xavier

Mine was 4-5 hours depending on LA traffic...it was no fun but in the end it was well worth it. It caused me to have some very long plateaus when I needed a fill but couldnt get down there but now that I am in maintenance I think my slow loss and long plateaus actually helped me adjust to the band for lifelong changes.

Just clip the curled up ends ...do not pull them off!

I had mine at an outpatient place and I wish I could have stayed!

So you had a leak? Was it in the tubing or the band itself? What did you have replaced? Well I know if something went wrong with my band I would gain too! I need that little thing! Best of luck, you are back on track!

If you cant change your behavior the band will not work. Sweets will go right through the band. I have seen a rate of about 50 to 60% of patients losing to a normal BMI.

Your blood vessels constrict (get smaller) when you smoke so you cant heal as well and are at a higher risk for infection.

Some will pay if your gut skin hanging down is causing a serious rash...otherwise no.

Fish, beans, cheese, tofu. (But I do start every day with the 30 grams in the Premier Proteins from Costco). You can also add the powder to soup.

Oh and slippers you slip into or flip flops...you wont ant to bend over to put on or tie shoes!

Well I am coming up on 3 years and Im lucky to maintain easily without any real effort. Even when we have party weekends that are all food and drinks and I feel like I snack all day my weight just never changes. BUT.... I know I need to rededicate myself to two things: 1. More Water 2. Less bad sweets etc PS: Jacqui...what happened to your gorgeous bikini pic? and Lellow I am just breathing a sigh of relief for you!

You are looking great...you have no tummy at all in the side view!

I dont eat meat because I dont think its really healthy or that I need it. I eat a lot of fish and beans and I do start every day with a Premier Protein so I start with 30grams of protein. When you get to green zone with enough fills, you will not need to be on a diet like WW. All those types of diets are a big part of how I got fat and I will never diet again...but in Bandster Hell phase you might have to. I eat anything I want but I cant eat enough of it to gain (yay!)...best of luck!

I did one day liquid and one day mushies and it always went fine...

I am an old dog here but if I go too fast I can get overfull on anything...even water...the only thing I would add is chew a couple of those papaya enzyme tablets (Walmart or anywhere) but do not drink water etc...sometimes you just have to wait it out in pain or yak it up....I was a slow learner on that...

That support binder was awesome! I woke up with it on but if you dont get one go to a drugstore and buy one! If you have a fat belly like I did it wants to schlump down or to the side and it pulls and hurts like a b***h without the binder! Sweats are probably best because even yogas can be tight...your belly gets really puffed up! Use a stool softener because the narcs are very constipating...take the narcs on a schedule BEFORE you are in pain!

Tammy I wanted to "quote" you so you would see my post..I hope I can help and encourage you!

I wanted to "quote' you so you would see my silly long post...I hope it helps!

Best of luck to all! My first year was a struggle of major adjustment and it went slow because I live about 5 hours from my fill doc...I ended up finding a closer doc. The thing is I never dieted or ate ANY low fat or low calorie food and I never exercised except for occasionally walking my plump mini dachshund! I was obese nearly 20 years and since ny daughter is 17 it was getting ridiculous to call it baby weight! I feel like every time I lost weight I eventually gained it all aback and a little more and in the last few years I couldnt lose at all! I am 48 and I was banded June of 09.When I had my third fill (I think) I was at 6cc in a 10cc band and I was in the green zone...eating tiny meals, protein first but otherwise any food I wanted and I lost about 6 pounds a month. I had some (2 I think) very long plateaus where I was really lucky to never gain but didnt lose either (also I work 5 hours from home in the exact opposite direction of my doc!) so I just stayed the same and felt pretty lucky to be weighing 180 Ithink...Finally a friend told me to quit whining and get a fill and I think I got 1.7 cc and started back to losing easily. The I plateaued again at 155 for a very long time and it just stayed in the back of my mind that at 145 I would be normal BMI. So I found the closer fill doc and got 0.3cc which I thought was nothing and next thing I knew I was 140 which is about where I have stayed...at this point its easy and no matter if I feel I am eating like a pig my weight stays the same! Other than protein first I dont think too much about it but I eat very tiny meals any and every time I am hungry and even sometimes when I just want food! I wear a size 6 and I cant freakin believe it even now!

I dont really know but since I did a day of liquids and then day of mushies, it wasnt until the third day that I would find out how it felt...

Its the last diet of your life! keep thinking that and you will get though!!!

The port can be on either side and up near the ribs or lower than the waist...you should be able to find it because it is the biggest scar usually with the most bruising. Anyway pain is normal...its like you have been in a knife fight! Good luck!

Yes, why have your stomach removed without getting the port revision (very quick procedure) and giving the band a try? YOU havent failed but you havent been allowed to use your band either!

Maybe if you tell a little about yourself you can find someone in a similar situation...

Yep, Bandster Hell and totally normal as you heal and get your appetite back. It is great if you just dont gain in the next few months until you get enough fill to make it easier!

I had my doubts...especially at the moment when handed that big check to my doc's receptionist...