celestemcnair

I've only lost 20 lbs by the three month mark...the first 14 of which was within the 4 week post-op period.

How long after a fill can you eat solid food? I go for my first fill at 2:00 today and I'm already so hungry! I was told not to have anything to eat for 8 hours before fill and nothing by mouth for 4 hours before. Does this include Water? :hungry:

Amelia - May I suggest Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support for follow up and fills? They were formed especially for people who has moved away from their Dr. or had surgery in another country. I'm making the hour and a half drive from Central FL to the St. Petersburg Fill Center because I have heard excellent things about the fill dr. and they also offer flouro....check them out.

Doesn't a person tend to throw up if the stuff themselves? How does the esophagus have time to stretch?

I'm here too. I'm on my 5th week post-band and am doing ok. I lost 9 lbs the first 4 weeks but I don't think I will lose anymore until after my first fill on the 28th. I can eat just about anything as long as I take smaller bites and chew well. Anyway, I'm glad to see the lower bmi'ers coming out of the shadows.

I think it is wonderful that the parents allowed her to do this. It is no different than being a childhood diabetic in my eyes. They have to change their eating habits too, but the parents will be there to help with their diet and food intake (carbs, etc) so, why shouldn't obesity be nipped in the bud before it gets out of hand? A 13 year old girl was banded the same morning I was and I had the pleasure of talking with the girls Mom. The girls Mom was lapbanded 3 years earlier and she was completely aware of what it takes and loved her daughter enough not to make her suffer like she did all those years. I say "way to go Mom"!!

hi everyone i am so dissapointed. of course it would happen to me because i have had bad luck most of my life. i only lost 3 pounds and i am so discourage and upset. i lost some inches but no weight so what am i doin wrong. i spent so much money and was so lookin forward to the scale sayinat least 10 pounds for first week. i read other peoples threads and they lost plenty an had surgery same day. what am i doin wrong guys please help. i hardly eat anything adn someties feel hungry.what can i do.:think:think:think:think:think:think:think:faint::faint::faint::faint::help::help::help::help::help:

I don't know what your stats are or bmi but I have only lost 8 lbs in 3 weeks.......I have a lower bmi and they lose slower, usually, than a higher bmi. I'm just glad I've lost 8 and haven't gained 8 which would have happened more than likely if I hadn't been banded. Rejoice in your 3 lbs.....there is alot more to come! Get excited!!!:bounce:

yeah, I think alot of it has to do with individuals, I was alot heavier than you, bigger loses faster i believe i'm getting there ! so excited:biggrin1:

I'm very excited about my journey and I get to go full-time solids next week! :hungry: I had some restriction and pb'ing last week (eggs) but nothing so far this week. I go for a fill on the 28th and I can't wait!

Good luck to you!:whoo:

Thanks for sharing! I have a fill in 3 weeks.

hi my florida banders! I live in jupiter, bout 2 hours from orlando! south..i am 3 days post -op! most of the pain is gone..so i'm feeling pretty good...miss coffee!LOL

Wow, you are doing better than me. I've only lost 8 lbs 3 weeks post-op! Welcome to the growing group of Florida Bandsters!:clap2:

I have never understood why some doctors say "don't drink for xxx minutes BEFORE you eat". What good does that do? There is no food in the pouch...the drink isn't going to wash anything thru. It's just going to go right down to the big stomach and help fill that puppy up.

I drink right up until I start to eat. If I'm dying for a drink during a meal, I take a baby sip or two. If you have good restriction and are eating solid food, a tablespoon of Water isn't going to wash it thru the pouch and undo all your good efforts.

You are exactly correct and my Dr. said the same thing when asked. My dr. suggested drinking as much as you can "before" you eat and that will keep you well hydrated during the meal and help you not get thirsty. My dr. also said, that some dr.s tell you not to drink for an hour "after" because they want to ensure you don't have something to drink too early and wash out the pouch. He said if you absolutley wait 30 minutes that is long enough to wait.

Thanks for posting your success! It gives me inspiration and the motivation I need on my band journey!

I was banded 9 days ago and am fantasizing about getting to mushies! Does wraps (low carb, spinach, sun-dried tomato) go down easier when having a sandwich as opposed to bread or a sub roll?

I was in Mexico for 5 days. Flew in on Monday, did pre-op, surgery Tuesday, released Wednesday, dr checked on me at the hotel on Thursday and gave me my lapband ID and flew out on Friday Morning. I'm doing well. This is day 8 for me and day 9 on liquids. I'm just ready to chew some food! :-)

I have had a bmi of 33 when I was banded a week ago and I had to do Clear Liquids for 24 hours. Not bad, but you still need it before surgery.

Hi Nancy. Yes, I know how you feel about having a lower bmi. I just got banded 6 days ago and the others in Monterrey that were also getting banded couldn't believe I was accepted to be banded but as soon as we all went to pre-op and they heard my bp was 170/110 and they were all normal, they got past it and understood. They had to give me bp meds to take before surgery to get it down. Good luck on your journey.

I submitted the online application and got a generic reply thanking me for choosing the fill centers. So I guess I will contact them upon my return from Monterrey. Leaving Monday am, surgery Tuesday, returning home Friday evening. I'm very nervous.

I've been reading the main message board and some of them are saying they had no restriction from surgery to like their 3rd or 4th fill! I'm excited that I am hearing such good things about the St. Petersburg fill center. I'm glad they are concerned with getting the fills right and not having you spend anymore than you need to.

Hmmmm, Celeste. I think your expectations may be unrealistic. I was banded March 19 and had restriction from the swelling for a month or so. At my first fill appt. I didn't get a fill because i was still somewhat restricted. But that quickly went away and I've been trying ever since to get the right fill--I'm on fill #5 now and just starting to feel restriction once in awhile. I believe I'm getting close now but it's taken four months. I thought that by May 1 I'd have good restriction and be on my way but here it is mid-July and I'm not there yet.

Good luck! Be realistic or you'll be disappointed. At least, I was.

:rain:Thanks for your post. I'm going to talk to my Dr. about it in depth. I would like to go back to Monterrey for my first fill because the patient coordinator said that he hits almost every time because he's done so many fills. Hopefully, I'll get a good fill dr. who knows more about the right fill amount. I heard they worry about getting too much and usually don't fill enough and that leaves you having to go back more often and costing more $$$ than it really should. I will definitely take your advice though and try not to expect too much at first. Thanks again.

Has anyone had a problem with not feeling restricted after surgery or even your first fill? I mean, eating anything you want? I was reading on one of the main boards that there are several people who never felt restricted and was eating normally. This scares me..........when I get banded I want something to start happening immediatly. I don't want to have to wait until my second or third fill to start having restriction. I plan on using the fill center in St. Petersburg, FL.

I work in surgery doing lap band procedures and gastric bypass. I also have a band. I would stop killing yourself about what you ate! I has already passed and you need to stop beating up yourself about it. It will be OK! I am sure that you physician has had many people cheat. That is one reason you are getting this procedure to get help! If it was only one day or even a few days it is not going to make a difference and the drink you had will not effect the size of your liver!! We cannot do anything about what has already happened in the past we can only control what we do in the future. I know you will do great and be very successful in loosing weight. I would not even mention this to your surgeon! It will be OK. :clap2:

How long does it take for a meal to digest?

<p>I understand your concerns. I had a BMI of 35 with no co-morbidities. I couldn't find but one doctor willing to even look at me. I did a BUNCH of research, and decided on going to Dr. Rumbaut in Mexico. He's a leader in the industry. VERY good at what he does. He took me and my wife with no problems, of course we had to self-pay. I would recommend a quick trip to Mexico if you are really interested.</p>

I also have a lower BMI (33) and also am choosing Monterrey with Dr. Rumbaut. I leave Monday. He's supposed to be the best.

THERE IS A SMALL GROUP OF US GOING TO MEET ON JULY 13TH (FRIDAY) IN SOUTH LAKELAND FOR dinner. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING IT WILL BE AT LAKESIDE VILLIAGE at ROMANO'S macaroni GRILL 1340 Lakeside Villiage Circle, Lakeland, phone #863-686-8135. WE ARE ALL GOING TO MEET AT 6:00 P.M. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, EMAIL ME AT bgraddy@earthlink.net

Your Lap Band Buddy,

Brenda Kay

You know I'll be there hopefully with Heather in tow. She moved just a few miles away from me.

Hey Celeste, you're getting close to band date. How is the pre-op stuff going?

Also, hi to CTaylor, Maurdan and Leedor.

JC

Hi JC. Thanks for remembering. The patient Coordinator says I only need one day of liquids before surgery since I have a bmi under 35.

I'm getting very nervous and hoping I'm making the right decision. I knew for a fact this is what I wanted up to this point. I guess I've just got the jitters.

Celeste

Thanks for the shake suggestions. I'm going to get started sampling!