c7777christine

I'm not trying to be a downer. I just wish someone had warned me before my surgery. I had my surgery 2-5-08 and am only down 18 pounds. My BMI was 30 to start. The problem is I can't get my band to work. All the weight has come off from dieting. I go for my 5th fill on the 2nd. I have the realize band at 9cc. It will be great for long term success but so far has been frustrating. I thought I'd be down 40-50 pounds by now. I guess my message is sometimes it takes time to get to your sweet spot or great restriction. I thought I'd wake up and not be hungry or as hungry. I was starving 2 hours out of surgery. I'm trying to remember this is for long term health. But damn I want the weight off!! Good luck and just work with your band it will work eventually. Chrissie

I have them too! I'm glad I'm not alone. So far no relief with the weight loss. They have gotten worse I think because I'm hungry so much of the time. I haven't reached the sweet spot yet so I've pretty much been dieting. I didn't realize I'd be so hungry with this band. I go for my 5th fill on june 2nd. I know I'm close but still. These headaches are the worst. I feel so bad for my husband when I complain. He's the best but I hate feeling like a whinner. I'd love to try botox but I don't think insurance will pay for it. It's the only thing I haven't tried. Most treatments run 700 dollars at least. Then last 4-6 months. Good luck hope you get some relief. One last bitch. I hate Dr's who make you feel like a drug addict for needing pain medication. I have an easier time getting pain killers for a sore tooth than a mind blowing migraine! Lame so lame! Chrissie

Comments about your weight can be one thing. Discrimination! I would file a report on those grounds. Don't lower yourself to her level with the other stuff. The EEOC works to defend people who are discriminated against. Remember not to give your energy to people who don't deserve it. I have a hard time with that too. Good luck. Sometimes praying for those who hurt us the most helps us heal. Plus they might need it more. Lots of luck! Chrissie

Thats crap! I've been going in once a week or once every 2 weeks. I've had 4 fills and am going back on the 19th. I'm close but like you still hungry and not losing much weight. Try to find another fill Dr if you can. Sorry hope it gets better. I have a 9cc band with 4.5cc's in right now. I get hungry about 2 hours after eating. Good luck chrissie

I also have the realize band. I'm going to be moving your way in the fall from alaska. Just wanted to warn you about your fills. I had no restriction coming out of surgery. I will get my 3rd fill tomorrow and as of right now have no restriction. I have 4cc's in my 9cc band. My warning is don't get your hopes up that you'll have restriction right away. I think it might take 6-7cc's. I had my hopes up that I wouldn't be hungry all the time. I haven't given up. I just wish someone would have warned me about how long it can take to get restriction. Good luck with recovery! Chrissie

I'm with you guys! Banded feb 5th, first fill march 31st. The scale is stuck. I'm hungry most of the time and can pretty much eat what I want as long as I chew. Makes you feel like you never had surgery. I guess it can take 2 or 3 fills to get good restriction. I guess I really need to think of the long term weight loss without gaining back. It's hard though when you want to get going. I think I'll get 2-3cc in my 9cc band hope that gives me some relief from the hunger. Good luck! Chrissie

Hey I do Pro- Complex chocolate from GNC. It has 60 grams of protein in each serving and tastes pretty good. NO chunks etc. I'm scared my hair will fall out if I don't get all the protein in. I know it sucks. Tuna has a lot of protein too. I'm sure you know. Hang in there, Chrissie

I don't know about you, but I'm allergic to all artificial sweetners. I get diarrea nausea and migraines. People swear by them, but I think there toxic. A little sugar won't hurt you. Look for a drink without the fake stuff and I bet you'll feel better. Good luck, Chrissie

I was banded 2-5-08 and am down 22lbs. But I'm so hungry! It's been like a total diet of starvation. I can't get a fill until 3-31. I'm in Alaska and the one Dr. that does fills is on vacation during my 6 week. I guess any weight loss is a bonus before your first fill. I'm counting down the days. I can't wait to be less hungry!! Good luck to all the Feb bandsters!! Chrissie

I had the same problem. Pro-Complex at GNC chocolate saved me. It has 60 grams of protein and tastes pretty good. Carb withdrawl went away after about 8 days for me. Good luck I know it sucks! Chrissie

Dr. Rodriques was awesome! He is in Juarez Mexico right outside El Paso. I paid 7,500 for amazing care at a brand new hospital, top of the line. Be Lite Weight was who I went through. Jessica was my helper. I can call her day or night. Even now after I'm done. It was the best hospital experience I've ever had. Dr. Rod has done over 5,400 lap bands and teaches US Dr's how to do them. Good luck, I couldn't be happier!! Down 20 pounds since Jan 26th.

