NJGirl32

I am just starting steady weight lost-3 months on the journey and things are finally moving forward. The band does require a lot of patience-it's not a quick fix for sure-but worth the wait!!

I haven't weighed this weight in soooo long-it feels great!

Thanks so mucj everyone! I think I just panicked because yesterday and most of today I couldn't eat-but I am feeling better now. I had a Protein Shake with a banana blended in and managed some pudding. I get a sense that I will be okay with this fill so I am not going to the doc's tomorrow. Of course I am starving now-but I am very careful of what I put into my mouth!

My doctor puts me on a full liquid diet for two days after a fill. I've always followed that with no problem. Stay on liquids today and see what tomorrow brings. I almost did an unfil before my vacation because I was tight. Glad I didn't cuz I lost s couple of pounds while I was gone.

Thanks for sharing your experience! My doc says the day of the fill only liquids, but I really think 2 days is a good policy. I manage to get cream of wheat down so that's a good sign. I really wantto keep this fill because I don't want to gain on vacation and there will be way too much temptation. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning.

Normally I would say wait it out a week, but since you are going on vacation you might want to get an unfill. You don't want to be on vacation and be too tight with no way of fixing it. Especially since you're going to be on a boat in the middle of nowhere. You can always get a fill again when you come back. I agree though, after my first 3 fills I've never had more than .5cc's at a time. Even that's a pretty big difference for me now!

Thanks for the reply! I did call the doc. and I have a 9:45am appointment. They are completely booked but they had to squeeze me in if I can't eat. I will see how I feel in the morning-but if I can't eat anything I'll need a unfill-despite how much I hate the idea of getting one! I haven't eaten anything today (the spoonful of egg doesn't count anymore) and that's not good. I am goingto make a shake and see if I can keep that down.

Yesterday my doc gave me 1cc - I really thought the policy was .5cc after you reached 3ccs. I wasn't expecting the 1cc and it's a big, BIG difference. Today I was able to drink 2 cups of coffe without any problems-so that's good (except the coffe part). I made an egg beater omlette with a teeny piece of cheese. I sat down to eat it and was only able to eat a tablespoon-that's it! Then it happened-the slime, and more slime, the stuck feeling and I knew I had to get it out-vomit!

Normally I would just let this ride it's course because I was able to drink coffee. BUT I leave on a plane this THursday for vacation and then a cruise. I don't want to deal with this on vacation-I am thinking of getting an unfill (I never thought I'd ever say those words). I have never been filled to the point of actually it making a big difference-so this is completely new to me.

Should I wait it out since I can drink or should I get the unfill? Will I be able to eat food tomorrow?

If anyone has ever had a tight fill-how long was it until you could eat food again? I just don't know what to do!

I think it all boils down to your quality of life. Are you happy with where you are at this point? Is the quality of your life greatly reduced due to your weight? Do you think about being overweight constantly and does it hinder you from doing things you really want to do in life? It is a life changing procedure and it's good to think it over. For me, I know I am not happy all all with this excess weight. I would go into department stores and avoid the mirrors-that's no way to live. Only you can decide what's best for you! Good luck with whatever you decide!

I have BCBS PPO and I never heard from them-the office dealt directly with them. That's so odd that they would try to talk you out of it. I never heard of such a thing and I would complain about it-it just doesn't seem ethical to have someone who has no medical degree try to sway you away from a surgery that could imporve the quality of your life.

Protein Shakes really helped with hunger and the Protein aids in healing after surgery. Are you sure you are on clear liquids that long? You really need to take your Vitamins at this point because youe body is craving nutrients. Try a Protein Shake (maybe 1/2) and see how you do. I know it's difficult-but you will be on mushies before you know it!!

Today is much better! I can drink my coffee and plan to have my yogurt and blueberries mixed together (my fav. morning treat!). I really do think I am either in the green zone or at least very close! I am glad I went-even stepped on the scale today to see 2 more pounds gone! I really think the gym has helped with getting my sluggish metabolism going. After a long plateau things are finally starting to kick in!

Melissa-I am going to New Orleans on Thursday for 2 nights and then sailing out to Mexico for 4 nights-I can't wait!! I would have preferred to have my fill last week but the doc was on vacation. Where are you cruising too? By Feb. you will be in excellent cruise shape!!

Dave- These guys were so proud and they were actaually talkingto a young girl who was filling out a form for the Lapband. I personally don't think she will qualify because she didn't look like she had much to lose. It was really good to hear 2 guys with 100+ weight lost-and you too!! I have heard so many people say it was the best decision of their life-and I really feel like I am beginning to understand why!

I had my 3rd fill 2 weeks ago and I don't feel like it was even worth going for-only.5ccs and really didn't help. I did manage to lose 4 pounds but I sttribute that to my workouts at the gym. Anyway-I debated back and forth about going in for another fill with my original surgeon. He put 1cc in my band for a total of 4.5ccs. Wow-this is SO different than any other fill I have ever had. I was able to drink the water-but I wasn't able to drink much else. I sipped on Soup for a while-and still have most of it left. I was hungry so I tried a little pudding (I know liquids only but with other fills I could do mushies)...well forget that. I went to the gym and could barely drink my Water (actually I spit some up.) I am hoping this is just do to the recent fill/swelling and that by tomorrow I will be better.

Has anyone felt extra tight the day of the fill and then it subsided a bit? I am going on a cruise later this week and wanted the fill so I wouldn't gorge but I hope I didn't overdue it.

On a bright note I overheard 2 male patients talking about their weight loss. One said it was the best decision of his life and he lost over 100 pounds. The other said he lost 140 pounds!! It was inspiring sitting among such great success stories!

I would have to disagree withe the poster who said it doesn't restrict the amount of food-because with me it does. I have also read the Dr. Simpson article and I don't agree with everything he says. I can't eat food that I once could and it I push it there is a price to pay. Before my 2nd fill I could eat 2 slices of pizza and did it once. AFter the 3rd fill I tried eating one slice and I got so sick. Now that I have my 4th fill forget it- I can barely finished my soup!

The tennis ball feeling is a stuck episode-sometimes lots of slime comes up at this point. I agree, the sandpaper feeling might be acide reflux-definitely mention it to your doctor.

I can only suggest you shop around because some docs will cut you a break. The woman at my office ( a patient) knew her friend was paying lots for her fills and ask if he could do them and what would he charge. He said he would charge $50!

You have been offically stuck! Remember to chew the hell out of everything-especially dry items. After being stuck stay on liquids for a while. My throat alwaus hurts he next day.

Fluids they pump into during surgery (IV) plus bloated and swelling from surgery-not to mention gas. I wouldn't worry about it at all. When I went back to work I had to leave my pants unbottoned at the top because my stomach was so bloated. You'll be fine and back to normal in no time!

I don't see any reason why not!

Mine gave me 2ccs-1cc-and now they give.5ccs for every visit. I guess that's not too bad except it's not making much of a difference! I am goig on Monday and hoping he give me .5cs to bring me up to 4ccs which I think will make a difference.

Congratulations on 35 years!!!

Fish is always a great option especially with a good sauce! Or maybe something that will hold up to reheating (that way you can make a few meals out of it!). Enjoy, and congrats again!

OMG-that really does sound so dangerous. Please don't do it. You risk the chance of puncturing your tubing or worse (infection). I understand your frustration-really I do. Surely there is someone who will do the fill for you! EVen if you have to travel a bit. I know many Bandsters get their surgery in Mexico but the fills in the US. Could you possibly contact the doc who did your surgery and ask him if he could recommend one? If you post your city, maybe some fellow bandsters could steer you in the right direction .

Yep! Main site:

http://www.hungry-girl.com/

I started watching Hungry Girl -the tv show and I LOVE it!! The tips are band friendly and you really get some great ideas! Today she made a low cal s'more -looked amazing. If you haven't tried this show I would definitely recommend it!! I know she has a website too. Being educated about the band is one step and being educated about food choices is another important step. So if any of you are in a food rut-check out the show for inspiration!

No, I can't even feel mine! I have no idea how they can find it to do fills! Maybe it's the stitches you feel poking you?

I also had a fill last Thursday and I didn't feel any different until today. Today, 4 days after my fill I woke up not even thinking about eating. It was weird. I wasn't hungry at all. I didn't eat until 4pm and even then I wasn't starving-but I figured I 'd better eat something. I wasn't purposely trying to eat slow-but I found myself eating slowly. Maybe this was a fluke?? I really don't know-I guess I'll see if it continues. One thing that has really helped me lately is eating Proteins first and not drinking anything after I eat.

Good luck and continued success!! Let us know how it goes!

Girl, from your stats it's obvious you know exactly what to do - you have had amazing results!

Pick at starting goal-maybe exercise? You can aboslutely turn this around !

LOL That's a great idea!!

I don't think you are suppose to be having shakes for Meal Replacements for Breakfast and lunch? ? I was makingthis mistake and my NUT told me I need to eat solid for the band to work (at this point) and shakes should be Snacks only? I know some people can't eat in the mornings and have a shake instead, but I think with 8 weeks post op you should be eating solid Proteins and that might help with satiety?? Just a thought.