bandofhope

Kathy759.. THANK YOU for your post!!! I am typing this response to your post at 5:24 a.m. on a Saturday morning because I have been up since 1 :30 a.m. coughing. Your post has saved me having to type out my symptoms because my issues mirror yours. I feel so much better knowing that I am not imaging my symptoms- and the constant fear and worry I have over my health. I know the band has to come out and I am ready for that to happen. The band is great for some and not so for others. I am so happy for the people that have a success story to share and feel the pain from those of us that do not share in that experience. However, I would not trade having the band because I know that had I not had the surgery in 2007, and has my health was at that time, I would not be typing this now..I would be suffering from major debilitating physical issues or dead. Your post brings me comfort for my health and I appreciate you sharing. Best of luck to all no matter which side of the fence falls your band experience. I'm sure we can all agree that living an obese life is not one we chose and there are no "one size fits all" solutions to losing the weight. Good judgement, strength and blessings to all!

KRP- I agree with you. The purpose of my band purchase was to create a smaller area for food in my stomach, thus making me feel fuller sooner....although healthy food choices are an imoprtant consideration...it is still not the purpose of the band...i too do not have much restriction, and I am at 6cc's....i am hopeful that a couple of more fills will get me where i need to be to HELP control the QUANITY of food I eat, not the quality. Good Luck to everyone!

HI Y'all... Thanks for your fill levels..I go to Dr. Schmitt's for a fill next week...I believe 6cc's is just too low for me..i can eat house..well, maybe not the house, but the backyard shed for sure! I also hate this chat thread is going down...I get so much from reading everyone's post..I hope we can get it active again...TIANA, what is your fill level? Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and wish me luck on my fill...I hope it will get me to my sweet spot..after almost 20 months post op and only 60 pounds, I need something to work!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!!! Will some of you tell me what your fill level is..thanks so much!:eek:

Hello 100 pound banders-- I've got over 100 pounds to lose..I was wondering what fill level you are all at..what amount hit the spot where you really felt a good loss? Thanks!:wink2:

Hello All- I'm still here, too--Our folks seem to have dropped off and I miss reading the posts from everyone. I am 18 months out and stuck at a weight loss of 62 pounds...very discouraged right now. I am making an appointment with Dr. Schmitt for a fill..I'm at 6cc's right now. Would love to hear from some of you banders...hope all is going well with everyone...MISS Y'ALL!!:wink2:

i'm at 6cc's now and I feel like I this is what I've been reading everyone else talk about on here..the restriction is great! already loosing again...hope it stays this way for awhile!! Good Luck to everyone!!

hello people..i miss all of you!!! your posts have kept me going for over a year now!! i had a fill to 6cc's and i can finally feel the restriction that i have read everyone else talk about. i have felt restriction, but never like this...i'm hoping this will get me to a good, constant weightloss phase. hope everyone is doing great...miss reading your posts!

thanks y'all..this has helped me alot...I believe I'm one of those people that will require a tighter fill than some..I have been very depressed over my lack of weight loss and need to eat...and my ability to eat amounts of food that I felt were too large..I am going tomorrow to get a fill and hopefully things will get better! thanks for the feedback!

hey, alabama...where is everyone???

i feel for you...i had no problems at all...i hope everything heals up properly...please keep us posted!

i have 5cc's and can eat way too much...going tuesday for a fill and i'm going to beg for a 1.5cc fill! wish me luck!

Hi people.. If you don't mind I am interested in everyone's band fill amounts...at 13 months after surgery i am at 5 cc's..I really feel I need more restriction. I have only lost 55 pounds since my surgery and I feel like I am able to take in more food than I should. I know it is different for everyone, but am rather curious for comparison. thanks and I appreciate your reply!:cool:

Hi Mary, my experience has not been one that makes me feel like i am choking...i know what you are talking about- like when you inhale something down your windpipe and you can't pull a breath and you can't breathe...NO, mine is nothing like that. Imagine the top of a pastic coke bottle with no give or elasticity...now now imagine pushing a hamburger bite, or a mouth full of chips, or any big bite of anything that holds it's shape...the pressure from the food trying to go down creates sharp pain...and I can feel the bulk of the food pressing against my esophagus and at times it feels like it is going to pop up my throat..that is my experience...I have not thrown-up yet- and this always happens when i do not pay attention to the size of bites i take or the texture of the food i eat...hope that helps and like i said.. that is my description, others on here have one to share as well...

