Lisa65

As of yesterday, I am at 9.4cc in a Realize 9cc band. Before that, I had only the slightest indication of any restriction. I had liquids all day yesterday and I'm on purees today. I only had some pureed chili for lunch and took tiny bites, so I reallyd don't know how this fill is going to affect me either. I'm certainly hoping I feel good restriction, or I'm not sure where I'll go from here. Just wanted you to know you aren't the only one! I thought I was, and I'm glad to know I'm not. :-) Lisa

I am wondering if I can get some feedback from experienced bandsters about the feelings of being at an optimal fill level - or the old proverbial "sweet spot". I had surgery on April 29th and I went for my 4th fill last Wednesday. I now have 8.4cc in a 9cc Realize band. The nurse who did the fill said he thinks I'll be at good restriction now, and I don't have to go back for 2 months. Of course, if I feel like I need to, I'll be back in a month instead! I just really am not sure. I know I have some restriction. If I make myself eat small amounts, I will be okay (not too hungry) until time to eat again. However, either I have not experienced, or I still haven't learned to recognize, any sign that says "stop eating now, you are satisfied" or "your pouch is full" or "DO NOT SWALLOW ANOTHER BITE" like some people say they get. I still don't have any issues with any certain foods going down, but I have been chewing really well. There have been a couple of times that I experienced pain in my chest for just a minute or so after swallowing something. I'm guessing it was too big a bite or I ate too fast without chewing properly. This is the first and only physical sign I have had that proves to me I'm even banded. I guess maybe it just takes some time to recognize the feelings and signals to stop eating. I'm a little afraid that they tried to tell me I would be at a good level of restriction just because I'm getting so close to having my band full. And maybe I am - who knows? If I only eat a little, I am ok (not hungry) for quite a while - plenty long enough to eat 5 times a day like they say. But if I am supposed to feel satisfied or a new kind of "full" at 1/2-3/4 cup of food, it hasn't happened yet. I'm looking for some help from all of you to know what signals to be looking for to know if my restriction is good, or if maybe I'm close but just not quite there? I have never had a PB or slimed or anything. I am grateful for that and would be happy to never have to experience either one. However, I feel like there have been times that I have eaten too fast or too big a bites (not intentionally) and if I were at the right level, I would be getting these obvious reminders to do better. Am I wrong? One of my concerns is that I don't want to wait 2 months to go back if I know I still need another little tweak. And if I need to go back at the 1 month mark, I probably need to call them NOW to get on the schedule! I have to add - I have done extremely well with my weight loss and I'm very happy with my progress. I am not complaining in that department at all. However, it's been because I have followed all the band rules and eaten small portions and healthy choices - for the most part, no one is perfect - and not necessarily because I've gotten any help from the band until very recently maybe. I'm just ready for the band to do the job I got it to do! Thanks for your help! Lisa

Thanks to all who have answered so far. It's great to have people like all of you to turn to. I appreciate your words of wisdom. Nancy and Illinois - my heart also breaks for both of you. I know it's so hard to deal with loss like that at a time that you are already weak and stressed. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. I hope you are both able to be strong and learn great lessons through all this. And again, I appreciate you sharing that wisdom with those of us who need it. Best of luck with your band, and please do keep us posted. Lisa

DesertRose, Thank you so much for the compliments. I truly appreciate them. I have worked hard and I'm proud of myself for getting where I am at this point. I guess my fear comes into play for 2 reasons: 1 - I've been able to lose weight in the past. My problem is in keeping it off, or maintaining my "new way of eating". Granted, I've lost more so far than I've been able to lose on a diet ever, but the fear is still there - what if I get to the point of falling off the wagon like I have in the past and I really do not have true restriction to help me? 2 - my band is nearing full capacity. I still have 50# to go. Will I max out my band and not be able to maintain restriction as I try to reach and maintain my goal? This is why I'm so concerned about if I really AM feeling good restriction. I'm afraid if this is not it, I might lose the willpower I currently have and be left with nothing to help me. I guess I think if what I'm feeling now IS good restriction, then maybe I CAN keep the momentum I currently have and actually make it to my goal. Does that even make sense? Lisa

