thenume

I've never heard of that. If something gets stuck, I usually just throw it up with no effort. It just comes out- no heaving , no trying just bend over the john and---there it goes, (sorry to be so graphic)!

.....uhhh, I'm not going to say that there aren't any doctors out there that wouldn't do that, but you may have a hard time finding one that will. Most doctors would NEVER intentionally overfill someone and then do adjustments based on "when they feel the water go down".

It's gonna be awhile. Most docs are conservative with fills. The goal is to not overfill and have the patient be aware of what the feeling of being "full " feels like with the band. It is truly a process. I think I just reached my "sweet spot". It took 8 fills and I have a 4cc band. I am currently filled at 3cc's. Everyone is different though.

I would say so..Oxford is really not that picky. As long as you have atleast three years they really don't hound you. I have Oxford and they approve ASAP!

choclatesnaps, Girl you are a trip! I'm from East Harlem- 135th and Madison. You know what I am saying--5-20 blocks south and 2-3 avenues over. Umm hum!

Chocolate Snaps, Washington Heights is not really "the Ghetto".....you know there are worse neighborhoods - that would REALLY be considered "ghetto" :- )

I agree with Pix 100%. I can feel and see my port too. I was told that would happen when the weight started to come off. Your port is fine.

I drink up to the time I put the food on my plate. When I'm ready to eat I put the cup in the fridge, eat, and then drink 30 mins after my meal.

Grady Hospital huh?

Witchbabe, That's up to your doctor AND it depends on how many cc's you band can hold.

I know what you mean...some of us will need more fills than others. 4.3 of saline is really not a lot for a 10cc band. That is less than 1/2 full. It is not you and you shouldn't have to convince yourself that you are full. I have been banded since October 07' and have had 7 fills AND I still need more( I am actually scheduled for one in two weeks). Ive only lost 44 lbs. My doctor is very conservative with giving fills and sounds like yours is too. So you are not alone. Although I have some restriction I am not at my "sweet spot". I stay full for about 3 hours and the doc would like for me to stay full for 4-5. Well what can you do, I'd rather be a slow loser than overfilled, sick and dehydrated! Look on the bright (because there is one) it will only get better.

Okay everyone listen up! We got the band to lose the weight so that we could feel better about ourselves and be healtheir. So let's do it. Look at old pictures versus what you look like now...that should cheer you up. You may not have met your goal but dammit the weight is coming off.

I was back to feeling "normal in less than a week". I was in minimal amount of pain and was able to come and go without any restrictions, no heavy lifting of course, but hubby shouldn't have a problem with that. I was back to work in a week and driving the next day. I only used 1 or two pain pills (and that was at night). You will be a little tired out in the evenings for awhile (almost a week) but in the long run its ALL worth it. You will cook differently, because we want this to work for us (that effects the family) but for the most part after surgery is a breeze!

GayleTX, How did your doctor know that your band had slipped?

give in!!! Just have small portions of what you crave.

what you also need to understand is 98% of patients need somwhere between 5-8 fills before they hit their "sweet spot". The initial 2-3cc's entered is to "prime the band" if it hasn't been done during surgery. This is a LOOOONNNGGGG journey!

I think it is :- ) !

no...my surgeon was not that strict. 1-2 days clear liquids post-op day 3-10 mushies day 11-14 soft foods 15- solid foods

I didn't wear a binder after my lap band operation.

99% of us have had that problem. I just had fill # 7. Fill number five I started to feel restriction and I noticed I could eat less, but I still can eat more than a cup of food. This journey is truly a process! It is definitely not easy. I won't preach that the band is a tool and you have to make it work for you ...yadda,yadda, yadda, but our journey will be a long one and I am confident that in the end it will be one worth traveling. Good Luck.