laurigee

Eat slowly, take small bites, and chew..chew..chew! If you are doing all that right, and you still can't get anything to stay down your obviously too tight! If you can only eat crap your better off to get a little removed so you don't revert back to poor eating habits! Good luck and I hope you figure it out!

I think that everyone has an amount of restriction that they feel comfortable with! I just got my first fill of .3 after 6 years. I personally like to be able to eat the foods I choose, not the band! However, others like it the other way around! I find a big problem with people that experience reflux. That is not something the band was meant to cause! It is a topic that really hits home for me because my dad died a year ago from esophageal cancer! The doctor said it was directly caused from his chronic acid reflux over the years! He too was taking medication for it and thought that was enough! So if this is a problem that persists, taking a smidge of fluid out of your band to relieve it may be the answer! I read so many people that think that acid reflux is just a small sacrifice to pay to fit into a certain pair of jeans or hit a certain weight on their scale! I watched my dad not be able to swallow his own saliva or drink his morning coffee. Then I read posts about people that aren't able to swallow water or eat and they question whether they should get a little fluid removed because they are losing weight! Really??? Messing with your stomach and esophagus is like playing russian roulette! I'm wondering how long it will be before a new study comes out that will link lap-band and esophageal cancer! I feel that if people continue to think acid reflux is just a small side effect of having the band it will be sooner rather than later! I'm sorry for the rant, but the reflux thing just hits home and I don't want anyone or their family to have to experience something so horrible that could be easily prevented!

I like crystal light, it's the only way I can get all my water in for the day! Prior to the band I wasn't a big water drinker! I also lived on sugar free popsicles! Good luck and congratulations!

If he can't see that he is struggling to succeed and you are succeeding without struggling he must be self absorbed in his own journey! Obviously everything you say is going in one ear and out the other! What is sad is that he is so consumed with losing weight that he is not concentrating on his health! That is suppose to be the ultimate goal! You can be thin and unhealthy and what has he achieved!? He will have to learn on his own that he is on a road that is unsustainable long term! You are his wife, you both heard the band rules, the consequences, and the risks of not following certain guidelines. You are not his mother! He is a grown man that will only "get it" once he starts suffering the consequences of his behavior! As a wife I get your concern! However, tattling will only cause animosity between the two of you. No man wants to be treated like a child! So make him "man up" and take responsibility for his own behavior and the consequences of it! Sometimes its hard to watch those we love fall. But for them to learn it has to happen! All you can do is be there if it happens and NEVER say "I told you so", be supportive and encouraging! Good luck!

I'm so excited to see someone new to the band the truly gets it! I'm confident that you will continue to be a successful in your journey of not only weight loss but health! Your post is one that newbies should stick to their refrigerator! Congratulations, you should be proud of yourself! Most of us take much longer to "get it!"

That's when the tweaking begins! Can get tedious but worth the effort!

The band is useless without getting the proper restriction from fills! I think you need to do what I did to restart....visit your surgeon!

Wow! I was banded in '06 and I refuse to give up! I paid 17,500 for my surgery out of pocket! You haven't even given it a year! The first month is recovering, the second month is when you usually get your first fill and you can't expect real restriction yet. So in reality you have only been using your band for a few months! In those 7 months or less you have lost and maintained 35 pounds. That's over a pound a week! What would you feel would be considered success? Just curious! You sound successful to me! I don't think you've given it enough time to find proper restriction!!! Don't give up!!!

I was banded in '06 also. I have had some ups and downs. I noticed that when I stopped going to the surgeon for my regular visits I slid backwards. Did you ever get proper restriction? When you noticed you were able to eat more did you go for your fills? This is where I failed my band!

Unfortunately we don't always get to decide what we want to eat, sometimes the band does! I can eat everything, however, I don't have much restriction yet. Salad may be something that is just no longer part of your regular diet! If other foods go down fine I wouldn't think you are too tight!

Have you started getting fills again? Without the proper restriction I can see why you could get frustrated!

Awesome! Congratulations on your hard work and dedication!

What have you done? Do you count calories? Do you get the proper amount of protien? Do you drink enough water? Do you visit your surgeon for fills when needed? Do you exercise? Okay, I will wait to finish the rest of my 20 questions! LOL

What meds are you on? My husband has diabetes type 2 and high blood pressure also and was told to NEVER crush his meds. They said the one for high blood pressure if crushed could cause a stroke! Just curious what you take??

Cadbury eggs and Reese's peanut butter eggs are my most favorite of all!!!! My husband brought home the Reese's ice cream eggs 3 nights ago! I seen them in the ice cream section of the store 2 days before and ran quickly from the aisle! Now the temptation is killing me! I had a dream last night that I got up and ate one! I had to check the garbage to see if there was a wrapper in there and I wasn't dreaming! No wrapper! Whew! I feel like telling the kids that they don't get supper unless they eat one first! Lol..

I strongly believe that the band shouldn't cause us to be uncomfortable or in pain. I think your going to have to give him your feedback whether he likes it or not! Do not take acid reflux lightly! It can be very harmful! My dad passed away last year from esophageal cancer. They said the cause was from having acid reflux issues for so many years! You received 10.25cc in your 14cc band in 10 months!! That seems aggressive to me! But, I'm not a doctor. However, if it isn't working for you, maybe he needs to look closer at your chart of fills! What the problem may be seems to jump of the page as far as I'm concerned! Good Luck!

I'm so sorry for your family's loss! Please don't let this be an excuse to not take care of yourself! My dad died a year ago and then 6 months later my 24 year old niece died unexpectedly. I went into a deep depression! I gained 40 pounds, which only made me even more depressed! Allow yourself to grieve, but remember that you don't have to sabotage yourself to grieve! I know it's hard, but cherish the time you spent with her and celebrate her life! Again, I am so sorry!

In January 2013 you added 1cc, when you had reflux you took out .75cc. Why in February, only a month later would you get 2cc more???? Seems your fills are getting too aggressive towards the end!

I would hope that your husband loves more about you than just your weight! LOL... When I got married I loved a man with a full head of hair, guess what???? I've been married to him for 22 years now and he started losing his hair about 10 years into our marriage! Crap happens! If your weight has caused health problems for you I can't see him caring about his weight preference before your health! I probably wouldn't obsess over the weight thing with him or give him reasons to feel insecure. When your in love with someone, thinking that person is attractive to you is so much more than looking at their outer physical appearance. I don't know if this helps, but I wish you and your husband the best!

I'm so happy for you!!! Persistence pays off! Good Luck!

Why is there such a misconception that with the band that your not able or shouldn't be able to eat certain foods? Then when people can, they think the band isnt working properly! I was never told this by my physician. He explained to me that the tighter you have your band, the harder it will be to eat certain foods. He also informed me that it's not necessary to have it that tight to lose. It would be my choice on how I chose to eat, and what I chose to eat. The bands only job was to keep me satisfied on less food. Maybe I'm the one confused??!!

The band is really weird when it comes to weather, times of the month, stress..ect.. Only you can determine whether you are too tight. Some people like it tight where they are not able to eat certain foods, others like it looser to give them more freedom with their diet. It's definitely a personal preference! I would probably base my decision on whether I was hungry between meals or not. I would definitely have fluid removed if you experience this type of episode frequently. Living with the band should not interrupt your daily activities like work! Or you could leave it in and stay away from foods that cause problems! Good luck, and I hope your feeling better!

I'm a slow loser! I think that made a big difference in excess skin. That's just my opinion. I also exercise and drink a lot of water! I think if you quickly take out a bunch of fat and don't replace it with some muscle your guaranteed loose skin! That's just been my experience.

I respect what each person has to say as you've all had the surgery already, but I think you may forget your early journey as you associate it with a time where you weren't happy at all with yourself. Just makes me see this forum a little differently. [/quote This forumn is a great place to hear many different experiences and ideas! Not everyone's experience or feelings are going to "hit home" with you! However, it is so awesome when someone "gets you"! It really has helped me to get back on track after gaining some weight. When I didn't visit here regularly I seemed to ignore all the little things it takes to be successful. I am one that needs a daily reminder! LOL... Don't be offended or feel judged by people's advice or opinions. I can assure you that almost everyone that visits regularly really care and want to see what's best for you! They are truly concerned! They are just thinking about the "bandster hell" that you will go through after surgery that is far worse than the pre-op stage! At that point, the lack of self control can be harmful to you and your band! Its important to get your head wrapped around why you feel like you do before the surgery! We all want what's best for you and want to see you succeed! You have to believe in yourself, only you can determine your future! Be strong and know that you won't feel this way forever! This is the dues that we have all had to pay! That's why people always stress that this is not the easy way out! However, once you work with your surgeon and nutritionist it can be much easier than anything you have done before! Good Luck and keep us posted on your progress!

So glad that you remained persistent! It's great that your feeling better! Thanks for the update!