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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:

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 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

Currently I'm on, "Champion Nutrition - Pure Whey Protein Stack," Chocolate or Cookies and Cream. With a rounded scoop they have about 30g of Protein. I'm hungry about every 2-3 hours. So, if I have 4 to 6 shakes a day.. that's 120 to 180 grams of Protein! Is that too much? I'm drinking 64oz of Crystal Light/Water, jello, popsicles and V8 but they don't seem to curb my appetite. I don't like to be hungry! The headaches are a killer too. I go for walks and try to ignore it, but seriously - should I be this hungry? If so, shouldn't my doctor move me to the mushie stage? :rolleyes2: How is everyone else getting through this stage?

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:

Hello NW - I was banded on May 27th at St. Francis with Dr. OH. I'd like to hear from his patients, or anyone else, that had to adhere to a strict 28 Days of Liquids Post-Op. How did you do it, or did you start mushies early? I think I am starting to loose my mind, just a little bit! Yes, I drink all the other stuff - 64oz of Crystal Light/Water, Jello, Popsicles, V8. I'm just not satisfied. My stomach is rumbling all the time. I'm having headaches daily and starting to feel weak again like I did with the clear liquids. I called the doctor and he said he can't help me. He believes that strongly in the 28 days for healing. Yet I see others who have only had days of liquids before starting mushies. Please Help!! I don't want to cheat!! Just let me know what you did, I see your success and I trust you! Thank You!!!

Hey Cheri - Thanks for the website :rolleyes2:. I see a lot of people talking about Unjury so it must be good. Currently I'm on, "Champion Nutrition - Pure Whey Protein Stack," Chocolate or Cookies and Cream. With a rounded scoop they have about 30g of Protein. I'm hungry about every 2-3 hours. So, if I have 4 to 6 shakes a day.. that's 120 to 180 grams of Protein! Is that too much? I'm drinking 64oz of Crystal Light/Water, jello, popsicles and V8 but they don't seem to curb my appetite. The headaches are a killer. I don't like to be hungry! My sweety doesn't like it either :biggrin:! I guess I've made it this far, what's another week and half!!

:thumbs_up: Okay, I tell the doc I'm getting my hunger back.. he said I could have 6 Protein Shakes a day, or more if needed. :frown: So, I'm still on the clear liquid diet + Protein shakes. Uugghh!! One bright sign, I suppose, is the nutritionist said I could probably start mushies on week 4, if I called the doctor and ask. We'll see if I can take it that long! Right now I'm having a shake every 3 hours. Any suggestions where I can get more protein on a clear liquid diet? Once I started on the shakes, I gave up chicken broth. I'm sure you all can remember how delicious that was! :party: Who knew that stuff went right through ya! Thanks for the well wishes! Tina

I'm a Bandster!! :biggrin2: Surgery was 3 hours, w/ hernia repair. The first night in the hospital, had my own Morphine button! At home I slept for the next three days, thanks to the Percocet! The pain now feels like puncture wounds. I mean surface pain, except the port feels deeper. Wish I could bend over and tie my shoes . I still have the GAS, enough to clear a room :laugh:. I know TMI, but so far I've only had some left shoulder discomfort. I need to walk more because it's getting worse. The clear liquids made me very weak, and sick. Lack of sugar, according to the surgeon. Once I had my first protein shake on day 7, I started feeling better. Today is day 10 and I'm getting stronger everyday. Shannon, sorry about the longer recovery time and scar. This is my third laparoscopic type surgery, so I now have 12 scars. I'm a human pin cushion! That's not going to stop me from wearing a bikini once I'm at goal! :thumbup: Good luck to All!!

I'm a Bandster!! :biggrin2: Surgery was 3 hours, w/ hernia repair. The first night was in the hospital, and at home I slept nonstop for the next three days. Thanks to the Percocet. The pain feels like puncture wounds. I mean surface pain, nothing real deep. I did have the GAS, enough to clear a room . I know TMI, but so far I've only had some left shoulder discomfort. The clear liquids made me very weak. Lack of sugar, according to the surgeon. Once I had my first protein shake on day 7, I started feeling better. When did you all start mushies? According to my doctor, he wants me on protein shakes until my first fill, June 30th. I know I need to heal, but 5 weeks? Doesn't that seem excessive? If I count the two weeks prior to surgery, that's 7 weeks of liquids! I'm already dreaming of scrambled eggs and runny oatmeal!! :wink2:

Hello to all my Band Day Friends!! How are you celebrating your last few Pre-Band days? It's a long Memorial weekend but it's going to go quick! I plan on walking in the Seattle rain and maybe catch up on some reading. I'd rather hit the markets that just opened, but that would only tempt me to go off the liquid diet. I'm on day 11 -Yippy! :biggrin2:

I could really use some advice MayFlowers! Last Wednesday 5/7; I went to my PCP about a small itchy, red, bumpy rash that started under my armpits. His diagnoses: some sort of Skin Fungi and put me on Diflucan. Well, it has now spread all over my body!! I itch from head to toe!! I've called my PCP 3 times. He finally called in Prednisone, which just stops me from taking a knife and scratching my skin off - but I'm still itchy!! Anyway... my question is this, should I go back to my PCP tomorrow and let him continue treating me, or should I contact my surgeon and see what he thinks. I'm afraid to let my surgeon know because of the obvious, I don't want my surgery postponed - I am scheduled May 27th, and start the 2 week liquid diet on Tuesday. Please Help... I'm sure my anxiety is not helping matters either. I'm not trying to be stupid, of course I want to be totally healthy. If I can't get rid of it in a few more days I'll have to let the surgeon know. I'm just asking for advice. Thank you

Hi Jack - I guess I should have stressed it's not the contagious kind.. I don't seem to be getting a lot of responses . I did go back to my PCP. I was seen by two other doctors, they both thought it was an allergic reaction to a medication/food/plant but can't pinpoint where it came from. So.. I'm now on very high dose of antibiotics and something else for the itching. They said to give it until Thursday, if not better, I'm going to a Dermatologist! Wish me luck!! :wink2:

Hi Susan, thanks for your opinion. I did see my PCP, put me on more meds for the allergic reaction to the previous meds. :biggrin: So, I will need to speak to my surgeon now and take it from there. Wish me luck! How can I delete a thread? Still new at this.. I was kind of desperate last night and would like to erase the same posting above in another forum. Thanks

I could really use some advice! Last Wednesday 5/7; I went to my PCP about a small itchy, red, bumpy rash that started under my armpits. His diagnoses: some sort of Skin Fungi and put me on Diflucan. Well, it has now spread all over my body!! I itch from head to toe!! I've called my PCP 3 times. He finally called in Prednisone, which just stops me from taking a knife and scratching my skin off - but I'm still itchy!! Anyway... my question is this, should I go back to my PCP tomorrow and let him continue treating me, or should I contact my surgeon and see what he thinks. I'm afraid to let my surgeon know because of the obvious, I don't want my surgery postponed - I am scheduled May 27th, and start the 2 week liquid diet on Tuesday. Please Help... I'm sure my anxiety is not helping matters either. I'm not trying to be stupid, of course I want to be totally healthy. If I can't get rid of it in a few more days I'll have to let the surgeon know. I'm just asking for advice. Thank you

Hi Allison. If you want to provide your coworkers with some type of stomach surgery, you could say your having your gallbladder removed. I know.. sounds gross, but both are laparoscopic procedures and I've heard lapband is comparable, as far as the surgery pain. I had my gallbladder removed when I was only 25, so you're not too young. :biggrin: This way when you go back to work.. you have the scars to prove it. Now when you start shedding all those pounds... and you will... you're on your own! :thumbup: