Rachel412

It definitely helped, but it wasn't enough. I got my 2nd fill today.

Once you're able to do it, I think it's fine. Don't chug it, just drink it normally.

OK after my fill I'm at 6cc's... looks like so far all of us in this thread are between 6 and 8cc's. Very interesting. When she told me she was going to add 2 more cc's I was surprised, 6 sounds like so much, so I'm glad to see you're all where I'm at

Call your doctor and get better drugs. See if you can take more time off of work. Use a heating pad wherever the pain is, and on your abdomen, to help ease the gas. I sure wouldn't have been able to go back to work at 7 days out! I was still feeling like I'd been run over by a truck. It WILL get better!

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. That's terrifying

I do believe that there are people who follow their surgeon's instructions and still do not lose, because there are surgeons out there who give horrible aftercare directions. Just yesterday I saw someone (and I don't remember if it was here or on a different support site) whose doctor told her after surgery, all she was ever allowed to eat again was meat. I've seen other people who have the surgery and were told that the band alone would make them lose weight- they were given no diet to follow, and weren't educated about fills and follow-up care. So yes, I do think there are instances where someone is doing what they were told, and they're not losing weight. Do I believe that's always the case? Heck no But I do know I was lucky to have a great surgeon with an amazing team who taught me so much- and I am lucky for that. Of course there are plenty of people who claim they're following the rules, but it turns out they're not, they're just fooling themselves. But until we ask questions and try to help that person, we won't know what's really going on. Again, everything you're saying is correct. We just look at it a different way, it's probably since you're coming from a male Marine background and I'm coming from a female Mom background You tell it how it is and how it should be, I like to help people get to the root of the problem. But again, I have no criticism of anything you've said. I'm just pointing out why people who are complaining or "whining" get extra help when they come here.

I agree with everything you said. BUT. There are certainly people who say that they have the band, and they follow all the doctor's guidelines to a T, and yet they don't lose weight. Since I'm not in their shoes or their houses, I choose to believe them, because I'm not one to assume people are lying. I would much rather have that person come here, express their frustration, and get good advice and tips from successful bandsters rather than give up and tell everyone that this surgery didn't work. After all, knowing the right thing to do and actually making yourself DO it are two very different things But great post!

Aww, thanks! My ticker only brings me up to 199, so I think it looks more impressive than it really is I WISH I only had 40something more pounds to lose...

Kiely, it sounds like you're really frustrated and disheartened! I know my doctor requires liquids the first 24 hours after a fill, then mushy foods for the next 24 hours, then proceed with caution on normal foods. Maybe you just tried eating too soon? When we get fills, a lot of people have swelling of the stomach that goes away after a few days, so it seems like you just are swollen. Can you get Water down? What about a Protein drink, if you're not drinking it on top of a solid food? Did the chicken broth go down? I would hope your surgeon would do a free unfill for you if you need to take a little off the top of this last fill- but if you can get liquids down right now, I'd wait a few more days and see if the swelling goes away on Monday. I'm sorry you're so upset and disappointed in the surgery

Sugar really isn't good for anyone. Back in the day, the only sweet food humans had was fruit. Now, we have so many processed food options and most of them contain sugar, even ones that you wouldn't expect. So some doctors will assume you'll still want sweets and they'll suggest sugar free alternatives, while other doctors will say to avoid sweets, period. I know my post-op directions included sugar free pudding and jell-o, but now that I'm on real food, they advise to stay away from sugar OR sweets unless it's a small amount to sweeten a hot drink, or it's an occasional treat. So it's not that you've done something wrong by having a sno-cone It just that if you ate mostly sugary foods, you likely wouldn't lose weight- same as any diet you've ever been on. I hope it really hit the spot for you!

That's why it's so important to do all of your research before surgery! You need to know what you're in for before you decide to have a choke collar placed around a part of your anatomy

I go for fill #2 tomorrow. Jealous of those of you who are up to 3 Hope this next one is the last one for a while for all of us!

Crossed legs, fancy!

Why couldn't he adjust it anymore?? Or did he just say he didn't want to adjust it more? 30 pounds in 2 months is a really good rate of loss If it's cravings, head hunger, I don't think fills will help. But if you're craving because you're truly hungry, then it seems a fill would help you.

3 pounds in a week could be a million different things- water weight, maybe AF is about to show, maybe you've been eating more salt than usual, maybe the weather is affecting you! Try not to freak out, it's "only" one week!

I tested positive for h pylori and had to do a round of antibiotics. No biggie. I guess it's really common for Americans to have.

There are people who lose without exercising, but I think they're more the minority than the majority. It doesn't need to be a workout- heck, just a walk is going to be better than nothing.

We have a family Y membership and it's sooo much cheaper than any kind of gym out here (Boston area) so I'm lucky. It's nice because the kids and I can sign up for classes and my husband hits the gym. Thanks to both of you for your replies!

Yes, make sure you're getting potassium! Take extra or eat a couple bananas and see if it helps.

I agree to the tips about checking labels on "healthy" foods- packaging is very misleading. I had to lose 5% of my body weight before they'd let me have surgery and it was hard, but it's harder now so I'm glad I had some work to do before the band.

Yeah, it's realistic. I lost a lot in the beginning because I didn't have a pre-op liquid diet, but now that's about the rate I'm at... a couple of pounds a week. Of course plenty lose more and some lose less.

Ohhhh... so it's a brand of Protein Shakes? It definitely helps bandsters to find a shake they like and can stomach! Congrats again!

Congratulations! What is Chiake?

I go to support groups at my surgeon's office, and it's a mix of bypass and banded patients. Every time I hear the bypass people talk about the weight just FALLING OFF and how amazing it is and how easy and how great they feel and I go home feeling like a failure for "only" losing 24 pounds in my first 2 months. But I always get back to the point that I am proud of myself for how hard I'm working, and *I* am in control of my weight loss. Not the band. Not the surgery. ME. I like having that personal accountability, because I can truly feel proud with what I've done. I personally see bypass or the sleeve as "easier" than the band. The band helps me but *I* am responsible for what I put in my mouth, and I sure can eat plenty of junk if I want to.

How much have you gained, in how much time?