NJGirl32

I never heard of 6 days-that seems like a lot. With that being said, my last (4th) fill was tight and I probably would have done very well with liquids for 6 days. If you can tolerate mushies I don't think it would hurt after 2 days of liquids.

Mine felt super tight and I couldn't eat anything, although I could drink I had to do it very slowly. You might feel louy because you aren't getting the proper nutrients (take yr. vitamins) or you are dehydrated and not drinking enough Water. Not sure if that's what you ment by feeling lousy.

Hope you feel better!

So I call up a friend from work and we agree to meet at a diner for lunch-it's around 1pm and all I have had so far was yogurt in the morning. I am hungry-I really want to eat and I feel as though I could eat (unlike mornings).

Anyway this friend knows I have the band...I order a garden veggie egg beater omellet, fruit cup (instead of home fires) and no toast. Well, I could barely get 4 bites down. I had to ask for a to-go box and I ate 2-3 small pieces of fruit. I guess that wasn't a good choice for me. I am thinking eggs over light might go down better-geeze!

Tonight we are going out for my daughter's birthday-I was going to do Hibachi -but no way can I do that and not stand out. Only thing I can eat is seafood and at night I can mange more.

Hi -

I was banded on 7/27 and my band had 3ccs. Didn't have any restriction to speak of and was starting to get discouraged as the weight was not coming off and I never felt full. Anyway, I got my first fill yesterday (was so stinkin' excited) and got 2ccs. I did liquids yesterday and my doc said I could go back to regular food today. Today, I could barely get my Protein shake down and got stuck with cottage cheese and then Tomato Soup. Do you think this is just swelling or did they add too much? I don't want to give up and have an unfill if I don't need it but this isn't living...

Thanks!

Same exact thing happened to me-give it 3 days and the swelling will go down. Don't even attempt solid food in the morning (unless it's cream of wheator maybe yogurt). It will get btter and if it doesn't you'll need to get a slight unfill.

Good luck!

2 burgers- well not a great idea but this IS a learning process and she is just being very honest. My trigger food was pizza and here's how it went:

1st fill- no problem eating pizza

2nd fill-actually had 2 slices one night with no problem (other than feeling like a failure)

3rd fill- eat 1 slice of pizza on the boardwalk-got SO very sick-vomiting, sliming. OMG-I even thre up on the boardwalk-I was with my friend who didn't know about my surgery.

4th fill- got a slice on vacation took 1/2 teaspoon size and was sick the entire next day.

Tonight the family ordered pizza and I got a salad-I could only eat 1/3 of the salad and had NO pizza.

I simply can not eat doughy-type bread items.

My point is that it took me 4 fills not to be able to eat pizza at all. I won't even attempt to eat it anymore. You'll feel that way about burgers with the proper fill. My eating habits have dramatically changed since this last fill-sometimes my head wants to food, but my body threatens me with getting stuck or PBing and I don't want that!

Average 8-10 pounds per month

What about sticking some metal weights in your bra-seriously! Why should you have to gain 5 pounds! There's got to be a way to weigh yourself down!

I agree with the others that he wasted your time and then told you to wait a year=I'd find another doctor or get another evaluation done. Have to spoken to our primary doc? Would be be willing to verify your health issues?

I totally understand your frustration!! I felt the same and thought maybe this wouldn't work for me. I could eat anything-same thing-sometimes thing would get stuck. That all means that you are getting closer-you are 1 or 2 fills away from the sweet spot! Don't get discouraged now-you are SO close!! Seriously, 1 week I could eat pizza the next week (after a fill) I couldn't even take 1 bite - that's pretty dramatic. You will absoultely get there and you are getting closer with each fill.

Good luck to you!

Okay-you are mentioning 2 concerns:

#1- getting stuck

#2-still being hungry and being able to eat lots of food

1. Getting stuck-certain foods will have to be avoided or can caude you to get stuck. Sometimes eating quickly or while standing (mindlessly) cand attribute to the stuck feeling. Also, dry meats (that have being microwave or BBQed or overcooked in any way) can cause that feeling. Yes, chew the hell out of your food-and chew moist foods. Pay attention to the food so you don't take a bite that's too big.

2. If you can eat 2 hamburgers you simply aren't at a proper fill level. I was able to eat 2 slices of pizzas (not proud of that) after my 1st fill-not problem. Now I have had my 4th fill and I can't even take 1 bite of pizza-yes I tried and it was a slimming, PB mess! Even withthe proper fill you need to eat smart choices. Plan your meals and snakcs ahead of time. After this last fill I can not eat cheeseburger on a roll. I can only eat 1/2 of a burger (no bun) and I have to dip it in ketcup, even then the burger is pretty dry for my band.

Good luck to you!

Hang in there-things will get better!!! This is just the "sucky" stage. If you could have lost it on your own you would have by now-and chances of gaining it back would have been high.

Just keep thinking about all the good things about losing weight. Think about your health and how great it will feel to look in the mirror and like what you see! Keep positive thoughts going.

I found that making a Protein milkshake helped so much during those early weeks. You can get carnation instant Breakfast packets (add a scoop of Protein if you wantto boost it up) or simply use your favorite protein mix. I used GNC's total lean pre-made shake choc. Put it in the blender with a half of a banana (or other fruit), a bunch of ice cubes, pour into a fancy tall glass, put a dollop of cool whip and a drizzle of SF choc. Syrup on top (cheery optional). This will fill up 2 tall glasses and tastes absolutely yummy!

Try some different recipes- make a crockpot full of Soup so you can have it on hand when needed.

You CAN do this-I think the first 4-6 weeks are the hardest.

Keep busy!!

Good luck to you!

I would say 3 months...at least that's what it took for me. Prior to that, it was a slow time-just being very patient and letting the band ride it's early stages.

Since my 4th fill of 4.5ccs total, I can now see the scale going down and I cannot eat much food at all. Actually I think I might be a tad too tight.

I have lost 32 pounds since my pre-op diet and I can sense the scale going down each week (which is new-since I was stuck at the same weight for weeks). A couple of people said "you look like you lost some weight" but that's about it-no dramatic comments. I still look at pictures and see a fat girl.

I am thinking that next 20 pounds will bring on a dramatic change and I am looking forward to it (plus it will get me in Onederland).

The band is all about patience. There will be a period where you think why did I get this done when it doesn't seem to be doing anything. Then all of a sudden you'll get the fill that does the trick and really helps.

On a side note- I noticed when I started excercising I started losing weight. I think helped to get my metabolism working!

:)Sometimes it can take a while for the band to tighten-that's normal. Be careful eating too many mushy type foods. I can eat ice cream and it feels good, but it's not good for me (they call this eating around the band). I went on a cruise and couldn't eat mostthing, but thos umbrella drinks sure went down without a problem.

The key is to plan your meals ahead on time. Mornings are usually tough for bandsters so enjoy a nice cup or tea to help smooth the band. Have oatmeal, yogurt or really moist foods. At lunch maybe a cup of Soup and you can add some meat (chicken) or make a tuna salad on crackers. Get a Protein Shake in if you aren't getting the right amount of Protein in. Take your Vitamins at this stage too. For dinner try not to reheat food as it tends to be dry-stay away from Pasta and carbs. Fish works well for me or seafood items. The trick is to eat very small amounts and tune into what works for you. Try to get your sleep in-it's really important to your overall heath.

Best wishes!

Yep, you have a tight fill! Either get a small unfill or choose very carefully. I am in the same exact spot as you-can't enjoy food without feeling that I may either get stuck or it will sit there and slowly work it's way down. I get hungry too-I know it's head hunger but sometimes you just want to eat! I am stickingto mushy type foods or making sure my foods ae wet with some kind of sauce.

I got a chicken salad from McDonald's and could not eat the entire thing. I could only manage a tiny bit. I really do want to enjoy food at some point, but I also want to lose weight. I am hoping it loosens up because I don't really want an unfill.

Good luck!

Been there-done that!! It is the worse feeling ever! I can't eat pizza that has been reheated or dry- I slimed both times.

The wheat probably expanded in the stomach-stick to oatmeal, cream of wheat, yogurt (with fruit or granola sprinkles. In the morning we tend to be extra tight. Have a hot beverage (tea, coffee) to loosen thing sup before you attempt to eat.

Your body is telling you what you can and cannot eat-listen to it! If it can't go down a funnel you either didn't chew it well or it simply is not band friendly.

Sure hope this doesn't happen to you again!

Sounds like you have a tight fill-same as me! Some bandsters prefer a tight fill because it does tend to lead to weight loss-BUT it makes it very difficult to eat even a small sized meal such as a lean cusiene without feeling comfortable or fear of being stuck. The food takes a while to go down and you are keeping your fingers crossed that it does go down without discomfort or worse yet without being stuck! I am a beer drinker at summer parties and I take hours to drink 1 beer and then it's too warm to finish-this is a BIG change for me. Wine seems better. Today I BBQed cheeseburgers and I could barely eat 1/2 (without the roll).

So the dilema is to either wait it out and wait for it to loosen up while greatly reducing the amount of food you eat or go in for a slight unfill so you can enjoy eating better without stressing over it.

I still have head hunger, but the band defitely prevents the head from being in control.

You might want to lean a little more of the mushy stage type foods during this period. I went and got some more Protein shakes because I felt I wasn't getting enought Protein in with so little food. The shake did give me more energy which I needed.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Good News!! Today I got on the scale and it said I only gained 1 pound from my cruise/vacation!! Yesterday it said 4pound gain-so that's great news scale-wise!

Bad news is that yesterday I went to a concert and barely could eat anything while tailgating. Even the drinks were slow going down. I know this fill is a tight one and I am trying to let it run it's course since I am losing weight and I can drink and eat mushies. I understand from others that the fill will eventually loosen up.

Thanks for all the support and comments!!

The scale said I gained 4 pounds-really??!! I drank 4 pounds worth? Maybe it's jetlag weight because I know it isn't food weight! I gotta hit the gym and get back into the groove!

Oh-forgot to mention that I went through a full bidy scanner at the airport and they pulled me over for a pat down - I can't help but to wonder if it was the band that set it off? That was the first time I ever was pulled to the side and also the first time I went through one of those machines.

I had my 4th fill 3 days before my cruise and it was tight. I thought about an unfill-but I was able to eat food, just not a lot of food. Well I have to say I was tight for the entire cruise (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I could only eat small amounts of food and only cream of wheat in the mornings. On the 2nd day of my vacation I felt sick all day (probably from a teeny piece of dry chicken I had). Not a pleasant day and I started regretting the fill and thought that perhaps my band may have slipped. I simply could not eat anything without getting sick. After dinner (which I did not really eat) I had to rush back to my stateroom and barely made it in time to puke-not good.

But the next day and the remainder of the cruise was good and I selected items I knew I could handle. We sat at a table with 3 other couples from various parts of the South. You learn a few tricks to not look obvious about eating so little. You take small bites, give some to your hubby to "try" and then mash around what's left and scarp it off to the side. Unfortunately those tropical drinks had no problem going down along with other alcholic beverages. Desserts went down fine too (although I didn't over do them at all). The most important thing was to not eat at the airport or before boarding a plane (I can't imagine a worse though then being stuck and beiing on a plane).

So tomorrow I'll step on the scale and see what damge my umbrella-type drinks did! I was glad I had the fill because there simply wee way too many temptations!

I would say 4 weeks for your 2nd fill if you don't feel any restriction. I had my first fill 4 weeks after surgery and then 4 weeks later for the 2nd. I still had no restriction and waited 2 weeks after the 2nd fill and then 2 weeks after that. It seems my 4th fill did the trick. In my head I still get hungry, but there is no way I can eat lots of food for fear of being stuck-and I know what foods will get me stuck. It's a real learning process.

By my 2nd fill I was getting so frustrated and decided to go every 2 weeks until I felt the band working. Keep in mind however that sometimes it takes a couple of weeks to truly feel results.

Sounds like a great trip and successful! Sorry about the horse and the incident that came after..but you did good! Congrats

Sweatpea- you are doing AMAZING!!! With no fills?!!! Wow!! Congrats-you look great!

Congrats on a successful Vacation!! I just came back from my cruise today-I had a super tight fill before I left. Spent 1 day sick/slimming/vomiting, but I learned my lesson!! It is scary being out of town and wondering if you did some damage!

1 pound doesn't even count-way to go!!!

Last fill was 4.5 total ccs and so far it's amazing. This morning I took a while to eat yogurt and I didn't eat most of the fresh blueberries I storred in with it. I wasn't hungry all day although I knew I should eat, but I was out shopping and running errands. I came home and had a chicken lean cusine...well I couldn't finish it-seriously-couldn'tfinish a lean cusiene? That's insane!! I ate most of the chicken, but couldn't finish the apples.

Hopefully, I'll be able to eat a little more on the cruise (but not over do it). I would love to stay at this level for a while, but I am not sure how long it will last!

I agree I think you have some say so in the fill department. Also, you don't have to suffer from an overfill-just get some taken out.

I have been stuck for 2 hours-it sucks so bad! Try Papaya enezmes whcih seem to dissolve Proteins like steak and shrimp (not much help with bread). Shrimp did me in a while back-chew, chew, chew and keep it moist. Dry meats tend to stay stuck longer. Something that helped me was having a cup of hot tea afterwards.

Someone said warm pineapple juice helps too.

I know it's the absolute worst feeling!!

Get the book Bandwagon-it has all these terms described in it! It is a great resource and a very interesting read from a person who actually wentthrough the Lapband-loaded with info!