marfar7

Please help! I was banded Oct 1, 2009 - over 7 mths ago. I've only lost 30 lbs - and I am hungry all the time. I don't get full at meals. But, I still find myself vomiting about 2x a week from getting stuck. So I know my band is tight. Can my band be tight and me be able to eat almost anything I want, as much as I want? I thought I would feel full after a few bites, but it doesn't work. I've had 4 fills so far, my next ones due June 10th. I started going to the gym about 6 weeks ago and even have a personal trainer. I'm losing inches (they weigh/measure me every 2 wks) and I lost 4 lbs over the past 2 weeks , but that's all due to good old fashioned willpower. I thought the band would help with my willpower, make it easier to push the plate away. I was hoping to lose my 100 lbs in 1 yr - doesn't look like that's gunna happen. There's some people on here that have lost 80 lbs since Oct - and I'm at 30.I know, I know people lost at different rates - but 30 lbs and 7 1/2 mths is pathetic. And I just keep gaining/losing the same 4 lbs. Help please!

I'm so jealous - I was banded on Oct 1 and have lost only 28 lbs so far. I'm way behind. I thought I would lose the extra 100 lbs in a yr - yeah right! It's coming off slowly,. but it's definately not coming back. Congrats on your accomplishment - that's AWESOME!! Blessings! Marci

I was starving after about 4 days on the clear liquid diet. I cheated and added tomato Soup to my diet on day 5. I wish I could do a do-over, I'd follw the rules a little more closely! You're lucky to have no appetire - enjoy! Blessings! Marci

I woke up this morning, after vomiting alot last nite, to a pain in my upper stomach. It wasn't an upset stomach, it felt like there was something wrong in there. I was lying in bed, imagining what I'd have to go thru if my band slipped. I know no one where I live (I'm new to this area) and my docs office is 3 hrs away. My brother in law came up from Sacramento to take me to my surgery and stayed for a week afterwards. They won't let me drive home if I have to have surgery again. It's not hurting now, it lasted about 6 hrs. I had steak for dinner tonite - a usual "stuck" food, while I was in a little pain, I didn't get stuck on it tonite. How do you know if you've slipped your band and is it dangerous? Marci

I have been craving pancakes for a couple of months now. After church today, I went out for Breakfast and ordered some. I ate about 4 bites, was in extreme pain and had to go to the ladies room to vomit. I'm really good about eating in public, I always eat slowly so I don't have to get sick. But today was a must. A lady in the restroom asked if I was sick - of course I said "I think so", I didn't want to go into the long sordid story about WHY I wasn't sposed to be eating pancakes in the first place! Lesson learned. But those 4 bites were awfully good! Blessings! Marci

4 fills for a total of 9.5 cc in a 14cc band. Hope that helps! I had no restriction until the 3rd fill, then I lost 20lbs in 9 weeks. I went in for a .5 cc fill last Monday (as I thought it was loosening up, I was eating too much) and it doesn't feel any different. But my doc only does them 6weekks apart - so I have to wait another 5 weeks to get another. Blessings! Marci

Hi! The first 4 months, I lost a total of 7 lbs - really. I just wasn't restricted at all - until my 3rd restriction. Over the past 2 mths, I've lost 20 lbs - much better. I still can eat my weight in slider foods (mashed potatoes, Soup, stuffin, baked potatoes) but not much "real" food - w2hich is what my doc wants me to eat. I find that I do have to have Snacks throughout the day (3 meals a day is what my doc recommends) cuz I find myself getting hungry after about 3 hrs. You'll get there, I promise. I know that 2 months seems like an eternity, but it's really not in the scheme of your life. I had hopes of losing the 100 lbs I have to lose in the 1st yr - well, that's not gunna happen! I've only lost 27 lbs in 6 mths! I just started working out at the gym 2 weeks ago, so I'm hoping that will help. It could take a couple more fills to get you to the right restriction. It took me 9cc in a 14 cc band to feel anything at all. Now If I eat the wrong things (bread in particular, and I keep doing it!) or too much, I vomit. Good luck to you. You'll do it - not all of us on here have lost 60 lbs in 6 mths! Blessings! Marci

I don't wait around for very long once I'm stuck - I usually end up sticking my finger down my throat and bringing it up. 9 weeks ago, after my 3rd fill, I was doing this everyday but now I'm down to about once a week. If you caan get it down without having to throw up, by all means, do it. I just don't have the patience to wait it out I guess. Blessings! Marci

Before my 3rd fill about 8 weeks ago, I had only lost 10 lbs since Oct 1. Since my 3rd fill, I've lost 13 lbs. I was definately getting restriction and vomiting a bit.But the last couple of weeks, I don't feel that uncomfortable full feeling at all anymore. When I went in for my 4th fill, about 2 weeks ago, he would't give me one because #1: I'm vomiting too much. He's afraid if he puts more in, I won't be able totolerate anything ad #2. I already have 9cc in a 14 cc band and if he puts more in, there won't be any room for chage once the fat around my stomach comes off and my band becomes too loose. I agree with him then, but now I'm back (almost) to where I was before that "sweet spot" hit. I'm not feeling full, not getting stuck as much and not losing well. I emailed my nurse and asked her if I can have another fill, still awaiting her reply. My ?: If I already have 9cc in a 14cc band, and I have to keep gettin more and more fills, I'm afraid that it'll be filled as far as they can go and there won't be any room left. So when I finally do lose the fat around my stomach, there won't be ay room left to tighten it. Any ideas? Marci

Thanks everyone. I got an email back from my docs nurse and she told me it sounded like I needed a fill and to call for a sooner appt. Probably next Wed. And I really thought I had hit my "sweet spot" finally - after 3 fills. Maybe 4 is the lucky one? Thanks again for your input! Marci

I went thru these same questions just last week! I decided to join an all-womens gym (today) and I start my orientation hour with a trainer on Thurs. I haven't been working out at all. And I felt the same way about people judging me - especially men. So curves is a great idea or the womens only gym. Or heck, if it's free, I wouldn't care who looked at me at the base gym (I miss that perk - I used to be in the Army) Good luck and congrats on the decision to do it now instead of waiting almost 6 mths like I did before staerting to exercise. Best wishes! Marci

I was banded on Oct 1, 2009 and I've only lost 23 lbs (granted the last 13 was in the past 7 weeks, when I finally got a good adjustment, so now I think I'm on my way) and I 've not started exercising. I'm sure that's a reason I've only lost 23 lbs. Why, you ask? I HATE it. I know, I know - it HAS to be done, so suck it up and do it. I just went out and bought some workout clothes and I'm joining the gym tommorrow - so if I'm paying for it, maybe it'll motivate me some. What do you all do for exercise and how often a week and for how many minutes? I plan on spending about an hr at the gym (between cardio and wts) 4-5 days a week. Should I try more or get warmed up a bit? Thank God this last adjustment 7 weeks ago actually worked - I was really beginning to lose hope. There's people here with their surgeries the same day as mine who have lost 60+ lbs. I'll catch up - I'm just going a little slower.

Going to Israel - always wanted to go there and my husband wanted his ashes scattered on the Jordan River - so I will do that too.Hopefully it'll be next yr Marci

I drove 3 hrs to the doc today to get my 4th fill - but because I'm throwing up alot, he refused to give me one. Says I have 9cc in a 14 cc band already and he's afraid if he puts more in this soon, I won't be able to toterate anything. I guess it's ok. Anyone else have their doc refuse to do a fill? He asked me "are you gunna hate me forever?" Not even, I love him! I've lost 11 lbs the past 6 weeks, so I'm doing well. Much better than my first 2 fills. Do you all still drink Protein Drinks or are you getting all of your Protein from food? I'm not gettin enuf, so I'm just wondering! Marci

I went thru catalogs and cut around those outfits on the models and taped them up on a cardboard square. I just put it on my frig for an extra boost of self confidence that I WILL make goal and I WILL shop for these outfits once I do!. Maybe someone else has other ideas of how to keep yourself moving forward? I'd love to hear it! Marci

I carry most of my weight in the middle part of me, and I have no butt. And of course, my butt and legs have started losing it first- where I don't need it the most. The hardest for me to lose is my stomach and back and face. Just thought I'd ask ya'll where's your easiest place to lose and the hardest place also? Marci

I'm wondering the same thing = if I've stretched out my pouch. I'd be happy to hear those band vets out there with some answers....... Marci

I'm curious - does anyone have restriction with everything or just some things? I seems to have restriction when it comes to eggs, meat, chicken, cheese, bread, etc- but if I really wanted to, I could eat my weight in mashed potatoes, broccoli/cheese Soup, tamale pie - easy stuff to get down without any pain. It's so much easier to get stuff down that doesn't hurt or make me feel uncomfortable. Do you get full from these slider foods? Can someone give me some ideas of real food to eat, that will fill me up but that won't cause me to uncomfortable? I appreciate that recipe pdf that someone shared, the all-crock-pot recipes. I cook for just me, so at times, I just heat up a lean cuisine and call it dinner. I know I need to eat more real foods, but when you don't like cooking for 1, it sucks. 2 weeks ago, I finally got restriction after my 3rd fill - almost too much restricition, almost went in for an unfill after I vomited everyday for a week. But now I'm no longer vomiting and I am feeling uncomfortably full when I eat meat, eggs, cheese, etc - but still famished when I eat slider foods. Can I stretch my pouch out by eating too much of the sliders? I'm so scared that I'm stretching my pouch by eating too many of the things that don't make me uncomfortable. Does this make sense anyone? I'm so behind in weight loss - I was banded Oct 1 and until 2 weeks ago, I had only lost 9 lbs :thumbup: - an additional 9 :thumbup:came off this past 2 weeks.I still have 82 lbs to go....... Marci

I'm having a hard time with this rule also. It's second nature to take a drink of Water after almost every bite of food. But I do undersstand the rational of wanting to keep the food in the pouch for a little while before washing it away. I'm still trying! Not at 100% yet, but soon...... Marci

Congrats on your success! It's posts like these that keep me coming back here and getting out of bed each day. 115 lbs in 8 months is incredible -INCREDIBLE! I've only lost 18 lbs in 4 months (but now that I actually have restriction, I should go up). Just wanted to tell you how well your doing. Do you have photos? I'd love it if you'd post them! Marci

If you're going to the Oscars and have to fit into the size 0 dress tonite, it might come in handy, but as soon as you drink some Water, the dress will come apart!! It's also a great way to get dehydrated too quickly. The only sweat that burns fat is the sweat you get from working out - the other sweat is just your bodys own moistyure that it needs. Marci

Quiznos has a great broccoli/cheese soup for about 140 cals for a cup of it - and it's very good. And I find that the bean burritos from Taco Bell are very filling.And if you aski for it fresco, they'll put pico de gallo in it and give you a little veggie boost too. Marci

I thought the same exact thing - that since I wasn't having any restriction after 2 fills, what's a 3rd gunna do? I had my 3rd 2 weeks ago and finally have restriction. Almost went in for a tiny unfill (I have 9 cc in a 14cc band) last week and it loosened up a bit on it's own, now I'm not vomiting everyday. I was banded on Oct 1, 2009 and had lost 9 lbs! I've since lost 8lbs this past 2 weeks. So you're ahead of me! My 3rd fill made all the difference! I wish you the best! Marci

I wish I woulda played by the rules - like spent the entire month on liquids instead of cheating week 2. And I wish I had know how hungry I would be day 3 - I had no clue that my band wouldn't work yet. I must've been daydreaming during my orientation. Marci