54Shirley

It's good under Fluoro., It takes the guess work out. My surgeon put to much in, and I couldn't even swallow saliva. Water came right back up. So he deflated me because he thought he blew the band. This Halloween I will be banded for 6 years, and I am finally getting the chance to start over again. As far as I am concerned,,, Fluorscopy is the only way to go.

The fill line is just that. Where you should be with the band. You can have say 5 cc's put in, and your fill line is at 7 cc's. You don't want to go over that.. That's why there is a fill line. That's where you want to be, and that's where the fills stop. In time like me, when I lost weight, and the stomach shrunk, I had just a tad put in to take away the Hunger. That was Yesterday. So now I will stay on fluids for 3 days, mushies for a day, and then try food. Hopefully it will be O.K., If not I will stay on mushies a little longer, until the Band relaxes. It's complicated until you learn all these things. I'm still learning... Everyday is a different day with the band, but you need to work it the right way. Some people like to stay with a light fill, so they can eat anything in sight. (WHY GET BANDED THEN !) I like it a little tighter, because it helps kill the hunger beast (that's what I call it) You eat lighter, less calories, Protein helps deaden hunger and we need it, Vitamins that contain CHOLINE. I use Flintstones Complete with Choline, I get my exercise 3 x a week, and record everything on myfitnesspal.com . Let me know if I can help ? Or you need more info. I'm NO Dr. ! Just been there before, and working to my Goal. Shirley. The Band wont stretch,,, It will only get tighter. Your fill line is not 10 cc's, that's where the scope, and professional can look at it and see where it is.

I was banded on 10/31/06 So it will be my 6 year Bandaversary..... It's a Great Time to be Banded. I had excellent care. Shirley.

A lot of places have a Fluoroscope to check your band, and do fills with. Were talking about a X-RAY Machine that was made to show up your Organs. Well,,, it just so happened that it shows the whole band, and your Dr. will see it, and so will you on a screen. They look for your fill line. Similar to something that holds fluids on a car (best I can think of to break it down) Anyway yes your Band has a fill line, and you can go in, have this X-RAY done, and they fill you to your fill line. That's it, and your done. No more Hunger, No Guessing on fills. It's done right, and you just go on and work the band the way it should be done. Like 1200 calories a day, 60-80G of Protein a day. myfitnesspal.com will take the guess work out of it., and keeps everything in memory. It's free, I use it everyday, and work at losing weight. Or you can feel like you are starving, and go on doing what your Dr. says (a fill every 6 weeks or something) He makes the money, and you still go hungry, while he keeps doing adjustments/ or 1 fill straight to the fill line. The Hunger Hormone will be under control. I did it the usual way the first time, then he over filled me, and thought he blew the band...... After that, he didn't want to even see me. So when I got Insurance this year, I found a DR. that would see me, and that's how I was filled. They use to say years ago that Fluoroscope was the only way to go.... I now know what they mean. Hope that helps. But is available, and it does work. Good Luck, Shirley.

I know what your going threw, but !!! until you get a nice tight fill, you are going to feel HUNGRY. You know this.. So it'e up to you to do something about it, or ! deal with it until you get enough restriction that deadens the Hunger Hormone. I went in the Hospital, and this time I had them take me to my fill level, under Fluoroscope. That was it, done. I went in yesterday for a slight Tweak because of weight loss. (I NEEDED IT) Otherwise your done. I went the round about way the first time, and it's a pain. So this time I did it the right way. No more money maker for the Dr., this time it was about me. SO you have a choice, talk to your Surgeon, and see if he will do this for you. If not ! Your stuck in a money maker, and you will have to adjust. Go to myfitnesspal.com and keep track of your calories, and exercise.. This should help too. Good Luck, Shirley.

Any time I eat chicken or meat, I make sure I have a sauce to drag it threw. Like BBQ, then by doing that it helps from getting stuck. It's not a sure thing, but it works for me, and I stick to Dark Meat, it's more moist. Glad to hear your O.K.... Welcome to BandLand. Shirley.

I see a Endocrinologist for my Hypo Thyroid. He has me on Armour Thyroid. It is a Natural Medication made from the Thyroid of a animal. I was skeptic at first. But the other Meds did not work on me. So I thought, what have you got to lose? Anyway it is GREAT Stuff ! I feel wonderful ! I'm awake ! and the Vitamins with choline in it helps allot, then add in the Protein shake, and I am ready to Rock n Roll all day long :party:

I agree with both of them. I'm firm on 3 meals a day. But if the Hunger Beast starts kicking in, and I know I need a fill. I will set up my appointment, but it usually takes a couple weeks to get in. So,,, I keep Power Bars, Protein shakes, Yogurt, cottage cheese, S.F. pudding, Low Cal String Cheese in the house. If I get Hungry, I lean towards the protein ALWAYS ! Once filled.... I do not munch at all. You are at work, and are not filled correct ? I would throw the Garbage in the Garbage Can. Feed the Habit into the can. Stock up on Protein Bars, (LOOK FOR LOW CAL) and Fresh Fruit. Once you are filled, and not hungry, work at 3 meals a day. It's a good habit to get into... Shirley.

This Halloween will be six years Banded, and I don't see any scars, just the big one is slightly visible. I can't tell you how many years it's been this way, but I know at least a couple of years.... :tea:

Sorry! wrong person.

We were taught that at Henry Ford Hospital. You do about a shot glass full, and it is Drano for the Band.

I sent you a Message. Shirley.

I'm gathering that you are clear now ? Liquid pain med from your surgeon (IF YOU HAVE ANY) or Liquid Tylenol.

You have to keep drinking say warm Water, it will clear eventually. Up or Down. Whatever ? Could be 2 or 3 Glasses. You will be swollen and sore. Don't try to take a pill though. Once you clear ! Take it easy, and relax, or go to sleep until tomorrow. Then sip on a thinned out shake.

Your not suppose to join : THE STARVATION NATION.... I try to stick to 800-1200 calories a day, with 60-80G. of Protein a day I lose between 1 1/2-2 lbs a week. If you starve yourself your body will lose weight in the beginning, but will start to slow down, then when you eat more then 800 calories, your Body will start to GAIN weight. That's because your Metabolism will be all messed up. It's not worth doing. Slow and Easy wins the race....

Ask your Surgeon on that ! Just be careful ! You don't need HERNIA REPAIR. It would be a very long time before you could pick that Baby up........ I know from my own experience. So find someone to help, or higher someone for a while. I'm sure they would appreciate a job.

I drink with my meals all the time... Just make sure it's warm, or lukewarm, and take your time. You are swollen, and this will last for a few days so stick to fluids. Drink over a sink s l o w l e y ! And be prepared, it might come up. Otherwise, you will feel it go threw, and hit your stomach. Good Luck! Shirley...

Good Luck to all you LOSERS ! LOL ! I love that thought of being a LOSER. I went today and had a slight fill, just to take the edge of the HUNGER BEAST. It worked, I will be swollen for a few days, so liquids, then mushies, and then try food. See you all on the other side of the TRACKS. Shirley.

Yep ! All the time... Try MUSCLE MILK LIGHT IN POWDER FORM. Its Lactose Free, and a Soy Product. I habe a site on line that I buy from, with a lot of flavors AllStarHealth.com Most are under $19.00 and $5.95 to ship. It's well worth it ! I been drinking it for 7 years now, so I like a variety, and I get it through them. 195 calories, 25 G Protein. 2 scoops per 8 oz. shake. I buy the chocolate milk instead of chocolate. It tastes like Chocolate Milk, and their Chocolate is not as good as the Chocolate Milk. So I use the Chocolate Milk for both reasons: Chocolate Milk Shake, Chocolate to do what I want with. Contact me, and I will tell you what is really good in their shakes. Also check out Ivydeals on ebay for cheap prices on stuff. That's another connection. Shirley.

I am a slow looser do to a Hypothyroid. A lot of times this goes undetected, but you can ask your Dr. to check it. It's only a Blood Test. So with Medication, 800-1200 calories a day, 60-80 G of Protein a day, Exercise in a Gym 3 x a week, and I belong to myfitnesspal.com which is a Tool to help work this tool. I lose about 1 1/2 lbs a week. 1 to 2lbs. is normal, so it's right in there, as far as my surgeon is considered. Sometimes I would like to see a little more. But ! It's a loss,,, and as long as it comes of from somewhere,,,, I'll take it I go in for a Tweaking of a fill for this small 4cc band. So I expect to be on fluids for a few days, then back to a tighter band, so I have to watch myself with eating, and quantity. So I am trying, and loosing slowley. But Dedication, and Consistency is the key ! Be Patient ! It will come of in time once your Banded. In my opinion, This Band Works... :party:

I had mine on the 31st, 6 years ago. They treated me like GOLD !

I am a October Bandster also. October 31st. I will Celebrate my 6 year Bandaversary. I still love the fact that I am still Banded, and will be for life. Also: I love making the right decisions to work this Band. You learn to do that, and you will have 9/10s of the battle won. This is my second time around do to bad aftercare. So I will include info from both surgeons Dr. Geffrey Genaw 10/05 starting weight 356 10/31/2006 surgery weight 222 deflated weight 201 Dr. Kurt Kralovich 01/01/11 weight 328 03/03/11 Band filled to Fill Line current weight in October 241 And I'm not stopping here or again. I will go as far, and as long as I can. Shirley/ October Bandster for Life.. :party: :party:

It's still a healing stage. So,,, anything is possible. I liked mashed potatoes with gravy. I would do 1/2 cup pot., and 1/4 cup Gravy. Go to myfitnesspal.com its free. It will record your calorie intake, and Protein. You can also see what your burning up in calories for walking, housekeeping, or working out. This is a tool, to help you work your tool. Give it a chance, and look into it. Shirley.

Ask your surgeon for a good fill to last you...

Yep You bet ! If your content, not hungry, and losing weight. Why get a fill. Down the road,,, if,,,, you should start to feel the need. You'll know it.. For now,,, enjoy !