laurigee

I realize that spending 300.00 a fill is expensive but you can't risk the band because of that. Alot of people will stayed overfilled, like you did, because of the cost. That can lead to alot of problems and costs far over 300.00. Maybe talk to your fill doctor and ask them if you leave his office and within a few hours if you need to get some removed if he will do it no charge. I understand were he wouldn't a couple of days later, but within a few hours he should be accomodating. If not, inform him that you will have to find someone more flexible than him. If you need to continue to go to him, your just going to have to go more slowly. If you have to use a little will power a week or so before the next fill, that is a better than losing the band all together. I am self pay also, so I do know the challenges of this problem, but my surgeon is a god send, he is very accomodating and is truly concerned about his patients. They are out there. I have read alot of threads on this site about people who have failed with the band because of this issue. Please, don't let that happen. Have the doctor work with you or find one that will. I wish you the best, Good Luck.

Howells: I was banded in 2006 also. Have you stayed in regular contact with your surgeon? What size is your band? How much is in your band? I know that it is harder losing weight and keeping it off in the second year than in the first. Have you had a fill in the second year? It really sounds like you may be too tight. I would love to be able to give you some advice, but I think we need to know a little more about your history. By the way, how much is 4 stones?

I too, had hair loss in the beginning. I have very thick hair and I could actually tell a big difference. I have always taken vitamins, so I didn't think that had anything to do with it. I am a meat eater, and still am. So I am not sure that has anything to do with it either. I was also very slow at losing weight. After 2 1/2 yrs. I still haven't reached goal. So all these theories have been tested by me(the lab rat). So truly, I have no clue why this happens, but I can assure you all, that it stops as fast as it started. Where the hair was thinning is now back to the way it was before. Who knows! Good Luck

Your weight loss is definately on track. But truly it is hard to keep weight off without exercise. Maybe you should try to get 1/2hr in before work. It will give you more energy for your day ahead. I know that when your tired from working all day the last thing you want to do is exercise, but it does help with your energy level in the long run. I too, crave sugar. I will allow myself treats now and then if I have followed my exercise and eating regimine. Who knows why our bodies crave it. Make sure you are getting the proper vitamins and nutrients you need for the day, so that is not attributing to your sudden cravings. Good Luck

I have been on this journey since 2006. It is so up and down that if you let it get to you, you will be driven crazy withing a few months. All that you need to worry about is that you are following your band rules, exercising, and eating properly. Then, if the scale doesn't move, you know that you are doing your part and that your body just has to get with the program. Everyones body is different, and loses weight differently. Never expect what the most successful bandster experience in weight loss. It can get frustrating. Or at least it did for me. Let your body take the journey at its own pace and enjoy. Pounds will be gained and lost and regained many times. Don't panic. I use the 5lb rule. If I gain more than 5lbs. and keep it on for over a week, and am eating more than I should and still following rules, and exercising, I call the doctor for a fill. You will find how your body works, and be able to fine tune it so it works for you. Good Luck!

I have started wearing the low rise jeans. I do have a problem with the port. It feels like it gets shoved under my ribs when I sit down when I wear jeans that are at the waist. I actually have come to love the low rise, they are more comfortable in general for me. My port sticks out ALOT under my skin, and I do have problems when I lay on my stomach on exercise equipment or any hard flat surface. I guess it can get a little annoying, but it has been worth it to me. It just becomes a part of you.

I have had the burning sensation by the port. I still get twinges here and there also. I don't know if the seasons make a difference with the band, but I do know that it is very tempermental. I tend to get really tight after exercise. Many people are tight in the morning, and you are doing exactly what they recommend, drinking warm liquids. Good Luck with your band!

I think this is going to be different for everyone you ask. I never needed pain meds, I had my surgery on Thur. and was push mowing my lawn on Sat. But I have heard in my support group where it has taken some people over a week to recover. I know going into surgeries that I have never had pain issues and heal quite quickly. So, if you have had other surgeries, I think you can kind of base how fast you recovered. Good Luck and Congratulations on your upcoming Banding!

I hope you ladies don't give up on this. I was banded in 2006, and didn't lose much of nothing the first year either. It took me a while to understand that exercise was a very important part of the program. Believe it or not once you start it becomes almost as addicting as food. And for some reason when you see your body change by exercising you start putting more healthy things in your body. Just forget about the last year and start over from the beginning. Forgive yourself, know that the way you tried it for a year didn't work, and that now your going to give something else a try. Don't give up! My favorite quote is "never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat". Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress.

I actually have 4.5+cc's in my 4cc band. I kind of had the same issues as you. I had to go back to basics. Make sure I was following all the rules. Exercising for some reason makes my band feel tighter. I definately would go get your band checked. Mine was checked and was fine. I just learned that I had to live with using a little more willpower. If your band is fine, maybe get an unfill and start over with 1cc at a time. You never know it could make a difference. Good Luck and keep us posted.

I am truly feeling your pain. What I had to do is prepare supper and serve it, then leave the area until everyone was done. I know that seems wrong not to be at the table with the family, but it was only for a short time. Then when they were finished I would come out and immediately shove everything not eaten down the garbage disposal. No temptation. This is how I got through it. I'm sure there are better solutions, I just didn't come up with it. Now, I can happily say I eat all meals with the family again with no problem. Remember, you have nothing in your band yet, you are definately going to be hungry. You have came this far, YOU CAN DO IT! Good Luck!

I was a very slow loser,but a big exerciser, so I am going to partially attribute that to the skin going back. I was obese for about 10 years. Not my whole life. So I think that may make a difference also. Everything went back for me, even the stomach. My biggest issue is my chest. They look like cylinders when I bend over. Icky. I would love to have them done but I'm a big chicken. Good bras work wonders! I think the skin thing might just have so many factors that there isn't one thing that can be done to prevent it. I think sometimes the things we notice on ourselves others don't. Good Luck!

Your all not alone, I will lose 5lbs, but what I do is gain and lose the same 5lbs for about a month and then, Boom! It's gone forever. I will go to 165 then go between that and 170 for a month or so then all of a sudden I'm down to 165. Then I will hit 160 a few days and again go between 160 and 165. It's been my pattern through the whole process. That's why I give myself a 5lb cushion without panicing. My goal is 158, but I figure I will have to get to 153 to maintain it. Good Luck Everybody.

KRIS, congratulations. It is amazing how small things like being able to shop in the same section in stores with your sister can put a smile on your face. I think everyone should have to live in an overweight persons body for a year and people would get back to the reality that the little things in life are the most important. I know even for myself it's the little things that I couldn't do for 10 years are now amazing to me. It puts a real joy back in life! In a way we have had the ability to be reborn and see the world in a whole new way. To actually appreciate and be excited about life again. THE BAND HAS BEEN MY LIFE SAVER!

Don't get discouraged, remember this is not a quick fix! Get use to it. It is going to happen many times on your journey. If you let it play with your head every time you will go insane. If you are eating right, exercising, and following the band rules, that is all you can do and it will come off. Again, it will take longer than gastric bypass, but that is a fact we all knew when we signed up for having the lap band. Relax and work on making yourself the healthiest you, you can be. That's the journey, not how fast it comes off. Life changes! You will do great, just remember it's about health and the weight changes will follow. GOOD LUCK, AND DON'T BE OBSESSED WITH THE SCALE!

My insurance wouldn't cover my surgery $17,500 gone. Would have loved only $5,000. There are alot of us out there that have worked for companies longer than 5 yrs and also work our butts off, but unfortunately our employers didn't offer insurance that would cover this proceedure. I feel your pain, but thank your lucky stars that you were offered an insurance that will pay for any of it. Some is always better than none. Look on the bright side. During this process you are going to be challenged regularly. Looking for a bright side is going to be necessary to get you through. Good Luck and Congratulations on your upcoming banding.

Just remember that the band is suppose to also help you with changing your habits and relationship with food. It's not meant to keep you from eating at all, or using it as a crash diet. Take this opportunity in your life to understand why you over eat and learn healthy habits like picking the best foods to eat and exercising regularly. The reality of keeping the weight off once you start eating again is probably pretty slim. Try to get there by doing it right and your chances of maintaining it are alot better. The liquid diet wasn't for quick weight loss, it was to shirink the liver, and then afterwards, to protect the new stomach and band. Of coarse you can do things your way, but it just doesn't sound very healthy. I'm not sure without solid food for a month I would have the energy to take care of a baby. Good Luck, I hope things go well for you.

I think we are just like someone that has quit smoking. They get crabby, quiet, moody, edgy. All the great emotions that come out when we are wheening ourselves off of our addiction. It is an emotional battle, but it will start getting better, day by day. Good Luck

You no longer have to look to your parents for their approval or disapproval. Your an adult, and have to make the choices that are best for you. Of coarse we all want our parents to be accepting. My parents thought I was fine the way I was, until they seen the difference it has made physically and emotionally. You have to start making and sticking with the decisions you make for yourself, your an adult now. They will come to understand, they love you and are just trying to protect you. Good Luck

I to have fibromylagia, I have found that exercise, even during flare ups is the best medicine. I do take naproxen twice daily for the swelling and pain. Even on the days when I ache so bad I don't want to get out of bed I move. There were nights in the beginning of my weight loss that I exercised during the day and couldn't sleep at night because of the pain. Them instances have definately decrease. I don't have the flare ups as often anymore and are better able to cope with them when I do. Good Luck and Keep Moving.

Jachut and Carramia...I think that everyone started to panic as soon as they seen hip bones and my neck and shoulders thin out, and my stomach suck in instead of sticking out. I was anorexic for 10+ years in my teens. When I got married I had a miscarriage and was told that if I ever wanted children my lifestyle would have to change, through alot of thearapy 1 year later I had my first son. After that I turned to compulsive overeating. No one said anything about that, it was like it was better than the opposite. To me I woke up and realized it didn't matter if I died from not eating or overeating, dead is dead. Through thearapy again, I have got a grip on what a healthy lifestyle consists of and feel I have a great handle on it. I just have them people from my past that start to worry as soon as they see a bone. They think I don't know when to stop. I love exercise, I love food, but what everyone doesn't realize is I love life the most. No one sees me grow as a person they just see the old me. To bad our society see's the old, fat, non-active me, more normal than the healthy me. Their problem, not mine. I won't be sucked back! This is me, and I Love the new me, for once in my life!

I have a 4cc band. My doctor said that it depended on the size of the stomach once he got in there.

I'm 5'9 1/2" and my current weight is 165. I have a medium frame and people are starting to tell me I look to thin. I would like to lose about 7 more pounds. If it happens wonderful, if not I can live with a size 8 or 10. My largest was a 3X top and 22 pants.

I throw up EVERY time I eat, sometimes before I even leave the restaurant and I can't drink very much without pain or throwing up. Do you drink with your meals? I am going to agree with everyone, you should get a little bit taken out of your band. Just the smallest amount can make a big difference. Remember, this is about health, not the speed in which you can lose weight. Having a band that is to tight can be very bad for you and your bad. If you are aspirating at night the Fluid could go into your lungs and cause lung problems. Don't risk your band slipping over a few pounds, call your doc. Good Luck.

I think that people my interpret the meaning of liquids differently. My surgeon was sure to specify clear liquids so that I was aware that creamed soups were not included. I was told that cream soups would be under the "mushies" stage. Potatos, even when mashed up are definately not liquids. That would be considered "mushies". Do you have a "mushies" stage, or does it skip that? kritzz; I don't think anyone is trying to be judgemental, everyone is just answering the question that was asked based on their own experiences. Unfortunately, when someone poses a question, not everyone is going to have the same experience or opinion. We all just try to give help and support for those who ask.