darla1961

I would not do that if I were you. Sometimes I went a month or so without losing any weight. It gets depressing, but it does come off if you follow the guidelines. You may need another fill. When was the last time you had one? Everyone is different, however I have had 9 since my surgery. I have lost a total of 140 pounds in 18 months. It has not been easy but well worth it. Just hang in there, because you know what you are doing wrong. Just try to get back on track. If you want to talk more we can maybe call each other. Send me an e-mail with your phone number at darla1961@comcast.net. Good Luck:thumbup:

Follow your Dr. advice. Read about the surgery and what too expect. I ordered and read 4 books on the subject before my procedure. I got them on Amazon.com. My biggest problem is I still sometimes have problems when I eat. You can not eat fast and must chew, chew, and chew again. Rice and Bread are not in my diet unless I attempt it at home and I usually get sick with PBing. However, you learn to substitute. I eat cracker and either baked or mashed potatoes. I can drink Diet Coke, however I do not like the way I feel so I may drink 1 or 2 a week. I was drinking 4 20 oz. a day before. Work is a problem since I only get 30 min for lunch and I can't eat much in that time so I usually have chicken, Tuna, Shrimp, or Egg salad with a couple of crackers. It goes down well and I can get back to work not feeling bloated. Sure saves on the pocketbook. Also, you must learn not to drink while eating. I thought that would be hard since I drank 4 glasses of Tea with lunch before. However, now when I drink more than a small sip or two I pb. It seems like a lot of problems, but you adapt. It is all worth it in the long run. I have been eating more and not loosing so I am in need of another fill. Do not ignore that fact. My Dr included free fill for the first year. I now have to pay about 100.00 for them, but it is a small price to pay. I am scheduling one for next week. I hope this helps.

I live in Houma also, I was banded by Dr Schwab on May 1, 2007 and to date have lost 118 pounds. I had a total of 8 fills so far. It has been rough at times but I would not have changed a thing.

I had the opposite effect. The swelling was so bad after my surgery I could hardly eat. When I went to the Dr for my 6 week checkup I could not imagine how I could be more restricted. He sure showed me. He put a very little and then made me drink the water would not go down. He had to remove the fluid. However, about two weeks later I felt some hunger. The swelling had gone down and I was on the Fill train. I have had 8 fill since May 2007.

I still can't eat very much food. A kid's meals can make two meals for me. Sometimes I have a chicken leg and a small serving of mashed potatoes and I can't finish it. It has been 14 months since my Band and I have lost 116 pounds. Have about 50 more to go. Sometimes I think my Band is too full, since I do PB at least 2-3 times a week. I try to eat soft foods for lunch since it is very difficult for me to eat anything in 30 min. At dinner it sometimes takes me 2-3 hours to complete my very small portion of food. However, I am usually never hungry. I do not know how much Fluid is in my Band since my Dr. does not disclose that information. He says everyone is different, so he does not want his patients comparing that info in the waiting room. With that being said I would not change a thing. I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat. I read 5 books on the subject before my surgery and followed every rule there was. I did not want to take a chance of being one of the statistics that do not succeed. I am so glad I did. As some else said, it is a very short time. I can not believe it is over 14 months for me. Life just keeps happening and one day turns into a week then a month then a year. Before you know it, you will wonder what the fuss was all about. For me I need a Knee Replacement, however my Dr. thinks I can wait 10 years. My pain was at a Level 10 before my Lap-Band and now it is a 2 on most days with the worse being a 5. I am so thankful for the surgery, I have gotten my life back.

Yes, I took 3 weeks off in May 2007. I was paid for 2 weeks through STD. If your Doctor completes the paperwork, you should be fine. I took the time to get my eating and drinking regulated. if not, I would have surely had complications.