HELP!!! Hello y'all...i need a pep talk or good advise...I will be banded one year on March 17..i've only lost 54 pounds with 4CC's in my band...I've been sitting at 54 pounds since the last of October...although i eat much less than ever in my life.. the scale is not moving...I feel i need more in my band...what is everyone else at for fill CC's if you don't mind my asking...thanks!:redface:

Hi Everybody...it has been FOREVER since I have posted! I have gotten into a funk with my weightloss progress...52 pounds banded March 17..and I was feeling sorry for myself thinking I was doing terrible..i have it in my head that I should be down 100 pounds by now and I can't shake that feeling! BUT, after researching the stats on many of your posts I feel normal and know that I am doing OK (4cc's)...I need to start exercising regularly and stop eating too many slider foods which will really help my progress--so i can't blame it on the band!...I REALLY WANTED TO SAY THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR THE POSTS...YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THEY HAVE HELPED ME...WE MAY NOT THINK THEY ARE IMPORTANT AT TIMES, BUT TO SOMEONE ELSE ANY COMMENT COULD BE ONE THAT MAKES A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE IN THEIR WORLD! thanks again, and I'm not going to wait forever to get back on here! God Bless!:sifone:

Great news, Deb.. so glad you're doing better!

Hello- I am a recent Realize bander in Alabama.. My results have been so great, my brother is now interested in being banded- any suggestions for surgeons in the Silver Spring area? Thanks so much and good luck to all!!:crying:

Hi folks...I was under the impression that patients selected which type of band they wanted and then someone told me that Schmitt changed to REALIZE only.. anyone know about this? I know I can call the office but I just wanted to get thoughts from y'all first. Also, if you did have a choice, which did you select- and why? My thanks, as always,:thumbup: for your responses!!!

I am trying to get a count of Dr. Schmitt's patients. I have one month, pre-test workup tests, psych eval and sleep test to go and then I can schedule surgery. I was just wondering who out there has used Dr. Schmitt. Thanks so much!

Hi All, I go for my first fill tomorrow (banded on St. Patrick's)- I'm a Dr. Schmitt gal but he is not doing the fill, I think they said Lisa is.. so, what should I know/be worried about/expect??? Thanks folks!!!

Hello all.. I'm still doing great! How is everyone?

Hi everybody... I'M 15 DAYS OUT FROM SURGERY AND DOING ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!! This is the best thing I have EVER done for myself! I just had to give y'all a shout and let you know- thanks fto you all for all of the support over the past year+ -- I feel better than I have in YEARS! I will be on solid food soon and I hope everything will still be as good as it is now. I'm going to try to make it to the semiar at St. Vincent's soon! Love to you all!

I've only been banded since March 17 so I can't give future insight into having a band. I can, however, tell you why I got it in the first place and these last 6 days after the surgery supports my reason for getting it... I can't control my overeating and the band helps me do that, period. I didn't go into this thinking that I would be able to keep on eating like I always have, I did it because I knew I WOULDN'T, and I couldn't stop on my own. I needed the physical restriction to help me live longer and thank God that is what I got; I can tell the difference even on liquids. It is a big step to take and your relationship with food is forever different- but, is it unliveable or unenjoyable?? NO! Is my orgy with food over.. YES! So, I got what I asked for. Say a prayer, talk with others that have been banded, your doctor, too and make your decision about the surgery. Good Luck and God Bless!

Hi Mia- I was banded on St. Patrick's Day as well and I also had the rumbling stomach. I am on full liquids until Sunday 28- so creamed soups are my big food for now. I realized my growling stomach wanted food even though I was drinking protein shakes. I added a few extra calories and fat to my diet by drinking 2% milk, instead of skim and I also sprinkled some shredded cheddar cheese on top of my creamed soups. this really helped me alot. I will use the low fat versions of the food once I go to a full diet in 3 weeks. I am no doctor trying to alter your diet suggested by your surgeon, but, these few changes made a big difference in my stomach growling and satisfied me. Good Luck!