Bandida

HEY GIGI8!! How are you? How have you been feeling? How is journey going? I'd love to hear from you!!!!

Hello everyone! Congratulations on all your successes! You are all inspirations to me. I had posted a before and during a while back..but I know I've lost about 20 more pounds since then... My weight loss has been slow but my inches are just melting off. I wish everyone the best on their journeys and I hope your having as much fun as I am!!!!!! BLESSINGS!! MUAH!!!! The first pic is of my hubby and me in Maine in 2006 and the second pic was taken at a banquet on May 23rd, 2007...That was the night no one recognized me!!!!!:whoo:My pants a size 10 and my blouse an XL!!!!

He Bandida!!! You look great!! Good to see you back. I actually started back here about a week or so ago. I am on fill #3 and hope this is my sweet spot. I am at 3 cc's in a 4 cc band. I definitely have restriction now. I couldn't get cold Water down this morning which is what I normally do, had to have warm tea. Then I had some Soup with crab pieces for lunch and had to really chew. Almost got stuck once and I am feeling very satisfied and full with that. I was normally pigging out all day.

Keep in touch!

Audree

hey Audree, Good to hear from you! So, I wasn't the only the one who was missing in action...haha..Wow! I have 2.65 cc's in my 4cc band. I can say I have pretty good restriction..Not so much that I can't drink but enough so that I'm not over eating...My MD has me on only three meals a day and that is enough.. Sometimes I only have 2.

Hey Olga!

So by saying you are in Onderland, do you mean you hit your "sweet spot"?

I am just wondering with this kind of fill if I will start to lose again. Sometimes I feel like I never will lose the rest of the weight, but with the band I know this is all new territory for me. Not like previous diets. I don't feel hungry and that is new to me, well since right after surgury.

What do you eat in a day?

Audree

Onederland is when you are in the 100's (poundswise) Sweet spot...I'm not sure I've found it...I can be really hungry today and tomorrow I won't be able to eat much...My weight has kinda plateaude but I haven't been doing my excercises like I was before...I think the last few pounds are the hardest to drop. I know I'm having a hell of a time now...

Hey Tracey! Thank you!!!! YEAH I DID!!!!! I was in shock for about a minute, then I danced around...then I grabbed my husband....and then...... hahahaha!!!!!!

How are you?

So, what size do you think you'll be at when you reach goal? minus somthing? (like a - 2) ))

Shawn

I can only wish... I'm not sure....I guess I'll let you know when I get there...:biggrin1:

Olga,

Great job. I am shaking my head in amazement. Your ticker says 195 and you're wearing a 10-12. Back in the day, I think when I was 120 (I might have been about 12 years old!!) that was when I could wear a 12. A few years ago...1996 or so, I did the phen/fen thing and got down to about 189 or something like that. I wore a size 16. Sizes are so confusing!!

Shawn

It's AMAZING! Sometimes I don't even believe it!!! I'm in love though!!! With my band, my new lifestyle and myself!!! My family thinks I'm nuts cause it's all I talk about....I have a few friends that have watched my success and have decided to go through with it!!! Yeah..sizes are weird...I also think the brands have alot to do with it...I know that at Fashion Bug I can wear some 8/10... Apple Bottoms I wear a 10/12..... and then some generic brands from AJ Wright I wear 10/12...

Me too Olga, we must be related!!! Ha . . . When I read that some have never slimmed or PB'd I think we should tell them they don't know what they are missing! Just kidding . . . My episodes of both have decreased significantly since I started making a conscience effort to S-L-O-W down and C-H-E-W until I don't think I can possibly chew anymore. That really does seem to work . . . Well, that and totally avoiding bread and Pasta.< /span>

that is soo funny...You sound like me..I tell my bandster pals at the Md's office those exact words!!! Isn't it funny how a few extra chews make such a HUGE difference? I notice that too, my episodes are ussually if I'm eating too fast or in a stressful environment..:omg:.ei. (lunch with my kids at Six Flags!!...yuck!!!) So, I either wait to be able to eat "peacefully" or I drink an Ensure...I also try to avoid the bread and the pasta...and sometimes the rice...but, being latina, the rice is hard to stay away from...sigh...

