Kat225

I agree. It's a combination of both. Get your Protein in but keep the calories at a reasonable level as well. I think under 1200 is what most recommend. Maybe adding protein to drinks etc is a way to get more in. I like to flavor up some boneless, skinless chicken for protein or eat tuna sensations. Everything else is fruit and veggies. I try to eat low glycemic...low sugar. It seems to help if I follow it like I'm supposed to. Maybe your nutritionis can help with suggestions to tweek your diet some. Maybe a slight fill will help?

For some people(like myself!), just having the band provides some restriction. That is why fill levels vary so much. Some people just need more fill, while others can lose and maintain with little or no fill. I'm not sure if that answers your question though!

This explains it very well...I would have to say the same thing!

Fivebyfive,

BTW, did they say why they had to have all their saline removed???

I was banded in MX and I set up my aftercare with a doc in my area. You should always set up who will do your fills before you go to have surgery in MX or you could set yourself up for failure. Not all docs will work with MX patients so it's important to find one before you go and spend all that money. I go to a nice doc who was also banded in MX. I have to drive about an hour and a half but it's worth it. THere are also Fill Centers USA all over the country that will fill MX patients.

:biggrin:I got my 3rd fill today!! I now have 6cc in a 14cc band...he put 1cc in today!!:smile:

Do you think you got some restricion now?

NO, NO, NO!!! Alcohol directly effects the liver and if it is the liver that is to be prepared for surgery then....well you know. You wanna make sure your body is in the best possible shape for surgery. It's important to take it seriously.

See that is what I was afraid of too. I pay for my fills and what if they miss my port? I'm paying $200 for a fill of nothing. I posted something on here about two weeks ago about this and others assured me that the docs know if they hit your port or not. I guess not.

Ok, so I was banded April 2nd and the weight loss has been slow but any loss is good before restriction so I can get over it...however, I was in a car accident a week and a half ago and I also am under a lot of stress at my job as well. I had some minor injuries from the accident but my car was totaled. It was the other persons fault and before yesterday his insurance was being very helpful. The bottom line is I have to replace my car with very little money and they haven't given me a check yet and they are not going to extend my rental etc, etc, etc! The point is the stress is getting the best of me and I'm eating like a PIG! I was doing so good and now I'm resorting back to my old patterns! Someone please help me with some kind, encouraging words. I'm telling on my behaviors in attempt to get back on track! Our secrets keep us sick!

I was told by my doc to not resume exercise until 4 weeks out. I was told just walking is allowed before that. So it sounds like your doing fine.

I am so sick and frustrated with this thing. I have had 5 fills with this thing and I can still eat big portions.

The last fill I had (6-5-08) I was sliming when I had Water in the office. The doc took out half of what he put in that day and I felt much better. This is all fine and dandy, but now I can eat huge portions and not get stuck. Even though he did leave in a half of a fill.

I have only lost 30 pounds sicne DECEMBER, I am getting to the point where I think this just isnt going to work for me........

Any suggestions, similar stories....anything??? Please help

How much did your doc put in that day? Maybe he can just add a slight bit more to see how you react. It sounds like you have a very thin line between too tight and "sweet spot".

My doc has a band herself so I find her much more understanding. She didn't do my surgery but she does my fills. She was banded in Mexico as was I. It's nice to be able to talk to her about her band as well. I know she is going to get me to the proper restriction as fast as she can.

So how did you make out? Did you call the doc and demand to be seen?

Hi all, Ok, here's my story. I have my 3rd fill next week and almost 4 months out from surgery (banded 2/19/2008). Really I have hardly any restriction and can eat anything (even tho I know I shouldn't and try willfully not to eat it) like bread, rice, etc. Am NOT eating chocolate, fast food, or twinkies - the things I ate before surgery. I am losing inches and some weight as I work out almost daily. Of course I have more restriction then before I was banded but just not what I need/want. Not even close to my sweet spot. Its my will alone that's floating me. So my question is, will it happen? Will it get to the point where physically I CAN'T eat bread, my nemesis, and not have to really just on will power alone? Can 1/2 cc make a difference? Is my stomach the size of a watermellon (just kidding). Thanks! :confused2:

Hang in there girl!! I have the J&J band (10ccs) and I have 6ccs already and I am experiencing the same thing you are. I feel a little bit of restricton but not enough to really restrict me from eating larger portions and any foods. I am hoping that I will be at my sweet spot at my next fill. I'll be praying for ya!

HeatherO,

WOW! your first fill was very aggressive! My doc gave me 4ccs my first fill and she told me that 4ccs at a time is the max at one fill. The next time she gave me 2cc because she was afraid I would get too tight. I think docs should give aggressive fills at first because it usually takes so much longer to get to the proper restriction with those little fills.

C-SECTION!!!!!!!!!!!! By far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would be frustrated too! The doc needs to do his job! 3-4lbs in 6 weeks is nice because any loss is great but a good healthy pace is

2-3 a week. Also your exercise is good too. How much time does he think you have. If your like me, I'm very busy! I can't wait till I get my next fill because I just might hit my sweet spot. Without restriction, it's like you've never had the surgery in the first place. You need to demand a fill from your doc. If that don't work, look for a new fill doc. Fill Centers USA are all over...

Maybe she does withdraw some saline to make sure she is in the right spot but I never watch her. And to tell you the truth, I think she did make in because i did notice tonight during dinner I was a little tighter.

