LowPSI

There are only two possibilities that I can see: either they gave you a placebo band or you haven't been following-up with your doctor. Unless you consume large quantities of beer, that is not the problem. (I enjoy an occasional beer also and drink diet soda daily.) if the band were properly adjusted, you would have to work pretty hard to only lose one pound per month. Eating healthy is not a requirement of the band, since it is designed to control the amount of food you consume. Please, if you haven't seen your doc in a while, do the Catholic thing and go confess your sins to him. Do your penance and move on. It's never too late for backsliders! LOL. Seriously, don't let this opportunity pass you by. You are likely having to live with eating limitations anyway, so you might as well get adjusted and get it over with. P.S. Miller 64 isn't too bad and only 64 calories.

It's been a while since I checked in, but maybe having a lap band talk app will get to visit more often. So far, I've lost 71 lbs, so I'm very happy with my results. I had knee surgery in January and had to have my band deflated. It was interesting being ble to eat almost normally. Of course, normal was not how I used to eat, which is how I got here to begin with. For the most part, I've been pleased with the speed of weight loss and I know my doc is too. I currently have 8.5cc in a 13cc band. Technically, I've got 30 more pounds to go, but the doc says my BMI is already Ok. I'm shooting for 210 to 220, which means another 10 - 20 to go! I hope all you November '10 Bandsters are doing well!

The goal is to eat the right way, eat the right foods, and stop eating when you first feel the Band working. Usually, if you stop for a few minutes, you'll be able to eat more. Not a portion like you're used to, but a "normal" portion. If you eat the right stuff (protein) you'll feel full for at least a few hours. By eating the right way, I have many fewer "episodes". I've had my band for almost a year and I think I'm only just now using it correctly.

I wonder if your doc inserted a catheter? It shouldn't hurt, but you should ask.

From a guy's perspective...The port is the only (barely) visible part of the Band. It's hardly even noticeable, though it may become more pronounced when you've lost the weight, Mostly, it just feels odd and will likely be a little sore for a while after installation. So, if there are areas around your stomach that you enjoy being enjoyed, you may want to ask the doc to put it somewhere else. I would just ask him/her where they normally place it. As for the oral part, well...receiving won't be an issue once the wounds heal. Straining of your stomach muscles could possibly cause some discomfort when you orgasm. As far as giving, the quantities of Fluid (normally) produced should not be a problem, though any fluid right after eating could cause some discomfort. I hope this helped!

Interesting...I don't recall hearing the stories I am hearing in this thread prior to surgery. I am in the same situation as those that have been posting; lost 50lb and hit a plateau. In my case, my doc said 3 months to my next appointment (from Apr to July) and then I had to reschedule to September, so I went 4 or 5 months without seeing the doc. During that time, I actually gained 6 lbs but even worse were the eating habits I re-developed. So, two weeks ago, I had an appointment. Doc wasn't thrilled about having gained (neither was I !). I got a fill from 8 to 8.5. I've since lost the 6 lbs and am doing OK. I'm going to see the doc more often, cause I'd like to finish what I've started. Like everyone has said - small bites and chew-chew-chew! I'll stay in touch.

I have found that drinking with food can cause me to get stuck. The bottom line is...the Band wants what the Band wants.

I think I can actually address your situation from my own personal experience. A little background...I was banded November 10, 2010 at 307 lbs. (I'm 6'1") I have had over a dozen surgeries in the last few years, including two knee replacements and had gained over 70 lbs during that time. Flashback to 1985...I weighed 340 lbs at 26 and hadn't been in a serious relationship in forever. I had a date with a girl I had a crush on and we had a great time. I got mad at myself and determined to lose weight so that I could be "normal". I joined Weight Watchers and lost 140 lbs in 6 months. I too had extra skin. It will return to normal eventually, but in the meantime, you need to live your life. You are who you are and if this new person in your life is a "keeper", they will accept you - extra skin and all. They should be proud of you having lost all this weight and not get hung-up on a temporary issue. By the way, after six months, I had another date with the same girl. We have now been married 25 years and have two kids. Extra skin? Wear it like a badge of honor! (Not to flaunt it, but don't let it dictate your life choices.)

I was banded November 10 and have just reached 50lbs lost! Yeah me! LOL I have 7.75 cc in a 14 cc band and have decent restriction and I'm sure I would have lost more if I had been making better food choices. I feel great and have begun to remember to chew my food and eat a little (a lot!) slower than I used to.

Sounds like you'd be a good candidate for a conversion to the Sleeve.

THIS is your first post? The time to ask questions about the Band or ANY major surgery, is before you have the proceedure. Having said that, If you will share a few more details, we'd love to try to help.

Eating and drinking is fine, though they will likely weigh you, so don't eat too much and remember that Water weighs 8.333lbs per gallon. I was surprised at my first fill that I could feel the saline going in. The saline was room temp, so it felt cool (literally) going in. The doc gave me a local, so no real pain involved, though there was/is an occasional "Ugh" moment. I was made to drink a cup of water - a sip at a time - to make sure I didn't have too much restriction. In my case, I have an 11cc band, had 3cc when installed and the doc added 2cc at my first fill. I had some restriction, which lasted for about 2 weeks. (You will most likely need to go on a liquid diet for a day or so.) Enjoy the fill! Write down any questions you have for your doc.

Give it time. Naysayers will eventually get around to slamming it. Seriously, there are so many more people with bands, so there will naturally be more of every type of post. I understand your wanting to go with the Sleeve, and if my insurance had covered it, I might have too...But the fact remains the the Band is the least invasive type of WLS. If you have a problem with the Sleeve, there is no going back.

My doc did not have a problem with my experimenting - as long as I didn't go crazy. Remember, there are sutures holding your band in place, so you need time to heal, so go easy and go mushy. Once you have restriction, you will need to experiment all over again, because what the band will allow changes over time and with fills. Don't beat yourself up and don't expect to lose too much before you start getting fills, though during this time, you should be trying to learn good new eating habits - they'll come in handy soon!

The time between installation and our first fill can be a challenge. This will also likely happen just before every fill. Knowing that it is temporary and that it will get better helped me get through. I count myself fortunate that my doc doesn't make me wait too long between fills. (4 weeks) Hang in there!

As my doc and nutritionist told me, I'm an adult and I can make my own decisions, BUT...Caffein is a diuretic and staying hydrated is more difficult after banding, so try mixing decaf with the real stuff.

Love is such a strong word. LOL My Band is like a personal eating instructor; constantly watching over my eating. Most of the time, I pay attention, but since I have free will, I can choose to ignore it. There are always consequences to ignoring the band (either gaining or not losing or PBing or and/or sliming) just as there are benefits to paying attention. Its a love/hate relationship. When my Band and I are in sync, it works exactly as designed. For me, it does control; how much I eat - at least it does when I have good restriction. However, finding that elusive sweet spot can be trying. Some of us have a harder time than others. In the words of the Beatles..."The love you get is equal to the love you give".

I never realized what a deal I had! My fills are included! Paying $100 per and only getting 1cc at a time is ridiculous. If you have a 14cc band, you could wind up spending almost $1000 just in fills! 1cc increments - or smaller - might make sense when you're approaching your sweet spot, but Jeez!

What it really does is show whether you have a leak or not.

I have a 14cc Band that the doc put 3cc's in at installation. For about 2 1/2 weeks, I had some restriction, then it disappeared. My first fill was at 5 weeks (2cc) and I had no restriction for about 3 or 4 days, then it kicked-in and lasted for about 2 weeks. My 2nd fill (last week) was 2cc, but doc had to take back 1/2cc because I couldn't swallow a gulp of Water. I have been tight since the fill, though I have noticed some easing today. I'm scheduled to see doc again in 3 weeks, but I'm guessing that I'm pretty close to my "sweet spot". I too get that tingling and it is the cold saline going in. My doc actually removes all the saline before filling. That way he can tell if there has been a leak. I am now at 7cc

After my first fill (12/13) I forgot about fluids for 48 hours and ate a small meal. I really didn't have a lot of restriction until a few days later, which is when I went to liquids for a day or so. The band loosened-up gradually after that until my second fill, when I HAD to go liquid, since very little else would go down. (So far, 1/2 can of chicken salad is my limit.)

The post-op gas is outside of your stomach, (actually co2) so I'm not sure why an antacid would have any effect. Hmmm.

From a practical standpoint, it can take up to 2 weeks for a fill to stabilize. My guess is that the 2 week no-fly rule is so that you can get an adjustment if needed, rather than being out of town and trying to find a doc.

What jenriley said! Usually, after a few days to a week, the band will loosen a little. It sounds like you're getting close to your "sweet spot"! Watch the weight fall off this week.

I was filled with 3.5cc in a 14cc band when installed on 11/10. Doc added 2cc for my first fill on 12/13 and had good restriction for about 10 days. My second fill on 1/10, doc was going to add 2cc, but I couldn't swallow a sip of water, so he took out 1/2cc. I now have 7cc and have excellent restriction, at least for now.