happy2lose

I say give it more time for the swelling to go down before rushing to the doctor for an unfill. I felt the way you describe after my last two fills but the feeling usually subsides after a week or two. I am still very tight part of the day and start to open up in the early afternoon. As long as you can still drink you should be fine. Now if you still feel this way in a couple of weeks then perhaps you should consider a slight unfill.

I too felt very impatient about the hoops process and feared losing my desire to be banded. (I have Kaiser and was told at orientation that were not doing bands and didn't know when they were going to resume doing them). For this reason, I decided to self-pay and the only thing I could afford was to go to Mexico. My experience in Mexico was fantastic so I have continued my treatment and fills with my surgeon in Mexico. Kaiser will cover my fills but their clinic does not fill under fluoroscopy and I fear some tech damaging my port tubing without it. Self-pay was not easy for me. I ended up charging it on a low interest credit card so I don't want you to think I was able to afford it because I wasn't. Having this surgery is the best thing I have ever done for myself to lose weight. I have worked very hard at trying to change my lifestyle and I exercise regularly. Working with the band is great because I don't feel like I'm starving myself. There are many foods that I am no longer able to eat but I really don't miss them much. I am so happy for you that you have made the decision to become healthier and lose weight. I just know you wont regret it. Take care, Donna

You are worrying too much. Take it one day at a time and if this is too much try and take it one moment at a time. Changing your lifestyle is something that will take work on your part. Years of bad habits don't just fix themselves in one instance. You will have good days and bad days but if you keep working at it, success will come in time. Take a deep breath and relax. Donna

Thank you! You have a great weekend too.

Congratulations! My surgery experience was almost identical to yours minus the comical relief. This entire journeys so far has been absolutely amazing for me to be able to actually lose weight without starving myself to death. I'm not gonna lie to you, I've worked very hard at it and have come a long way in changing my lifestyle. I truly believe with the right attitude, your journey is destined for success. Best wishes, Donna

Welcome Katie! I also live in sunny So. Cal. although I went to Mexico for my band. Your results are awesome, good job! Donna

Welcome Erin! I also live in sunny So. Cal. but had my surgery in Mexicali, MX. I am very pleased with the results I have received from working with my band and I'm sure you will be too. Feel free to ask your questions and I'm sure you will receive awesome support just as I have. Take care, Donna

Sounds like jealousy is rearing it's ugly head(s). I totally can relate. I haven't heard from my sister since my surgery in April unless I reach out to her. Before my surgery she made comments like "I guess I'm gonna be the fatest one in the family" so I say that maybe when she sees how good I do she will decide to do it and she responds with "I would never do that". This is my take on it: If you care so little about me that you would deprive me from being healthy, looking better, feeling better, and more secure with myself, or so jealous that you can only be unkind to me, then you obviously don't care what is best for me and therefore, are not up to the position of being a real friend/sister. Not saying my philosophy is the correct one, just how I see it. Move on....make new friends and surround yourself with real, loving, caring people and don't waste anymore time with negative people who will suck the life out of you. I have made several new friends at the Curves I workout at and the support I get from them is wonderful. I wish you much success and support on your journey. Donna

Congratulations! Glad things went well.

What does your doctor say about advancing to full liquids? Didn't you receive any instructions? You need to follow your surgeon's protocol. As for the gas pains, the only thing that will help that is walk, walk, walk and then walk some more. I'm sure you can take liquid Tylenol for the pain. I hope you feel better soon.

I hope you find the answers you are looking for, but please realize that you will most likely be getting biased opinions depending upon which band the poster he/herself may have. I'm not so sure I would base my decision on these opinions as much as factual research. I have the older generation 10cc Allergen Lapband. It only holds 4cc fill. I lost 37 pounds prior to the first fill and obtained really good restriction with my first fill. It seems many surgeons use the 14cc band and from all the posts I see it takes these patients many fills to reach restriction and I see many complaints of little to no weight loss during this time. Perhaps you may want to inquire about this to aid in your decision making process. Best of luck to you in making your decision and great success with your lap band journey. Donna

I feel the same way about my band. I just hope my band lasts the rest of my life. Congrats!

My medical coverage state if you miss a class you must make up that class and will have to wait until it is offered again.

Ask your questions and I'm sure you well get responses.

I have had this problem for 13 years now. Nothing to do with the band for me. You probably have some unresolved issue that manifests itself in your sleep. I take Trazadone for this and it helps immensley. Also, now that I exercise regularly and I am physically exhausted when my head hits the pillow it has decreased some. I sure hope it gets better for you because it really sucks.

You are human therefore subject to mistakes. You just start anew. What has happened has happened and beating yourself up for it isn't going to help. You have got to find a way to stick to your plan. Have healthy foods readily available and stick to eating those foods. Avoid the drive thru period if good choices are too hard for you to make. If going to lunch with friends is too difficult for you to make good choices or you are weak to peer pressure then avoid those lunches with friends or co-workers. A good friend would not twist your arm to eat bad foods. A good friend would encourage you to order something healthy when they know you had lap band surgery not encourage you to eat greasy pizza. Now if you continually cave-in to peer pressure or to your own weakness perhaps you need to consider seeing a therapist who specializes in the area of obesity and behavioral modification. The biggest thing here is you have got to believe in yourself and make healthier food selections. Going to McDonald's doesn't mean you have to order the most fattening thing on the menu. I've been eating at McDonald's Monday - Friday for the past several months. I order 3 pieces of chicken selects. That's it...no fries....no drink...just chicken and still manage to lose weight. JUST DO IT!

I agree, you need another fill. Don't beat yourself up for being able to more then those of us with good restriction. When you get good restriction you too will eat much less. Hang in there, Donna

I think it is terrible that fat people are so close minded and judgemental and I will leave it at that. TO EACH HIS OWN!

Please give us an example of what the foods and portions you consume each day?

I'm curious what size band you have. If you have a 14cc band like most people being banded nowadays or even a 10cc band, then 3cc really isn't gonna give you much restriction. I'm sure you haven't stretched your pouch with such little restriction. If you get your fill under fluorscopy your doctor will be able to tell if it is stretched or slipped. Don't worry, I'm sure you just need more fill. Donna

You said it yourself, you plan to keep working out and watching your portion size. With your frame of mind I don't think you have anything to worry about girl! Just relax and enjoy being gorgeous.

Your stomach may still be very swollen from all the PBing. You need to go back to a day of Clear liquids only and then a day of all liquids and see if it gets better. After a PB experience, my surgeon instructed me to always finish that day off with clear liquids only. One incident of PBing will cause your stomach to swell around the band and make it harder to eat. Having a cold or sinus problem will also cause your stomach to swell. So this would also be a good time to return to a liquid diet. Try the above first because it may not be necessary to get an unfill. Donna

There may be some other reason why you are in so much pain. I would insist your surgeon make the time to see you ASAP. Some level of post-surgical pain is normal and can last for several weeks. You are the best judge of your pain level and if you think something is wrong then demand the care you paid for. As for removing the band, you are not the first person to feel this way in the beginning. Just stick with it and things will get easier. Right now you are in a weakend state because of the trama from surgery and feeling more emotional from food deprivation but give the band some time. A week after my surgery I laid in bed crying and asking myself why the hell did I do this. One month and 37 pounds later, and I was elated and knew I had made the best decision I ever made. Hang in there, and call your surgeon. Donna

I have never heard of band patients never needing a fill. Most surgeons make their patients wait until 4-6 weeks post-op for the first fill. Unless you have restriction you will most likely be hungry all the time and have to rely solely on your own will power to lose weight. If this is the case, why would any of us get banded?