ReadyInCT

To those 'Band veterns and experts, In was banded back on Sept 2008 and have had no problems. It has taken me a long time to get some restriction - finally - and now suddenly I'm experiencing a raw, hot sensation in my esophogus [sp] and stomach area. I have allergies and post nasal drip ~ which might be aggrevating things. My PA asked me to take pepcid and sudafed to address the symptoms[sp - sorry about the spelling]. But I've also had some pb'ing early in the day - seems like I am really tight in the morning / lunch time. and there has been some very light puking - more like spitting out the slime. The pepcid seems to help. Should I be worried about anything else? I am definately a worrier! Thanks!

Hello All, I was going to make a similar post! I was banded on 23 Sept 2008 and after ten fills, I finally have restriction! But, after all this time, I've forgotten many of the 'basics'. I eat without thinking - just like the past - and now here comes the PBing and the pain. I love it and I hate it! I'm finally starting to lose weight. I went almost 5 months without losing a pound and now, since restriction is finally here, I'm eating sooooo much less! And I really miss those long, delicious meals out lingering over a botte of wine. I have no regrets but could someone please remind me of the basics? I know little bites, chew, chew, chew but how much? Seems like by the time I figure out my limit it's too late! Any sugggestions are welcome!

Hello All, I was banded on 23 September 2008 and have had NINE FILLS. I have about 6.5cc in a 10cc band. My DR is very cautious and only puts in between .4 and .6cc at a time however I can go in for a fill anytime. No time limit. Up to this last fill, I felt very little restriction and was getting really frustrated. I had gone back to old habits and could eat just about anything. I know the band is only a tool but I am an emotional eater and when I'm emotional I'm not thinking about the band! So imagine my surprise after the last fill when suddenly I understood 'stuck' and 'pb' and what happens when you take big bites and eat too fast and then get the hiccups! It's like learning all over again...September was a long time ago! So have some patience and some faith. It will work. Not as fast as we all would like it to but eventually. I've reset my expectations and given myself a break. Now if I could just remember the rules!

Hello All, I was banded at the end of September and travel every week for work. Right now, I'm in Chicago one week and San Diego the next. This has been the norm for me since being banded. We also travel quite a bit ~ Hawaii at Christmas, London the end of April and then three weeks in New Zealand in July. Yes, eating out every meal is a challenge and yes, people ask if the food is 'ok' when I eat a small portion. Sometimes I explain that I've had stomach surgery and am limited to what and how much I can eat. I have never experienced any server or host or relative negatively react to my comments. They generally ask if there is anything else they can bring me and I just appreciate their generousity and thank them. During vacations, as others have mentioned, we generally linger over meals and enjoy the company. My husband and I are foodies and really enjoy a good meal and a bottle of wine. I find I can thoroughly enjoy a couple of bites just as much finishing the entire plate. I understand you don't want to be rude but I think you may be under-estimating your hosts. I decided to make the band part of my new lifestyle - travel and all. You need to evaluate all of the eveidence, comments and recommendations and make your own choice. Please remember...people can surprise you.

Amonroy...you are 100% right! You don't really know you've hit your sweet spot until you get there! I've been sneaking up on my sweet spot for months! I'm currently at 6cc in a 10cc band. I'm heading into for another fill tomorrow. I think I'm close but I can still eat almost an entire sandwich and I do get hungry in the afternoon and then before dinner. Sometimes I actually forget I have the band and that's not a good thing. I've been easily slipping back into old habits. I hope I'm as lucky as you and find that sweet spot soon!

Wow! 4cc for the first fill!!!!! I've had nine, yup, 9, fills and I'm at about 6cc in a 10cc band. My doctor won't go more than .5cc per fill ~ including the first fill. I think the challenge is to find the place where you have adequate restriction without pain. I know - the infamous 'sweet spot'. Trouble is, it's hard to tell if you're 'there' when you're having the fill. I wish there was some signal or sign or alarm that would go off when we've gotten a good fill. I keep telling my PA that we're sneaking up on that sweet spot!!!!!! Hopefully it will be soon...I've been waiting a long time for this! Good luck everyone....we'll find that sweet spot!

