laurigee

I was actually excited! However, I had 2 children and many other surgeries so the atmosphere was familiar. However, I was kind of nervous at the unexpected! Not knowing how this was going to work for me. Nerves are normal especially if you have never had surgery! It's not a bad idea! Don't let your fears stop you! It will be the best decision you have ever made! Friday will be here and gone and we will be talking about how it was so much easier than you thought! Good luck and keep us posted!

Well the toughest part is committing to doing it! You have obviously committed by going to the store and getting your shakes! Hardest part done! The 5 days will fly by! Can't wait to hear in 5 days how great you feel about being back on track! It's not than you CAN do it, it's that you WILL do it!

Walk! Just around the house is fine. If it's not uncomfortable you can even twist at the waist! This is the only thing that helped me! Good Luck!

Walk, walk, walk! This really helped me out! After surgery it is very important to take deep breaths for your lungs. Stand up, hold a pillow against your stomach and make sure you take deep breaths! You need to do this several times every few hours. Good Luck and let us know how your progressing!

Welcome everyone! This is our time! We can do this!

This is the five day pouch test! Worked for getting me back on track! 2 days liquid 1 day soft Protein 1 day firm protein 1 day solid protein......this is for anyone who thinks they have stretched out their pouch, regained weight, or just get back on track!

I think sometime people can kind of get addicted to getting fills. They never want to feel hungry. It's okay to feel like you could eat more, but are you satisfied with not eating more? Are you extremely hungry between meals? I sometime think we forget that it's okay to be a little hungry. However, even at 8cc you may not be where you need to be. It's such a personal decision! Only you can determine whether it's time for another fill. Who knows, maybe a small tweak will get you where you feel satisfied!

When something like this happens I think we realize how important the band is to us! I know it was the eye opener I needed! Good Luck and keep me posted! If you have any questions or just need to vent, I'm here!

Be very careful of what you eat and how much in the next 4 weeks! This will make a big difference on whether or not a slipped band will fix itself! I wonder why he didn't do an x-ray to verify his suspicions? I personally went back to the liquid and mushy stage until mine went back in to place! Did he recommend anything to you?

[quote name=edith ' timestamp='1357941709' post='1916450] So last night I was having shoulder pain is this mean that my band is too tight ? No..sometimes its just gas. Mine however, would not go away and would increase if I tried to eat! Then it went away as soon as they removed the fill.

I guess I'm kind of confused why you were "trying out it"! This made me laugh! I know it's probably not funny for you! I'm not sure what others doctors recommend, but mine suggested that I go back to the mushy stage for 2 or 3 days after a fill! I have heard people say that you can feel different restriction depending on the day! Be patient! Everyone gets there eventually! I, at first, insisted the doctor didn't put the band in me because I was up and running around like normal after 3 days! I was wrong! Lol...Don't bank on not being able to eat bread, I can eat everything I did prior to the band. However, after 6 years I have yet to be able to have a fill and keep it! Everyone's bodies are so different. Do the things the band requires and you will get to a point where your so happy with your band no one will be able to wipe the smile off your face!

Did you go to a nutritionist before being banded? Are you eating around the band. I know that is possible, especially if you are addicted to food! When you have had restriction, do you still eat past full? You may need to address the food addiction issue before you and the band can work together! I was a person that just loved the taste, feel, and smell of food, and I had to work on that first. It's hard but it's worth it! Don't think you did it for nothing! Just be honest with yourself about food and whether you are truly "all in" with the band! If your not there yet, that's okay! But don't give up! Get your head straight with food and don't abuse it and your band will be there to help you when your ready! Good Luck and please keep me updated on your journey! If you need anything to help out just ask!

I have been banded for 6 years and have yet to be able to put anything in my band and keep it in for any amount of time! My first fill was 2cc and within a 2 week period they ended up removing it all. I would get horrible shoulder pain that wouldn't go away, and wasn't able to eat anything, could only drink liquids and not enough to stay hydrated. The band works so differently on everyone! As long as your following the rules and your feeling good don't be to concerned about the amount in your band! Sometimes the littlest amount for some is all it takes!

My insurance has an exclusion for ALL weight loss surgery regardless of health. Its definitely a factor when making the decision. So I had to pay out of pocket! Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Every doctor is different and so are insurance's. Some doctors will do the band on lower BMI's if there are other health factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, ect...Do a lot of research, there is a lot of information you need to obtain before making the decision! Good Luck!

Everyone is so different that you have to find what works for you and your lifestyle! I like to keep my band a little looser than some because I like to be able to eat protien. I know what I have to eat for the day so I kind of graze on that food all day. I may have a piece of chicken for lunch, but am satisfied on a couple bites. If I get hungry an hour later, I will continue to nibble on it. I allow myself a certain amount of calories per day, and I allow myself to eat them whenever I want! It's funny how a couple of bites satisfies you when your not starving! I can see where a lot of people may not be able to do this because of work, however, I work at home so it's not a problem. Hope your stomach feels better! The band is a tricky thing and can take a while to get fills right! Stick with it, it does work!

I gained around 40 pounds in the last 2 years. I had the band for 4 years at that point and thought my weight would never go back up! I was so sure that I got rid of all my "fat clothes" and only kept anything size 6 or under. Then my dads cancer returned and it was stage 4, he was terminal. I fell apart. I didn't really turn to food, I just didn't use the band correctly! Then he passed away and less than 6 months later my 24 year old niece died unexpectedly from lung problems. Because I have gained weight some might judge that I have learned nothing about my problems with food. However, sometimes life just throws us a curve! We are all human and we can't be perfect! Our end goal is health! So let's make a pact between those of us that need to wipe the slate clean, pick ourselves up by our bootstraps, and restart the journey we committed to! Here is to health, peace, and the comfort to know that we are surrounded by people who will be there to support us, encourage us, and be by our side though our journey to health!

Bayou girl...this post isn't about you or I so let's just drop it ... No one comes here to hear people bickering...I don't have the over needing urge to win! I hope she takes out of the conversation what she needs and becomes successful! Tips and ideas can be given without judgement! Emigirl is a perfect example!

Unfortunately the band doesn't help with cravings! I think the more good stuff you start putting into your body the less you crave the bad! Don't feel like you can never have these foods again! Once in a while you can have a few nibbles and you will be surprised that your satisfied. I didn't have the greasy food cravings, but I had the sweets craving that I cured with sugar free jello, sugar free Popsicles, and sugar free hot chocolate. Don't be discouraged, you need to get your focus off food! Stay busy with your hands and mind! You made the decision for a reason, have faith in the journey! Good luck and keep us posted!

I just finished my 5 days! It did get me back on track! Sometimes I think we just have to go back to the beginning to realize how powerful of tool the band is if we remember to work with it! Good luck and give it a try, it can't hurt!

Bayougirl...Sorry, I was taught from a young age by my parents that there are ways of saying things. People can help others without being disrespectful, judgmental, and abrasive. It's not what you say, it's how you say it! I'm sure before you were banded if someone came up to you and said...just stop filling your face with crap and get off your lazy ass and exercise, you probably wouldn't have needed the band because it would have "hit home" as you stated! You ask why I'm here? The answer is because when I needed help the most, I thought I could come here and get support, but found there were certain people that were and as you call it "honest" and of very little encouragement or support. Because of that I stopped coming to a site, a site that should be a place of security and support. I don't want negativity and finger pointing to discourage anyone else from coming here, like it did with me, and have them feel they have no one or no where they can be completely honest and get the advice they need to succeed! Life and people aren't perfect! I have also learned what happens to people who stand on pedestals. The world isn't kind, and neither are many people who don't understand a persons situation. Haven't we learned this by being overweight? Now that we've lost weight were going to turn in to the mean kid?

I don't understand why people need to be so negative! We read one post from someone needing help and assumed she is "unworthy" of the band! Yikes! My band is still empty after 6 years. I had the same problem even if they would put just 1cc in my band! I think it's important that I am able to eat protiens for my health, therefore, I choose to keep my band less restricted then some! Please go to the doctor and find a comfortable amount in your band! It is a difference between night and day! Don't let people discourage you, no one is perfect! We all make mistakes with the band, but those mistakes teach us another new lesson on what we need to do to be successful with the band long term! Start with a doctor visit, and please keep me posted! You can do anything you set your mind to, you just have to get the band working with you instead of against you!

I had the same problem! I choose to not have anything in my band! I don't know why it works for me but it does. Everyone is so different, it's hard to give anyone advise. Maybe call your doctor and see if he/she has any suggestions for you or would like to see you again. Good Luck and let me know what happens!