Hello all! It's been a while, I know.... I've been super busy with work, kids, and my band. It's so god to hear all your positives and I'm sorry for all your negatives. It's a learning expereince...I've come to embrace my band and I don't know why didn't do this sooner. I've had my ups and downs. I have a masters in PB's and a Doctorate in Slimming...Chewing is my middle name!!! I'm in ONEDERLAND though, and that has made me one happy girl! NSV's - I wear my wedding band from 12 years ago, I wear a size 10-12 now, and I LOVE to take pictures of myself!!!! So, yes I'm happy, I love my band, and I'm back for support! I've missed you guys!!!! So, keep me psoted and I'll try to do the same!!!!

Love and Blessings,

Olga

Hey Bandida!!!! I do feel good where I am. I definitely eat less. I have no discomfort but just feel really full after I eat a coffee cup plate worth. I think I have been pushing it slightly and I think that I have been overeating sometimes. I do this when I am overly hungry. The only thing I notice is that I can't take a deep breath, have pressure and just feel too full. I think I need to just start serving myself 1 cup portions and eat it slow. I did that today and it was enough to make me feel full.

I started going to the gym again!!!!!!!!!!:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

I have gone to the gym 3 times and did the treadmill for 1 hour. I am really loving it!!! I weigh in tomorrow.

I think if I stop losing I may ask for a slight fill, but then I have never pb'd or slimed and don't want to. Maybe I shouldn't push things. I have a ride to go next week.

Maybe I should leave things alone. :faint:

Hi BGB! Yeah.. I would definitely stay where you are...I just had my second fill last week and it's made a huge difference..I've had 3 PBing episodes (NOT FUN) The last one I thought I was gonna pass out in the bathroom!! It was at the school that i work at and I could just see it...The nurse trying to revive me..lol...I can laugh at it now, but at that moment I was horrified and scared sh..less!!! :faint: If you feel comfortable where you are and you are losing...I'd wait..(just my opinion..) Good Luck!!! :kiss2:

I finally got up the nerve to post pictures..:faint: You are all an inspiration to me! please keep in mind that I am a work in progress...

Sheila~Wow! I can only pray I look that good soon...Yo go girl!!!:clap2:

the first pic is my husband and I on vacation in Maine last summer (2006) and the second pic we just took 5 minutes ago (3/23/07).. Thansk to everyone for sharing your experiences. I have learned a lot!!!!

Interesting it will be... It seems, at least for me, that there is never a dull day since banding..lol!!!

Are you eating now Bandida? I am going to be interested to see how mushies go down tomorrow.

Yup. Mushies are ok. I had Peanut Butter and jelly w/ some soda crackers earlier and it went down fine..I chewed like there was no tomorrow though..lol!! I made rice and Beans for dinner and I will mash the beans with the rice to see how that goes...I made chicken for everyone else, but none for me..not after yesterday!!!

I just got my fill thiis morning and I can tell that things are different. I can see how people have esophagus issues. My liquids seem to be sitting at the top of my throat and trickling down. My burps are different. No gas pain though. Oh man, not the dreaded shoulder pain again!

I know..I told my husband now I understand why people lose weight..they are frightened of eating lol!! (just kidding...) bu that's how I felt yesterday...It's better today, but yeah...the dreaded shoulder pain is back (at least for me) not as bad as surgery but it's there...I pray you don't get it!!!

I have a question for everyone...

After your fill, did the "gas" shoulder pain (if you've had it) come back...? Holy cow!!! mines is back and it's not fun...I did have it after my first fill too...I was just curious...

Hi Bandida!!

I am at 1.2 cc's and am doing good and losing. I was considering a 2nd fill since I feel like I can eat anything. You are only .3 more than me and it seems like you are so much tighter than me.

Do you think I should stay where I am?

Hi BGB!!! It's been a while!!! Glad to see you back!! I missed you!

As long as you feel comfortable at where you are at and you are loosing..I would stsy where you are, but ultimately it comes down to how you feel about it. My MD and I talked about it and I had NO restrcition whatsoever with the 1 cc...That's why we did the .5... I didn't think I would have as much restrcition as I have though (it's really TIGHT:faint: )...It's weird how much of a difference .5 cc's makes...

