

I guess I'm part of the burping club too....oh and the gurgling in my throat!!!! Awful!

Hang in there! You are in banster hell right now. I just got my 4th fill on Wednesday and I finally got restriction! It takes awhile. I had my surgery in April! Up until Wed. I was eating everything I used to...well almost. I am so happy to be a real banster now. I'm really motivated and will return to the gym this week. I was so discouraged before now I stopped really trying. You gotta be patient. How often are you able to get fills? How aggressive is you doc with fills?

sounds sweet to me...you can get down solids just not much. too tight is not getting down liquids

I hate to be the barrer of bad news but you may not lose steadily until after a few fills. I am on my 3rd and I still do not have real good restriction. It's sooooo different for everyone. Some get restrction with only a little saline and others have to get fill after fill. There is just no exact science to this thing.

Who are you using for your after-care? Set that up before you have surgery!!!

It's normal. In fact, get used to the stand still unless you're willing to diet and exercise. You may not hit your sweet spot until after serveral fills. It could take a few months. It all depends on how many fills you will need, how frequent your doc will do fills, and how aggressive your doc is with the fills. It's not a cut and dry formula and everyone is so different. That's why this site is so great.

Doctors really need to be more informative. When the doctors don't explain how the band works and how long this process takes, it's sets us up for disappointment. Everyone is expecting major weight loss right away like having the bypass but the band is very different. I learned all my info from these sites and researching it for so long before I got it done. I expected to have obsticles so I wasn't too discouraged but I read about so many others struggling because they didn't know what to expect. Be patient guys...I'm in the same boat...waiting for that sweet spot!!

This is such an interesting thread. I have a soft stomach...very soft. I already know it's gonna be an issue as I lose more and more. I often wondered what causes one or the other. Maybe someone with a medical background can shed some light...

I think its kinda like water going down a drain...

Yeah that would piss me off too. We got the band to lose weight so if your not losing anymore, you need a fill. Three months!!! That's wrong!!! Is it a possibility you could go somewhere else?

My first fill was 4ccs too and I didn't notice a difference. My second fill was 2ccs. That puts me at a total of 6ccs. I have a little restriction now but not enough to make a difference. I go tomorrow for my 3rd fill. You can call your doc to see if you can go back this soon. It really depends on your doc. It seems they all do things a little differently. Patience is the name of the game as was stated before. I hope tomorrow this will be it for me or close to it. I want to start losing!!!!

When was your last fill? It could be that you're swollen still and could losen up. If not you may need a slight unfill because you should be able to eat solids if chewed correctly.

I used vacation days because I didn't tell my employer about the type of surgery I was having. Plus I knew I wouldn't need to be off that long. I had my surgery on a Wed and went back the following Wed so I only has to use five days since it ran into the weekend. But you could use sick time since it's surgery.

I had a similar experience. You will be fine and your body will work it's way back to a normal schedule.

Instead of saying...I love my band, I say I love me! I love myself for taking control of my life once and for all!!! Just wait until I finally get restriction!!! WOOO WHOOO!!!

Sounds like a plan...let me know how it tastes and what kind.

Yeah this gets me into trouble because I still like to order big like I used to. Because of my addiction to food and overeating, I'm always afraid I won't be full or my order won't be enough food. Then because I don't want to waste my money, I will force myself to eat more than I should and I know this is soooo wrong being a bandster. I really need to get this in check!

You need more fills that's all. I'm 3 months out and only lost a few more pounds than you. I get my 3rd fill on the 16th. I'm hoping to hit my "sweet spot". Depending on how your body responds and how aggressive your doc is with his or her fills, you should need at least 2-4 fills to get to the right restriction. Without restriction it's very much like being on your own. Be patient! I'm trying to do the same!:thumbup:

You've got some good advice on here...the bottom line is your doctor works for you! Demand an unfill if that's what you feell is needed. You know your body better than anyone else. I'm so tired of reading about these medical professionals not listening to their patients. Even if your doc was banded, everyone is different. He gave you really aggressive fills in the first place. Most docs go a little slower and it's for this reason. Your shouldn't have to feel sick all the time.

THis is something I've thought about for my future as well. I'm currently single but eventually I want to start dating. I'm pretty quiet about my decision to have surgery too. I just don't think its anyone's biz...ya know? I was kinda thinking if I'm close enough to the guy to allow him to see me naked then I will probably feel comfortable telling him about my band. I don't plan to be intimate with anyone I'm not dating on a serious level but sometimes things happen. Maybe you could just say casually "I'll tell ya later" and change the subject lol...