BigMama

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He must be being very conservative with his fills. I do feel a little restriction now that I did not have before because one protein shake fills me up. I was pigging out so bad before, almost as bad as before surgery! I've been on liquids for two days and I may try to eat a little bit later tonight and see how it feels. So goes the battle!!

I just got my second fill yesterday and he said it was 1.8cc. The first one was 1 cc. He said that the 1.8 cc was a very "aggressive" fill so stay on liquids for three days. Now I read that some of you have 6 cc's or 8 cc's and still feel no restriction? I'm wondering now. How much is a cc!

Yup, I paid the $500 fee, also. It covers expenses that insurance does not cover and it helps them run the (very important and very helpful) informational seminars every month. Also only people who are serious about the surgery will want to pay the fee. Attending two seminars is mandatory because you will get to meet both doctors and hear many different people who have had the surgery share their results. I was glad I went to both. Also there are other bariatric programs that require 4-6 informational sessions...so two is not bad! It does seem like this surgery is a long drawn out process, but it is well worth the wait. I began the process in August of 08 and was banded in February of 09. I have lost 45 pounds and I feel terrific! I do not feel deprived and I can eat my favorite foods...don't get discouraged!

He is wonderful! He will answer all your questions. Very concerned and caring. He made the whole process much easier.

Dr. Jones was very specific when discussing pregnancy after lapbands. Have you been to any seminars yet? Pregnancy is is to be avoided for two years after the surgery. Handout information also discusses the avoidance of pregnancy within the first two years.

Sometimes I just try to keep burping and take deep breaths for a few minutes. This will help food pass through if it's not too big of a blockage.

I was banded in February. I had lost 37 pounds before my first fill in April. The fill didn't seem to do anything. I am eating almost as much as I was before surgery and my weight loss has stopped at 42 pounds. I have been exercising 5 days a week which is helping to keep me from putting on weight, but I'm hoping my next fill will restrict the amount of food I can eat.

Thanks Sassye! That makes me feel better! It helps to know others have this same problem. I will have to be extra careful about what I eat and hope that the next fill will help more.

I was banded in February. I did great at first and lost almost 40lbs. Then I started to get hungry a lot and was able to eat more. I was glad when I had my first fill last week. The fill was easy with hardly any discomfort at all. The problem is I don't feel any restriction. I am still eating more than I should be able to and I get hungry all the time. Is it possible the fill didn't work? I've put on 2 lbs and I'm worried. Is there a waiting period before you can get another fill?

I was banded on 2-9 and I've lost 30 lbs. I am now starting to get hungry faster and I am able to eat more...my 1st fill is in 2 weeks. Just in time!!

Have you been able to find any protein supplements that don't taste like sewage? I know I need more protein but it makes me gag.

I have been eating popcorn without any problem. I was banded on 2-9 and my first fill is 4-13. I can eat a whole sandwich now so I hope my fill will cut down the amount I can eat. Of course before the band I would have been able to eat 3 sandwiches!

I am getting my first fill on April 13th. Like you, I've been eating just about whatever I want (less, of course) with no problems and I've lost 32 lbs since my banding on Feb. 9th. I am looking forward to the fill but wonder if / how long I must go back to all liquids.

My nutritionist advised me that if food gets stuck you should "walk" it off. That works better than liquids. Thankfully, I haven't had it happen yet. Good luck!

I was banded on the 9th. I'm on stage 4...modified liquids. Actually I eat what I want except for raw veggies and fruit. I can't eat very much before I feel uncomfortable. That's good for me. I use to be able to eat TONS of food before I felt uncomfortable! I'm able to take my small pills without crushing so that helps. They were so gross. I'm all healed up nicely and I have no pain. My first fill will be in about 3 weeks. I lost 16 lbs. on my pre-op diet and I've lost another 17 since the operation. Two days before my surgery I cheated big time by having an "Angry Whopper" at Burger King. I couldn't help it...I was starving. But I guess it didn't hurt me any. I wish everyone lots of luck...the whole procedure was much less painful than I expected. I'm really glad I did it!

I'm also on my pre-op diet. Slim-Fast shakes and Lean Cuisines and lots of salads. I REALLY miss my pasta! 3 more days 'til surgery. I've lost 16 lbs. I have to admit that I feel better even after losing that small amount of weight.

I'll be banded on the 9th. I'm beginning to get nervous. It's been a long journey with all the testing and appointments. I'm on my pre-op diet now and I'm becoming addicted to Slim-Fast Chocolate shakes. I hope it's not a long time before I can eat REAL food.

Your story was very uplifting! Congratulations on your success!

I have met both Dr. Schneider and Dr. Jones at BIDMC. I liked them both so I really don't have a preference. I am hoping for December surgery. I began my journey in September with the 2 info sessions. Oct. brought the blood work-up and the EKG. Then in Nov. I had the ultrasound, psych evaluation, nutritionist and stress test. Now I am just waiting for a surgery date. I live quite a distance from the hospital (3 hrs) so the traveling has been quite extensive...but I'm sure it will be well worth it. The Bariatric Unit is very nice and the staff is wonderful and very accommodating!

I am going in for my final "stress test" tomorrow. When the results are in I will get my surgery date which will most likely be in December. It's been a long journey and I hope it works well. I'm not nervous about the surgery...just worried that the month of living on water and yogurt and more water will be torture! I also wonder how everyone takes their medications when you can only sip small quantities of water after surgery.

Do you feel hungry all the time? I am due to be banded around Dec 1st. It's hard to imagine that I can live on broth and NOT be starving all the time!

It could be.

I'm also from Western Mass. I have just finished my two info sessions and I am waiting for my appointment with the therapist, dietitian, etc. I am hoping I can have my surgery before Christmas. I'm going to Beth Israel Deaconness in Boston.