ella 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi everyone, I would like to introduce myself, HI I'm Ella and I have been banded now for 4.5 months and this is the first time I have been on a forum, soooooo it is very new to me!! Hope to talk to you all soon :-) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anne31 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Ella, I was just wondering how your experience was being banded and how much weight you lost so far ? I haven't been banded yet so I'm just curious. :)Anne Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
okiechick 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Ella: I was banded August 29, 08. I have lost almost 40 lbs since then. This December was tough, because of all the good stuff I made and ate, but now I hope to get on track. I have had four fills and am planning to get another one this month. It really makes a different to me when I get filled. I also have food that I cannot eat. Don't know why, because there is food that I can which I thought I could not. lol.. But I am learning as I go along. I will be happy to answer any questions that you have if I know the answer, but like you have still have a few. Good luck. Pam Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
anne31 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Pam I was wondering how does a fill work ? Is that surgery ? How often do you need to get them ? :wink_smile: Anne Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TQUAD64 9 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Pam I was wondering how does a fill work ? Is that surgery ? How often do you need to get them ? :wink_smile: Anne Hi Anne: A fill is not surgery. The inject a numbing agent with a needle in the tummy area where the port is located. Then the doctor utilizes a larger needle to put the Fluid in. The needle is inserted through the tummy into the port. My doctor takes out the old fill to see what is left, then she places it back in, and then she adds new fill. I had 3cc entered at surgery and 1.5 cc on December 10 in the doctor's office. I felt no pain. I will have another fill on January 14, because I do not have good restriction. You get the fills as often as you need to keep your restriction. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BandedCG 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Welcome Ella! How are you doing since your surgery? How much have you lost? I feel great and can definitely say that my Lap Band changed my life as well. Hope to hear more from you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
isitforme 0 Posted January 5, 2009 I'm new here and interested to read about other's experience. I've not been banded but am considering at least attending a seminar and possibly setting up a consultation. I'd like to know pros and cons of the procedure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BandedCG 0 Posted January 5, 2009 I'm new here and interested to read about other's experience. I've not been banded but am considering at least attending a seminar and possibly setting up a consultation. I'd like to know pros and cons of the procedure. Attending a seminar would be the best thing for you. I know I had to watch a 45-min video that went into great detail. And then the surgeon came in and answered questions. It helped me a lot! And the fact that his nurse that was leading the meeting had just had the procedure done about 4 months prior helped me even more. I wanted to ask HER questions instead of the surgeon. :wink_smile: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ella 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Anne, I was banded in August 2008. It has now been 4.5 months since my op and I am proud to say I have now lost 34kg. Being banded was the best decision I have ever made! (other than my hubby and children) After so many diets through the years I feel confident that I will be fitter and healthier. I can never remember being a size 12-14 in my lifetime (well maybe in my earlier teens 13yrs). I think back and at the age of 17yrs I was already a size 20. Now 23years later I have reached a size 18 for the first time in my life that I can actually remember. This down from a size 26-28 is amazing! I read so much about banding, the negative and positive. I have been lucky to have no food type restriction that other banders have had. I don't exercise intensely. Just a brisk walk each day and some situps. Nothing strenuous. For the first time in my 40yrs I look in the mirror and don't feel that I have let myself down. I'm one of the lucky ones! I have been blessed with the most wonderful support staff. They are with me all the way! My Doctor says this is a 2 year team effort. Go for it Anne! I wish I had done it years ago!:wink_smile: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ella 0 Posted January 5, 2009 Hi Cindy, Since 18 August, 2008 I have lost 34kg. Am very happy. I still have 28kg to go, but I'm over half way. I have been lucky that I had a fill and then had all Fluid removed because of a virus. But I now have 2mls in my band. Considering they put in 3ml at the time of surgery, I have actually had a negative ml taken out. This is due to the fact that I have had a lot of restriction. Soooo the good news is no more fills for now! An extra bonus. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laura steele 2 Posted January 14, 2009 Hey August girls.I was banded on Aug.18th.in Phoenix.I have had two fills and have lost about 30 lbs.I feel so much better after reading your post because I felt like I should have lost so much more! thanks girls! Laura Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laura steele 2 Posted January 16, 2009 Hi Ella.I was banded in August of 08,and am doing very well.I am down about 36 lbs.and go for my third fill next week.I havn;t had a single side affect! I am figuering out the best diet for me now that I am down the road a little.Christmas set me back a little.I didn't lose or gain tho! Now I am back on track and looking forward to a good year.Good luck to you,Laura:thumbup: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites