DRobjohns

I am not able to go in July or August on the first tuesday so maybe I'll join you in Sept. Do you know what time it is held? I'm glad you're feeling better!

Hi! I'm from North Jersey (Morris County) and my surgeon was Dr. Robert Barbalinardo. He has an office in Lk. Hopatcong, but my surgery was done at Mountainside Hospital in Montclair -- his main office is right next to the hospital -- everyone on staff is awesome and they helped me so much with insurance issues (there were many). I would recommend them. I think someone else on this thread said their doctor was Dr. Strom...he is in the same practice as Dr. Rob (Montclair Surgical Associates).

I was banded on 4/26/11 and I'm going for my first fill tomorrow at Mountainside. Dr. Strom will be doing my fill. I'm totally happy with my decision to get banded and I'm looking forward to a healthier future! I'm down 15 lbs. and I know it could be more...so I'm hoping this fill helps me to find my "sweet spot"!

Welcome to the site...all of your questions will be answered here...everyone is friendly and eager to share their experiences (good and bad).

Good luck to you!!

NSV - Put on my size 24 capris today and they fell to the ground!! YAY my clothes are getting too big...YIKES I have to buy new clothes...LOL!!

NSV - Put on my size 24 capris today and they fell to the ground!! YAY my clothes are getting too big...YIKES I have to buy new clothes...LOL!!

HELLO MY NAME IS CARLOS AND I GOT BANDED ON JANUARY 4TH 2011.I THOUGHT THE LAP BAND WOULD WORK INSTANTLY AND REMOVE THE POUNDS IMMEDIATELY BOY WAS I WRONG. I STARTED OFF ON THE WRONG FOOT TO BEGIN WITH. I NEVER FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH THE PRE-OP DIET INSTEAD I ATE UNTILL THE LAST DAY AS MUCH AS I COULD CAUSE I KNEW I WOULDNT BE ABLE TO EAT FOR A WHILE THAT WAS STRIKE ON. THEN AFTER GETTING THE BAND I ATE SOUP 3DAYS AFTER THE PROCEDURE I COULDNT TAKE THE HUNGER PAINS THAT WAS STRIKE TWO. THEN I WENT FOR MY FIRST FILL AND GOT 2CC'S INTO THE BAND AND FELT MINOR RESTRICTION BUT CONTINUED TO EAT AND EXPECTED TO LOSE WEIGHT.I LOST WEIGHT BUT NOT LIKE I THOUGHT I WOULD.I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE THE PEOPLE ON THE BILLBOARD BY THE 2ND MONTH WHAT WAS I THINKING I KEPT GOING IN FOR FILL AFTER FILL I AM AT 7CC'S MY BAND HOLDS 14 SO I AM AT HALF. I STARTED OFF AT 296 POUNDS AND HIT A ROUGH SPOT AT 265 AND COULDNT LOSE WEIGHT AND COULDNT FIGURE OUT WHY BUT ITS BECAUSE I DIDNT WANT TO SEE WHY. I WAS EATING EVERYTHING THAT I WAS EATING BEFORE THE LAP BAND AND I DIDNT EXERCISE AT ALL I EXPECTED THE LAP BAND TO DO ALL THE WORK. SO INSTEAD OF GOING IN FOR ANOTHER FILL I STARTED WORKING OUT AND RUNNING AND ATE HEALTHY LIKE I WAS SUPPOSED TO I AM STILL AT 7CC'S AND DOWN TO 241 POUNDS. I HAVE LOST A TOTAL OF 55 POUNDS IN 5 AND A HALF MONTHS I GO TO THE GYM EVERY DAY AND HERES THE KICKER MY JOB PAYS FOR MY 24 HOUR FITTNESS MEMBERSHIP. I WAS WRONG TO THINK THAT THE LAP BAND WOULD DO ALL THE WORK IT WASNT TILL I DIDNT SEE PROGRESS THAT I REALIZED THAT IT WAS JUST A TOOL IT TAKES A LOT OF HARD WORK AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS TO LOSE THE WEIGHT. IM NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER GAVE IN TO TEMPTATION CAUSE I HAVE BUT I HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT I HAVE A GOAL TO ACCOMPLISH. FOR THOSE WHO ARE THINKING OF GETTING THE LAP BAND I HOPE THIS STORY HELPS ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS AND FOR THOSE THAT ALREADY HAVE THE LAP BAND MAY THIS HELP MOTIVATE YOU IF YOU ARE STRUGGLEING

You should be measuring, and weighing your food, and recording your calories, either on paper or myfitnesspal.com is free, and I see a lot of people belong there including me. I stay between 800-1200 calories a day, and 60-80G of Protein a day. If you do this, and practice putting the fork down while you are chewing, and Waite about 30 seconds until you take another small bite, and chew, chew, chew. You won't have to worry about stretching your pouch. That comes from stuffing yourself to much, and that's not what this band is all about.
So until you get filled,,,, you might as well practice the wright way of doing this. Otherwise if your eating habits are poor, you are going to be stuck, and learning will be a little harder with a fill. This way if you make a small mistake, you won't be stuck.
This is up to you, but it is a good thought.
Shirley.

Once you are healed, you will be able to eat the same amount as before you had surgery. You're in what's called "Bandster Hell". Once you get your first fill, your appetite should decrease and you won't be able to eat as much. At least that's what's happened to me Everyone is different though. Some people don't feel any different after the first fill and it takes a few fills to feel satisfied when you eat a smaller portion.
Right now, it's all about willpower and making the right choices, and not eating until you are stuffed. You would have to overeat to the point of pain for months in order to stretch out your pouch, so no worries there. Always eat your protien first, don't "drink" your calories (soda, Starbucks, etc) and measure your portions so you know how much is enough.
You'll get there!

What you're dealing with is really common as the swelling from surgery goes down. If you stick to measuring out your meals and finishing the food when your plate is empty, not when you feel full, you'll be doing yourself a favor. Most people don't have any restriction from just the band alone-- they need to get fills to start feeling restriction. Also, most people have no problems swallowing stuff before they've had fills. Continue taking small bites so you'll be used it it when your fills start!