ShineOn

Speaking of fills, after my first one I didn't have hardly any restriction. When I went in for my second fill they said there was only .5 left from the 1.5 fill they did. :omg: So, this time they used the thicker solution on me. This second fill is really doing the trick! I had my first accident today with some bread. Let's just say it went down & found it's way right back up. Whoops! It was painful but I didn't want to eat all day because of the episode. Yikes. But all in all this second fill is really doing the trick. I eat very small amounts and I am satisfied. I can't wait until Saturday to do my weekly weigh in. :clap2:

Well, it's been nearly 2 months since surgery and I must say the healing process was pretty easy for me. I was really sick the first few days after surgery but a week out I felt really good. I had no appetite until one week after surgey. I was surprised at how much I could actually eat without any issues. Between surgery and my fill I only had one episode with a breakfast buritto. After my first fill (1.5) I had decent restriction for about 2 weeks. In total I have lost 16 pounds, which is less than I hoped for but still moving in the right direction. I have been back at the gym for about 3 weeks and that is making a significant difference. I got my 2nd fill yesterday (2.5 of the floro) and they said I didn't have much left from the orginal fill. That certainly explains the lack of restriction. So, I decided to do the Floro b/c the doc said that it stays much longer. I still think the restriction could be better but I am going to give it a few days. I did notice that in the am I was barely able to get my smoothie down. I guess the trick is to figure out the bagic fill amount which is different for everyone. Well, my goal is still to get to 167. Once I get there we want to think about baby number 2. I am promising myself now that I will NOT gain so much next time around. After baby two my goal will be to get back to 167, and then maybe a TT. I will say that for the first time in my life I feel like I have a little control over this monster. It's amazing to feel full after a small meal, and I just know this is going to work. Plus, with my dedication to excercize I can't sabotage the work I do at the gym. I still struggle a little bit on wether or not this was the right thing to do. I have been such a proud advocate of the fat girl my whole life I wonder if I am letting myself down somewhere but then I think maybe this is the lesson I am learning, maybe understanding that it's ok to seek help is the moral of the story. After all when people have drinking or drug obsessions they seek help, counseling, detox, rehab. Fat people are just considered lazy and people think we should just get it together. It's insane. Since I have lost the weight before the right way I can say I have had both experiences. This way I am starting to realize helps balance my efforts and for that I am greatful. I am sure there is more I will learn on the way. At the end of the day I still feel like there is a purpose to me doing this and that eventually there is something I am supposed to share. Time will tell.

Well, it's been nearly 2 months since surgery and I must say the healing process was pretty easy for me. I was really sick the first few days after surgery but a week out I felt really good. I had no appetite until one week after surgey. I was surprised at how much I could actually eat without any issues. Between surgery and my fill I only had one episode with a breakfast buritto. After my first fill (1.5) I had decent restriction for about 2 weeks. In total I have lost 16 pounds, which is less than I hoped for but still moving in the right direction. I have been back at the gym for about 3 weeks and that is making a significant difference. I got my 2nd fill yesterday (2.5 of the floro) and they said I didn't have much left from the orginal fill. That certainly explains the lack of restriction. So, I decided to do the Floro b/c the doc said that it stays much longer. I still think the restriction could be better but I am going to give it a few days. I did notice that in the am I was barely able to get my smoothie down. I guess the trick is to figure out the bagic fill amount which is different for everyone. Well, my goal is still to get to 167. Once I get there we want to think about baby number 2. I am promising myself now that I will NOT gain so much next time around. After baby two my goal will be to get back to 167, and then maybe a TT. I will say that for the first time in my life I feel like I have a little control over this monster. It's amazing to feel full after a small meal, and I just know this is going to work. Plus, with my dedication to excercize I can't sabotage the work I do at the gym. I still struggle a little bit on wether or not this was the right thing to do. I have been such a proud advocate of the fat girl my whole life I wonder if I am letting myself down somewhere but then I think maybe this is the lesson I am learning, maybe understanding that it's ok to seek help is the moral of the story. After all when people have drinking or drug obsessions they seek help, counseling, detox, rehab. Fat people are just considered lazy and people think we should just get it together. It's insane. Since I have lost the weight before the right way I can say I have had both experiences. This way I am starting to realize helps balance my efforts and for that I am greatful. I am sure there is more I will learn on the way. At the end of the day I still feel like there is a purpose to me doing this and that eventually there is something I am supposed to share. Time will tell.

I asked this same question when I got my second fill today. They actually retract what is left in the band before they start the new fill. For example my first fill was 1.5 and there was only .3 left. Today they zapped me with 2.5 of the fluro (sp?) and I am hoping it does the trick. :-)

Hi everybody! I am having a good week. I went to the gym every day this week! I only let myself weigh in once a week & Friday is the day. So, let's hope the work shows on the scale tomorrow morning!

