gtera

Can any of you tell me how much you got when you received your first fill? I thought I remembered hearing that it should be somewhere between 0.3 and 0.5 cc's, but I got my first fill last Tuesday (before Christmas wouldn't you know it) and I got a full 2.0 cc's. Just wondering if that's normal. Hugs Tera

I went into surgery with a brand new pair on and came out stark naked. LOL But they did allow me to leave them on as they were putting me to sleep but as soon as I was in dreamland, they cut those babies off. LOL Hugs Tera

Thanks for the replies. I have no say in the matter of when I get my fills and how much I get. I had my band placed in June of 2005, went for my first check up in October 2005 and he wouldn't give me a fill because he said I was still losing weight on my own (had lost 30lbs). I went back last Tuesday and had only lost 2lbs since the checkup in October and he said he would give me a normal fill, but I begged and pleaded and even told him he was the sexiest doc I'd ever seen just to get him to give me more. LOL I don't know what changed his mind, but I watched that 3cc syringe empty down to a remaining 1 cc and then I got up and kissed him. LOL However, I don't feel is was much for me. I have a 5cc band (I'm living in the Netherlands) and the first 3-4 days, I could barely eat anything but now it seems everything passes thru too quickly and easily. But I have to learn to live with it because he will not consider a new fill until April *sigh* Hugs Tera

Every doctor is different. The doctors who place them near the ribs or right under the breast do it because there is less trouble accessing the port due to excess fat. Mine is placed right on my bra line of my left breast and it hurt like the dickens when I first got it. But I'm sure once you start losing more weight, your problems will subside as I know mine has tremendously! Hugs Tera

But I was just thinking... do bands typically erode as quickly as yours did ???? I never want to be without my band.. not now, not in two years, not in ten years, NEVER.. and I will have mine replaced when the time comes, but I really thought it took longer than 2 years to erode. Hugs Tera

That is terrific news !!! And I hope your success continues in 2006! Just keep remembering why you had the band in the first place !!!! Hugs Tera

Not exercising is defeating the purpose of the band. The band isn't placed as a means for an end to an overeater's problems. The band is a tool just as exercising and eating properly. If you do not exericise and you lose weight at a relatively good rate, there is a good chance that you will have excess skin and more than the average joe who does exercise. Exercise DOES help in the speed of losing weight, but... over exercising increases muscle mass which therefore puts on weight or makes it seem as though you're not losing weight, but in reality, you're just replacing fat with muscle. The best advice I've ever heard is that even if you HATE exercise, do at least 30 minutes a day of some kind of activity that you enjoy (dancing, walking, etc..). At least then you are 1 up on aiding your band in doing it's job. Hugs Tera

I have heard of someone being held for questioning for setting off the metal detector at the airport recently. I was fortunate enough to receive a card that states I've had the surgery and have a metal port in my chest. But my surgery was in Holland, maybe that's the difference, I don't know. But believe me, it is possible. I know the guy that set of the detector at the airport was pulled to the side and asked questions. They did eventually let him go thru. Hugs Tera

congratulations Jen! You'll be banded 8 days after me! I'm really excited for you girl !!!! I can't give you any advice as I've been at it alone so far. All of my personal training dietician appointments are not until after the surgery and I never had to see a psych either. You hang in there and keep dancing around the house like I know you are Hugs Tera

Thanks Trish! My mom is sending me some sugar free jello, sugar free pudding, crystal light, kool-aid and splenda. That's about all she can send without getting into trouble. I can't find just plain popsicles here and the jello is nothing like I'm used to back home and it's not sugar free. Gotta love living in a foreign country during these times. ;o) Hugs Tera

Well, I just wanted to share the joyous news that I will be banded this Wednesday (June 8th) at the Rijnstate Ziekenhuis in Arnhem, The Netherlands. Ok, so yeah, I'm not being banded in the states, but that's because I don't live in the states anymore. I'm originally from Kentucky. Anyways, I'm trying to go ahead and have things on stock for when I come home. I am throwing away all the junk and sweets cause those are my red flag foods, even if I'm not supposed to have them. So does anyone have any suggestions of what to have ready besides water and broth? LOL My surgery date came sooner than expected and I haven't spoken with the dietician yet, so I'm clueless! Literally! ;o) Hugs Tera <--- dancing for the last time in her fat suit

Are there any European lap banders here? I'm an American living in Holland and will be banded soon. Impatience is the ruler of my life at the moment. Hugs Tera

Have you spoken to your doctor about all of this? And if so, what has he/she said in response?

Have you had your iron checked. That is sometimes a sign of iron deficiency.