2beskinny

I burp all the time after I eat something! Its one of the ways I know im full :-)

Theoretically speaking, the higher your bmi the more vicseral fat you have around your stomach thereby decreasing the amount of fill you should need. As the fat decreases with weightloss your chance of needing a fill will actually increase. Men tend to carry the majority of their excess weight in their torso which is why some men tend to achieve restriction faster than women. This is also affected by the size of your band (bigger bands need more fill) and individual anatomy.

More common than not to have no restriction after first fill. Hang in there. It took me four fills to begin feeling it.

I just had this conversation with my hubs today...I am 5 months post op and im finally getting used to what full feels like post-band. It is higher up in the chest and I have learned to pay attention to my soft stops like hiccups, burps, and sometimes a little shoulder pain. The hardest thing to let go is that feeling of a stretched lower stomach...but what was that feeling doing for me other than making me fat and unhealthy!

It's time to stop being carb stupid though because my middle son is getting married on May 15th and, after looking at the Christmas pictures, I *DO NOT* want to still be this heavy 5 months from now! I know because of a number of reasons, I lose weight slowly, so I'd just be happy with under 200 at this point. So that's my goal right now...to stay focused and on track...no wavering (thank God there are no 'food' holidays between now and then) for the next 5 months. Well, Melody, looks like we both have big events in May to look forward to! Let's make it awesome and both be slimmer and healthier for our big events!

I guess it's time for me to join this thread, too! I have read almost all of the original and it seems like you gals are the most experienced bandsters out there on the forum right now When I first started posting to LBT, I felt there were a lot of folks who posted frequently and I could relate to. Now the "vibe" has changed for some reason I still get on almost every day though. Definitely interested in keeping up e-relationships with banded people - I'm a "closet" bandster and need to be able to share with people that are like me! I'm coming up on my 6month month bandiversary and am bearing down on a 50 pound loss since I started with the pre-op. I am VERY happy with my decision! I am probably at my sweet spot as of my last micro-fill on Dec 20. I have read how some gals say they get tighter during their TOM which I have never noticed. However, THIS month I have noticed a huge difference with that. It could also be that I was 11-12 days out from my last fill and the fill "kicked in" a bit more. Have to watch and see as I am realizing that if I stay this tight, it might not be a good thing. All meat has been difficult to get down, with the exception of some fish I cooked today - it was great and tasted sooo good as I have been only able to eat mushy stuff and small quantities of it to boot the last few days. Tonight's dinner (roast pork and sauerkraut, of course!) went much better as well. Enjoyed my NY's eve last night. Hubs and I had 3 parties to stop by at and say hello to friends and family. Last party was some friends we had not seen in a while. Got so many gasps of how good I looked...it felt awesome and I practically had to pinch myself to believe that I have accomplished what I have accomplished so far! I'm in onederland to stay and am wearing size 14's again. I am past the halfway mark to my goal and hope to reach it by my one year mark. I have a son graduating from high school this year and am having a big party in May. I'm working hard to get my house and myself in shape for the big event! I am training with a friend to run a half-marathon in May as well. I always write a letter to myself and pack it away in the Christmas decorations to read next year. My letter from last year talked about how I was in the worst shape of my life and I wrote a future question to myself , "Did you do anything about your health in 2010?" It felt so good to read my letter and know that I did do something. Something big. Something that has changed my life Let's all rock in 2011!!!