Yeah I figured the saline wouldn't hurt me but at $200 a fill it sure does hurt my pockets lol! I'm glad to hear that it is probably not likely.

I am wandering if the doc can miss the port during a fill and not know it? Isn't it possible that the doc could be just injecting saline into your skin like if you are getting a shot? The reason I ask is because yesterday when I got my second fill, I noticed that the little mark where the needle went in wasn't really lined up with where I feel my port is. Plus I don't feel much more restriction. In fact it feels like nothing has changed. I have a lot of faith in my doc but everyone makes mistakes. She doesn't do fills under flouro or whatever. I just drink some Water after to make sure I'm getting fluids down and I'm done.

Anyone with medical knowledge know about this???

As a member of the obese community who is hopefully and happily on her way out, I can identify with the pride and newfound surprise you feel at no longer feeling the need for food. However, for most people who are grossly overweight, such as those of us who have been banded, one of the main reasons we got this way is because we have addictive personalities.

food is still something to nourish and fuel you. It's ok to still eat in celebration and with enjoyment. Food is a joy! But like family, children, drugs or men, there's only so much we can handle before it becomes a burden. My brain argues constantly with my inner-skinny child. It doesn't like leaving most of the salad on the plate or paying $10 for a meal that will mostly get left untouched.

You and everyone reading this may benefit from researching addiction transfer. Google it. It is a HIGHLY common thing found in those who go thru the gastric surgery journey. Finding we can no longer stuff ourselves, we drink more, gamble, do drugs, etc. Sadly, many people confess that weight loss dramatically alters their personalities, marriages and lives.

At one point you were strong enough to admit you needed help with your weight and diet because you couldn't do it alone. Now is the time to admit you may need help dealing with the mental side of things.

I wish you luck and much happiness.

This is absolutely true!!! I am an addictions counselor and I see addiction transfer all the time! Usually from drugs to alcohol or drugs and alcohol to food. Oprah also did a show on this for people who had WLS and then became alcoholics. Be very aware!!!

I had to Google "anorexic" because I didn't even know how to spell it...clearly it has never been part of my normal vocabulary like fat, obese, overweight, etc.

I was banded on Feb. 1, 2008 and to date I have lost 45 lbs. It hasn't been too terribly hard, but now that I have really good restriction I BARELY eat. Barely. I'm not even hungry. I think about food and I think about the foods that I can't eat, but then I think about the 45 lbs. I have lost and I don't want those foods...or really any food for that matter. I fear that I've created a monster by losing weight and feeling better. Just this past week I was able to put on a pair of jeans that I haven't worn in three years. They aren't even in style anymore but I kept them because I knew that one day I would be able to wear them again...so I cried like a little girl when they slipped on and buttoned up with no effort, pulling or squeezing.

I digress....I have started to not want to eat because I want to lose more weight and I know that's not the right way to do it so I eat a little here and there throughout the day. I'm not ususally hungry at all in the morning and my band feels really tight, I have Soup for lunch, maybe a 100 calorie popcorn in the afternoon and Soup for dinner and I'm fine.

Am I the only one? I feel superior to food now and I don't miss it. I no longer plan my day around what I am going to eat or where or when. I just go about my day and if I'm a little hungry I'll have something. It's crazy....or am I crazy?

I think it's your thinking that concerns me more than your eating habits. Thinking you are superior to food is a red flag. It would be one thing if your obession with food has decreases since your not planning your day around it anymore but it sounds like you are still thinking about it a lot because you are thinking how little you can eat and get away with it. Just the mere fact that you posted with an anorexia question is an indication something feels wrong there for it probably is. I would def see someone if this goes on or goes further.

This does not sound normal to me. Usually you are tight in the first few days (from swelling, etc) and loosen as time goes on. I'm not an expert since only having one fill (getting my 2nd tomorrow) but from what i read that's how is works. Your doc is to be working for you not the other way around. Is there another doc you can go to since she seems to be all about the money???

P.S. Way to go on the weight loss despite not having restriction!!!

I know the surgeon I used in MX gave me a list of fill doc in the US that work with MX banders so I could contact one in my area and set up my after-care before I had surgery. Fill Centers USA is always an option too. They have many locations. Just check into it first. I went to MX and had a wonderful experience. PM me if you want more info...Good Luck!

There is always self pay and go to mexico. i did it and i couldn't be happier.

I can barely feel mine when I'm looking for it but I'm sure with more weight loss I will feel it more. It's still a little tender when I push on it though. But it's really no big deal. I don't feel like there is anything different in my body or anything but I had the same concern Pre-Op.

I was banded by Dr. Rod in Juarez. I was treated like a queen!!! THe hospital is amazing! You will not go wrong with this doc!!! I scheduled w/ Belite (Jessica) and she was absolutely wonderful!!! I can't vouch for Acuna or driving there....i flew then had their driver take me back and forth from the airport. No problems!!! If you want more specifics PM me...be glad to tell ya anything! Oh and I had my first fill today and my US fill doc was just going on and on about how good of a job my doc did. She had no problems finding my port or anything....

I would call your doc just to be safe but you might want to give it a few days. It sounds like your swollen and it may just need to heal some. Many people seem to be tight right after their fill but then losen up and wonder where the restriction went. It wasn't restriction it was swelling....

But always call your doc if something doesn't feel right to be sure...