La_madam

Having as little as .2 of your .4 cc fill will make a huge difference in your heartburn but I bet will still give you enough restriction to lose wieght. Having your fair share of PB's is not good for your esophagus or your band, call the Dr. ALso if you are PBing and not doing liquids for 24 hours after a pb it just becomes a vicious cycle, you need to rest your esophagus and stoma after a PB.

I can only speak for myself, I started at 265 and ended at 164 in 18 months. I lost my band due to erosion after 18 months back in November of 2005 but I am maintaining and have not gained my weight back. Anything is possible. The band is a great tool but it is a tool not a magic wand, you have to do some of the work too and not rely on the band to do it all. Your head definately has to been in this, the band will not do it all on it's own. This is not a race it is a journey, the key to this is patience and to not see others success and expect the same for you, everyone is different, everyones weight loss is different.

Amen to that Nana, to me thiat is a victory. Be happy and proud for what you have accomplished in other ways not by what the scale reads Iam sure you have many NSV's to me that is what is most importan...Congratulations to you

Trust me take it from someone who knows, do liquids for 24-48 hours after a PB, I made the mistake of not doing this and I got the worst case of esophagitis, which forced me to be on liquids for weeks. Weight loss was great but the pain was horrible...

It is all from the swelling my dear, however there are a few of us who once the swelling goes down do have restriction for sometime without needing a fil lat 6weeks post op..I was one of those people, the swelling takes 2-3 weeks to completely go away, if you then still notice you hace tightness in your chest, be greatful, you are one of the lucky ones who may not need as many fills :huggie:

protein curbs hunger, keeps you full longer...also it helps to NOT lose lean muscle mass which is important so you do not become flabby

the port is usually placed a little lower then the actual scar..als you will notice scar tissue build up...

Warm liquids in the morning ddid help me and helps others to open you up a bit in the morning, cold Water and cold liquids definately tightened me up, but being as tight as you just decribed, sounds to me like you need a slight unfill..having as little as .2cc's removed wil lstil lgive you enough restriction to be able to eat solid Proteins and yet still lose weight, too tight of a band can cause many bad things, like slippage, reflux, esophagus problems..sounds like you are being a wise bandster by going in for a unfill.. did you just get your fill today? I ask because most doctors ask you to do liquids for 2-3 days after a fill in the event there was swelling from your fill..you should always be able to eat solids withyour band, if you can not you are too tight. http://www.allerganandinamed.com/pdf/health/94829F_LB_Patient_Book.pdf read page 12 of this Inamded handbook, it will help answer your question Good Luck to you

You are my inspiration John, flying solo is not easy but to know you did all of this with NO band ever...you rock! You give me hope to keep this weight off and to get to goal fyling solo. Thanks for this post, it is just what I needed to see today

I lost almost al of my wieght with little or no exercise..I lost over 100 lbs

This is not a race..this is a lifelong journey. The less you fill your band the longer it will last. The band is not a magic wand, it is a tool to help us, we must not rely on it to do all of the work. Too tight of a band can result in many bad things, reflux, slippage, erosion, pbing often..Remember just because we can eat it does not mean we should eat it..also restriction can also come with the foods you eat, of course the softer foods will offer little or no restriction where as white chicken breast ,steak, bread or potatoes my create more restirction. Just because others have more in their bands does not mean that will be right for you..everyone is different, the key here to this whole band thing is to work with your band together you and the band, do not reply totally on the band. and it is PATIENCE...

Paula this sounds exactly like my 18yr old son. He was diagnosed as being bi-polar. They originally told him it was depression and was on prozac..it was not depression..he now takes a mood stabilizer which helps tremendoulsy, it is called depacote. Iam suprised they put your husband on paxil, paxil is an anti depressant but it's main use is for OCD ( obsessive compulsive disorder) I know I have OCD and was on paxil for 2 years. My son is a new person when on his meds..

I do not know about others here but I had more gas problems with my band then ever before regardless of what foods I ate, refried beans were my most favorite food during the mushy stage

I am happy to report after 8 months I am maintaining this weight loss. No wieght gain. The scale fluctuates between 2-4 lbs butr that all depends on what I ate or drank or the time of the month to me that is fluff weight. I sitll wear my size 10-12"s It is not easy somedays I struggle but Iam determined. I finallyt feel like I have won this battle to have mainatained for 8 months with nothing is a victory for me.

my husband had 3 in his neck, had 3 surgeries to fix them, still in pain, he also has 2 in his back and refuses surgery for fear of the bacxk surgery failing like his 3 neck surgeries have. He had 3 different surgeons also , he lives on pain meds and the pain patch..he is addicted to pain meds. NOT GOOD!

Anyone hear from Delarla? I have emailed and PMed her but got no reply. Where is Kelli(Dylansmom) I know I do not post everyday but I log on here everyday.

Everyone varies when it comes to pizza..I was only able top eat thin toasty crust, if it was too doughy, no way. ..but I limited myself to pizza I focused on more healthier food choices since I had not much room for food I wanted it to be wise choices. Protein first is the bandster motto!

They are two of the best!

Darcy, Happy Birthday...hope you are having a special day!

Picture Perfect Weight Loss is a great book...

I had hardening around my port and my Dr. told me it was scar tissue build up

Carl welcome to LBT this is a great site where in So Cal are you located, I live in So Cal too.

Terri I have been thinking about you...I am so happy for you Congratulations..I'm proud of you girlfriend

If you are concerned which you are or youi wouldnt be here posting about it, be wise and go to your doctor and get a small unfill . It is what I would do if I was concerned, different temperatures, flying, climates atmosphere can alkl do weird things to the band.

There is no sweet spot, it is a myth...the band is just a tool we have to do the work. I had my band for 18 months and lost over 100 lbs and never found the sweet spot, acord9ing to my Dr. there is no such thing as the sweet spot