jkend50035

My band's capacity is 14cc's and my 1st fill was 4cc's which didn't restrict me at all. AT ALL!!! So what do you think my doc will give me--2cc's?

I really should be at like 170lbs for my height (5'9"), but I am just trying to get to 200lbs right now. I started this whole thing at 300lbs and am now down to 269 with no restriction yet. Eventhough I am still fat as hell, I do feel much better already. I think I can lose that 69lbs. In fact I'm bound and determined to do it. When I get to 200lbs, maybe I'll go further, but I'm not counting on that right now.

I have been banded for 2 months now and although I have had virtually no restriction yet, I have lost 31 lbs in 4 months. So just the process of having the surgery has taught me better eating habits etc. and has been a positive occurrence for my weight loss. I am learning every day new and better ways to eat and exercise. So although this all has nothing really to do with the band itself, so far the "idea" of an effective band has been an overwhelmingly positive experience for me. I can't wait until I get actual restriction!!

My doc decided to give me 1.5 cc's 3 days ago after giving me 4 cc's on my 1st fill, on my 14 cc band capacity. When he asked me if I could eat 2 cups at a meal and I said "oh, yeah!", he decided to give me the 1.5 cc's. I have had no restriction to speak of except something odd happened to me tonight. My wife made a pork chop casserole with whole wheat rice for dinner. Everything went down fine as usual. I do try to chew well, but usually I forget and in addition, I still eat too fast. NOW, after a few hours later I made a plate of the casserole again, including some pork chop. This time I felt it backing up on me a bit, and I had some heartburn. However, when I waited a minute or so several times, I was able to eat it without incident. I wonder why I had problems even though it was the exact food I had a few hours earlier? I also wonder if my band is restricting me finally--just don't know.

I just had my 2nd fill to 5.5 cc's, from 4 cc's from my 1st fill. I have seen absolutely no restriction, although I understand it may take up to 2 weeks for a fill to take effect. My doc's feeling is that essentially he wants to "sneak up" to the proper restriction, which I now know is the prudent course of action. Sooooo, it will probably take me 2 more fills to get to my sweet spot. I am resigned to it now--I will just have to deal with all the people who think my weight should be coming off by now, and I should just use this time to eat smaller portions, chew thoroughly and slowly, and to keep exercising regularly. This has been a lesson learned. I will get there eventually and I now am just going to show some patience. I finally got smart!!!!

Jacquie--Congratulations for losing below your targeted weight loss!! You are apparently a very disciplined person!! It makes me wonder how the heck you gained all the weight in the 1st place. For me, I am struggling yet with some lifelong demons still with me. Like portion control, environmental control, food choices at times still a problem for me. On top of that I still have a bit of emotional eating creeping in. I know it's only been since 8/28 that I was banded, but unless I clear up these "problems", I won't lose the weight--restriction or not. That is just me. But I have identified the problems and am working hard to change. And identifying the problem is half way to the solution. I am also exercising again, which is something I got away from. I hope to get where you are, totally issue-free, and just concentrating on eating the right, healthy foods, in the correct amount. God willing, I'll get there.

The patient's Lap Band constricts when the patient receives a fill. Swelling for a few days after receiving a fill is very common. Many doctors require a patient to go on a liquid diet for a day or two after receiving a fill. A fill may have a “Delayed Action” of up to 4 weeks. A “Delayed-Action” means that the fill may not become effective for up to 4 weeks after the fill. That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill. The above is where I got the "it may takes 2 weeks to take effect" from.

I know you have to start off small, but I have no restriction and I have to wait a month to 2nd fill. I don't want to get discouraged but this is taking FOREVER to finally take hold--I have waited long enough!!!!!!!!!!! Isn't 4cc's a pretty big fill?

I'm so excited!! My surgeon's office just moved up my 2nd fill by 2 weeks--next Wednesday. The 1st fill did nothing. I can't wait!!

Melissa--I have a band that holds 14cc's as well. I just had my 1st fill and he put in 4 cc's. That has proven to be not enough for me for the proper restriction. But everyone is different. Good Luck!!

I think thats true to a degree. However if over the long term you eat less and exercise, and get your water in, the weight will start coming off. With me, I do all that for awhile, then I cheat which ruins it. I am hoping my 2nd fill will find the "sweet spot" which will force me to eat less and not feel hungry. I have to wait until Nov 6th for the 2nd fill which is a month, and after a week from my 1st fill I feel no restriction whatsoever, so I have a long wait which I'm not happy about.

I eat a high Protein Breakfast and as the day wears on my diet gets away from me. My dietritian just said the other day that I was eating all the right things (Generally!!) but I eat too much of them. I was recording my daily food and calories from a website, but I have gotten away from that. Maybe I should revisit that routine. Everyone seems to say you get better results if you record what you eat all day. I have some very simple rules these days--NO FAST FOOD, don't overeat, and watch the nighttime Snacks. Oh, and keep up the daily exercise regimin. I KNOW what to do, it's just doing it is the difficult part for me--LOL Have you ever heard of a workbook I think it's called the Beck's diet solution? I just bought it and I'm wondering if it will help in a meaningful way.....

I'd like to triple dog dare you-- but I must be honest. I wonder about whether I can get through the night here without eating again. BTW, wasn't A Christmas Carol a great movie? Sorry, I digress. LOL Why won't a challenge like what you have thrown out there work for me? Because when I get hungry, I would knock down my own grandmother to eat something. Also, where would be the accountability? I would beg, borrow or steal ( so to speak ) when I get hungry. Alright, I've changed my mind--I TRIPLE DOG DARE YOU!!!! Now tell me some ground rules. ( I need direction--LOL )

That's funny. Hey, while you were replying I threw the crackers away in the garbage can, tied up the garbage and took it out to the garage. What is really disconcerting is that I am still mildly sorry I did it!! AND, I have begun in the last few days to visiting my favorite fast food places. Now, THAT is actually disgusting to me--that I have done that. Will I stop? I pray that I will. Now you can see why I need the restriction NOW, not in a month, which is a lifetime away for me at this point.

I just don't understand why I have to wait a whole month from my 1st fill, where my surgeon said I probably wouldn't notice any restriction, until my 2nd fill--he said "I will see you in a month". A month seems like a lifetime when you are trying to lose weight, and for me, just trying to maintain. It's a struggle every day for me not to overeat. And Restless Monkey --my wife is trying so hard to help me. She exercises strict environmental control. I am so sick in the head that I have known about these saltines for a long time now--way back in the back of the pantry hiding. And tonight I decided I would get them and eat them. My wife doesn't eat saltines, so if I told her about them she would throw them out. I just pray that sometime tonight I will muster the courage to throw them out myself. Why haven't I already? Good question. WHY WON'T I THROW THEM OUT RIGHT NOW??????????? I need analysis to answer that question--any analysts out there?

Thank you all for replying. Although I can appreciate having to wait month after month for my 4th fill to get the restriction I need, I could have used restriction tonight when I ate a whole sleeve of saltines. What's worse, I am presently thinking about where I can hide the other 3 sleeves so my wife won't find them and I can have them on another day. I simply don't have the mental toughness to just throw those sleeves away. That's why I'm fat today. Someone asked how much I weighed starting out: 300lbs, now 275. I have maintained my weight since my surgery ( 6 weeks ago ) due to an aggressive physical activity routine. My surgeon said my band could hold 14 cc's.

I have lost 20lbs--about 12lbs getting ready for the surgery and 8lbs just after surgery when I was on a liquid diet then pureed foods, etc. BUT, I could have lost that weight without having the surgery!!!!!! I'd like to see some loss DUE TO the surgery! Sorry, I am just having a bad day, I guess--I just want to get the show on the road......

Is it vomiting?

Terrific answer--very clear and comprehensive--thanks!!!

Hello--Was just wondering if the banded ppl had trouble maintaining weight prior to their 1st fill. I was banded almost 6 weeks ago and will get my 1st fill this Wednesday. I have healed completely and am struggling with my appetite. I work out every day and still have a difficult time maintaining at this point. Can anyone give me advice or a perspective? THANKS!!

I sleep off and on all night long. During the periods I am up, I usually eat something. I know there are physiological reasons why I am compelled to eat during the night, but I am hoping my 1st fill on Wednesday will stop me from being hungry during the night and STOP this terrible habit. It's 2:48 AM and I just had 2 pieces of wheat toast with fake butter on it. I know I must stop eating carbs but I just can't stop. Anyone else an insomniac with similar problems regarding eating during the night? The only reason why (I think) I am not GAINING weight in a serious way is because I do exercise consistently. I NEED that 1st fill!!!!!

My doc said to cut out bread, sugar and carbs, like you said. I am going to renue myself this very second to do that. I don't have sugar at all, and I can stop the carbs. THEN, I have to work on the bread. I know I can do it. I have lost 20lbs pre and post surgery, and I will take this initial fill on Wednesday as an opportunity to start more weight loss. My wife and I are going out with old friends this afternoon for dinner and everyone will be watching. I am also going to the grocery store in a little while and will look for healthy choices if I "cave in" during the night. I really secretly hope the fill will curtail my cravings at night as well. Thanks all for writing.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I cannot wait now until my 1st fill on Wednesday. For LunaAnny, I don't know if you have ever been on a cruise before, but there is food EVERYWHERE. Best of luck to both of us, that that 1st fill will make us feel full and not hungry, so we can concentrate on other things in our lives other than eating. Bring a good book (or two) on your cruise. Do alot of walking--there will probably be a level where people walk around a track. Let me know how you do.

Hello-- I'm having a heck of a time maintaining my weight before my 1st fill this coming Wednesday. I am fully healed and have my appetite back--and with a vengeance!! I exercise every day and have lost 20lbs before I even had the surgery. But, wow, right now it seems like I was never banded! Any perspective would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I am encouraged now that my 1st fill next Wednesday will make a world of difference. :tongue2: