rmanns00

I was wondering, since they finally got my fill correct 2 weeks ago. I have been having alot of difficulty with things getting stuck. Is that restriction, or just eating too fast and not chewing longer. I thought restriction was when you feel full alot sooner. Please enlighten me to the difference between the two.

Okay so My surgery is schedulded for June 18th and I want to be prepared. I know that if i have to do something 3 times a day (protein shakes) then I need to be able to do more than just tolerate them. I have tried every possible combination, flavors, different brand..Cold, warm, with fruit, in juices, with llow carb icecream...etc etc..I cant stand them..Has anyone out there found a shake that they could do 3 times a day Thanks

I was banded June 22, lost 20 pounds the first month nothing since. Had a leaking problem for a couple of months now resolved. My problem is I had a fill last wednesday, and I finally feel restriction, It is a whole new way of thinking and adjusting than I have had to do since surgery. But I have thrown up 2 times in the past week, tonight was awful it was a few hours ago I still don't feel that great but I noticed that it was tinged with a little blood. How much damage can you do from vomiting any adivce would be appreciated.

Just my opinion but it is from personal experience. I am glad they check my fill because when I went in for my 2nd fill, they could only get 2cc back out when there should have been 5cc. They put 5cc back in on a wednesday and went for a fluro the next day and there was only 3cc. It took me about 7 wasted weeks to find out that there is no leak and they just said the first 2 must have not been done properly. I guess I am a little nervous when I go in as to exatly how many cc's are actually there. I have a fill this wednesday, there is supposed to be 7 in there but I am not so sure as I can pretty much eat anything.

Thanks for all of the insight. I was really curious because I am eating less but I think it is because it hurts so bad when something does get stuck that I dont want to do that again. I dont think it is from "great restriction" I am getting there though, now I just need to cut back on the carbs and finally realize mentally when im full. Even though I had surgery 3 months ago, My first 2 fills supposedly leaked out, and I thought I was going to have surgery again, but when the doctor filled me and not the NP then the fluid stayed there. THank goodness I dont have to have surgery just frustrated feeling like I have wasted time. BUt now for the past 2 weeks I can tell that there is fluid in my band and my fluro showed no leak. Needless to say she wont be doing my fills in the future.. I cant wait for the day when I feel full earlier....

Well I have been beating myself up for about the past 7 weeks. I lost 20lbs with preop and a few weeks after surgery, then for the next 7 weeks absolutly nothing. I went for my first fill on Aug 5th thinking I might have a little restriction but nothing. I go in for my second fill on Sep 2, and Had not lost or gained a pound, but Found out that my band is leaking. They put in 5cc on Wednesday and by the next day it was already down to 2cc. The plan is to wait another 2 weeks to see if anymore is leaking. I want to scream I am 2.5 months post op and haven't even gotten to restriction. And I will have to have surgery to correct it which means another 6 weeks post op with no restriction. I just want to scream. Sorry for the ranting I am just so annoyed at the whole thing. I will not give up, I am in this for the long haul just hard to stay motivated and eat right and do the right things when my damn band isn't doing its job. Any words of advice would be appreciated..Thanks

I am also having a problem with leaking. I had my first fill on august 5th they put in 5cc. Went on Sep 2 for 2nd fill and they only got 2 out. They put 5cc in on wednesday, and went for fluro on thursday and they could only get 3 out. Of course this is giving me no restriction at all. They did the dye but could not find the leak so it must be a small one. They filled me up with 6cc and schedulded me for a recheck in 2 weeks. I guess if they can't get the 6cc out then back to surgery. The problem is the Doctor told me because they cant isolate exactly where the leak is the whole thing needs to be replaced. I am so depressed about this as I can imagine you are. My insurance did cover the cost of my surgery but not sure they are willing to do it again. Good luck to you I am waiting to find out my status next week

blackcherry2002, Thanks so much for your comments they are so true. I posted that post a few weeks ago, but not much has changed. I did go for my fill on Aug 5th and still have little to no restriction. I have my 2nd fill on Sep 2. I totally get what your saying about the scale and living. I just got back from being on vacation for the past 2 weeks and nowhere I went had a scale. I just didn't pay it much attention ate when I was hungry and tried to make good choices. I came home and to my surprise I lost 4.5 pounds in 11 days. I really appreciate the words of encourgment as i really did need them. I think I am going to put the scale in my husbands care, and focus on doing my part and pray that next fill will give me a little bit of restriction. Thanks so much..

I was hoping I would be trying to lose at this point, but right now I am just trying not to gain. I am 6 weeks post-op tomorrow and have a fill Wed Aug 5th. This Bandster Hell is alot tougher than I thought it would be, I can pretty much eat anything I want and restraint is difficult. I am trying to hold on to my 20lb weight loss thus far. To all bandsters out there who are in this zone hang in there. I hear it gets better. And I appreciate all the support I have found on this forum. The words of wisdom from all those who have gone through the Bandster Hell has been so encourageing. Thanks.

OKAY, I am about 2 months post op. I have lost about 21 pounds but most of that was from preop and first week after surgery. I had my first fill on August 5th and have only lost 2 pounds since then. I don't have any restriction at all. I lost the 2 lbs from pure will power. I am so sad that I took this drastic step and i have had little weight loss in the past 6 weeks. I didnt tell alot of people but when I run into people that I told I know they are looking at me thinking "she had weight loss surgery and she looks the same". I have read alot on here that sometimes it takes several fills to feel restriciton. I really hope I can get there with future fills. Any advice would be appreciated, because it is slow I am losing my motivation to do my part please help. Thanks

I so needed to see this post, because I have been very discouraged since my surgery. I have lost 21 pounds with preop and 1 week post op. In the last 6 weeks I have only lost 2 pounds. I have 1 fill and schedulde to get the next one on Sep 2. I have no restriction at all and cant wait to get there. Thanks for the post..I will keep going and hopefully get there with more restriction.

Thanks Melinda for responding so quickley. I have had 1 fill, for some reason my doctor only gives fills every 4 weeks, but of course when i left to schedule the next one he didn't have anything available until 5 weeks which i Sep, 2. I would love to keep in touch with you so we can tackle this journey together. I too am on facebook Teena Manns, but alot of family is on there who dont know that I have the band so we can keep in touch via private posts. I will add you to my face book. Once again thanks so much Keep me posted on how you are doing.

I really hope I am in true bandster hell as everyone has described, because I would hate to think that I am failing so early on. I lost 10 pounds preop liquid and 10 pounds post-op. I am schedulded for a fill on Aug 5th, and hoping for even a little bit of restriction. I am struggling every day with food and hunger. I have never been depressed in my life even with the weight issues. But the past few weeks I have been really down, which leads to making poor food choices. I know this is a time for healing not losing. I really hope that restriction will make a difference because right now it is hard to have done something as drastic as this, yet still struggling just as before. I have started to increase exercise to see if that helps. Really need some advice, or maybe just a kick in the rear.

Hello all, Has anyone out there felt any restriction with just one fill. I have heard so much about having to get 3-4 fills to have restriction. Was just wondering if anyone was able to get it with one. I know everyone is different. My first fill is next week and I can not wait for even the slightest restriciton as these past six weeks have been tough.

I think that you have to do what is right and what feels okay with you. I have only told about 5 people(close relatives ie husband sister, friend) It is not that I am ashamed of having the surgery to lose weight because I am 43, my blood pressure is borderline and I am pre diabetic, so this was a health concern for me. Besides I did not want people constantly asking me how much weight have you lost, why haven't you lost more etc. I am so early in my journey that noone really needs to know. However if I lose another 40-50 pounds, and people ask how did you do it, I will be proud to tell them I had LapBAnd. I think as you lose weight and gain more self esteem and confidence that you might feel differntly about what to say. So I say take it one day at a time. Honesty is always the best answer. But I am choosing to wait until people start asking or noticing I am losing. Good luck to you.

I can so relate. I am 3 weeks out the first 2 weeks went good but this third week has been awful anything and everything goes down. I don't really think I am that hungry as much as it is head hunger. And my choices went from bad to worse when it comes to the food. I am sitting here really disgusted with myself, but I know that this is suppose to be the rough times when you have no restriction and but your hunger comes back once your healed. What I have been doing this week since I am eating more than I should, I really have been hitting the exercise hoping that will keep me from gaining. Good luck to you it is tough but I know it will pay off.

It is so encouraging to hear that this stage is normal. I am 3 weeks postop and want to eat mostly all day. I am just trying to keep busy. I really need to make better food choices. I have not gained anyweight back yet. And If I can just maintain until my fill Aug 5 I will be too happy. For all the females maybe you can relate, that around that time boy is it even harder. Dealing with head hunger and hormones. Keep strong, Is what I tell myself daily.

Really struggling over here. My weight loss has stopped: none in a week since surgery on 6/22. I know this is a time or healing, but I have never had any of the symptoms that everyone has talked about. Never had shoulder pain, or nasuea or vomiting. No tightness or full feeling. My appetite is back with a vengence, I dont even hardly eat meals anymore I just eat little bits all day, which I never did before. My food choices arent' awful but could be healthier. I feel like I am just wondering around not sure what I am really supposed to be doing. My first fill is on August 5th, and not sure what to expect. Two days after surgery I felt as normal as I did before. Beginning to wonder if they forgot to put the band in.

I have a question for all the experts out there. I am 3 weeks post-op LB. I did great on preop liquid diet. Did as I was told 2 weeks after was on clear liquids then mushie foods. However on day 14 post op doctor said to eat regular foods. I have no restriction currently as my first fill is schedulded for Aug 5. Can you stretch the band even though you dont have a fill. It seems as if everything goes down easy no pain or nasuea or anything. My appetite is a little smaller than before and I hope the fill will make that even greater. I am concerned that eating regulary can stretch the band. I am eating more than a cup per meal, trying to chew slowly but since I have never had any pain and little to no restriction it is as if nothing is there. Any input would be appreciated starting to feel a little as if This wont work for me.

Well today was interesting for me. I had my 2 week incision check up from surgery. Went to the doctor saw another Doctor I have never met, that makes 3 different doctors in 4 visits. I was okay with that and the visit went well. We talked about the incisions which look great and talked about my first fill on Aug 5th. I never brought up the word weight and neither did the doctor. ALmost as an after thought as I am walking out, he says oh by the way "You know that only some people lose weight with the band;" I was so stunned, why would he say that, we werent't even talking about weight loss as I am only 15 days post surgery. Even though I have lost 20 pounds so far. It really surprised me because before the surgery it is oh you will do so well with this. We have had so many successful patients this will really help you. etc etc. Of couse now that I have had the surgery and they got paid the 23,800 dollars it is oh only some people are successful. I have been so bothered all day about this. I have only 15 days in on this journey and being told only some lose weight. Give me a break and 6 more months is what I wanted to say.

You are not alone with the drinking fluids. I have to be really conscious of not drinking 30 min before i eat. My husband suggested a timer so as soon as I finish eating I set the timer and just keep busy until it goes off then i usually drink my liquids for the next few hours or so. I am only 7 days post op and still taking smaller sips as bigger gulps seems to make me belch. I know that because it is hotter and the summer after being outside I want to just come in and gulp. I think the trick is to keep hydrated so all you really want to do is sip. Good luck to you.

I have 2 days left on my preop diet and I am now down 10 pounds. It really hasnt been too bad. I Feel really good about the fact that I actually stuck to the diet. It is nice to fianlly have a little bit of self control before banding on monday. That is a great feeling. The first 4 days are the hardest but after that it just becomes routine.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU...

I am currently on day 8 of my liquid diet. It really hasnt been to bad for me. The first 4 days were the worst but now it is just a routine. Protein Shake yogart for breakfast, Broth for lunch and raw carotts, Soup for dinner with a protein shake and a Sugar Free Pudding at night. Before my preop liquid phase I tried to do the diet for one day and failed miserably. I thought to myself I will never be able to do this, and I really stressed myself out. The day my liquid diet started I just said this i what I have to do. It really hasnt been to bad. Good lUck to you.

Oh by the way it only comes out to about 130 calories because i dont use milk and the Unjury is 100 per scoop and the sugar free international stuff is about 30 calories. It has 20 gms of protein

The shakes can be a real challenge..I had the same problem when i tried several brands. My nutritionist suggested this now i love them. I guess you can use any brand Powder. I use Unjury, But i put 1 scoop of unjury powder, 2 tablespoons of swiss mocha international(sugar free) and 3 drops of peppermint extract. I mix with 3/4 cups of water and 3-4 ice cubes and blend it. I usally make 2 the night before because they are so much better cold. BUt it tastes really good almost like a coffe latte. I am not a coffee drinker but it has a hint of that plus mint. The swiss mocha international mix is where the coffee is if you arent familiar with it. GOOD luck