Tulip

Jennifer, Thanks for letting us know the dangers and symptoms of being too tight. I had not heard about those symptoms before. Getting healthy is my main goal, through losing weight but not at the expense of hurting myself. How much fill did you have when you were too tight? When they removed the fill did they take out all of it? I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better now. Terry

Quote: <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=6 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=alt2 style="BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset">Originally Posted by mommi-hammi Tulip (Terry) ~ I was just looking at your numbers and noticed that you have 2.6cc in your band. I have a 4cc band too and have 2.2cc in there now. I am wondering if I need another fill - ??? I am curious if you know how much difference you FEEL with a little more fill . . . Some days I can eat anything and other days I can hardly get anything down. Does that question even make sense??? Thanks, Lynn </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> Lynn, I felt that I was ready for another fill even before the cruise. I just put it off knowing that I would need a "jump start" once I got back. I felt ready for a "small" fill, and that is what I did. I was definitely getting hungry between meals and wanting to snack more that I felt was acceptable. This fill has limited my portions more at dinner, and that is what I wanted (yes I can tell a difference). I am pretty restricted in the morning and usually have a protein drink for breakfast, for lunch I have cottage cheese or yogurt, and now have a small portion dinner with meat and veggies served on a salad plate. For a snack I might have a thin slice of lunch meat, and that curbs my appetite. I hope this fill stays like this. I don't know if this answered your question, but if you are losing weight then I would postpone another fill until you have stalled for a bit. That's just my opinion. Terry<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I watched all the episodes of Big Medicine on The Learning Channel and the lap band doctor said that he wants his patients to lose slow (like 1-2 pounds a month) and that weight loss should take 2-3 years after banding. I would be thrilled to keep losing weigh, even slowly over the next 2 years. We just recently returned from a cruise where my daughter was married during a port stop in Jamaica. I felt like I ate WAY too much and was so nervous about weighing when I got back. Scheduled and had a fill last Thursday that put me up to 2.6cc. I did go to the fitness center each day on the cruise and spent 30 minutes on the treadmill. And then each morning I started off with 2 laps around the top of the ship. When I weighed in back home - no gain but no loss. I was thrilled with that result, because I did try a "taste" of all the delicious deserts. I just couldn't eat big portions which was fine with me. It's great to hear from all of you. Thanks for the support and encouragment! Terry<!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

I was taking a chewable vitamin purchased on the internet, but my doctor friend advised me to switch to a name brand like Centrum. The imported meds, pet food, children's toys and now vitamins have gottten a bad rap and are not monitored so he said to take name brand.

Sunshine, That is a beautiful picture of a beautiful family. You good great! That is so amazing to be able to go on a cruise and not gain about 10 pounds. I'll be praying for you during surgery, and hope to see you back on line soon. PS I went with my family on a cruise at end of July with about 20 people because my daughter was married during port stop in Jamaica. Wedding was lovely. I'm worried about all the people we met in Jamaica while we were there. Still haven't heard back from any of them by email. Hurry back and get well soon. Terry

Hello Tulips, from Tulip without the s... Here is the gloom and doom, but the end result is definitely worth it! I could not have gone out the same everning as surgery. The anesthesia took at least a day to work through my system. I think it took about 3 days before I could get in and out of bed without some help. My abdomen was very swollen (very noticeable), and I could not bend over easily. Personal hygiene in the bathroom was difficult to say the least for a couple of days. My diet was very restricted for the first couple weeks. I think the doctor are very conservative about giving your stomach time to heal. Adding soft foods takes some time, and some of the foods you tolerate are found by trial and error. The band is the BEST thing, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I had to decide that getting the band and losing weight was my highest priority. Great to hear from you Audrey. You look great! You've been gone too long! Terry

That is a great NSV, funny! Keep dancing the pants away... Shawn, I would find out the price for alterations if you have a really nice pair. I have no idea what someone would charge for that. congratulations for the weight loss and losing your pants... I'm going shopping for the wedding trip tomorrow. I went back to the gym to the torture machine today just in hopes of losing another pound or two. It is getting harder to lose at the same pace. I hope I have some good news to report. Terry

Hello JanBandsters, I wanted to check in also, after too long of absence. I came here to get some support and encouragement and you have given me that and more. Thank you! I lost 40 pounds and seem to be slowing down. I went to my gym and had a personal session with a Pilates trainer and figured she was putting me in torture! My daughter is getting married in less than a month in Jamaica and I wanted to lose more than I have. I had to buy my dress, but have had it altered (smaller) so that was a big Yahoo! Yes, I get hiccups when I've had enough to eat. I dont' always stop and sometimes pay the price (PB). I picked up those barf bags from the airlines and keep them in my car. I also carry heavy napkins in my purse. My last doctor visit was a good one. The scope was good, showing no dilation or slippage. In fact my doc said my stomach looked as good as the day of surgery. My family doctor commented about how much better I look. My blood pressure is down and my cholesterol is under control. My liver enzymes are normal (and they were highly elevated before). He thinks I should write my insurance company with the statistical benefits of this surgery. Since my insurance denied me, I was self pay. Isn't that awful! I'll check back to see how you January bandsters are doing. Terry

Sue, My deepest sympathies go to you and to Pam's family at this sorrowful time. She was a beautiful daughter. She seems way too young to have passed from a heart attack, but I know this sort of thing sometimes happens. Please take care of yourself and at the same time, allow yourself to grieve your loss of your beautiful one. If you have a local "compassionate friends" chapter, I would recommend joining. That is a group that offers help and support for parents that have lost their children. Unfortunately I know this from my own experience. I will keep you in my prayers. Terry

I thought I'd jump in here to let you know that I read this thread once a week and get a lot of support and encouragement from you by reading your posts. My surgery was in January and I have lost 38 pounds. I'm happy with those results but still want more. It has been nice to wear smaller sizees, and to hear complements, but I felt defeated during a recent shopping trip. I was shopping for new swimsuit and still felt so big! I haven't lost enough and was motivated to go for a small increase in my fill. I want the weight loss to continue. I've been at a plateau for about 3 weeks, and want to see the scale move. Just when I thought I was doing pretty good, my self image was deflated by that shopping trip. I got another black swimsuit. Terry

Sue, I thought I was the only one having more hair loss than usual. Specifically, what test did they do that found out that B12 was the problem? My blood tests have shown low protein, and I have upped my supplements. I don't think they checked for B12 though. I went for my fourth fill today that brings me to a total of 2.0 cc. I have taken the slow and conservation route on fills. I wasn't sure I wanted another fill because I do have some problems if I eat too fast, and don't chew, chew, chew. But when I eat slow and chew really well, I can eat more than I should. My daughter is getting married in July, so I wanted to kick start my weight loss after a 3 week stall. We are going on a cruise too, so I don't want to overdo it. I hope this small increase in fill will help just a little without getting me stuck too much or pb'd. I come here to read your posts about once a week, and haven't posted myself because I didn't feel I had too much to contribute. Mostly everything has gone well. I hit my first plateau and am ready to lose more. If anyone wants to know - I would have the surgery again in a heartbeat! Terry

I’ve been reading the posts in emails, but haven’t actually signed in to the web page to post in a while. I thought I’d join in to the conversation and give an update on my progress. Before I write about me though, <O:p</O:p Tonya, your pictures are really inspiring. You look great and of course I can see the difference. Your avatar is as beautiful as you are. Thank you for coming around and keeping all of us encouraged. You go calendar girl! <O:p</O:p Gigi, your weight loss is inspiring too. Forty pounds lost is wonderful. I haven’t lost 2 pounds in one week since right after surgery, but lose more like half a pound a week it seems. Thanks for the news. <O:p</O:p Enterprise</ST1:p, I’m so sorry you are under such stress right now. I have a dearly beloved cat myself that is getting up there in years. I still think you have made wonderful progress – already 41 pounds lost! We started out about the same and you are way ahead of me. I hope your work situation gets better, and that you are able to get the rest your body needs. Are you making sure you get in enough protein? With all the stress going on you might need some extra supplements. <O:p</O:p Juno – I am in the same situation as you. Going on a tropical trip this summer, wanting to lose another 10-15 pounds and yet not wanting to get over-filled beforehand. Do you suffer from chronic asthma or exercise induced asthma? Is there a preventative medication that you can take? Have you shopped for clothes for your trip yet? I’m trying to put off buying anything until as late as possible. <O:p</O:p Hi Chris, thanks for the laugh about running around the house. I can relate to that! I read all the responses about the questions and probing of others because I face the same thing. Lately when someone asks me about my weight loss, I honestly tell them that I am trying very hard to lose weight because I am going to Jamaica this summer. That is the truth. Information about my surgery is none of their business, unless I want it to be. <O:p</O:p Lisa, congratulations on such great progress – I’m really impressed. I too find that I adjust to fills after a while and wonder if that means that I haven’t found my sweet spot yet. <O:p</O:p My own update: I feel pretty good about my own progress, but it seems to be a very slow process. I’ve had 3 fills, and the last put me to 1.8cc in my 4.0 band. There are times when I have had problems due to eating too fast or not chewing enough. If I am afraid that I am getting stuck, then I fall into the habit of taking a very small sip of water, which is against all the band rules. I am going to Jamaica in July and want to lose as fast as possible without running into overfill problems. <O:p</O:p For the first time in over 12 years I have been trying on bathing suits. The first shopping trip was really a disappointment because I don’t feel like I look so good, even though I know that I have dropped 2 sizes. I have purchased 4 bathing suits that fit with the intention of taking 3 of them back. In the back of my mind I am hoping to drop just one more size before July. <O:p</O:p On the bright side, I had to buy some new bras and underwear. I made a 100 day post surgery ceremony of throwing away my old “big girl” panties. Has anyone else done something like this? <O:p</O:p One thing that I notice is that I can get by without eating much at all for most of the day. By the evening though I am hungry and can eat more than a cup of food. I wish the hunger satisfaction was the same as earlier in the day. <O:p</O:p Thanks to all that have been posting. I look forward to reading all your posts each evening. <O:p</O:p Terry

Hi Amy, I was told to stick to liquid only after midnight the day of the fill. After the fill, I am allowed very soft foods. I haven't had any problem keeping to this since I don't eat much before 2:00 pm anyway. Let us hear how your fill goes. Terry

Hello fellow January bandsters. I've been away too because of vacation last week in Las Vegas and Utah. I was able to lose half a pound while on vacation which I thought was close to a miracle! Anyone else try an all you can eat buffet with millions of deserts to choose from? My daughter is getting married in July in a destination wedding in Jamaica. Now I have even more incentive to lose. I went in for a third fill today and was so glad to see that all of my previous fill (1.3 cc) was still there. This fill added another .3 to bring me up to 1.8 cc. I haven't been losing as fast and the nurse told me that the closer I get to goal, the slower the weight loss. Bah! I plan to purchase a swimsuit for the first time in years. I want to wait 2 more months and hope I can get down another size. Just checking in and happy to see the old gang all still here. Looks like we are pretty much in the same boat. Sailing along slow and steady. Terry

Enterprise, I purchased the Weight Watchers WW34 scale from Amazon ($34) and I love it. It shows weight to nearest tenth, and I have tried it all over my house. It always shows the same weight, until the next morning - haha! It has an automatic leveling device to ensure an accurate reading. It does not have a memory, but that is okay - I do have a memory. I figured that a good scale is an investment in me. Did Brenda do your 3rd fill? Did you lose any fill from your previous one? I am still struggling with my second fill (not omnipaque). I have a vacation planned for next week and want to wait for my next fill after I return. I hope I don't gain a bunch while I am gone. Terry

TerriDodle, I don't know why it was always my left shoulder. I used a heating pad, and found that if I laid down on my left side, it would improve. They gradually went away, but sometimes even 6 weeks after surgery, I'd feel some shoulder pain late in the evening. It was the worst in the first 2-3 weeks though. Betsyjane, I wanted to go to the support center and planned to attend. Then I found out my daughter had out patient surgery yesterday, so I had to cancel. I want to go next week. I'm glad you found it to be worthwhile. How many people attended? Terry

Congratulations with your weight loss! You are doing great. I had the same experience as you, going to get filled by Brenda. Some of the first fill either absorbed or leaked (hope not). Brenda did not use the omnipaque though. I was self-pay too. When I called to schedule my last fill at surgi-center they asked if my surgery was at their facility. When I answered it was at Park Plaza, then they said I would have to call and arrange my future fills at Dr. Spivak's office. Otherwise they were going to charge me $150 for a fill. I haven't been doing as well this past week. Last night I tried to eat too fast without chewing well. Oh that was very painful. Terry

Congratulations on your upcoming surgery and new life. So far the only thing that I have not been able to tolerate is tamales. Well, I might not have chewed that bite really good. I find that if I chew my food really well I can eat most everything except for tamales. Terry

Enterprise, I went to the Saturday seminar on Dec. 31, were you at that meeting? I was encouraged by everyone at the seminar. Sorry to hear your friend was discouraged. My own sister tried to tell me horror stories about lap band surgery and she has not had the surgery herself. But my cousin had lap band surgery in November and she was an inspiration to me. The moral of this story for me is "expect individual results and experience." So far I have not had problems and am thrilled with my results so far. I would have this surgery again in a heartbeat! Shine On - I would expect to be off a week. It is possible to go back earlier, but I wouldn't count on it. I was surprised at how swollen my belly was and for about a week I could not bend over or move around real well. I remember dropping a paper on the floor at work when I returned and had a heck of a time getting it picked up. Since I did not tell anyone at work about my surgery, this was a bit uncomfortable. I went to Dr. Spivak's office for fill on Thursday. I asked about the second year of fills free if I met my goal. Since I didn't know what my expected goal was, they showed me the chart and my goal for 5'6" is 137 pounds. I saw that they have a chart for expected weight on Dr. Spivak's web page at bandmd.com I hope to meet some of you at the support group meetings. Terry

Sunshine, I just got back from the doctor's office today too. I had a second fill today while I was there. My surgery was 1/8/07, first fill of 1.0cc was on 2/12 and today they could only get out .5cc. He said that was common with the first fill. I'm afraid it has a leak, but they did not seem concerned. I was told to stay on a clear liquid diet after midnight last night to prepare for my fill today. After my first fill I felt a little restriction for only about 3 days. After that it was all willpower, and measuring out my food. Today after this second fill I do feel much more restriction. Not sure how long it will last. I was told to stay on muchies today, and very very soft food tomorrow. I have a trip planned to Las Vegas at the end of March and wanted to go ahead and schedule my next fill for when I returned. The office manager said I would not have a problem getting in when I want but didn't want to schedule it yet. She said that it is best to wait out as long as possible between fills. Once I'm back to my own willpower only and not losing 6-8 pounds a month then I should come back. She doesn't want me to get to max fill before I reach goal. I hadn't thought of it that way and since I'm still losing right now, I'm okay with her advice. Anyway, I'm up for the exercise challenge. My goal for March is 3x week walking 2 miles. Haven't done it yet today. I'm encouraged by all the bandsters here that are eager to exercise and keep moving. Terry

I had GERD myself, and woke up most nights coughing. I could feel the acid in my throat. After an endoscopy my gastroenterologist recommended me for lap band because she believes the weight loss will cause the GERD to improve. She was right. I have not had an episode of GERD in over 3 weeks. My lap band was on January 8, 2007 and I can tell a big difference already. You really should try to get a second opinion from a different surgeon. Terry

Sorry to hear about your grandmother's illness. Is she okay? I wrote on another thread about my fill experience, or lack of restriction, and telling family. I think I'll just c&p here: Just checking in myself. I had my first fill on Feb 12, and felt a little restriction for a few days, but soon was back to being hungry again in a couple hours. At my first fill I asked for the fill to be small because I wasn't wanting any problems and didn't think I needed to be aggressive. I called my doctor office today to schedule my next fill and they said I could come back for another fill this week. Yea! I have heard from other Bandster veterans that the real weight loss begins at about 3 months. So I think anything lost before that is a real bonus. I had not told anyone about my surgery except for my supportive husband. I told him that if someone close asked how I lost weight that I would answer honestly, but I wanted to wait until someone noticed. Yesterday my oldest daughter told me she noticed I have lost weight. She asked me if I had the gastric bypass done. I honestly said no. Then she asked if I had that band-thing done. I said yes and giggled. She thought I was joking around with her. Finally she pinned me down and I told her the truth. She was very supportive. Today I went through the same conversation with my sister. Guess the cat's out of the bag. I hope it doesn't make the newspaper in this small little town. Is anyone else looking toward their second fill? Terry

Just checking in myself. I had my first fill on Feb 12, and felt a little restriction for a few days, but soon was back to being hungry again in a couple hours. At my first fill I asked for the fill to be small because I wasn't wanting any problems and didn't think I needed to be aggressive. I called my doctor office today and they said I could come back for another fill this week. Yea! I have heard from other Bandster veterans that the real weight loss begins at about 3 months. So I think anything lost before that is a real bonus. An exercise challenge would be great. I need the motivation and accountability. I do walk some but not as much as I should. I had not told anyone about my surgery except for my supportive husband. I told him that if someone close asked how I lost weight that I would answer honestly, but I wanted to wait until someone noticed. Yesterday my oldest daughter told me she noticed I have lost weight. She asked me if I had the gastric bypass done. I honestly said no. Then she asked if I had that band-thing done. I said yes and giggled. She thought I was joking around with her. Finally she pinned me down and I told her the truth. She was very supportive. Today I went through the same conversation with my sister. Guess the cat's out of the bag. I hope it doesn't make the newspaper in this small little town. I absolutely loved the comments about hunger pains not being as bad as too full pains. Balance. Oh so true. Thanks for keeping me encouraged all my bandster friends. Terry

Ask your doctor's office for their advice. If it was me, I wouldn't get a fill if I still had restriction and was still losing weight. On the other hand, most bandsters, including myself, do not get much restriction with the first fill. I purposely asked for them to not be too aggressive with the fill because I want to go slow at working up on fills. My doctor asked me to stay on soft foods for 48 hours after the fill, then return to normal foods. Enjoy the cruise!

The barium wasn't bad at all. I think it was only a tablespoon, or maybe one ounce. I don't have problems with gagging on Pepto Bismol though. Hope everything works out good for you. Let us know. Terry