fattyfatty2by4

Does anyone else have a surgeon who is very conservative with fills? The office I go to does 1cc at a time. I, therefore, have 1cc in my 10cc band and no restriction whatsoever. An entire sandwich from Subway? Yes, please!

I'm feeling a little frustrated because my weight is yo-yoing between the same three or four pounds and has been since I started solid foods three and a half weeks ago. I know that it's common for some people to get 3-4ccs on their first fill visit, and now I'm concerned that it's going to take me MONTHS (as the surgeon will do fills every 4 weeks) to feel any restriction at all.

Anyone have reassurance? Similar stories? I'm feeling a little alone right now. Thanks :biggrin:

Hello, I am having the same experience. I was banded 4/30 and have had two fills. I don't have any restriction. My last appt was 7/8/09 and he is out of town early Aug so my next fill appt isn't until the end of August. The only weight I've lost so far has been due to the preop diet. I put 5 lbs back on when returned to solid foods. Since then I bounce up and down 2-3 lbs. I have been at the same weight my last 2 appts. It is very frustrating. I certainly thought I'd see a little bit more in 3+ months time. I have also been discouraged by my doc office, who tells me to exercise and eat right. If I was able to do that would I have needed the band in the first place?

When I need to get the scale moving again I go on the plateau buster's diet - which is basically just going back to the lapband "rules". Protein, veggies, then carbs. I started back on it on Monday after some weight gain (8 lbs) and I've already lost 4 lbs. If you'd like I can send you the guidelines.

Is this similar to the 5 day pouch test?

Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

Hi All

I am needing a little help here I am not losing weight only inches. I am two months post op and I have lost over 10" total and 14-15lbs. I am making sure I stick between 1200-1500 calories granted some weekend I have had some alcoholic beverages. I am exercising at least 4days/wk cardio for one hour and some weight training. This week I have started a food journal but I need some encouragement? how did you get past plateaus?. Also I have 4cc in my band got a second fill last week

Thank you

I am just about 2 months out (surgery 4/30) and am not losing weight OR inches. I am gaining and losing the same couple of pounds since pre surgery. I had my first fill of 5cc (11 cc band) on 6/8 and am scheduled for my 2nd fill 7/8. I know that everyone differs as far as when restriction is reached, but I am getting very discouraged and as a result, turning to food! I am sure I am eating less than before surgery but I can still eat! During my first fill appt, I was disappointed to see the scale up from surgery but knew this was likely. The person weighing me told me "don't worry about it, you're not that big anyway"....so why did they do the surgery on me?! I did this for weight loss as well as getting rid of the other health issues!

When I recently emailed the office to ask about my next fill and again expressed frustration at not losing weight....I was told to "remain diligent with healthy eating and exercise"...if I could have done this to begin with, I would have skipped the major surgery! I don't want to count calories anymore!

Right after surgery I did well with my eating. I am now pretty much eating the same types of foods as presurgery.

Exercising maybe 2-3 times a week. I realize this takes some work on my part but I need to see some love from this band to get my motivation back! I'm stepping down from my soapbox..thanks for letting me vent :thumbup:

Hi! I was banded on june 4th and I was wondering when should I start taking Multivitamin??? My Dr suggested the Bariatric Advantage Vitaband...does anyone know that brand?

By the way anyone comes from Montreal? I was banded by Dr Miller (self pay) in a private clinic. It was absolutely wonderful, great team and it was like a 5 stars hotel!!!

before/current/goal

254/230.5/130

My surgeon didn't have me start taking Vitamin until second week post op. I do take the Bariatric Advantage and like them fine Do some searching for them online, you can find them cheaper than the BA website.

:cursing:

Okay, color me confused because I thought it was on the outside of the stomach, too!

:sad:

It IS outside of the stomach...it is surgically placed around the stomach....but under the skin. I think the person thought it was an external device.

I had first fill today with Realize Band. Surgeon said this band is a bit bigger than Lap Band and since my surgery (4/30/09) he has actually started adding saline to the band during surgery. I received 5cc today and so far so good.

He said to stick with soft foods today and suggested I ease my way back to regular foods towards the end of the week. I am hopeful that this will do the trick. I actually put on 5 lbs since surgery but surgeon told me the goal of the first 8 weeks is to just let the stomach heal. Now that I have a fill, I am to focus on the weight loss.

Anyone using this site? If so what do you think?

