Moviejunkie32

I'm on the fill rollercoaster. I was too tight at 10ccs (in 14cc band) too loose at 9ccs. I had that same 1cc unfilled twice. The third time I was back down to 9cc, I came in for my fill having gained 15 pounds. When he put in the 1cc a third straight time, I couldn't hold down anything and lost 14 lbs in 4 days. This time he listened to me and only took out .75. In that month I managed to hold most of the 14 lb water weight loss from being dehydrated. I was feeling enough restriction. For my fill last Thurs. (Dec. 11) he put in .25 cc to get me to 9.5 cc. I have being feeling a little tight (belching out of control and some heartburn) but I can hold down fluids. Right now, a little food goes a long way, for only the second time since I was banded in Oct. 2007. I'm hoping I can re-adjust my eating to avoid the excessive belching. I have lost 3lbs in the week since my fill, so I might be back on track this time. Lori

Hi fellow band-sters. Well I just found out why my former doc spent an hour-plus torturing me last Friday, failing to hit my port and take any Fluid out of my over-filled band. The port has flipped. My new doctor figured this out in 30 seconds. I just met the man and he is operating on me tomorrow to flip the port back over and make the adjustment to loosen my band. I haven't been able to eat for a week. Although, today I did find out I could hold down Peanut Butter cups, Yum! and finally a few calories to calm my growling stomach. Anybody out there in band-land who has had a flipped port, Holler back and let me know what to expect. Thanks, Lori :confused_smile:

I’ve had two false alarms before when I thought I had restriction. However, with my fourth fill, I do finally have restriction. I should; I have 10cc in the 14cc band. This time my appetite has been affected. I was able to stay on liquids right after my fill because my hunger was finally turned down to low. I know it might change, but I’ve lost 7 pounds since the fill on April 23. I had been stuck in neutral for six months, but now I can finally say that I’m out of bandsters’ hell. LOL, Lori :biggrin2:

Debbie, I guess that's why the docs preach that each person's experience will be different. I thought I would be restricted before 10ccs myself LOL! Lori

I am at a plateau but I am done feeling guilty about it. My band is not tight enough yet, and my doc has delayed my next fill until he can arrange to have all his fills done with a ’scope at the hospital. (I'm at 8ccs in a 14cc band). I have been eating protein first, drinking after meals, and keeping my calories between 1200-1500. I tried to get down to 1,000 a day but without feeling restriction, it’s impossible. I’m working out 6 days a week (4-5 30 min. aerobic; 1-2 weight training). Am I still sneaking in some chocolate? Yes, but not enough to explain the plateau; I’ve stayed within the 1200-1500 calories. Without a band, I hit a plateau five years ago when I got down to 235lbs (from 275); this feels similar (240 from 272). My body is fighting me again and the band hasn’t kicked in. Still, I’m not giving up. I’ve reduced my diabetes meds by 75%; five years ago was when I found out I was diabetic and started taking the meds. Rant over.

Jack, as for the diabetes medication reduction, I've lost 30+ pounds and studies indicate say that even before you lost a lot of weight, the surgery seems to help reduce your insulin resistance. Five years ago, I began losing weight because I had just found out I was diabetic and was "scared straight" into going back on a diet. Lost 40lbs in 5 months, then the plateau hit and I eventually regained the weight. Lori

Thanks for the encouragement from bandsters that are still in "hell." Band33 that was especially encouraging since I too was banded in Oct., 10/18/07. Like I said, trying to stay positive and control what I can control until my doc lets me know when I can have my third fill. Boy, I would love to eat a half-cup meal and say, "I'm full!" lol

A day after my second fill on Jan 8 (now have total of 8ccs in 14cc band), I had my first PB. I was drinking water and some of it came back. Finally, some restriction! I had another mild PB at lunch today. I had 1/2 bagel and 3/4 cup mashed potatoes. When I ate a second spoonful of apple sauce, it came up. Time to stop eating; finally the dinner bell alarm is sounding. I'm happy that my tool for permanent weight loss has been activated. :whoo: Lori

Sunshine, Tell your doctor!! That does not sound right. I had shoulder pain, not much pain at site of surgery. Lori

You are right Indigo Girl about the food choices. My sweet tooth kills me sometimes. I had my 2nd fill yesterday (Jan. 8) for a total of 8ccs in the 14cc band. This time feels different. I can't gulp my beverages down. This time I have to sip, so I think my band is finally feeling restriction. Those holiday pounds are coming off pronto, although I refuse to change the weight loss on my diet ticker LOL. I'm going to return to that weight loss shortly!!

