To be free

I am right there with you so you are not alone!!!! I only have 2.2 in a 14cc band and have had no restriction (except for a week when I had nasal problems I seemed to have some restriction) We just need to watch ourselves and I believe at some point that we will have the restriction that we desire..........having the band has given me piece of mind that this time whatever I do loose I will keep it off.........I was on a upward spiral so not only am I not getting bigger I am loosing even if it is a small amount. It is frustrating to see hudge losses others have, but am grateful that I have this opportunity........this band and that someday it will do it's job because I am doing everything I am supposed to do and can do....... Keep the faith, we can do it!!

When I went in for my first fill they gave me a cup of Water with a straw.....I could use one... I won't use it for the next fill though, I burped and she put in less fill ..... I didn't have any restriction.

I try to avoid Splenda at all costs......go to www.truthaboutsplenda.com very interesting. I have switched to Stevia, it is a natural product, way sweeter than Splenda or sugar and with no side effects. I did have to have Splenda stuff pre and some post op because that is what is in most shakes...... I'd be careful about anything that expands.......I think natural is better just less of it............

I have only had one fill but I use baby spinach leaves instead of lettuce..... I have always used spinach because I don't think Iceburg lettuce has much nutritional value....... Try the baby spinach, just cut it up and chew well. Good luck!

I think that dionna113 was only trying to negate my worry, she didn't attack your surgeons credentials or say he was a bad surgeon she mearly stated that he sounds judgmental and needs to have empathy in a specialty field were the morbidy obese seek help and compassion for which for most is a life long affliction. From the additional research I have done it is rare that a lap band doctor will require a 6 lb loss before doing a fill, it might make a good question to post. We are all in this together, and it's hard for slow loosers like flowers, dionna113 and I to see others record losses and struggle to get a few pounds off even though we do everything right, so to think that we could go months without a fill because we didn't loose a "required amount" the thought is heartbreaking. I hope you continue to keep loosing at the rate your surgeon requires, but be aware that you may plateau (even the biggest loosers plateau) or not loose for one or more months and I know that you would not want someone to imply that you are not working hard or that you are wanting everything handed to you on a silver platter. We need to support each other, not assume or even try to accuse what one does and doesn't do. No one that responded posted a personal attack on you and I am sorry you feel that way. When we post we don't always like the responses we get but it is what it is and comes with the territory of posting. Good luck and you have my full support!!!!!

Thanks, I do follow the rules and before the band I did weight watchers for 9 months and worked out doing cardio and weights 5 days a week and had only lost 19 lbs. but was always hungry and never really got that "full feeling" so that is why I got the band....... I know I am going to be a slow looser but with the restriction I had after surgery I lost 17 since June (nothing since my first fill) more than in 9 months of dieting on my own..... I am glad to know that not filling unless I loose is not the norm!

I was banded in June and it is still numb......I wonder also if it will ever go away

Why will your doctor only do fills if you loose at least 6lbs.? Did he say why? I am curious because I thought if you are not loosing then you get one. I know if I could have lost 6lbs a month on my own and keep it off I most likely would not have gotten the band. I am concerned now because I have only had one fill that did nothing for me and I am going again on Sept. 5 and I have only lost 2lbs. and are so looking forward to getting a fill, I will be very disapointed if I don't get one.

Every surgeon at some point has done only 22.........

Mine have been much much worse since surgery.......but on time...... but changed none the less. You may want to check with your surgeons office..... good luck and keep us posted.

I have not seen my surgeon since he discharged me from the hospital. I saw his assistant (another surgeon) for follow up and I see the PA for fills. I was told only if something is wrong do I see the surgeon......which is fine with me..the PA spends as much time as I need with me and answers all of my questions.

I was banded June 10th and have lost 15 since surgery.......I have had one fill of 2.2 two weeks ago and I am trying in vain to get another one. I haven't weighed myself since the fill, I am always hungry and are keeping track of my calories and trying to keep them around 1000 a day, I don't want to get discouraged. I do know that it may take a few fills to get great restiction, I didn't realize but I was having things like egg salad, salad with dressing, bean Soup and I think that those things are going through too easy. The last two days I am only trying to have real solid food (egg beaters, ham, chicken) and I seem to be able to go 3-3 1/2 hours. So I would hang in there, we are on the right track, slow and steady wins in the long run!!!! I know that I would have most likely gained weight had it not been for the band. It is keeping me in check, yes I wish I had lost more but really until I loose another 80 I won't be happy anyway......so slow and steady is going to have to do. At least we are not getting bigger!!!!! We can do this!

