NaturalBeauty

Donna, The only thing I can tell you to do is walk as much as possible. The gas pains still come after 10 months today, not as bad as in the beginning but they are still there. Walking does help so do try that, but it's definately coming from being banded. Congrats on the weight loss!

Hey Penni & Photonut, I kinda agree with Photonut about the late night eating. Since being banded and having acid reflux I really suffer at night. For me, there has been many mornings I have awaken chocking and coughing from the acid in my band due to eating to late. Even yesterday, DH and I had work to do in a rental property and we where there for the entire day and I did not plan my food for the day so when I got home that evening I had to eat (around 8PM) and I woke up this morning with the food still in my band. I guess it maybe different for each person, that's just my experience. My goals for this week: Workout at least 5 days; Get my 64 ozs of liquids in each day; Eat spinach at least 3 times this week (low iron); and Try to stay focus

I've had a total of 6 fills, 1 unfill and for the most part they have been pain free. The 2nd fill was painful because the other doctor who didn't know where to look for my port actually stuck me in my stomach and that hurt! I am still scared of needles and I tense up everytime and wonder why I did this to myself but after it's over, I'm back to my senses.

OK, I got on the scale this morning and I had lost 2lbs.:clap2: I am so excited about that, maybe I have broke the cycle 2 :thumb: :thumb: up. C 226 (-57) -2 lbs this week

I was very leary of consulting with my husband but I did all the research first and printed it out for him to read. After being married for almost 9 years and he seeing me get up 5 to 6 morning a week to go to the gym it was somewhat refreshing for him. He was so supportive and we even self paid. He couldn't get off to go with me to Mexico so I had to tell my immediate family and they were not happy but my mom said she would support me and go with me. I was greatful for her support cause she means the world to me. My man is the greatest and still is even in the process.

Hello everyone, I'm Natural Beauty and I live in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (Maryland). I have been in this area since the age of 5 and now I'm 40. I have been overweight most of my life or at least as far back as I can remember. I have been married for almost 10 years to my soul mate with no children. I was banded on May13, 2005 in Mexico and it was the best $8,000 dollar that I've ever spent, what a great investment in ME! I have had the same struggles that most have had, it's all in my mind but since lossing 55lbs it's been really hard to get more off so I am hoping this challenge will help me. What I expect to achieve here is of course more weight loss, at least 35 lbs. I will continue my 6 day exercise regiment and "appreciating myself for who I am and what I have accomplished right now." Thanks for the club.

I'm in also, just got over a virus and need a jump start. March 1st sounds good to me!

Hi aligirrl77, please let me know how it works out for you. I was wondering if it's a same day surgery? Do you have to be unfilled? I may have to have the same thing done, not sure right now so I am very curious about what happens. I that all goes well for you.

It sounds like acid reflux for most of you. I have had it for a couple of years, even before being banded. For me Prilosec would not work, I can't even take Nexum, I take Prevacid, it's stronger. Before surgery, I was taking it twice a day and now I'm down to only once a day (usually just before bed.) Acid is nothing to play with, it can make you feel like you're having a heart attack. My brother who has it really bad and didn't take his med's for almost 6 months ended up in the hospital's IC unit thinking he was having a heart attack. They almost slit his chest open until they accidently gave him a tomato base food for dinner that would make his reflux act up, then they did a EKG while he claimed to be having a heart attack and his heart was beating normally. That when they started looking at other options. What a scary thing to happen. Also, there are a lot of foods we can't eat with acid reflux so if you think you have this, do the research, I can't eat anything tomato base, onions, most fruits and juices and a number of other things because of the acid it contains. Talk to your doctor cause this could cause major problems with the lining of your stomach but on the right medication can reverse the effects. I wish everyone well, cause I know, I've been through everything each person has said and I take my 1 pill religiously. Also, I sleep on a elevated level, it keeps the acid from coming up. If I can help someone with this, please send me a PM, I am happy to share my experience.

Kelli, I don't know how well you know your doctor but I would have properly laughed too. I don't think he meant any harm and to tell the truth, a brain transplant is what most of us may need. It's a battle with my mind all the time, not with the band. I'm glad you had a great attitude about it. Also, 8lbs. is a great number!!!

Hi Misti, I spoke with my girlfriend and she doesn't come on this board but she has lost weight even with more than 8cc's. Not as quick as she thought but most of it's been her fault, she doesn't follow the bandster rules for eating cause she can eat anything. She's lost about 50lbs and has at least 50 more to go. She says she has decreased portion sizes because she can't eat as much as she use to but other than that she has no problems getting anything down. Her doctor wants her to have an upper GI and some other test done so I'll let you know what the results are. I went in Monday and had .2ccs put in and this time I didn't feel it until today. I notice I've been having a hard time getting liquids down so I guess it's taken a couple of days to kick in. I have been averaging 6/8 lbs a month and then a complete hault until I get another fill. I'm at 7.9 now and I still have about 35-40lbs to go so hopefully I'll be able to make it. Hopefully, Misti, you're doing better. Natural Beauty

I had some restriction but not a lot until my 5th fill. With the VG band I thought I would get up to 9cc's before filling any restriction but I was wrong. I had 7cc's and had little to no restriction but at 7.5cc's I was so tight that I was up all night, I couldn't even swallow my salva.:cry They but me back down to 7cc's and made me come back in 2 weeks and gave me a 0.2 which bought me up to 7.2cc's, and I had a rough time with that for a minute but I realized it was that time of the month and I hung in there. It took a while and I still have restriction with it but it has given some now. I may go back in a couple of weeks for .02 again and that may carry me through til summer. Each person is different. My friend who had the same surgery is up to 8.5 and has little to no restriction.

I had some restriction but not a lot until my 5th fill. With the VG band I thought I would get up to 9cc's before filling any restriction but I was wrong. I had 7cc's and had little to no restriction but at 7.5cc's I was so tight that I was up all night, I couldn't even swallow my salva. They but me back down to 7cc's and made me come back in 2 weeks and gave me a 0.2 bringing me up to 7.2cc's and I had a rough time with that for a minute but I realized it was that time of the month and I hung in there. It took a while and I still have restriction with it but it has given some now. I may go back in a couple of weeks for .02 again and that may carry me through the summer. Each person is different. My friend who had the same surgery is up to 8.5 and has little to no restriction.

I've always worked out, no matter the size. Now that I've lost more weight I've become even more crazy about exercising. I ususally work out 6 days a week, it helps me stay focused and it's a great way to release stress.

4 weeks or anytime after that.

I've never been numb and that's been OK for me. The only time it really hurt was when the doctor missed the port and stuck me in my stomach, now that's painful!

Please speak to your doctor, but I would wait until my period went off. I tend to be tight around that time but then I lossen right up after a few days. Also try some warm tea prior to eating anything, it really helps. Good luck!

I went to Mexico and paid for my band and I do not regret it for a moment. I have a fill doctor here and he's the greatest and I pay nothing there either, why? I don't know, I guess it's how they word the claim papers. I started out paying $25 - $50 for the office visit but now nothing, I am happy about that.

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I had my surgery in mexico and I go to Dr. Green in Rockville, MD for my fills. He is great and I hope this helps. His number is (301) 251-4128. There is a up front $500 fee and fills are $150.