I guess we are pretty close! I'm in Oxford, OH (home of Miami University). I'm about 40 miles north of the city of Cincinnati, but Dr. Curry's office is north of there, so I'm closer to him than I am downtown. I consider myself lucky. I think he really is an awesome doctor, and his office staff are all wonderful. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. Lisa

I'm so glad to hear that! I was told yesterday that they think this one will do me good and for a while so I didn't need to come back for 2 months. I was a little worried about that, in case I need another fill in a month. But if what you say it true, and what THEY say is true - maybe I'm finally at my sweet spot and will stay there for a while! I'll probably figure it out pretty soon when I start eating after my day of fluids and day of puree... :smile2:

Jan, I live about 45 minutes north of Dr. Curry's office. As for them drawing out the fluid, just want to let you know. I asked Dr. Curry about that at my 3rd fill. He said that the Realize band is a much lower pressure band so when they do that, it never draws out all of the fluid. He said with the old style of Lap Bands, you would put the needle in and the saline would literally squirt out! But the newer ones are lower pressure, so you really don't draw out all of what is in there. At the time I was supposed to be at 7cc, and he went ahead and drew out what he could and got 6cc, and he said that was about right. It was enough to show him I didn't have a leak or anything, because probably about 1cc would stay in the band and not be drawn out. Just wanted to let you know that so you won't be freaked if they don't get as much out as you think you have in there. On that same visit, he gave me another cc which put me to 8cc. That was the first time I felt restriction. It was definitely not my sweet spot, but I could tell I had some. Then yesterday, they gave me .4cc more, and the male nurse who did it said he really thinks I will be good this time. I hope he's right! I'm with you, I can diet - Lord knows I've done it enough in the past! - my problem is sticking with it for the long haul, so I am/was more than ready to have some help from the band. After all, that's why we got these things, right??? Lisa

I'm so glad to read this thread! I was concerned because until today, I had 8cc in my Realize band, and only felt minimal restriction. I went today and they did a barium swallow to make sure everything looked okay and to see how fast the barium went through the band, then gave me .4cc and said they believe that will really give me restriction. Of course I'm on clear liquids for tonight so no real test, but when I swallowed the water there, it felt like air went down with it. The guy who gave my fill said, "Yeah, I believe you'll have restriction now! So be careful." I've heard that the Realize band is a lower pressure band, so I'm wondering if it just needs to get fuller than the others to really put much pressure on the stomach. This was my 4th fill, and I'm hoping for great things now. I've lost 55# since April, but it's basically been by conscious choices and small portions, not because I had a lot of help from the band...yet. I'm hoping I will now and it will help with the 2nd half of what I have to lose. Good luck to all. Lisa

My guess is that all the PBing has made you swollen even more. I would try very hard to stick to liquids only for a few days - maybe even Clear Liquids - to allow that swelling to minimize before you try anything solid (or even mushy) again. Many times the swelling from the PBs make a bad situation much worse. If you could stick to the milk (if that is your only liquid option), I really think it would be best. I know that is extremely hard to do, but you don't want to risk damaging something with all the PBing that's going on. I wish you the best - please keep us informed of how you are doing, okay? Lisa

I got the Realize Band on 4/29/08. I just got my first fill on 6/4/08 (it was delayed a week past the doc's normal 4 week mark because they were out of town at a conference). I got 6cc on my first fill! But they did it under fluoro and went in very slowly and it took that much to show any restriction on the Barium at all. I am just up to soft foods today on my post-fill diet and I haven't noticed much difference when eating, but I do notice a big difference in drinking Water. If I take a couple swallows together, I have to wait a minute before drinking any more to give it time for that pressure in my chest to lessen. And each time I drink (which I tend to do in bigger swallows and quickly, which I'm trying to slow down), I feel a strange pressure that feels like I am swallowing a bit of air with the liquid. It's not really a pain, more of a pressure, like I'm going to have to burp once the liquid goes down. I usually don't burp though. The feeling passes after a few seconds. Is this considered good restriction? I figure after a couple more days and once I try regular foods I will have a good idea if it is or not! Lisa

I'll third it! Best wishes - hope everything goes wonderfully! Here's to all of us being banded in these last three days of April! Lisa

I just realized when I looked at the clock that one week from RIGHT NOW I will be heading into surgery. I can't wait! Good luck to all who go before me - and after me as well! :biggrin2:

Well I'm just glad you're not really disappearing completely! LOL.