I was banded on 4/30 and chose the Realize Band due to the helpful website. I don't find it very handy when trying to log food, as I usually can't find the food I am looking for...ugh!

I read about The Daily Plate on Livestrong.com and have been using it since. You can track your food (I've yet to eat something that hasn't been on the list and it tracks calories, fat and your protein!) and track your weight. I haven't been back to Realize My Success at all since finding this other website.

Some where I saw a posting about the following website, which says it is for getting back on track :grouphug:

see 5daypouchtest.com.

Days One & Two: liquid Protein

low-carb Protein shakes, broth, clear or cream Soups, sugar-free Gelatin and pudding.

Day 3: Soft Protein

canned fish (tuna or salmon) eggs, fresh soft fish (tilapia, sole, orange roughy.

Day 4: Firm Protein

ground meat (turkey, beef, chicken, lamb), shellfish, scallops, lobster, fresh salmon or halibut.

Day 5: Solid Protein

white meat poultry, beef steak, pork, lamb, wild game

I am so jealous. I was banded June 4th and can only have liquids for 2 weeks - s/f popsicles, Water, strained Soups, clear broth. I move to mushies on week 3. I would love to be able to eat yougurt or applesauce right now. I wonder if I could suck on a cracker until it turns to pure mush in my mouth (itty bitty pieces). Has anyone tried this and had no problems?

I was having some nausea post surgery and was told I could suck on oyster crackers. No problems at all!

Respectfully, you should know the answers to some of this already...if your surgeon educated you, and if you researched the band. (don't mean to be snippy, just get exasperated with lack of basic info out there! Docs should be making sure their patients are better informed.)

Your first fill probably won't do much unfortunately unless your doctor is very aggressive with fills, or you are one of the few who doesn't need much to have a decreased appetite.

The band takes care of physiological hunger. The emotional/head/just because hunger you have to deal with on your own.

Yes many gain post op, until restriction, unless they intentionally diet. It's because, until the band is tightened, it's there but not really doing much.

Hang in there and it will happen for you! :grouphug:

I did not feel the poster's questions showed a lack of knowledge. The surgeon tells you what is supposed to happen but I feel that most of the information I have obtained has been from "real life" experiences on this website. I have not had my first fill yet so I am hoping my doctor will provide additional information during tomorrow's visit. I think we all get so caught up in the excitement of weight loss plus the challenges of surgery it's hard to remember everything! So I don't think folks should be criticized for bringing their questions here.

I am having my 1st fill this Wednesday. I have been eating just as much as before the surgery (i.e. way too much). Will I really eat less after the fill? If so, is it because I physically wont be able to, or because I actually will have less hunger? The pounds I lost before and right after my surgery are starting to creep back on. Do you start to really lose weight after getting filled?

I am right there with you:) I was banded on 4/30 and go tomorrow for my first fill. I don't have any restriction at all. Have not had a bit of trouble eating anything and can eat quite a bit. I know I am "supposed" to get to the point where I am "full" with 4oz but my surgeon's office said to eat until full right now. The only weight I have lost is from the liquid diet prior to surgery, which was about 15 lbs. I have put on and lost the same 2 or so pounds since then. Can wait to get restriction!

My doctor suggested Bariatric Advantage since these have more Vitamins specific to banding needs. BA actually has one called VitaBand. I don't like to mess with the Protein Shakes, etc. so I ordered Liquid Protein shots from Physical Addictions.com (IDS New Whey liquid protein). They are larger than they appear but it is 42g of Protein. I drink 1 per day, about 2 gulps at two different times in the day. Despite reading reviews that say the Protein Shots taste like kool-aid, it's not the case. They are gross! I just hold my breath and then take a quick drink of flavored water. I know I can get the rest of my protein needs from food.< /p>

I had my period the week prior to surgery. I'm on the birth control pill and have never had any problems. No co-morbidities, I'm the healthiest fat person you'll see. Anyhow, I wasn't allowed to take my bcp on the day of surgery but have been taking them ever since. But my period has started again, like a full blown period. Should I be concerned? I'm going to call my doc in the morning but just wanted to see if anyone else out there had this happen.

I used to have a pretty irregular cycle, but have started on the 20th for the past several months, including April (had surgery April 30) but I have not had a period since surgery either. I know I am not pregnant. I wonder if it has something to do with the stress of surgery on the body? Curious to hear if any others experienced this. :party:

I hiccup a couple of times!

