juliegeraci

Valerie, I second that. It took me forever to reach the right fill level. It feels like it was well over 6 months of getting fills. If I were to do it all over again, I would want my doctor to be more agressive. I hear people say it only takes them 2 under fluro.

No, I can typically PB pretty quickly. If it doesn't come up I swallow some water and that typically pushes it down or brings it back up. Good luck.

I'm confused. Do you have to lose a % of your body fat before being banded? Why do you have to go to this guy?

Sonia, welcome to bandland. Congrats on your surgery. Make sure you drink a lot of protein shakes.

That is fantastic. Recently I just hit the 220s as well. Its such a great feeling! Keep up the good work.

Sounds wonderful. I pay $59 a month as well and its $20 a month to add a member. That is a really good deal for all the amenities.

That is what I experience as well. Sometimes I do get the hiccups which is a sign of fullness as well. Just take it slow and chew chew chew.

Hi Paula, last fill my doctor tried to take me to 3.2 in my 4.2 band and whooo it was too much. I am happy at 3 ccs. Perfect restriction and never hungry. Just make sure you get to a safe level where you aren't pbing all the time. You should be okay.

Make sure your bites are no bigger then the size of a pencil eraser. If you chew well and still are getting stuck I would have a slight unfill.

I had my first fill at 6 weeks. That is when my doctor does them.

My doctor has you lie down to do the actual fill. Then he has you sit up to sip water to make sure you aren't too tight.

I would call your surgeon and have him give you a prescription. If that doesn't fix it you may need a slight unfill. Reflux is very common if you are too tight. Good luck.

I love being banded. I am down 52 lbs this year without dieting. It is the best thing I have every done. I finally have the right restriction so the weight has started to come off again. Just remember that the lapband is a tool. You still have to put the work into it. My first year I didn't exercise very much so my weight loss wasn't as good as it could have been. In any case, I love my band. You will love yours too. Good luck.

I definitely drink and I'm sure that is why I only lost 52 lbs in a year. I am trying to stick to alcohol only on the weekends but it is hard. Either way I am still losing, just slowly.

Good for you. Fills are very easy. Congrats on your weight loss to date. Keep up the good work.

I can eat anything, just not much of it. I can eat 1/4 of a sandwich and no more. I always start my day with a protein shake so that helps. I can typically eat about 1 oz of meat at a time. Nothing more. Good luck.

Make sure you have good snacks in the house. Make sure you eat your solid protein during the day that will keep you fullest longest. I would take up a hobby if you watch TV. Maybe knitting or playing Saduko game puzzles. That seems to work for me. I don't snack at all.

Thanks, I'll let me friend know.

Deanna, I weight train 2 days a week and I love it. Thanks for the tip on biking.

I am really happy with my food plan. I always start my day with a protein shake. That gives me 30 grams of protein from the start. I then move onto solid protein or soft protein depending on if I eat tuna. I can usally get down 1/4 of a sandwich and 1/2 if I wait 30 minutes. I am fine with that. I then eat only solid protein in the evenings. I am starting to lose over 3 lbs a week now.

A fill only takes a few minutes. It depends on if your surgeon is running on time or not. I would give yourself 30-60 minutes for a fill. Mine usually only takes 15 if he is running on time. Good luck.

Hammer, sorry nobody answered your post. It sounds like you have really good restriction with your first fill. If you find that you are eating more than 1/2 to 1 cup of food AND not losing it is time for another fill. It took me 5 fills to feel good restriction. That and 8 montys later, ugh. Good luck.

Can your doctors office and ask for another fill. It took me 5 fills to finally get restriction. That being said, it really stalled my weight loss. I finally started to lose after several months. If you don't want that to happen with you then go back in for fills. My doctor makes you wait 2 weeks in between. Some of mine were stretched out more than 2 week, more like 4 weeks. I was only losing 1 lb a week average. I am now losing 2 lbs a week at 3 ccs. Good luck.

Yes, the doctor can miss. That being said, my doctor has never missed. He always takes out what he puts in. As far as how many fills? I had 5 before I had good restriction. I had to get up to 2.8 to feel it. I am now at 3 and super happy. I eat like a bird and I do PB a little. That is the price you pay for good restriction. Good luck. Don't be shy getting fills. They work.

I think it depends on the surgeon. Mine does a great fill just on its own. I haven't had any problems at all. The only thing that hurts with a fill is if they use a anastetic to numb the area where the needle goes in. It stings a bit. Other than that it is painless. Good luck.