Much much better today! The doc said to go back on solids today, but to make sure I was only eating 1/2 cup at a time. I ate some granola and dried fruit earlier. For lunch I had some Mrs. Grass chicken Soup with the noodles (leftover from last night's chicken broth). Jello sounds good. I may have to go whip up a batch!

I'm glad your feeling better. :clap2: I am supposed to go back on solids today but I'm a little scared..so i'm doing "mushies" instead... I really don't want to go through that again...:faint: funny..my instructions were the same as yours. lol! I love jello and I add some dream whip to it...(lite of course) yum!!! Enjoy!!

Welcome to my world!! LOL! After barfing 4 times since I got my fill last Thursday, I finally called the doc's office today. She told me to do ONLY warm/hot liquids tonight. I'm supposed to call back tomorrow morning and let them know if the liquids stayed down. She also told me to wait at least 4 hours after something is stuck to put ANYTHING (even water) down my throat. Maybe that will help you? I hope you are feeling better!

Maria

Hi Maria! thanks for the tips...I am feeling much better today...I did get a Protein Shake down yesterday as well as some crystal lite,but that was it...Today I had a Protein shake for Breakfast, some crystal ite, hot tea, and a small lite pumpkin muffin for snack and lunch I had 2 sips of Tomato Soup, 1 tsp. of Peanut Butter and 1 tsp. of jelly mixed in a cup with 2 soda crackers and as we type some of the old time favorite...lite strawberry jello...yummm:faint: !!!! lol...I was down 4 pounds from yesterday though...YEAH!!!!! How are you? How are you feeling?

Okay, you guys have me scared! My second fill is scheduled for next Monday....I have 1.25cc in a 4 cc band. I don't usually get hungry but am trying to tackle the eating out of habit! Have lost 36.5 pounds since January 4 so am pleased with the loss and being able to eat whatever I want (within reason). I try to keep calories between 1000 and 1200 and Proteins around 70. It's worked so far and have been able to eat bites of foods (Subway sandwich!) but am scared to eat more than 1 bite! Have only slimed one time on a McDonald's french fry....gonna be a long time before I try that again!

Guess I'll leave it up to the Doctor but thinking I don't want much of a fill as long as I'm losing on a regular basis?!??!!? What do you guys think?

5Jacks..i hope it wasn't my fault...:welldoneclap: I apologize for scaring you if it was...:think I didn't mean too, i was just venting......Everyone is different and reacts dfferent to fills. I can also say it was probably my fault too due to the fact that with my first fill I had hardly any restriction and got away with eating faster. i personally feel that I need the most restriciton I can get. You see my other medical conditions do not let the pounds come off as much as they should. I excercise daily (I walk 4-6 miles aday, 30 minutes on stationary bike, 20 minutes of wieghts and between 50-100 crunches 5-7 times a week)My MD and I came up with a plan that should help me and only me. If we have to deviate, so be it..but it's an individual thing...:Banane20: ..If you feel comfortable where you are then I would stay at the level you are at..If you have the trust you should have with your MD I woud also talk to him and the nutrtionist... (mine helps me inmensely)...Keep me posted..and again I'm so sorry for scaring you...

Blessings!!!:kiss2:

I got my second fill toady. .5 cc. (in total 1.5 cc in my 4cc band):faint: Let me tell you..DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!! I've discovered the uncomfortable and unattractive art of PB and slimming at the same time. HOLY SH>>>!!!!!!!!! :welldoneclap: It hurts, it's gross and I'm miserable!!!! I had 1 small teeny tine bite of chicken and 2 bites of mashed potatoes and that was it. Now I guess it kinda irritated my "stoma" and NOTHING STAYS DOWN!!!!! I'm waiting a few hours to see if I can get at least liquids down (cause it does feel like everythig came out)...SO, to answer the question of ...did you feel restriction after the 2nd filll, YUP, I sure did:eek: !!!!!!!!

Hey all. Everyone seems to be doing so awesome, it is really encouraging.

I am SOOOO excited. I just got my date. It is May 10. It is with Dr. Adam Glasgow at Norwood Hospital. I did the psych eval, nutritionist, sleep study, letter from my PCP. My last step is a liquid diet for 10 days prior to surgery (I'm REALLY) nervous about that. My mouth (and tummy) are not going to like that one. But that's ok. From the sounds of all of you it will definitely be worth it. It doesn't sound like any of you had a 10 day liquid diet prior to surgery. Maybe it is just my particular surgeon. It's all about having the liver shrink I guess. My friend is having her surgery done 3/27. She is on the liquid diet and doing great so far!

YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!

Hey Cindy! Congrats on your date.:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: I had to do a liquid diet for about 10-15 days prior to surgery for shrinkage sake:eek: . I lost about 7 pounds..:clap2: it's not too bad.. .It's all worth it at the end!!! Plus, if it's gonna make the surgery less dificult all the more to go for it.. :) .I wish you the best on your journey and keep us posted!!!:kiss2:

Blessings!!

The 10cc band is the 4cc band.

Here's how it was explained on another forum-

There are two issues here:

1) Band size

2) Fill volume

There are three sizes of Inamed Lap Bands.

The size refers to the inner diameter of the band.

The 3 band sizes as per Inamed are 9.75 cm, 10.0 cm, and the VG (the Vanguard, which I believe is 11cm, but all the reps call it VG, no-one calls it the '11')

Fill volume:

The 9.75 and 10 cm bands can hold a maximum of about 4cc of saline.

The VG holds a max of about 10 cc of saline.

Hope this info helps to clarify any confusion out there regarding band sizes. =)

Thanks for the clarification... This is the reason why I love this place:clap2: Someone can always answer questions. You Rock RockerGirl!!! :clap2:

I have a 10cc band. (why) I feel like I should have gotten a 4cc, I dont know why he gave me the big one...my first fill was 1cc and I gained a pound since then..no restriction, eating like a pig, and pissed...my doctor emailed and said eat a small meal and "walk away: if I could have done that, I wouldnt be paying 467 dollars a month for the next damn 6 years! I am quite disappointed, (can ya tell?) I am on my way to my sisters for dinner...lets see how much I can eat there...sh$#!!

Hi Tracy! Please don't feel discouraged. Your MD made the decision to give you the band he did because for him, it was the band you needed. Remember when the band is first put in there is no restrcition except for the swelling. Now you don't want the MD putting too much in a time because you don't want complications. Believe me, I understand where you are comming from. I can eat more than I should due to my little restriciton but I remind myself that it will come. Slowly but healthy and surely it will come. I am not a patient person and believe me I weigh myself almost daily and have slammed my scale a few times for not moving in the right direction but I am proud of my 32 - 37 pounds lost (that's how much it fluctutates) and I pray that I will be in onederland soon...I hope the encouragement helps and please don't give up.. You've worked too hard to get here!!! My prayers are with you sister!!!

Blessings!!!:kiss2:

I wonder exactly what the 'sweet spot' is supposed to feel like??? I have had two fills and have restriction, but am not losing nearly as fast as I would like . . . I am afraid if I get another fill I will be too tight and I know that is no fun either . . .

Anyone have any idea what the 'sweet spot' feels like???

Thanks,

Lynn

Hi mommi hammi! The swet spot (I think) is when you get to a point where you feel comfortable with what you are eating ( enough but less)and are losing weight without any problems...meaning, no PB no throwing up (obviously, if you eat too fast or swallow too soon then you can always get something stuck). This is my personal take on the sweet spot. I haven't gotten there yet, but I hope to soon. I still can eat ( alot more then what I've seen posted around here...:faint: ) I think the only reason why I haven't gained is my excercising. You'll know it when you are there (at least that's what I've been told). the leader at our support group has not had a fill for over a year...She still has to work hard at keeping her good food choices but she's kept her weight off. She syas she has found her sweet spot!! I hope this helps, at least a little...:welldoneclap:

I am doing well. I have had 1cc fill in a 4cc band. I had no restriction after first fill. They told me to come back in a month, but I called to see if I could get it done sooner, so I am going for fill #2 tomorrow.

I haven't had any side effects yet. That may change with fill #2. But so far, I love my band!

I am glad you are doing well! Same here. I have the same (1cc in 4cc band) and my second fill is on tuesday. My MD said it usually takes 4 fills to get to the "sweet spot"...Let's see how it goes. I'm hoping it doesn't take that much for me...

CONGRATULATIONS TONYA!!!!! Keep up the awesome work!!! You've worked hard and it's payed off. I hope to be right behind you!!!!