I was hungry immediately following surgery (4/30) and am now on mushie foods. It does take less to fill me up compared to before surgery but I don't feel like I have any restriction. I can certainly eat more than 4oz at a time.

I also am at a stand still with weight loss since ending the liquid diet.< /p>

I am hoping this changes with my first fill on June 9!

:grouphug:

I was banded two days ago. Total to lose from first visit to Dr was 70. As of today, I have lost 13 with the pre-op and post-op diets. Port pain has been intense first two nights, but today is much better (72 hours after surgery). Very concerned about the huge lump in my stomach from the port. Dr used low profile port, but that is a huge lump all the same.

Doc said with starting BMI of 38, I do not have as much abdominal fat as others, so expect to always feel and probably see the port.

Can anybody help me with their experience starting with a lower BMI as I did?

I was banded on 4/30. I too am lower BMI and have no idea where my port is. I can feel it is on my right just due to the muscle pain...but I have felt around on my belly and can't even find it. I would follow up with doc about this.

Hello

I was banded on April 28 and I am 41 too. It has been a long week for me. I am finally starting to feel like moving around today. Just called doctor and got on Pepcid - I feel so much better. Should be an interesting ride....

Hi Eirruc,

How were you feeling after surgery? I have had many weird symptoms since surgery. Started with increased heart rate/palpitations evening of surgery. Day after surgery noticed vision problems, I can't focus close up and I have had no vision problems in the past...I don't wear glasses/contacts. Same day also noticed an itchy red rash all over my torso. Seems to be where they cleaned my skin or had tape on me. I went back to work today (I work from a home office so it's just sitting in front of my computer) and started feeling really funny: nausea, increased heart rate, tingling from head to toe...thought I was going to pass out. Called my husband and made him come back home so I don't have to be alone. Since surgery I have been soooo hungry. My stomach is constantly growling. Was given approval to suck on oyster crackers today. I haven't seen much posted about negative side effects from surgery. The good news is, other than all of the above, I haven't had much pain at all and minimal gas pains. Have you had any symptoms that I have described?

Glad to hear this week is starting off better for you!

I have read that if something gets stuck and can't pass through the band, you will throw it up. Now for my question....what if your meal does pass through the band and due to illness or something you have to vomit. Can the food get up past the band?:thumbdown:

Congrats Bird,

Sounds like you're off to a great start! I hope I am so lucky. Having surgery April 30. I do have a question....you say you knew exactly what and how much food you could eat...what is your post surgery diet? I am two days into my presurgery liquid diet. I wonder if anyone has ever overdosed on popsicles and Jello. It's going to be a looonnnnggg 7 days!

Again, congrats!

Does anyone use the 3oz Protein "shots"? It seems like they would be so much easier since you don't have to mess with the mixing. Just one of these gives you 45g of protein. I am thinking of buying some but wanted to get some feedback. Thanks!

Hello,

I am trying to evaluate the Protein possibilities for post surgery (April 30..yeah!). ProStat64 comes in packets that seem easy to travel with. Would like some feedback regarding the taste. thanks!

Hello,

I would like to find a buddy to help me through this journey I am about to begin!

I am 41 and live in St. Louis.

I am hoping to lose around 70-80 lbs.

Very excited but very nervous too!

Looking forward to hearing from you!

I would have never believed that this pose would help get things unstuck until I tried it myself as it seems counter-productive to getting food thru the band. It works for me 99% of the time which I am thrilled about, but I don't understand the mechanics of it and would very much like to hear anyone else's theories about how or why it works. Do you think its that it forces air from the bottom of your stomach up thru the band opening thereby dislodging the food???? It really does work if you haven't tried it.....for me anyway. I have to do it at the first inkling of 'stuck' and sometimes it takes a couple of times but the majority of the time it is successful. My husband teases me that it looks like I'm getting ready for a race....so he says "runners on your marks"!!! Wise guy....LOL! Anyway, if it works for you too I'd like to hear your take on how you think it works. Thanks in advance!!

Can you describe exactly what you are doing and the position you are in? I am trying to gather as many helpful hints as I can before surgery! Thanks!

I was banded on Monday April 13........lots of gas pains this week!!! Some of it I have had to wait out!!! Still have some but stArting to work it's way out!! Gasx only barely helped............ Just part of the process!!

At my pre-op testing the other day I was told that since the gas is in your body (and not in your stomach) gas relief medicine such as gas-x and beano won't do anything at all. Although I have seen several posts about the medication helping?

Surgery April 30!