Seattlelight

Hi Mrs. Bubba and thanks for your reply. To clarify, I've lost 52lbs total. 17 pre-surgery and 35 after surgery. I do have restriction for about 10 days, then I have to restrict myself to the small quantities of food. But it doesn't matter because I gain most of the weight back. Is it because my band looses it's fluid down to 2.5cc's? Or, is that just how the band works?

I had surgery May 27th, 2008. I've had 6 fills. Before each fill, my doctor retracts the Fluid from the band and every time it is only holding 2.5cc's. Even though I've had fills as high as 6cc's. Yes, I had the leak test done and it was negative. My doctor believes it could be leaking from the silicone port but thinks it will fix itself because it has for other patients. I will have restriction for about 10 days and loose 5-7lbs. However, once I stop the 48hr liquid phase after each fill, and put any solid food in my mouth... the weight loss stops and I gain back almost all of what I just lost. So, for the rest of the month I drink Protein shakes and eat 2 ounces of food 2-3 times a day. Yes, my overall weight loss looks good, but I'm tired of loosing 5lbs during the liquid phase just to struggle all month to keep it off. Is this just how it is for some of us... A liquid diet??? Or should I push my doctor into replacing my port??? Please advise... I'm going crazy!!! :w00t: I've lost 52lbs Total - 35lbs After Surgery (in 10 months) Not what I expected!!! :lunch:

I don't have any problems. I dip apples in Adam's Natural peanut butter. I love it! I need the fruit and extra calories in my diet so it's a win-win for me. :thumbup:

After 7mo's, I finally have some restriction. I'm down 50lbs, which is awesome, I know! My problem is I only loose weight during the liquid phase after each fill. Then the rest of the month I'm fighting to keep it off. My doc tells me to eat 3, 2oz meals and 3 Protein shakes a day. On my best day I'll have 2, 3oz meals and 2 Protein Shakes. Before lapband, I always needed at least 1000 calories to loose weight. Now with the portions so small, I'm lucky to get 600-700. So bandsters, what is your secret? How many ounces per meal are you eating and how many calories do you consume in a day? I'd also like to ask what you're eating, but that might be pushing it, huh? :confused: Thanks for your help!!

Hello Sue. Yes, I was there yesterday, complaining! :wink2: If it wasn't for this forum, I wouldn't have pushed my doc into getting the fluoroscopy. Which didn't show a leak and lead to a barrage of "why me" questions. I still have doubts that this applied pressure is the cure... but it's been over 24hrs and I'm still feeling restriction! I'm afraid to eat anything except shakes. Just taking medication makes me slim. I should read more about restriction since I've never had it. Will the gurgling and pain ever go away? Does it loosen up after a few days? I am not going back unless I can't eat food by Friday!!! :smile2:

I have the Allergan LAP-BAND<SUP>®</SUP> AP (small.) Went in for my 4th fill today - which dropped down to 2.5cc's from 5, again! Well... my dr said he was going to apply a great deal of pressure (after the fill) at the port this time. This is suppose to help re-seal the hole left in the silicone by the syringe. He applied pressure alright... over 2 minutes. He said his hand was hurting. HIS HAND!! I was in tears!! :biggrin: My dr is finding several "leaks" from the port like this. Allergan will not admit to any fault. They say it's up to the dr to apply the right amount of pressure. Well, I know for a fact that my dr doesn't do this to everyone that has this band. So what makes Allergan think this is not a flaw to some bands?? Anyway, good news for now - I think I have restriction. Dr filled me to 5.6 and I can't swallow without slight chest pain. I'll be on liquids for 48hrs anyway, and I never had restriction that lasted longer than an hour. So, I'm gonna enjoy it.. in a really sick and twisted kinda way. Hey, maybe it will stick around and I'll need an un-fill. Imagine that...!!!

