vlp1968

Had my first fill 6 weeks after surgery. Not sure about excersise, I would guess about 2 weeks. Took me a while to hit the gym so I never even asked.

I think your fine. I am a diehard stomach sleeper. I slept on my stomach from day one. Felt the incisions but not really pain- I have a very high pain tolerance. Congrats on your surgery!

I am having a similar battle with maintainance. I am really "good" for maybe a week, then take a day and "pig out" on all the things I have been craving. It's been a cycle I can't seem to get myself out of. I am battleing to loose 5 pounds I've gained (well it's about 10 I gained but I'll be happy if I loose 5 of it). I keep telling myself once I loose the damn 5 pounds, I will eat a balanced diet more consistently. Any advice would be great!

You don't say if your excersising or how your eatings been. I have found excersise to be key. If your not, START. I also found a lowcarb/lowfat/high protien diet to work wonders. I eat eggs, lean meat, veggies, berries, nuts, cheese sticks. Hope this helps a little.

I totally understand your excitment. Fitting into smaller clothes is just the best. I think it's as good as, if not better, than seeing the scale move. Keep up the good work!

I don't know about insurance coverage. As far as eating, you should be able to find band friendly foods like fish and veggies. As far as having trouble while your there, I wouldn't get a fill within a week or so of your trip. If you haven't had a fill in a while you should be fine. If you are getting sick, even occassionally, you might want an unfill before your trip. I just got one yesterday because I"m going to Europe for 11 days. Enjoy your trip!

You go girl! Congrats and keep it up!

I agree with all above posts- get help as soon as possible. There are counselors who specialize in eating disorders. You have not gained control over food, you only think you have. The way it's controling you has just changed, at least that's my layman opinion. You are not alone in this at all. When one stops food, but hasn't really dealt with the emotional/psychological reasons for the overeating, another addiction is bound to surface. Years ago, I quit smoking pot (well for a time) and almost immediatley began gambling. They call it addiction transfer. I had lots of therapy before being banded and after. I am happy to say I am clean 2 years now. You can do this! Don't wait- seek help now!

Fills are a very easy procedure. The surgeon- or nurse pa will give you a local, then insert a long needle (but you won't feel much of anything) she will draw out what's in there and then add the appropriate amount. I never felt my band tighten. Took me 3 fills to get restriction. Some lucky ones get it on the first shot. You'll do great!

That's fantastic your in therapy. Glad it seems to be helping so far. Are you excersising? Please start if your not. Start out slow and gradually increase the intensity/duration of what your doing. As others have said, go see your surgeon. I understand it will be difficult because you've gained. It won't be the first time your doc. has seen this. You've got the tool, get fills until it's working for you. I wish you the best! You are way way way to young to feel like life is passing you by. Please keep us updated on how your doing.

I know some doc's say no snacks but I believe in healthy, planned snacks. I eat 1/4 nuts, lowfat cheese sticks, beef jerky for snacks. It keeps me from getting too hungry inbetween meals. I lost 107 pounds in about 10 months. Keep up the excersise for sure! It may take a few fills to get you to a good place- try to be patient, I know it's hard. Best wishes.

I was very happy when the smaller blood pressure cup fit, so I know where your coming from. Keep up the good work!

I came up as strong indications of a food addict. I wasn't sure how to answer a lot of the questions. My story is I am pretty much maintaining a 100 pound loss. However, my eating is irratic. I restrict myself very much on some days, go overboard on eating other days. I am currently a little above the range I want to stay in.

Great job! That was great you planned ahead and had a protien shake and brought a pudding. Keep up the good work! Your off to a great start.

I have always been a snacker. I disagree with doc.'s who say no snacking. I think healthy planned Snacks are fine. They are necessary for me to keep from getting too hungry inbetween meals. I snack mostly on nuts and lowfat cheese. I lost 107 pounds in 10 months. Now that I am maintaining I've added some fruit into my snacking/dessert. Hope this helps. I think the bottom line is that snacks are ok, even good, but they must be planned and fit into your overall eating plan. That is very different then mindlessly or impulsivly digging into a bag of chips.

I haven't experienced a slip. I asked my doc. about it, and he said all of a sudden you wouldn't be able to keep anything down, even water. No, doesn't sound like you have a slip. You may need a slight unfill though.

How about snack packs of cottage cheese and or applesauce. Happy Birthday, enjoy the movie.

I bought almost nothing while loosing. I had a closet full of different sizes. I bought one top and one pair of pants the whole time I lost 107 pounds, and I didn't even need that. Once I got to goal I went on a shopping spree with my mom and sister. What a great time! After my tummy tuck/boob job I went on another spree. I've slowed down quite a bit. Recently I bought some long sleeve tops for a trip to eastern europe next month. As long as you can afford it and/or are getting great deals I say have fun and don't worry. After all your hard work you deserve it!

You are at the very beggining of your journey. Your feelings are totally normal. It is expected that you are hungry, once the initial swelling from surgery goes down. It will take a few fills to get restriction. Hang in there and do your best to follow drs. orders. It will get better!

I have to disagree with your nurse. Without any fills you may not "know when it's time." By the time I was up to solid food all the intial swelling- and thus some restriction- was gone. I could have eaten anything- I didn't but I could have. I have been told fish is a good start- it's flaky. I would stay away from real fiberous veggies like brocolli. Good luck! You'll do fine!

The concern I think is the empty calories and the carbs. 65 carbs is a lot. I swear by a low carb diet. I lost 107 pounds in 10 months following a lowcarb/lowfat/high protien diet. If you are going to have a drink or 2, I would have something much lower in carbs, say a glass of wine. As already said beer and champagne are out due to the carbonation. Just my humble opinion. Take Care.

My advice is to be patient. It usually takes a few fills to get restriction, took me 3. However, everyone's experience is different. I would focus on eating the right foods, lowcarb/high protien/lowfat even if your portions are larger than they will be once you have restriction. I also highly reccomend starting an excersise program. There are just so many benefits, just one being weight loss. Start out slow, and gradually increase your duration/intensity. I started out walking slowly for 20 minutes on the treadmill. I now jog for 30 or walk very briskly on an incline for 45 minutes. I haven't learned to love it, but it's become a matter of routine. It always feels good after. You can do it!

Seems like everyone's experience with the band is different. I am sorry the band hasn't been the tool you hoped it would. I feel the same way. My experience has been I'm either starving or getting sick. I would get the slightest fill and go from being very hungry to getting sick even on shakes. I did have a few weeks here and there where I was in a good place. That being said, I did loose all my excess weight-107 pounds. I was self pay and I think that was a huge motivator to succeed once and for all. I wish you the best in your weightloss journey.

Wow is the weight coming off fast! you must be doing everything right. Congrats and I wish you continued success. Best wishes.

I went off diebeties, high blood pressure and high cholesteral meds. I was so excited! I too am on psychiatric meds. They haven't changed. However, if you start excersising your body chemistry will change and maybe your meds will need to be adjusted. Just a thought. Keep checking in with you doctor's for sure.