toddee1099

Yes, I think he is VERY conservative with his fills. For my second fill I saw his assistant, who is less conservative, but I made the mistake of telling her that after the 1.5cc fill I immediately closed up and started sliming when they gave me the water to drink. I didn't realize what was happening until a few days later because I had never experienced sliming before then. That's why the third fill was only .3cc, she was afraid I was too sensitive and she thought maybe we were nearing the sweet spot. After only 2.8cc, I don't think so! I'm hoping today I can talk her into at least giving me another 1cc. The tightness didn't last long after the 1.5cc fill so I'm not too worried about it, even if I do start sliming when she gives me 1cc. Her philosophy is to do smaller fills but to come back more often. She said I could come and get a fill every week until we get to the right amount if I wanted, but it costs me $50 each time and I have to take time off of work to do it so even though in theory it sounds alright, it's a bit too time consuming for me. Thanks so much for your reply!!! I love to hear about other's experiences on here, especially when they've been banded close to the same time as me. :thumbup:

I was banded on 1/7/10 and have only had 3 fills, 1cc, 1.5cc & .3cc for a grand total of 2.8cc in a 10cc band. I do eat a lot less than I did pre-band, but am still able to eat much more than I think I should be able to. My surgeon wants me to be full after a cup and a half of food, but although I'm not measuring my food, I know I'm eating more than that. I'm trying to get an idea of how far away I am from that sweet spot that I've heard so much about and dream of on a daily basis. :thumbup: What was your total fill when you found your Sweet Spot? Thanks in advance for helping me figure this out!!

OMG, I soooo needed this bit of inspiration and motivation, too! I am right about the same as you. I too am a January bandster!!! My surgery date was 1/7 and I've lost 27 lbs. overall, which averages to be about 1.5 lbs. per week! I'm happy with that!! I'm not sure if I'm doing the math correctly on the EBW calculation, but I think I've lost 21.6% of the total amount of weight I want to lose, which is 125 lbs. Thank you so much for posting this! I've been discouraged with my progress because I see some of the gals who had surgery at the same time as me who have lost so much more, but the thing is, I've only had 3 fills, 1.0, 1.5 & .3 so I'm doing this all with only a total fill of 2.8, which I think is pretty low, comparitively. I actually go in for my 4th fill today. My doc is very proud and happy with my success, which is very encouraging as well, but I soooo can't wait to hit that all too elusive "sweet spot"!!! Thanks again for the encouragement and motivation!! You've made my day!!!

That is so great, juliansmom!! You don't even know how much hope that gives me. I've only had one fill so far, but I was thinking the exact same thing the other day. This is not about me getting so tight and having so much restriction that I can't eat at all, but should be used more like a tool to help me consciously make those better choices and to work with the band, not just the band doing all the work. I don't want to be so tight that I'm so paranoid to eat anything and I don't want to completely lose that joy that eating great food brings to my life. I so love your philosophy and your take on things. You're doing an amazing job and are such an inspiration to us all!!! Leigha, that has got to be the best post I've ever read on this entire website!!!! Seriously made me laugh out loud (LOL)....literally!!! Thanks for the encouragement and the motivation ladies!!! We can do this!!!:smile2:

I'm wondering if anybody else out there is having or had any port pain. I'm 6 weeks post-op tomorrow and pretty much have port pain whenever I'm walking or moving. I don't feel any pain when I'm just sitting and it's a bit tender after sleeping on it all night, but I'm thinking it's not normal to have this much pain when walking. I haven't even been able to exercise very much because of the pain. I was set to have my first fill next Tuesday so I was going to ask the surgeon about it then, but they called and had to reschedule so it won't be for another week or so until I see the doc. Any advice from anyone? I'm hoping it's not an infection or a hernia like I've read about in other posts. Really curious if anybody who had there surgery about 6 weeks ago is experiencing anything similar. Thanks!!

I'm now 2 weeks post-op. The first week after surgery I dropped 10 lbs. sooooo quickly, but for the last week haven't lost a single pound!! I don't get it! I'm eating about the third of the calories that I did pre-op, which is all way healthier by far. I don't understand why I'm not losing anything right now. The numbers just don't seem to add up. Anybody experience this? The doc did say, last Friday when I saw him, that I might not lose another pound for the next 5 weeks, until I see him again. I thought he was crazy! Turns out he may be right?? I just don't get it......

Try using a heating pad for the back pain that is due to the carbon dioxide that was used to fill up your cavity for them to see the organs better during surgery. That will totally help!! Also, lots of walking will help as well, but I found the heating pad to be a lifesaver!! Good luck!

Hi, Sue! I'm right there with you. I was banded on the 7th. I've been on liquids as well, broth, tea, Water, sugar free popsicles and Jello. All of those have gone down really well. I did just try some cream Soup tonight and was a bit worried about that. It was cream of mushroom and I don't know if I had to, but I took out the little pieces of mushroom 'cuz I was afraid of what would happen if I tried. I've read too many horror stories of food getting stuck and until we really figure out how much our new little stomachs can hold I think I'm leaning towards the more cautious side of things.....for now. I see my doc on Friday and will hopefully get some more tips and instructions then. I saw that you live in Monroe......I'm in Woodinville!! I also noticed that you had your surgery in Bellingham so I'm assuming you won't be attending any support groups up there? Evergreen Hospital, where I had my surgery, has a support group that meets every 3rd or 4th Thursday of the month. I'm going to try and attend. If you don't have a support group already lined up I'm thinking you could go to the one at Evergreen, if you were interested. Take care and keep me updated on your progress!!

I don't have Cigna, but their requirements sound very much like the requirements for my insurance. I could not let more than 4 months pass between visits. I ended up missing two months and still got approved. Hope this help! Good luck!

Hello......I just had surgery yesterday and have not experienced the gas pains yet that everyone is talking about. Does that come later? Or would I have already experienced it? Thanks so much for your advice!

OMG!! I still cannot believe I finally had the surgery.....yesterday! It's very surreal! I was so very nervous all the way up until the minute I left my house, wondering if I was making the right decision. I was to be there at 7:15 and surgery was scheduled for 8:45. For some reason they were able to get me in early so surgery was at 8:15 instead. The surgery went great! Except for the nausea that I experienced from the anesthesia. I knew it made me nauseous from another surgery I had a few years back. They gave me tons of anti-nausea medicine, but it didn't seem to help much. However, I am glad that I didn't vomit, that is what I feared. I'm at home now trying to survive on broth, water, sugar free popsicles and sugar free jello. I think I only have to do that for a couple more days and then I can move up to the full liquid diet....oh boy! I'm not looking forward to puree'ing meat! Yuck!! Any tips that anybody can give regarding what to eat, how often and how much would be greatly appreciated!! I'm very excited to have this website for help and support along this very exciting journey!