Sojourner

It helped me to use "self talk" to avoid eating anything unnecessary, especially the bad carb Snacks. Raise your awareness of everything you are wanting to cross your lips, and ask yourself before indulging "if I eat this, will it help or hinder me to reach my weight loss goal." If the answer is no, put the candy down, and walk away. Get immersed in something to move your thoughts away from snacking and unhealthy carbs.
I live with a husband who has a 34" waist and is a "junk food junkie". We always have candy, chips, Cookies, and ice cream in our home, I just made a decision that those foods were not going to get me to where I wanted to go. With practice, those bad carbs no longer are a temptation for me.
Best wishes...

It helped me to use "self talk" to avoid eating anything unnecessary, especially the bad carb Snacks. Raise your awareness of everything you are wanting to cross your lips, and ask yourself before indulging "if I eat this, will it help or hinder me to reach my weight loss goal." If the answer is no, put the candy down, and walk away. Get immersed in something to move your thoughts away from snacking and unhealthy carbs.
I live with a husband who has a 34" waist and is a "junk food junkie". We always have candy, chips, Cookies, and ice cream in our home, I just made a decision that those foods were not going to get me to where I wanted to go. With practice, those bad carbs no longer are a temptation for me.
Best wishes...

It helped me to use "self talk" to avoid eating anything unnecessary, especially the bad carb Snacks. Raise your awareness of everything you are wanting to cross your lips, and ask yourself before indulging "if I eat this, will it help or hinder me to reach my weight loss goal." If the answer is no, put the candy down, and walk away. Get immersed in something to move your thoughts away from snacking and unhealthy carbs.
I live with a husband who has a 34" waist and is a "junk food junkie". We always have candy, chips, Cookies, and ice cream in our home, I just made a decision that those foods were not going to get me to where I wanted to go. With practice, those bad carbs no longer are a temptation for me.
Best wishes...

Get rid of the junk food in your house. You are treating your child with food for a good deed he has done. Just like us you shouldn't be rewarding him with food. Reward him with hugs. This is just the start of him developing bad eating habits and not helping you get healthy either. There are other rewards he can get besides candy or junk food. Start him with good food habits now so he wont regret later that he was not taught better.

I had to jump through many hoops to be okayed for Lap Band placement because of age. I feel a little pressure because I was of an age that my surgeon felt hesitant to take me. (My family begged a little because of the onset of high blood pressure, boarder line diabetes, obesity & etc. for which I was taking meds.) I had my surgery at a teaching hospital and when we checked with my insurance company they were enthusiastic. Better to treat before onset of a disease rather than after.

Anyone know of older patients?

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

This exchange is an excellent illustration of why combining different WLS forums into a single site was not a good idea...IMHO.
I have not visited the sleeve forum, because it does not have relevance to me or my journey to restored health and weight loss. And I can understand someone who has just gotten the sleeve done might be passionate about their choice of WLS...however, by all commonly regarded standards you are still in the healing stages post op, and have much to learn as you travel on your journey. You are not yet what this forum would consider a "veteran".
On the LapBand forum, we do tend to call someone out who makes assertions regarding statistics, giving others medical information without credentials, documented medical studies, the reasoning behind significant business decisions without first hand knowledge. And some other areas, but you get my drift.
If you believe everything you read online without looking for the validated information to back up the claim, then you are just stating hearsay. That can be capricious and dangerous. On the LapBand forum, we do tend want to know the origin of information posted here. Whether it be through your experiences, information given to you by your surgeon, reading documented journal studies, here we tend to want to know that what is posted has a reasonable probability of being accurate.
Why? Because we want the information on the LapBand forum to be as accurate as possible. We want the "newbies" to feel that what is posted here can be believed. And we encourage one on one discussions with your own physician to answer medical questions. I am retired from a medical allied career, and it is irresponsible and unethical to advise others about what type of surgery to choose without the proper medical credentials to do so. And most physicians would never make such a long term determination without first examining the patient and discussing with the patient, the patient's goals and expectations.
So, this post is not to knock anyone down, only to share important forum protocol. So that we can all do our best to be individually successful with our weight loss journeys and get along reasonably well with the "public" side of our forum participation.
Wishing you well as you begin your weight loss journey...

