HappyMe2009

Guess the saying is true that misery loves company because I was "glad" (for lack of a better word) to see that I am not the only one that this surgery has not worked for. It's even worse because NOBODY (friends/family) thought I "needed" it and now that I did it and haven't lost ANY weight, they all are giving me the silent "I told you" looks. Very disheartning and disappointing. I tried EVERY diet/exercise/liposuction/massage/pill/ and still, here I sit...

Yeah lpglarry - it's shitty to hear and even more shitty to experience! I had surgery at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC and CONGRATS on all your weight loss!!

Hi Delights! I was hesitant to even read this thread because I am so disappointed with my band and results and I knew reading all of your success stories would make me feel worse about my lack thereof... I was banded Dec 7, 2009 and I have NOT LOST ONE POUND. I have actually gained 3 lbs since then. I have 10cc's in an 11cc band and haven't been back to the doctor in over 6 months. There is no leak (as of last check) all 10cc's are there, the band just never got tight enough for me to cut back on the foods I like. Breads - no problem! Anyway, just checking in and sending sincere CONGRATS to all my fellow December Delights on all your successes!

If anybody here has been to Dr. Long or had their surgery performed by him, I would appreciate hearing how your experience was. I am going to a seminar with him on Saturday. Thanks!!

OH how I WISH this was a problem for me... I can eat ANYTHING I want, have never been "stuck" or any of the other mentioned problems with the band. I am at 9.9cc's in an 11cc band, and had my surgery in December '09... :blushing:

So glad I'm not alone in this one... my SO teases me that I sound like something from Jurrasic Park! :thumbup: I'm 8 months out and still gasing, burping, belching, stomach gurgling away...

I am currently in the same situation and I feel like my ship is sinking fast... I was banded December 7th 2009, and I have lost about 8 pounds since then! I am up to 9cc's in an 11'cc band and I can still eat bread, have never had anything get "stuck", never slimed or PB'd or anything that lets me know I am in band land. I can not eat quite as much as I used to pre-band, but I can eat ALL the same foods. I had taken up walking 3 miles a day 3-4 times a week and I did this for a month thining that would give me a "boost" and when I went to the doctor last month - again - NOTHING. I don't have any motivation and I am starting to regret putting my body through this for it not to work. I have ugly scars in my stomach from this operation and only 8 pounds to show for it. I didn't tell many of my friends or family about having surgery, but those that I told didn't think I "needed" it and now that I'm six months out and still look the same, all I am getting is "I told you so's"... I did my research and I thought I was making the best choice for me to FINALLY get a hold of my weight gain and after being initally denied by my insurance, when my appeal got approved I was rejoicing!! I thought this was it and all the years of battling my bulge would soon be behind me as me and my band tackled the never ending world of food... NOT so much. I am torn between going for my appointment next week and just saying "to hell with it" and not going back at all anymore. The doctor has already told me that I am the only patient he has ever had that has had this much fluid in their band and still not be fully restricted. ~sighs~ :thumbup:

Hi Delights! I haven't been online in about a month b/c I just didn't have much to "say" about my progress thus far and I am REALLY getting discouraged about having the surgery. I have had 5 fills and now have 8cc's in an 11cc Realize band, and I just ate a turkey sandwich (:cool:).. I am walking 3 miles a day 4 times a week and I haven't lost any weight since about a week post-op. (:eek:). I was set to go back for a office visit on the 28th, but I called yesterday to schedule another fill for next week instead. I just don't know what the problem could be. Yes, I eat less than I did before, BUT I can eat ALL the same foods I did before. I have never had a PB or had anything "stuck", not that I want to, but at least I would FEEL like the band was in there. I haven't read any posts, but I am sure you all are doing well and congrats to you and your successes.

Banded 12/7/09 First Fill 1/5/10 (4cc's) Second Fill 2/2/10 (1.5cc's) Total 5.5cc's in an 11cc Band and guess what.. NO RESTRICTION! I was so looking forward to being banded and having this "tool" to help me along the way, but the tool isn't working yet, so it's so hard for me to get motivated to do anything different than I did pre-band because I still feel PRE-BANDED. I log on here and read all the success stories and see all the weight loss tickers moving and it seems like everyone is having such success and here's little (pun intended) ole' me with the scale not moving and eating what I want with no problem. I haven't had ONE episode of food getting stuck, no PB'ing, nothing to even let me actually feel that the band is there! I know from reading other's experiences that those things are "no fun" but believe it or not, I am actually looking forward to going thru something like that, at least I will know that the band is in there and it's making it's presence known. No, I'm not exercising. I'm not motivated to exercise. I wasn't a huge eater before the band, I just ate the wrong things. I know everyone's band experience is different, but I thought some things were across the board, like bread and guess what... 6 inch subway sandwich is not a problem for me. I go back next month for a 3rd fill but it just seems unlikely that I can go from not feeling anything to the 3rd fill being the "magical one" that turns the switch on. I thought this was a process, a gradual increase to the beloved "sweet spot" and I have yet to begin the climb. I'm just frustrated and venting. I was supposed to take my monthly "progress pictures" but I don't even want to do that because they will look the same as the December and January pictures! CONGRATUALTIONS to all of you who are having sucess and reaching milestones and goals. I am happy for you and I hope you keep up the good work. Your stories are an inspiration....

