shortgal

I go on Thurs and have been struggling with this question, too. I had planned to have them put .5cc at the last fill, but then was full on one meal the night before the fill, so I had them back it down to about .25cc and of course that ended up to not be enough. Let me know what you end up with. I'm leaning toward .5cc's. I'm going to Europe in five weeks, so I kind of feel stuck, that I can't wait two weeks and then get another fill, if this one isn't good, becasue that next one could be too much right before I go away! Doesn't it just feel like wasted time while waiting to be tighter? I'm making good food choices but eating just a little too much of the good food.

I have read that saline in the band can evaporate or you could have a leak, so why not see the Dr and have it checked?

Thanks for letting us know, you're doing better. Good to hear.

We see some success with weight loss and we can get so wrapped up in making goal within a certain time period, that we lose our common sense. We should expect the last 10 to 15 pounds to go slower, after all we weigh that much less! Once you get within 10 pounds, it wouldn't seem unreasonable to lose maybe one to 2 pounds a month, but so what? At that point we should just be establishing good habits to keep the weight off. Yes, go back to losing weight by eating "like a normal person" You've lost a lot of weight, you should be able to enjoy that. Not PB'ing in a cup all day! Let us know how much you get taken out and how you feel after. I'm sure the info will help someone else on the forum!

You know the saying... a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step... and you just took yours!:thumbup:

I would have 1/2 of whatever the last fill was. If it was 1 cc then I would remove half, if it was .5 cc then I would remove .25cc. a little can go a long way. But you are the one that has to decide how much.

Does keeping cups and ziplock bags sound normal to you? It sounds like something an anorexic does. I don't consider that normal and I wouldn't want my life to be like that. Constantly worried about PB'ing in front of people. Better to lose slow ( which is what we are supposed to do with the band) than lose the band because it slips from being too tight, right? A small unfil will make you feel so much better. Many here on the forum, have been in the same position and as soon as they stop fighting the unfill and get one, they feel better.

I suggest a small unfill and see how it goes, if not better, a complete unfill might be needed for a while, so things calm down.

To get myself motivated, I usually read a new book about weight loss. Once I read the "Set point Diet" book and it started me on a new walking program that lasted quite a while. I know you're not getting banded to start another diet, but you just need something to get you motivated until your surgery. Buy one of the "weight loss for dummies" book or a Bob Greene "Best Life" book, something to get your head into the game! In the meantime, reduce your carbs drastically. It always gives me more energy when i have less carbs AND it reduces inflammation in joints, so you can walk easier. Try it you'll see. Your knees and feet will feel better and if you just walk ten minutes the first time, that's ok.

Being too tight does NOT always equal weight loss. It could equal band slipping, tho'. your words were "I hardly eat now". so how is being tighter going to help? If you are so tight that you cannot eat solid food, it's hard to lose weight, you're actually working against the band. You should be able to eat a small amount of SOLID food, that will stay in your pouch. It might help before you see the Dr. to write down what and how much and what time of the day, you are eating and bring it with you to the Dr. appts. Then they can determine what will work for you. Does "hardly eating" mean 400 calories or 1200 calories? Are the calories liquid or chicken? that's what they need to know. Good Luck. I know how frustrating not losing is, but frequent PB's is not good either.

So far, I have been able to get in within the same week or the following week, but since I haven't reached a good restriction yet, I've been scheduling the next appt when I leave the office.

You see the adjustment addiction on here all the time. I read "I'm too tight and can't eat, but I'll wait a month and see if it gets better." It's not the month they want, it's the quick weight loss. They are willing to risk a band slip from being too tight because of the rapid weight loss. However, we do need fills until we get the right restriction ( that's how the band works) and it's not just our "behavior" because if that were true, we would not need the band in the first place. The band supports our improved behavior. But I think we all do that to a certain extent ( some worse than others) we believe that we are using willpower and our bands aren't working, but can't explain how we then managed to lose more weight than we ever lost before our bands! Just MHO.

I know a few plumbers with cracks that look like your belly button. Gotta love the forum... we know we're not the only ones when we come here.

Something is wrong if several people with the same Dr are having the same problem. I would call the ins co and ask to talk to the fraud dept. Tell them what you suspect and they might have another Dr. check you and the other ladies for the amount of fill etc. to see if there is a case against the Dr.

Come on, you're 40 years old and your sister is telling you what to do or not do? This is not about your sister, so why should what she thinks matter? This is about you and you know what you want to do. The skin is hanging on you, not her. The only people that might have more insight is the people who have been or are, where you are. I think you'll get more accurate opinions here. My two cents, go for it!

Making the decision about a fill, might have to wait until after the surgery. Some people have some restriction for awhile after surgery, some don't. I would not recommend a fill closer than 2 weeks before the cruise.

Just be sure if you take any supplement BEFORE surgery to tell your surgeon.

Two weeks of liquids after a fill? I don't think any Dr. has us do that. Mine is two days of full liquids in case of swelling and two days of soft food. The whole point (after the post op phases) is to eat SOLID protein, that's what keeps our pouch full. Just time the fill right, I would not get one during the two weeks before the cruise. You'll find lots of solid protein choices (and salad) on a cruise, but you better watch the margaritas!! Go for it and start your new life. Eventually, you'll have to learn how to handle eating in all kinds of situations anyway, Vacations, holidays etc. why not make a second ticker of the count down to the forty pounds. We want to see how you're doing and maybe kick your butt a little, if we need to. And maybe one for the dog, I hope she doesn't lose too much weight.

Georgia - Lap Band Talk Forum - The largest forum for Lap Band Surgery Discussion and Lap Band Surgery Support that link will take you to the Georgia group on the forum.

Everyone has different likes and dislikes. Why not go to a GNC or Vitamin shoppe and buy a few pre mixed ones and try them? I drink Atkins shakes and my husband ( not banded) likes muscle milk.

I think we (fatties) all watch someone like Carnie Wilson's public battle with weight loss. She is just like us and it scares us. Of course, she has our sympathy, the only thing we can get from it, is a warning to not let our guard down later. Just because we get to our goal weight does not mean the "weight war" is won. The enemy (food) is everywhere, so it will be hard.

Be sure to check in and let us know how you're doing and of course we'll want to know when you are re-scheduled for surgery.

There are a lot of previous threads on the forum about reasons people choose lapband vs GBP. Just do a little scrolling through the threads.

Read through the Lap Band FAQ's thread. Look on the main forum page Under "basics" and you'll see it. It will answer a lot of your questions.

I highly recommend you seek a local "survivor of suicide" group. I'm sure you are in a lot of pain, you might be directing your emotional pain towards your band, since both the traumatic events happened within one month of each other. Depression does manifest itself into physical pain. Please look for a local support group. While the forum can be a big help for lots of people, I don't think it's what you need. You need a group of people that understand the type of loss you have experienced. Concentrate on that first and your band second. Good Luck