Hello All, Seems like you've read my mind! I've had NINE fills and just started to feel a little restriction. I have a protein shake for breakfast and that goes down without a problem. Lunch is generally more of a challenge. I eat out all the time [i'm a consultant and travel for work every week] and lunch is the first real food of the day. Lately I can eat about .5 to .75 of a cup. But by dinner time I can eat just about anything. I know I'll eventually get to that sweet spot but so far, for me, it's illusive. Since I'm not at home during the week I'm afraid of getting too much of a fill and then being miserable on the road. So, on Monday I'm going in for fill #10. That should get me to about 6.5 in a 10cc band. Anyone have any hints about 'evaluating' the fill as they are doing it or immediately thereafter? Just as an FYI...I can still take my prescriptions without breaking them in half or quarters. Thanks everyone!

Hi All, Like everyone has said...check your policy. I started the process in early July 2008, used Fairfield County Bariatrics [i live in Stamford] and was banded on 23 September 2008. It all happened very quickly. Fairfield County Bariatrics also operates out of Bridgeport and maybe even New Haven. They are amazing and did a lot of the leg work for me. Anthem went through without a hitch! Now if loosing the weight was so easy! :thumbup:

Hello All, I was banded on 23 September 2008 and have had 8 fills...yup, eight fills. I felt NO restriction until this last fill. I am very lucky that the PA at my doctor's office is terrific. There is no wait time between fills. She wants me to get there and has always been willing to work with me. The problem with restriction is ya don't know you've got it until you can really test it out. Just like you don't know you are in labor until it starts! LOL!!!! I am thrilled that I finally have restriction! The PA 'primed' my tubing by taking out the fluids and then refilling / sucking the Fluid out until no air bubbles came out. Then she put in about 6.5cc. I was between 5 and 6 ccs before but this time it did the trick. My husband and I went to our local diner and I had coffee and greek yougurt. Well, after about 3 half teaspoons of yougurt I started to feel a little funny. My husband said I looked a little green! My 'brain' said I should be able to eat more / my band had other ideas! Nothing got stuck [it was yougurt!] but I learned what 'sliming' was and I had major pain in my upper, middle chest. Walking helped and spitting out the slime + a little yougurt made me feel better. I decided I was probably too tight and since I travel for work I didn't want to get stuck in another city a flight away not being able to keep anything down. So I called my PA, went right back and she took out .5cc. Now I can eat small bites, slowly, and small portions. Drier meat like chicken does fight its way down but eventually all is well. I am so happy for these results that I sent my PA flowers on Monday! Now it's up to me and my band to get going and drop the weight. It does work but you've got to be patient...Cheers! :tongue:

Hello All, I'm looking for support and answers and some motivation. I was banded on 9.23.2008 and have had 6 fills to an approximate total of 5.5cc in a 10cc band. Since I am still questioning the feeling of restriction, I don't think I am there yet. During my last fill [on Friday] the PA filled the band until I couldn't get Water down. I think I could tell it was really tight ~ when water hurts, it's tight! So the PA removed some of the fill, I tested with water again and was able to get it down. I was very optimistic. But alas, that optimism ended quickly. I am still able to eat anything and in any size ~ sometimes I forget and eat a bigger bite ~ no pain, nothing gets stuck, nada. I understand that I'm still looking for my sweet spot but I just realized [duh] that it's not just the band. My 'participation' is also required. Again...DUH! So even though I 'can' eat anything doesn't mean I should wait until the band kicks in and 'stops' me. How can such an intelligent woman be sooooo stupid????!!!!!????? LOL! Question #1: Herbal supplement. I take a few herbal supplements faithfully that are pretty large capsules. Any ideas what I can do once I reach restriction? I tried taking the 'herbs' out of the capsules and the taste is nasty in water... and yougurt. Any ideas? I tried and failed to use a pill-splitter on them [no surprise!]. Has anyone found chewable herbal supplements? Question #2: Why should we avoid drinking water while we eat ~ assuming there is restriction [i'll eventually get there!]. What are the general rules regarding drinking before, during and after a meal? Many thanks in advance for your insights, reocmmendations and good thoughts! Cheers!

Hello All, I just had my 5th fill. I'm up to about 5.5ccs in a 10cc band. So far, I've don't think I've felt any restriction. I can eat an entire sandwich without a problem. I know...be patient! But obviously if I could diet without the band I wouldn't have needed the surgery! So I'm getting a little frustrated. Anyway, I'm going for another fill the beginning of January. I'll get to that sweetspot...I just hope it's soon! Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Hello All, I know that everyone is different but I'm trying to get an idea as to when people start to feel restriction? I had my first fill a week ago. They put in 3ccs...they put nothing in the band during surgery. So far I have no restriction whatsoever. I've been maintaining my weight since the surgery but it's been tough and I'm really hungery. I'm due to another fill this coming Friday. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Cheers!

Hey there.... hence the reason I started the thread! I have not lost a pound since surgery! Haven't gained any but I think that's just a matter of time! Every day is a major challenge ~ just like it was before the band! Today's strategy is to practice like I have the band. This was recommended by many others. So, eat protein first, then veggies. No drinking while I eat [a major challenge for me, the wine drinker!!!]. Lots of water. And some exercise. Then I'll be ready when I finally have restriction. But this is incredibly difficult... as expected. But I have tons of friends on this site to help!

Hello All, I'm sure most doctors are different but I don't pay an additional cent for the first 90 days post surgery. That means that I won't pay for a fill until after the 90 day period. I honestly do not think money has anything to do with the timing and fill amounts ~ at least not with my Dr. While some of the other members of our group with medical experience can explain this better, I'm sure, you need to think about what's happening when they add fluid to the band. While the band expands, it impacts the organs surrounding the band. The more fluid added at one time - the more impact on the surrounding organs. To minimalize this impact, fills are done in small incremental amounts. Believe me, I am as frustrated as everyone else. I want immediate gratification! After 3 fills I have 4.5+cc in a 10cc band and I have no restriction. I'm going back for the 4th fill on December 8th. I'm hoping that fill will bring some type of restriction but I won't be surprised if that doesn't happen. Many report restriction at around 8cc and literally months [and months!] after surgery. My struggle is managing my weight during those months until the band starts to help me. Man o' man, is it a struggle! This site really helps keep me focused! Thanks to everyone!

Hello All, I was banded on 9.23.08 and have had 3 fills since then. I believe that I am currently at 4.8cc in a 10cc band. I have no restriction. I can eat anything and in any amount. I burp constantly which is very new to me. I've never burped like that before! I'm in bandster hell. I know everyone is different. I know that I will eventually find my sweet spot. I don't have a lot of patience. I have not lost a pound since the surgery and my DR says that's OK. But I'm slipping back into my old habits. What have you done during the time when you were still waiting to find your sweet spot? Any hints? Many thanks!

Hello, I was banded on 9.23.2008 and have had 3 fills to date. I think I'm at 4 to 4.5 ccs in a 10cc band. Still no restriction and I have not lost one pound since surgery. BUT... I have not gained a pound and I have been more aware of what and how I am eating. The veterns have reminded me that this will take time. I have another fill scheduled for 12.8.2008 ~ my fourth. And the 4th fill seems to be the magic number so I have my fingers crossed. Good Luck and keep us posted!

Hello All, All of the posts have been very helpful. I was banded on 9.23.08 and have had 3 fills since then. I believe that I am currently at 4.8cc in a 10cc band. I have no restriction. I can eat anything and in any amount. I'm in bandster hell. I know everyone is different. I know that I will eventually find my sweet spot. I don't have a lot of patience. I have not lost a pound since the surgery and my DR says that's OK. But I'm slipping back into my old habits. What have you done during the time when you were still waiting to find your sweet spot? Any hints? Many thanks!

