2muchfun

My Mom only saw me once or twice a year. We lived far apart and she never traveled. When she would see me she'd say, Danny, you're getting fat. I remember it hurt my feelings since sometimes I had just lost 20-30 lbs. She's passed on now and I'd give anything to hear her tell me how fat I am again.

I'm 4 months out and finally got a little restriction after my 4th fill two weeks ago. #5 is next week.

Egg drop soup. Make it from scratch or buy the mix in the asian isle at your grocers. The protein satiates.

You're in bandster hell and it could last a while. I'm now 4 months out and I'm still hungry much of the time. I've had 4 fills and I think it's starting to work but I can still eat too much. X fingers that fill #5 does the trick. Bandster Hell is the time between surgery and when your fill(s) cause enough restriction that you feel full quicker and longer. I'm almost there now. I've heard some people never experience BH and others who have to have many fills before the band performs the way we were told it would. Once you can begin eating solid foods consume Protein as that satiates much more than liquid or pureed does.

North Suburban Hospital on March 21 at 6 pm. Go in main entrance, down the main elevator to the Aspen room just around the corner from the elevator.

Looking forward to our support group(North Suburban) meeting next week. Fill #4 yesterday didn't seem to make a big difference. I guess I don't know what I'm supposed to be feeling? I thought I'd have this small pouch above my stomach that filled up quicker and stayed full longer due to food not passing through as quickly? Since fill #3 I've had several bouts where it seemed like food has been temporarily stuck(mostly due to scarfing my food own without chewing properly). I can feel some gyrations going on and usually within 2 minutes the mild pain and gyrations go away. But then I'm able to continue eating and eat quite a bit as long as I chew my food completely. Where is that feeling of being full? Where is that feeling that one more bite will wind up just above my adams apple? Dr. Chae put 1 CC in this time and after pumping it in, he took his thumb off the plunger and it ascended about 3/8 of an inch. He said that my band was very tight and full and that pressure was pushing back against the band sack. And also that the pressure against the stomach was about all it could take. Is this it? Holly crap, this is a huge disappointment. What a frickin waste! If this is it, I'll just have him deflate the F'n thing and go back to dieting. D

I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and have maintained that loss. But I can still eat what i want. I'm exercising and watching what I eat. I'm not dieting but isn't that why we had bariatric sugery? I think I could get into big time dieting again if I could feel some restriction. Chae called me back and I'm going in next week for fill #4. I know many people have had the same problem I'm having but this sitting around for the next fill is BS when I know it's not going to get any better. Love to meet your friend. Invite her or have her login in here? Misery loves company.

I have to post this and sorry if I sound like I'm whining but this process sucks. I've had 3 fills and still no weight loss. Just tried to set up a fill appointment and Chae wants me to wait another 3 to 5 weeks before he gives me another. Bulllshit. It doesn't take 4-6 weeks for me to see and know that the fills I've received aren't working. I did feel a little more restriction with my last fill on Feb 24th. In fact, I've even had a blockage on a couple of occasions. Big bites and not chewing enough did it. If I chew well then I can still eat till my hearts content. \ I know that another fill will get me close to where I want to be and find it hard to just sit and bide my time. I'm tired of biding time and want to get this rocket off the pad.

I recall someone telling me that one of the advantages to bypass is that you don't have to wait for the right fill to start your new life? I feel for ya. I really want my new lifestyle to begin so I can settle into some kind of groove.

I'm available pretty much anytime except the 3rd Wednesday of every month(support group).

So, I heard this thread was dead? Julie? Nora? My email is jdanielphillips@msn.com

What do you consider healthy food? All food is more expensive this last year but healthy food is still quite reasonable. Why did you have fluid removed?

I'm starting to think that this forum/Site should have some kind of disclaimer for bandsters who have just had surgery or are having it soon. Maybe make everyone who wants to read the posts agree that they have read the disclaimer? "WARNING" This tool(band) may not work for many months to come. Everyone reacts differently to the band and most won't feel any restriction for 2-5 fills. I know I too was blown away when after about 2 weeks I wanted to eat a plate of chicken fried steak at Black Eyed Pea(I didn't). Some people tell you to start dieting? Crap, I tried that for years and it didn't work. LOL...But, I'm confident that like many people I've met at support groups that this shall pass and one day I'll get that "fill" that transports me to the "Green Zone". I did lose 12 lbs and have kept it off but I'm still in bandster hell and looking for the exit.

Funny, you went to taco bell. So did I. I gobbled down 2 burritos and felt very full but they went down no problem. I too am in bandster hell right now. Waiting for fill #2 and crossing my fingers I get some restriction with #2.

No worries! You're no different than the vast majority of banders. I got banded about 7 weeks ago and have had one fill and I'm still hungry and feel no restriction. Looking forward to fill #2 on 2/2/12. If you want to lose weight before you get the fill that creates restriction, you'll have to diet. I know that sucks but it's up to you? For me, I'm trying to eat right and exercise. I'm treading water and have lost 12 lbs but I plateaued 3 weeks ago. Someone earlier said that Dr's don't tell you about bandster hell. So true. I really thought I'd be well on my way to losing my first 30 lbs but looks like that will have to weight(pun intended).

Vitamins, supplements etc. Shouldn't be a problem. Tomatoes come in many different disguises. Soup, salsa, Pasta sauce, bloody mary(virigin of course);o) From what I understand, most bandsters find different foods that they can't eat due to blockage and they even say our appetite for foods we once loved and hated may change. I wouldn't know yet, I've only had one fill and I'm not experiencing any restriction yet. But I've been to several support group meetins and read a lot on this forum. I wouldn't be too concerned about not liking veggies though.

How much candy do you eat?

I too have a similar problem. My heartburn seems to come on around 2 am. Doesn't happen all the time but it's annoying and sometimes I just get up, have a drink of water and sleep on the couch. I've only had one fill and so far I feel no restriction and can eat as I did prior to surgery.

I would have preferred to get my first fill sooner myself and after the first fill did nothing I was ready for a 2nd 1 week after the first. But Dr's have their own agenda. If you feel like the current fill you got yesterday is working you can cancel the 2nd fill. No Dr can force you to accept a new fill. You should feel happy that your Dr is willing to add more Fluid or take some out so soon.

Some insurance companies require it. Mine required I go to 2 plus 2 support group meetings.

Banded 11/28/11, first fill 01/05/12. Virtually no restriction yet. No change, I can eat what I want(but I'm not). Already scheduled my next fill on 2/2/12. Just a continuation of "Bandster Hell" so far.

Your profile doesn't say where you reside but I'd google bariatric surgery or click on surgeon in the tab bar at the top of this page. Most surgeons offer seminars on how the band works and what you will need to do. Also, they can give you information on support group meetings in your area that you can attend. Go to 2-3 seminars and sit in on several support groups before you decide. If insurance becomes a problem, consider self-pay. It's usually in the neighborhood of $10K which seems like a lot but most people will drop $20K on a car without a thought. Wish I would have done this years ago with or without insurance.

B-52, I like your slogan "It's all about Restriction! Otherwise it's just another diet." That's how I feel right now. Losing weight but mostly because I'm dieting. I'm rather impatient since it took me 2.5 years to finally get through all the insurance hoops and have my surgery. Now I find that the band doesn't work immediately. Thought I had all the angles down but I'm still in limbo till I get that fill that sends the signal, "you've eaten enough fatass". LOL

Banded 11/28/11, first fill 01/05/12, 2nd fill scheduled for 2/2/12. My Dr. offers unlimited fills with the surgery. I think it's just part of his charge. I have BCBS anthem. 2nd fill will take place if and when you need it but most docs prefer 4+ weeks. My 1st fill did virtually nothing. Hoping #2 is more successful.

I wish I would have known about Bandster Hell and the fact that the first fill may not give me the restriction I want to lose weight. I'm 6 weeks post op and I feel virtually no restriction. I'm still losing or maintaining my early loss of weight but only because I'm paying attention to what I eat. Still waiting on the band to be a tool. C