JoiaRox

My start weight was taken a week before surgery, and since that date I've lost an average of 2.1 pounds per week (handy FitDay program tells me so!). While I feel like it's MUCH slower now than it was 8 months ago, it's really all in my head. But, in reality, sometimes weight flies off and sometimes it doesn't. Note: I do NOT follow a diet, I do NOT track calories and I rarely work out (when I do, I put ON weight...go figure! LOL). I simply listen to the band, make healthier food options in general (honestly, they go down better anyway) and work out when I feel like it (just tried my first Zumba class last week). Bottom line? We're all different! But, yes, 1-2 pounds a week is the average according to all the stats I've read and doctors I've talked to.

Yup, it's a sign you're too full - or, if you've been at your sweet spot, that you're stressed out and something's tightening up your band for you. I'm at heartburn round #3 after the third time of being filled up to 9.0cc. I've been bouncing from 8.5cc to 9.5cc since the end of May - we finally took me back to 9.0 from 8.5 last Wednesday, three days later? Heartburn returned. Seriously. It's getting old. I've been using various remedies, but the QUICKEST and most EFFICIENT remedy? Unfill. Even a 0.5cc unfill makes a complete, 180 degree difference :cursing:

I'd go in for a SMALL fill. I went back and forth for three months getting filled because of the symptoms you're describing, then getting an unfill because I couldn't eat anything, then getting a fill again because of the same symptoms...then unfill because I couldn't drink liquids...yeesh! Just be CONSERVATIVE with your fills! I'm now filled to a level where I don't have a problem with EVERY food, small bites aren't INSANELY necessary, and I'm learning to be satisfied with the foods I eat. Remember, the band is a TOOL...if you eat the wrong foods, filled or not, you're not doing it right!

I'm another one whose doctor had no restriction on caffeine...I live on iced tea, Starbucks, etc. and have since my surgery. I'm NOT allowed to drink carbonation (it inflates the pouch)...and faced the consequence of acid reflux in a band that was too tight last week when I ordered and drank a large Diet Coke from Burger King. Carbonation doesn't seem to be an issue in looser bands, but WATCH OUT when your band is tight! That acid reflux is murder...

I'm sorry...I read the entire thread and am laughing at my US colleagues here. Did you not see his post (and the post from Aus) about the fact that their doctor doesn't encourage a certain amount of Protein? WHY DO YOU PEOPLE KEEP POSTING THAT HE NEEDS MORE PROTEIN?! I, like you, don't choose to see this as a diet of any sort - I eat what I want, but in smaller portions. I'm IN the USA and I don't stick to a protein rule...funny, I've lost nearly 80 pounds in the 8 months since my LapBand surgery. Guess I must be doing something right? Also, I understand what you're saying about not getting enough calories = no weight loss. My band was too tight for the better part of the last three months and my weight loss stalled dramatically because I simply wasn't eating ENOUGH (weird concept, eh?). If you find that your weight loss is stalling, force yourself to add some yogurt, apple sauce...even a milkshake (loaded with calories) just to see if the shake up in calories will help jump start the weight loss again. Either way you go? I wouldn't recommend eating the exact, same things every day...regardless of what foods you choose, that IS a diet, in essence. Find things that work with your band, but stay within a calorie range that keeps you losing. It's not easy science, but our body gets bored on eating the same foods day in, day out, just like we do. I'm at a very tight 9.0cc in a 14.0cc band and there are many foods that don't work for me anymore - but there are plenty that do :thumbup:

I went through them - took 2 months from consultation to surgery, and I'm now 8 months post-op. While the red tape was difficult to get through initially (I kept calling and demanding to speak to the various people I needed to, and kept calling to check on insurance status, etc.), Dr. Salimitari did my surgery (he's AWESOME!) and I love the satellite office I go to every few weeks here in Bakersfield. It's been a great experience for me!

To make the story short, I'm a little over seven months post-op and have been living a great band life. I had an issue back in June where I was overfilled, but was on vacation and couldn't get unfilled until July (he took out 1cc at the time and that made me all better!). Since the unfill, I've gone back every 2 weeks (at my doctor's request) to get 0.5cc put in each time...so now, as of yesterday, I'm at 9.5cc in my 14cc band - the highest I've ever been. But since that fill yesterday? I am uncomfortable! I typically buy a post-fill milkshake and drink it all up (since we're on liquids), but that was tough going down. I went to bed early because I was having chest tightness and constant hiccuping/burping...woke up this morning and all of the same symptoms are there. I CAN drink liquids (having coffee at the moment), so I'm not worried about dehydration. Has anyone ever had this chest tightness with constant hiccup/burp after a fill? I'm thinking it's a triple whammy - TOM, I PB'd the few bites of lunch I ate yesterday (user error) AND I got a fill...I'm thinking I'm just extra swollen and this will subside after treating myself to liquids for an extra day or two...any suggestions?

Nevermind...it became unbearable (couldn't get liquids down) and I went in to get that 0.5cc removed. All better now!

I clicked on this post because even the title disgusted me - "comparing." WOW - SO not a way to go about this journey! Yes, everyone is different...for one, you just had the major surgery - you are still healing, your body's still figuring out what the hell is going on, etc. If you want to increase your weight loss, you've got to be honest about other things - how many calories are you getting in a day? How many are you getting out (exercise)? How much protein are you getting? I'm seven months out and down 69 pounds - but over the last two months I've only lost 12 pounds. Would I say that the last two months were a failure? Heck no! The way I see it? The scale is still going DOWN - for me AND you - smile at that :party:

I, too, was frustrated that my band wasn't working for me for the first, few months. I'm about six and a half months post op and, let me tell you, the choices you're making now to control your portions and help you choose healthier foods will only serve to benefit you in the long run! When the band is full enough to start working for you, you'll be glad you aren't slamming a SuperSize meal at McDonalds anymore...I'm amazed at the total transformation in my lifestyle, food choices, and body!

Those are fine, but they taste horrible! I opt for Inspire's brand of protein powders...HIGH on protein and a great taste to boot!

What about iced tea? I drink it by the bucketful now, whereas it was an occasional delicacy pre-band (because I preferred and drank Diet Coke). I drink it unsweetened, have a lovely iced tea maker at home, and find that it's a great alternative to soda when I'm out and about and need to dash into a gas station or fast food drive through for something to drink. Water and iced tea have definitely replaced my addiction to Diet Coke. :smile2:

While I've had a carbonated drink every now and then since surgery, my doctor repeatedly tells me on fill visits to have NO CARBONATION. It hasn't killed me, but the explanation he gave me on my last visit finally made sense...the carbonation from the drink expands your small pouch, thereby needing more food to feel full. I'm dancing pretty close to restriction right now (8.5cc in a 14cc band) and it is AWESOME. I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my portion sizes, my full feeling, weight loss, etc. So while I'm not going to beat myself up from having an occasional Diet Coke (I was a DC whore pre-band), and alcoholic drinks have always been in moderation (although now I stick to screwdrivers instead of carbonated beer)...I'd rather let the LapBand work the way it's supposed to instead of potentially screwing myself. Bands are going to slip, erode, tear, etc. for a BAJILLION reasons - why not just kick the habit? Will one Diet Coke every now and then (I'm talking once a month, maybe), kill my progress? Maybe not. But the old addiction of 100+ oz. of Diet Coke a day isn't worth any potential risks, to me.

If you're eating the same foods and doing the same workout, your body is just, simply, used to it. Try upping your calories for a day, lowering your calories, a different workout, no workout, etc...it's weird, but we have to play tricks with our body's chemistry to get it to react. If you're not happy with 251, then it isn't for you! Don't accept normalcy just because that's what you've been used to - you deserve better!

My doctor today told me it wasn't a case of needing an unfill - since I was getting liquids, smoothies, etc. down no problem, he said it was user error...my bites are too big.

I use a satellite office to get my fills, so the doctor giving it to me isn't always the same. One doctor, though (whom I loved and no longer works at the satellite office), refused to use numbing meds. He said that if it's done right, the doctor should only have to put the needle in ONE time...and he did, every time. It never hurt when he did it, and his accuracy was spot on. Less experienced docs tend to give me the numbing meds (via a shot with a tiny needle), then poke a few times before they find my port...

Not the way it's done for the majority of people I've heard about, but my question would be this... What happens when you start losing weight, inside and out? Your internal fat will, eventually, fade away and make the band looser, even if it was tight in the beginning of your process. Can you get another fill then to adjust to your changing body??

Excessive PBing can cause your band to slip. No set number of times or anything - everyone's different!

Best way to find other peoples' experiences? Read blogs. For instance, you can click mine below and read everything - it'll detail the entire journey for you from my perspective. I started the blog the day I got the call scheduling my surgery, December 31, 2009. From my blog, you can link to other people and get their stories! I find that reading blogs is a great way to see how people really feel and what they've really dealt with.