There are some pre-existing medical conditions which can rule out having the sleeve done, just the same for the band.
Because of my prior medical history, I am not an acceptable candidate for the sleeve. My bariatric surgeon did not inform me of this, however thankfully my PCP did.
I would ask every question you can of the surgeon. I am aware of the trend to phase out the band by many physicians, however in the case of my original "Center of Excellence" surgeon, I believe that he no longer wanted to provide the medically necessary aftercare to band patients. The "big money" was in the new patients who were having either gastric bypass or the sleeve done.
Just my opinion, and others mileage may vary...but this is your body. So be informed!
Good luck to you whatever path you choose.

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

This exchange is an excellent illustration of why combining different WLS forums into a single site was not a good idea...IMHO.
I have not visited the sleeve forum, because it does not have relevance to me or my journey to restored health and weight loss. And I can understand someone who has just gotten the sleeve done might be passionate about their choice of WLS...however, by all commonly regarded standards you are still in the healing stages post op, and have much to learn as you travel on your journey. You are not yet what this forum would consider a "veteran".
On the LapBand forum, we do tend to call someone out who makes assertions regarding statistics, giving others medical information without credentials, documented medical studies, the reasoning behind significant business decisions without first hand knowledge. And some other areas, but you get my drift.
If you believe everything you read online without looking for the validated information to back up the claim, then you are just stating hearsay. That can be capricious and dangerous. On the LapBand forum, we do tend want to know the origin of information posted here. Whether it be through your experiences, information given to you by your surgeon, reading documented journal studies, here we tend to want to know that what is posted has a reasonable probability of being accurate.
Why? Because we want the information on the LapBand forum to be as accurate as possible. We want the "newbies" to feel that what is posted here can be believed. And we encourage one on one discussions with your own physician to answer medical questions. I am retired from a medical allied career, and it is irresponsible and unethical to advise others about what type of surgery to choose without the proper medical credentials to do so. And most physicians would never make such a long term determination without first examining the patient and discussing with the patient, the patient's goals and expectations.
So, this post is not to knock anyone down, only to share important forum protocol. So that we can all do our best to be individually successful with our weight loss journeys and get along reasonably well with the "public" side of our forum participation.
Wishing you well as you begin your weight loss journey...

Not to mention carbonated beverages, chocolates, Cookies, pizza, drinking while eating, etc.
I smell a troll here. What do you all think?

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

There are some pre-existing medical conditions which can rule out having the sleeve done, just the same for the band.
Because of my prior medical history, I am not an acceptable candidate for the sleeve. My bariatric surgeon did not inform me of this, however thankfully my PCP did.
I would ask every question you can of the surgeon. I am aware of the trend to phase out the band by many physicians, however in the case of my original "Center of Excellence" surgeon, I believe that he no longer wanted to provide the medically necessary aftercare to band patients. The "big money" was in the new patients who were having either gastric bypass or the sleeve done.
Just my opinion, and others mileage may vary...but this is your body. So be informed!
Good luck to you whatever path you choose.

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

There are many reasons why a band can slip, and a slip does not in and of itself mean that " your band is ruined". Possibly a complete unfill without any attempt to refill your band will give your tissues an opportunity to heal. This is something I would encourage you to discuss with your surgeon. Many people have their band repositioned after a slip, though the success rates after having this done diminishes the success rate of long term sustained weight loss. My original surgeon was the one who shared this information with me.
I would encourage you to explore all the options available to you prior to choosing to have your band removed.
Also, most states have a professional license verification data base online. This site usually also has information regarding any legal procedures and state medical board censures of a physician, or other allied medical professionals.
I have used this tool successfully to choose a surgeon for a major surgery. The surgeon I had been referred to had 2 legal proceedings, major monetary judgements levied on him as a result of medical errors. Research thoroughly any medical professional who you intend to have treat you. You owe it to yourself to be completely informed.
I hope your situation turns out well...good luck.

Nordstrom....of course. My old time favorite... Though when you are still moving down sizes, I would look for sales at either Macy's or Dillard's. If you pay attention to the sales they have quality items marked down to very affordable prices.

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

Definitely call your surgeon, but in the meantime try to sip Water or suck on ice chips.
Nausea can be a symptom of dehydration, and that can cause you to possibly end up in the ER for IV hydration. I didn't realize this newly post op, and ended up in the ER.
I hope you feel better fast...

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

There is much ongoing discussion regarding fills...understandably, as for many Bandsters a fill can be a catalyst to increase progress towards achieving our weight loss goals. There is a great amount of mis-information regarding fills, what is considered a fill, and what it means when a band is "primed" at the time it is surgically placed.
"A BAND THAT IS "PRIMED" DURING PLACEMENT IS A BAND WITH A "FILL".
What is so important about this clarification? It is essential for us to understand that there are forum members who boast about their phenomenal amounts of lost weight and "brag" that they have done so without having fills is highly misleading. It may cause some forum members to question themselves about their own progress, and even ask themselves what they might be "doing wrong".
Another consideration in the rate of weight loss and success with managing hunger is the presence of stomach "plication". The surgeon who does a plication is actually making it easier for the patient post op to manage their hunger, as the existing stomach has some additional stitching done which does seem to assist with staving off hunger for some time after meals. So it ultimately the stomach has the benefit of being smaller and emptying over a longer amount of time.
The most important aspect of understanding that a primed band has Fluid in it is that bands with fill DO help with the management of hunger post op, therefore in theory making it a bit easier for the patient to manage hunger and use their band as the weight loss tool it was designed to be from day one. It is surgeon preference as to whether they prime the bands they place. My surgeon left bands totally empty when placed as he felt it helped with long term positive outcomes when the newly banded patient adjusted to the presence of the new band only, without the additional restriction provided by a primed band.
The patient who has a primed band and plication actually has 2 tools to use in their efforts to have a successful weight loss journey. The plication assists with hunger management, and a primed and filled band provides a level of increased restriction and assistance with hunger management post op from Day 1.
It is misleading and potentially discouraging to forum members who do not have a clear understanding of the head start Bandsters with either both or one of the additional "tools" of a primed band and/or plication have from day 1.
It is human nature for us to compare our rates of weight loss with others, and that is something which may create an unnecessary negative belief about one's progress towards achieving their weight loss goals, it is especially harmful when others who actually have filled bands repetitiously tell others they are doing so well WITHOUT fills actually DO HAVE A FILLED BAND.
Each of us are unique individuals, and we will all have a unique weight loss journey. Do your best to feel good and positive about the progress you have made towards achieving your goals. A loss is a loss...if it comes with the scale moving in the desired direction or if your clothes are getting looser.
It was long overdue to clarify the language and terminology of fills and what a primed band really means.
Others mileage may vary...and if you just want to post negative language, please move on. I no longer visit this forum on a regular basis, and won't be reading the negatives anyway. j/s...
There are many who seek accurate information, and those are the individuals who my post is directed to.
Best wishes to all for a successful weight loss journey...

I've never been part of an online forum/chat group until this one, so this was a new experience for me....starting almost 5 years ago now.
When I joined, I'd get on here and just listen....LISTEN closely to what the successful folks had to say. I wanted to be like them!! And I'd also pay attention to the ones who were struggling, and try to find out why.....to avoid those same issues. There is a wealth of information that can be had from this site. Personal experiences that can never be replaced by someone who hasn't "been there, done that".
One thing I do sometimes, is go back and read veterans posts/questions from when they were starting out. It can be eye opening....we had lots of the same questions and concerns that are asked here every day.
Now for my little rant...
I was ready to leave about a month ago...Disgusted...not because of anything anyone said, but because I felt a sense of censorship coming from what I percieved to be "the site". Locking threads that are a hot topic, just because of differences of opinion? If someone violates a rule, is disrespectful or hateful, tell that person, and then ban them if they dont stop! (Which is what ended up happening in the instance I'm referring to....KUDDOS to the moderating team or whomever is responsible for how it was handled in the end.) I despise the shotgun approach to dealing with problems. We don't have to agree with someones OPINION, politics, views on issues. MOVE ON! Don't read the damn thing if it offends you....certainly don't try and limit someones OPINION just because you don't agree with it.