rktaurus71

You are a total inspiration. I am only down 30 lbs. It's been 4 months since surgery. I started at 276 and want to get to 180. So our sizes and goals are very similar. I am still trying to figure it out. Right now, I think, I'm 'too tight'. I've had 3 episodes of 'getting stuck' this week -- with horrible vomiting. So, I'm seeing the doctor on Monday. I just can't quite figure out what I can eat. The things that are easy for the band to tolerate (mushy things) are higher in calories. Still, I've lost 30 lbs in 4 months, so I guess that's not bad, but I'm wondering what you eat during the day. What's an average day - food-wise, look like for you? Congratulations --- that is really amazing.

Thank you so much for the reply. I'm glad I'm not alone! I'm kind of scared of eating out with friends now --- I will just have to take it very slow. I hope now, though, I'll be losing more wait (I've been stuck at 25 lbs. but have never felt restriction until now). I really appreciate you taking the time to write.

By no means I am not an expert at this but from my experience if you are to tight you can not pass food and end up vomiting most of what you eat. The slime and foam you experienced is referred to as "sliming". Sliming can happen when your band does not allow food to pass because we eat to fast, fail to chew our food or take too large of a bite. When I had my fill I went through a few weeks of experience the grossness of sliming at least twice a week until I really learned to what I could eat and what I could not. Occassionaly my band feels very tight early in the morning and late at night so I have learn to drink something warm and it helps lossen things up. I have had a steady weight lost of about 1-2 lbs a week since surgery and I am satisfied after I eat.

Good Luck

Hi,

I had been very frustrated by the band because I had multiple fills and felt no restriction. I was at 8 cc's in an 11 cc band. Well, my doctor went up to 9.4 and I couldn't even keep down water! So, he removed .5 cc's. Now, I'm at 8.9. The week was going along fine until I had some salad and grilled chicken yesterday. after a few bites I felt I was getting stuck (pain in the sternum and back). And then boom - I had to throw up. But it was absolutely awful, because much of the time nothing came out, and when it did it was a bizarre foam/slime (sorry, gross). Last night, I was able to eat again --- just a very little bit of rice and tofu. And it was fine. Today I ate oatmeal and cottage cheese, and that too was fine. Just wondering how you know if you're 'too tight' or maybe, for the first time, I'm where I should be? I'd love your feedback! Thank you.

THANK YOU, KERIM! YOU HAVE GIVEN ME HOPE! I have had 3 fills and feel NO DIFFERENCE. I realize I need to be patient. I am so pleased to hear you've hit your sweet spot.

I wanted to reported this here as it seems we either say something when we panic or when we finally lost lots of weight. I have been banded August 2010 in UK (single incision surgery from my belly button). I was very much scared from the surgery but all was fast and ok. I got my belly button infected so it was my first disappointment but finally it went away and healed perfectly. I am on a 14 cc band and 1 cc was in the band when they placed it.

I got my first fill 1cc fill in October 2010. It did not effect my eating much except instead of 2 large pizza and 2-3 large coke, I was down to 1 large pizza and lots of coke. I was demotivated and asked myself if I did the right thing. Now there was something in my body and if I wanted it out I needed another surgery. After 1 month, there was almost no change in my weight. So I got another fill. again more chock episodes but everything was down one or other way and no weight loss at all. second fill, third fill, forth fill. etc. Imagine after each fill NO CHANGES. It was frustrating. I was reading here people having no fill and losing lots. Anyways as of Jan 2011, I got my fifth fill. Yes it works:)). I am at my sweet spot. I feel never hungry. I can not eat more than handful of whatever I want, soft mainly mushy. I can not drink fizzy drinks. And it feels different. I also started seeing many stretchmarks and started gym a month ago.

For those who are like me, after so many fills you haven't seen much difference. Just be patient and wait. You will definitely find your sweet spot. And one tip. never ever eat if you do not feel hungry, just because its dinner time and everyone in the family is around the table. My rules in losing weight:

- Do not eat anything in the morning till a moment you really really feel hungry.

- If you have a partner, let him/her prepare family meals. stay away from food, kitchen or supermarket.

- Wait till you will hit your sweet spot. You can definitely not eat a bowl of rice.

- Do enroll at a gym. Believe me even in 1 month, it does wonders. You will not lose weight as you wished because you are gaining muscles (for men and for those who are more into weight training like me). But you will lose inches.

- Remember it worked for soooo many people and will work for you.

- Ice creams, candies, anything you can suck or melts in your mouth is your enemy. Make a drastic change.

Kerim

Was 129 kg in Aug and now 110 KG: 19kg lost which is almost 40 pounds

Hi,

My surgeon said "it's like Coke or Pepsi". I let him choose which he felt was best . In my case, he felt the Realize band was best. I would let your surgeon choose. Good luck!

Hello,

I am trying to make a decision as to which band I wil have inplanted on my upcoming surgery.

Does anyone have any information on the safety of these bands long term? I have done extensive research over the past several months and want to make sure I am not missing anything.

Also, I see there were recalls on both types of bands, the Realize and Lapband. Any feedback on what band you have and why you chose it?

Your feedback will be most appreciated!

Hi,

I'm not sure about Prilosec, but my doctor has told me not to take any pills larger than a tic-tac. I have to take several pills and though it can be a pain in the butt, I crush them or break them into very small pieces. I've gotten very used to it. I would definitely check with your doc about the pill size. You can always crush them and put 'em in yogurt or something. Good luck to you!

I have been having issues with foam build up in my stomach and then I end up throwing up. I was told yesterday by someone on this forum that it may be excessive stomach acid and to possibly try Prilosec. I went out and bought the pills but am a little scared to take the pills due to the size. I may be worried for nothing but I am a little nervous about taking the capsule. Has anyone else taken these pills and had no problems with them getting stuck?

Hi! You are not alone. The pre-op diet is THE WORST. I PROMISE YOU --- it will get better. Make sure to call your doctor. Tell him/her you're finding it intolerable. See if they will allow you to incorporate some light foods. Hang in there. Swear it --- you will be surprised at how much easier it gets.

Ugh I'm only almost done with day 2 on my pre op diet and I'm alrdy stressing out so bad! I know my fiance has good intentions by stopping to eat before he gets home but I want so badly to be able to go eat with him and have dinner with him and I can't! Its really starting to make me mad!!!!! I'm starting to think I got myself into something I'm never goin to like!

I had my surgery on December 7th. I lost 20 lbs initially from the liquid dieting. Since then I have not been able to lose any. I'm staying at exactly the same weight (I went up 3 lbs over the holidays, then went right back down 3 lbs, but no more). I have had a few fills. My doctor said he really feels the next one (Monday) will be 'the one'. Right now, I have 6cc's in an 11cc band. I'm being very concious of what I'm eating and limiting carbs to just one cup of oatmeal a day (recommended by my nutritionist).

Is there hope? Is it too early to be worried? Would love to hear some positive stories and support. Thank you.

AMAZING. You are totally inspiring. I'm very frustrated. I was only banded Dec. 7th, but after 20 lbs lost (mostly from the liquid diet), I am not losing any weight. I would love to know how you've done it. What your restriction is like? What your diet is like? Congratulations -- that's amazing.

Hi Extraonme - Just want to shout out support. I am NOWHERE near my goal. I was banded at the beginning of december, gained some weight during the holidays and now am back on track. I just had another fill. I've only lost about 20 lbs. Fingers crossed--hang in there --- you're great for doing this. We all struggle and from what I've been told once the fills are at the proper place, it gets easier

CONGRATS! You have done an amazing job! I unfortunately am feeling a little down as I was banded on 9-10-10 and have only lost 24 pounds and nothing lost at all since 12-4-10. My third fill is 2-24-11 and I hope it helps. Anyway I love seeing these great posts and your blog is awesome, I appreciate the time you put into it! Your gorgeous so I too would have walked right up to your ex to show him what he is missin!!!

Thank you SO much, Nicole. You have no idea how much I relate (I was just thinking - wow, I through 15 grand down the drain and am facing the same exact battle as before). I'm working hard at dieting, but am hungry all the time. Next fill is tomorrow, so...until then - thank you for the encouragement, it means so much.

@RK...I have a total of 7ccs in my band now with some restriction but not at my sweet spot yet. with 5cc's I hardley had any restriction at all. I ended up just doing Weight watchers for a while in order to keep from over eating. I was mad when i had to do that cause I thought I got dooped with this whole lapband thing, I was selfpay too so I was freaking that I just threw away 15 grand just to end up doing what I have always done. but I put it in perspective and realized I was still doing better than I did when I was dieting before the band and I had to get restriction at some point. I know everyone is different but my dr told me most people start feeling restriction at 7cc's.in an 11cc band. I had times of being very frustrated during these 5 months...especially before I got my 3rd fill. I get my 4th fill on tuesday and I am really hoping this will be my last for a while but for me the fills last a wee or 2 than I can eat more again. I still cant eat as much as I could before the band..I use to throw down at a chinese buffet..lol...it will come...you just have to trust that it will and before you know it you will have restriction and look back at this struggle and think of how far you came:)

WOW - CONGRATULATIONS. This is so wonderful. Let me tell you, I needed to see this. I was banded 4 weeks ago and have been depressed. I lost initial weight on the liquid diet, gained a few pounds back over the holidays, and now am back to 'normal'. I have 5cc's in an 11cc band and don't feel ANY restriction (my doc is doing another fill tomorrow). I'm following a very strict diet, but the weight is coming off soooooo slowly. And without feeling any restriction, it's just hard and has me questioning the whole thing. I'm glad to know it took a few fills for you to feel restriction. I hoping, hoping, hoping this happens to me. My 40th birthday is in May, so I've got 4 1/2 months and I'd really like to be down by 40 lbs!

My first big goal was to lose 50lbs and I got there!! It felt like it took forever..but so glad that I did it! I feel so much better than I did 5 months ago. It hasnt been as easy as I thought it would be and I struggled through bandster hell but after 3 fills, 3x a week work oust and watching what I eat I think Im finally getting the hang of this lapband thing......for those of you just beginning and struggling..hand tough and keep your head up...the first few months for me was tough but patience, persistance and positive thinking and a little help from this great website will get your to where you want to be! I am about half way to my weight loss goal so I am still in the game but it feels good to hit this weight loss!! I couldnt figure out how to post pictures on here so I just posted the before & after on my blog if you would like to see the difference 50lbs makes!!

Before-302lbs July 30th 2010

After -251 lbs Jan. 5th 2010

I knew I would be the 'first patient in', but the hospital called me at about 6:30 pm the night before with an exact time. Good luck!

Thanks for the info! Glad to hear things went well for you!! Hope you are feeling great. I haven't received my surgery time - do you know if that happens the day before?

THANK YOU SO MUCH THIS IS REALLY INSPIRING. AND CONGRATS ON YOUR WEIGHT LOSS. YOU ARE GREAT.

I have an 11cc band and didnt get restriction until my 3rd fill and I have a total of 7cc's right now, Im not quite at my sweet spot yet but I was just like you after my 1st and 2nd fill. I thought I would never get restriction!! my doc wont do fills but every 6 weeks and they were the longest 6 weeks of my life! once I got my 3rd fill I had great restriction for about 3 wks than it subsided some...but I do have some small "stuck" epiosodes now as well if I eat too quickly or too big of bites. I remember posting on here a couple months ago, I was so frustrated and discouraged, I wanted it to happen right away since that was my expectation...I was hungry all the time and was doing weight watchers to try and not overeat..I did manage to stil lose some weight but was working out and eating the best I could. Its hard to stick with all that you have to do ..its alot of self discipline and its even harder before you get restriction...I finally have some but still struggle with food decisions and wanting to get lazy...hang in there and trust that it will happen..,you just have to try to have patience and keep busy with trying to exercise and change your old habits !! Good luck!

Hi Ann,

I'm a patient of Dr. Schwack and was banded on 12/7/10. He is FANTASTIC. I really trust him and I really like him. He's very user friendly, accessible, and kind. His assistant, Leslie Betancourt, is a total dream. She answers e-mails fast and is very reachable. A great team. You couldn't have picked better. Ross

Hi there! Happy New Years! I am scheduled for surgery on Jan 11th. I am 4 days into the pre-op diet. First few days were really hard - but it feels like it's getting easier!! Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with Dr. Bradley Schwack or the Langone Weight Center?

I've had all the other tests, but I still haven't had the psych exam - trying to get it scheduled! It would be a bummer if that held me up!

Would love to hear others experiences!

Thanks

Ann

Thank you for the encouragment!

Hang in there- it took me 3 fills to get any restriction. It will happen. Good luck!

Our expectations are EXACTLY the same. Looking for the 'sweet spot' and wanting it to HELP control hunger. I never said or intimated that diet and exercise wouldn't be a huge part of it. In fact, my diet is so low fat, low carb, one cup at a time, no liquids while eating, etc. Following every rule I've gotten. So...thank you for understanding

Oh, how I feel your pain! I'm not sure what size band I have because I have never asked, but I had my first fill of 2.4 cc today. Unfortunately, I'm still hungry and the tummy is growling as usual. Also, that nasty hunger headache is here as always too.

To clear up any misconception that some people may have, I NEVER went into this thinking that the band was anything more than a tool. I am very aware that being banded is a lifestyle change. Even so, I did go into this expecting the band to be the tool that helps me to not over eat as over eating is what made me need the band in the first place. If the band does not give me enough restriction and I am going to be hungry forever, then the band is not doing what it was designed to do.

Correct me if I am wrong rktaurus71, but I think your expectations from the band are the same as mine. Good luck moving forward and I hope your hunger pains leave soon!

Pardon me, but I am not misguided. I don't think your post is helpful. My doctor and nutritionist both said very clearly "the band -- when find the right amount of fill -- will make you feel full faster". I NEVER said in my post that I expected some sort of magic bullet. Excuse me, but I am following every rule there is --- eating extremely low fat, low carb, no more than a cup at time, not drinking while eating, etc. So, I'm hardly expecting an overnight miracle. Thanks to everyone else who responded. Much appreciated. I will certainly let you know how the next fill goes.

I didnt say you woudnt find your sweet spot I said hunger will always be there because that is what our bodies are meant to do. When you are not full you stomach will be hungry. But are you hungry or just empty. When it growls you are hungry when its doesnt you are just empty. But you can not ever think you wont be hungry. You will you have to know how to control it.