meg0880

I guess it's just weird because pre-band I ate, ate, ate when I was stressed--now I can't! LOL! And yes, it's hard to keep water down right now too. Strange.

Just wondering if anyone out there notices more restriction when they are stressed? I have been noticing the past 2-3 days that I've been tighter and the only thing I can relate it to is stress. Anyone else?

Hi there! I was banded 3/21/08 by Dr. Van Wagner and I also went through the St. Alexius New Start program. If I had to do it over again I would have chosen to do the outpatient surgery instead of staying overnight in the hospital. I was self-pay and Dr. Wagner takes CareCredit--my surgery was about $15,000 and that included a lifetime of band adjustments. I love Dr. Wagner and his office staff. They are very helpful and very responsive to your needs. Dr. Wagner is sort of quiet and reserved but his bedside manners are excellent. It has taken me a little longer than most to get to where I'm at (total of 26 lost now) but I'm okay with that. It just took a little longer for my band to be restricted the perfect amount! If you have more specific questions let me know and I'll try to help ya out! Megan

My doctor has an all-inclusive package for self-pay patients. My total included lifetime adjustments. I thought most did this but I guess I was wrong. Maybe you should ask if you can do that still or if they have that option???

Interesting, never heard of anything like that. Maybe I'll give them a try.

I was banded in March and (as you can see from my signature) I've only lost 15 pounds. Now, since my adjustment on Tuesday of last week I've lost another EIGHT and I think this will be my last fill! Keep up what you are doing. Have you have a first adjustment yet? If not, that's probably why you aren't losing. Are you getting in your 30 minutes of excercise every day? If not, start moving! You are doing just fine.

My doctor didn't require it (I didn't have a psych eval) but I don't think it's a bad thing at all. I have access to a nutritionist through the program I went through though. Good luck with your sugery!!

I think that means something is stuck. I was banded in March but this last fill on Tuesday has made things go down just horrible and I have that same feeling in my chest. It kind of feels tight and I get a headache with it. Certainly makes me think twice about what I'm putting in my mouth because this is not fun AT ALL!

I just had another fill this week...I'm up to 6.4cc but this time is EXTREMELY tight and I've been wondering also how to get in the calories. So far today I've only had about 500 calories and I know I won't meet MAYBE 800 calories by the end of the day--plus I'm working out tonight! I am going to try the tsp of peanut butter or nuts. Maybe that will bring it up a little bit. You can also try calling your nutritionist (my program has one I can call anytime for free) and maybe she can help you out with some ideas?? Good luck!

Good luck with the gas. I STILL get pains up in my shoulder, especially after I have a fill. It's the weirest thing! Only advice I can give is to walk, walk, and walk some more. Also, I know it's weird to burp because it's not like it used to be but that's what helps me.

I'm sure this has probably been asked before but when I searched I couldn't find it. I'm trying to do the Weight Watchers Core Plan as a guideline to follow but I'm having a really hard time getting enough calories in each day. When I don't eat enough my blood sugar drops and I get shaky but I'm full after about 5 bites of food. I am making sure I eat my protein first so I at least get that in. Any ideas, or should I just nix the whole Core Plan all together?:tt1:

Oh, and we were banded only 5 days apart!!!!

I have been having the same problem. I had my second fill about 3 weeks ago and now I have only a little restriction. My understanding is that as you lose weight the fat around your stomach also goes away and the band stays the same size. That is why you have to get a new fill every month for the first year. This is how it was explained to me but it could be totally wrong....

I don't have any problems with chips, but tortilla shells get stuck all the time. Usually if I have tacos at home I'll eat with chips like nachos or just the meat plain.

Check out unjury.com. I drink the chocolate and it is SO yummy!

I had mine done with Dr. Wagner and I find him very reserved as well but he's very thorough and has really good bedside manners. His office staff is awesome and will take care of anything you need. As far as St. Alexius, I didn't think the hospital was very clean and I had to call and call and call to get a nurse to come in to stop the beeping from my monitors. It was very irritating. Oh, and then there was the guy across the hall that kept screaming he was going to fall out of bed all night long and kept me awake. That was fun. All things considered I had an EASY recovery and that's what I've heard from most of his patients.

Who is the doctor you are trying to get in with? I went with Dr. Van Wagner and I didn't have any trouble getting them to call me. They called me one day after my seminar. Maybe you should try the doctor's office that you want to go with???

I had my second fill on 6/3 and I have a hard time with a lot of things still. Just remember to eat TINY bites and chew to the consistancy of toothpaste! I can only eat about 4 bites of food before I'm so full I can't stuff another thing in. Hang in there, you'll get it eventually.