NoMoBand

It could be the swelling of you stomach caused by the surgery and should get better within the next few days. What do you mean by "tightness"? Are you still on liquids or mushie stage? Next question do you suffer from allergies?

Awesome!! Thanks for sharing. I also love gizzards and have not had any since being banded. I shall get some soon and chew them like heck. lol

Great post! The only meter I use for a fill is if I'm feeling hunger in between meals (4-6 hours).

I can testify that alcohol will put on lbs. on you quickly!!! I had not had any alcohol in 1.5 years after being banded. I recently attended a graduation party and had several mixed drinks (about 5), plus, a few high caloric foods that weekend. I gained 10 lbs. in 2 days.

You do eat much less due to restriction caused by the band. The band does not keep you feeling fuller longer, but, keeps you from getting hungry 4-6 hours in between meals. There are receptors in the stomach area that send a signal to the brain letting you know that your hunger is satisfied. Amoung other symptoms, you know you need a fill when you are getting hungry 2-4 hours in between meals.

I work in a a men dominated work place. They have all been extremely supportive. I'm very open about the band and will talk about it with no reservations, however, the interesting thing I see is that many of them want to ask me questions, but, will not openly ask. They will take me aside and start asking the questions. At first, the rumor around the workplace was that I was terminally ill due to the weight loss and a couple of them finally got the nerve to ask me what was wrong and if I was ok. When I told them I got a lapband they looked at me puzzled and thought I said a lapdance. lmao

I remember when I had my surgery and how difficult it was. I had the should pain and the pain meds only worked 1/2 hour at a time. Prior to surgery I would read posts where people reported very little pain and the incisions were the only reminder that they had surgery. Well, we are the unfortunate ones that hurt like hell!!! You did not make a mistake - trust me. It will get better and it seems to happen overnight. You may feel like heck today and tomorrow it's manageable. Hang in there.

I have 2cc's in a 10cc band and am in the green zone.

I walk at lunch with the temperature running in the high 90's and will have my lunch shortly after and have difficulty getting it down (tight band). I recently called my band doctor asking about hot weather and the band. Her response was that hot weather itself will not affect the band making it tighter, however, this was the answer and solution for me. I now have at least 8 oz. of Water after or during my walk and has eliminated the tightness, thus, it is caused by dehydration. Cold weather, on the other hand, most definitely affects my band.

We depend on each other for advice, suggestions, questions etc., but, sometimes we need help from another source and you remind us or point us to that source. Even though this could go under a religious forum, we're not debating religious topics and the inspiration is very much appreciated. I also thank you.

I've increased my calories by 300 a day and so far so good, I've lost 3 lbs, however, I feel guilty as heck. I've increase the caloric intake with snacks in between meals. I'm trying to stick to healthy snacks like fruits, almonds and string cheese. I know the string cheese is probably not a good idea, but, I try to limit myself. Thanks for the advice and suggestion. I will let you know how this works out.

Wow, there may be something to this after all. Let me explain. I've been at a plateau for over 6 months. I talked to a nutritioniist who had me keep a food journal for 2 weeks. After she analyized everything she told me that my caloric intake was to low for me. I was taking in about 900 calories a day and she told me I should be at 1200 - 1400 calories a day. My protein intake was about 60-80 grams a day. She told me exactly what Pandora stated - "your body is going into a lets hold onto things because it feels you are not giving it enough!" state. Well, out of guilt in increasing my calories, I decided to just increase my work-out time. The scale is still not budging! I am going to try this out, by, increasing my calories via more protein and see what happens. This is the 3rd time I have heard this and am still stubborn, but, now hearing it a fourth time, there really may be something to this. jake

Marci, I will keep you in prayer. Prayer is a powerful tool!

How long have you felt the no restriction? For me the band is fickle and I can have good restriction today and not so much tomorrow, but, this only lasts a day or so. 2muchfun has a good point, you may be in bandster hell where the fills are gradual and good restriction comes later on after several fills. I seriously doubt that you have a slipped band. Don't worry so much.

I just saw a post a few minutes after posting mine It is under Introductions titled Newbie Intro. I know of another person who did this blindly without any idea of what he was getting himself into. All I'm saying is educate yourself as much as you can without just jumping quickly into this. There's a lot to learn. The outcome of the person worked out ok, but, he had one heck of a bumpy road at first.

Not sure how they handle self pay, but, I would advise that you do all the nutrition consults. These consults will educate you as to what and how to eat. The change in how you eat is the toughest thing to learn and they will educate/prepare you. Insurance will require that you can prove that you've tried to lose weight on your own, but, without permanent results, so, that part is omitted with self pay and probably take the longest. The psychological evaluation looks for issues with serious dependency with food. Think of it this like an alcoholic and dependency with liquor. If you have a serious issue with food, counseling may be a requirement before the band. I would advise to find out how much fills are and how many are included with the their asking price of the surgery. Ask if they do them under floro or blind fills. Find out what kind of band they use (lapband or realize band). Find out how aggressive they are with fills (how many cc's they put in at a time) and also at what frequency (usually every 6 weeks). Find out if fills are done by the doctor or PA (makes no difference, but good to know). Ask the doc how many bands she/he has done. Is the bariatric program certified a "center of excellence" or how close they are to getting their certification. My best guess is a month or so, but, I'm just guessing. Good luck to you. This is a big step and I can assure you will help with disc issues. Jake

No, you won't ruin your band, but, avoid throwing up because you can make the band area a little swollen and may become too tight. Try something that may coat your stomach hopefully making it feel better. First thing that comes to mind is Pepto Bismol.

PB's (throwing up), getting stuck is a bandster's worst enemy and has to be taken seriously. Throwing up can cause the band to slip and other problems as well. One episode will not do this and has to be a re-occurring issue. If you eat slow, take small bites, chew well, and still have these episodes then your band may be too tight and must be adjusted (unfilled a bit). This is why fills after surgery are in small increments until you reach that so called green zone.

PB stands for productive burp. In other words, when you burp something comes up with it, namely food. Others call it throwing up, spitting up. Something get's stuck and it either must pass the stoma, or come back up. This happens when you don't chew well enough. This is why the lapband is a life changing surgery. You will ALWAYS have to eat slow, take small bites and chew well, otherwise there are consequences. You do learn really quickly, trust me.

My wife has been extremely supportive and for me this has made all the difference in the world. If your wife is on board with you, you are one blessed man. As I posted earlier 2 of my 3 sons were completely against me getting this done. They have joined forces with my wife and are now all very supportive. When we have get together's they make sure they bring pop crystal lite in lieu of diet sodas. I'm so proud of my sons! One big change that exists with my sons is that we have to mark our blue jeans on the jean labels because I wear their pant size and sometimes we don't know who's jeans are who's. I think it's awesome, they on the other hand probably not so much. lol

I also cancelled my surgery not once but twice. I had 2 sons that were really against me doing the surgery, but, I finally made up my mind that I would do this for myself. Yo yo weight loss was a big problem all my life. I'd lose, gain it back, lose gain back........ At one point I lost over 120 lbs. on my own, but, gained it all back plus 100 lbs more. As yourself I also was active. I exercised regularly via swimming, biking and daily walking, except for a period of time right before the band when I let myself go and tipped the scale at 325. I couldn't work out anymore due to such stress on the joints and the pain was terrible. I keep a loose band and like it because I know that I'm doing most of the work. The weight is coming off much slower now, but, the band keeps me from over eating. Using the band as a tool really works and you learn fast. You can cheat the band and I'm still stumped why people do this. For me, the band does about 60% of the job and i do the other 40%. I follow the rules and eat as healthy as I can. The mind over food mentality is what I'm striving to overcome and the band sure does help by keeping me in line. I actually jog now which helps not only with the weight but stress in life. As far as long term affects, I'll cross that bridge when and if I have to cross it. I have zero regrets at this point and I've had several complications that were fixable. I leave tomorrow in God's hands and love life today. Jake

Donklos, A quick question for you. Are you a WL surgery patient or are you thinking about WL surgery? Just curious, that's all.

Ahhhhhhh, so that's what may be happening to me. The weather has been getting hotter and I am feeling way tighter than usual. I know that cold weather does this to me, but, never thought of hot weather doing this. Glad you posted this, I will monitor this. Thanks. jake

I'm dealing with a stuck episode right now. It doesn't hurt and the best way to describe it is it feels like you have a golf ball stuck at the top entrance of your stomach (stoma) along with a uncomfortable feeling in the the chest area. The slime, oh yes the slime and must expel it. I will wait for about 1/2 hour or so then start taking small sips of something warm which will help things go down eventually. If not it's pineapple juice time. I eat lunch in my office and will usually be working on something on the computer and I just forget to take small bites and chew well. Grrrrrrrrr!!!! My fault! I need to put work away while it's time to eat lunch.

lalaj, How many others are doing just fine with their bands is the question you should concentrate on. Also remember that many of the complications are self inflicted meaning that some of these people acknowledged that they didn't follow the rules. Yes and there are others that did everything correctly and the complications were out of their control, however, if we do our homework and research we know that these things can happen and it is a gamble. My secret to keeping my sanity of complication worries? Live for today and remember that the band can be removed, not making it sound like surgery is easy, but that option is there for us. Trust me, there are happy days coming ahead of you. Before the band I was at 325 lbs., miserable and falling apart. Words can't describe how well and energetic I feel today. I do worry about what tomorrow may bring, but, when I stop to think about the condition I was in 2.5 years ago -vs- today and how much I love living and the quality and awesome time I spend with my family, I easily forget about complications and live for today. As time goes on you want to make sure you get your check-ups and if something doesn't feel right you need to investigate the issue with your doctor. You are only weeks out of surgery and it reminded me when I was weeks out, I kept asking myself the same question - "What the hell did I do to myself?" and now I ask myself "Where would I be without being banded". The gamble I took, for me, was that I hit a jackpot. I will deal with tomorrow's issues if and when they come, but, today, I'm gonna enjoy my winnings (the new me)!!! Words of wisdom - Try to avoid dwelling on the negative and concentrate on why you did this and make this a success!! You can do this not only for yourself but for your loved ones!! jake