Hi Jorge, Many of us know exactly how you feel. For me, I know doing something proactive generally helps my feeling of powerlessness so, please schedule that fill. BUT....remember that one fill will probably have little impact. Most people seem to think that the 4th fill was the winner. I had my second fill about a week ago and I still have no restriction. I can tell you that I am VERY frustrated. I'm starting to eat like I used to eat before the band... much of it out of habit! I was banded on 23 September 2008 and haven't lost a pound since surgery. My DR says that's expected ~ my expectations were much higher! So, cut yourself some slack and get on a schedule for fills. Assume that it's going to take a few months before you start to lose weight regularily. Remember, we're here to help each other. Good Luck!

Lapbandtalker, you are my hero! How long did it take you to reach / exceed your goal? I'm a little frustrated because I've pretty much stopped losing and afraid I might actually start gaining. I'm craving restriction! I know I need to be patient but....... Thanks again for the incentive! Cheers!

Wow, Donna! I am soooo jealous! I had my first fill on Monday [3ccs] and I'm not feeling a thing...no restriction at all. How much was your fill? Did they put any in during surgery? I go back on the 31st for another fill and hopefully I'll have the same results as you are experiencing!

Hello all, My first fill is tomorrow and I just realized that I don't know anything! I'm not afraid of getting the fill. I just realized that everything up to the surgery and past the surgery was leading up to this... finally getting restriction... or at least a little restriction! Now what? Everything so far has been learning to 'heal' from the surgery. Tomorrow is the beginning of the real thing. I'm sure the doctor will tell me what to do and what not to do. I'm hoping that successful bandsters will provide some guidance as well! I seem to immediately forget everything the doctor tells me as soon as I walk out of the office so I'm very appreciative for all of your comments and suggestions! [and don't worry...I take notes when visiting the doctor!]. Many thanks!

Hi Tomika - congrats on the surgery. I'm a neighbor in CT and around the same age [i'm 51]. I was banded on 23 September, just about a month ago. A couple of things I wish I knew before and after the surgery include the following ~ 1) ask for an anti-nauseau drug in the anesthesia during the surgery AND immediately after. I was dry heaving and vomitting for 2 days. It could have been avoided if I had the anti-nausea drug in my IV. 2). WALK, WALK, WALK as soon as possible. The faster you get out of bed and get mobile, the faster the gas with disapate and you will feel so much better. Good luck and please don't hesitate to ask a lot of questions!

Hi Bikini, I puked all day long for the first 2 days! I never took the pain-killers but took the anti-nausea shots...nothing worked. I walked the hosptial halls dragging my IV and carrying one of those yellow puke trays! Suddenly on Day#3 everything stopped! Yippeee! So it does get better and will get better for you soon! Just please keep hydrated and keep walking. The walking cleared my gas in about 3 days. Good Luck!

Hello All, I had surgery two weeks ago and all appears well. I have been a little aggressive on the 'pace' of moving from clear liquids to full liquids to pureed/soft foods ~ but always very limited quantities [measured by the tablespoon]. I've never had any stomach pain or weird feelings so I hope everything is OK in there. After surgery my doctor said my port was right in the center... under my under-wire bra band. I can see the incision but I don't think I can feel the port. Can someone tell me what the port should feel like? I'm also feeling a little guilty about not following exactly the diet and I'm afraid I might have done something to impact the band. Anyone else have consequences of not behaving? Can you please share? I'm starting to get a little paranoid! Thanks in advance for your input!

OK, Cleo's Mom, we were banded around the same time so I can compare to you. I guess I've lost my port ~ just joking. I kinda feel 'something' in the same area you are referencing. About 4 inches under my right breast. I'm squimish about feeling around. I guess when the doctor or PA said the port was in the middle [she pointed to the top middle incision] I just assumed that was where the actual port was. I can't feel anything there. So, when I leave work, I guess I'll start looking for the port or at least determine if that weird feeling IS my port! Thanks to everyone for replying!