I actually enjoyed the cruise very much, even the meals. I just ate a little bit of each course and was satisfied & full. Plus they had light options which tasted great. The hardest part was refraining from drinking liquids, but I did it. I am just happy this is working! :-)

Just checking in everyone. I was actually on a cruise (for business not pleasure) but I will say that having my first fill prior was the best thing I did. I ate small portions, hit the gym, and lost 4lbs this week. Yippee - It's really working!!

Have any self payers received a seperate bill from the Surgery Center? I just got an $800 bill in the mail and I just about fell off my chair. It was presented that the 12,900 covered everything. Did this happen to anyone else?

Wow, this is a tough situation for some of you. But, at least your insurance covered the surgery. My employer stopped covering the surgery all together so I had to pay 13K out of our savings. :-( Ugh! At leasy my doc covers the first year of fills for free. Thank goodness!

Ladies, I feel your pain. I have zero restriction and I have been hungry quite a bit. I did awful for about a week but I have been back on track and sticking to the 3 meals/1 cup a serving and I am surviving. Although I still hear the peanut M&Ms calling me from the vending machine. Next week is my first fill & I can't wait!

Thanks for the info I think I am going to start going next week. I live almost an hour from the office but I'd like to get to the meetings at least once or twice a month.

The nurse that went over the diet with me said no peanut butter because it can get stuck and have trouble moving through the pouch. I remember it b/c PB is one of my all time favorites. Sorry! :phanvan

10 days out and feeling good. Had my first lunch out with DH today. I had fish and mashed potatoes and was surprised at how much I ate without feeling full. I am definetely looking forward to my first fill! Hey, did anyone hear the buzz about Courtney Love? There are rumors on entertainment news that she had the lap band surgery. They showed pictures of her and I must say she looks great. I guess we will never know.

I am only 10 days post-op and I am already glad that I got the procedure. Like you I have lost large amounts in the past but I always gain it back. With the band I know that all my hard work at the gym will not be cancelled out by my weak moments of giving into food. I can honestly say it just feels like I am full much faster and I am just not as hungry. This is just a perfect tool to help be get & stay where I am comfortale. I think its the greatest! Good luck with whatever you decide.

TerriDoodle - I am in the same boat. Today I woke up and have been pretty hungry every few hours. Up until now I have had no hunger. I guess I will call and get my fill scheduled asap too! I have been doing fine with mushies, fish, and even chicken. I am still losing but I will be glad when I feel full longer. I am having the same urges as I drive past my favorite places to eat, or see those darn food commercials on TV that trigger an urge for the bad stuff. lol! I seem to have pretty good energy. I've been walking with my daughter the last few nights and I feel fine.

SchexyMomma, I am in Katy and I am a member of Lifetime Fitness. It's great! I haven't been since surgery, just been walking but I highly recommend Lifetime it's great. Their daycare is really neat.

I think this is such a fun idea, but I agree with you I may have to modify the weight reward to every 10 or 15 pounds. I guess I'll start shopping for my charm braclet now. I have lost 11 pounds in one week so I have almost earned my first charm. :clap2:

Banded 5 Days & Feeling Good! Thanks to everyone for the positive posts and PMs the past couple of days. Today I am feeling MUCH better. I am totally off the pain meds and got some more protein in my diet which made me feel instantly better. I even followed Terri's lead and tried some fish - although I did process mine in my magic bullet first. I am soooo glad to be over the naseua, that was the pits! Glad to be moving forward with better things!

I feel a bit better today. I switched to tylenol yesterday & ate more protein which seems to have helped. I had nasuea in the evening but this morning I started the day with a protein shake and I feel pretty good. I think protein is the trick! I hope this holds out b/c that nasuea it the pits. Thanks for your encouragement.

** Banded 4 days ** Hi everyone! After my last positive post (day 2 after banding) I have had a rougher time with recovery. That evening I had some vomiting and have had general naseua ever since. I feel like the day after you have the flu, you know where you still feel sick but the worst is over. I am also very tired. Today was the first day I ventured beyond liquids. I had a 1/2 of a fruit smoothie for breakfast and about a 1/2 cup of soup for dinner. I am not hungry at all I am only eating so I can hopefully get some energy. Is anyone else having issues with prolonged nasuea? Terri - I can't believe you had fish already!! Good for you!

Ok, I guess it's time for my official introduction. I was banded with Dr. Spivak yesterday morning. Surgery day was the pits but today I feel great. Just minor pressure in my mid-section, and a sore throat. I have been on the site here for a few months and it's nice to finally be in band land! Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement! This site is the best.

I got some liquid Vitamins from the Vitamin shop and my Doc said those are fine. Worth a try if you don't want to chew them - yucky! Good luck.

Bandgirl - I think this varies for everyone. If you have to stand all day at your job I'd recommend booking a week off to be on the safe side. I will be returning a little earlier but only because I have an office job. Good luck to you!

Lucky you I got zero refills. :cry

I'd definetely suggest sweats or a track suit, something ultra comphy b/c you don't want anything pushing on your incisions. Also you can come home and crash in whatever you are wearing. If you are anything like me you will barely be able to keep your eyes open. Good luck!