My experience

[christinabryan89 14]

I just thought I would share some of my story for those of you who are struggling with getting to the green zone as I am. I was banded in July. I lost 15 lbs in 14 days on the pre op diet. My first fill was 2 CC and I was primed with 1CC during my procedure. I had 5 fills in between then and now. I only lost another 15 and gained 5 back even though I felt like I was eating way less. I realized i had been misleading my Dr., unintentionally. I had been telling them what I was eating. Not what I was capable of eating. When I was discouraged, my portions became larger as I started to give up and not watch what I was putting in my mouth. Had I been more forthcoming with what I was able to eat, he most likely would have been giving me larger fills. I was also discouraged right after a fill. The first week I would be tight and feeling like I was in the green zone and by week 2 I could eat almost anything again. I was embarrassed that I had gained those 5 lbs back and finally worked up the courage to make another fill appointment and get back on track. I went to my fill appointment and waited until my dr came in, fully expecting to be scolded or frowned upon for my weight gain. I explained to him everything that I was experiencing and he gave me a larger fill of .75 CC. I believe my band has just over 5CC now. He also wrote me a prescription for a new drug called Contrave. At first I was resistant to try it. I just had weight loss surgery and now it's back to the pills that have never worked for me in the past? He told me it was only temporary and it was a way to jump start my weight loss as the scale was moving in the wrong direction. I agreed. Filled the prescription and waited two days before I started taking it. I read some reviews online and found very few positive ones. I decided to give it a shot anyway despite the negative side effects I read about online. Turns out, it is working for me. I have lost 9 lbs in a very short period of time and the scale is moving in the right direction again. I have my motivation back, however I am experiencing some side effects but very mild and they have lessoned as time went on.

So the moral of this story is.. Communicate with your surgeon and be extremely honest. And DON'T give up

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@christinabryan89 Thank you for sharing your experience! I agree with you 100% many of us let fear of being scolded or being considered a failure keep us from our Dr.'s office and seeking the help and support that we need.

Keeping a good open and honest communication with our Dr.'s is paramount to good health and success.

Way to go!!!

[Bandista 7,466]

Nice! We really do have to advocate for ourselves. It's a project, but so worth it to figure out what works for us as individuals.

[frios2014 0]

Nice, i lost 34lbs in 2wks pre op and 24lbs 6wk post, then i started gain back 6lbs, i talk my dr and he also put me on Contrave, since phentermine kept me up for 3straight days! Contrave has been working almost 2wks and in down the 6lbs plus another 3lbs. I have no bad side effects so far, i just needed a boost, my dr understands since he too is a banded patient. He nake me feel good about goin to him for questions or concerns, and i have not once felt judged.

[frios2014 0]

Glad you talked to your dr and we all need to support eacher on the route to a healthier lifestyle.