marfar7

I got so sick of hearing skinny people complaining that they couldn't lose that 10-20 lbs they needed to lose. Big f------- deal. I've got over 100 lbs to lose. Let me tell you, the first 104 were easy compared to the last 15! In the past 2 1/2 yrs, I've gone down from 248 to 144 right before getting married in Dec. In the past 4 mths, I've managed to gain about 6 lbs, making me 150. The scales move up and down everyday by a pound or 2.The last 15 lbs (my goal is 135) are so hard to get rid of. I know I need to step up the exercise some to get me off my plateau. Now I know exactly how those people who just need to lose 10-20 lbs feel. They are truly a b---- to get off!!! My goal is to be in a size 5/6 by my birthday (June 23). Guess I need to get back to basics.... Marci

I posted this a few months ago when I got my fill, but I wanted to add something. When I saw my PA, the plunger that injects the saline backed out by itself without any pulling, telling my PA that there was too much pressure because it's maxed out. I have a 14 cc Realize band and only 10cc in it. I feel that I could use another fill but my husband disagrees. He's convinced that my PA knows what he's talking about and that it would hurt me if I were to go to another doctor for a 2nd opinion. So what would you do? Would you pay for a 2nd opinion about the fullness of the band or just white knuckle it forever? Can a fleuro be able to tell if it's full or not? I've never had a fill under fleuro - I don't even know how much it costs. I have a feeling if I go to the MD rather than PA he would give me another fill - but I really don't have a choice of who I see in the office. It's whoever is available. What would you do? Marci

I'm 2 1/2 yrs out. At 6 months I had only lost about 10 lbs cuz I didn't have restriction for the first 5 mths. Then I started losing about 8 lbs a month or so. At 1 yr, I had lost 75. After 2 yrs i had lost 104 lbs. I'm about 15 lbs from my goal of 135. I used to be 248. Wow. I can't believe that was me! Good luck! Marci

One thing my doc didn't warn me about and that was my meds. I used to take about 9 different meds - 4 of those being for blood pressre (which I don't take anymore). I took them all normally after my surgery and for the past 2 1/2 yrs. I've never had any problems with pills but I know people do have problems. Yes, if they're stuck, you will feel it for longer than a few minutes. You'll feel it unil it's either down or up. Marci

It's been 2 1/2 yrs since getting my band and I can eat whatever I want, just in very small quantities. The only thing I can't tolerate is pizza crust. I keep trying it and trying it - my band has yet to accept it. I can eat bread (only 1 small pc), Pasta, rice, meat, and everything else. Cept pizza crust. U might be the same way - I know there are many people that r. Good luck! I wouldn't trade my band for anything - even if it meant I couldn't eat those things again! Marci

I physically CAN'T drink for at least an hour after eating - I'll throw up whatever I just ate. My doc says it's because it pushes the food down your pouch faster - not letting you feel full as long. But I also read in a lapband book that what I have is called the "cork effect". When the food is sitting in my pouch, drinking causes it to back up like a cork. It's quite painful. But I can drink up until the time I eat. Marci

Absolutely norrmal. I asked this same question after I finally got restriction. My husband calls them "your noises" they used to be alot worse than now 2u yrs after getting restriction. Its embarrassing in public. Relax. There's nothing u can do about em. Marci

The first year of fills were covered by my insurance. Now I have to pay $160 per fill. I drive 3 hrs each way to my doc so I checked out how much fills were in my town. $325!!! It's definately worth it to drive! I've only paid for 3 fills in 2 1/2 yrs and I'm now maxed out (at least that's wat my PA told me my last fill!) so I guess I don't have to worry about it anymore! Marci

For the first 4 mths after my surgery, I could eat just as much as I had before. I could eat a large Quiznos sandwich, a bowl of broccoli cheese Soup and still have room left for dessert. I didn't watch what I ate at all. I didn't lose but maybe 5 lbs during the first 4 mths. But I didn't gain either. After my 3rd fill, the band started magically working. Over 2 yrs later, and a couple of extra fills, I'm about 10 lbs from my goal of 135. Now I can eat maybe 5 bites of a sandwich, a cup of broccoli cheese soup, and have no room for anything else! I still eat bread, rice, Pasta, and everything else - just VERY small amts. It's amazing I can survive on the amts of food I eat. But I can and my size 7 jeans show it! So yes, it's very normal to be able to eat lotso pizza until you get proper restriction. When you finally do - be careful. If you attempt to eat like you did, you'll regret it! Good luck! Marci

I would agree with JJ above. Walking now is certainly a plus, but I don't even think I felt up to Zumba for like a month. I've only taken 1 Zumba class and it almost killed me! Talk to your doc. Marci

I've had reflux for months now. I think I might be too tight - even tho I can eat more now than the past 2 yrs. I take rx Nexium and OTC Pepcid. Plus I think I own stock in the Rolaid company. I wake up with gunk on my pillow from stuff that came up at night. It burns, it tastes bad, and it's truly painful. I have a dr's appt this week to see what I can do. I sleep on my back with 2 pillows under my head - it's the only way I can sleep now. The last few nites haven't been too bad - and I really don't want an unfill. Good luck! Marci

Christmas of 2010 - picture this: I'm out of state at my new boyfriends (now my new husband) families house for Christmas. I'm wearing a really cute black skirt that I had to roll the waist on cuz it was too big. I'm standing in the middle of the room with about 6 other people and my legs felt a little cold. My skirt was on the floor! My boyfriend noticed and helped me pull it up - thank God everyone else was in deep conversation and no one else saw it (at least we don't think so!). I had to belt my skirt that day and the minute we got home it went in the goodwill pile. Congrats! You're doing so well! Marci

I waited until my 3rd fill for restriction. About 4 mths after my surgery. I lost maybe 5 lbs during that first 4 mths. Then I got my 4th fill about 6 mths later - magic. I didn't need another one until 15 mths later. I've lost almost all my weight (sans about 10 lbs) and can hardly remember life without restriction. Altho I can eat almost anything I want (pizza crust doesn't do too well), I do eat MUCH less of it Marci

Depends on your insurance. medicare doesn't require it. From the time I even thought about the band and the time I went thru surgery - it was 1 month. Marci

Corrigan, where do u get ur burgers that have 3500to calories? Even the double red robin cheeseburger has 1200. A Carls Jr Famous Star with cheese has about 700. I think that's the average. 8 don't think I would touch the burger that has 3500a calories! Good grief Marci

I had my band placed 2 1/2 yrs ago and I remember the first month like it was yesterday. I could have sworn that I read my post-op instructions as "clear liquid + Protein shakes for the first 4 weeks". So I starved - literally. Until the 3rd wk I had to add some tomato Soup. This whole time I thought I was cheating - but I reread my instructions last month. It says liquids to include yogurt, pudding ,cream soups, etc. I would've felt alot better if I could have had some yogurt! And that whole time I thought I was cheating and was afraid to tell my doc! Everytime I'd go to Alberstons to buy more soup, I'd smell their deli fried chicken and almost have a meltdown in the store. I promised myself when I was able to eat solid food again, that would be my first meal. It wasn't. Good luck and hang in there. I promise, it does get better! Marci

My doc has me eating my last meal at least 2 hrs ahead of my fill. For 24 hrs I'm instructed to drink nothing but clear liquids - then it's a normal diet. Good luck to you! Marci

I also drink coffee daily. My doc said forget about the fancy Dutch Bros treats - and get plain coffee with Splenda and creamer.I saw the nutritonal facts for Dutch Bros - their large frozen coffee thingy has 500 cals! Wow! Thats a meal and a 1/2! So I do still drink my small skinny hot caramelizer with an extra shot about 3x a week and make coffee at home and have about 3 cups a day. It's been 2 1/2 yrs for me and I haven't hurt my band. I also drink thru a straw, eat bread, pasta, and rice - I guess I'm a rebel. One thing I DON'T do is to drink while I eat. I can't. Make me vomit immediately. So I guess the moral of the story is: Drinking coffee is fine but try and keep clear of the calorie dense fancy ones at the coffee house. They'll suck your daily calories down in one cup. Marci

I drink beer occasionally. I went 9 mths without any carbonation at all cuz I was afraid of what would happen. My first diet pepsi was heaven. I have a sip or 2 of my husbands about 2-3 times a week but I would never even dream of finishing one myself. Same with beer. I'm sure it won't hurt me - it's just I can't drink that much anymore. Good luck! Marci

I guess I'm the odd man out. Most of the food commercials on tv make me want whatever it is that they're selling. Espcecially the MnM's. When I had my band 2 1/2 yrs ago, I remember spending the nite in the hospital watching tv. On it was an MM's commercial. I remember telling myself that that would be the first real food I'd have when my liquid diet was over in 4 weeks. It wasn't - but it was one of the firsts! The Olive Garden commericials are among the worst. Marci

I have 10cc in a 14cc band. I went in for my last fill a few months ago and my doc said I was maxed out on my fills. I wouldn't be getting anymore. And I feel I need another. I don't know how I can be maxed out with 10cc. I did see the plunger push itself out with pressure when he stuck it in my port tho. I'm wondering if I went to anothr dr (and invariably pay more) if I could get another fill? Hmmmm. Must do research.... Marci

I wanted a bag of Cadbury eggs just last week and my husband found the single serving size ones at CVS. He bought me one. I was clearly dissapointed (I could've eaten the big bag of em) but when I was done with my single servings (about 150 calories) I was satisfied. If I get a craving for something, I try not to "eat around it" by that I mean if I want chocolate, I'm not gunna eat an apple, then a banana, then some sf pudding - just to eventually eat the chocolate anyway, I'll just get a single serving of chocolate and not feel guilty. I don't do treats everyday - but at least 3x a week. When I'm trying to maintain, I can eat more treats (almost everyday)( but when I"m trying to lose (like now) I try to cut back a little. I chew a crazy amount of gum! Good luck! Marci

My clinic is 3 hrs each way. Usually I get a motel and take my dog to the beach when I'm there - we make a day of it. I only go about twice a yr now anyway. Marci

I had no diet at all before surgery. I was told to eat or drink nothing midnight the nite before. I went to Outback for ribs the night before surgery. Even had a pc of cheesecake. But I had to be on liquids only for 4 weeks afterwards - which is very hard. Good luck! Marci

Medicar required a 6 month time period before surgey? I submitted my paperwork the same day I went to my drs 3appt hr class they approved me in abot 10 days. Then the following week I had my psych eval and my RD appointment (I live 3 hrs away so we did everything in the same day). My surgery was sheduled for the week afterwards. So from the time I submotted my paperwork to Medicare it was approx 3a wks to surgery. I've heard some other things about Medicare that I didn't exerience. You'd think that since its a federal plan it would be the same everywhere they also didn't require me to lose weight in beforehand. My dr didn't even require a pre op diet. I ate normally till midnite before surgery. Have a great wkd!! Marci