hopee

I was banded 11/19/10. And I'm down 32 pounds I too had a slow start...I didn't have any restriction till my 3rd fill...So my weight didn't start to drop till after New Years. Do you notice that some foods go down with no problem (ex. popcorn, sheppards pie)...I can eat them in larger portions then other foods. I haven't exercised yet...I know I should...And I will...One day...

Thaks for all your stories - Nice to know we're not alone...XAVIER - I have never heard of this choke/fill...I'm going tonight for my 3rd fill and will talk about his idea with her...I like that. My clinic also offers a support group and my first meeting is tonight as well so I'm so excited to sit and chat with other bandsters live in person. I'll check back in and give any updates...Keeping positive, I know this will work for ALL of us.

I have the "sliming" thing too...But, I've been told that occurs because of eating too fast OR too big of a bite and/or not chewing enough. The fills are to restrict you on how much you can eat and only give you the full sensation after a max of 1 cup of food...If you can eat more then 1 cup of food at one sitting then you need a fill. If you are "sliming" try slowing down and taking tiny little bites of food and chew them 20-30 times each bite. It is hard work - But so is anything we must do to lose weight. Good luck - hope this helps. As well, there are some foods that just don't go down nice no matter how much you chew - the slime comes (for me this is bread, pizza, and sometimes yogurt).

Ditto - just a small prick and a few seconds later it's done. I get my 3rd fill tomorrow (2.5 cc in band right now)...How are you guys doing with the weight loss? I was banded on Nov 19th and I'm not losing very quickly...Up & down and not sure why since my portions are so much smaller from before getting the band...I thought by now it would be falling off.

Ok...I'm 2 months post op and I've been filled twice (2.5 cc total). And not losing...My portions are extreamly smaller from my pre-op size so I'm not sure why I'm not dropping. I go for my 3rd fill tomorrow so I will dicuss this with my Dr...But, wondered if anyone else is struggling or how anyone got over this hump...I really would like to start dropping sizes soon.

Banded on November 19th 2010...I just had my 2nd fill on Jan 5th 2011 giving me a total of 2.5cc in my band. Until this second fill I have had NO restriction, so I was eating all foods with no problems (over Christmas gaining a few pounds...Frustration was growing). Now I'm thrilled to say I have restriction with only 2.5cc...I'm learning now how much I can eat and how much chewing is necessary to keep it all down. The worst is if I eat too fast or don't chew enough all the saliva that builds up and often the stuck feeling along with the pain in the center of my chest...Really does STOP you in your tracks - forcing you to stop eating...Result= losing weight...YAY! Since Wednesday 5th I have lost almost 5 pounds. I can now say I'm lovin my band.

We are in the same place right now...So nice to read your blog as I just had my 2nd fill on Wednesday (first fill was 1cc and I had NO restriction - gained 4 pounds over Christmas...2nd fill was going to be .5cc and I asked for more...She allowed me 1.5cc giving me a total of 2.5cc)...I now have the same restriction as you. I could eat 4-5 bites of soup and then the syliva builds up and I know some is about to come up. I'm finding now that I understand that the chewing & small bites is a MUST...Since I didn't have any restriction till now my bites and portions were pretty normal. What I'm finding is the smaller the bite and the more I chew the better it stays down. As long as liquid stays down fine and you can keep food down you should be good. I'm not getting unfilled - just going to figure out what works best and stick with it. I was shocked that only 2.5cc in my band would give me this much restriction. I was banded on Nov 19th and until this past Wednesday I had been so frusterated. Glad to be restricted. Andrea

Hey, I too got hungry after a few days...I had a scrambled egg and couldn't finish the whole egg...I then moved on to mashed potatoes and creamy soups...Once the swelling goes down from surgery you lose a lot of the restriction - I'm now being careful until my 1st fill which is tomorrow - YAY! Good luck.

my guess - You ate too fast or didn't chew it enough??? If it continues I would get in to see your Doc. I go for my first fill tomorrow - YAY...I've been without restriction for 4 weeks now (only gained 4 pounds back)...Looking forward to it.

WOW - You must feel SOOOO amazing...What a way to start the New Year.

Hey, I was banded on Nov 19th...I lost for a few days post op - due to being on clear fluids...Once I started eating again - pounds came back on...I will get my first fill Dec 22 at that point the pounds should start to drop again...For now I'm doing my best at making the right choices & controlling my portions. Good luck on your journey.

Me too...My first fill is Dec 22...Can't wait - I too have gained (almost 5 pounds now)...I too have no restricion and can eat a normal meal - Although sometimes I get food stuck and it stops me in my tracks like shock...And I stop eating, but this doesn't happen all the time...Maybe I'm eating too fast or too big of a bit. I'm looking forward to that fill too.

So, I'm 3 weeks post op and have gained 3 pounds since I started eating real food (about 2 weeks ago). I still have 2 more weeks till I get my first fill. For the most part I'm making healthy choices & my portions are under control but from having only liquids to food I know it's expected to gain back a bit...It's just driving me crazy to see any gain after spending all this money...Why does it have to be 6 weeks for a fill after surgery??? I have zero restriction and REALLY want a fill today...Ahhhhhh. Anyway, I've been reading many of the blogs and it's so nice to hear how others are doing and exciting to hear all the success stories...I'm looking forward to posting my success' soon.

Hi, I was banded on Nov 19th and went through all of the above. Pre op for the first 3 days was the worst...Headache, hungry, all the cravings...It does get easier - Really. Just do your best, I had 4 optifast shakes a day and ONLY sugar free clear fluids - Hardest 14 days...For the most part the surgery went smooth - I had 2 c-sections for my kids so I knew what to expect pain wise but the gas was tough for about 1 week post op...Very uncomfterble. All in all nothing to worry about. This was my first time being put under for an operation so I was pretty nervous about that but you'll be fine. Just go one day at a time...Just focus on the next 14 days and try to be excited.

Hi there... I totally agree with the other comments...I too suffer depression & got medicated (so glad I did)...As well, Christmas is so hyped for gifts when there are so many other ways to celebrate...Just a few ideas: Take the kids around to see all the christmas lights (walk or car) with hot chocolate. Get all cozy in the bed and read stories or tell silly stories to each other (my kids love that). Play some games or make some crafts (use pasta or toilet paper rolls - use flour & water as glue) make tree decorations...All inexpensive and it's quality time with your kids - Hope this helps.

Are you able to eat till you feel full??? My surgeon said up to a cup of food 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch & dinner ONLY)...Are you drinking with your meal? or maybe too soon after??? I was told to hold off as long as possible to drink after eating so I will stay full longer...Just a few tips I was told...Hope that helps. I have to wait till Dec 22 for my first fill...I need one bad...Zero restriction right now.

I'm 2 weeks post op and back to eating regular food...All goes down fine and must slip right through my empty band because I'm not full & have no restriction - I'm able to eat a normal portion. I too gained back 2 pounds and have 4 more weeks till I get a fill...I hear about pouch stretching - I don't get that??? If you overeat do you not just get sick??? And if your band is empty doesn't it just go through to the other side of the stomach??? I don't think you can stretch the small pouch - Unless you have staples done...Not 100% but from the info I've gathered this is how I understood it. You over eat and your going to vomit or be in pain...(when your restricted)...No restriction it just travels through without getting the signal that your full till you've eaten a larger portion. Hope that all made sense...

I had the same diet - Only I had 4 shakes a day (Optifast) & clear sugar free fluids...By day 3 I thought I was going to eat my own leg off...It was VERY hard...To be honest I did cheat...I called my clinic and told them of my cheats (I craved cheese & crackers)...By day 8 I was ok - and didn't cheat for the last 6 days...My liver was fine for surgery and all is good. Try to keep busy so you're not thinking about it so much.

Yes I did...After about a week I could eat (I think the swelling goes down for most people by then) and I have NO restriction till I get a fill (6 weeks post op)...Basically I'm on my own so I'm following Weight Watchers till I get my fill...I can eat anything and have a normal portion no problem...I could over eat if I don't be careful.

Please send me some of your willpower...I too have no restriction - Banded Nov 19 and have to wait till (maybe Dec 22 - if not then Jan 8th)...Yikes! I can eat way more then I should...Although I'm hanging in pretty good it's the evening snacking (old habits) that are my toughest. Tonight I had 2 clemintines & a banana muffin. Before being banded I would have sat with a bag of chips, dip then hit something after for the sweet tooth. I am getting better....But really want the restriction.

I think a lot of us went through the same thing - I too cheated...And felt like a failure (Again)...Today is done and tomorrow is a brand new day...Just think you only have 4 more days...You can do 4 days...Wake up tomorrow and plan a busy day for yourself. I found by keeping busy I didn't ponder the kitchen. Try to get out of the house when your most likely to eat. My fav was to make my shake and take it with me in the car and go for a pedicure or to the book store. You can do it.

I'm almost 2 weeks post -op and have (or I thought) very little restriction...I had dinner tonight and was able to eat 2 tacos (not like my usual 4-5 pre band)...But, still more then I want to be eating. I'm guessing I need a fill. About 4 hours later I went back for some of the leftover beef (x-lean)...NOW I'm dying - I feel SOOO overfull, my tumy hurts, gas, pain going in my chest - OUCH! Why did I do that...Any suggestions on easing this??? I don't want to throw up incase my band slips...So I'm here typing away in hopes to going back to bed...It's 12:10am and I need to sleep (work in the morning). Is this bandster hell? I'm learning, and I will never overeat again...I will eat slower...Please pain go away!

I'm only 1 1/2 weeks post op and need a fill...I'm able to eat whatever but still have some restriction (not a lot)...I have to wait till Jan 8th so I guess it's will power time and have to keep looking forward to the end prize. Good to know your fill went well - Little scared for that...Interesting how everyone is so different when it comes to restriction and the amounts needed for fills... I'm so glad I did this and look forward to all the changes & challenges ahead.

Thanks for the suggestions...I will make this work...I'm off the liquids and did mushy foods for a few days and now anything will go down - Still have some restriction - But I feel it going away. I called my clinic and the Dec 22 apt is just a follow up and my first fill is not till Jan 8th. I'm going to follow Weight Watchers in the meantime...I know I can do this.

Ok so, I'm one week out of surgery and I'm guessing the swlling is under control because food seems to be able to pass through just fine now...I'm not liking this because I don't want to fall off this wagon. I liked the restriction and was doing so well (down 21 in 3 weeks)...After all this I don't want to even gain 1 pound...How long do we HAVE to wait to get a fill? I'm calling my clinic this week because I'm scheduled for Dec 22 (that's just too far away)...Anyone had a fill right after they got banded???