About to lose it... can't wait for fill!!

[teenbndstr12 0]

There's a lot of good information to be taken from this post and its replies. i too have been waiting for my first fill and for the past 6 days have been able to eat double what I am supposed to. I'm not going to say I gave up nutritionally or exercising wise but I certainly have been discouraged in exercising Portion Control because I thought the band would "do it for me". Today I ate out for the first time since being banded and was quickly schooled in band101. Thinking my band didn't work or ... maybe isn't even actually in me (some sick joke on surgery day) I choked down a plate of salad entirely too fast and got the over eats sweats followed by wtf pain and a overeats coma. I've never felt any pain like that (thats saying a lot, I just had surgery less than a month ago!) and quickly acknowledged and respected my band.

I'm saying all of this to say, it's alright to rely on your band...thats why we went under the knife and risked our lives, but it's also imperative to exercise our self control. Don't question the band because thats when you get in trouble, yes restriction will be AMAZING but we've got to figure it out for ourselves too. If not we will end up hurting ourselves if not now...maybe later when we underestimate or give up on our band.

[BetsyB 9]

My dr doesn't put anything in it until the first fill at 6 weeks. If I wanted to lose fast I could lowcarb and do it right now. I got the band to be a tool not a quick fix but it does serve a purpose.

I'm Realize banded, too--and my doctor's recommended diet (pre- and post-restriction) IS low-carb. Right out of the box, we're advised to fill up on good-quality dense proteins--in measured portions.

Did your doctor provide you with similar guidelines? I know it's difficult when there's no restriction yet---and of COURSE I understand how you're looking forward to that restriction---but TJ's right: the behaviors have to change NOW. The band is a tool, but it's only part of the solution. You'll hit the spot and it will be way easier--it really will. But until then, there may be some white-knuckling involved as you do YOUR part.

[Acerbia 0]

I suggest you re-read it and try not to be defensive. He is giving you the facts, warning you of some of pitfalls and congratulating you on coming as far as you have.

i disagree, he is not giving her facts. he is giving her his account. his personal experience is not facts. saying a fill wont trigger weight loss is BS. i lost 50lbs with NO fill and another 30 with ONE fill.

the post was great advice ... wonderful advice.. words to live by even, but the first line was kinda crushing and harsh, and NOT factual. we are all different.

the guys on this line seem to be way more ...abrasive... then most women.. funny its mostly newly banded men.

SWAN... it may be just the thing you need to kick start, it may be the only fill you need.. on the other hand it may not.

take it one day at a time and in stride .. and most of all, dont base your progress on other people and what they say :w00t:

[btrieger 21]

Guilty as charged as far as abrasive goes but I would call it being frank.

I treat everybody the way that I would like to be treated. Don't beat around the bush, patronize me or offer pity. Just give me the facts if you know them or your honest opinion.

Fills do NOT trigger weight loss. The consumption of less calories is what trigger the loss. Even if the fill is what makes you consume less, it is not what causes the weight loss.

It may just be semantics but some people don't seem to get the whole concept.

And lastly, I'm not even newly banded yet. :w00t:

[ThinAli 0]

I was i the same position you are in now. After my surgery I had no restriction and I had to wait I think over 2 months for my first fill. I have had my 2nd fill and my 3rd in another month or so. I have some restriction but not enough. So my only advice is don't put all your hopes in that fill only because like me you may need more. And you might get defeated if you don't feel as tight as you want. You are not alone I totally get where you are and I think it is normal because it is the anticipation of what is to come. And also so many of us just want to know what the tightness or the "sweet spot" feels like! And lets face it we are very over eager! Good Luck!

Alison

[unaBella 0]

I am not losing anything. I have absolutely no restriction other than my head telling me to stop. I get my first fill on Jan. 21st. I guess it's a good thing I've not gained the weight I lost before surgery but still this waiting game is really getting to me.

Anyone else in the same place I am?

I am posting my reply knowing that there are going to be a few who will have something to say about it.

But here it goes.

Starting out I want to say.

You are an amazing person who has made the conscious decision to change their life. BRAVO to you.

First. I did not feel any restriction until my second fill. (banded 27OCT09 first fill 14DEC09)

Be prepared to not feel any restriction. Or if you do, it may not last but a few days.

Talk with your doctor

One. Find out what size band you have

Two. what is the fill schedule.

I have the larger Lap Band and my fill schedule, for example, is:

1st:: 4cc's

2nd:: 2cc's

3rd:: 2cc's

every fill after is 0.5cc's

This is very important. It will give you something to look forward to. You will feel more in charge.

Also, talk with your doctor about coming in every two weeks.

If your insurance will only cover a fill every four weeks see if they will do the other fill as an office call. They still get paid. And you get your fill.

Two weeks is much easier to manage than waiting four. It doesn't hurt to ask. Worst thing they can do is say no.

Second. No matter how 'filled' you are... if you want to eat around your band. You will. (I have)

If you want to push your food through by drinking a beverage while eating... you will. (been there, done it)

Getting to the 'sweet spot' is not going to automatically make you lose weight.

Does it help. Oh hell yes. I have over eaten and rushed to the bathroom. I have eaten too fast and rushed to the bathroom. That carbonated beverage I just had to have... I drank it.

Had horrible gas pains for the rest of the day too.

Am I at the 'sweet spot' for now yes. But as I lose the weight it will change. My band will get loose around my stomach and I will need another fill. Eventually, I will get to my final fill. I will be at my ideal weight. Until then. I live and learn.

When I am hungry and I want to snack. I do it. I try not to feel guilty about it. Sometimes it works. Not usually though. I step on the scale and see it stuck at the same spot I was the day of my surgery.

Am I frustrated. of course.

Do I know that it will get better. absolutely. I have four people in my life that have had this surgery done. successfully. One of them being the surgeon who did the procedure. All have lost and kept off the weight.

I too will get there. some day.

Until then, I try and stay positive.

So as I said prior. I am sure there is someone who has something to say about my post.

I didn't want to give you a little info without all of it.

Remember, you are an amazing person, who did an amazing thing. You took charge of your life and are getting to where you want to be, one step at a time.

[Nancy6015 0]

unaBella ...I am posting my reply knowing that there are going to be a few who will have something to say about it.

But here it goes.

Well put.

[tarajim 20]

i disagree, he is not giving her facts. he is giving her his account. his personal experience is not facts. saying a fill wont trigger weight loss is BS. i lost 50lbs with NO fill and another 30 with ONE fill.

the post was great advice ... wonderful advice.. words to live by even, but the first line was kinda crushing and harsh, and NOT factual. we are all different.

the guys on this line seem to be way more ...abrasive... then most women.. funny its mostly newly banded men.

SWAN... it may be just the thing you need to kick start, it may be the only fill you need.. on the other hand it may not.

take it one day at a time and in stride .. and most of all, dont base your progress on other people and what they say

Cure,

Yes, I may have been abrasive or direct, and I certainly only am giving my opinion and account.

I think support comes in many flavors. The first two replies to the OP were of type I term as "Fluffy". They pat your back and tell you "all is OK". I get that type of support, some come here just for that. Maybe that gives the OP what they need.

My post, and some other posters such as myself, BTrieger, and Jachut (not on this thread though) usually have a more direct style that jolts people. This could be considered abrasive. It could also be considered straight forward advice. In no way do I mean to be condescending or mean, but I do try to offer a harder hitting post then most.

I have a hard time tolerating people that have approached this procedure without knowledge, and without serious consideration of what they are getting into and what they have to do. Maybe my way it too hard for some. Jachut's way is too hard for me right now, but I really admire her fortitude and her success and hope to one day follow in her shoes.

BTrieger has yet to be banded but is making better progress than many that have had their band for years. His main tool is his conviction in his head.

I have read others that, when at a sweet spot, feel that band becomes a powerful tool. I hope so, as I paid a lot of money to get to that point. But, 51 lbs have come off in 3 months without a "Sweet Spot".

I sensed the OP was lamenting that only with the band at a restriction could she lose weight. I was attempting to state that you do not have to be frustrated and wait to see success, and that it may take several fills to see success.

Cure, You have had amazing success. If you have posted how you have achieved it, please let us read your story. You have more experience than I do. I would love to hear your success.

Again, sorry for the abrasivness. Sometimes, the retired Navy Officer/Chief Petty Officer comes out in me at the wrong places.

But I stand by my advice and story!!!

Good luck to you!!!

TJ

Edited January 18, 2010 by tarajim

[kay.jones@gmail.com 0]

Hey, I think there's a lot of good information to be found within this thread. I think TJ was just trying to help. Swan, I'm in the same boat. I was banded on 12/31/09 and do not get a fill until 2/9/10. I feel very little in the way of restriction, and have to tell my self to stop eating.

My Doctor told me this would happen and to consider this time between the surgery and first fill as the "diet of your life." Exercise the control now to keep from gaining the post op weight loss back. Just to be sensible and make healthy choices. Take the time to let your body heal, get the kinks worked out of the the exercise program and then the fill will happen. This is what he said.

So, I'm taking it to heart. Am I hungry, you bet I am. However, I gotta do what he says. Good luck Swan, you're so close to the first fill. I'm looking forward to mine too!

[chakatw 0]

Hello,

Im in the same boat weight loss has been slow and I was denied a fill because I was losing just enough and they figure I didnt a fill. I hope that changes, but stay encouraged.