Check in Febsters!

[nikki2001 0]

Hello Feb Bandsters!!

I had my 1st fill 3/24/08 and I am scheduled to have my 2nd fill 4/7/08 so far I have lost 24 lbs!!! and I could'nt be more happier. I have had alot of restriction but I can eat a little more now thats why I glad Im about to get another fill. I love this band :-)

[Jeanieg6 1]

I'm glad to hear most are doing great!

I had my first fill on Tuesday and it was 1.6 and i was thinking 1.6, everyone else gets a bunch? :thumbup: i have a 10cc band also. I paid $150 for 1st fill and consultation then it would be $125. they said if i wanted more with in 10 days it would only be $50 and they would be there there on Saturday (today). i did the liquids and then mushies and then regular/mushie. that day i took one bite at lunch and had an "episode". had to go to the bathroom and just be in so much pain! :eek: it hurt so bad, i couldn't burp, or throw-up, just waves of pain. lasted 10 minutes. went back to the cafeteria and thought i just took too big of bite. rest went down fine. next meal it happened again and it felt like someone was stabbing me in the chest...that hurts. l0l that one lasted 15 to 20 minutes and then the food went down ok. so i'm thinking it must be not the fill because the rest goes down, my i took too big or bite, didn't chew enough or something like that.

Decided to go today for more. thinking i'll be on liquids again i'll have a good meal for Breakfast, egg beaters scramble and sprinkled some cheese on top...under 200 calories. i took one bite and bam it does it again. this time it lasted for 1 hour 15 minutes. the pain on the scale of 1-10 would go from 5 to 10 and wave up and down, 10 lasting about 20 seconds at least and then 5 pain for about 30 seconds. :smile2: couldn't burb but once in a while heard a little gurgling. it was awful and i was yelling in pain...i live alone so no one has to listen to me.

i didn't know if it was just clogged or what to do, i even tried a heating pad. finally i leaned way back in my chair with my face toward the ceiling, i finally subsided, don't know if it was time to stop or if that helped.

so i called and asked if i can come in for more, lol, because i was just sure i was miss eating because then i could eat more...i didn't though, but yesterday i could. she said, we could try. so she was going to put just .6 in there and "what?" i'm thinking, but go along. they have me drink Water and the pain starts in again so she takes out .4 and i drink again and it still does it! so she took it all out all .6 out. it was closing up. dang!:smile:

i'm just sensitive they said, my stomach just swells easily and i could try again in 2 week or more and i still had to pay the $50 of course because they did it and next time they would also let me for $50. They are really a nice fill center. so now it's swelled again and i'm on liquids for two days and she said mushys for 3 days since i'm so sensitive. i'm hungry right now. well this should be some more weight loss i'm thinking. lol

now i know why they start small, some of us can't take it.

she had a son get the lapband and lost almost 200 lbs and never once needed a fill....now that is amazing and lucky.

i've averaged 3.5 lbs per week loss. and NOW i know when i need an unfill or to drink warm Water before i eat for a while (i don't drink tea or coffee). some people have to all the time, hope that isn't going to be me.

sorry i went on but i thought i should share this awful experience with you all. i'm ok now just hungry.

[tskelli 1]

Just checking in. Life has been hectic the past week or so, so I haven't been around a lot, but I have come at least once a day to read posts. I don't get a fill until 4/17/08, and I'm okay with that. I did call the other day after reading all of your posts because I didn't know what size band I had or how much I would get on my first fill. They said I have a 10cc band and that they put in 2ccs at surgery. She said I would most likely get 1cc at my first fill. I still have some restriction, or at least I'm telling myself I do. I can eat pretty much anything, but I do get full a lot faster than pre-band days. I have not any of the complications like PB, nausea, or sliming. I have had some pain around my port occasionally, but she said it was nothing to worry about at this point. I have been walking about 2 or 3 times a week, 2 or 3 miles each time. When I called I asked if I could do other exercises now and they said yes. I've been looking into a gym membership, but I'm trying to shop around. I don't want to get sucked into a year-long contract and then wish I had gone someplace else.

Just want to say thanks to all of you for being here. I have learned so much from all of you. You inspire me everyday!

[tapshoes 2]

I am going for my second fill tomorrow - I sincerely hope that does something for me! I am losing (slowly) but that is more because of my will power (albeit that has taken a beating recently) than because of 'restriction' or PBing or port issues or any other good thing!:biggrin2: Come'on sweet spot!!

[kjeter 1]

I'm very happy with my band, too. I've had three fills, but no sweet spot yet. I'm usually hungry again about 2 hours after eating, but manage to hold off and eat only my three small meals a day. I'm down 34 pounds and two pants sizes. My niece's wedding is next January, and I'm sure to be at my 135 pound goal by then! I'd just like to be able to squeeze in a Tummy Tuck and boob lift before then, but I doubt it. I don't want to spend the holidays recovering from surgery.

Summer is coming to Texas, and my pool is warming up! Can't wait to buy a new swimsuit and dive in!

[michelle9003 0]

Ok hey all... I have not posted in quite sometime. i have had no restriction what so ever. i'm hoping that the band will start to work now. tonight is the first night i actually was full. so i'm crossing my fingers.

my 3month date is may 5th. so the dr and i are trying to get restriction before we have to start charging me or the ins company. i received a statement from the hospital that they billed my ins company for 38800.00

i had my gall bladder out as well. the bill freaked me out. hopefully ins will start paying soon. i hope everyone is doing well and losing lots. not much here to report so i have not posted. i have tried to stay positive and have some patience. but it has been very difficult. so will see this week. if i have any progress. if not i'll go back next week.

i think its very cool that he'll see me weekly untill i get restriction.

wish me all luck guys and gals.

really need to get this going...

[Jeanieg6 1]

I started working out in our little gym at work today finally. I've been doing little work outs at home for 1.5 weeks and decided I'm ready to got to the real gym now.

Does anyone have a suggestion to how to burp? i can't burp or puke when i have that horrid pain i get and I know that would help. I even tried to stick my finger down my throat and nothing. I'm on prilosec for 1 weeks now also. I just can't figure out what to do to releive that pain. I'm afraid now to try anything to eat. I feel like i'm a dog training with a shock collar! lol don't eat, or you get shocked.

thanks

[GreenChrysalis 1]

Hey Jeanie,

Congrats on working out. I know it is a struggle, but once you get into the routine it really is rewarding I've found! I still just workout at home but I have a lot of different things I do to keep it interesting. I want to take dance classes at some point.

I wish I had a suggestion for how to burp. If I feel something getting stuck, I get up and walk around for awhile. Often that helps. I have also heard to hold your breath for a few seconds, and that has worked for me too. But if I absolutely positively have to get it out (which has happened a couple of times), all I have to do is lean over the toilet and out it comes. There is a burping noise, but it's not anything like puking. No retching, heaving. So it really is a "productive burp" for me!

Just make sure you are eating slowly, taking small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing. I have gotten pretty good about it but occasionally, like when I have gone too long without eating, I forget and get into trouble.

[StLouisGal 1]

Hey Jeanie,

Just make sure you are eating slowly, taking small bites and chewing, chewing, chewing. I have gotten pretty good about it but occasionally, like when I have gone too long without eating, I forget and get into trouble.

That is sooo true. I only get into trouble when I am super hungry and try to eat too fast. Ouch. You would think I would learn.

Have a great day!

[addJ0y 0]

It's so good to hear how the Feb. Bandsters are doing! Congratz on the work everyone has done! :biggrin:

My current update:

I'm pleased to be down 30 pounds now' date=' from my high of 252. My first fill didn't give much restriction, but then I wasn't expecting it to, it's all part of the process. I'm sticking to my diet and exercise - I do 1-2 miles on my treadmill [i']everyday. [/i]I think this is really helping to keep my metabolism burning. If I diet only, I just don't lose. My next fill isn't until the end of this month, I'm hoping to get out of the 220's before then (I'm close!). The weather here in Michigan is changing, no more snow *hopefully*! I can't wait to get outside and plant my gardens and work in the yard.

Some good NSV's for me - I saw my PCP a few days ago, and she cut my blood pressure medication in half! Woot! I'm also off a sleep medication and sleeping just fine without it . . . it's good to see the medications go! Yes! My 2x clothes no longer fit me . . . way to baggy, and I'll now have to go through my closets and dig out the 1x's. I'd also like to go shopping for some new stuff, but I don't want to over-do it. I can't wait to get out of the plus sizes for good . . . I'll get there yet!

I have a goal of getting to onederland before this summer (July when we go on vacation) . . . that's 22 pounds, I'm hoping I can do it. Gonna try hard!

ReadySteadyGo - I'm a worrier too, lol. I'm pleased with this weight loss I've done, but for some reason today I'm feeling anxious. I've been on diets before where I've lost, and I'm just paranoid this is all gonna come back. I'm thankful I have the band to fall back on - hopefully it will keep me on track, and the next fill will give me some restriction . . . but at the same time I want to do this slowly, and I don't want my doctor to get aggressive with fills (not saying he will, I'll have to wait and see at my next appointment). I'd rather go slowly than get too much and get sick and have to back for an un-fill. (see I am a big worrier :tongue:).

Anyway . . . sorry to be chatty and make a long post . . . that's about it for me, just hanging in there and looking forward to Spring and Summer!

Please keep in touch Feb bandsters, it's great to be able to share this Lap Band journey with all of you - you all are inspiring and special!

Just Keep Swimming! :crying:

I love this thread!! I am from Michigan, too, and the weather is great!! I realized today that I have not been coming to this forum, and that is my biggest mistake!!

I have been feeling like I am all alone, and not doing that great of a job of it!!

It is so great to see we are all in the same boat, losing weight (maybe slower than we would like), but also, we are all having some of the same difficulties... feeling like we are eating too much, etc...

I have been so down in the dumps, but feel so much happier after reading this thread- I am not doing it wrong, it is just the normal happenings!!! Whew, what a relief!!

I have had 2 fills (Dr Schram said I was at 4.5 cc's in my 10 cc band) and that most people find 6.5 cc's is their sweet spot...My first fill did Nothing, I gritted it out and lost a few pounds on sheer willpower alone, and then the 2nd fill seemed to take but I can (and do, darn it) eat way more than 1/2 cup at a time. So, even though I have had some small troubles with it hurting a bit sometimes when I eat (because I am not smart enough to take SMALL Bites :wub:, I am looking forward to my 3rd fill next Thursday.

So, I learned something today-I need to visit this forum way more often, and stop worrying so much... we are all losing, that is the main thing...

Thank you ALL for your words of wisdom, and showing me I am not alone...I feel 10 pounds lighter just knowing that!!!

[LilMissDiva Irene 3,282]

That's great joyaddin, I'm so glad you are losing those pounds. True it does come off slower than other surgeries, but we are learning how to eat proper portion, and we are learning to be healthy!

Congrats!

[sharon160 0]

I had my second fill Thursday and I sure hope it kicks in because as of now, nothing. same as before the fill. 3 cc first fill, and 1 cc this fill. I've lost a total of 23 since surgery, and although I'm happy with that, I want to not be so hungry.

[ReadySteadyGo 8]

Well my weight is slowly dropping, my clothes are getting looser, my workouts are getting more frequent and even a little fun...but my emotions are like a thirteen year olds. I am a raging lunatic.

[tapshoes 2]

My clothes are starting to get a little loose - I managed to tuck in a shirt today, and wear a belt without feeling like a link sausage!

I am going for my third fill this weekend; I will be asking only for a little though as I am eating noticeably smaller portions, and this seems to be working. However, I don't believe I am at a 'sweet spot' - I am just measuring everything to ensure I stay within a limited volume . I am comfortably eating all foods, and have not discovered anything that is a problem. Well, no food item is a problem, but not chewing certainly is!! OUCH!

[taz 2]

I went for my 3rd fill today. He said he gave me only a small fill and to came back in 3 to 4 weeks. It is always a little easier to stop eating after a fill. I don't think this one will be my last.:tongue_smilie: I had lost 5 lbs by their scale so I was happy. He said it was slow and how could they help. Besides another fill I didn't know what to tell him. Anyway, everyone seems to be doing really great. Congratulations everyone on your accomplishments.:thumbup: