brianb

I'm a newbie, but have to say that it seems to me you are doing exactly what you should be. You are losing weight and keeping fluids down. The only issue in my mind is the PBing. But it sounds like you are already aware of the dangers there. Hope you get some replies to this. Very interesting post. That amount of fluctuation does sound extreme compared to other posts in this forum... But, it seems like anatomies can vary significantly.

My doc tried to do 3.5 CC, but I freaked out when the Water he gave me to drink didn't go down right away. So he removed a little. I wish I had gotten 4.5 CC as that is pretty much where I'm at after the second fill and still not feeling any restriction. Appetite seems to be the same as pre surgery. I'm not going to be a wimp in the future. As long as liquids go down, they can put as much saline in me as they think is appropriate. But, I have to say, that fill you got does seem rather large for a first fill. Personally, I think they are doing you a service though by not wasting your time.

I had the liquid diet as well. It was pure hell! The first week was horrible. I kind of adapted after that a bit. Ate tons of Jello (this was the only solid I was allowed) and drank gallons of crystal light. Also slept a lot to help pass time. It's worth it though. You'll be glad when you wake up from surgery knowing you did everything you could do to make things a success.

I've had two fills and have a third fill scheduled today. It seems like most people don't start getting much help from the band until they hit about 6 to 7 CC. I've even read some have gone as high as 10 CC before getting any help from the band. I'm just over 4 CC and still have the same appetite as pre surgery. There are some excellent posts about this on the boards if you feel like digging. Hang in there! Oh, that 0.5 CC fill they gave you seems a bit off to me. I don't understand why they even bothered with such a small fill when you have so little in your band to start. That kind of fill seems to not happen until you are nearly in the green zone. Strange...

Once my swelling went down, there was no restriction even after the first fill. Could eat all I wanted as fast as I wanted. The second fill has changed things a bit, but restriction is minimal. I do feel there is a slight decrease in appetitite and I have to slow down a tad on eating. Getting a 3rd fill in a few days. Can't wait.

Great questions. I did do some of that, but my situation was different. I was bouncing around between 27 to 29 BMI when I went to my doctor and requested the lap band. I did some things to increase my weight for the initial consultation, but found that the doc was fine with operating on me. It seemed his cutoff was significantly lower than my BMI at that time. Maybe 25? He joked that if I wasn't self pay, that weights might be necessary for insurance purposes. I suspect that he wasn't entirely joking and that it has happened. It's so expensive. I wouldn't fault anyone for trying to get insurance to pay for it. Good luck!!!

Yikes! Wow! What in the heck is that? Oh boy, I would really consider another doctor. Sounds like your doc has a God complex to me. Sheesh. Well, I'm really sorry you have to go through this. It's such a tough spot to be in. You want to trust the person who put the band in you. Things are tough enough as is. I think DetChatt really nailed it. You are so far from restriction and the green zone in my opinion. Hope you get there soon and would be great if you let us know when you do.

Second what Cherishthepast said. Especially the above sentance. Sounds like fills are the problem to me as well. Hope you work on getting in the green zone and keep us updated

Man, that doesn't sound good. Definitely think you want to do something about it. Calling the doc sounds like a real smart thing.

Well done! I've noticed that you post a bit about diet and exercise. Do you think the band was a help as well?

Man, that seems way to low to me. It seems like most people are 4.5 CC and up. Just from reading forums, I've got it in my head that 6.5 CC is about average for those who are successful. I'm at 4.6 CC and still well into the yellow zone: - I get very hungry between meals. - Can eat as much as I did before the band - Can eat very fast with no problem - Can eat anything I want Think it's great you are getting back into it and going for a fill. Hang in there!

Also, congrats on the 75 pounds! And your efforts with exercise! : )

I agree with lassie. Believe the fill will likely help and sounds like you never have been in the green zone. Believe most doctors have a yellow/green/red zone chart on their walls. The key thing it said to me is if you can eat anything you want as fast as you want, then you are in the yellow zone. How is it for you? It seems like most of the successful people on these boards have to eat pretty dang slow and take small almost tiny bites. Also from watching the 8 Golden Rules, this seems to be the case. I'm still a newbie and haven't hit the green zone either. Have a third fill scheduled in two weeks and hope it helps.

