moonbeam

When I asked my doc at my first fill if it hurt he said "I don't know, I've never had a fill" ha ha ha. It ended up being uncomfortable, but not too bad.

Hi there. I am just over 5 years sober and had the very same thoughts as most of you. I was banded April 14th, 2009. I'm still waiting to hit my sweet spot or feel any restriction whatso ever, but I'm sure that once I get there it will most definitly be helpful. I do use food for comfort, but not feeling full until I've consumed an entire big bag of chips or several helpings of any food certainly doesn't help the situation. I'm looking at the band as a tool to help, not the solution. I also upped my AA meetings and I've started to get some counselling on disordered eating. Seems we all play whack- a - mole with our addicitons to one extent or another. Food is a tricky one because we can't simply abstain.

Hi, Well I can totally identify with you! I'm a single mom and I have a hard time finding time to get away and do some exercise as well. Mornings won't work as I can't leave my daughter home alone while I go for a walk. I have started taking her for walks with me in the evenings though. She's older than yours, but could you put yours in the stroller and just go? Do you have a partner that can help you and spell you off for a bit?

Just wondering how many sizes there are and which one's are the most common? I got a card after surgery that said it was "small" but during my first fill the doc said I had a size "large" band. I'm going to ask for clarification. Not that it matters in the end, but curious minds want to know! I believe he said my band holds 10 cc. I walk out of there shaking my head wondering why I didn't ask the questions while I was there.

Hi toots, What do you mean you have not gotten a fill for 3 times? Are you at your sweet spot?

HUGS. That really sucks. The people who love us, whom we love should be supporting out decision to become healthier people. Sounds like he wanted to keep you down for some reason and is threatened by your success. Others have said it, and I agree, TIME will help with this, and with time will come perspective and understanding. Hang in there, and congrats on the terrific weight loss!

Having my six year old daughter hug me and have her hands meet comfortably around my waist. Keeping up with her! And ditto to all the other comments here today!

Hang in there Fish! Well it looks like it will be a party at the maples on the 20th! Jen just called and changed my fill date to the 20th from the 14th. I'll end up saying hello to everyone in the waiting room wondering if one of them is you guys!

I had 0 fill as well and my first fill was just 1 1/2 cc. This is quickly becoming very discouraging

Wow I had quite the experience yesterday. I was in my local emergency ward with throat closed up so tight I couldn't swallow my spit (strep throat, nothing to do with the band) But the larger sized nurse started asking my about recent surgeries etc. I told her about the band. She looked at me in disgust and said I was too small to have that done, and that SHE would certainly not pay thousands for dollars for the procedure. I mumbled something about her not knowing my family history and my weight history of the 50 up 50 down pattern. She was right in my face about it. She was of course obese and her attitude was almost disdainful, like I could not claim the privilege of being fat enough to get the band. This was my first really negative response to telling someone. It surprised me coming from a health professional. I have come to the conclusion that I don't care. what she thinks. Only we can decide what is best for us.

I had both done at the same time too. I had no idea I had it either. My chest felt tight afterwards, but nothing too painful. The only thing they told me was that instead of having only 4 incisions, I had 5 because of it.

Hey Guys, I'm doing ok. Kinda down because I'm not loosing any weight. If it wasn't for the scars and the port lump I wouldn't even know I had the surgery. I suppose patience is the key here. I've been reading the forums too much I think and focusing on the negative stories and worst case scenerios. Like needing 7-8 cc's before the band becomes effective.. that sort of stuff. I had my first fill and it was 1 1/2 cc. I get my next one in two weeks and I really hope it's more than that. I felt no restriction at all from it. I tend to focus on the negative and I'm an emotional eater.... sooo..... I spoke to Danielle about it ( emailed actually) and she was very reassuring. I suppose this is why they call this time bandster hell. On the upside though I have no pain at all from the surgery and am able to excersise with no problems! I've even signed up for my very first Yoga class! We'll see how it goes, it's Yoga for the full bodied woman, so I'm looking forward to not feeling out of place. :-) Tammar, how are you doing? Fish how goes the pre op diet? Great that you got your surgery date! Canadian Girl, do you come back to the maples for your fill?

My first fill was 1 1/2 cc... no restriction yet. 2 more week til my next fill... I"m really really hoping he gives me at least 2cc. I'm so impatient!

How is everyone doing?

Thanks for the support guys. I agree. I'm going to give them a call or write a note. I don't think she had any right to ask me what it cost either. Some people are just plain ignorent.

For those who have had a really long wait to feel restriction.. how did you keep up a good attitude? What kept you motivated and hopefull?

I'm not sure if I trust him or not yet.. I'm going to try to talk to him and have a frank discussion about my fears. Unfortunalty where I live there is only one place that does fills, I would have to travel pretty far to get someone else to do it. Fingers crossed that he listens to me and gives me a bigger fill next time.

This stuff scares me. I'm at 1 1/2 cc and a lower bmi starting at 35. It makes me think it will take over a year of fills before I start to get any benifit from this! I knew there would be a period of waiting, but I thought two or three months not a year! Has anyone had any luck talking to their surgeon about putting more than say 1 1/2 cc in at a time? If in theory most people are not feeling restriction until 8cc then why not put more in at a time!? Especially when we are so low to begin with. I've very scared. Also wondering if it's a money grab for the surgeons since I have to pay for fills after the first year...?

Mine is "BB" short for belly buddy.

Hello. I'm totally in the same boat. I'm new at this and have only had one really ineffective fill of 1 1/2 cc. Isn't the band supposed to help with this? Shouldn't we not be able to easily consume and binge? I'm worried because the evenings are my witching hour and I do tend to binge sometimes. I was under the impression that the band would help with this. Not CURE, but at least help.

Good lord that's a scary scenario! I just got my first fill at 1 1/2 cc... I feel nothing. if I'm like you I could be into this a year already and still feel no benefit. GULP.

Here's the scoop. I'm a 35 year old single mom. I just got the band about 5 weeks ago. I know I did the right thing for the right reasons, but here is the delima; We all know most people who have never had weight issues just don't "get it". So I'm wondering what will happen when I feel well enough mentally and physically to enter the dating world. What do I say to a potential new partner when I can't eat a full meal? Or if it gets to that point.. what the scars are from.. and here's the biggie..what the heck is that huge lump under your skin! I know my health and the happiness/health of my child are my priority, but with my hot new slim body I'm also looking forward to having the confidence to go forth and meet someone who is right for me. Tips and personal experiences requested!

I got my first fill today 1 1/2 cc. That seems so conservative compaired to some! The band started empty. I'm slightly grumpy about it. There is no difference and now I have to wait another 4 weeks.

Thanks for the encouraging words. Were you married before you got the band? If so I'm happy for you that you do not have to experience the anxiety of dating when you are newly banded like some of us are/will.