GidgetGrnEyez

I haven't experienced the judgemental junk, but I definitely know how you feel with this taking forever. It took me nine months to get to a good spot and then I had a couple of fill/over-fill/partial unfill issues that lead to no loss for several months. I wish that somebody had said something about the restriction not happening right away and that it may take six or seven fills to get to the green zone. The smugness of the easy losers is tough. I love to read about successul bandsters (not that any of them are smug) and follow their blogs, but it is disheartening when I see people who have lost 90 pounds in the time it took me to actually get restriction. Hang in there. You are on this journey for yourself, not the other rude folks. I think your story of slow loss is an important one to be shared at the support meetings, after all you may be the next inspiration for someone else who hasn't lost anything.

Don't worry too much about getting stuck. Just be careful and go slowly and you'll be fine. Once you do get stuck though, just remember what caused it (eating too fast, a certain food, etc), that way you can avoid it in the future. I've only been truly stuck twice. It is AWFUL, but really it was my own fault (I ate something I knew might cause problems). It was a painful, cramping sensation like a boulder was shoved down my throat and was just sitting on my band and there was nothing I could do. About 20 minutes later the food came back up. Then my stomach could not handle solids for an entire day (the first time I did solids for dinner after having a Breakfast episode and the whole cycle started over). I haven't found anything that help once I'm stuck. Not papaya enzyme, pineapple juice, or small sips of Water. I just had to ride it out. Good luck and don't worry too much about getting stuck, just do what you know you should and avoid what you know you shouldn't do and you'll do great!!

I can't do potatoes at all...I was fine until my most recent fill and could eat anything. Potatoes, squash, really anything you would expect to turn into a "ball" in the tummy won't go down for me. I can do bread, but only with other stuff and never by itself at the start of a meal (I guess it makes a little bread ball in there). The best thing to do is try SMALL amounts of stuff till you find what will and will not go down for you. You'll have a few not so fun times bent over the sink until you find what's right. Then you'll remember what causes issues...trust me, it only takes once UGH!!

I can tell you that the fills are a breeze (I've had 5). I'm usually at the doc's office for 15 minutes, that includes a weigh-in and chat with the doc about food and how long I stay full. The fill itself takes about one minute. The worst part is when the doc presses down on the chub to find the port. The poke is nothing, it's not even as bad as a shot (which I don't think are that bad anyway). Then I drink about 3 oz of water to make sure it goes down.

I am on a super-strict pre-op diet too (4 Protein shakes and 1 lean cuisine). My advice...go ahead and weigh everyday, but DO NOT "count" that weight. Only believe the weight once a week (don't pick the best one LOL). Weigh at a consistent time once a week and let that be the true weight. I've been on this flipping diet five weeks now. My surgery is 11/16, so I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. WHEW!! I'm down 20 pounds. So, just stick with it and know that you are almost on to the next phase :tongue2: Good luck!!

I sailed through the test with only one incident per hour. No sleep apnea here. Just wanted to reassure you that not everyone will have it

Actually, the insurance companies cannot "create" a pre-existing condition. A pre-existing condition is something the member already has. The definition is pretty straight forward (this is from the book we use for the insurance licensing exam): "A physical condition existing prior to the effective date of the policy. Coverage may be denied if the condition required treatment within a specified period before the application date and then requires teatment within a specified time after the policy effective date." The insurance company absolutely has the right to know what your doctor is treating you for. That's how they pay claims. They aren't just going to give you money becuase you say so. Plus, this is a PHI (Protected Health Information) requirement. If you want to know more google it. Sorry to jack the thread, but misinformation is not good.