thenume

Hi Everyone, Before anyone bites my head off, I know everyone is different. I have a size ten band ( I hope that is the correct terminology) and have had 5 fills so far. My doc told me my band hold 4cc's of saline, but NO ONE EVER gets that amount because a person will practically be closed completely. I have 2.6cc's and the only difference from 3 months ago is I have to eat slower. In the begining my doc was very conservative with my fills and now he realizes he needs to put more than .2cc's at a time. I just got a fill yesterday (which put the saline at 2.6cc) and I am hoping this will be it. Before you ask there's no leak (doc always withdraws to measure how much is in the band before he adds); and there no slippage and he doesn't use Flouro. I wish I could just get to that "sweet spot" Help!!!! Maybe this isn't working for me. I haven't lost one pound in two months.:wink2:

Kobdish, 1 fill is usually not enough for anybody. There are the minority that only need one fill but then there are the average folk...like us. I have had four fills and i'm STILL looking for that sweet spot. I have another appointment for a fill next week. You still have a long journey ahead. Also, it takes will power. You'll be ok. Just think you ate three slices and could have eaten three more....but you didn't. Next time you'll try two slices, then one, and then you'll get to the point when you only want a half of slice. Regards

I have had four fills and I still do not have good restriction. Restriction is ok but I think it should be better. My doc is not aggressive with fills and it is a little annoying, considering my band holds 4cc of fluid and I don't even have 2cc's. He did say no one ever gets 4cc's a person wouldn't be able to eat. I've been banded since Oct. and I'd like to not have to go to the doc EVERY month for a fill. Good Luck to everyone I hope you get the restriction you need in a short period of time.

Gualm, Every doc is different. Most doc's say after a period of 24hrs go bac to solids. GreatDame, You don't want to have a constant feeling of pressure in your chest, it sounds like you may need a slight unfill. The band shouldn't make us live in discomfort or pain. Also, my band gets tighter after a week or two after a fill, but everyone is different. Good Luck!

Dlyrical, 10-17 pounds a month weight loss, under 1000 calories a month??? I disagree COMPLETELY. Everything that I have read about LB suggests that weight loss per month should be 5-10 pounds a month. For some people it does not happen. People do stall sometimes. Also how could you suggest that someone compare themself to another bandster....why would you? Each and EVERY person is different. If everyone compared themselves with someone else's weight loss there would be alot of unhappy people. ShellyCL, Have you talked to your nutritionist or doc? They may have educated suggestions that can help. Also is your food getting stuck because your bites are too big? Try to chew your food until it is virtually liquid before swallowing..maybe that will help. Good Luck to you! The weight will come off.

I am just like the rest of you and I indulge in salty & sweet during that T.O.M. but there is one huge difference that I noticed. I used to get very nauseas and gag or vomit the first couple of mornings during my period. I no longer can vomit and most times I don't gag. While this is a welcome change it is a BIG one for me. Can you imagine going through that once a month for about the last 5 years?

Restrict2008, Remember each person is different...what I can't tolerate you may be able to. The band is truly a trial and error process. Actually, one more thing- what you may be able to tolearate now..may get stuck after your 1st 2nd 3rd or 4th fill. : ) As much as the "stuck" feeling hurts I still LOVE the band!

definitely BARF IT! Technically you are not vomiting because the food has not even made it to the pouch. It's stuck in your chest. Sometimes you can wait it out....but if it hurts REALLY bad, get it out.

KarenH, You can start your ticker by going to tickerfactory.com. It's easy... once you are done logging in your info on ticker factory,you need to go to the edit your signature part on LAP BAND TALK and copy and paste your ticker from ticker factory on as your signature.

Pamhasband, Maybe you should call your doc...not being able to eat solid food for three weeks is very dangerous. You most likely need a slight unfill. Yes you are losing but it doesn't seem to be healthy. Good Luck

Hi everyone, I have also had my surgery in 10/07. Everyone is saying that they are not losing, but we have all lost almost 30 pounds. Remember we are supposed to be losing between 5-10 pounds a month. We are all on schedule. I have learned to stop comparing my weight loss with everyone elses. Those of us that have lost almost 30 pounds are all around the same weight. I started out 257. I have noticed those that have lost 30-40 pounds were at least 280 and above. Go back and look at those that have lost 30-40 pounds..... We are losing, and a year from now we'll be happy with our success.

