Melanie1972

Hey there! I think your questions are perfectly acceptable and wise to ask. I've had my band since 2007, and although I have lost a good deal of weight, over time some of the issues you are wondering about have been a problem for me. For instance, sometimes it IS hard to eat Proteins and vegetables and sometimes it isn't. The body (this is my experience) changes all the time-so sometimes if you try to eat the same, exact thing you ate a few weeks ago just fine - you'll puke it up. And a whole lot of us have trouble eating in the morning, so be prepared to drink Protein shakes, etc. That goes for your periods too (possibly, and yes, for me it's an issue). So, when these tight episodes happen, we have one of two choices: 1-take your lumps and go to liquids until you feel better, or 2-drink milkshakes until you feel better. It's VERY HARD not to drink the milkshakes, it's true. I don't know how many minutes food stays in my pouch, and the very specific and scientific data eludes me in general. I don't regret the surgery, and I was a self-pay too, but it is not an easy adventure. If you are worried about the amount of willpower it takes with this system you may need to look into the laproscopic gastric bypass, maybe? My mother got that, and she is doing great. But, over time you can work yourself back into being overweight if you are determined to do so. So nothing is an ultimate cure, but good habits do develop during the process that you can depend upon when needed. I wish there was some fairy dust... Best of luck in whatever you choose, and love yourself always, regardless. Be fabulous at any weight. Melanie

Hi there! I've had .25cc removed because I was just a little too tight. I thought it was amazing that such a small amount of liquid could make a difference, but it really did. Good luck! Melanie

Hi Jacqui! I was definitely not getting enough food in, and although my weight loss started back up recently, I don't want to starve and feel weird to achieve it - that's for sure. The solids I mentioned in my previous post were getting harder to handle last week, and that's why I made the appointment. No need to wait until I'm more swollen, starved and dehydrated. I feel better, but I'm not sure yet if I need a bit more out. I'm still trying to take it easy to make sure I'm no longer swollen before I decide. I'll try some solid Proteins again tomorrow. I am going to get this right eventually, and I never stop loving my band - I'm the one with issues, ha-ha! I think it's great that everyone gave advice. What I thought was a hunger problem was really an overfill, and I truly did not know that before the great answers I got here. Gratefully, Melanie :ohmy:

Thanks NYC! Had 1/4 cc taken out today, very small, but I can go back if I'm not able to eat some decent portions of Protein relatively easily. I'm close to the right place, and I'm very excited about that. It's taken time to get this whole after-care, fill-thing right. I already feel better, so I'm hopeful! Melanie :scared2:

Update: I do need a small unfill, apparently. I called the doctor, and yep, there are too many foods on the "no" list and yes, I need to eat three meals a day, not six. So... We'll see what happens. Going in Monday. Not an emergency, just tweaking... Take care! Melanie :biggrin:

Again, thank you all for your answers! I was struggling with getting enough Protein in, mostly because I hate Protein shakes. I'm able to eat about 1-1/2 to 2 cups of food at a time. I'm tight in the morning and need warm tea or coffee before I can eat anything, but by lunch I'm ok with carefully prepared/chewed meats. Veggies are good, and I can eat salads. I had to give up eggs, bread (of course), tortillas, etc., which I think is pretty typical, considering what I've learned here. The string cheese is making a big difference so far. I eat it in the afternoon, around 2pm. I'm in kind of a strange position because I know the dangers of being over-filled, and I know what underfilled feels like. I've never been filled to a point that I think is "the sweet spot" - unless this is it, and it might be. Trying to learn what I can (thank you!) and work out the bugs... I've lost a lot of weight with the band, 75-80 pounds, and I'm working on getting the last 20 or so off, but I've had the setbacks I mentioned before stalling me up. I want to get maximum help from the band, but I definitely know I'm on my own for the rest of the work. I appreciate all the feedback. Mel

Hi all! I love the elliptical for cardio - it really works wonders for me, and it's so much better than the boring treadmill. For weights, my trainer uses a pyramid, 3 rep system. First rep = medium difficulty , second = harder difficulty, third = back to medium. Using too light of weights is a waste of time, certainly. Oh, and for abs, I use the balance ball - you feel the very first crunch, right up to the last. Hope this helps! Melanie :frown:

:frown: Thank you both for your responses! I bought some string cheese last night, so I'm going to start there. If the Protein doesn't fix it, I'll break down and go to the doctor again. I'm excited to start making some progress (scale progress) again! Take care! Melanie

I feel like I have pretty good restriction - lots of foods are on the no list, I need hot tea before I eat solids, etc. The problem is I'm hungry in 2 to 3 hours. I've had problems in the past with being over-filled, which were quite unpleasant and ended with me having all the Fluid out - twice, in fact. This makes me a little afraid to get another fill, even a small one, but I thought I was supposed to be satisfied between meals... Any thoughts? Thanks! Melanie

Hello all. Just wanted to share a little something I learned about working with the band. It took a long time for me to get the fill level correct so I'd have restriction, and I'm a self pay, so this was adding up. I was still losing weight, albeit the old fashioned way (hunger), but I finally did get to the right amount of fill and was doing well. Since I was not used to the feeling and the food limits I began to PB a lot. Over time the band just got tighter and tighter [everything was getting and staying inflamed]. I had to have an unfill and was sent for an upper GI when I felt better. System fine, band perfect, refill yesterday. So... About $1000 later for the test and two fill visits, I've realized that my head hunger will always be something I have to deal with in order to allow the band to help me. I have about 15 more pounds to lose, so I'm very pleased, but I am definitely going to follow the rules this time. The money and the worry that I had slipped was not worth the bad choices. Take care all, and best of luck! Melanie

HI there. Since it's Monday, I assume you are already in contact with your doctor? Something is definitely going on, and I'm glad you are going back to the doctor. I don't have any answers, but you may just be inflamed from all the pb-ing and need to go back to a liquid diet. Keep us posted? Good luck! Melanie

Thanks for the reply! This time he only took out the 1cc he had most recently placed, but each time that I've had a fill he has taken out all the liquid and replaced with new. I can't tell you how relieved I was to see the band on the UGI moniter and to know there wasn't anything wrong with the band! I will definitely ask him Monday what the level of Fluid remaining was so we can consider this. Take care! Melanie

Well hello again! Sorry for the delay in response, but I got the barium swallow, and the band is there, but it is not squeezing at all. The stomach is exactly as it would look w/o the band, shapewise, withe the band around it. I go to the surgeon again on Monday for a fill. I don't understand why there is no "squeeze" at all, but I need a fill badly!!! I've been struggling not to gain any weight, since I'm back to being able to eat ANYTHING! Looking forward to some restriction again. Melanie

Thanks for your comment. I will stay hopeful. I may be a tad nervous because the "S" word is just the last thing a banded person wants to hear. Take Care, Melanie

HI all. I was banded 11/07, and I've lost 88 pounds to date. My last fill, Oct08, took me from 4.5cc to 5.5cc and was finally giving me decent restriction. I noticed recently that i felt a little tighter than usual on my "tight days", and I started to PB a bit, which had only been a very occasional problem. I tried to chew better, slower, be very careful, etc. Last week it got worse, could only drink Water, and very little at that, and went to Doctor yesterday. He took out 1cc and ordered a barium swallow. I could gulp down the cup of water immediately after the unfill (that was impossible prior), which he said is a good sign, but I may have a slip. I am pretty close to my goal weight, but I want the band to continue to work for me. Anyone have ideas or similar experience? And, also, has the unfill technique worked to fix the slip for you? Any ideas would be appreciated. Melanie