picturemethin

After my second fill the weight starting coming off fast, trust me it gets better. Starting 348 January 2008 1 week pre surgery 334 March 11, 2008 1 Week Post Surgery 317 March 27, 2008 1st fill 315 April 29, 2008 2nd fill 306 May 30, 2008 Currently 297 as of today 6/09/08

Like it has been said a couple times in this thread, what your all going through is bandster hell... it starts with the preop liquid diet and goes through to your 2nd or 3rd fill sometimes farther. I have had my 2nd fill and can definitely feel a huge difference 1.5 ounces 3 - 4 times a day is satisfying... Whereas two weeks post surgery and on up to my 2nd fill I would sometimes get so hungry that I would eat way too much. I was constantly worrying if I were ruining my band. Luckily for me after speaking with my doctor and checking my band everything is still attached as it was at the time of surgery. Some people aren't so lucky... please be careful with your food choices. IT GETS EASIER, IT WILL BE THE EASIEST 'DIET' YOU HAVE EVER TRIED, IF YOU JUST WORK WITH THE BAND THE WAY IT WAS MEANT TO WORK. And maybe you should ask yourself, why you spent so much money on this band to just give up? Thats what I had to do several times... and I am still be inundated with bills.

I've been banded for 2 1/2 months, I measure my food at 1 1/2 oz per meal and I drink what I want when I want with the food, although my surgeon advises against it. My problem would be not getting enough Water if I am waiting 4 1/2 hours total a day after meals to drink. Since my second fill (10 cc's in a 14 cc band) I have haven't had any bad hunger pangs, in fact the surgeon prescribed me Phentermine - which has become a God-send. Today I forgot to take it and I was hungry an hour after breakfast. I took it and I couldn't hardly eat my lunch. Although I never advised to not do something the doctor tells you to do. I also fully believe that you know your own body, and if you are like me and not willing to waste your band you will adjust your food/drinking quantities and time to make it work for you. By the way, Since my fill 5 days ago I have dropped 7 more lbs. Thanks

I am hear to tell you that I began my journey with over 200 lbs to lose depending on which doctor you talk to. I had the surgery 2 1/2 months ago and I am down 48 lbs... that is almost 50... Maybe you should check with a different doctor. the doc doesn't seem to be too confident in himself. and trust me the first two months post banding will be your toughests it named "bandster Hell" I just had my 2nd fill on May 30, and wow does that make such a difference. I love my band now and working with it rather than against while I was in "bandster hell". Please don't give up!

Yes, right after I was banded I could NOT burp at all and it felt like something was stuck there. WALKING helped alot. Now I burp all the time, I burp when I drink Water, when I eat, I eat... pretty much whenever I open my mounth to talk even.

It should be whatever makes you feel most comfortable. If your comfortable about where you are right now, stay where your at. When my mom lost a lot of weight, it took a very long time to get used to her being smaller although she still remains at around 200 lbs not small really, I still look at her being somewhat anorexic. Its hard to get used to when someone drastically changes there appearance in a short amount of time. Good Luck to you are your family!

How tall is your daughter? if she is taller than 4'11" no doctor in the US will do the surgery, because her BMI would not be over 40 (healthy) 35 (with a co morbidity)that is really sad, you need to be careful to not dump on your precious childs spirits. I wish I weighed 170 lbs when I was 16.

I have always been a perimeter shopper. so I suppose its because I am buying less, eating much less. so spending less money.

well considering that I no longer go to restaurants, rarely go out anywhere to eat. I also find that I don't spend money on junk food at the store and a lot of foods I cannot eat (THANK GOD!) I spend about $400 less a month on food... Spending no more than $100 a month for just me. I don't feel like I am giving anything up either, I still eat healthy gourmet food. Thanks

I used to drink alot, but now since February I have had 1 mixed drink. I don't miss the alcohol at all, I thought I would but I really don't. Besides I can get down at the club sober... I still like a good dance club now and then.:smile2:

Surgery is different for everyone.. on my first day I was running... because of the amount of pain killers I had in my system. However, for the week and a half following surgery I was having healing pains sometimes they were pretty bad, sometimes they were dealable, I took pain medication for a full two weeks after my surgery (I am not a wusy, I have had other major surgeries).. Please, Please don't think that it will be a breeze, please be prepared for the worst. That way you will be relieved when is fairly easy. and if its not your not pissed off at the world for making you believe it was easy. BTW i did walk alot at least every two hours, it helped relieve some of the stuck gas pain in the esophagus.

The only problem I would find with that is if I have one junk food item, then I will want another and another until it spirals out of control and becomes a free for all junk food binge for a few days until I talk some sense into myself. I am one of those people that are better off continuing to eat reasonably, even if it causes stalls in weight loss. I am sure it will work for others, it makes sense. Just not for me. Thanks!

I was also banded 3/18. I am also struggling mostly with portion control. I don't eat more than 1/2 a cup, but my Dr. strongly suggests only 1 oz at each meal (3 meals a day and 3 Protein shakes) I have 1 shake a day (because I can barely even get that down, can't stand the taste - have tried many different flavors and brands) I will then have 1 type of fruit a day whether it be an apple sauce cup or an orange, 1 - 2 servings of protein (usually tuna or lean meat) and some vegetables. My Dr. also suggests not drinking with a meal or for 90 minutes after a meal (I know its so the 1 oz will stay in the pouch longer and keep you full longer), but I just haven't been able to master that, I try! I don't even bring a glass of liquid to the table with me when I sit down for a meal. But I will eat that one bite too much and I am so uncomfortable I have to wash it down. Its been easier since my first fill of 4 cc's two weeks ago, but I do feel that it seems to be "wearing off" I have another fill scheduled for June 2. Can't wait. :tt1: RIght after the fill I lost 6 lbs, but now I have gained back 4. I work out every single day anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours changing the type of workout daily. I sort of feel like I am disappointing my surgeon when I come in and have only lost 1 or 2 lbs in between appointments, even if muscle weighs more. Its seems like many other people with much lower BMI's are losing quicker than I am. I love the band and would not change a thing about it. but sometimes I wish I would have just found that one diet that would have worked that was mindlessly easy before adding this tool surgically. I feel like I am always thinking about food like it is almost a hobby even if I don't plan to eat it. Well good luck to everyone that has had the band placed or anyone who is seeking information pre-band.

Banded - March 18, 2008. First Fill April 29, 2008 - 4 cc's in a 10 cc band Current Weight - Loss 39lbs.

I was banded, March 18, 2008 - Also. Thanks for creating the list, it looks like it took forever!

Its nice to hear I am not the only one. I had struggled with over eating from the 3rd week out of surgery. I had my first fill last week, and can feel very little restriction but can definitely feel pain if I don't chew well. I have a 10 CC band and 4 cc fill. Luckily haven't had a PB episode yet, but I know I've come real close. Banded March 18, 2008.

I agree with Long2BFree, they ask questions and assume its the same because of the lack of understanding. I don't mind, I'd prefer they ask so I can set them straight.

the option for the portion size suggested by my surgeon was not listed. His suggestion was no more than 1 oz. 3 times a day with protein supplements for hunger.

You may drink carbonated pop, however, either one tiny sip at a time or let the carbonation out. if you drink it normal it will blow up in your pouch and become very painful. Coming from Diet Coke obsessor, I suggest foregoing the pop altogether. That way you have no worries.

Good Luck!! I started my period the day of the surgery, but they were very nice about it and gave me a pair of paper underwear with a pad in it. It will be okay! Don't worry!!!

My port was placed on the right side, as my right side has thicker muscle to attach it, too. For the first month I couldn't sleep on my stomach which is the only way I sleep well. I have been thoroughly enjoying my stomach sleeping for the last two weeks I was banded on March 18, 2008. Oh how the time just flew by. Good luck to everyone who is thinking about the band, and to those of us who already have one!

I was supposed to be on clear liquids for a full 4 weeks, but after the third week I couldn't do it anymore and started on a little thicker liquid like cream soup or cream of wheat, I am now due for a fill in 2 days, and am and am on to mushy for another two weeks. For a total of 8 weeks. I agree with many people on this board it's best to follow your docs instructions to the T. By the way I feel great, love my band more and more each day. Can't wait for the fill. Good Luck to you!