I also have Tricare Prime south and preapproved within a few days. The surgeon will also receive a referral letter and may call you. But yes, I would call them and make an appointment.... Tricare also covered the psych eval for me, I just called the 800 mental health provider number and they told me the choices of who I can go to and put the referal on line. I am attatched to the Naval Hospital and went there for the blood test, H pylori and echo (these are some tests that my surgeon required not Tricare) but all my preop testing was covered. The only thing they didn't cover was a 250.00 consultation fee for surgeon it was considered "educational" The only thing I don't know if they cover would be the nutritional evaluation (again a surgeon requested item) I had paid for that out of pocket when I was going to go self pay through another surgeon (they just started covering the band when I started the process) But all in all they have been great, they only paid the surgeon $935.00 for the surgery which I don't think was enough....now they paid the hospital over 16,000.00 I don't think I could have had a better insurance company.....good luck!!!

I just flew last week and there was no problem.....it is titanium and I also have a titanium plate in my arm and I have had MRI's and have never set off a security alarm anywere.....now an underwire bra....maybe but not the lapband....... Have fun!!!

Wow, I felt like I was reading a post I wrote. I too had a small fill last week (my first) and I notice no difference either. I also am waiting to feel like I did the first few weeks after surgery......I hate being hungry.... I am due for TOM in a few days and was hoping for more restriction..but then again I only have 2.2 cc's in a APL I am having to keep a tight cap on calorie intake keeping it around 1000-1100 calories a day I hope this changes soon, I am going to see if I can go back sooner than 6 weeks.....he is 2 hours away from me though so it's not like I can go back often...... Good Luck!

Congradulations!!!! I didn't have a choice, my surgeon makes that determination during surgery as to what band to place....I have the lapband APL which from what I understand is the newer lapband, there is a APS but my bmi determined use of the large one. I think weight loss success depends alot on the individual more so than than which band, how well they adhere to the "band rules" and surgeons rules. The Realize band has a support website, but between the My food Diary website, this website and the OH website I have all the support I need. I am just so happy to have A band......I don't think it would matter which one..... although I am glad I have the AP. Good luck, let us know how you made out

My husband was not very supportive and in fact "had buisness out of town" on my surgery day and the few days following. I flew in my Mother to be with me, and fortunatly my boys are 13 and 14 so they can pretty much do for themselves and just need supervision. I was considering hiring a nurse/nanny if it came down to it. I was doing this and nothing was going to stop me. If I didn't go through with it because someone didn't want me too I would never forgive myself. He did end up driving in and visiting me afterall for about an hour... he did go to check and take care of our dogs. Come to find out, he was scared and didn't know what to do or how to act if he saw the woman that was the primary caregiver and "strong one" sick so it was easier for him to distance himself. You need to do what is best for you, but see if it is something like he just doesn't know how to act or is scared that something will happen to you. Some men are great caretakers and some just feel helpless when they see someone they love sick..... Don't give up so quick on him or the band...... look at it from his perspective.... he also may not want to admit that he feels helpless

When I went for my first fill last Tuesday the nurse who did the fill told me that I shouldn't go under 1000 calories..I had been getting around 800-900 So I would think the ideal would be 1000-1200 when eating solids....

I couldn't feel mine, when I went for my first fill she had a hard time finding it. she did let me feel it when she did find it. Mine was attatched to the abdominal wall and she actually told me that it will move as I loose weight....so someday it may be visable or felt easy but for right now it is hidden.............

Congradulations! 41 pounds in 8 weeks is great!! but I have only lost 21 pounds since June 10th. Your Surgeon will have his own rules to follow. My doctor determines when we need a fill mostly by how long we stay full, he said amounts eaten differ from person to person and everyone is different.....but that we should last 4-5 hours with eating enough food to no longer be hungry (not till full).

It happened to me, I started one day before surgery........I called the surgeons office and they said it will not affect the surgery. They did tell me that I wouldn't be able to wear a tampon and that they would give me something at the hospital.... they did give me a pad to wear, they also gave me a quilted waterproof pad to put under me.....I was nervous because there was nothing holding in the pad......but all went well and when I was up in my room I was able to wear a tampon......... You'll be fine, good luck!!!! Michele

She sounds like a very Toxic person and even if she was my sister I would stay far away.......she is also the type that when you do loose massive amounts of weight will think it is because of what she said and that she actually helped you loose the weight. It is very hard being the caretaker and having no assistance and that is tough enough........just hang in there, you are on the right track and don't let anyone get you down......

I just came back from my first and she said clear liquids for today and tomorrow if needed.

I am 6 weeks out and I still can't feel or see mine.....I know the general area because my surgeon showed me were he was going to put it. I tried to push and feel around on my stomach to see if I could feel it but no luck..... I wonder how they are going to put a fill in (hopefully I go on Tuesday). I had asked the same question will it show as a bump when I loose 100lbs...... I was told "yes it may show, but if you lost 100 lbs. would it really bother you if there was a little bump? I didn't think so, I may feel differnt then but I heard you can have it redone......

Pearlygirl.......I agree and make my chicken the same way...I also use the corn flake crumbs on pork chops, spray with nonstick and bake them Yum!!! Last night I did it with Zucchini sticks it was just like fried Zucchini