Lanakila

Ok, so I know that some people have moved over to Dr. Enochs because Dr. Moran has an impersonalish bedside manner, but I disagree and I want to state my case. Dr. Moran may be to-the-point but he has NEVER been rude to me. He has ALWAYS answered every question I had...including the two pages worth that I brought in to my pre-op appt. He's not going to call you "honey", or pat you on the back to soothe you, but he'll give you a sincere handshake and focus completely on you during your turn. This actually appeals to my matter-of-fact personality! I met two other bandsters today; one banded the same day as me, the other the day before. Of course we had to compare our experiences and the vote was unanimous; Dr. Moran is the BEST surgeon. Here's why: 1) None of us had ANY gas trapped in our abdomen. I told him before the surgery to be sure to squeeze me like he was closing a Ziploc. He assured me that the crew practically lays on you to make sure that you don't have gas trapped before they close you up. 2) None of us had any nausea, and have been able to drink (not just sip) from the very start. 3) All of us are delighted with his staff, which I understand has undergone some changes in the last year. 4) He has NEVER had to do an "open" procedure, had any complications, or had a mortality. Never. 5) He is certified by Inamed/Allergan to train other surgeons. I figure if he's the teacher, he's completely qualified. I didn't write this to start a debate, so don't bother attacking me personally. I wrote it to express my satisfaction with my surgery and care to others who may be shopping still.

Shanny, I've found that I have to eat one or two bites and then stop eating for about 5 minutes. Once I do that I can eat more easily. I still eat small bites, and chew well, but taking those few minutes after the first couple of bites has really done the trick for me. You may also consider what you are eating. After each of my fills (8 now) I found new things that I could no longer eat. Breads, baked goods, Pasta and boiled eggs are among the things that I lost along the way. Lanakila

I got another fill today...the 7th I've had. It's not like they haven't been putting anything in. In fact, they've been fairly aggressive putting in 2cc's monthly for awhile, and then a steady 1 each month. I was so frustrated that I blew my stack finally. I got another 1.5 today and I sure hope it actually works now. Of course I have great restriction right now, but I've felt like things were good before and then two days after the fill WHAM it was like I never got one. I am pleased with some of the associated changes that the band has made in my life. Even though I don't hit the gym as much as I should, I certainly hit it far more than I ever would have before I started this journey. I gave up breads and most baked goods months ago because one of the fills stopped that, but otherwise haven't had any limitations to the types of foods that I can eat. I never wanted to be restricted in the "what", just the how much. I'm hopeful that this will be a "Lucky 7"!

I'm on the slow track too. After about a zillion fills, I finally started to get restriction in March. Things got better, but the fill progress has been slow. I'm losing a steady 4-5 lbs a month, so at least I'm losing instead of gaining. Do not focus so much on how much volume you have in your band. It is likely that some of it is what primed your tubing so it is not part of the 10cc volume of the actual band. While trying to troubleshoot my slow loss I've found out 2 important things: 1. I eat way too many foods that aren't bulky. They aren't necessarily sliders or mushy, but they also aren't things that I have to chew more than a couple of times. This keeps me from feeling full! 2. Calories are calories no matter what kind they are. Calorie-wise there is no difference between Proteins and chocolate; 100 calories is 100 calories. The major choice I have to make is whether I want to spend those calories eating one chunk of chocolate or 6 bites of chicken. The chocolate is easier, but the chicken is more filling (see #1). I'm still learning every day Lanakila

My digestion is really noisy when I start eating. You can also hear drinks gurgling down, especially carbonated drinks. I also have to eat about two bites and then quit for about 5 minutes before I can eat the rest of my meal. My husband calls it my "warning bite" to let my band know that food is comin'!

Did you get that fill post-op, or is that the priming of your band that they put in at installation?

I finally managed to hit my Memorial Day goal this week, which is two weeks behind. Better late than never

Hi Chad! Congrats on your approval. I had the band installed on Thursday and was back behind my desk at NCSU on Monday. I couldn't carry alot of stuff for the first week, and jeans were completely out of the question 'cause of where Dr. Moran puts the port incision but, otherwise, it was a piece of cake. Lanakila

Hi! Congrats on your band! I seldom visit the boards anymore, but you are always welcome to email me. I'll PM you my address. Lanakila

I am 2.5# short of my Memorial Day goal, but I'm very pleased overall. I just started a new dance class and I'm pretty sure there will be some positive effects on both my weight and shape! Veterans Day is every day. On this, our Memorial Day, I specifically reflect on how grateful I am for those who have given their lives in service to our country. Despite my personal struggle with weight, I am ever so grateful that I live in a country so bountiful that this problem is possible.

Hi Chad and Welcome to the boards. I was banded by Dr. Moran and I love the office. He's always had big chairs in the waiting room and I think it is the kind of detail that makes you know you've chosen a good practice. Ask away! Lanakila

Deemed, I really cannot say too much to help you with your frustration. I think that you may be comparing yourself to others and have unrealistic expectations. It is not likely that a single fill is going to have much effect past the first couple of days. Not that everyone has to have more than one...but that thinking that only one should have done it already. Take a breath and enjoy the 20# that you've lost. The rest will come in time, and DO NOT compare your fills and weight loss to ANYONE else. Boykin, you hang in there. I'm nearly at the same point and level of frustration. I actually don't log on nearly as often as I used to just because looking at the other August All-Stars losses depresses me. Fortunately, I know which ones are following the pack with me and we have been able to cheer each other on without it sounding as superficial as it might from someone who is already in one-derland. I know that two of us email each other off of the boards where we can chat without others being able to judge or "over-cheer" us on. I know that sounds really ungrateful, but I'd imagine you know what I actually mean. Feel free to send me a personal email if you want to. Hwnscigirl1@yahoo.com

Hang in there sister! I didn't log last Friday for the very same reason. This week I've tried to do better by just eliminating two things from my recent "bad" eating habits; Cereal and scrambled eggs. I eat the nuts-n-twigs cereals for fibre but they go down too easily with the milk and such. I know that the eggs are great for Protein, but they are just too slidey for me. Two things...that's my goal for the week. We'll see what happens :mad2: Lanakila

I MUST stop eating smooshy foods or I will not make my Memorial Day goal!!!!!! I must concentrate on eating must-chew foods so that I'll stay full longer. There, I've said it for everyone to see so now I'm accountable to more than just myself.

I'm in! I'm going to count the increase in my total pounds lost. I'd like to see: Memorial Day: -40# This loss will put me at a 3-year low! 4th of July: -47# Seven pounds in just under six weeks...I can do that. Anniversary 8/28: -60# Thirteen pounds in eight weeks...I want that!!!!!! It has taken me forever to even get some restriction. My 7th fill was in the first week of March and finally things are on the move. Slowly but surely, I'm on my way! I've really never completely committed to serious exercise (anything more than walking) but I'm actually ready now. This challenge will help me stay motivated. Thanks tutornmom :thumbdown:

1. How many of these have occured in the last 3 years of your practice? "Open" procedures, slips, port flips or leaks, band removals. 2. What pain management protocols do you practice? If they will be prescribing you pain medications, will they give you the script before your surgery so that you will be ready? 3. How long will you have to go without: shower/bath, lifting children/groceries/pets, sex, work, toning exercises, swimming? 4. Has your financial department worked with my specific insurance company before and, if so, what complications can I anticipate? 5. Do you do fills under flouroscopy? Do you do all of your fills, or do you have a PA who also does them? 6. If you have to stay overnight, what time does your Dr. do rounds? You generally cannot be discharged until the Dr. does his rounds and leaves orders for your release. My Dr. did not typically do rounds until after all of his morning sx. I asked him to come up earlier so that I could be discharged earlier. He actually woke me up That's all I can think of at the moment.

Welcome Wanda! I was banded on the 28th of August last year and it has taken me 7 fills just to start movin' down. I'm not at the sweet spot yet...but it sure is better than ever :smile:

Bindi, DEMAND a fill under flouro! After 6, yes SIX fills, I finally threw a hissy-fit and got my fill like that. It has made sooo much difference. He filled me up until we could see that everything stopped going through, then he backed off just 1/2 cc. It isn't perfect yet, but it's one heck of alot better! Hang in there girl. I haven't lost much, but at least I've lost. :smile:

I'm sure that you'll groan when you hear this, but I've had SEVEN fills. None of them were less than 1cc and several were 2cc's. Remember that everyone is different, but if you aren't restricted you need to be honest with yourself and get to the dr! We wouldn't need the band if we could stick to just one cup of food on our own. I've only recently gotten real restriction and I am soooooo thankful. I, too, was able to eat pretty much as much as I wanted as long as I didn't eat too quickly. Now it really doesn't matter...if I eat too much, I lose the extra. It took me a couple of weeks to make this stick in my head. After about two weeks of peeing all over myself as I heaved over and over again, I finally got the message (a little.) I still push things about twice a week trying to eat just one more bite because it tastes so good, or because there is so little on the plate. I'm learning, and you will too. I'm finally losing, and you will to.

Looks like that SEVENTH fill was a charm! Before I had so little restriction that it was only to the point of being annoying rather than helpful and then WHAM....Now I know what everyone was talking about!!!! The fact that it took fussing for flouro to get it was all worth it. It was a 4# week :thumbup:

I have to back up Bambam on needing to use fitday or dailyplate for tracking your food. Give it a try, even if for just 3 or 4 days. Based on what you listed in just this message, I have a couple of comments on the "what" you are eating. It looks like you are eating too many mushies. Cereal and eggs, etc. aren't necessarily the best choices. Try to pick foods that you actually have to chew alot, which will slow down your eating and make you focus more on the process rather than the "ease" with which you can eat mushies. shakes are not intended to be a meal replacer. I'd suggest that you only supplement with a shake if you find that you are not able to get enough Protein in with your eating. It looks like you are wasting your nutrition on carbs. When you track your foods on something like fitday, you will get a clear picture on where you are in reaching your protein goals. I have only now gotten to where I actually have to pay attention to getting in my nutrition. Until my latest fill, I was able to eat a regular diet because I was able to eat a regular amount of food. I didn't lose squat for months, but since this last fill (the 7th for me!), I've seen a serious reduction in how much I can eat. Now I have to really plan to get in enough protein and balance the remainder of my nutrition. Try tracking, and let us know how it goes!

Welcome Desiree and Marie! You'll find so much information and support from other banders and make lots of new bandbuddies as you move along your journey.

SUPER YAY for U!!!:crying:

It's a little NSV that made my day last week. We are interviewing graduate students that we have accepted and are trying to sell the program to, interviewing a total of 7 faculty candidates (two day affairs), and I have yet more grad students coming Monday. The day that everything started, I was able to wear one of my pantsuits that I simply could not wear before my band. The trousers hung straight down instead of hugging at the thigh, the shell under the jacket didn't ride up, and the sleeves on the jacket weren't tight! I have four of the same brand of pantsuit and I've been wearing them like crazy through all of these "dress" days (we are a jeans-n-sneakers office.) Now that I've got some restriction, I'm looking forward to rediscovering my clothes

I was very open about it, and even had the diagrams on my desk to show folks who were interested in the particulars. People tend to think that I should have lost loads of weight by now, but that's because most of them only know people who have had bypass. Unfortunately, it has taken me 7 (yes, seven) fills to get the right restriction, so I am only now seeing a good loss. Folks have generally avoided the topic, or asked me "so, how's everything going" and I just told them that I was getting frustrated with how long it was taking to get things adjusted right. It was the truth, and they were really sympathetic.