The looser they get, the longer they will get. You do not have "fluff" holding them out/drawing them up any more! For example, take a shirt in your hands by the side seams and try to stretch it to make it wider...notice it gets shorter too? Same concept - only backwards!

Maria - actually I guess it was my day 6 and 7 that were rough (Sat & Sun) but day 8 WAS better. I completely believe it has to do with being home on the weekend and messing with my schedule plus dealing with boredom and head hunger. Don't get me wrong, I am still really wanting some real food, but as long as I stay busy I'm okay. And I know I'll make it through. Thanks for the encouragement! We can ALL do this! Lisa

Maria, I found day 5 and 6 to be very tough too. It was better today. I think it might have more to do with my being home and bored, plus sleeping later than during the week, which threw my eating schedule off. It does seem a bit better today, although the thought of 8 more days isn't too appealing.......:tongue_smilie: Lisa

Whatever you are, be a good one. Abe Lincoln

xnuyawkas, I'm not sure who you were asking as there are several April Avenger fonts, but if you find the one you want you can simply highlight it, copy it, then go to "edit signature" and paste it directly below your ticker. That's how I got mine. I think it originally comes from a glitter something website. Hope this helps. Lisa

Hi, I'm Lisa from SW Ohio. I have been married to a wonderful man for almost 18 years. I have two great daughters, age 23 and 14, and an adorable 7 year old cockapoo. I am also going to be a Nana for the first time this fall! I get my band on April 29th with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati.

Hi all! I'm also scheduled for April 29th with Dr. Curry in Cincinnati, OH. I'm so excited! I have been on my pre-op diet (Medifast) since Monday and have lost 9 pounds in 5 days! I always lose quick the first week - the test will be to see if it continues into next week - and of course, beyond! It's great to have several others banded the same day! Lisa

Dee - 11 pounds in one week is AWESOME!!! You should be so proud of yourself! One suggestion on the sodium. You can buy it in those cartons that are basically the same thing with WAY less sodium. It costs a tiny bit more, but would probably be worth it. I was looking yesterday for broths to make my Medifast Soups with, and realized that with Walmart's brand (Great Value) of beef broth, the labels look just alike and would make you think they are the same thing. However, the one in the can had 940mg of sodium for one cup, and the carton one had 180mg for one cup. Unbelievable! Also, the carton one had like 5 less calories and .5g less fat. Go figure. I just thought you might want to try that if the sodium is causing Water retention. Good luck on your second week, and again, put your chin up and be proud of those 11 pounds gone forever! Lisa

Maria79 and wdwcrazy - welcome to the April Avengers! I'm also on the 29th and look forward to going through this process with my "band birthday buddies". Do you all have to do a 2 week pre-op diet? I start mine tomorrow. I can't believe the time is here to actually start the process! Welcome aboard!

My surgery date is April 29th. I am required to do 2 weeks of Medifast (which includes shakes, Soups, oatmeal, and bars (only one bar per day). You have 5 or 6 Medifast meals per day - nothing else except broth or boullion, sf popsicles, or sf flavored waters. I am starting tomorrow (1 day early) so that I have a one day buffer if needed. I do know that I am strong enough to do this without cheating, but I'm sure I will be hungry in the beginning. So I thought if I REALLY FEEL like I need some extra Protein or something that first day, I can have a bit of tuna or a piece of cheese on the first day, then hopefully by the next day - my first official day - I will be able to stick to the plan without adding anything. At least that's my hope! I know this won't be easy, but we really are doing this for our own good, so the surgery goes smoother and with less risk and our recovery is easier. We can do this, with each other's help! :biggrin: Lisa

Nesser - finally, someone on my day! I've been waiting thinking I was going to be the only one on LBT with April 29th! Band birthday buddies! :thumbup:

Good luck to all of you April Avengers getting banded this week I hope you all have a very easy and speedy recovery. We look forward to hearing from you from bandland! Lisa