Hi Folks! I was wanting to get some input on a little pain that I can feel under my right ribcage at times. I feel like it is exactly where the band would be located, but then I looked at some diagrams and it seems like the band would be located to the left? Now I'm wondering if what I'm feeling could be gall bladder??? Nothing too significant, except once or twice I got TREMENDOUS pain that I attributed to being gas. It was located in the same general area and I took some gas x and it subsided within about 15 minutes. I was worried that my pouch was stretching, band was slipping, all of the above. Now I'm thinking gall bladder possibly due to the right sidedness of the pain. What do you think? I will of course, call my doctor if it gets really bad, but I just want to float the question out there for now

Hang in there! I was too tight, got .5 removed and then was able to have it put back in about 5 weeks later and it was fine for me - didn't make me too tight that time. I have now had a small .2 as of last week. I think I'm really at my sweet spot now. I lost 8 pounds in a month. Doc told me that as I continue to lose I may require very small fills (.1 or .2) to remain at the sweet spot. As we lose, the amount of fat around our stomachs (that everyone has) shrinks so small adjustments may be necessary. Being restricted is what it's all about! I also exercise pretty regularly. I am running about 10-12 miles per week. Getting ready to start upping my distance as I am going to do a 1/2 marathon in May. I am half-way to my goal weight. I set my goal a little on the higher side, so I may adjust it down a bit as I get closer. I am wearing all size 14's again and it feels fabulous!!! You will get there!

I'm doing great and don't ever regret my decision. I'm half way to goal! I'm running again (although not this week...sub-zero am temps!) and will be doing a half-marathon in the spring. I feel I am soooo close to my sweet spot. I actually have pretty good restriction (6.5 in a 10cc band) but could use a little tweak (.1 or .2) I think. I feel like I've really made some lifestyle changes. I don't get "stuck" too often anymore as I've slowed down my eating, chew better and am really learning to "listen" to my body for full signals. It's awesome and even if I'm going through a "maintenance" time when I'm not losing very much, I don't worry about the weight coming back. I just know I need a small adjustment and I can start losing again. I've gone from a size 18 to being able to wear most 14's again. It's wonderful and I hope to see size 8 sometime in 2011!

Hang in there, spoiltmom We were banded at about the same time and I enjoy still seeing you hang around here. Lots of folks seemed to have moved on. I got my 4th fill and it made ALL the difference. Prior to that fill I was really struggling. I never really gained weight (with the exception of yo-yoing the same few pounds around), but overall, I did continue to lose slowly. That was because of a lot of exercise, however, I had some really bad days, food wise. Since my last fill I've lost about 8 pounds. It has come off pretty easy because I think I'm close to my sweet spot. I have 6.5 in a 10 cc band total (had some fluid in there from the prime they did during surgery). I have another fill scheduled next Monday and I think I will ask for a .1 or .2 just to tweak it a bit. I have loosened up just a bit, but still have pretty good restriction. I know I could not handle a .5 and I don't want to get overfilled. You just have to hang in there. This band without restriction is nothing...don't give up...keep getting your fills. It sucks that we have to have to hang on by our fingernails sometimes, but once we get to the sweet spot, it will be worth it!

I have 6.5 cc's in a 10 ml band...didn't think I had that much (because my fill amounts don't add up to that) so I must have had a decent amount put in during surgery. She pulled it all out @ my 3rd fill and I had 6 cc's. I got another .5 at my last fill. I'm feeling very good restriction, but feel that I could use a small tweak as it has loosened a bit. I go back on Dec 20 and I think I'm going to get .1 or .2 and then I really think that will be it for me for a while! I've lost pretty well since the last fill, even with the holiday eating and drinking!

Mo, I'm in the same boat! 4th fill felt like magic...now I can eat a lot more - can still "feel" it, but it has definitely loosened. Good thing I go back in 2 weeks Seems like part of hitting the sweet spot is that it actually lasts for a while. I'm glad my surgeon's fee includes unlimited adjustments for the first 2 years!

I have discovered that if I'm feeling a little "stuck" that I can bend at the waist, hold my ankles (like doing a big stretch or something)...hold it for a few seconds and it really helps! Maybe it re-arranges the food in the pouch or something. It has been working for me! Just thought I'd share.