Thanks for your replies. I won't give up, it's just so frustrating because I thought for SURE 5.5cc's would give me some restriction and it just really disappointed me that it didn't. I just want to FEEL something other than the hard spot where my port is! :cursing:

Congratulations on all your hard work paying off!

The scales aren't moving and I am not exercising because I HATE exercising in my house and it's too cold outside to walk or ride my bike so I'm "stuck". I don't have restriction after my first fill and my second fill is in about 2 weeks. Perhaps that will give me some restriction, that will then allow me to eat less, thus sending the scale downward and landing on the motivation I need to get up and walk on the treadmill or use the wii fit. *SIGH*. I know that I have to do my part and the band will work for me eventually, but I am just suprised that I haven't been able to get the band to kick in at all yet. I can eat anything I want. Not all in one sitting but if I keep going bck, eventually I can eat it. Never had one stuck episode or PB'ing or anything to let me know it's in there. Nothing. Not to mention my S/O didn't want me to have the surgery in the first place b/c he thought I looked fine and he loves me the way I am (was), so now that the post-op swelling is gone and the first fill didn't provide restriction past day 2, all I hear is "so what did you get an operation for if you can still eat like you did before?" I am just rambling and venting because I am a little blah about it all right now. I was so excited to get approved and ready to start my new life, but without the band doing what it's in there to do, the work is all on me and if I could have done it all by myself I wouldn't have needed a band in the first freakin' place! Whoosah...

I know we are supposed to have 70 grams of Protein a day, my question is: Is 70 the max or the minimum? Is there any "harm" or "benefit" in having more? Can I have "too much" protein and if so, what is harm in doing that? If I drink 2 Isopure drinks that's 80 grams plus the protein in any food I eat so I know I am going over 70 grams a day. Your thoughts/input please.

Thank you for your replies and additional information, I have a much better understanding now. I AM SO GLAD I FOUND THIS FORUM!

Thank you for your reply and this information; I am going to read it now.

I had my surgery on December 7th and had my first fill on January 5th. 4cc's in an 11cc band. The first day I was on liquids and mushie food and I felt some restriction, even if it was only in my mind, but since then... NOTHING. I have read about people getting food "stuck" and not being able to take another bite and on and on, but I have never had that feeling. Once I am full, I do notice that I stay fuller longer than I did pre-band, but I don't have a problem eating ANYTHING. Bread, shrimp, beef, whatever I want. Is it too early for me to be in search of my "sweet spot" and what exactly IS IT?:cursing:

*exhaling* I feel so much better now... THANKS EVERYONE for responding. My time is coming!

I love the Ice and Spray Bottle ideas. I am a BIG (no pun intended, lol) drinker/eater. As a matter of fact, I would often get full off of my liquid intake before I could finish a meal. I'm talking 3-4 glasses of Water, or diet tea/soda with my meals! Needless to say, this no drinking "rule" has yet to be followed by me..:thumbup: What I have started doing is using my sippy cups to drink out of when I eat (even at restaurants, ) and that gives me the sensation of having liquids with my meals but it greatly limits the amount I drink and I've found that I ususally won't drink a full cup now. Good Luck!

, that's FUNNY b/c when I saw that fill needle I started to sweat and wonder HOW/WHY/WAIT.... I had no idea the needle was that big but when he numbed me first and then impaled me, I felt NOTHING... all was well with the world! I haven't had the hiccups but I belch like I am in a contest now! OMG and them come from deep down and rumble their way up and out... so embarrassing (sometimes) LoL

My doctor said it didn't matter what color or temperature the liquids were after my fill. Just no solid foods for 24 hrs. I could eat "mushies" and any liquids that I chose.

Wow, you look Great and YES I can totally tell the difference. Congrats and Keep up the good work!

Thank you for sharing your info. I always ask a lot of questions and I figure there is nobody to better get answers from than someone who has already done what I am trying to do.

THANK YOU JODI! Can you explain the difference you feel from 6.5cc's to 8.5cc's?

WOW! Questions: 1 - how did they check to see if you had a leak? 2 - at 8cc's when you could only drink shakes, how long did it take you to realize that and how did you know? Did everything you ate come back up? EVERYTHING? 3 - were you measuring to make sure you were only eating one cup of food? How was that broken down in Proteins, fats, carbs? 4 - what caused the swelling that gave you the sense of restriction? Sorry for asking so many questions, but I am trying to get this band figured out...

I am going to print this! And what a CUTE way to mark your progress and get a big hug at the same time! I love it! :thumbup: