VegasGrace

I get hiccups about 10 minutes or so after I eat. Others get them while they eat and it's a stop signal....but for me.... it's delayed. And yes, it's frequent. Doesn't bother me anymore except when I have a headache and get them....that hurts.

I found an efficient surgi-center who had a surgeon, cardiologist, psychologist, anesthesiologist, etc....all on staff....or close by. From the time I decided to go with them to when I went under for surgery was about a month.

Zero I lost my first ounce after 2 fills when I got restriction. So that was 10 weeks after surgery.

You are in a tight spot. I was self pay and from start to finish including EVERYTHING I've spent for the band....about $8700.00 total. That does not include the new wardrobe. But, if someone were to tell me that if I were to wait 6 months they'd pay for it....I'd have to really consider that. So, eat up! or do it yourself..... let us know what you decide.

Hi, I travel frequently as well and have found gas stations/mini marts to be a great resource when I travel. I use barf bags often and asked my doc. He explained that air travel can make the restriction greater. I drink Clear Liquids in flight so I won't get a stain. West coast to east coast is only 5 hours or so and if I eat before I fly I can go without food during the flight as I've found it's head hunger- boredom- that causes me to want to eat. To answer your question, I have heard of getting a script so you can take on things like ensure and other diet supplements. But I don't know about taking more than 1 or 2 as you can buy more when you reach your destination. And they have powder mixes available - although that may be a tad messy to try to add Water and shake in flight. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. You are doing great!

My doctor asked me today, "How did you do it?" He knows all the ins and outs of banding and patient care but as he was congratulating me on my success he wanted to know how I did things so he could share them with other patients. I was banded by Dr. Daniel Huacuz, 2 visits for adjustments, then 2 visits for maintenance adjustments from Fill Centers. From a size 22 to a size 4/6. No problems, no issues like slipped band, leaks, port flipping, pouch stretching (and this is the one he sees the most). My response was "I let the band do it's job". I added that I didn't diet, as diets don't work. I began with small steps of changing my life and lifestyle. My eating habits changed the most. I didn't deprive myself of anything, ate what I wanted when I wanted. But the fact was, I didn't want. I did not once want an entire pizza, like preband. I didn't once want a box of pasteries, like preband. I didn't want combo meals at drive thru, like preband. I had those things, but only a few bites til I was full and satisfied. And I now have a love of cooking, baking, preping foods rather than just nuke a frozen dinner. Thru the course of the past year, there was a time when I heavily relied on the band. It had to tell me 'when' or what not to eat. Then as the months passed, I conciously made the decision. And for those times I ate too much, the band was my backup. Now that I'm on maintenance, it's mostly me and my choices...but it's nice knowing the band will always be there if I need it. He told me something disturbing...that I will never be able to fully judge my portions. He went on to describe how it's embedded in our culture, that even if I did good for a while, even years...how overeating could creap back up on me. Portion control, as in what I decide before I sit down to eat...that will be key for me. He said I should eat like a 9 year old... leave food on the plate. Not exactly sure about that yet, but I'm sure I will discover it over the coming months. Eventhough my last adjustment was January, sometimes over the past few weeks I can't even hold down liquids. I thought it was the restriction kicking in...but after 3 months? Well, my doctor told me today it was stress related. And that I did notice as when my teenagers give me a difficult time, I spew like a warm Dr. Pepper. Now, instead of having my "stop" for eating, I have an added plus of when I get really restricted...that is my "stop" for stress. When that happens I know to take a break, to take it easy....calgon take me away! Who knew! So, thanks to everyone on the boards. You guys are a wealth of information and experiences. Thanks for getting me thru my weightloss! And for all you newbies, welcome to the board! Feel free to post any questions or concerns. You may encounter some negative feedback from time to time. Just remember that sometimes it's not you, it's them and where they are coming from. But I'm sure they wouldn't post it unless they genuinely wanted to help you. Keep your chin up! I'll stop in from time to time and I wish you all, every one of you, the best! Grace

Hi, don't want to hijack the poster's thread but when someone goes on maintenance, many do not need an unfill. Adjustments up or down are equally important. But sometimes as with going up...someone may not have restriction...or just not quite....and most on the board respond with something like either diet or exercise more to assist with their weightloss or go back for another fill. But this sometimes results in an overfill and they just have to go back and get an unfill. So reaching restriction is a little touch and go for some. The same holds true with those on maintenance trying to find the right balance. This poster was asking the same thing I was thinking...and you never know how many more people are wondering the same thing. She was going to up her calories and was thinking that would do the trick...as alot of us on maintenace. She said she would go back for an unfill if she kept loosing. Did she? I surely would like to know as I'm in the same boat. If I eat tons of calories I can maintain but it's so hard to keep that up. With the band I've trained myself not to eat so much, as I was an overeater before. She may have found a tip she could share. So that's why I responded to this thread. One thing many don't mention is how stress plays a role in restriction. I read someone the other day mention it. What if someone was on maintenance, doing fine but all of a sudden they got really restricted for a while and some days couldn't hold down fluids. You'd think an unfill was in order, right? But what if that stress was related to something in life, like a daughter turning 18, moving on campus, being out on her own.... It may be wise to just go for adjustments when things like this happen. But for me, and this is for me...I think I need to learn to work thru things like this. My life has been a hurricane and probably will continue to be that way for many years to come. Now that I've learned that stress is causing my restriction, all it has taken is meditation, quite times, etc.... I think I ate like a horse yesterday. (horse being just the right amount, not over eating) Monday I am still going back to the doctor for an adjustment and do that tip about drinking alot of Water that someone shared. Thanks for your questions and hope I helped a little at least. We are all different and our journey is different. And just because mine isn't like Sally's and yours isn't like Jane's.... doesn't make any of us wrong...it's just different. I read a post the other day about this gentleman who lost all his weight on one adjustment. Kudos to him! But that surely hasn't happened to me.

It's on right now in my time zone. I saw this story on another show. He didn't want to do surgery because of the risk of death. Kudos to him and his trainer!

Hi again, I guess I'm subscribed to this thread as I got an update. I wrote a while back saying if I continue to lose I'll go back for another unfill. I've tried to figure out what to do but haven't been sucessful. It's been a while since your original post...how are things going for you now? Anything you can share that you learned since your post about maintenance?

I had asked someone that today...they posted they eat that....and it sounds yummy! Haven't gotten a response. I'll google something.

Hi, I don't eat chocolate too often but I have noticed that a chocolate bar will cause me to gag while if I eat individually wrapped pieces like kisses or dove...it doesn't. But this tells me I'm eating the bar too fast, right? But no...even if eat just one square of a Hershey's I get uncomfortable. Sorry I couldn't help more.

Hey, congrats on your weightloss! I'll make you even more confused :thumbup: While I'm on maintenance, lately I've been really restricted...like can't even hold fluids down sometimes. It happens when my teenager is around.... hahahah, no kidding. So now I know it's stress related. Wish someone could explain it. So if it's okay I'll watch this thread for responses, too.

Jack, do you have a recipie for tortilla soup? That sounds delicious!

Came across the wire a few hours ago from Yahoo! : You eat when you're hungry and you stop when you're full. Makes sense right, but it can be a hard rule to follow. Not only does food taste good and make us happy when we eat it, but portion sizes have gotten out of control. Restaurants serve huge plates of food and all you can eat buffets offer an endless amount, so we don't realize that we're actually eating two or three times the calories we should be. Here are some Fiber, Protein, and Vitamins will make your body feel physically satisfied, so you won't feel hungry as quickly. Eat the foods you really enjoy. Denying yourself the foods you crave will only make you crave them more. If your favorite food happens to be high in calories and fat, just have a few bites to satisfy your taste buds. When you're out to eat, order smaller portion sizes, split a meal or dessert with a friend, or put half your meal in a to-go container before you take your first bite. This is neat. Pretty much what we do as bandsters to modify our previous behavior to make new lifestyle changes.

Turler, you've been wonderful. This may not be the place...but for me it's the only place. I have no friends or family nearby. I'm in Utah while everyone is on the east coast. I moved here for my children to go to college. My doctor is 4 hours away. So hearing what others go thru, not necessarily meaning that will be the way for me, well, it helps me put things in perspective. thanks again

Not offended at all shortgal. You are right. This is a scary time...as in uncertain. Everything I've read about the band talks about weightloss. But I really haven't gotten much information about what happens AFTER the weight loss. I do know changing a lifestyle as bad as mine is a process. My doctor has, and continues to discuss this with me. Life is so much better today than yesterday, that's for sure. Mentally dependent...good choice of words. I have relied on my band so much...and what I've done is secondary. And now that I'm on maintenace, I rely more on me than the band. Thanks again.

Hi Turler, thanks for posting. If you've reached goal, how long did it take for you to find your balance...as in your weight evening out? And did you ever have to go back for a fill because you gained? I'm so glad they have this thread called life at goal. I can offer experiences when someone posts, like we all can. And it's wonderful to get input from different types of people thru all stages of this process.

Well, it's according. You body may have used the fat and calories as immediate fuel and it may not be stored as energy, fat. But weigh yourself the next day and then the next...you may see the scales go down a tad.

Hi LaRose, I've had mine about a year. I do have those same issues but remind myself that it took 30 years to gain the weight, allow the process to lose it and keep it off. For me, I find myself from time to time emotionally eating. Not like I used to preband as I've been changing my behavior...but it still does happen. Small steps is what I concentrate on....but I never beat myself up because I ate too much pizza or had some doritos.... everyone has life stressors and many of us turn to food. The important thing for me is to keep moving forward and progressing to a great lifestyle. Keep us posted on your progress.

I've experienced that a few times over the course of my journey. But remember, don't beat yourself up about it...this is a process and it's all about learning. Just be careful. You don't want to cause damage. I had that happen with an apple and a roast beef sandwich...so I'll never even attempt to eat those again. I considered those to be STUCK. As it surely wasn't going down and all the slime in the world wouldn't bring it back up. I had to do work while bending over...really trying to bring it up....hurt like crap! Take it easy and let us know how things go!

Thank you so much for writing in. This is what I was wanting to know. So you found your balance. Do you mind sharing how long that took for you....did you ever have to go for another unfill....or a fill for gaining? I think the quantity of food is about right for me. I eat a cup and am happy. But for some reason, I'm still losing. Do you think my doctor will let me do that water thing? ...drinking a liter in his office, maybe I should bring a bottle and try that. He gives a cup of water and has me gulp during an adjustment..but just a few swallows. You are an inspiration! I hope I'm like you one day.

Thanks everyone. Tried to make it clear in my post that I am not underweight by any means. My goal was 150 and I'm now at 139. But there are many at my height who think 139 is too much to weigh. I don't think a total unfill is in order as there are no complications. The band is for life and my doctor said for maintenance you do slight unfills til your weight stablizes. I'll let you know what happens Monday.

I'm on maintenace but my weight is getting lower than I want it to be. I've upped my calories but the scales still go down a tad every week. I'm 12 pounds below goal. I was aiming for normal to slightly overweight according the the bmi charts. Going for another slight unfill on Monday. Those at goal and not losing anymore.... how did you do it? I mean, how do you know as in KNOW that you are at a good spot? Do you still have restriction? Do you really have to struggle with what you eat to maintain? I was really hoping I was done, and for a while I thought I was. I ate normally (not like before preband), as in eat til full. Not indulging in junk all the time like before preband, either. But I just can't seem to eat enough. I tried yesterday to eat MORE even though I wasn't hungery...but I just couldn't get it down. Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated. We always focus on 'losing weight' with the band but maintenace is just as important.

Capsules or caplets? Capsules usually can be broken or cut w/ a knife to get to the contents...the capsule is just that... a capsule to hold something. But be careful, I did this once to one and the little dots / balls just went everywhere! I did have one pill at an ER once, well, twice, because my potassium was so low...but I just ate it. You gotta do whatcha gotta do.

Hi, you are so right. It's not necessary to go to a gym to be fit....some may find it easier though. I haven't exercised one bit, as far as putting on workout clothing and doing just exercise. I do as you....play. Congrats on your success!