mediummike

cheryl ann - i too have difficulty with pills in the am (I do first thing). yes, I am tightest in the am and it eventually loosens a bit. just take a small sip of water - you'll be surprised how little you actually need !

I'm at 3 fills - I go monthly so will not be back for another 2 weeks. I am just recently "loosening up". Had very good restriction first two weeks, bud gradually faded. Will probably ask for a small fill next visit...

My first 2 fills really left me with no restriction. Then I got my 3rd fill and all of a sudden - real good restriction right away. I do not know why it would take time for restriction to occur, rather I understand why it would go away over time (as the stomach shrinks, you need more). I have never heard of anyone getting a fill so quickly after surgery - most people have to wait at least a month - any others get it done so quickly ?

I was on a srticter schedule than you, as per my surgeon. I had to eat mushies for much longer and only after that very slowly start with real solid food. If you do not have doctors/nutritionist plan or advice, I would suggest you just be carefull - you are only a little more than a week from surgery and don't want to cause any harm to you or the band. Try to enjoy other things at the fair (not just the food). Bring safe foods with you for when you do get hungry in case there is nothing there you are comfortable with. Trust me, I used to think EVERYTHING was about the food - thankfully, that has changed !! Just enjoy the day with whoever you are going with !

Nance - the experience is unique to all people. Most people I talk to have not had a "bad" experience. See my post above - very simple and easy. In fact, I had routine blood work taken (2 small vials) this morning and will tell you that was worse, even though it is no big deal either...let your dr. know you are concerned and maybe they can calm you/work with you as well...

You mention that you lose 10 lbs pretty quickly after the fill and then plateau - but then you go on to mention that you do not see a correlation between weight lose and restrcition ? I was told that as you lose weight (or even simply eat less, or mushier foods) your stomach will contract, even shrink. Thus, your band will need to be adjusted. Since the first meeting I ever went too, I was told this, and that I would need to follow up for adjustments monthly after surgery for the first year, and then quarterly the 2nd year, annually thereafter.

I was on the treadmill the morning after surgery for 30 minutes. Went to the mall with family that afternoon and walked around as well. Felt fine. Listen to your body. No "physical" stuff for 4 weeks as per my doctor.

45 minutes with hiatal hernia repair. as mentioned above - you're out, so you can't tell. I walked out of the hospital a couple of hours later. recovery was quick, very little pain (some gas and discomfort) for me. different for all...

Hi Kalipso - yes, agree, restriction is nice (that's why we get banded). Hopefully, your not too tight - try "softer" proteins, like fish or hamburger meat and see how they do for you. Some foods are tougher than others and is different from person to person. Try each new food slowly and dont eat too much and wait to see how your band handles it. Remember, you still should be able to eat without pb'ing....

I only started feeling restriction after my 3rd fill as well, which was 6cc's in a 10cc band, which is about the same as you. i really cant imagine too much more going in at this point...

I too started feeling real restriction after my 3rd fill (6cc's in 10cc band). I have to really eat slowly, chew thoroughly and manage portions. sounds to me thats how the band should work, and I can still manage to eat about 1/2 cup of food or so per sitting, which I think is about right...

yes, the guys at softball one night said they have to stop calling me big mike and start calling me medium mike !

Lets face it - social eating and drinking has led many of us to the lap band in the first place, so you probably are more the normal rather than the exception. I certainly fall into that category. I work in Finance, in NYC, so there is a lot "go out for a couple after work" situations. You know what - I still do - But instead of a couple more, I literally stop at 2 - or more ofter, 1, and not as often either. I find my self making better choices now, but mentally and physically - by physically I mean the band wont let me drink more than 2 beers without the signs coming on (usually the subtle pain in the shoulder is my first indication to back off). You will still be able to go out socially (its a band, not a bubble) and enjoy yourself. And you know what, the perception that people will act/treat you differently - is nonsense for two reasons 1) they dont notice/care 2) if they do, they will be happy for you (if they are not, you dont want to be around that person anyway). Good luck to you. I think you will find this a powerfull tool and a great choice.

You may be able to make a brief appearance - but don't push it. I was on the treadmill the day after surgery and spent some of that afternoon walking through a local mall. Very little pain. I was a bit uncomfortable at night (couldn't sleep on my side) which threw off my sleeping schedule, and I did tire pretty easily. But again, listen to your body and rest if you even think you need to !

definitely tighter in the morning - tends to loosen up a bit throughout the day. its fine with me because all i have in the morning is a protein shake (not/never was a breakfast eater)

Hey 2cute - I just replied to your other thread but will provide more detail here. I have Aetna PPO as well. Once I had all of my pre-surgery tests done, aetna actually replied pretty quickly. Great thing about Bessler is that his staff handled everything - I never had any contact at all whatsoever with Aetna. Once they submitted everything (including all pre-op results) I seem to remember it only took a couple ofweeks for Aetna to respond (yes, thankfully!).

I was banded by Dr. Bessler bank in February. Started pre-op stuff in September/October of 2007 and then was finally approved early January. I had my surgery February 13. Dr. Bessler is supposedly as good as they come. More importantly, his support staff are awesome. Let me know if you have any other questions...

The more thorough before surgery, the better. Don't need any surprises while under....

I have no problem with corn on the cob either - and agree - half an ear is plenty. Aubrie - not to get too gross, but when I had that awfull experience with popcorn this week, what finally happened (after a long, uncomfortable time) was I finally pb'd all of those little skins - the rest went through. It was weird and again, will never eat it again. Frankly, I will not miss it either.

I was not filled at surgery (10 cc band). After surgery, I had no hunger at all - probably due to swelling, gas, etc...managed to lose a lot of weight. I have had 3 fills now for a total of 6 cc's and have "sweet" restriction !

Everybody's different, I guess. I absolutely will not eat popcorn again. After eating a handfull the other night, I had a horrible experience. I did not eat a lot (I don't think) but it refused to go down. Lasted hours. Never again...

Its all good ! Surgery for the most part, will be a breeze (in respect to others - easier for some than for others). But definitely a quick procedure and quick recovery. Its natural to be a bit nervous - most people are - but the band has been a great tool for me and many others on this post, as I'm sure it will be for you.

The first two fills (2.4 cc's and then 2.0 cc more for a total of 4.4 cc's in a 10 cc band) did very little for me in terms of restriction. Just had my third fill last week - another 1.6 cc's for a total of 6.0 cc's and WOW - hello - now I feel the band working - in fact they initially put in 2.0 cc's but I had trouble drinking the water so they took out 0.4 cc's. Not complaining as it has been helpfull to this point, but now feel real restriction and loving it. Appetite is completely under control after a very small portion of food. I do have to be carefull eating (eat slow, chew thoroughly) but I think I'm at my SWEET SPOT:) Hope it lasts...

I think Jacqui pretty much much nailed it on the head. I have not and will not stop attending social functions (and trust me, I go to plenty). I find it easier than I thought it would be to keep everything in moderation and have a great time. I do understand where you may be coming from when you say you are concerned about what people would say (as I was), but as Jacqui said, they really do not care for the most part. In fact, when people ask how I lost the weight so far, I enjoy telling them about the band and I have not received anything but 100% encouragement and kudos. Obviously I am hanging around a pretty good crowd in that they are more interested in my well being rather than why I am not having too many beers...

Old belts, and clothes are definitely a fun way to reward yourself - good non-scale victories (NSV's). Because my weight has histrically been a yo-yo ride, I do keep suits I haven't fit into for years and it is great when you put those back on and you realize you need to have them taken in ! Back to full vs. stuck. Agree with Jack (as usual) - no longer going for that full sensation, rather going for that satisfied sensation. I just received my 3rd fill. If something gets stuck, it is usually because I erred - ate too much, too fast or not chewed enough. I can think and feel hungry these days and when I eat, I portion out a small portion of food and eat slowly and chew thoroughly. When I feel no longer hungry, I stop, which I can do 99% of the time now. When I err, ouch. The band serves as a tool to tell me that I did something wrong. I'm still figuring it all out, but I really like what the band is doing for me these days...