SueAZ

Oh what a great feeling to get into jeans that were once "just a dream". In a few weeks those will become baggy and you will just HAVE to buy a SMALLER size. What a great feeling....

I see more changes in me than my husband. My eating habits can still be somewhat different at times. Bread lately has been a major no no, but I like it and still try. Only God knows why and I usually regret it pretty quickly. Funny when we go out either I get a to-go box right away or hubby gets alot of my dinner. He notices now that he has to watch what he eats off my plate. That was never a problem before. Never once in the 32 years that we have been married has he ever commented on my weight. I can't believe how blessed I have been. I have to agree on one thing though hubby likes the occasional ice cream sundae and didn't mention it because of my weight. Now we go and spilt one and just smile at each other.

Wow you are doing great. I was banded a week after you. I to, look in the mirror and sometimes still see the heavier me. But I loved buying 14's in the regular dept for the first time ever. I want to buy a pair of 12's just to have and try on to keep me motivated. Congrats to you on your success.

I wanted the less invasive surgery. I also wanted something that could be adjusted or removed if necessary. I admit I liked the quicker weight loss with bypass, but having the band for just over 6 months I am happy with my weight loss. Slow but in the right direction. Can't ask for anything more.

Debbie, I was banded by Dr Fang in May. The info you are getting is the same as I was given. I have always talked with Andrea the RN who does the fills and does the support groups. Andrea is very BIG on no sugar or sweeteners. I have taken this with a grain of salt. I survived on milk and instant Breakfast for the liquid stage. I still have a problem with portions and that is my fault. I don't really think that the staff gives enough in the way of food guidelines and possible meals plans. As for the fills, I have had two (2.4 and 2.6.) And yes I laid down they stuck the port and then had me sit up and drink a glass of Water. I drank the water normally. Once you back up they back off the fill. My second fill I never backed up and was told I had streched my pouch. I have been at 6cc and pretty content. I am a slow loser but that's more me than the band . Hope this helps some....

Thanks for adding me I have been a real slow loser lately the weight I posted was what I was the first of October.

The question everyone would like to know. The doctor will already have an idea of what he gives on 2nd fill. Mine went to 6cc. I had 3.5 at first. They need to see if you can drink and swallow without problems. You have to realize that sometime the fills kick in 24-72 hours after the fill. Take it easy after the fill liquids and mushies to be on the safe side.

I'm at 6cc in my fill and different days I eat totally different. Yesterday I had a some chicken and mashed potatoes and was stuffed. Bad I know. The other day I had steak and 1/2 baked potato and wasn't full but stopped because I knew I had, had enough portion wise. In the mornings sometimes one egg and 1/2 muffin and I'm stuffed. As long as I don't PB I don't really worry about it. I just try to add at another meal a piece of fruit and salad for the veggies. Not perfect but I'm okay with it. Remember your multi vitaman. I consider restriction going 4-5 hours without really feeling the need to eat.

Actually I am so very glad I had the surgery. I am at my lowest weight in 30 years. I'm pretty much back to what I was before except my feet ache a little more than before. I am trying different shoe things that the doctor suggested, but that's not going to stop me from doing anything. I am glad that my knee pain has pretty much gone. YEAH. Going to really celebrate and am taking a cruise in the caribbean next week, even bigger YEAH. Some how the food won't be a focus, being in a swimsuit and feeling better than I have in years. A kind of non scale victory I guess.

Okay my weight loss has been on the slow side lately. So figured I'd go shopping. Low and behold I tried on some jeans and went back and got a smaller size. A size 14 and they weren't even tight in the butt or legs.(The waist was snug)BUT A 14 YEAH!!! I ususally shop in the womens size and was able to get into misses size. That was such a big high for me. The last 20 years has always been in the big womens dept. What a change. This was a BIG non scale victory for me.:cursing::wink2:

Lord you have more energy than I did at that time. Of course I will admit to being very lazy after surgery. Not a good thing. When I went back to work I was standing for a solid 8 hours, was wearing bad shoes apparently and screwed up the balls of my feet. Warning for all don't get lazy. My doctor said easy exercise the first six weeks. Walking, elipictal, biking , easy stretching all could be done. (NO I didn't do it and paying the price). I can't walk really long distances but am getting back to normal. I have been swimming and biking. You have to remember to let yourself heal. They (the doctors) played around alot on the inside, shifting things and your bodies need time to regroup. For the most part the only pain/ache I had was at the port incision. Never did have to take pain meds. Good luck to you on your journey.

Remember that all doctors are different. Mine are in the group of 1/2 cup protein and 1/2 veggies at each meal. And stay away from liquid calories. I still use carnation instant breakfast but have been told to kick the habit. I work odd hours so it has been tough.

Hope all goes well for you from a west valley bandster. I used Bridges out of St Lukes. Hopefully you will have a seemless surgey and recovery. Any questions ask your doc first and then ask the forum. There is alot experience here.

Kalipso2 A big thank you for showing the picture, I have been wondering if I had stretched my pouch. I haven't PB alot maybe 7 times since my last fill 5 weeks ago. But I do think at times I can eat to much. I asked at the last support group if they could tell under flouro and didn't really get a reponse. All they really said that was that if you are eating more than 1 cup of food you are stretching the pouch. I am really trying to watch how much I eat. Thank you so much for sharing..

I to was banded in May. I love that the scale has been going in the right direction since then. Even if I'm not perfect I just stay the same for a week. I love that the band doesn't make me feel like I am on a diet. I can eat pretty much anything just smaller portions. It is this that has made me believe the weight will eventually come off. Maybe not the fastest but then I didn't gain all the weight overnight either.

I love this forum. Desert Rose thanks for the laugh. Been there done almost that same thing. I think I will hold off on the fill and count calories for a while. Thanks for all the responses.

I had my last fill 4 weeks ago. I really felt the restriction and found myself PB'ing for the first time. I have experienced a bit more discomfort when eating, like if I had to big piece of food or ate to fast. Now In the last 2 days the restriction seems gone and I seem like I can eat lot more. I haven't lost anything in the last 2 weeks and about 2 pounds the first 2 weeks. Does this sound like I'm due for another fill? Or should I just really watch my food and portions. I have a support meeting on 10/1 and wonder if I should try for a small fill. I'm at 6cc in a 10 band.

I think you should talk with your primary care doctor. He should be your first contact. Get a referral to weight loss surgeon and talk to them. They are the experts. You may get different answers 2 of my doctors thought that it was to extreme and that I wasn't that fat. (Yeah right). My BMI was 36.6 at first. But the weight loss surgeon was more supportive given my lifelong obesity. (over 30 years) Expect different opinions from different sources THEN make your own informed decision.

I felt restriction after my second fill. I had 3.6 then on the next one added 2.4. I do feel restriction and I have found that I must eat slower and smaller bites or else. I can go longer without being hungry. That's not to say I don't see something and want to eat it, but I ask myself am I really hungry or just mindless eating. Rarely am I actually hungry.

Gadumplin, You are doing great. I was banded 3 days after you. Your success makes me think I can do it too. The exercise part that is. I have been on the lazy side and have not embraced exercise. But I know that losing weight is one part of a healthy lifestyle, I gotta et my ass in gear. Your story motivates me.

I have had two fills first 3.6 and had some restriction but the nurse said if I could eat more than 1 cup per meal call and schedule another fill. Had 2.4 on the second. I don't see the dr just the nurse and she is more aggressive on the first few fills. She doesn't have time limits but asks that you wait at least 2-3 weeks before fills. I would ask the doctor to put you to at least 6 - 6.5. Does he have a reason for small fills? It should be part your decison too.

I eat at least 1/2 cup of Protein and 1/2 cup of veggies. It's definately is more than you are eating of 1 1/2 ounces. No wonder you are hungry. I would be starving. I would recheck on the amount you should be eating. I found my 2nd fill which put me at 6cc, really showed me what restriction is. It reminds me small bites and eat slower or else.

I have to tell you the hardest part is the pre-op diet and the first month after surgery. The liquid diet is very hard after two weeks. Some doctors require 3-4 weeks of liquid. After the mushie stage I found it so much better. Now 4 1/2 months out food isn't really a big deal anymore. I still eat pretty much what I did before only alot less and I am fuller for hours longer. Good luck to you.

Cheryl Ann, I was banded on May 23. Had one fill of 3.6, (7 weeks after surgery ) then second one of 2.4.( Another 7 weeks) I really feel the restriction now. I never had a problem with any food. Now bread is mostly a no no. I have to eat even slower and the amount is a lot smaller. I feel like I lose slower, but like you I don't exercise alot and I do have treat as long as he scale does down I 'm happy.