2muchfun

Honk is right on. I've had 5 fills and I can still eat too much. Fortunately the band has made me eat less but I still need one more fill. The first 3 fills did virtually nothing for me. I believe that some of us are so focused on losing weight that we think of food all the time which of course makes us hungry. I know that first 3 months was very difficult for me. I too was very discouraged and sometimes wished I had never had the surgery. But after fill 5 I saw a dramatic difference in restriction which has helped me eat less and drop 8 lbs. You're probably thinking, "why did I have surgery just to go on another stinking diet that won't work"? It will, give it time and don't be shy to demand a fill sooner than the docs say you can. I've had to be very aggressive with my surgeon's office about getting fills. Sitting around getting depressed can only make it easier for you to consume too much food. tmf

Well, maybe it will diminish greatly but may only diminish slightly. I'm up to fill 5 and I can still eat much more than I was told I could eat. One more fill may do the trick for me but Melissa is right, you're in bandster hell and may be there for a while.

Banded 11/28/11. Remember this. Everyone reacts differently to the band. Your journey will most likely not track with anyone else. You may be wildly successful in the beginning or it may take a few months. For me, the biggest fear was giving up cheeseburgers, prime rib and all the other stuff that satiates my body. Fact is, I can still eat those products, but not as much and I'm OK with that. If I had to do this over again, I think I'd still do it, but I'd be more discreet. I pretty much told everyone I was going to do it and then afterwards told everyone I did it. Now I get questioned constantly on how much weight I've lost? And in the beginning it was very slow for me so I wasn't able to wow folks with my rapid reduction in size. That's when all the skinny folks chime in with the "why don't you just ______!(fill in the words here). You know what I mean? Why don't I just walk more, jog more, eat more grapefruit, take this Vitamin or do this extreme workout for 3 hours a day? Look me up anytime if you have questions or need to lean on someone. I know I still have a lot more journey to go but it is getting better. I'll be going in for my 6th fill soon. I think I'm an anomally with the fills but I can't get it tight enough for some reason. Good luck bud.

Steph and Hopeful are both right on. If you haven't set up your online account with your BCBS affilliate, do so. Then this will no longer be a mystery and you won't have to rely on strangers for this kind of advice.

Yeah, I went through the 6 months of BS and jumped through the hoops to find out they had changed the rules. Oh well, banded and sort of happy.

First, check some other local bariatric docs who might take your case for less money. $340 sounds outrageous to me. I know that here in Denver, there are a few docs who will take on clients who have had surgery elsewhere for a minimal fee. Check it out?

You're such slacker B-52 JK...You're my hero and it looks like we're starting from a similar place and I hope I have similar success! All kidding aside, I think you have reason to be concerned that you may not be getting enough nutrition. Visits to a qualified nutritionist aren't all that expensive and your doc probably has one available so don't be shy and pay her a visit. Dan

I was told to go on a liquid diet only the day before and nothing else prior to that. And I don't believe my surgeon changed his protocol for most patients. There could be some deviation from this with specific patients but this was his way. Your surgeon seems to have a handle on you and her skillset. I think that this surgery may have come a long ways in the last 10 years and some doctors could be slaves to old ways. There's also the litigious side of surgery that makes many docs nervous about pre-op diets and failed outcomes. JMO

Your post is disturbing. I've only been banded for 5 months and so far so good. I know and I knew going in that there are no guarantees that this would work. Maybe it won't? However, I've met dozens of people through support groups, Dr appointments and through this forum who would disagree with your heartfelt and passionate comments. Obviously you're disappointed that the band did not work for you and maybe it was the band, the surgeon, or, you? There are so many variables with human nature that it can't be difinitive. People reading your post might interpret your motivation as an angry attempt at disparaging a product that has without question, helped thousands of people regain their dignity and health. But to state that they are "horrible" and they don't work, flies in the face of reality. You're angry and you're striking back. In the future I'd recommend you state this: "Buyer Beware. This may not work for you." But I knew this long before I made the commitment and so did you. D

Cut the soda and alcohol for a week to eliminate that possibility. Smaller bites and lots and lots of chewing to avoid getting stuck. I'm on fill 5 and it's difficult to remember to slow down, take small bites and chew, chew, chew after years of scarfing down food. But when I follow the rules, I don't get stuck, don't burp(unless I eat too much) and don't throw up.

Swollen, yes, probably. Remember to sip your mushies and take small bites of food once you're able to. Call your Dr if you're concerned?

The first post of this thread explains what it is but I don't think it's what you have?

VW- I was banded a month after you and only lost 12 lbs till the 6th of April. After this last fill I'm feeling more restriction and I had an appointment with my nutritionist. She pointed out some issues I have and like adorkble I wasn't following the rules either. I've lost 8 lbs since 4/6/12. . I'm on fire again. I still can eat too much and I think I'll go in for one more small fill. It does sound like you should consider a fill? And talk to a dietician or nutritionist who understands the lapbandster needs?

Luli, Great advice. I thought about the warm liquids but never followed up on it. I'll try that because it does seem like the area around the band has tightened up or is exceptionally dry?

FBS? Hmmm? Maybe that's what I have? Although it seems to come near the bottom of my esophogus or top of my stomach? Happens about 60% of the time and especially if I take too large of a bite or chew inadequately. Heartburn, haven't had that yet. But thanks for possibly naming a symptom I have.

For me it's hiccups and maybe a runny nose. I've spoken to folks who get that "full" feeling but for me it never has come. Like some others, if I don't chew and take large bites I can only eat 3 bites and I'm in pain or discomfort till my stomach kicks in and massages that food through the portal.

I really had no pain and went to work the next day but looking back, I was still in shock for a week from the medications, antibiotics, anesthesia. If you can, take a week, you won't regret it. BTW-I work from home so it was easier to take breaks.

KCG, Me too. Banded in November, 5 fills now. My pain started on fill #3 and has increased with each fill. I'd say about 60% of my meals I have some pain or discomfort. It's hard to get used to taking real small bites and chewing a lot. I usually get about 3 bites into a meal and have to stop for 5 minutes while my stomach massages/gyrates the food through the portal. I get the message and eat smaller bites and chew more. I wouldn't call the ER. It sounds normal to me? I think bread with crust is the hardest. Or, dry foods, thick foods like meat. And isn't it odd how after the pain subsides I can eat much easier? Maybe our stomachs secrete enough fluids after that first intake to lube the other food through? Still able to eat too much though. I'm thinking one more fill but it scares the crap out of me that I might find it even harder to pass food and experience more pain. Small fill maybe?

Visit the sister forum at: http://www.rnytalk.com/ It's mostly a bypass forum and this is a lap band forum. Some of the folks over there have probably had both. Good luck.

No worries. It's a long journey and there will be bumps along the way. Just think of how worse it could have been if you had wandered into a Cinnabun?

Mandy, you got it right. I've been looking for the same feeling as Army Girl. What does restriction feel like? Obviously we're all different and eat different foods. I'm about 5 months into this with 5 fills and each fill seems to bring on a tighter feeling of something? It's not what I thought it would be though. Starting with fill #3 I began to have food blockage and now with #5 it's much worse. Seems like 2 of 3 meals I'll have to stop after 2-3 bites and allow my gyrating stomach pouch to force what I've eaten on through. After that I can eat a lot. More than I had hoped for. I'm eating less and very slowly losing weight. But it looks like it's mostly from dieting and exercise. The band seems to have little affect so far. Still hoping that this works for me as I hadn't planned on being on a diet for the rest of my life. I was hoping this band was going to be the tool that helped me to eat less.

So who is your old Doc? Jonell? You should be able to call your doc who put the band in? All the docs I interviewed before my surgery welcomed patient phone calls. Did you move out of state? If you're still in the Denver area you could call on Georgopolous in Thornton. He takes patients on a self pay basis I understand?

Mis73, You're my hero I want what you have. That's how I envisioned this to be. I want that signal to stop eating. I get the same thing as you when I don't chew properly. Hiccups and pain. But that can be after just one bite of food. Dan

Thanks everyone. I guess I listened only to the bandsters who seemed to find success as the best case scenarios from the Doctors and band makers offices speak about. I now know it doesn't work the same for all of us. I think I wanted this band to do it all for me. No more hunger(of any kind) and no more wants. That's not going to happen sadly. I do feel fuller than 6 months ago after a meal. Adorkbl, I followed you and many others on the Kirschenbaum forum back in 08. Did he do your surgery? I've met some of the girls for dinner once and it's a great group. Dan

I called my Dr.s office the first time and they said it's OK within reason. I wouldn't eat a Chipotle burrito just before you go in but something normal 4 hours before should be fine.