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Congratulations!! Can hardly wait to join you. Someone in here celebrated by buying themself a red bra, which is what I'm going to do as well when I get there. Did you do anything to commemorate the occasion?

Laura - I'm only guessing that you live in the South (like me). Where else does a waiter/waitress express such concern and be so publicly vocal? (lots of chuckles here)!

The middle of January I had a bad stomach bug, nausea and the poops. For a day and a half my body was heaving, but nothing would come up through the band. I could feel the pressure like it was there and trying to, but nothing would come through, and I was heaving about every 2 hours. I finally called the Dr's office and they had me come in. I was at 6.75cc and they took out 1 cc and brought me down to 5.75cc. Anyway, buy that time I wasn't heaving anymore. Needless to say, my ribs hurt like all get out from my body trying to throw up. I went back and got .50 cc put back in about a week and a half ago, but I don't really have a restriction and it's been difficult, so I've back-slid a little. Anyway, that's what happened to me. It was a little concerning for me when nothing would coming up, but I knew it was there. But for YOU! ..... I recommend that you talk to your Dr. next time you seem him about the attitude of the nurse. That's inexcuseable for her to be like that unless you were in serious jeopordy and she was concerned for your wellbeing. (And no ..... I can't see taking two kids with "the poops" to a Dr.s visit with you. That sure wouldn't be fun for those kids ... as well as you!) Glad you're feeling better!

OK - tried (started) the 5DPT early January ...... I failed and have beat myself up adequately now.... so now I'm ready to start it again Monday. I haven't lost any weight since Thanksgiving, but it's totally my fault (cookies, chocolate - shame on me!!) Got the stomach bug really bad mid January and a slight unfill (my band wasn't letting me throw up!) Got a little of what was unfilled back, but I know I need more. I think I'll call the doc the end of the week. This thread keeps giving me inspiration to get back on track. Thank you everyone! I didn't spend all of this $$$ to do this to myself!

Mine was found during lapband surgery and he fixed it (no extra charge - ha,ha). Didn't know I had one, but now that it's fixed I don't have those occasional burbs that come up in your throat like I used to, and never related it to a hernia.

This same thing happened to me and wound up going back the next day to take a little out and wished I had gone back earlier. You're too tight, go back!

I would recommend taking a full week off of work. And .... get yourself or borrow a recliner for sleeping! It makes a huge difference.

Hi - I had my first colonoscopy a few days after Christmas. It's liquid, so it flows right through the band, no problem. You'll just be sick of the stuff towards the end of the gallon.

Hi There - There's a ton of information in here about the lapband from real people, and it was here (mostly) that I researched the lapband pros and cons. Only YOU can answer the question, if this is right for you. Weight loss with the lapband is generally slower than with other, more RADICAL and NON-REVERSIBLE weight loss surgery methods, and those two words I just typed in all upper case is one of the reasons I chose lapband. I have a friend that had gastric bypass about 5 years ago. She was throwing up all of the time, lost a lot of her hair (mal-absorbtion of food she ate), and ultimately, she has gained back about 1/2 of what she lost, which was a little over 100 pounds. She stretched her pouch and there was also a recent concern of an anorism (sp) on her stomach from the surgery. Luckily there isn't. Best of luck with your research, but I am very happy with my decision. I still feel I made the right one and still working to find my sweet spot. I'm a self-pay, so this was a big deal for me.

I was so glad to see this thread, as I've been "off the wagon" since Thanksgiving. Ahhhhh ..... farewell to chocolate .... it's been fun, but time to get back on track. I want to reach goal this year and am anxious to get back into it. I am so grateful for this band. I've only gained 5 pounds during the Holidays. Would have been MUCH more without it! Monday - 1/5 - I'll start the 5 day pouch test, then get back on track.

Well, I guess it affected me differently. When I flew last month, the cabin pressure affected my band, making it tighter. I was lucky enough to fly 1st class, tried eating a few bites of the scrambled eggs served, and it didn't go down. Wound up in the bathroom. Also, after I got to my destination, could hardly eat anything solid the next day at the wedding reception (or any time during the day really .....) because I was so tight. But I'm not sure if that was from my episode in the airplane bathroom or the affect on my band from the plane ride. The tightness subsided the 2nd day after I got home. P.S. I'm not scared of flying! (smile) Have fun at Disney!

Hello - I had my 4th fill yesterday at lunch, and went from 6.5 cc to 7 cc in my 10 cc band. Came back to the office and had a small cheese Soup - no problem. Last night I mixed some unflavored whey protien with tomato soup. Tasted fine .... but the few sips I had DIDN'T stay down. I had sips o Water last night - it did stay down. This morning, I made myself a shake, sipped it slow on the way to work. It stayed down. coffee - sipped slow - it stayed down. Water - a few sips this morning - it has stayed down. Lunch today - chicken noodle soup - just sipping the broth. Went too fast on a couple of sips ..... it came up. For ALL of the above, it feels like a golf ball in chest. And this is only liquid. Also, there is loud squeeking and giggling through all of this and for about an hour afterwards. (Somewhat embarrasing when talking to people.) Am I too tight, or just swollen for the time being, and it will subside? If it will subside .... how long usually before that happens? Thanks for your input!!!

Thanks so much for your advice! I called my doctor and got to see him at 4:30 today and he took out 1/2 of what he put in yesterday (.25cc). Instant relief! It just kept getting worse and worse as the afternoon progressed and I starting throwing up slime. Yuk! But now I feel so much better!! I'll stay on Soups and shakes for a couple of days to let my poor stomach recover, but it is SO NICE to not have that burning feeling, and the golf ball feeling! I'm glad I didn't wait. Thanks for steering me in the right direction because I was going to wait a few days.

I use my band as my measuring cup and scale! I eat until I'm full/satisfied. When I prepare my plate at dinner, I use a dessert plate instead of a regular plate. I occasionally use my scale when cooking and preparing recipes.

I use my band as my measuring cup and scale! I eat until I'm full/satisfied. When I prepare my plate at dinner, I use a dessert plate instead of a regular place. I occasionally use my scale when cooking and preparing recipes.

I was banded on 6/25 with a 10cc lap band and with a total fill of 6.5cc. So far, so good. Sometimes I think I'm at my right spot, and sometimes I think a need a fill. My doc says he doesn't like to fill to a point that people have a hard time eating .... so I'm trusting his experience. Isn't the only difference between the realize band and the regular lap band the profile of the port?

First and foremost - If you don't have a recliner - go get one (buy or borrow one) to sleep in for the first week after surgery! Pick up: liquid Tylenol Chewable Vitamins (Centrum is "OK") A container of Protein powder (collect some smootie recipes) Clear broth (Rachel Ray's is wonderful - found in Walmart) Stock up on sugar free Jello and popsicles Start collecting "mushie" recipes Make sure you have some pull on pants or shorts that are VERY comfy in the waist. I also bought, on-line from Barnes & Noble, an "Eating Well After Weight Loss Surgery" cookbook. Lots of good recipes in there for all stages. Congrats and good luck!

Congratulations! I know how you're feeling - I just hit that mark as well at being below 40 on my BMI. It made me think, "Wow, I'm really DOING this!" Let's keep going!

I didn't start with, nor am I at your BMI (but wish I was!) .... regarding your workouts - I just started training with a personal trainer and will pass on to you what he told me. Strength training replaces fat with muscle. The new muscle increases your metabolism and burns calories, even when you're resting. Now here's the interesting part. He said a lot of people in the gym don't realize what they're doing, but when they do more cardio than strength training, they're UNDOING what they wanted to accomplish with the strength training, because it tears down muscle. Try reversing your workout by doing 3 days strength training and 2 days cardio.

Congratulations - you look great! You're a great inspiration for my goal next year - thanks for this post! At my office for the last 4 years I've organized my MS150 bike team. (180 miles on a bike from Houston to Austin, over a 2-day period). THIS year I'm going to let someone else organize because I'm registering to ride. I'm determined to be in shape for it next April!

Dustout - Thanks for posting this. I had posted something the other day wondering if I should get another fill on my next doctor's visit. Your description defines where I want to be at ..... and so that answered my question!! Many, many thanks!!!!

I have found that airline travel greatly affects my band, making it much tighter for several days after a flight. Perhaps all of the flying you're doing is having the same affect as having a fill. The altitude/pressurized cabin swells the band. You may find that after being grounded for longer lengths of time that you'll feel a difference in your band and may opt for a fill - but it sure looks as if it's working for you as is, for now. Congratulations on your weight loss!! You're doing fantastic!

Hi There! I have 6.5cc in a 10cc band. My next fill is 10/16 about a week and 1/2 away. When I go in for doc appts, he asks me if I want a fill then he determines how much he wants to give me, I've never "negotiated" the amount of fill. I would be so appreciative of your input on what my answer should be when he asks me if I want a fill, because I'm not sure what to say. I'm not sure if I'm at my sweet spot, but here is how my day usually goes now... For Breakfast (6AM) I always have a shake because I'm tight. salad goes down well, so that's what I usually have for lunch (11:30 AM)with a grilled chicken breast - and by lunch I'm definitely hungry. Sometimes the chicken feels "uncomfortable". I can easily eat about a cup and 1/2 of salad (but I do eat most of the protien first). By 3PM (sometimes by 2PM) I'm HUNGRY. So sometimes, not always, I have a SlimFast protien bar. For dinner (around 7PM) I'm hungry, usually eating some sort of meat and vegetable. I can get about 1 to 1-1/2 cups down, usually with no problems. Sometimes I'm so hungry, that while preparing dinner, I'll nibble on a piece of cheese or slice of deli meat. I'm unsure about these hunger levels that I'm experiencing and the quantity of food? I appreciate all responses! Thanks!

Fantastic!!!!! I bet that grin is still on your face!! Congratulations on your success!

ajpink - if you had the bypass, you could still eat the "bad" foods that you mention that go down easy, except you would be "dumping" afterwards. Nasty thought, huh?! (I have a friend that had bypass). Fill up on healthy, good tasting foods! (Add a little bit gravy of gravy or sauce to your meat to help it go down since you're chewing well) I say, you did the right thing getting the band. This is a lifetime fix, not just a quick fix! Best of luck!