emmaf106

I had to have half my fill removed a month ago just before the wedding. I saw Maria and she was fantastic. Had me have a barium swallow (I have a band dilation) and called me after the results came through to make sure I knew what it all meant and what to do. I've got my next appointment on the 30th of this month (not sure who with but I hope it's with her!) and I definately want some fill in. Apparently I now have less than when first banded! I've been living the honeymoon life over the past month and have put on about 3kgs so keen to knock that on the head! I'm conscious though that I've barely been doing any exercise too. Getting very hungry in the mornings but don't want to put anymore pressure on the band either so I'm thinking about just a .5ml fill and see how I go.

I'm with you, I'd rather have a little less in my band and try to exercise some control than have too much fill. As long as my hunger is under control I'm happy.

I think they have about 4 fill doctors at Watson's rooms now. I wasn't particularly impressed with Bowater either - but I was firm with what I wanted and just basically ignored anything else he said! I saw a different doc last month (Warren Jones) who I liked more. I didn't have an adjustment because I'd been up and down with restriction and just want to have a chat. He was really good, and discussed things like the pill affecting restriction and because I'd lost a decent amount of weight in the 3months since last time we decided together to not adjust. Maybe have another go with a different doctor. I agree that the waiting times are bloody horrendous. Em :thumbup:

My tip (other than in the other post) is not to lay down while eating! You shouldn't feel restriction until you start eating. Then you should feel full fairly quickly. You shouldn't notice the restriction just walking around going about your daily life. I'm sure you're not a bad person!

You should be trying to stick to 1/2-1 cup of food at a time. It can take several adjustments to get to the perfect level of restriction. They usually take it easy in the first fill because you need to get used to changing your eating habits. Work with the band, do the right things and you will lose the weight!

I saw the ads and it made me almost lose the plot so didn't watch the program itself. Although reading your comments, maybe i'll watch it online later and you can be damn sure I'll be writing them an email if it's a shite as you guys say!

My fiance was banded with me and he used to be a massive snorer, really unbearable at times but now - all silent in the bedroom! YAY! He occassionally still snores when he's had a few beers but I can deal with occassional snoring!

Don't wait 8 weeks if there is a problem. It's pretty hard to function if your body isn't getting the nutrients it needs (which it won't be if you can't keep anything down!). I'd give it a week tops.

Great work everyone!

Congratulations that is awesome. Hope the surgery goes well!

You should stick to fluids the first day after having a fill, then have mushies the next day, then slowly normal food again. Particularly as this is your first fill. It's completely normal to have gained weight before your first fill so don't worry about that. Make sure you take tiny bites and chew every bite at least 20 times before swallowing. If you are doing all this and still not keeping any food down then you should go back to your doctor for a small unfill. Em

Yep I had the same problem. I started getting night reflux, had some fill removed. I was fine for a few weeks, then same problem, had more fill removed. Ended up having fill removed about 4 times over 7 months or so. But then I was at the stage where I was hungry and could eat too much! I'm just in the process of having fill put back in again now to get back to the sweet spot. The doc said he had no reason as to why it seems harder to get the right balance towards the end of your journey as opposed to during. Just one of those things I guess! Em :thumbup:

My fiance and I were both banded at the same time and we made the decision to only tell our immediate family. More than 18months on now and they are still the only ones who know. I've been tempted to tell some of my close friends but he still wants to keep it a secret and I think if I told people they'd put 2 and 2 together so I've kept quiet. I still worry if people knew they'd be always watching what we ate and I don't want that kind of scrutiny. Ironically one of the women at work asked me outright if I'd had it done but did it at a table of people, fiance was there too. I hate lying and if she'd asked me with just the two of us I'd probably told her the truth but as it was I just laughed and said "You'd think I'd be losing more weight if that were the case" and changed the subject. Awkward. Anyway I digress, what are we talking about? Oh yeah, we're both happy with our decision. We've put in bloody hard work to get the results we have so far (Fiance has lost 40+kgs and is at goal) so I don't think we've cheated at all! We've used the resources at hand to help us! Just like going to a gym and using the treadmill! Em :thumbup:

Good luck guys! All the best for the surgery. Just remember that the pain & discomfort is only temporary and you'll be well on your way after a week or two! Em :thumbup:

It can take several fills to get to that "sweet" spot where you have perfect restriction so don't be too disheartened. Just be aware of real hunger v head hunger. To be honest I'm rarely really hungry, mostly it's my head telling me its time to eat or hey - have some chocolate! Start practicing good eating techniques now (small bites, chewing well, 1 cup of food) so that when your restriction is on the money, it won't be a big transition. Good luck! Em

Thanks Lellow. I'll certainly keep him in mind when it comes time.

Hey Lellow - Just noticed that you're from Perth (as am I). Where did you get your body lift done and did private health insurance/medicare pay for any of it? I'm going to need a tummy tuck (and I'd like my arms done too) at some stage, although will probably wait till after we have kids.

I told my boss that I was having minor surgery of a personal nature. I only had about 5 days off work as it was around Easter so had public holidays galore! Our friends, who don't know about the band, were told only recently that the boy had had a hernia repair - when they noticed the scars while he had his top off during summer. At the time though we just said we were going away for Easter.

Congrats! All the best :thumbdown:

I'm not from sydney sorry but muscle pain is pretty normal. I had a bit of pain even a month after surgery - not severe mind you, just uncomfortable. If it continues though, speak to the doctor. Ms Pickle - my advice on the opti is to mix it with ice and cold Water . The colder you can make it the better. The first few days are the worst, but it does get slightly easier. I have also heard of some people mixing low cal flavoured syrup to it to make it like a milkshake. Good luck!

You can eat kebabs? Jealous!!!

My port is slightly to my left just below my large scar. I don't have my fills under xray but I have heard of it being done before in cases where the port has slightly flipped to the side or some such. Good luck!

Yeah I can eat chicken at night for dinner but struggle at lunch for some reason. And definately can't eat it (or anything for that matter) reheated.

I think you'll find it's 12months

Hey all, Last week it was 12 months that my fiance & I were banded. I've written a bit of a long post about it at my blog: lapbandlife.wordpress.com if anyone is interested! Cheers Em