CTpaddler

I'm 2.5 years out and this still happens to me...especially when I have oatmeal in the morning. It's a guarnatee if I get too full.

I just had my first and the doctor opened the front of the gown briefly to see if I had loose skin above my waist as well as below as it determined the type of procedure I would need. He also demonstrated how much loose skin on my upper arms might be removed (not all of it because of the skin on my forearms). I was totally covered for the rest of the consult when he drew diagrams of the procedures he would do and explained in great detail, options I might have, the surgery, recovery process, side effects, etc. It helped to talk with the people who were sitting in the waiting room since most were post surgical and all were very friendly (they knew how nervous I might be) and all spoke very highly of the surgeon and very very happy. I'm looking forward to the next step.

What an inspiration to read this list. I hit 102 lbs lost over 6 months ago and couldn't be happier. To anyone wondering if they can do it, just remember these words.....Never give up!!!

I'm anxious to hear how you are doing. Did your surgery go as planned last week? I hope you are up and about and starting to think about full liquids by now. Ellen

This is difficult because each person finds their own comfort zone. When I got that tight, I ended up getting a little bit taken out. The PA who did the fills said that if a person is so tight that they need to stay on soft food more than a few days after the fill, it defeats the purpose of the band. The idea is to be able to eat most (but not all) regular food but a lot less of it. There are a lot of very high carorie soft foods (my personal weakness is frozen yogurt) and getting into the habit of eating foods that will pass easily through the band may not help in the long run. It's still a very personal choice and what's important is to find what works for you. For me...I have trouble with bread, overcooked meat (especially poultry), overcooked eggs, and some tough/stringy vegetables. I have fewer problems if I chew very well, take care not to pvercook things, and peel the problem vegetables (like broccoli stalks). Things also seem to go in cycles where at times I feel just the right amount of restriction and at times it feels as if I could eat anything. I guess that's the beauty of the band....it can be adjusted. Don't be afraid to back off a bit and see how it works. You can add more later if it turns out that the high restriction works better for you. Best of luck Ellen

I've had my band since March 2006 and am just catching up with the board. Dr. T was only doing open back when I started looking (summer of 2005) so I had mine done at St. Francis. I've been happy with the decision ever since...just wish this procedure was available when I was much younger. I understand your apprehension, but you'll be in the hands of experts and you'll be through it in a flash. I was apprehensive about my first fill too, but it was a piece of cake. I try maintain a reasonable eating plan, but I'm not an angel...which is why it has taken me so long to get here. The one thing I can tell you is that I can't count the number of times I've been faced with a pile of delicious food only to be stopped by the band....and I am eternally thankful every time because I know I wouldn't have stopped but for this handy little companion. I wish you the very best. Ellen (who needs to update her pic because it's over 40 lbs old)

I'm feeling so very proud of every one of you! Your success is awesome no matter how fast or slow the progress....it's still progress. I've had 3 fills and now have 2 ccs and some occasional restriction. I have wonderful results those weeks when I'm on vacation and active but it all slows to a crawl when I'm having a busy week at work. Between a long day sitting at a desk coupled with an hour long commute each way, I'm don't make the time to get the exercise I need. I'll just have to keep working at it. Hugs to everyone. Ellen

Not all group health policies from a particular insurance carrier are the same. Each insurance carrier may have many versions available and each employer will select the version it wants to provide. The coverage provided by Employer A may not be the same as the coverage provided by Employer B even if they use the same insurance company. You need to get the specifics of the policy in question. For example, I also have UHC, and not only did they cover the band, they are covering the fills (with co-pay). (Yippee!!!) I'd recommend you get a copy of the policy, and, as painful as it sounds, read it carefully. Then call or write the company and ask questions. That's really the only way to know exactly what they will and won't cover. Good luck Ellen

Teachntots I'm very glad to hear you have been able to work in some exercise. I think that's the key. I just got back from a week in Yellowstone and I walked as much as I could every day.....which at an average elevation of 7500' was tough at times. I got on the scale as soon as we got in from the airport tonight (with clothes and shoes on). It's looking as if I lost even with eating out every meal. I'll know for sure first thing tomorrow morning. I've got to find a way to include this kind of exercise after I get back to work sitting on my tush every day in front of a computer. Ellen

Teachntots-- I can sympathize. I think I've been pretty good about sticking to my eating plan, but my exercise has been spotty and I haven't been losing much...12 lbs since surgery. I also lost alot while on the pre-surgery diet. I've been walking some and a couple of days a week I'm doing some fairly strenuous work in the garden for an hour or two at a time. The problem is that on some days I do nothing. I've only had one fill and am not due for another till July 5th. The surgeon told me that they would like to see 1 to 2 lbs per week and I'm hitting that so they are happy. After taking this big step and seeing some of the other results I was hoping for a faster loss. I think I need to weigh myself less often and focus on some other things in my life and the loss will come. I'm on vacation next week and will be eating in restaurants a lot, but we'll also be doing a lot of walking so I'm hoping to break even....maybe even lose a little. That's hard to imagine right now considering I'm at work, it's 2:45pm and I'm hungry as can be. Anyway, you're not alone and all progress is good progress so stick with it and have fun on yur summer off. Ellen

I did not find the injection very painful....just like a regular shot. I was worried that he wouldn't hit the port on the first try, but he did. I didn't feel anything at the band site at all although some people do report feeling some kind of sensation. Maybe that's because I got such a small fill in such a big band. The doctor just had me sip a half cup of water to be sure it went through and I was done. I was pretty apprehensive, but I won't be next time. Ellen

I got my first fill on the 11th but it was only 1cc in a 10cc band. I get some discomfort if I don't chew well enough, but I don't feel as if I have much (if any) restriction. I don't have another apt till July 5th, so I'm counting on my will power to keep to a band diet. So far so good, but it makes me very nervous considering my past track record. The big challenge will be vacation. We're going to Yellowstone for the week beginning Memorial Day weekend. I haven't been there in over 15 years and my husband has never been there. Even with all the restaurant eating, I think it will be ok as we will be walking a lot every day and I'll bring some Unjury packets in case I need the protein. Best wishes to all the rest of the March bandsters. Ellen

My surgeon used glue too and it was very odd. No dressings at all and it just came off by itself when the scab underneath was ready to come off. Ellen

I don't get my first fill till May 12th and I'm looking forward to it. I am still on mushies and eating less than 1,000 calories a day (more like 700) but have only lost 5lbs in the 3 weeks since surgery. I lost 12 lbs on the week long pre-surgery diet. I guess my body is trying to proetct itself now, but I know it will eventually come off if I keep eating the way I am and exercise more. Ellen

I'm 59 and today is my 3 week anniversary so I'm still on mushies. My biggest goal is to increase my activity level. I have a desk job and a long commute. Some days I'm able to get out of the office to take a mid-day walk and I try to spend a few minutes on the Healthrider when I get home, but I know it's not really enough to kick my metabolism into high gear. I'm working on it. My first fill is scheduled for May 12th and I'm nervous and excited at the same time. My hiatal hernia was not repaired during band placement so I have a semi-constricted pouch. If I eat my mushies too fast I get hiccups and I've had some heartburn. I've been on Prevacid for years and I'm still taking it now. I guess I'll have to be particularly careful about my diet after the fill. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones who won't need too many fills before I get enough restriction. Good luck to everyone else and best wishes keeping those old bones lubricated. Ellen