That really sucks!!! I'm so sorry for you! After you heal for awhile see how you do. I had my band in Mexico for 7,500. They will do it if your bmi is only 30. Dr.Rodriques is a specialist with low complication ratio. Just a thought if you start feeling helpless and hopeless. Hang in there your in my thoughts. Hope your stomach is healing up O.K. Chrissie

I went through BLW Jessica was my scheduler. My Dr, was Dr.Jose Rodriques in Juarez Mexico. Right outside of El Paso. The hospital was brand new top of the line! I loved BLW!! I paid $7,500. They always called me back. In fact Jessica always answers her phone. Even now three weeks later she's always there. They even pay for a hotel for one night, and drive you everywhere. This was the best hospital surgery experience I've ever had! Loved everything and I'm down 20 pounds. Good luck, Chrissie

I had similar pain. The only thing that helped was chicken broth. The hotter the better. The band likes hot. Juice and gatorade seemed to add to my pain. Try and walk even if it hurts. A little goes a long way. Unless your Dr. said not to. I also do a liquid vitamin but I waited until day 6 after surgery. Hang in there. After 7 to 10 days it will just disappear, hopefully. Good luck, Chrissie

My lapband was put in on 2-5-08. I couldn't get in for a fill until 3-31-08. I'm starving so I can't wait. I hope they fill it enough. Thanks, chrissie

My family was the worst! I remember as a child walking out of the elevator when my grandma said, " oh that poor woman what a pig she is so fat." My sister agreed with her. At a very early my family made it clear to be fat is to be un-lovable. To be fat is to be stupid and lazy. How stupid are they. Being able to discriminate against people who are over weight is the last acceptable discrimination. Totally lame and un acceptable!!!

I went to Dr. Jose Rodriques. He was awesome!! The Hosptales Angeles was brand new like a four star hotel. Right outside El Paso. Go to Be lite weight web site. I loved all of my staff. It was the best hospital experience I've ever had!! I'm so happy with my choice paid 7,500. Good luck email me if you want more info.

I also had bad gas pains! Try hot peppermint tea. Also the gas X, and walking. On day 8 it all went away. Hang in there. Soon it will be a distant memory. Or at least until your first fill. Sorry about the infection. Take care, Chrissie

Great! I'm so confused! I just got the Jand J band 2 weeks ago. I had a choice and my Dr. did both. Allergan and JandJ. What gives, what they told me was the JandJ is newer stronger and better. Why would they say that if they provided both bands? Now I'm really freaked out I made the wrong choice. Although most of the people getting un-banded didn't have J and J. I really hope I have great results like the people I've talked to that have it. They've lost over 50% of their weight in about 16 months. Was I scammed? I did do research. It was so different than what I've just read. Now I'm really stressed out!!!

I had my band in Juarez Mexico, by Dr. Rodriges. I had the brand new fda approved johnson and johnson band. It's supposed to be one of the best to date. My Dr. has been doing bands for much longer than U.S. Dr's. Plus if your paying out of pocket it's a lot cheaper. I got to stay 2 nights in the hospital and it was the best stay in a hospital I've ever had. I can also get fills done in the U.S. no problem. Good luck, don't be afraid of Mexico, my hospitales Angeles was awesome and brand new. It was like staying in a 4 star hotel. Private room, granite counter tops, and very clean. I loved it!

I just got the band with Dr. Rodrigues in Juarez mexico. I paid 7,500. It was the nicest hospital I've ever been to! I too was worried about going to Mex but it was only 10 minutes away from El Paso. Check out hospitales Angeles in Juarez. It's brand new, like a 4 star hotel! Plus the Dr. has done over 5,400 bands and teaches our Dr.'s how to do it. You also get to spend 2 nights. Unlike the U.S. that sends you home the same day. I had such a good experience there. Plus I'm healing up really well. Let me know if you want more info good luck! Chrissie