I just felt the urge to post something positive about the band. I always read these boards and have read about so many fears, doubts, frustrations, and regrets lately. I am certainly not an expert...I have only been banded for four months. I can tell you that I have experienced everything from the super highs to the super lows during the last 4 months. I had this "placebo effect" going on for about the first 6 weeks of being banded. Didn't struggle with hunger, was so amped and motivated that I never felt hungry or sad.:tt2: Then my hunger returned with a vengence and I began to experiment with what I could get away with eating. Ummm...let me tell you...I could eat anything, pizza, bread, you name it...probably even dry chicken, but who wants that anyway?:wink2: I was mad that I was in bandster hell.:blushing: I tried to stay so positive and yet I found myself there anyway. I was beginning to SERIOUSLY wonder if I was going to be a LAP-BAND® FAILURE and I was beginning to have feelings that I was an idiot for being sucked into yet another diet trap that doesn't work...then I got my fourth fill last Monday....TA DA:w00t:! I finally feel that I know what this band is about and how I'm supposed to feel. I hesitated to jump back into euphoric feelings about the band but then I realized that even if this feeling of restriction goes away, I can get it again by being diligent about my fills. This band only works if the driver knows what (s)he's doing! I'm not saying there will be no more lows or challenges or pieces of pumpkin pie calling my name:drool:. But I gave myself a gift by deciding to have this surgery and it's the gift that keeps on giving if I continue to work with it as we all have to do. It's not perfect or easy, but I finally see now that it WILL work. When I got hungry yesterday, I fixed something to eat (band approved) and was only able to eat about 1/4-1/2 cup at each sitting before I could physically not eat another bite. I will be honest and say that I felt a little bummed about not being able to eat more because the old me is still in there and I want to eat more than that. :sneaky: That's where the mindset has to change. That's the part I'm working very hard on. But I finally see firsthand how the band will limit my portions until my head catches up. I just wanted to share my realizations and hopefully let everyone else see that there is hope and that the proper fill level is CRITICAL to success. :w00t: This has been my journey so far...maybe yours is very different...or maybe you can see some similarities. That's what we're all here to do...share our experiences and support each other.

All I can say is WOW!!!! Congratulations! No fills? Amazing. I will be honest and admit that I "Christian hate" you HA! Heard that one a while ago and have been dying to use it :thumbup: Seriously, though you are a poster child for the band. I agree with you on the food thing. Strict dieting does not work for me and never has. It's a lifestyle change and I will never say never to any food!

Wow, you've done great! I'm finally below 200 as well...199.5 this morning, ha! I hit it a few weeks ago and have floated back up a bit. I was back up to 204 on Monday for my 4th fill 3 days later and I'm back down again. Story of my life so far. Hope to start taking some real weight off again moving forward!

Best of luck to you! The pre-op and newly banded are one of the reasons why I wanted to post something POSITIVE! When I was pre-op it seems like there was a ton of positive stuff to read and I felt it was shifting a bit for some reason. It's not a cakewalk, but it's going to be great if you stay positive and open to all the changes you must make in order for this to work. You will do great! The surgery itself is the easiest part, ha! I did great with my surgery and I was soooo scared. Good luck on MOnday!

I'm so glad to hear that you don't miss food as much anymore. That is the biggest struggle with me. When I went to my 1st seminar, one of the banded counselors at my surgeon's practice talked about how she never even thinks about food anymore and it used to rule her life. That was the hook for me...sign me up...count me IN! I wanted it to be like a switch...but it's not. It takes time and I think I'm finally OK with that You've done great hummingbird and I always enjoy your posts.

Great post! I was beginning to feel the same way...more negative than positive on these boards. It was a little sad because when I first started coming on here I found very little negativity! Don't know what's changed. Don't get me wrong, however, l do enjoy the occasional cat fights that get started...hahaha! Anyway...glad we are the same :thumbup: I am your age as well! I will try and PM you...maybe we can be each other's positive buddies!

The same thing happened to me tonight. I went to a pizza place with my kids. I ordered a small dinner salad and could only eat about 5 bites of it. I sat and waited a while and then was able to eat about 3 bites of pizza. I wanted to eat more, but the band just wouldn't let me. Later I knew I needed to get more Protein in so I tried some light provolone cheese and a piece of low fat salami. That worked well and it really actually filled me up! That will be my "go to" snack for a while!

Good luck, Fluffy I think you are dealing with the classic situation of when you need to buy something you can't find it...when you don't need it, you find it everywhere! On top of that you have nerves about the interview and lapband surgery issues, and head issues about your success with everything. It's a lot of pressure on you right now and I feel for ya! Hang in there :thumbup: Do you have any good consignment shops around? You may be able to find something there and even if you didn't LOVE it, you would feel better about paying less for it. Good luck!

Wow...that's pretty amazing....I would be feeling very lucky right now. All the best to you!

Spoiltmom, hang in there. I was feeling EXACTLY like you. I had felt a "taste of restriction" and then it was gone. Was back to being able to eat anything. Even bread. I got my fourth fill on Monday...HOLY CRAP...I think I'm there! Today was my first day on real food, but even from day one I could feel my coffee "taking up room" in my pouch. I'm SOOOO excited!!! I think I finally have the type of restriction that everyone has been talking about instead of just getting a little stuck here and there one minute and then being able to eat anything under the sun the next. You are not at restriction yet. I will admit that I got stuck about 3x today (not good, I know), but I'm in shock at the difference. I can only eat a tiny bit and then one more bite does me in (if this is to last, I WILL learn I was soooo disappointed that I didn't get this feeling after my third fill. It's here now though! I am hopeful that it will last! I do have another fill scheduled for Dec 19 just in case I need a tweaking by then (probably will). I got .5 cc the last 2 fills. If this restriction lessens a bit, I will try and get a .2 or something in another month. I feel this is what I've been waiting for FINALLY! I think I have a total of 6.5 in a 10cc band now. I can't say that I feel exactly "stuffed, but cannot however eat another bite...ya know what I mean? I was barely able to get in 800 cals. today and that was with a protein shake to help. I feel really optimistic about this band for the first time in a long time :w00t: It will happen...just keep getting your fills!:blushing:

I feel the exact same way! I have also posted similar question before From the replies I received and have read on similar topics, I think EVERYONE needs to adjust their interpretation of feeling full and feeling satisfied. I have to admit, I am a little disappointed that I don't feel like I just ate a Thanksgiving meal after I finish eating my recommended portion. I don't think I am quite at my sweet spot yet, either. I just had my 4th fill on Monday. I just ate a greek yogurt for breakfast...I could barely finish it because I didn't feel like I could eat anymore due the physical feeling of "backing up" like you described. However, I am sitting here, still hungry and wanting to eat more. I know I have some restriction cuz I am gurgling constantly when I drink or eat something. However, my "lower stomach" is still saying feed me! That however, is where the mindset has to change. There are plenty on these boards who have been successful with the band after patiently listening to their bodies, learning what foods work best with their bands and staying committed to the process. I would personally never consider a sleeve...I don't want anything that permanently alters my anatomy. I don't think you need to consider a sleeve right now either...you are only 2 fills in. You are in the period known affectionately as bandster hell. I think we will both do fine with this, just have to be open to learning along the way so that when we achieve that restriction, we can recognize it and make it work for us. Best of luck to you!

I did not tell my 3 teenage boys either. I'm very private when it comes to my stuff anyway, and I only told my husband, sister and parents about my surgery. The way I figured it, I thought it would be unfair of me to ask my kids to "keep a secret." I knew that it was not anything I ever wanted a lot of people knowing and I decided it was best not to put them in any position where they could tell anyone. I did really well after my surgery, but cooking a thanksgiving dinner? No, don't think I would have been up for that. You can prepare a lot of things ahead of time though. I told my kids I was having "female surgery"...ha that was enough to have 3 teenage boys not ask any questions . Before I decided on exactly what I was going to tell them the day of the surgery, I thought of also telling them I threw my back out! It all went fine. My mom came over and sat with me the 3rd day just in case I needed anything. We just enjoyed hanging out, but I really didn't need anyone at that point. Good luck!