drae0879

What kind of work do you do? I could easily, and I mean easily, been back at a desk job inside of a week. I'd have been tired, but that's it.
Good luck, like you say, better late than never. Its a real wake up call to have health problems at a young age isnt it? Always a shock when we find out we're not immortal.

so..
hi FOLKS!!
My name is Patty. I was banded July 1, 2010....and I will freely admit, the band has been a wonderful tool...I have lost 120 lbs, from May '10 till about 2 weeks ago......(50 lbs pre op)
so here's my (few) things
does anyone just start to think the band is now just a Pain?? I am soo sick of it right now...(granted I have been sick with strep for a few weeks, like bad, with cellulitis) and now my cycle, so it is bound to be tighter...but DAMN (sorry) it seems like EVERYTHING gets stuck...I had to pull over to puke up split pea Soup I made myself yesterday...(like a puree) I know I am in a mood, but I right now am tired of this!!
and this one is bigger than the band
so, we are food addicts. we all have to admit that. what happens when food isnt our drug anymore?? we switch addictions to???
and what happens when we lose more than 100 lbs + and well, then nothing changes.....so like, now what??
I know I'm expecting a lot outta that little piece o plastic in there, huh??
just tired I guess, but I tell the truth, you know you all have thought these things!! share your thoughts please??
cuz, you know...even tho I've lost 120 lbs, doesnt mean I dont look (to myself) like almost 400 lbs still....that never goes away for me anyway..
thanks for reading if you've made it thus far
and, yes, before you chastise me, I know I am wrong for just not going in for an unfill..that just feels like defeat somehow to me...(yes I have issues, LOL)

thank you... this will be helpful when I get my lapband. Take care!

AMEN BROTHER! ...and Bahahaha @ "No doubt someone will reply back and explain why everything I said is wrong - just ignore them."

Love this post! I thought I had restriction before first fill. Ha! It was about me being too afraid to not make good choices after surgery. After my 3rd and last fill for now, that I truly understood restriction. I have 7 ccs now and last week Dr didn't do another fill saying I was okay & didn't need one. I have lost 61 since Feb 7th, 2011. I'm happy too with my level of restriction. I've gone thru my partner (fat) leaving me which would have meant binging before band. I'm changing and my life is changing. I understand that fills change as we lose. Restriction is awesome and feel so grateful. As I go forward being a single Mom, I'm so glad I can be more active with my kids & hopefully meet someone more suited to who I am becoming. Fat pads change and so do we!

Eating too fast may be it along with not eating the right foods. Anything breaded always gives me trouble so I avoid it. I usually take a bite the size of a pea, chew it until it can't be chewed anymore, swallow and then wait about a minute before taking the next bite. I also put down my fork/spoon while waiting. I know it sounds tedious, but maybe that will help.

I'm not gonna comment on you doing your own fills, but why even bother to post that you are if you didn't want negative comments?

im sorry say, but i think you are crazy to do your own fills, Im sorry but i can not not say anything. You stole from your Dr's office on top of it. You say unexperienced dr's doing your fills, well what do you think you are? this post makes no sense and i can not even believe it, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING??????

You're way too tight. Get an unfill. And understand that you will likely have to have 0.75-1.00 cc taken out and not just 0.25 cc.
You've caused a lot of swelling by pbing and by not being able to eat, which is why you need more taken out. If your Dr insists on only taking out 0.25 then you need a new Dr. Get the full fill taken out that you had put in plus a little bit to help with the swelling.
Then you'll have to wait at least four weeks before you get another fill - to allow your body to heal. Do not rush the process.
You should be able to eat 1-2 CUPS of food per meal - not 0.25 cups.
And you should be able to eat a normal bite of food like chicken. If you can't easily eat solid Protein then you're too tight.
If you have to break food down to such a small size (half a pinky) then you are too tight and you will not get enough nourishment.
In summary - you are way too tight and you need an unfill.
Remember, the band isn't about restriction or not being able to eat. It's about staying fuller longer on less food (because you eat slower).

Adjusting to the band is a great idea "not asking it to adjustment to me lol". I have 10 days before I see my doc I'm going to work on it.

I have to agree with Debora Ann, this is part of what you change in your eating lifestyle when you have the band. I would not get an unfill. I would instead adjust to the band rules much more. I have begun to eat with my daughter's baby spoon and fork because that IS the size of a bite you should be taking.

Hey Disneymom,
I'm glad I'm not the only one who is experiencing stomach gurgling!! Mine is so loud, it's embarrassing. I have NO pain with it, it's just loud! Nothing I do seems to stop it, although I think it is getting less and less. I go back to work tomorrow, this should be interesting!
~Stephanie