Not familiar with that one. I bought two of these from Amazon and love them. One of them for my wife. "Impact Sports Technologies EP2 ePulse2 Strapless Heart Rate Monitor Watch" At heart rates above 170 it seems to loose track, but soon as my rate gets back to the high 160 range it's fine. Really like that a chest strap isn't needed.

I was burping most of the night after my second fill, but it cleared up the next day. Believe reflux is one of the symptoms of being in the red zone, but I doubt you are there. Sounds like you are having no trouble getting liquids down. Personally, if it wasn't freaking me out, I would give it a couple of days. Tough call though. You don't want to have food get stuck that could lead to PB. Want to avoid anything that could put the band at risk for a slip.

Good post. Thanks for sharing and thank you for providing a link at the bottom. I've got the band and was scared going into it. Still scared. I'm trying to make sure that financially I'm ready for a complication. Don't think it's going to happen, but knowing the money is there will give me peace of mind. As someone else just posted, what is the alternative really? I've done several diets and exercised like mad, but hunger and life always brought me back to my original weight. Still, great post though. Band definitely has had a bad reputation. Believe the science has improved a lot though and with a good surgeon and common sense, a person should be okay (most of the time).

Ah, and around 6.5 CC seems to be average final result. I've seen a few with 4 CC getting restriction and staying there, but that seems a tad low to me. I think the amount of fill someone ends up with is all about their tolerance to the restriction. The tighter it is, the more foods people seem to have to give up. Personally, I'm willing to give up a lot of food.

Good question. Mine was 2.5CC, but only because I freaked out from the sensation it gave me. He started at 3.0CC, but because I had such a strong emotional reaction to the feeling, he took out half a CC. I wish I had been calm and ready. Ended calling the doctor's office back 2 days later and scheduling a second fill. That put me at 4.6CC and I feel a little restriction now. Really excited about my third fill. Think I'm close to the green zone and that should do it. From reading the boards, I'm getting a sense that 2.5 - 3.5 CC is about average. Some doctors only put 1 CC in at a time, but I think that's nuts. If my doc had done that, it would have been the 4th or 5th fill before I felt anything at all.

Nice job and thanks a bunch for coming back to post your success!

Well, I'm a complete newbie, but I would be really surprised if this isn't just a fill issue. Think things will change once you have proper restriction and I'm pretty certain 3CC isn't going to do it. I started at 2.5 and that didn't do squat. At 4.6 and starting to have some restriction which has already started pushing the scale back to the right direction. Really excited about my 3rd fill as I've read many posts where that was the magic one. Not all get lucky and nail it on the 3rd fill, but it seems a lot do. Hang in there. I'm certain you will be fine soon.

Great job! If you don't mind sharing. Have you had any fills and how many? Or did you do this the old fashioned way?

Congrats on your 37 pounds! Do you think you have been eating too much or too fast? I'm suspicious that it stretched so quick. Doctors can make mistakes... Especially with your impressive weight loss. If you are over doing it, then it seems like your weight loss number would be much lower. But, definitely you want to be careful and make sure you aren't eating too much and too fast. There is a lot of good info online about how we are supposed to be eating.

I just got a second fill last Monday, so it's only been a couple of days. Like you I had little feeling of restriction from the first fill, but I'm feeling this one and liking it. It really makes me slow down, eat less and think. I believe it has also diminished my hunger significantly, but will know more in a few days. No PB yet, but I had a close call at lunch eating some chicken.

Thanks so much for posting! Seems like so many go off and do well, but never come back and post there success. And you look amazing!!! WTG

First off, really like the name 'ireallywannabethin'! I see it's been over a month since your last fill. Do you think it might be time for another? I'm new to this and only recently got my second fill, but it kind of sounds like you don't have enough restriction. Of course you have to be the judge of that though! Just giving my 2 cents in hopes that it might help.