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Wow, at 8 weeks??? I remember I didn't start showing so that people noticed until I was 5 months with my first child, and I was an average weight then. I was trying to think of when it would start being noticeable and I was thinking maybe January/February . . . but if you are already showing at 8 weeks, I could start popping before the end of the year, lol. My husband tells me I am already showing as well. I don't believe him at all. I am sure if I were kissing my stomach several times a day . . . it would look bigger from that angle as well, lol. I think it is just wishful thinking on his part. I think I wouldn't mind lack of showing until about the ninth month, lol. Although give it another few weeks of getting used to the idea of "omg I'm pregnant" and I am sure I will change my mind.

Hi, you have the right idea. You should manage your own fills and make them work with your life (your trip) and not the other way around. BTW: I do recommend not getting a fill before a journey because you just might have an issue (excessive swelling, over fill etc) and be too far away from your provider for help.. Also, once you get a fill (at least for me) I can count on getting real tight for at least 2 weeks and needing to be on Soups and mushies for the first several days (normal requirment) if not more. Not to mention that in that adjustment period you are more likely to experience food getting stuck and PBs (Producive Burps) and all the other trial and error things we banders go through when we adjust to a tightened band. (Don't worry you will be any expert about it all soon). And if your journey happens to be a vacation. Even more reason to wait. Vacations are still about eating and drinking exotic things with exotic flavors with people you love. Live it up, then go get your fill. Having to eat mushies on vacation would not kill anyone but vacation is about relaxing and letting go -- not worring about food choices any more than you have to............ All being said, I recommend you talk to you health care provider about your fill shedule.. They are the ones that know you best and can tell if you are still a little swollen from surgery and thus tight enough, or if your ongoing weight loss makes a fill unnecessary at this point, or if you need to get started on your fill schedule or whatever. There are so many variables: Many surgeons will not fill you till you STOP losing weight-- because it is so important to learn better eating behaviors now, rather that later. And still other surgeons are anxious to get you to your sweet spot, so they keep you on a steady fill schedule. I am 7 months out from my surgery -- recently I called and talked to the Barietric nurse in charge and told her that I am still losing weight albeit slowly but I did not want a fill just yet. Instead what did she think of the idea that I wanted to take up to another month and work on behavior modification. (I have had an overfilled band, and now know that I prefer it as loose as it can be while still providing me with moderate restriction and letting me set some limits and goals). She was all for it, she said that thats what the lap band is supposed to teach me and that I should be learning it as I go becasue if I reach my magic number and think I will learn it then -- well I missed the opportinity to learn along the way and would stuggle to learn it later.. Well, thats a long answer to a short question, but I did not know this stuff when I was new, and others took the time to help me --- so now I am reciprocating. Good luck. (BTW - my counter is wrong - i've lost 60 lbs since Jan 15, 2011 PTL !) .

I have an appointment for tuesday, I am 4 weeks (8/15)post op. I am losing weight (of course not as fast as I would like) and feel restriction at 1 cup of food(eating very healthy). I am never hungry and feel the best I have ever felt. My band was regular size and no fill what so ever. Do you think it could be possible I may never need a fill? Or at least not for 2 more weeks? Right now i am in a good way. I think I'll put it off until after my trip I will be at 6 1/2 weeks at that time.

So, I had the psych eval today and I think she will recommend me for the surgery - at least that what it sounded like. There was an interview and then I had to take two questionnaire tests. But based on the interview she said that she would recommend me. I also found out that my referral letter from my PCP still had not been received. So, I spent the afternoon working on that. Made about 4 phone calls to my PCP's office and finally got them to fax me the letter along with 5 year weight history. I just faxed it over to my surgeon and called to make sure they received it which they did. YAY! One more item off my checklist! Just the EGD now on Friday. I'm getting nervous about that for some reason. I know that he's just basically going to knock me out and put a scope down my throat to get a visual, but still, I'm getting nervous. How weird is that? Then on Monday I get to sign the consent forms, do the pre-op teaching and get the "package" for the pre-op diet that will have to start the next day as that will then be 2 weeks before the surgery. In just 3 short weeks from today, I will be undergoing the surgery and starting my new life! Wow - this is going quick!

thank you all it was just a moment but i after i came home from the doctor weighted my self and it was still 194 at my house lol so ill keep it to what mine says lol

I am 4 years post op. I never lost more than 40 lbs. I havent seen a dr, or had a fill in 2 years. I have always had a problem with spitting up I don't consider it vomiting, b/c the food never hits my stomach, its bulges up above the band in the bottom of my throat and it HAS to come back out. Its worse in the mornings, but sometimes at nite, I can eat as normal people do. I've learned to live with this. ALL OF A SUDDEN, I cannot hold ANYTHING!!!! Its not gastritis b/c I have no acid, stomach pain, swelling etc. I have no clue what to think about this, but I am starting to get weak. I've lost almost 20 lbs in 2 weeks, I'm so thirsty and dehydrated i guzzle guzzle and it all just comes rite back up. even if I take baby sips, it comes back up. I CAN hold small amts of food. Very small. I no longer have medical insurance and wonder if anyone else has had this happen??? I don't know how much longer I can do this. I keep thinking that since i'm losing weight, my band will loosen and I will be able to hold liquids again. I can take my vitamins at nite, but the next morning when I drink and then spit it up, I can taste the vitamin, so I dont know if i'm absorbing the vitamin.......I dont know what to do............

I am 4 months out and I've only lost 50 lbs. I try to eat small meals and sometimes don't eat anything, but nothing is coming off. I've stopped the shakes because I thought I was getting all the Protein I need in meals. I exercise 3 days a week and take my Vitamins. What gives?

The day of surgery, I weighed 196. That was the 7th of this month. Today I weigh 186. That's only a weight loss of 12 pounds! Doesn't that seem too slow? I'm not cheating! I'm taking all my Vitamins, getting in all my Water and 75 to 80 grams of Protein and walking a mile a day. Do you lose more weight when you eat solid foods? Because the only real food I'm eating is cream Soup, applesauce and a tablespoon of Peanut Butter a day.

I am not looking forward to the pre-op diet at all. One day at a time. Hope your back pain gets better. Bet getting the extra weight off is going to help in the long run.

Was that me who was mouthing off not a week ago about how she didnt need a fill, and wasnt going to have one, how she never thought about food and was still losing well? Hehehe, I'm eating my words now, not to mention wanting to eat everything else. Suddenly I'm hungry. I've only got to wait till the 19th, but we can hang out! Eat enough to satisfy yourself reasonable, the weight will come off faster again after the fill, just try not to go crazy.

Thank you Jack. I am trying but it almost becomes an obsession. I started a diet (again) in June and by Oct I had lost 30 pounds. Now though, that I am waiting for "the phone call" I can't stop eating. I know that to gain weight will mean a postponement of my surgery,I still eat. I have gained back 8 pounds since mid Oct. UUGGG

I've seen a few people that haven't needed a fill. i've seen some people only needing one small fill, and others that have their band totally full before hitting their green zone. i'm still not at what i could call my green zone (i currently have 5cc's in my 11cc band...5 fills @ 1cc each), but i can easily eat more than a cup of food, and i'm still getting hungry in between meals. i'm still losing weight, but i eat right, record every single thing i put in my mouth, and stay within my calories. I'd love to get to a point where i don't have to think so much about it.

Wow ! That's a pretty lady in the glamorous Hollywood dress ! Congratulations ! You look like a movie star !! As far as what im doing, just living a "normal" life, nothing exciting, but just being able to have a day that is easy on me is a real gift ! Not having to live my day around my weight, instead I can do what I want to do and not be held back, mentally or physicaly . Thankyou Lapband !!!

I have been on this uphill battle with weight since I was 18 years old. I have lost weight with Weight Watchers and starving and always gained it back and then some. I heard about this weight loss band concept from Sharon Osborne of all people (who was overweight her entire life preband) after reading her book.:ohmy: So at this point I am desperate. I have been between 50-70 pounds over the to of my healthy range for over 5 years now. I am embarrassed to go to family functions, meet friends, or really even leave the house. I take medications for Bipolar Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder which are not kind to me in the weight department. Since starting the medications, even Weight Watchers has been unsuccessful for me. :cursing: I have concerns that I would so appreciate anyone providing input on. I have a BMI of 35.5 (5'6" 218 pounds)...all the research I have done has said that I qualify because I have the BMI of 35 or greater and at least 2 comorbids (GERD, Depression, & borderline sleep apnea) but I have not really noticed anyone in the 60-80 pound goal range. Do you think this surgery is reasonable for me? How much vomiting and nausea is involved post op? Is it unreasonable to feel relieved that there is an option that may actually be successful? I am afraid of the "not a quick fix" term being thrown out because while the band is not the only tool in losing weight, it sure seems like there is a common denominator with the band and the people on this board and others losing weight. Where is the happy medium in terms of relief and excitement vs. reality? :w00t: Again, any words of encouragement or advice are so very appreciated! I was so hopeless feeling before I learned that this may be an option for me. Now, I have this "this is probably not going to work for me because I am not a candidate" scared feeling. I just want the weight gone once and for all. It is truly my biggest hinderance and just making me a frumpy person that I do not want to be. It seriously controls my life, as much as I am embarrassed to admit it. :bored: Thanks for your patience and time in reading this! God Bless you! Kim in Nor Cal

I had a 5 lbs weight change in 3 days. I was 253 on Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning I was 258, and then yesterday morning I was back to 253, go figure. It could have been Fluid, as I think that may have been what mine was. I had not drank enough Water on Tuesday. The more you drink the more it pushes thru your system. You could have had something the days before with more sodium in it and cause retention. Just a couple thought I would throw out there. Hang in there and good luck

OH WOW! congrats!! wish you all the best!. i have ma surgery May 10th i hope to have success like u! first i need to focus on losing what i gained since my initial consultation + lose extra according to the pre-op diet

Good info....I have not heard about people gaining their wt back...any information out there that anyone wants to share. In our nutrition class they did say that at the two year mark some people gain 10-20 # and that we should make sure it doesn't go above 10#

I just took my first Zumba class tonight. It was fun. I'll do it again! You should keep on dancing. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I had my 1st fill on 1/29 and all went great. I had 2.5 in the band already and had another 2.5 added making the total 5cc. I can definately tell the difference, finally feeling that restriction everyone has been talking about and it takes me a bit longer to get hungry (every 3 hours instead of 2) so we are getting there. I was relieved to see I hadn't gained any weight that week prior, hadn't lost any either but at least no gain. Right now am down 3 more pounds so far this week, but will capture Feb week one results on Saturday. My goal is 10 pounds each month, so I'm off to a decent start so far. Am learning chewing very well and taking my time is key. Funny, no matter how much everyone stresses this, until you have your first "not good" experience you don't really "get it". :iamwithstupid:I have to say, that feeling you get is one of the most uncomfortable feelings I've ever experienced.

I am currently 235bs and my doctor has told me he will not even consider a revision until I get down to 210lbs. My lapband is empty as of now (just had a baby and having problems finding that sweet spot) fill/unfill/fill/unfill. My question is, has anyone else ever had to lose weight before being considered for a revision? THANKS

When you lose weight before the surgery you shrink the fat around your liver. I have met ppl in the surgeons office who went from lab band to sleeve and woke up to find the sleeve was not done because it was not safe to get around the liver. try and lose the weight and get the surgery done safely

It is possible & there are quite a lot of us on this forum who have and yes, some don’t for myriad of reasons. I’m 5’3 with a smaller frame & I exceeded my goal. My BMI is about 19 at the moment. But it’s not always about the number on the scale or your BMI. @Recidivist is correct. The ultimate goal should be about being healthy. You need to find the weight you can maintain while being able to live your life happily (balancing diet, exercise, family, relationships, etc.) & healthily. Good luck with your surgery.

I am a high school teacher and am scheduled to be banded on Thurs. May 22nd. I will have off until the next Tuesday and will resume work on Tuesday. I am so nervous that I won't pack the correct liquids to bring to work. What will I be able to consume? I do not get out of school until June 26th. My husband feels that I should change my surgery date for July so I can be home and it would be more convenient, but I will lose a month to lose weight and be on a good schedule. What do you all think who have been banded? Can I still manage my May surgery?

I was told in the kaiser seminar that if you have sleep Apnea and its not being treated that getting you off the breathing machine used during surgery can be complicated. The instructor said that your lungs are so tired they clamp town on the tube and wont release and you have to be in ICU until they can get it out. Additionally it is a condition that can be caused by obesity so its something up there with Blood Pressure, Diabetes etc that can be treated by losing weight.

I am sorry to hear that. This is the exact reason I only told family and my best friend. I didnt want people to think that I didnt work just as hard to lose weight as those who didnt have surgery. I hate that it has come to people thinking surgery is the easy weight out. We all know if we really wanted to do nothing we could stay fat with the sleeve, but we all work to lose. Sorry to vent.