finallyncontrol

All I can say is positive things!! Best thing I have ever done! I am 6 months post op and down 89 lbs..have 37 to go!! This is the best I have ever felt! It isn't easy but I wouldn't trade it for anything, I love my band. It is a tool that helps me put my food in control. I wish you the very best on your journey!

Sounds like you are right on track!! Do you go next week for your first fill. Stay positive and try to drink fluids as much as possible to deter those hunger feelings. I wish you the best!!

Another thing you might want to try is the 5 day pouch test...it is like a restart. It is good for other things like "have I stretched my band" and so forth but it is really to restart the weight loss again. Here is the website..it explains the whole diet. Surgical Weight Loss 5 Day Pouch Test

Wow I really feel for you (no pun intended). That stinks!! My dr always drains out what is in there and then fills it back up. I thought that is what all drs did with ea fill. You might have to go back and demand that you only see the dr since he was able to find the port. If you can't get liquids down you will get dehydrated quick and that will cause further problems. Please take care! I wish you the best!

Hi Carol, my name is Michele I was banded 11/23/9 and I would love to be your buddy through this. I think it is fantastic that you are starting to take the steps the live your life! I have a son who turns 3 on June 1st, so I know exactly what you mean. If I didn't do something I would miss his whole life. Now I can do anything with him (well almost..not sure any adult has toddler energy but I don't give up). You can reach me dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com I look forward to hearing from you!!!

Same here...My name is Michele and I would love to help you along with your journey!! You can reach me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com I wish you the best!!

Hey I am in Seminole...I would love to be buddies! I had my surgery on 11/23/9 at Palms of Pasadena (St Pete). I would have to say that I am very realistic about all of this! You can either reach me here or at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com

How wonderful!!! Nice to hear that the weight is still coming off! You are doing awesome!!

Those are the kind of questions my surgeon will ask..are you hungry within 4-5 hours of eating, how much do you eat as a serving (is it more than a cup), can you eat a hotdog AND the bun and are you still losing weight. I am 6 months post op and there is no way I can eat the hotdog and the bun..just the hotdog. I eat about 3/4 of a cup per serving. I can last about 4-5 hours now between meals. I currently have 5.75cc in a 10cc band. Typically if you (or at least in my case) are puking then no fills. I believe I am at my sweet spot. I have lost 88 lbs so far and have 38 more to go. My journey has been very similar to yours. I eat pretty much anything I want..can't say I haven't puked..ate too fast and too big of bites..but I certainly will not complain about those few times. I wish you the best on your continued success!!!

Great posting!!!!!!

I think we all go through the " have I stretched my band" phase. There is a 5 day pouch test you can do and this will help you determine if you stretched the band as well as help you "restart". If you go to the website it lays out the whole plan and how much you "should" eat..liquids first. When I get a fill this is basically the plan I have to follow each time only my dr doesn't call the 5 day pouch test and he spreads it over 7 days. Here is the website www.5daypouchtest.com

I think you are exactly right!! I also feel that those who are "not doing so well" do not even show up to the support meetings so basically it is a lot of people that are doing well talking to a couple of people are considering the surgery and a NUT (a NUT runs my meeting). The last meeting we had one person who is strugling, one considering surgery and rest doing well out of maybe 18 people there. I think you are the most couragest to go to the meeting. Everyone is different but I do admit that I give in here and there. I am still amazed that the tub of ice cream hasn't called my name due to I thought they only made it for me. But I do have a couple of cookies or jelly beans here and there...I thank god that I am finally to a point that I don't eat the whole sleeve (or bag). I have learned that if I eat just one or two that the craving will be satisfied and I will not eat everything else in the house trying to satisfy the craving ultimately ending up eating the craving as well. As far as I am concerned...Rant all you want..get it out!! You are doing great!!

I wish you the best. I know you have done your research!! Please stay in touch!!! I plan to keep you in my email so when you see something from dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com you will know it is me!!! Plus I do expect to see updates from you as well as I will be visiting your website!!

I think everyone is a little different. I took 5 work days plus the weekend. I do have a desk job but with a lot of walking around. Have you had previous surgeries? How do you deal with pain? I wasn't really in pain when I went back to work. I was able to go home afterwards and rest. Can you work out something with the landlord? and extension? Or something with work that if you do feel up to it that you can come back earlier? Maybe they can do 1/2 days for you?? or give you breaks if you really need it. I know it is hard when you are in that line of work but sometimes mgmt can be understanding..not always but sometimes. Do you do any lifting? Lifting isn't good but actually being up and about is good??

I love to talk about being banded all the time!!! I was banded 11/23/9 and have lost 85 lbs so for! I would love to be friends with you and support you through your journey!! To say that you will never eat a burger or a steak never again is not completely true. LoseIt is correct. You just may not eat things or crave things the way you did before. Your taste buds change. You need to follow your doctors orders especially at first becuase your body is healing. Over time..6 months or so then you might want to try steak (some try it sooner, some longer and some never). When you eat a burger..you will not be eating the bun..but you can cut it up with all the rest of the fixings..even put it in a salad. Once again some drs say to wait on having salad (mine was one of them..I eat salad now but I had to wait 4 months). The bottom line is NEVER is a strong word, so don't say NEVER. Everyone reacts different. I can eat just about everything..everything that is good for me. My band doesn't like tortilla chips..hmm are they good for me? Nope, so I don't even try to eat them anymore. You can email me at dsmith16@tampabay.rr.com if you want to talk offline as well. I wish you the best!!

I know those 3 lbs are killers..when you are on the border like that and wanting it so bad! prayers going out to you! I know you can do it!!! Let us all know when you hit it!!

as for meds..my doc told me to open the capsule and mix it with applesauce. I did that at first now I just get a mouthful of water and pour the capsule in my mouth (if that makes since). I haven't swollowed a capsule since I was banded. On all of the other meds I believe the rule of thumb was if it was bigger than an M&M cut it in half. I cut most of mine..it is best if you ask the pharmacist or your dr to make sure it is ok to cut them..sometimes it can take away the effect (if it is a time released pill). WTG on the 28 lbs!!! Have fun shopping!

I am doing great! I still have to pinch myself to make sure this isn't a dream!! My band date was 11/23/9 and I am down 85 lbs. As I said I still can't beleive it. For the first time that I can remember I actually got into a disagreement with a doctor as to how much I should weigh. I want to lose 41 more lbs and the dr said I should only lose 17-21 more lbs. in the end he finally agreed with me but as long as I promise to lose no more than 41 lbs. Don't think I have ever had that conversation before?? Life is great but could never do this without the band, positive engery and support!! Hope everyone is well!!

depends on where you are...I paid 14k Self Pay..keep all receipts and turn them into your insurance company. Even though they may have denied you they might still reimburse you for some of it. Make sure the hospital attempts to get pre admittance approval (even if it is denied) this could help you get reimbursed. A lot of times they (the ins co) will not pay for the dr's portion but might pay for the anes, hosp stay, ekg's and so forth. Each ins company is different. Another thing is to save all the receipts because you should be able to claim the medical expense on your taxes.

1. PB 1-2 times a month at most (sliming just before PB other than that never) 2. Operator error..eat either too fast or too big of bite 3. That day I will do liquids and then I am fine 4. Prefer to PB than to have the pain 5. PB-ing was much better than what I was expecting, much easier on the body (not a violent puke, if that makes sense). 6. I use pineapple juice and it is all over in a matter of minutes. The only funnies now is if i really have to go to the bathroom after dinner someone may comment "was the chicken too dry tonight?"

be careful that it isn't too tight! I know that a 1/2cc doesn't sound like much but it did me in once. I had a 1/4 taken out and what a relief if was. I wasn't able to get enough protein or fluids in. The puking was causing swelling making everything worse. I am not saying that is happening to you..but it did to me. It didn't take to long either..maybe 10 days or so if that. Take care.

Taste buds are one of the first things to change. Pepper being one of them. I really don't like a lot of spicy foods. I gave up onions for quite a while. I am slowly putting them back into dishes again. I was a huge tuna person..gave it up for probably 2 months..just couldn't eat it. You are doing great!!