Chris S. - L.I.

Cindy, At the very beginning it's kinda like I was scared to eat too much or to not chew enough. After awhile the band just becomes a part of you. I agree with what Leatha said in her post and that's how I feel although I know people who just want the weight off and are willing to give up anything to do that. I eat candy, pizza, cookies, etc although no where near like I did PB (PreBand). I want to eat like a normal person and not be on a diet. The really bad thing is that I learned to eat around the band. If I go out to eat, which I do at least once a week, I will have wine with my dinner which first of all you're not supposed to drink while you eat and second of all I think the wine helps relax the band or the muscles around it and it seems like I can eat alot more then I should. So that's what I do wrong and that's what I will try to correct during my second year of this journey.

Tylenol. I usually break it in half. I don't want anything getting stuck. If you can get liquid Tylenol (adult strength) you can take that as well.

Well, today is the day. I'm down 53 pounds so I did reach my personal goal of 52 pounds by the end of the first year. I thought that was a resonable goal (one pound a week average). My size has gone down from a 22-24 to an 18 in jeans and it is very exciting not to have to shop in the Plus Sizes anymore. In tops I can fit into XL and even some L. (Feels kinda weird though after shopping plus sizes for so long.) I feel different too. I can wash my car without getting winded, I can cross my legs comfortably, I can sit on the floor to play with my grand niece and I am starting to feel I look different. I had another fill on Tuesday and I am filled to 3 cc's. I can hear all of you gasp. I had a video esophagram first so this wasn't done blindly. I've been doing liquids since except for last night when I had the insides of a calzone. So far so good. This is the best thing I ever did. I guess it would have been more exciting if I lost more then 53 but I know it's my fault as I haven't been the best Bander. I'm trying to start all over following the rules and trying not to go around them (which I am very good at) and drink more Water and will be starting back at the gym probably tomorrow. Chris S. 261/208/160

Michelle, I know that it's not a leak in the tubing because I watched the doc as he withdrew 2.75-80 cc's before he pput in more. So the saline is definitely there. Thanks for mentioning that though.

Leatha, I have an Inamed band. I called the office and spoke to the nurse practicioner there who I like alot and she said not to worry since I have no other symptoms. There are a few people who need fills around 3 cc's and they are fine. They've only had one erosion so far in the nearly 600 patients they have. She said if I really wamted to I could go to the Gastroenterologist and get a scope but I think I will hold off on that. They don't do this as a regular yearly check up. Thanks for answering my post. P.S. I think I remember seeing someone post here who has almost 4 cc's in her band.

Donali, could you please tell me what made you go check with your doc when you found out you had erosion? What were your symptoms? I tried to look back at the posts but could only find the one when you came back from the doc and found out.

Well today I had a video esophogram and afterwards had another fill. I had been at 2.75 and that's what they found in there and then added more which took me up to 3.0. In discussing this with the doc, he said they would want to watch me more closely now because 3.0 is kinda unusual and if I still feel like I'm not restricted that one of the reasons would be band erosion. Well, needless to say I was pretty upset when he told me that. I'm hoping that I'm just one of the banded that needs a higher level of fill. Anyone (Donali, Robin) have any thoughts on this? Thanks

Amy, I'm sorry yu are having all these problems and am glad you insisted on getting it checked out. I noticed in your post you mentioned drinking a lot of coffee. Do you think this might be irritating your stomach? I know I've seen posts on people being told by their docs not to drink coffee although mine have never told me that. I'm not a big coffee drinker anyway. If I were you, besides getting checked out, I would try more soups. The warmth sometimes helps soothe the stomach.

Today I'm at 210.5. No loss and actualy a gain of one pound since yesterday but I know I should be weighing only once a week now.

This sounds like a great idea since I need to be accountable to someone besides myself. (I know some banders personally that still go to WW just to be accountable to someone even though they can't eat the amounts a regular WW should eat.) I have been up and down a pound for way over a month. Only lost 2 pounds since my last fill 2 months ago. I have been making a lot of bad choices. Sept. 2 will be my bandaversary and I hope I will at least be at 52 pounds by then. I am at 50 1/2 today yesterday 51 1/2. There's that da*n pound again. I am going on the 31st for a video esophagram and possible fill. I am also afraid if I get a really good restriction I will be pissed. I like being able to "get around the band" and eat more then I should by drinking while I eat when I go out to dinner. Any one else here fighting mentally with the band like I am? Sorry for the long post. PS. I did join the gym and think I have gained some muscle so I'm not sure if that is the reason for not losing. I also see a difference in my clothes but I do want to see a difference in the my scale.

I'm already filled to 2.75 and have been stuck at the same weight for over a month. I know I am not making the best choices and have been eating candy and other stuff. But while I am a bit restricted during the day I find I can eat a lot at night and it seems as nothing satisfies me. Should I go for another fill? I can eat bread, pasta and just about anything. Thanks for any imput you might have.

Wonderful news!!!!! (Especially when we re reading alot of bad things on many of the boards.)

Good Luck Nanny! Soon you'll be on the other side!!!!

Donali, I have been checking this board every couple of hours to hear an update on you. I am so glad to see you posting it yourself! I am glad this is over for you but sorry you had to go through this in the first place. I am praying for a quick and uneventful recovery.

Donali, I don't post here often, mostly just read all the posts every day. Just want to to know that you also have my prayers for an uneventful surgery and your future weight loss. Chris

Oh no! What a horrible thing to have happen! I'm so sorry. I hope the antibiotics kick in real soon and you get rid of that nasty infection real fast.

Baileym, What tests did you have done? You mentioned having 30 tests. I'm just curious. Thanks

Do any of you really experience a "full" feeling? I'm not sure I do. I am going for my 5th fill this Tuesday. I feel I have been eating more then I should.

I also take Wellbutrin and was on the SR but after my surgery I got a script for the regular Wellbutrin so I could break it in half. That's what I still do because sometimes I am tight in the morning.

I've never heard that rule either and I usually have tea around 10 with bedtime being around 12. I'm surprised to hear that rule because I'm assuming that the liquid (tea) would go right past the band into your lower stomach anyway so you would not be going to sleep with a full pouch. Am I wrong in this assumption? Thanks and I hope you are feeling better.

Sue, I wish you an uneventfull and painless surgery. Went to one of my support group meetings last night and saw someone who just had PS in March and she looked wonderful! You will too!!!!! Can you post some before and after pics for those of us who will be considering this surgery too in the future? Thanks.

Prayers are coming your way. Hang in there. I know it's hard especially when you have only one parent left. Sounds like she will make a good recovery since she is young and there is no paralysis.

If you go to the Inamed website they can direct you to a doc in your area that does Lap Bands. http://www.inamed.com/indexflash.html

Thanks for posting that inspirational pic! And congrats on the great job you have done.

Delarla, I'm glad your surgery went well and that you should be feeling a lot better soon. Just wanted to tell you to try Gas X tablets for the uncomfortable "gota burp" feeling. Also keep a heating pad on whatever part hurts. It helps alot! And I'm sure you already know to walk as much as possible. I'm off in a little while for a check up appointment at my surgeon. I've not been a fast loser and it's my fault. I'm eating things I shouldn't or things that are easy going down. My head tells me I'm hungry and that stinks. I haven't been exercising either and I hope that will change with the nice weather we've been having finally. But I'm still thrilled that I had this surgery and I'm sure you will be too!