thenume

I didn't tell many people and those that know are very supportive minus one ( my skinny sister that tells me I should get it taken out when something gets stuck because I gulped it down). You and I know that thinner people do not understand what it is like to be heavy. For us its like a 400 pound gorilla in the room and we feel uncomfortable. It is important to understand and to make others understand...this is our decision to better ourselves, even if we ARE taking the "easy" way out. Even if you never ever ever tried to diet but decided the band is for you it is your decision. Don't let him get you down. Offer to take his help with the training it can't hurt and it will help in the long run. You will have to exercise and change eating habits (if you have bad eating habits - not all of us do) for the band to work for you. You have to be firm when expressing that this is what you want and so this is what you are going to do. PS. The band journey is definetly not an easy one! Good Luck

Wow...maybe you should consider either a different surgeon OR a local fill center. Good Luck

This sounds like you have a leak. I wonder why your doc didn't comment on the amount of saline difference... did you ask him? Are you absolutely sure you had 3.5cc's. That's partically closing the band.

Ok Ladies and Gents, Last week I took my husband to a play and dinner afterwards for his B'day. I ordered 1/2 chicken (because I knew I didn't want to cook when I got home so I was going to take the white meat home to 1 daughter and the thigh home to the other daughter). I had two almost fork fulls of cole slaw and 1 almost fork full of baked potato. WELL.....after cutting a small piece of chicken and trying to eat it ------------------AGONY! The chicken got stuck....I felt it stuck in my chest, I had to get it out, but before I could get up it started traveling upward! All I could do is grab a napkin and hope for the best (I know..gross) Well the best didn't happen, all the slime couldn't fit in the napkin and BAM hit the floor IN THE RESTURANT:drool:!!! Once that came out everything I'd eaten wanted to come out...two PB's in the bathroom of the resturant and 5 between cars on the way home. Yeah, Gross ! My husband said I needed to go back to the doctor ( i had just gotten a fill 4 days earlier bringing my fill to 2.6'cc in a band that holds 4cc's). I have since been o.k. with solids and soft foods but I have to eat alot less than before that last fill. As nasty as this experience was I can laugh at it now. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Wow..glad it wasn't just me!

You look absolutely Great!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Redgirl, You and I were banded around the same time....and I understand. I am not going to hit you in the head with how many calories I eat or how much exercise I do because frankly everyone is different. I do agree 100% with Gloucester when she said higher BMI's tend to lose faster than lower BMI's. Also it doesn't sound like you have good restriction (like me). 5 days ago I got a fill and I think this is the restriction I needed (we'll see). I also had a recent epiphany.....maybe it is time to switch up my exercise (the kind I do). Or maybe I should change what I eat. We have to figure out what works for us and what allowed us to lose the last 10-15 pounds after the post-op diet was over and go back to that. Truthfully....I'm thinking maybe that's the key and when we stall again (because we will), we should switch again! Good Luck to all of us!

kebabish, The amount varies in each person.....but I think I've reached it. I also have a band that holds 4cc's and I am at 2.6cc (just got this amount 5 days ago), the difference from before is very noticeable. I can eat alot less and stay full ALOT longer! There are others that have the 4cc band and are at 3cc's and that's their sweet spot. My doc told me no one ever gets 4cc because they would be so tight that spit would get stuck ( My doc is straight forward). Thursday's Meal: Had a bowl of oatmeal @ 9:30a (took 45 min to eat all of it) Tried to eat lunch at 1p (didn't really want to, but I was use to doing it) so I ate 6 calamari rings and wanted to DIE from being to full. Actually had a stomach ache at 5pm. Did not eat dinner, noticed I was still full from earlier meals at 10:30p. I think this is it. Good Luck!

Hi Everyone, Before anyone bites my head off, I know everyone is different. I have a size ten band ( I hope that is the correct terminology) and have had 5 fills so far. My doc told me my band hold 4cc's of saline, but NO ONE EVER gets that amount because a person will practically be closed completely. I have 2.6cc's and the only difference from 3 months ago is I have to eat slower. In the begining my doc was very conservative with my fills and now he realizes he needs to put more than .2cc's at a time. I just got a fill yesterday (which put the saline at 2.6cc) and I am hoping this will be it. Before you ask there's no leak (doc always withdraws to measure how much is in the band before he adds); and there no slippage and he doesn't use Flouro. I wish I could just get to that "sweet spot" Help!!!! Maybe this isn't working for me. I haven't lost one pound in two months.:wink2:

A slight unfill is suggested. You need your protein.

Thank you AthinnerDenise.

Nadian, My doctor told me specifically what I had and how much it can hold. I'd like to believe he wouldn't lie about something as important as that to his patient. Perhaps you are mistaken or maybe your doctor doesn't use the type of band that I have. Are you in the medical profession? More specifically, do you have medical experience with ordering and placing bands in patients or issuing fills? Thanks

I just had my fifth fill two days ago......that's right my FIFTH. It seems like this MAY have done the trick. You gotta hang in there. Like losingjustme suggested try to eat lots of Protein. Good Luck because it isn't easy!

My absolute favorite is the Crystal Light Fruit Punch. Rasberry Ice-Tea Crystal Light is second place. I make pitchers of it and my kids love it too. They don't even realize that it doesn't have sugar in it. My oldest is chubby so I'm trying different things to keep her weight down.

Thank you... I do exercise but I don't count calories. To be honest I don't really know what the calories are with the meals that I eat ( so maybe I should say I don't know how to count calories). I just got a fill yesterday which bought me to 2.6. so I have to wait until atleast three weeks. Thanks Again

Kobdish, 1 fill is usually not enough for anybody. There are the minority that only need one fill but then there are the average folk...like us. I have had four fills and i'm STILL looking for that sweet spot. I have another appointment for a fill next week. You still have a long journey ahead. Also, it takes will power. You'll be ok. Just think you ate three slices and could have eaten three more....but you didn't. Next time you'll try two slices, then one, and then you'll get to the point when you only want a half of slice. Regards

I have had four fills and I still do not have good restriction. Restriction is ok but I think it should be better. My doc is not aggressive with fills and it is a little annoying, considering my band holds 4cc of fluid and I don't even have 2cc's. He did say no one ever gets 4cc's a person wouldn't be able to eat. I've been banded since Oct. and I'd like to not have to go to the doc EVERY month for a fill. Good Luck to everyone I hope you get the restriction you need in a short period of time.

Gualm, Every doc is different. Most doc's say after a period of 24hrs go bac to solids. GreatDame, You don't want to have a constant feeling of pressure in your chest, it sounds like you may need a slight unfill. The band shouldn't make us live in discomfort or pain. Also, my band gets tighter after a week or two after a fill, but everyone is different. Good Luck!

Dlyrical, 10-17 pounds a month weight loss, under 1000 calories a month??? I disagree COMPLETELY. Everything that I have read about LB suggests that weight loss per month should be 5-10 pounds a month. For some people it does not happen. People do stall sometimes. Also how could you suggest that someone compare themself to another bandster....why would you? Each and EVERY person is different. If everyone compared themselves with someone else's weight loss there would be alot of unhappy people. ShellyCL, Have you talked to your nutritionist or doc? They may have educated suggestions that can help. Also is your food getting stuck because your bites are too big? Try to chew your food until it is virtually liquid before swallowing..maybe that will help. Good Luck to you! The weight will come off.

I am just like the rest of you and I indulge in salty & sweet during that T.O.M. but there is one huge difference that I noticed. I used to get very nauseas and gag or vomit the first couple of mornings during my period. I no longer can vomit and most times I don't gag. While this is a welcome change it is a BIG one for me. Can you imagine going through that once a month for about the last 5 years?

Restrict2008, Remember each person is different...what I can't tolerate you may be able to. The band is truly a trial and error process. Actually, one more thing- what you may be able to tolearate now..may get stuck after your 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th fill. : ) As much as the "stuck" feeling hurts I still LOVE the band!

definitely BARF IT! Technically you are not vomiting because the food has not even made it to the pouch. It's stuck in your chest. Sometimes you can wait it out....but if it hurts REALLY bad, get it out.

KarenH, You can start your ticker by going to tickerfactory.com. It's easy... once you are done logging in your info on ticker factory,you need to go to the edit your signature part on LAP BAND TALK and copy and paste your ticker from ticker factory on as your signature.

Pamhasband, Maybe you should call your doc...not being able to eat solid food for three weeks is very dangerous. You most likely need a slight unfill. Yes you are losing but it doesn't seem to be healthy. Good Luck

Hi everyone, I have also had my surgery in 10/07. Everyone is saying that they are not losing, but we have all lost almost 30 pounds. Remember we are supposed to be losing between 5-10 pounds a month. We are all on schedule. I have learned to stop comparing my weight loss with everyone elses. Those of us that have lost almost 30 pounds are all around the same weight. I started out 257. I have noticed those that have lost 30-40 pounds were at least 280 and above. Go back and look at those that have lost 30-40 pounds..... We are losing, and a year from now we'll be happy with our success.