countrygirljtl

Hi everyone, I was banded 10-4 and I have had 3 fills, I have a 4cc band and am filled at 2cc. But I don't have the restriction that others talk about, I haven't lost any wieght other than what I lost right after being banded, I don't even know what real restriction feels like. Can anyone relate?? Janet

Thanks Cheri52, I am trying to keep the faith, I have had a few days now where I feel a little preasure in my chest as I eat, even as I drink sometimes, but I know it is not like others talk about with restriction, because I don't necessarily have to chew the food to death in order to swallow. I suppose I am eating less due to the fuller feeling. I just want to be sure that I am having success. I know what you mean about the "diet", I agree with you. I suppose If I had perfect restriciton and could eat what ever I wanted, than the portion control is what would help me to lose wieght. I lost only 20 pounds between the pre-op diet and the first week after surger restrictions, other than than nothing. Janet

I have heart of similar situations My problem is no restriction and my band is filled half to its capacity, I am frustrated Janet

Hi Dezadoo, thanks for the suggestions. well I try to take my time and follow all the rules, but it doesn't quite matter if I forget to because it goes down the same, no problems, never got stuck or froth or anything, I know that I am not restricted because If I took too big a bite or rushed I would be having those problems, Right? I a not starving, no real difference than before. I am from Rowley, close to Ipswich, Topsfield, Newburyport area, had my surgery at Lahey Clinic in Burlington and that is where I go for fills. Janet :biggrin:

Hi Sue, Thanks for the response. I am still struggling, had my 3rd fill and still no restriction, I am trying to be patient, but I can't help wonder wha is wrong with me. Is anyone out there going through the same things?? Is anyone from the North Shore? Janet

Hi Everyone, I wrote a while ago, I am from the North Shore, was banded on Oct. 4. I had 2 fills equalling 1.5 cc's in my 4cc capacity band. Here we are mid January and I have had NO restriction or wieght loss since my first week after surgery. My surgeon was Brams from Lahey in Burlington Ma. So today I had my 3rd fill and asked for them to be a little more aggressive, I now have 2cc's in, that's half full. We will see how it goes But the worst part was no only is my port tilted and hard to get to, but I evidently have TONS of scar tissue which feels horrible (stuck under my ribs) and to give me a fill, it was painful and very uncomfortable and took like a 1/2 hour to do. It was very upsetting to me. I just hope and pray that things get better for me, some others I know are having good luck with it, my husband is very supportive, I wouldn't be able to go through all of this without him. Comments, suggestions, support, all welcome, Janet :smile:

I was banded on October 4, 2007, had no appetite and lost 8 pounds in that first week on the liquids only. since then I have had 2 fills and have had no restriction gained back about 7 pounds, feeling very frustrated. I believe I have 1.5 cc's in my 10 cc band. At my hospital at Lahey, I think they have a specific amt that they fill for each time you come, in increments. I do have friends who went to the same hospital who got there restriction after 1 or 2 fills. I go for my 3rd fill this coming week, I am afraid of what the shock of true restriction will be for me, but I need for the band to start working for me, at least these postings give me hope. I need to lose this wieght, my hopes are going down. Janet

hi Laphappy40, I am in the exact same boat as you are. I had NO restriction with my first fill and I had my second fill last week and really NO restriction yet either. I am ok with it at this point because I didn't want to be too restricted and be sick from Christmas, which I wasn't in the least, But Now, I want really loose this weight!!! My nurses, just keep saying to be patient and do all the right things and that it will happen, I keep going to the support groups at my hospital where I had my operation done and there athers who are having success, so I guess I just need to hang in there. Janet

Tanderson, You are doing so well with your weight loss, Can you give some examples of what you are eating, like a typical day?? Are you staying away from real high calorie, fattening foods?? I just had my firs fill, and I am not starving, but my head hunger makes me still eat and I don't really have any restriction or signs saying to stop, I know I shouldn't be worried, but I sort of can't wait until I can start losing my appetite and more weight. Any advice?? Thanks, Janet Orignial wt. 220 Surgery wt. 212 Todays wt. 200 Want more!!!

I had my surgery on Oct 4th, 07, I lost alot at first, nothing in a few weeks, probably need to have my first fill and then I will have restriction, because right now I eat what ever and am hungry alot. Right now though, in the last few days, my port has been bothering me, It gets like stuck under my rib cage depending on which way I am sitting or lying. But today with different moves, the port area actually hurts. I brought up the discomfort to my Nurse saying that the port like clunks around when I roll in bed and such, she said that it was normal because it had to develop adhesions, that was about a week and a half ago. Has anyone had any problems with the port (Pain or discomfort?) Also, check out YouTube, type in LapBand surgery and you will get an array of video's that you can see. Janet Banded 10/4/07 Lost about 20 pounds from before and after. Dr. Brams, Lahey in Bulington Mass

Hi CyndiLou, I was banded at Lahey in Burlington by Dr. Brams too. How are you doing with your hairloss? I was banded on 10/4/07 & I have been having port pain lately, I don't understand it, having this surgery is so not easy. I haven't had any fills yet and at this point I am so hungry for all kinds of foods. I am hoping this changes with a fill, because I am afraid to gain what I have lost. Can anyone relate to this?? The port pain upsets me Janet

that sounds so gross. What I don't understand is right now, I am 4 weeks out from surgery, obviously have not had a fill yet, but I seem to be able to eat soft foods in fairly good size bites, yes its smooth, but will I not have any problems with this "small bite, chew to death" stuff until after my first fill?

I need advice about getting the ticker still I clicked on a ticker, created my own (twice), went to userpc and to signiture part. But than I lose it from there, I don't know how to transfer it over. I know it says to cut and paste something, but I don't know which to cut and paste, plus, I seem to lose the ticker and don't know how to keep it. I think seeing the ticker go down would be motivaing!! HElP!!! Janet

tell me about the tummy tuck, how was that,I am considering it, however I am such a wimp. It has been 2 weeks since being banded and I am still uncomfortable. Janet

Hey Kaycee, Sounds like you have made steady progress, looks good. Janet

Yeah........... I broke the 200 mark, When I started this journey I was between 218 & 220, Since banded I am continually dropping. today the scale read 199!!!! I am soooo happy, I skipped right by the 200 mark. I have been trying so hard to just eat what they say and excercise every day. I know that may go back up before my first fill, but I am just going to be patient and try my best!!!!!!!!! Janet:whoo:

Marimaru, Your right, having patience is probably the key to this from what I can tell from others posts, but the important thing is that we eat healthier, excercise and Not gaining!!! Again, thanks for the stats, and for the tip about mini goals, that is great advice. I am at the point right now that I am still eating "mushies" and feeling a little hugry and wanted my family's foods, I have to leave the room when they are eating good stuff,(like right now), that is why these postings are so helpful, I need to get out of the situation. I just need this to work. My other problem right now, is I am still uncomfortable, Not lots of pain, but I just want all of the pain to be GONE, rolling in bed, getting up and down from lower chairs or banding over can be a bit uncomfotable. I bought some books today on banding, One is about Khaliah Ali called Fighting Weight, how she was banded, we will see how it is. keep writing, thank you, Janet (Banded 2 weeks ago today)

Marimaru (sarah) What is your secret to success, I loved your stats, It helps to see them, I am sure you agree with that. To the young girl who is having trouble loosing, My heart goes out to you, by the time I was 22 I had two big babies, 2 large scars from c-sections and millions of stretch marks, Yes I was married to the same man I am today, but I still had to face my fat marred body everyday. But you know what, you and I both have those marks for a reason. We are not bad or ugly, we are who we are, you will have success, just take one day at a time, relax, don't give up, don't you think I wish I had done this before my 41 year old body started to give up from the obesity, in the last 3 months before I was banded, I found that I developed (from my obesity) diabetes, cholesterol, sleep apnea, gallstones, ulcers, anemia. I was banded 2 weeks ago today and even if I lose 50 pounds, I may be able to get off the c-pap machine and not die in my sleep from sleep apnea, make the diabetes and cholesterol numbers disapear, etc.... Ok, and then if a year goes by and NOTHING is happening, I need to look at what I am doing wrong, question the heck out of the doctors and then ultimately the band can be removed if it is doing nothing for you. But.....is it really doing NOTHING for you. Lots of questions to ask. I am going to utilize the support groups at the hospital, go to FREE overeaters annonymous for support and see a psychologist so that I will have success, because I did not have surgery and have something implanted into my body to not succeed, and I can't leave it up to me to blow it again this time, I have to pull out all the stops!!!! Janet Lost 8 before surgery and between 8 & 10 since surgery on Oct 4th 2(wks. now):clap2:

I am almost 2 weks out, Mine did it big time, still does a little, It is definitely GAS. I bought some Gas-X (disolving strip kind), it helps a tiny bit, but I think the cause is the protien drinks. Janet:speechles

Hi, I was banded on 10/4 and the first week I was either satisfied with what I had or couldn't stand to eat anything, I lost 8 pounds. This week I am on the mushies, cream soups, puddings and yogurts and I gained back a pound, not happy. But I am also noticing that I am getting more "head hunger" and maybe a little normal hunger too. I am glad to hear that this is normal and that with the fills we will soon see how the band will help us more. After all they wouldn't have all of us go through this if we were going to just end up in the same boat as we were in. But a good diet plan is a must to go along with it. I think weight watchers is the most realistic and easy to follow. Also Overeaters Annonymous is Free and you don't have to follow a diet per-say, just go for the support, I may go back to that. Most people who are successfull with OA, don't eat sugar, flour, eat 3 meals a day, nothing in between, One Day At A Time!! Janet:glasses

Thank you Jo, I did try last night without success, I will try again. I think it is a nice little tool which gives incentive!!! I have been reading some messages in here which make me worrie a little bit. Some People do not have the same success as others and they are eating just as bad as before the operation. I worry about that, as a matter of fact that was my biggest worry pre-surgery. I have failed at so many other programs and diets and have ended up as big as I am with pre-diabetes, pre-cholesterol, severe sleep apnea, an ulcer and a large gallstone. I am scared, because I am not getting any younger and if this does not work long term I don't know where my future will go. I have to make this work, and I don't mean I just need to lose wieght and reach a goal, NO, thats not what this band means for me, it means I need to lose a significant amout of wieght and stay there, never regain it, NEVER!!!! I just pray that this is what happens. I would love to hear from more long term success stories. What do you think of all that, or anyone??? Janet

Hi I am very new at this, I have replied to posts, but don't seem to get an reply's. I was banded Oct 4th, 2007. I was only Jello, broth and protien shakes for 1 week, I went nuts on that. Now my second week I am what they call the "mushies", I mostly eat pureed cream Soups, puddings, yogurts and v8 juice, next week can have eggs, cottage cheese, oatmeal and a few other things. I am ok, now but the first week by day 6 I couldn't eat a thing because if I even took one more bite of jello I would have lost it. I am pretty sure the reason for the liquid diet is to make sure we heal properly and so the band will not slip or shift. I would be afraid to eat anything other what they say, but never ground beef, that is wierd!! Janet:)

I loved your reply, it was very intellegent. We do have to weigh out all of the risks, and they should be public knowlege. I was banded a week ago, and I am praying that I am going to do well, there are lots of people who seem successfu, but I would like to know more about long term results as well. Janet

OOPPSS... I think I may have addressed my post to the wrong person, anyway, I think it was in response to Sue Magoo instead of Babs101, sorry. forgive me I am a newbie Anyway, would love to hear from you all. Janet

Hi Babs101, I am new to this forum and to all the internet chat/blogs, whatever this is, but I like it!!! I live in Rowley Mass. I am 1 wk. out from surgery, went to Lahey in Burlington, they have been great!! I can relate to everything you are saying. All my pain is in that one spot too. I HATED the all liquid stage, I am in the puree sage now, and doing so much better. I have needed alot more "personal recovery" time than I though, about a week and a half, which seems like an eternaty though. Will return to work/school next Monday, I don't even know what that date would be. I was banded on the 4th. I too wish I had found this site a long time ago, I went through one day of depression and lonliness that I thought would never end!! Doing good today, the sun is finely shining, that must mean something. I want to learn how I can get that ticker thing, I really like that concept. Thanks for listening!! Janet P.S. is there anyone out there that lives kind of close to me???