I can eat just about anything I could pre-op..EXCEPT mac & cheese. Strange right? It's not dry or anything..I've tried twice since Christmas (after my 2nd fill) and COULD NOT DO IT! It gets stuck like you wouldn't believe! Even stranger, I can eat any bread, chicken, or steak I want and they don't get stuck and I have gotten three fills. I feel I have good restriction so I don't eat too much and if I eat until I'm full -it hurts- so that is out!

Missmonaaz, You are my kinda girl!!!!

Zippycat, That is horrible.....I think had that happened to me at the orthopedic surgeon's office, security would have had to escort me out. As for the OB/GYN I would have reported him to whatever medical board could reprimand his prejudiced behind! What an a---hole! (excuse the implied language)!

For atleast a week out of every month I crave chocolate, icecream, and Welch's fruit snacks. I was never one to eat sweets, but I think knowing I shouldn't have them makes me want them (around that time of the month). I do give in to the fruit snacks and sometimes a small piece of chocolate. I know that if I don't, I will go off the deep end. I like the fact the band allows us to make our own decisions without any terrible repricusions (sweats, nausea, etc.). If I give in, I just do an extra 20-40 situps. In my mind I've burned the extra calories off! That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

you will have the port for as long as you have the band. It is how the band gets filled.

With questions regarding right or wrong; or too much concerning your immediate post-op diet (less than a month post-op), you should probably ask the doc. Everyone's doc seems to have a different set of rules. Some doc's say it's ok to have mushies at week two. Other's say stay on liquids until week three. Sorry I couldnt give you a specific answer to your question...but asking your doc really is the best thing until you are atleast a month out of surgery.

I usually have time to walk briskly to the bathroom. It is a very, very, painful feeling in your chest (almost like you've swallowed a pool ball) and it's stuck. You feel it right away. I can control the pb'ing. It's not like vomit.....sudden or uncontrolable.

Before the band, I was the vomit queen....no I wasn't bulemic. I was able to vomit at will. If something didn't sit right, get it out. That was my motto. I hate to have something in my stomach that makes me nauseas. Also pre-menstrual came with vomiting in the morning ( I know I'm on the verge of TMI); but I have not vomitted since I got the band. I have dry heaved during one of my pre-menstrual episodes and after I ate 2 McDonalds Chicken Mcnuggets ... So...all that to say, You are not alone.

dawndannae, I have had my doc answer a personal phone call while teaching interns how to give fills & THEN step out of the room and leave the 2 interns to administer the fill... all while they were asking each other questions as to where the port is and can the other one feel where it should be. Needless to say, I was very very angry! Of course I kindly told them to step back and walked into the docs office, while he was still on his cell phone and told him that it was unacceptable. He was very apologetic and i have not seen the interns since. I thought I was the only one something like this happened to. That could be a new thread!! How many people has had a bad experience with a doc/nurse when they went to get a fill?

Citimom, Did you lose the 20lbs before you were banded?

I have had two fills so far, each time it takes about two weeks for me to be able to eat a little less than before (it takes ny fills sometime to kick in). My first fill, which was 2cc's in a 10cc band, there wasn't to much of a difference. My second fill which was 1cc took about 3 weeks to kick in. I can still eat quite a bit sometimes, but the satisfaction of being full lasts ALOT longer. I ate a meal of grilled king fish, a table spoon if rice and salad ( I ate all of it ) at 4:30pm on Sat. by the time I was ready to go to sleep for the night @ 12am I was still full and had taken a short nap at 6pm. So you do notice a difference. Also as trapped inside said make sure you chew, chew, chew!

This chic is nutz. I don't believe a word of it AT ALL!

I remember reading in my LAP Band literature to avoid extreme temps (hot or cold) it makes the band constrict. It has the same affect. How about if you let the food cool to tepid/room temp. Maybe that will help? Ask the doc when you get your fill. He may have a better explanation and solution.

I agree....have that baked potato, with whatever you want on it! Get it out of your system. Honestly you won't gain any weight from that one potato. Enjoy....