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Can I say I love you! Your comment made me feel so much better. And as a true 'dieter' I will say "Tomorrow is a new day" haha I have to get out of that terrible habit of secret eating because it does me no good and I DO have to be a big girl and be accountable of my own actions. Like most people, my biggest fear is going through this surgery will be all for nothing and it wont work. I have to MAKE it work because its my last resort at losing this weight. Like I have seen somewhere before "being skinny tastes better than that food" Thanks for the encouragement!

Yes, getting in that water is proving to be very difficult for me as well. But I'm bad and drink a little while I eat. Just a few sips here and there. Of course since last night I have NOT been a good girl. I have been stuffing myself to the point where I am super uncomfortable and its a bit painful. I want to kick myself in the face because I KNOW that I am once again sabatoging myself, but this time it will come at a MUCH higher price. I was so happy to see 180 FINALLY on my scale and now I'm backtracking??! UGH! So of course being this full, trying to get my water in, is super hard. I have always had a problem of being a 'secret eater'. How sad. A mother of 3. almost 32 years old and I secret eat. I'm the bulimic eater without the throwing up part. I hate it and its so embarressing. I thought that if I got this lapband, it would help, but it hasn't. My boyfriend is working out of town for the next few weeks and only home on the weekends, so I'm having like a free for all. UGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I just need to stop! Sorry for the rant.

Congrats! I remember when I got approved for my loan and was SO HAPPY! I had my surgery Aug 17th, and its been alot of work, more than I thought. Still trying to get in the right mind frame of eating a new way, but am confident it will come (soon I hope ) Cant wait to hear more about your journey!

I had my first fill yesterday and asked the doctor what size band I had and how much it can hold and he said "14". He gave me 4cc, but I expressed concerns about the pressure I felt in my chest, so he took 1cc out. I woke up today and the pressure was gone, thank goodness. I'm just wondering if anyone was told what does the doctor base his decision on when placing a certain size band.

So I was told I have a 14cc band. I just got a fill of 3cc and was wondering what other people have gotten to before they hit that all so great 'sweet spot'. I can tell that for myself, I'm going to have to go back for another fill because I am eating only a little at a time, but getting hungry again a few short hours later

I'm hoping so. I'm so terrified that I will be the girl who spent $13,000 to get skinny and it didnt work!! Only 2 people know I had the surgery for that specific fear. I have a size 14 band with 1 fill of 3cc. I know that everyone is different, but I'm just wondering if you know anyone who has that same size and how much have they been filled to so that they reach the green zone. Also, my fill was on 9/8 and i know I will need another fill, how long should I wait? I saw one person post saying it could take a few weeks for your fill 'to work'. How is that?

30lbs?!??!? Ack! Thats crazy! Wonder why that is....it cant be water weight can it?

What is the deal man!?!?!? If we are losing weight but still not fitting into smaller clothes...then where is the weight being lost from? Haha! I have this HUGE container just waiting in my garage for me. It has all my size 8 clothes in there and I swear, when I am able to slide those jeans on, I'm having a big ol' party! But until then, I am SO SICK of looking at that muffin top over my size 16 jeans!!

OK so I see that its been quite awhile since anyone posted on this. I live in Murrieta and was banded on Aug 17,2011. My doc is all the way in Orange and I really am wanting to find some support locally but nothings out there . I am 31 and mommy of 3 small children. Does anyone know of support groups that maybe I just dont know about around town?

Nope! Still looking. I live in Murrieta and cant drive all the way to Orange to attend a meeting with 3 small children to take care of Let me know if you hear of any?

Just got banded on 8/17/11 and I was read that you said you went every month to get a fill until you felt 'restriction' Would you keep it strictly to every 4 weeks? I just got my first fill on Thurs 9/8/11 and can tell that I may need more. I eat a little, then an hour or so later I'm hungry again. Would would you advise? Should I wait a bit longer to get another fill or go as soon as I can be seen? Thanks for the advice and really, your stats are amazing!! I had a 36 BMI, and being 5'0 I look like a rolly polly! Can't wait for the day to wear my 'skinny clothes' that I REFUSED to get rid of!

I think people get that misconception because they are not well informed by their doctor, like myself. Then when I actually GAINED weight after the surgery and before my 1st fill, I wanted to cry. I was so misguided by my doctor its ridiculous. He told me I could stick strictly to Protein drinks for 90 days and lose a lb a day. Ugh. I'm so grateful for this site because I have learned way more from others on here that from my own doctor.

I was nervous about my fill too. I hate needles. Having 3 kids, the worst part was the IV going into my hand! Personally, I didnt feel a thing with my fill. I didnt feel even the slightest prick of the needle.

I did the cream of wheat (which has ALWAYS been a favorite of mine). I made it with skim milk and added my Protein powder (french vanilla creme flavor, I believe) And that powder sweeten it right up!

I am right there with ya. Banded on Aug 17th, lost 10 lbs in the first 3 weeks (2 being preop). I actually gained 2-3lbs and was thinking "OH NO! I'm one of those that it wont work!!" I got my first fill on Thursday and for the first day didnt feel that hungry. But now, I can eat like I was before, maybe just a tad bit less. I've lost 2 lbs and hoping they wont return within the next couple of weeks. I plan on waiting about 2 weeks before I make another appointment for fill again. Hope everything works out well for you and keep me posted! I'd love to see how you are fairing after your first fill.

By the way....I'm Jess. Banded 8/17. Start weight was 192. Weighed in this morning at 180 and some change A little disappointed because I cant fit into any smaller clothes, but I have my 'skinny jeans' ready!! I am 31 years old and not yet married (been there, done that, now just a little gun shy) but reunited with my HS sweetheart. I have 3 beautiful yet crazy children. (sometimes I think they are part hoodlum) Ages 9yrs, 2yrs and 10 months.

I was banded on 8/17 and had some pain in the port area for a bit as well. It was sore for awhile and bending over the bathtub to bathe my babies was difficult, but all is well now. As for being scared about getting a fill, I got my 1st one yesterday and I'm not a fan of needles and was freaked out a little when I saw it. But really, I felt NOTHING when he stuck me. My doc had me lay down with a pillow under my back and told me to start to sit up, stuck the needle in and then that was it! I was so surprised that I didnt feel it go in. Nothing to worry or be scared about Good luck!

So I just had my 1st fill a few hours ago, and it feels like someone is sitting on my chest. When my doc first 'filled' me, I immediatly felt pressure in my chest, and I told him. He told me that it was normal and some people feel that. I am a paranoia freak, and wasnt satisfied with that answer. So then I sit up and drink some Water. Everything goes down fine and stays there. But I still have that pressure feeling in my chest, and I tell the doc again about it. So then he says maybe he put too much in and has me lie down again and takes some Fluid out. (he put in 4, and took out 1) I drink some more water, everthing still stays down. Is this feeling in my chest 'normal'? I have to drive over an hour to get to the docs office and am REALLY hoping that I dont have to make another trip, and have it be nothing. Im just really disappointed in this doctors office. In the beginning I thought it would be great because I heard some good reviews, the doctor calls you to check on you and you have his cell number in case you need anything. But really, I havent gotten any soild advice. Everything I've learned has been from fellow banded patients on this site. Today I had to ask him how much he put in and how much he took out. I asked how much could the band hold, he said "14" but didnt seem to sure about it...And during my visit today, his cell rang...AND HE ANSWERED IT!!! I was a little irritated. Not to mention I walk into the EMPTY waiting room, but have to wait an HOUR before I get called to see the doctor?? And the girls at the front desk had walked into a back room (their break room maybe?) I am a cash patient and paid $13,000.00 for this surgery, and honestly I feel jipped with this whole thing. Ugh!! I asked when I should come back, how many weeks. He tells me whenever I start feeling like I need a fill. ...........ummm ok? I have heard from people on this site that its normally 4 weeks you go back after your first fill, and that sometimes you need that long to see how the fill is working for you. WHY is my doctor not telling me these things?!? AND!...(yes there's and "AND") I got weighed while there and it said that I have only lost 4 1/2 lbs. My scale at home that I weighed myself on pre-surgery and everyday since has said I have lost close to 10 (2lbs being before I started my pre-surgery diet). Talk about frustration at the scales!! So I hope anyone reading this can remember what my question was before I starting on my rant session and maybe give me some insight to this chest pressure feeling.

Thanks everyone. Feeling much better today. I guess it was just swelling...which my doctor never told me about. I swear, as soon as I get my 3 fills I have already paid for, Im outt there! I am researching doctors that are closer to me. Im also looking for a support group near by (failing miserably ) Wish me luck!

That is such good advice with eliminating one bad food at a time, I think I'm going to try that. I am a major sweet junkie and having small children I dont buy so much of it because I know its not good for them. But their daddy however, he loves his sweets and Snacks, so its hard to get in the right mind frame-yes, I'm weak I am also a cash patient, just banded Aug 17th with my first fill yesterday, and had MAJOR misconceptions about the band. I would read things online, but until you are actually faced with setting your mind right, you dont really know that yes, its HARD work. Being a fatty sucks, I just have to keep reminding myself of that while I am sneaking bites of whatever I shouldnt be eating!

I just got banded Aug 17,2011. I had my first fill yesterday and really WHO KNOWS how much I have lost. Going by the docs scale, from the time of my consult to yesterday (about a month) its only 4lbs. (UGH!!) But going by my scale that I started a few weeks before my consult until now, its about 12 lbs. (I lost 2 lbs overnight. haha) I think I will stick with my scale, it loves me more So I am a mommy of 3 little ones and looking for a local close by who knows her stuff when it comes to this whole process. I suck at eating right (obviously) and finding time to exercise between chasing 2 babies all day then doing 4th grade homework all afternoon is proving to be challenging, and would just love some support. Any takers??

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I feel your pain...well almost. I had my 1st fill today and feeling just weird. Some uncomfortable pressure in my chest that I felt immediately after the fill (I was still sitting on the exam table. Doc ended up taking out 1cc, leaving me with 3). I feel at times that I have a major burp building up, then nothing (very disappointing haha) I'm hoping this feeling goes away in a few days, if not sooner. My doc told me to do liquids for a few days. Thats going to be hard since I was pretty much eating normal about a week out. I am a little terrified about this 'slimming' and/or "PBing" I keep hearing about. I barely chew my food so this is going to be a challenge for me :-/ Hope you get to feeling better soon. Try some Gas X strips and a heating pad. Did wonders for me after surgery.

I'm in the same boat with ya!....well sort of. I just had my first fill today, about 2 hrs ago. I went in starving, and came out starving. I got no advice on what to eat or not eat before getting a fill. I found some advice on this site. So I ate a light dinner (chicken salad sanwich) and didnt have anything else for at least 12 hrs before my fill. I drank only a little room temp Water this morning...I have hunger pains but so sick of Protein drinks that I'm just taking a couple bites of greek yogurt. My doc was VERY vague....in everything! I had to ask how much he was putting in, then how much he took out. He then said to just do Protein Drinks for the next "few days" I'm sorry, but I need an EXACT amount of days, that is just me. I need to know EVERY detail. So anyways, cant wait to see some replys to your post because I'm anxious to find out