Hello - I also have this "slow" leak!! I was banded May 27th at St Francis in Federal Way. I had my fluoroscopy last Wednesday. My band will only maintain 2-2.5cc's. First fill I received 3.5cc. Second fill I dropped to 2cc's, filled to 4cc's. Third fill I dropped to 2.5cc's, filled to 5cc's. A week later at the fluoroscopy, I had dropped to 2.5cc's again. Lucky for me, I worked out of state this summer and have only had 3 fills so far. What the Hell is going on with our bands!!! Is this only happening at this hospital..? Under this group of doctors..? Please, is there anyone else out there having similar problems?? Is this normal? Should I be filled to 10cc's? Maybe it's a pressure issue? I'm so new at this - I have no idea what to do... but go crazy!!! Thank you!!

Thanks globally yours! Only 15 of those pounds have been post-op. The scale isn't moving as fast as I'd like, but I am dropping in sizes. :Banane30: Wow Shelley - 4cc's in a 9cc band? You might have hit your sweet spot!

Fill'er-up! I received 3.5cc's in my 10cc band. I had to do 48 hours of liquids. Not bad, but I've only been on soft foods for a week - after 28 days post-op liquids :thumbup:! Last week I could only eat 4oz's 3 times a day. I can't imagine eating less than that! :thumbup:

YIPPY SKIPPY - SOFT FOODS!! Oh sorry, today will be my first day after 28 days of liquids post-op. Soooo.. I'm Ecstatic! Needless to say, I've been working on my list for awhile. Now it's a combo of my doctors recommendations and other bandsters. It's just a guide for myself to get through the next two weeks. Good Luck to All!! :grouphug: *CAN/DELI/GROUND* *CHICKEN *TURKEY *CRAB BAKED FISH-FLAKEY EGGS BEANS-REFRIED/BLACK CREAMED Soups CHILI-CHICKEN POTATOES-NO SKIN BAKED/BOILED/MASHED SWEET POTATO PASTA-WELL COOKED RICE-WELL COOKED COUSCOUS TOFU SOFT VEGIES-NO SKIN COTTAGE CHEESE-LF/FF SHREDDED CHEESE-LF/FF HUMMUS OATMEAL FRESH FRUIT-NO SKIN OR CANNED (watch sugar) APPLESAUCE AVACADO SALSA PEANUT BUTTER PUDDING-SF SOUR CREAM-L/FF CREAM cheese L/FF MAYO-L/FF MIRACLE WHIP-L SALAD DRESSING L/FF

Thanks for the advice! Someone said the liquid stage is called, "Bandster Hell." I can sure attest to that! But this is it.. my 6th and final week! I did call the doctor last week, and he said not to have more than 4 a day. Or 90g of Protein. Oh well, at this point I feel like a survivor! If I can do this.. I can do anything!! One last thing, I took your advise and stopped drinking Crystal Light. Guess what happened... No more headaches, and I'm not as hungry!! Weird, huh? Now I'm drinking "G2," a low calorie fruit punch by Gatorade which also has electrolyte's in it. I like it much better and with no side effects!! Thanks again! :biggrin2:

Thanks so much for the advice! I agree Sue, this is "Bandster Hell." :smile2: But this is it.. my 6th and final week of liquids! I know what the problem is, with only 4 shakes a day, I'm lucky to get 600 calories. That's not enough!! I like the peanut butter idea a lot. I wish I could get up to 800 cal, I'd feel much better. At this point, I feel like a survivor! If I can do this.. I can do anything!! Maybe that's Dr. Oh's secret to success!! I still don't like it! But hopefully my waist will! I can remember my last meal on May 11th, "Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que!" Hey, shredded bar-b-que chicken is kinda mushie, right? :smile:

Hi shome - Guess I left that part out . Yes, I'm using "Champion Nutrition - Pure Whey Protein Stack," which has 24g per serving. I have 4 shakes total, 96g Protein a day. I was rounding the scoop and sometimes having 6 in one day, but the doctor told me today to cut it back to only 4. So now I really get to starve!! :smile2: Like that could happen. :eek: I know a lot of it is head hunger. I'm not use to being told "NO!" I don't like it!! It's the stomach grumbles I can't handle, and the headaches. Just wanted to know how everyone else dealt with it. Thanks. Best of luck to you!! I still have no regrets!! :thumbup: