lherstine

Dr. Schulman, i have lost 130 lbs in the last year and 5 months. I have had pain in my port area and have had all kinds of tests done to be sure all is fine!! My surgeon is wonderful and has ruled out possibilities that could be problematic. We have determined that the excess skin and fat apron from my weight loss is causing muscle pull on my port:( i am going to a ps on march 5 to set up surgery. I have bcbs of michigan and am told that they should cover due to medical necessity. Do you think a pannelectomy or a tummy tuck would be advised? I would love a tummy tuck but not sure on insurance coverage? I would just like an opinion from you for when i go to the ps on march 5. I am excited to have either procedure done of course!! Lherstine

I don't think it is a bad idea at all!!! After all isn't the band all about living a new life!!! If you are going on a cruise don't you want to be comfortable eating with the others and not having to worry about getting stuck!!! You have been at this long enough to know when to stop eating and to not over do it!!! Just because you are considering a little unfill doesnt make you bad:) just experienced with your band!! I have had my band since oct. 07 and i am at 3 1/2 cc and i am going to get 1/4cc out wed. Because i feel that i am leaning towards soft foods instead of the foods that i like, due to getting stuck!! Therefore, i am not eating good foods like salads and meat ect. Just mostly protein shakes and mushies, with some exceptions. Go with your heart and get an unfill for the cruise!! You are an experienced bandster not a newbie. Be confindent in your experience and enjoy your cruise, the band isn't about being denied of food it is learning portion control and judgment and it sounds like you are doing great!!!

HI ALL!!! WELL OCTOBER 16TH WAS MY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY, I HAVE LOST 122LBS, I HAVE 3 1/2 CC'S IN A 10 CC BAND. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT THE NORMAL GETTING STUCK WHEN I EAT TO FAST OR I AM STRESSED. I AM AT A GOOD RESTRICTION NOW, I EAT MORE OF SOME FOODS AND LESS OF OTHERS DEPENDING ON THE food. I WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF ANOTHER 38 POUNDS, BUT I AM NO VERY GOOD IN THE EXERCISING AREA. WELL ACTUALLY I NOT AT ALL:thumbdown:. WELL HOPEFULLY I WILL IMPROVE THAT SOON!! I AM STILL LOSING BUT IT IS SLOWER, WOULD BE FASTER IF I EXERCISED NO DOUBLE:embaressed_smile: WELL CONGRATS TO ALL YOU OCT 07 BANDSTERS WE ARE ALL DOING GREAT JOBS!!!!!

I am a faithfull c-pap wearer, i have been for two years. My presure was set on 13 and after 120 lbs weight loss, my doctor has lowered it to a 10 just until i finish my weight lose, then he is going to do a sleep over test to see exactly where i need to be. It is very common that when your weight changes so does your settings. If you haven't wore your machine in awhile, it is also common for it to feel like there is to much pressure. Try to use the ramp setting on your machine and if that doesn't work for you, i would contact your sleep apnea doctor and see if they can temporarly adjust it until you are all done with weight lose. If you are done then you probably should go in for another sleep test to get it set properly.

Dr. Schulman, i am about 44 lbs away from my goal weight. I have stabilized within a pound or two up and down. I am still trying to get down and i am wonder if it is to early to start looking into ps? I am interested in a tummy tuck as opposed to a pannilectiomy (sp?) i have bcbs of michigan and i have went to my doctor already for an infection of the belly button. And i have low back degeneration, which my chiropractor says that the excess skin is aggrevating. Do you know what has to be supplied to get bcbs to pay for the surgery?

bug57, i am right with you and vcompton, i really like crackers, no not the healthy ones but soda crackers!!! i really doesnt matter what is on them just the cracker itself is a problem for me!!! of course i can't just eat a few, but i am focusing on not eating them at all otherwise i eat to many... i go for a fill on wednesday, the 20th i am sure i need one. i can eat alot more than i could even when i am being good. if you like ice cream, try having a spoonful of fat free cool whip or ready whip, it has a similar creamy flavor but only 15 to 20 calories, i have a small amt on my chia tea each night as a treat and it is still low calories. keep thinking thin:drool: lherstine

Hello vcompton & bugs, i have a 10cc band and i am at 3cc's now, i have been at 3 cc's now for 18wks and i am sheduled for a fill next wed. I have been of track as well for about a month, i have been eating some things that i shouldn't but i relize that i am eating more at a setting than i should be. When i first got my last fill i could stay below the 1100 calorie mark even if i was a little bad, like having a few to many tortilla chips with those refried beens. Because the amount i was eating was less, but now if i stray at all it seems like i am over my calorie intake because it is taking more to fill me up. I thought i was at my sweet spot but i guess that either my stomach has shrunk in the band or i was'nt there? Does this make any sense to yous?

I WAS BANDED ON OCT. 16, 2007. AFTER SEVERAL SMALL FILLS I REACHED 3 CC'S IN A 10 CC BAND AND I HAD GOOD RESTRICTION. I WAS EATING A CUP OR LESS OF SALAD ECT. I HAVE WENT 18 WEEKS WITHOUT A FILL, TOTAL I HAVE LOST 114 LBS. NOW I SEE THAT I AM HAVING LESS RESTRICTION. I AM ABLE TO EAT 1 1/2 TO 2 CUPS OF FOOD. I HAVE SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER FILL. IS THIS NORMAL TO HAVE RESTRICTION FOR SO LONG AND THEN FEEL THAT YOU NEED MORE? IS IT DUE TO MY STOMACH SHRINKING POSSIBLY? ALL INPUT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.:thumbup:

I was banded on oct. 16,2007, after several small fills i reached 3cc's in a 10cc band and felt good restriction, i was eating about a cup of salad ect. At a time. This lasted about 18 weeks and i have lost a total of 114 lbs since banding, i am scheduled for a fill next week, i can eat about 1 1/2 to 2 cups now. It this normal after having restriction for so many weeks? Is it due to stomach shrinkage? I would love as much imput as possible.

ALL THE THINGS THAT YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT HAVE PROBABLY HAPPENED TO SOMEONE AT SOMETIME BUT NOT TO EVERYONE ALL THE TIME!!! I WAS BANDED ON 10/16/07, I HAVE 3CC'S IN A 10CC BAND AND I AM ONLY 50 LBS AWAY FROM MY GOAL. I HAVE PB'D AND I HAVE SLIMMED BUT YOU NEED TO LISTEN TO YOUR BODY AND CHANGE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, SO THAT YOU DON'T DO THIS. IF I DO THESE THINGS THE FIRST THING I LOOK AT IS HOW FAST I ATE OR WHETHER I CHEWED ENOUGH OR NOT. I HAVE ONLY FOUND 1 THING THAT I JUST CAN'T EAT AND THAT IS BEEF STEAK. CAN'T CHEW IT ENOUGH. THIS IS DIFFERENT FOR ALL!!! DON'T BE AFRAID, THIS IS A LIFE CHANGE HOWEVER, IT ISN'T A BAD ONE, IT IT FOR A HEALTHIER YOU!!! I STILL EAT NORMAL, IT WAS BEFORE THAT I WASN'T EATING NORMAL... YOU JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO SLOW DOWN, CHEW MORE AND RELIZE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO EAT JUST BECAUSE IT IS lunch TIME... YOUR BODY WILL LET YOU KNOW, IN A GOOD WAY THAT YOU NEED TO EAT AND YOU WILL FEEL BETTER THAN YOU EVER HAVE!!! HANG IN THERE, YOU CAN GET THROUGH THE liquid diet AND THEN AFTER SURGERY IT IS ALL UP HILL. YOU WILL HAVE TO EXPECT SOME CHANGES BUT CHANGE ISN'T FOR THE WORSE....!!!!:tongue:

brandyII, I WAS BANDED ON OCT. 16,2007. I HAVE BEEN ON CELEXA 50 MG SINCE BEFORE MY SURGERY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE AN EFFECT ON WEIGHT OR NOT BUT I HAVE LOST 100 LBS SINCE THE BAND SO IT CAN'T BE TO BAD. DON'T GET DISCOURAGED, YOU WILL FIND THE RIGHT COMBINATION FOR YOU. JUST REMEMBER THAT THE MAIN REASON YOU HAD THIS DONE IS FOR YOUR HEALTH!!! AND ANYONE ON AN ANTIDEPRESSANT KNOWS THAT FINDING THE CORRECT DOSAGE WILL BE THE KEY TO ALOT OF OTHER THINGS IN LIFE. INCLUDING YOUR WEIGHT LOSS!! KEEP YOUR HEAD HIGH AND KNOW THAT ALL WILL EVENTUALLY WORK OUT!

I Was Banded On 10/16/07 And Got My First Fill 6 Weeks Post-op. My Doctor Only Fills 1/2 Cc At A Time And Does So Every Three Weeks. It Was The Sixth Fill That Finally Has Stuck With Me! I Am At 3cc's In A 10cc Band. I Now Have Great Restriction. I Was Debating If I Should Have 1/4cc Out When I Go Back On May 14th Due To Alot Of Pb'ing And Getting Stuck. But I Am Doing Well With Most Food Now And Think I Will Stay Put. It Is Also Important To Make Sure We Are Getting The Right Combination Of Foods.. As An Old Atkins Person (done It For Awhile) I Need To Remember To Eat Some Carbs Otherwise I Don't Lose!!! Small Amt Of Course!!! Well Just Hang In There !! I Didn't Think I Was Ever Going To Hit My Sweet Spot, But You Will Know It When You Do!!! And Then It Is Wonderful!!! The Will Power In The Mean Time Really Pays Off!!!

101007, YOU ARE ALSO DOING GREAT!! MY HEIGHT IS 5' 4", AS FAR AS MY SCHEDULE, I START MY DAY (7:30 A.M.) WITH Breakfast OF A Protein shake OR WEIGHT CONTROL oatmeal WITH RAISINS IN IT. I TRY TO GET 300 CALORIES FOR BREAKFAST. THE Protein Shake KEEPS ME THE FULLEST!! THEN FOR A SNACK(10:30 - 11:00) I HAVE EITHER A SPECIAL K SNACK OR COTTEGE cheese. (SOMETHING AROUND 80 - 90 CALORIES). THEN AT lunch (1:00ish) I EAT SOMETHING WITH PROTIEN AROUND 250 - 300 CALORIES.SOMETIMES LEAN CUISENE OR chicken. THEN AT dinner I EAT WHATEVER IS FOR MY FAMILY DINNER (IF THEY HAVE CARBS LIKE SPEGETII (sp) I TRY TO EAT JUST THE meat AND SAUCE ON A PEICE OF 35 CAL BREAD, OR SUBSTITUE VEGGIES FOR THE CARB BUT STILL EAT THE PROTEIN!!! (TRY TO GET 300 CALORIES) I MAY HAVE AN EXTRA SNACK (HEALTHY) TO BE SURE THAT I GET 1000 CAL FOR THE DAY. I HAVE FOUND AS OF LATE THAT IF I ONLY EAT 900 CALORIES I AM NOT LOOSING BUT IF I EAT 1000-1100 WITH SOME CARBS THEN I AM LOOSING. I HAVE'NT BEEN DOING WELL ON EXERCISING LATELY BUT I TRY TO WALK 1/2 MILE AT LEAST 3 TIMES A DAY. HOPE THAT HELPS YOU. KEEP PUSHING ON (OR DOWN IN OUR CASE!!:coolgleamA:.

I HAVE HAD 6 FILLS OF 1/2CC EACH, MY DR. IS CONSERVATIVE IN THE AMT AT EACH FILL DUE TO MY BEING 3 HOURS AWAY FROM HIS OFFICE. I NOW HAVE 3 CC'S IN A 10 CC BAND. I AM 1 1/2 WEEKS AFTER MY LAST FILL AND I STILL HAVE GREAT RESTRICTION!!! USUALLY AFTER 2 DAYS IT LIGHTENS UP A LITTLE, THIS TIME IT IS STAYING WITH ME!!! I HAVE LOST RIGHT ALONG BY STAYING BELOW MY SET CALORIE INTAKE AMT OF 1100 DAILY, IF I STOP SEEING THE SCALE GO DOWN, I CUT BACK ON THE CALORIES BUT NEVER LESS THAN 900 DAILY OR MY BODY STARTS STORING, (LIKE IT WOULD EVER STARVE!!!) HANG IN THERE, I NOTICE THAT IF I EAT ALOT OF SOUP(MY DOWNFALL) THEN I DON'T FILL UP AS FAST AND THEREFORE HAVE MORE CALORIE INTAKE... IF I MUST HAVE SOUP, I STAY WITH THE LOWER CALORIE ONES AND ADD EXTRA VEGGIES OR MEAT TO IT SO THAT IT THICKENS IT UP AND FILLS ME UP!!!:thumbup:

nip50, i know what you mean!!! i didn't want to get to tight either, i am at 3cc's now and i am doing okay, i have to be a little more careful but if i chew,chew, chew and mack sure not to eat anything real dry i can do real well. i don't want to get so tight that i can't eat normal food, that is what we are trying to learn is how to eat properly!!! congratulations!!! you are doing really well!!! i am excited that it is nice out now (i'm in michigan) so i can get outside and walk!!! treadmill is nice but gets boring, now my kids and husband can walk with me!!!:thumbup:Keep up the good work all you bandsters!!!!!:biggrin2:

HELLO ALL!!! TODAY IS MY BANDVERSARY!!! I WAS BANDED ON OCT. 16 AND I LOVE HOW IT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE!!!:thumbup: I HAVE A 10CC BAND AND I AM AT 3CC'S. MY LAST FILL WAS THE MOST CHANGE AND I THINK I AM NOW AT MY SWEET SPOT... I HAVE WENT FROM A SIZE 26/28 IN PANTS DOWN TO A SIZE 18/20.:wink: I AM SO EXCITED!! I AM NOW STRIVING TO GET BELOW 200 LBS AND BE ABLE TO SEE A 1 IN FRONT OF MY WEIGHT INTSTEAD OF A 2 OR LIKE AT THE BEGINNING A 3.:confused:

katie 328, i eat 900 - 1100 calories per day. i have a 10cc band and i just had a fill on wednesday which puts me to 3cc. the doctor and dietician told me that i should stay below 1100 calories a day to lose. i weighed 309 at the time and have followed it pretty close (with a few bad days) and it seems to be working for me. if i eat less than 900 calories it seems that my body rebels and i dont lose. so far at 3cc's i have had to have a Protein shake with 225 calories in it or i dont get above 900, this is with eating sensible of course.

NIP50, I AM LUCKY, MY DOCTOR FILLS ONLY 1/2 CC AT A TIME DUE TO THE DISTANCE THAT I HAVE TO TRAVEL (3 HRS.) HE DOESN'T WANT ME TO HAVE A PROBLEM AND DRIVE THAT DISTANCE ILL. I SEE MY DOCTOR EVERY 3 TO 4 WEEKS AND I HAVE LOST AS MUCH AS 11 LBS BETWEEN A 4 WEEK VISIT, HE ASKS IF I AM GETTING STUCK ON FOOD AND HOW MUCH I AM EATING. I AM SCHEDULED FOR A FILL ON 3/5 AND I AM DUE FOR ANOTHER, I AM STILL ABLE TO EAT A SIDE SALAD, AND 4 OZ OF MEAT AND SOME VEGGIES AT A SITTING WITHOUT BEING OVERFULL, I THINK THAT I HAVE LOST AROUND 4 TO 5 POUNDS THIS 3 WEEK STRETCH, IT CHANGES A POUND OF TWO BETWEEN SCALES. YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! :thumbup:JUST THINK OF THE DIFFERENCE YOU WILL FEEL WHEN YOU DO GET A FILL!!!:biggrin: KEEP DOING SO WELL WE ARE ALL GOING TO BE SO HEALTHY!!!!:rolleyes2:

julialois, i really like dr. mequid!!! i didn't really care for the nutritionist either!!! i just sat through the time i needed to and haven't had to see her since. dr. mequid is so understanding and he really listens to what your questions are and asks what your think as far as a fill or not. don't let her discourage you, she has a poor attitude!!!

FRUSTRATED, I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT, BUT WHEN CHILDREN ARE INVOLVED SOMETIMES THE ONLY CHOICE IS MC. D'S, BURGER KING, OR TACO BELL. SO YOU HAVE TO DO THE BEST YOU CAN WHEN THERE IS NO OTHER CHOICE AND NO TIME TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE! I OF COURSE WOULD RATHER GO TO A NICE SIT DOWN RESTAURANT AND EAT SOMETHING FAR MORE HEALTHY, BUT THAT JUST DOESN'T ALWAYS FIT IN BETWEEN BASKETBALL, BAND LESSONS AND DR. APPOINTMENTS.

NUME130, YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! YOU HAVE LOST ON AVG. OF 10lb A MONTH, THAT IS NOTHING TO BE DISAPPOINTED AT!!! YOU NEED TO PAT YOURSELF ON THE BACK AND TELL YOURSELF HOW PROUD YOU ARE OF YOURSELF!:tt2: YOU DIDN'T GAIN, YOU ARE STILL LOSING AND THAT IS WHAT COUNTS!!! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT BEFORE BEING BANDED, I SURE COULDN'T HAVE LOST ANYWHERE CLOSE TO 10LBS IN A MONTH. KEEP THINKING POSITIVE AND BE PROUD OF LITTLE ACHEIVEMENTS!!!

It Is A Challenge To Eat Out And Stay On Track, However, I Find That If I Take The Kids To Mcdonalds or Burgerking They Both Have A Side Salad That Is Only 15-20 Calories Before Dressing. They Also Both Offer Light Italian Which Is Around 60-90 Calories And I Get A Four Piece Chicken Nugget Or Chicken Tenders And They Are 170 Calories. Mix All Together And You Are Still Low On Calories And Have More Than Enough Food!!! Also At Taco Bell The Pintos And Cheese Are Very Filling And Keeps The Calories In Check... If I Have Any Questions Usualy Chili Or Some Kind Of Chicken Or Fish (small Portion Will Cover Me For The Meal)...We Can Do This By Just Making The Right Decisions And Being Very Careful. I Have Already Gotten Used To Looking For Certain Things On Menus And It Just Feels Normal!!! It Is So Worth It!!! 10cc Band With Only 2cc In It, Some Restrictions But Not Alot!

I HAD MY FOURTH FILL ON 2/13 AND I AM NOW AT 2cc'S I THOUGHT THAT IS WHERE I WAS BEFORE BUT IT WAS ONLY 1 1/2. I FEEL A DIFFERENCE IN RESTRICTION WITH THE LAST FILL. I NOW NOTICE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MORNING AND NIGHT... I DON'T HAVE AS MUCH RESTRICTION AT NIGHT.:tt2: I HAVE TO BE REAL CAREFUL. I HAVE LOST 70.5 POUNDS, 15lbs PRE-SURGERY. I AM EXERCISING AND BEING VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I EAT!!! I ATE A PEICE OF PIZZA FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY, CRUST AND ALL, IT WAS VERY GOOD!!! BUT I JUST HOPE IT DOESN'T SHOW ON THE SCALE ANYTIME SOON!!!:wub:

WAY TO GO!! 75 lbs IS OUTSTANDING:thumbup: MY BANDIVERSARY WILL BE ON THE 16TH. I HAVE LOST 68.5lbs AND MY GOAL IS TO GET OVER 70 lbs BEFORE THEN. WE WILL SEE, I GO FOR A FILL ON THE 13TH SO I WILL HAVE THAT GOING FOR ME:wink:. I HAVE 2cc IN A 10cc BAND AND I AM JUST NOW FEELING SOME RESTRICTION, BUT I COULD US SOME MORE.

sdesir, can you at least drink protein shakes so that you can get calories and protein until you figure out what to do? that will at least get you some energy!!! have you tried starting over like you were just out of surgery? liquids, muchies ect.? if that doesnt work i would think that you would need an unfill? :confused2: