TSB

Haven't been on the site in a long while. Still maintaining @ a loss of 60/65 lbs a year and a half out. Would like to lose another 15 to 20, but am quite content where I am at. No problems whatsoever w/ a band that is about half full. Actually bought a pair of size 8 misses jeans a couple of weeks ago. Still have to take a 10 in petites, though.

I stuck with my post-op diet. I don't remember now is I was on full liquids for a week or two weeks. But for me, for the first few weeks post-op I really did not have much of an appetite at all. Immediately post-op is not the time to push it. Your body is healing and the post-op diets we are prescribed are aimed at giving your body time to recover.

The only time I have struggled with emotions was for the two weeks immediately post-op. I was uncharcteristically emotional ( crying over little things that would not normally phase me). I was losing weight rapidly in those two weeks, plus my body was recuperating from surgery and anesthesia. One of the PA's told me something about hormones in fat cells and that when you are losing weight rapidly these hormones get released. Dont' remember the exact details of how it was explained to me. But no emotional issue since that time. I think having a realistic perspective about post-band weight loss helps not to get bogged down or too obsessive about slower weight loss and/or plateaus. I try to focus on NSV(s) and the fact that this is going to be a long-term process when things aren't moving as quickly as I would like. Best of luck to you!

My surgeon's policy is no fill until 8 weeks post-op. It can seem frustrating when you read about people getting fills much sooner. Personally, I am glad that my surgeon takes a more conservative approach to fills as I believe this prevents complications over the long term. Good luck!

If you can't get liquid down you need to go back to your doc immediately.

I saw my surgeon at my initial consult, at my last pre-op appt, the day after my surgery in the hospital, at my 2 week post op appt and then not again until my 6 month post-op. I imagine I will see him at my 1 year post op as well. Any other visits to the office, for fills/unfills and any problems, I usually see one of the 3 physician assistants in his office. Typically I get to see the same PA each time, which is nice because it provides an opportunity build rapport.

Great post, Cingulus. Congrats on your terrific progress!

My PCP made a referral in Jan. 2009. I had my consult with my surgeon in March 2009. Completed all of my pre-op requirements for both the surgeon and the ins. co. by late June 2009. Approved by surgeon and ins. co. in July 2009. Had surgery Aug. 11, 2009. My surgery was inpatient -- spent one night in the hospital. My surgeon will not do the procedure on an outpatient basis. Quite frankly, I could not have imagined going home the same day as my surgery.

Men do better with any kind of weight loss, as they typically have more muscle mass which results in a higher metabolism than women. Higher metabolism=burning more calories. burning more calories=more weight loss :sad:

The band is not magic and you do have to work. From my experience. though, you don't have to work nearly as hard to lose and maintain with the band as opposed to without the band. Finding your sweet spot can be frustrating, but once you get there you will be glad. I have restriction and I do not feel sick all of the time. If eat too fast, too much or don't chew my food enough I do feel uncomfortable. For me that little bit of discomfort helps with the whole behavior modification part of weight loss. When I eat Pasta or bread I feel crappy. So then I must decide if eating these foods is worth the discomfort. For me it is not, so I avoid them. My weight loss has not been as dramatic as some, but slow and steady. It took me about 5 months to really feel like I had "good" restriction. At 6 months I had another fill and I do believe I am now at my sweet spot. After pretty much just maintaining for several weeks, I have lost 3 lbs in this week since my fill. The key, I think, is to be patient with yourself and your band :sad::wink2:

I am still taking my Lipitor, which I have been on for a little over a year. I need to get an appointment w/ my primary to decide whether it would be appropriate to stop the Lipitor at this point. I am sorry to hear you had some issues with your port. Congrats on the weight loss and loving your Band!

The PA I see most often at my sugeon's office has explained to me that as one loses weight the "tightness" of the band can change. The sweet spot is not a stationary thing. That being said, I think it varies from person to person as to how tight is too tight and how tight is just right. For me, I am at 6 cc in a 10 cc band (had a fill of 0.5cc a week ago today) and there is no way in heck I could consume a whole cup of food at one sitting right now. If I were you I'd call and discuss with your surgeon/pa/nurse how much you can eat and how long you feel full after eating. These are the questions they always ask me when we are trying to decide on whether a fill is appropriate. Good luck!

LOL-----but ice cream goes down SO easy! I have noticed since my last fill, though, that a much smaller amount of icecream (sugar free of course ) makes me feel full.