Elisabethsew

I was told that the 4 cc band is a company measurement that has nothing to do with fill amounts but rather air in the system. I have the Inamed Vanguard band that I believe holds 11 cc's of fill. When I went for my first fill, the surgeon inserted a large 10 cc syringe into the port with a stop-cock attached. He pulled back on the syringe until he got all the air out and then turned the stop-cock so more air could not get in. Next, he filled the syringe with 1.5 cc's of saline, attached it to the stop-cock, opened it, and instilled the saline. The second fill was a lot less procedure. He simply filled a 3 cc syringe with saline and injected it into the port. Both times I was given a local anesthetic. I hope that helps clear up some of the confusion.

I would present your Mom with a gift certificate for the surgery and tell her that it's not refundable. Give it to her on a special day... like her birthday and tell her the greatest gift she can give you is living a long life.

I hope you're recovering well and pray that the next surgery goes well.

Congratulations on reaching your goal and for realizing that the journey to STAY healthy is a battle we'll fight in for as long as we're alive. You're an inspiration.

Thanks everyone. Linda, if I had to go through this 4-5 days a day I'd be back in the surgeon's office for an unfill so fast his head would spin. LOL. My throat and chest are a little sore but otherwise I am fine. I had cantaloupe for breakfast at 8 AM and then nothing until the 2 slices of deli turkey so I was VERY surprised that a first PB resulted. I'll be even more deligent with the chewing now.

After being banded for exactly 3 months, I experienced my first PB and THAT is something I don't care to ever repeat. The culprit was deli turkey, thinly sliced. The problem was that I did not take off the outer ring of skin or whatever that is. I ate 2 pieces and a few minutes later felt like I was having a heart attack with pain across my chest. I made the brilliant decision to "wash" it down with some water and that sent me running to the bathroom just in time. After 2 trips with subsequent PBs, the pain in my chest went away and I felt live I would live to see tomorrow. I did not experience restriction until a week and a half ago when I had my second fill. Needless to say, I will do everything in my power to avoid having a PB in the future. My back and chest are sore so I'm going to do soft foods for a day or two until I feel human again.

Good luck with the surgeries. I had the knee surgery you're having and the recovery is not bad but I would have to say the Lapband surgery was a much faster recovery.

Congratulations on getting halfway to goal and Happy Anniversary. You should like you're ready to move forward and continue with your losing streak after a difficult year. Best of luck to you.

Lite ricotta cheese saved me. You might also call your MD and see if you can progress to soft fish or a mashed up meatball.

I'm in the health care field (RN) and my best friend is an OB/GYN. There really is no reason NOT to have daughters vaccinated.

I am not sorry to see Star go but Elizabeth would have been my first choice to see gone. I heard a rumor on the radio that Star's replacement might be Oprah's friend, Gale.

CYPRESS TREE (Faithfulness) -- strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

I struggled until this second fill which finally gave me restriction. Hang in there and try to stick to the diet. It will be much better once you get a fill or two and experience restriction.

"I have to have a hiatal hernia repaired. The MD says I need to shrink my liver so he/she can do a lap approach to the surgery. To accomplish this, I need to be on a liquid diet for _________ days. After surgery, I need to be on a liquid diet to protect the sutures and allow for healing."

Congratulations on your wonderful milestone!

I'm with Jack. I don't understand how you can PB everything you eat AND have everything just slide on down. I had my second fill a little over a week ago and find I have to chew chicken, steak, and even fish very well or I get that golf ball feeling in my chest. To me, it sounds like you were overfilled from what you wrote in the first post but then in the second post it seems like you have no restriction at all. I'm confused.

My MD using a local 2% lidocaine that is injected with a tiny needle gradually. After a minute or two, the area is numb and then the fill is done. The procedure is quick and painless.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is to take the emphasis OFF weight. You lose, she gains... you're looking damn good... she's not the tiny ballarina... blah, blah, blah. I am assuming that with your weight loss, you're no longer the same couch potato that you were several months ago. Do you have children? Why not break the NORMAL routine of weekends at home and start to plan some couple and family activities? Perhaps if you SHARE your higher energy levels and channel them into couple activities, you wife will be motivated to join you in your healthier life style. I think what you're experiencing is perfectfully normal and, after nobody noticing for you in so many years, suddenly getting attention makes you feel like a kid in a candy shop. But... you know what happens if you sample all that candy? LOL. So, invest some time in just you and your wife and see if THAT doesn't make a difference... for BOTH of you. Make sense?

Why didn't you ask for the nurse who got you last time to come in and see if she could get it? There is no way ANYONE should be stuck more than 3 times before another person gives it a try. It's a 2 stick policy where I work. I hope you have better luck next week.

I'm not giving up my A/C either and think it's a joke that it's even mentioned as a source of obesity. Why didn't they discuss things like cell phones, shopping online, delivery services, paying for lawn service, etc.? We used to get up to answer the phone, go out and pick up things, go to the store and shop and work outside a lot more than people do today. Childhood obesity is another concern. Kids don't play much anymore. They come home and sit in front of a TV, computer, video game with chips and soda and pack on weight. I think the authors of the "research" missed the boat on important factors leading to obesity but it was interesting to read. Thanks for sharing it.

I colored mine the day before surgery. Go for it!

I've had 2 fills in my Vanguard band. The first was 1.5 cc's and it did nothing. The second was a week ago... 3 cc's for a total of 4.5 cc's and I FINALLY got restriction. You should feel "IT" with another fill but you're loss is wonderful.

In two days I'll hit my 3 month mark. I had a very hard time getting restriction but FINALLY felt it with my second fill just a week ago. My surgeon waits 8 weeks before giving a first fill and then a month for the second one. I have not had any PB's but I have had that goldball feeling since the second fill if I don't chew my food really well. The restriction is helping me cut down on portion sizes but I've been doing fairly well all along by following the diet plan... down 37 pounds. Exercise is hard as I need a knee replacement but I'm walking longer distances and have been much more active in the last few weeks. It seems like the March group is doing very well. Congratulations to you all.

CONGRATULATIONS on a GREAT victory!

I am hoping to be out of the 3's and into the 2's by the end of July. It's nice to have company and support on the journey downwards.