Happy Camper, I just got my second fill in 14cc band yesterday (Jan. 8), talked the doc into 3cc rather than 2 so I now have 8ccs in the band. I am also on liquids, but this is the first time, I can't gulp my liquids so I'm hoping this time I will feel restriction LOL. Lori

I was banded on 10/18/07. After I recovered from surgery, I was hungry!! But I had lost 35lbs. After I had my first fill on Nov. 27, I was hoping that would do the trick. No such luck; I have regained 10 pounds over the holidays. While still hoping my second fill on January 8 helps curb my appetite as promised, I changed from going to Curves to the local gym on Dec. 17. At the moment I am keeping the weight gain at bay. I’m trying to stay positive but I need for this surgery to work and so far it isn’t doing the trick. Patience is an emotion that comes and goes with me and right now it is on vacation.

I was banded on 10/18 and went through the quick weight loss (19 lbs in the four days post-surgery), then when I could eat again I had no restriction and regained a few lbs. I had my first fill on 11/27 and again lost weight while on liquids for 24hr, then realized I still had not hit the "sweet spot." I have 5cc in a 14cc band so I'm hoping the next fill (on 1/8) gives me the restriction that I need.

Considering the way it started, my first fill has not turned out too bad, 16 hours later. However, how it began is a cautionary tale of those of us with gastric lap bands and vertigo problems. When my doctor began what should be a brief 5-minute procedure to fill my band for the first time yesterday, disaster struck. While lying down on my back I was repositioned to have my abdomen jacked up by throwing my head back. When I was first on my back I explained that I have a bad inner ear; I get dizzy and nauseous when I look up. Usually I can control it for five minutes before I start getting dizzy. However when I was put in a position with my head thrown back, I began getting sick just as the doc had the needle in my abdomen. I started heaving and they were able to get me up so I could spit up in a cup. However for the next 2.5 hours I was a dizzy, nauseous mess. I felt sorry for the next woman scheduled for her first fill. She took one look at me and looked like she wanted to flee the waiting room. I told her: “Don’t worry. It’s just me.” The ending to this story is happier. After I was finally no longer dizzy, the doctor found a way to get the job done with me sitting up. In fact, it went so well, that I might have saved other bandsters with vertigo from my fate. My doctor now has a new technique for those with bands who have trouble with vertigo. Since I’m on liquids for the next two days, I don’t know yet if my first fill finally gave me some restriction. However, I suspect that it will get the job done. I have the large 14cc band, which only had 1cc in it post-surgery. Now, five weeks later the band has 5ccs in it. As my doctor said before the procedure, “The adventure really begins now.” Of course I just didn’t know at the time that there would be rough “seas” before the fill was completed. P.S.: The lady in the waiting room when I completed my procedure also suffers from vertigo (my mom was talking to her). Boy, did I save her some trouble! Lori Banded 10/18 by Dr. Yves Manigat, Voorhees, NJ (Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Camden, NJ)

Jamie, You and I are in a dead heat in our journey. I was banded 10/18 and dropped 20lbs when I was on liquids. Once I healed, I've been hungry, grazing at night and also regained about five lbs. Still, I'm leveled off right now. But I'm looking forward to my first fill on 11/27 hoping that will provide the restriction I'm looking for. Lori

I'm a month out and still looking distended; I think it has to do with the location of the port. Mine is dead center. Also at my first post-surgery check-up my doctor drained some fluid from by abdomen to give me a "head-start" before I was back on my water pill. Lori

I live in AC area but couldn't go to Dr. Patel or Dr. "O" because they work out of AtlantiCare which doesn't take my insurance, Aetna. I had my band done by Dr. Manigat in Voorhees. He is a terrific surgeon and his program did get me approved, although it is often hard to get who you need to talk to on the phone and they don't always call you back. They have no voice mail and they had an email address but they don't use it. That said, I was very happy with my surgery on 10/18 and am going for my first fill on 11/27. Lori

I was banded in Camden, NJ on Oct. 18 by Dr. Yves Manigat. I dropped 18 pounds the first week post-surgery when I was drinking my meals, under 1000 cals a day. Now I've regained 6lbs now that I am eating real food. Bandsters' hell is tough, I'm hungry and I'm not feeling any restriction. I get my first fill 11/27. About my only side effect so far is excessive belching. I'm not drinking carbonated beverages and I'm chewing my food, sipping my Water (most of the time), trying to eat slowly (most of the time). How common is excessive belching? :help: Let me know. Lori

I was hungry after a few days myself. The yogurt suggestion sounds good. And drinking the Unjury protein, which is the only one I can stand. I was banded on 10/18 and my first fill on 11/27 can't come soon enough! Hang in there, that's what I'm trying to do.:hungry: