chrissie

Please double check and make sure its not .4 that was put in! That decimal point is real important! I have the same size band as you, my first fill was 1cc with NO restriction-after two weeks I was able to go back and they put in .5cc. I have just now begun to feal something!! Good Luck.

P.S. I asked my fill Dr. why Ive read about some people saying it takes time for thier fill to 'kick-in' like a week or two.She said theres no such thing, because the fill goes in immediatly and as tight as you leave the office is how you are going to be.Wich does make sense but....with sooo many people having had that kind of experience, it seems to me that it has to be acknowleded that it does happen. Does anyone no why? or hear any theories?

I got my 2nd fill Mon. night. The first was 1.2cc, then .5 for this one. I had very little restriction with the 1st fill. But boy this one has made me really take notice. I still have alot of "first bite" issues. After 2/3 bites of anything I get a tremendous tightening in my sternum,followed by PBing, so bad that Im having a hard time telling if its JUST a pb or if Im really going to vomit! (luckily its JUST been pb!) the back of my mouth starts watering just like before you vomit and I get real hot and sweatty. Its horrible but strangely only lasts a few minutes and passes as fast as it comes on. Then Im fine to continue eating, but who wants to eat after all that?!! Does anyone else here have any "first bite" problems? Ive heard drinking something warm 1st might help?

I too have very little restriction after my first fill. Its been about a week, and after the first few days of "first bite syndrome" I'm back in action now, and I'm able to eat way to lagre portions. I have to wait anouther week to get a second fill, and my apt.time is @ 6:oopm--I hope mini-me's experience will make a difference with me, maybe going later in the day will help---thanks for your thoughts on that! Please let us know how the next fill works out for you all.....chrissie

Justy--Best wishes to you hope your feeling well again quickly. Pebbles--So glad your back! you don't need a stinky 'ol good for nuttin' tumor anywaz!

I have a card the Dr. gave me the day after surgery.On the front of the card it says 9.75/10.0cm band. I will be going to Long Island Bariatric Center in Levittown on Mon. for my first fill. So I don't know yet how often or how much they put in, I'll have to ask. But it sounds like you have had the same experience that I've heard from others-that it can take a few fills before you feel restriction?? I think this is a large band and may take more to fill. What is everyone elses experience with fills?

Thank you everyone for the kind words.It really helps to have the comfort of people who undertstand. I'm so happy right now that I DIDN"T tell anyone I was having the band done because at least I don't have the questions and looks from outsiders as to why its not going well. Thank goodness I dont have that added pressure. I did know going into this that the first 6 weeks were just for healing-but when I go on some of the other boards and read of all the restriction just from the surgery and the lucky few who are still losing and putting off thier fills longer, Its extremly frustrating! Sure, Im a big girl and know your not suppose to compare yourself w/anyone else but.... I have said from 3 days post-op that I felt nothing! no restriction! no golfball no PBing! and could/did eat just like before. Maybe its not there!? Well like I said I'm banking on this fill to do something/anything. But then again I read that the first fill makes no difference for some and it takes a few fills for restriction. Has anyone here been filled? If so how many times? Iam trying to do this on will power-but like I said if I had that I wouldn't need to get the band. Thanks again for the support all my new N.Y. friends!

Pebbles--- so glad your back with us! welcome all our new New Yorkers!! I'm having such a hard time,still. I will be getting my first fill next Mon. 1o/2. The last few weeks I've been feeling like this has been a 10,000. diet disaster. I was 214lbs.@ surgery and went to 205 within 10days, put have been stuck @207.5 for the last 2 weeks. I keep reading all the posts of people who have lost like 30lbs, who had the band around the same time as me!! I have NEVER had any restriction from DAY ONE! so right now, I haveto rely on sheer will power-well guess what?! If I had ANY will power at all I wouldn' need a freakin' band!! I am so frustrated.I hear of banders who can only eat a kids portion or appitizer when they are out to eat- and I'm still easily able to eat appy and entree-just like before.WTH? And since you've all been so kind in letting me vent---to make it all even harder for me--Does it have to be Mallomar season??!!?!?! Im ready to rip this thing out if the fill dosent help.

hey Libra...don't be surprised if you do loose!! the best diet works when you do let yourself go once in awhile. It wakes up your metabolism,gives it a kick,so your body dosen't get used to the same # of calories and becomes non-compliant. Its o.k. every so often to let loose, just remember to savor and ENJOY!! you might be pleasantly surprised!!

wow roiansmom I wanna go to your dr.!

Jahair---you've found us! Welcome to the ABC band group! Faybie---Thanks for the great link info. it had alot of suggestions to keep in mind @ fill time. Libra--- Keep your chin up! We knew it was going to take some time for us to get the hang of this. I know how frusterating it is, Im dying over here! Still no restriction, still able to eat way too much, still waiting for that 1st fill 10/2. Thank the good lord I havent put any weight ON-I just havent lost ANYTHING since my 3rd week out.Auugg!! The best part of my day is reading all the ABC posts and knowing were all in it together, and that we will all make it.

Pebbles---- If you took Rx pain meds and its still that bad you HAVE to call your GYN. If it did ease up some after the med., and your flow is heavy you might have PCOS wich is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.Thats what I have, and the best treatment is birth control pills. They regulate your cycle and shrink the cysts its acualy pretty common. It hasent stopped me from having 6 kids! and the only really stange part is that I still have to take b/c pills even though my husband is now...well "just for show" ya know!? Hope you feel better....chrissie

Pebbles---Once again you should be commended, it takes alot of inner strength and courage to follow your dream. When your family is big and comportable thats o.k., but like you said your sort of are the guinea pig and everyone is looking to you to succeed, so thats alot of added pressure to an already tuff job! your doing great. Forty-five min.on the treadmill is awsome! I have one downstairs and tomorrow is 3 weeks for me so its time to start at least walking regularly.ughhh. and BTW, I know all about 'bat wings'!! My most hated part of my body by far is the tops of my huge arms!! I've always been envious of the larger people who still somehow have these slim arms and legs. After I had my last child I thought I might not ever be slim again so I went ahead and had a tummy tuck. Thats alot kinder name for it than the Dr.s call it "an abdominal APRON!!" and I knew I wasen't going under without having my arms done, b/c like I said thats what always bothered me the most. The TT was incredible I love the results-the arms not so happy. So keep pumping those 3lb weights!!! How's the rest of N.Y.?? please give us an update you guys!!

Pebbles--thanks for the post, remind me...did you get your 1st fill yet? I gotta tell ya pebs, I REALY admire your conviction and dedication to this whole process!!!!! Out of all the people I read on both boards, you are at the top of the game. Thanks for the cheering up I really love that there's this whole group "out there" that understands how Im feeling. It does help alot when I get so frustrated. Like I said I knew going into this that the first 6weeks where for healing not losing, but I can't help being disapointed in having NO restriction what so ever. I have decieded not to go near the scale again untill after my fill (10/2) and I've been reading that even after the 1st fill, it might take more like 3-4 before you really start losing??!! crap...this is going to take alot more patience than I have. But I wanted to tell you, you can still go out to dinner with your friends and family and enjoy yourself without so much worry. My husband and I own 3 retaurants and believe me we are very used to accomidating special requests. I know that most places,even chian eateries, will have no problem offering you something made for you. Remember when your out that there are alot of reasons people choose a different meal, diabetics have special requests w/sugar, people w/ high cholest. or ^blood pressure can't have salt,etc. believe me, there are a million different reasons and a million different requests out there!! I had one woman tell me she could'nt drink THE WATER!! (said it tasted "funny") & to bring her another one!!! so with a smile on my face...I replaced her water with another from the same exact pitcher and viola..THAT water was good!! MY point is, PLEASE don't fell ackward, try to enjoy going out, the wait staff is very used to making the customers happy thats what we're here for, and its NOT an inconvience for anyone. BTW---great job @ the gym!!! keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!

Ohh! and great news! my 10 mo old $2,700.00 refrigerator craped out!!!Perfect timing! I'm not upset at all! (husband needs meds)

You are all the kindest group of people ever. Thanks to every one on this board for being so supportive and undertsanding to this lost soul you have never meet. I hate sounding so depressing,its really not like me,I am usualy the one trying to always stay possitive and cheer other people, so its just such a nice feeling knowing your all out there.I really do thank you all. Be well my friends.

JULIENYC----Great info,thanks for passing it along.Anyone planning to go? Hey Pebbles, I did a huge venting post on the ABC board. I am very frustrated at my total lack of restriction. I am just holding on till I get my first fill on 10/2. But I feel at this point I am on nothing more than another failing diet program. Its getting very hard to stay possitive. But I don't want to bring down a whole other message board! Tell me about how you are doing? Are you still in "gym mode"? and how's that super stricked diet going for you? I am still ammazed that you where even able to do it! Be well all of the N.Y. bansters!...chrissie

O.K. I have to tell you all that I have officialy given up. I am not kidding. I am not having any part of this daily struggle with food. I have never had any restriction, and it has totaly sucked. I should not be able to eat the type OR quantity of food that I am. I have been trying to make changes in bad eating habits, but I am giving up. I can't beat myself up everyday with the scale and the guilt. Yeah, I lost 7lbs. and thats great...but I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op. Those 7 where from the 1st week and not an oz. since. So from now on I'm removing the self imposed noose around my neck, and have come to the dissapointing conclusion that I will just have to wait untill after my first fill on 10/2 before I can tell if I just wasted $10,000!. I was fully aware going into this, that the first 6 wks. are for healing and not about losing, but I can't help feeling like I am failing again. I can only hope that after the fill I get some help. Thanks for letting me vent, you guys are the best!

LIBRA....I know you had your fill pretty early, How have you been with it? Besides the GREAT 3lb. loss!!(wow) How has your restriction been? Have you had any difficulty eating any foods? Did you do liquids right after? etc.,etc.,etc, You know I need to know EVERYTHING!! THANKS.

Thank you SOOO much for all the bandster writing in with no restriction!! I have said since day one (8/24) that I've had no restriction and I guess not too much swelling either. I 'am two weeks tomorrow, and I can tell you all there's nothing stoping my eating! Not that I'm not trying to be on a good track, but there's virtualy no difference after my banding than before. I'm so envious of Pebbles,who can stick it out with 3oz. at a time and be satisfied. Infact, the trueth is I could add quite a few items to Claityseekers food list!!.....but there's 22days difference between our surgery dates?! I guess thats what has been the hardest for me, I figured I would have some restriction just from the procedure itself. I am very happy that I have lost a few lbs. but if I keep going same-as-it-everwas eating, I know it won't last. I did make a fill apt. but I have to wait untill 10/2. I'm so glad to know I'm not alone. Your all so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DUHHHH- Pebbles it just dawnwd on me that your PEBBLES from the ABC board!! god I'm so blonde!

LEONA.....I live on Long Island, but I'm dying to get into the city to see that body exibit! Maybe we could all set up a day and meet in NYC. Pebbles.....Boy you ain't kidding, thats strick!! You get 100 gold stars for sicking to that, no wonder your doing so well. Your scale is smoking. Great job @ the gym!! Keep up the incredible work!!

your all doing so well!....503-250 sorry to hear of your set backs, but it sounds like your back on track,good job. pebbles---your weight loss is incredible!! HOLY COW!! can you share some of your post-op diet? you said your Dr. was pretty strict? and great job on joining the gym!! YEAH.

ROBIN---Thanks so much for the ticker advise I finally got it up there and know I don't feel so naked! Can you let me know how to update it? Happy2Bme--- on line #1 you say your 5 days post-op and on line#2 you say you've lost 5lbs.! GOOD LORD! thanks GREAT! give yourself some time, inside your body is still saying "what duh!?" from the surgery and having anastesia can be hard for weeks afterward, but you still managed to loose 5lbs in 5 days!! and believe me, if you go back and read some old post you'll see Iam the QUEEN of hungry-all-the-time.I truely understand. I was so dissapointed with myself after the WHOLE bagel thing (get it, I ate the WHOLE thing! hahaha) that I went up to Wallmart and bought myself a Strawberry Shortcake divided plate. Its very small and has 3 compartments-1 for protien-1 for veggies-1 for carbs. I have to STOP,SIT and SEE what I'm putting into my mouth rather than my horrible habit of grazzing, standing in my kitchen. My husband and kids think Im nuts, but I need to make changes, maybe this will help?

DIVA----please be carefull!! it sounds so scary. At least you know you can get fliuds in, I hope it passes soon. What I don't understand is HOW/WHY I just ate a whole bagel !?! I've said from day one I've had no restriction and I wish I did so badly. I didn't start out thinking 'I'm going to eat this bagel' but anyone who's ever had a N.Y. bagel......well it was just going to be a bite.......it was just so good to freakn' chew!!! and then it was gone. Am I going to hell? Does anyone else have these uncontrolable food issues? Its only been 11 days and the thought of doing serious damage to myself is not stoping me from this instant gradification in my mouth. I wish I would get sick from it, maybe it would put some sense into me. Anyone have any suggestions? (short of wiring my jaw shut) LIBRA---- your are someone to watch on the board!! you kick that scale!!