Chapamar

Well, an update. I started getting very tight again last week. I am now completely empty. Amazingly, I still have some restriction. And I still "gurgle" after I eat. Doctor said to watch it close and if I start gaining to come back and we'll start fresh with fills. I'm just hoping this does it. If I get tight again, I'll know it's a problem with the band and I do NOT want to even think about that.

This has happened to me in a very drastic way. My surgery was in Sept. 2009. I had a total of three fills, the last being at the end of January, 2010. Since then, I have gone back THREE times to get 1/2cc taken out. I am now only at 2cc in my band. BUT, I have lost steadily and have just reached 80 lbs lost. It's such a mystery to me but I love it. And I've named my band Monty....as in Python.

My last fill was the end of January and for some reason I've had to have THREE defills since then. This is only my experience but it does seem like the band can get tighter on its own. I've continued to lose steadily. And if I got to where I was having problems eating or experiencing severe acid reflux, I went back and they took 1/2 a cc out. So, it is possible but I don't know how common it is. I'm beginning to think of my band as a boa constrictor :-)

Good luck to everyone who is getting banded or has just been banded. It's a phrase you hear over and over but, it's true...the band is THE best thing I've ever done for myself. And I also thought that the band wouldn't work for me before getting it. And many people have said it, but when you start getting fills, do not try to live with an overfill. I've just come off getting another De-fill and can't believe the difference in how great I feel compared to being too tight. GOOD LUCK AND BEST WISHES!

Thank you for the kind words. Wannabe, with me food has quit being an issue (!!!) amazingly. Instead of it being the treasure I want to dive into, it's become something to keep me from getting weak and dizzy. Even with only 4cc, I tend to be on the tighter restriction side. So, in the mornings I either only have coffee and maybe a small yogurt if I am hungry. Lunch is usually some salmon and dinner is whatever I make for the family. And it really has gotten to the point that I don't think THAT much about what I'm eating because I never eat enough for it to be terribly bad for me. I made ooey gooey lasagna last nice and it was good, but I only had a sliver. So, I stick to protein first and then a vegetable or something if I'm not full. My BIG weakness is ice cream, this is a new addiction. But, when I indulge, I will usually choose to have an ice cream cone INSTEAD of a meal.....poor nutrition I know but SO GOOD and I do it in moderation. That was a lot of words for no answer, huh? hahahahah

Hello Everyone. Just a story to let some of the newer bandsters know, I was banded September 23rd and now, 9 months later I am only 15 lbs. until I hit my goal. It is remarkable. I've haven't had to be adjusted since January and I have 4 cc. in my 7 cc. band. I have absolutely no regrets about the band or Dr. Chris. And I tell everyone who asks because it has been wonderful for me.

Just a quick check in....band September 23, 2009 and am just about at the 70 lbs. lost mark. Best decision I've made for me.

Tataki tuna.....yummmm

I'm in south Alabama....(*hey Amy*)

Hello all, still kicking along here. So nice to read about everyone. Sorry for the ones having troubles. Question please: I'm in the US. Has anyone had their plastic surgery done in Beligium? If so, can you provide helpful information? I do appreciate it very much. Kim

Plus Sizes (X or W) are TWO INCHES bigger PLUS the extra size you're going up or down. That said, I was in 18W and 16W for the first 40-45 lbs. I'm about 60lbs. down now and I'm in 12's. Once you get into regular size clothes, you'll see that you're dropping a size almost every month, if the weight loss keeps up.

Good luck today. And thank you for being brave enough to post your pictures. We are similar builds and to see your results gives me a LOT of hope. Thank you. Thank you.

Your after picture looks amazing. I definitely want the thigh lift and tummy tuck. Still waiting to see how the girls hold up. It looks great.

My take on the "easy way" or "right way" comments is this: If I were going to build a house, I wouldn't choose a shovel as my only tool. I would want a crew, concrete pourers, hammers, well you get the point. Just like in losing weight, I want to use everything possible available to me. The lap-band is one of the most helpful tools I came across. For me, I would be stupid not to use it in my arsenal to lose weight.

Thank you for the great information.

I am so happy to report that I am at my "sweet spot" for now. I was a little tight and had a defill of 1/2cc and then still felt a little tight for a weeks or so after and then magically, it loosened a little and I am able to eat just enough. Not getting hungry. One thing I did when I was tight was really concentrate on how fast I was eating and the bite sizes. And now I find I can eat most anything if I take a very small bite and chew it well (30 seconds?). And choosing what to eat isn't such a huge deal, other than getting protein in, because anything I eat at this point is in such a small quantity that it's okay to have. (Within reason, of course) So, just wanted to share that this 'sweet spot' is awesome and it may take a little struggle to get there with overfilling or underfilling but, it's a good place.

2 plus 4, don't be hard on yourself. I know I and many others went through a "no food left behind" tour right before the band. It's the not knowing if you'll be able to eat "normally " again, couple with the anxiety of change, and just falling back on the one thing that is comforting....food. That's what it was for me. I, too, was worried that meant I wasn't ready for the band or that I would fail. DO NOT THINK THAT. Being on the other side of the banding puts you in a totally different mindset. It changes how you think about food and how you crave food. It really has taken away all the gnawing hunger and cravings I used to have. Now, I'm only five months out, but I love this and it has done wonders that I could only imagine before getting the band.

That's odd CarrieJess, I haven't had mine long but it's never done anything that drastic. But, like Garry I do find that it is a day to day thing. Any chance that it was that time of the month for you? I do notice that's when I get tighter.

I will say this though, I was a grazer in that I would want to eat multiple times a day. Not only has the band cut that out, my tastes have changed. I prefer much more flavorful foods now. And am just not interested in chips, french fries, chocolate, etc. And these were all YUMMY to me before. Just my observation.

I am right there with you. Same scenario almost. I had my third fill and went two weeks without being able to eat at all and then went and got 1/2 cc out. I was really tight still but able to eat a little. In the last two to three days I haven't been getting the stuck feeling and have eaten small portions of normal meals. It feels great and I have restriction and I also feel like I'm overdoing it after only being able to take three or four bites. I think we've hit the sweet spot!!!!!

A peculiar issue has risen that is bemusing and slightly troubling and of course, it has to do with food. If you were to look in my fridge or freezer right this moment you would think I was feeding a platoon. The freezer is crammed full of things to cook and the fridge is crammed full of leftovers. It's just myself and my son in the house yet, my eyes keep telling me I need this chicken and that fish and those steaks. When I cook I want what I want but usually I cook in much too large quantities with the intention of freezing some. Then, I find that I have no interest in the leftovers. I know it's going to take cooking less, buying less, etc. to fix the problem. I'm just a little amazed that it's occurring. Has anyone else had this compulsion to hoard food yet knowing you're not going to eat it?

I'm a little too tight if anything. I have hunger but not badly and it's at times when I should eat. I find myself wanting food and going to great lengths to cook or get the exact thing I'm craving and then usually about 10 bites in I am DONE. Can't eat much at all. For instance last night I had a 5 oz. steak. I ended up eating a quarter of it. And couldn't eat any of the salad or vegetables. I'm very quick to PB right now too because of the restriction so I take it nice and slow. I am really loving bisque and soups right now. They are perfect. So, I guess the hunger is normal and the restriction is on the tighter side. But, I'm being very careful with that and it seems to be getting better everyday.

Sorry for the delay, just seeing this. I was banded with a 7cc band that holds up to 10cc according to the doctor. I have had three fills. The first was 2 cc, the second was 2 cc and then the third was 1 cc. I was too tight at 5cc total so went back after two weeks and had .5 cc removed. For a total of 4.5 cc currently. I have plenty of restriction right now and continue to lose consistently. YAY!!!