jetsy62

I was banded 9/23/08 and went to the doctor yesterday for my third fill. I told him that I just don't have any restriction and after talking to some others that have been banded longer than me they also felt I did not have restriction. He informed me that I have an APL 14cc band and that I knew he gave fills cautiously and I still had a long way to go before I was at my max and actually would probably never need to be filled to the max. I have lost 36 pounds so far but to be honest, it is due to me dieting, not really the band. And I am scared because the 100+ other times I have dieted this is about the point that I always blow it! Before the fill yesterday I was at 3.5, now I think I am at 5. I feel a little bit of restriction today, but NOTHING like the other people I have met that have been banded. That being said, none of them have this band even though the same doctor did all of us. Will someone out there that has an APL 14 cc band please tell me when you finally felt the restriction everyone talks about. I am hungry ... and don't tell me it is head hunger. I did feel restriction for about the first 3 weeks to a month after surgery. Nothing since. I knew going in he would be cautious, and with me probably more so. I had heart surgery when I as 31 so he says slow and easy. I am just so afraid that this will not work for me.

I understand what she is saying in a strange kind of way. Not the chewed up part, but the actual measuring part. For example, brussel sprouts. If you put the brussle sprout whole into the 1/2 cup, it is not much. But if you cut them in half, it makes a big difference. So although I don't quite get the "chewed up" part, I do understand how a 1/2 cup can be two different things. Kind of the same things as cutting up the chicken. Or 1/2 cup of canned tuna fish. That is a lot of tuna fish. When you are new this kind of thing can drive you nuts in trying to obey all the rules. I know it did me.

There is a really bad stomach bug going around my area and it found me. Bad, nasty bug. From spending so much time in the bathroom, my stomach got irritated/swollen and I felt like I had a fill and was too filled when I didn't. The only thing I could keep in me was hot de-caff tea. Slowly getting better and am able to eat soup and other stuff again. From what you are describing it sounds a lot like what happened to me. I think you will be okay in a few more days. Just take it easy. You don't want to irritate your already sensitive stomach again.

I use milk of magnesia. Works for me.

You need to listen to what your doctor tells you. I found out at the support group meeting that patients done by the same doctor may have been given different instructions so at my first post-op appt. I asked him about it. First thing, he has changed some of his instructions from when he did a band lets say for example a year ago. Secondly, the instructions given pre-op are general instructions. These may change once the surgery is actually done. There may have been complications, something he found once he was in there, etc. Or you may be one of the lucky ones and everything go as he said about my surgery "about as perfect as I could have hoped for". Then things can change down the road like they have for me. Bummer! I was losing a significant amount of weight the first 3 months post op and now I swear I just lose and gain the same 2 pounds. Seems like I am stuck at this plateau. I go for another fill in a few weeks so I am hoping that it helps. But we all know this is a long journey, not a quick fix so I am being patient. If quicker was my only consideration I would have chosen bypass. I had many variables that made me decide on the band instead so I will take it slow and steady. Good luck and hang in there. You are doing super fantastic.

Banded 9/23/08 and as of 1/5 /09 I am down 32 pounds. Cheated over Chrismas holiday some but I am back on track now.

I too was one of the people that ate the bad stuff over the holidays, or the good stuff depending on perception I guess. Anyway, went to the doctor's today for a one month check and lost a whooping 2 pounds. Truth be told, I was just greatful that the scales did not go up. But I am back on the bandster path now. I was on vacation from 12/23 until today. Not that vacation is an excuse, but I am honest on this site and honestly, I not only ate stuff I shouldn't have but I also did not do the treadmill even one of those days. And I paid for that. But, like I said, back on track now. Wishing all a great, fantastic 2009. Glad you are all here to chat with.

Thank God I found all of you. I made up my mind I was starting out fresh today after the holidays and was afraid I would be all by myself in the "I was a bad bandster" category. My thought was to do the pre-op diet for one week then on with life. Then I found this blog. Count me in.

Okay, I am really scared because I have been so good on my diet since being banded 3 months ago. But all these holiday goodies is too much temptation. In the last 8 days I have eaten 3 cookies and 6 pieces of candy. I know that before the band I would have eaten that, and more, in one day but I am afraid I am reverting back to my old ways. Is anyone else cheating now that the holidays are here? Everyday someone is bringing in another plate of cookies, a plate of fudge, box of chocolates, etc. here at work. And the darn things are sitting right in front of me. I admit it, I am still weak when it comes to saying no to this stuff. At home I just got all of it out of the house. Problem solved. Some people at work don't even know that I have been banded. They just think I am losing weight on my own I guess. I am trying to think of the long term, and the fact that the few moments of eating the goodies is not worth it, but it is so hard. Is anyone else having problems with this and what do you do to control it? I keep telling myself just get through today, tomorrow is Christmas and that is going from house to house with all the junk being offered, then it will be over. Just tell me someone else is having this problem, or had the problem last year and you just got through it and got back on track. Please!

The ones I am wearing today are far from being skinny jeans but they are skinnier jeans so I am very happy! When you have been fat all your life, and have seen the scales just steadily go in one direction and that is up, it is kind of weird to see them going down. I am somewhat of a newbie and still have that awful thought in the back of my mind that even though I am doing what I am supposed to be doing that somehow this will not work for me. That gloom I carried with me for so long of feeling like I must have been born to be fat is hard to shake. But something like what happened today just gives me the strength to continue on and keep looking towards the grand prize. Slow but steady. I am happy.

My clothes have been getting really baggy but I refuse to buy more until the dang things are falling off of me. I have so much weight to lose that if I bought every time I dropped one size I will go bankrupt. Life has been extremely hectic lately (I work full-time and have a side business and Christmas is one of our busiest times) so household chores are a little behind. Anyway, I pulled out a pair of jeans and put them on this am and was so upset because they fit exactly perfect. What the heck happened overnight. Friends and family have been making fun of my "clown pants" and now they are fitting just fine overnight? Big surprise! They were jeans that were in my drawer that I have not been able to wear in 4 years due to gaining so much weight. Words can not describe how fast I went from totally panicing and freaking out to total joy. Just wanted to share with my bandster family.

I have always had a problem with this even before the surgery. A little swig of Milk of Mag in the am does the trick for me.

All these doctors and the different rules are very confusing. And in my case, when the doctor and the nutritionist do not agree, it is really difficult. My doctor had me eating regular food 3 weeks post op. He readily admits this is not the norm. They have a generic protocol and then he adjusts accordingly. I was on the "doing extremely well" end of things. That being said, I am almost 3 months post op and it is still trial and error. Had a really bad experience a few days for forgetting to chew, chew, chew. I went too long between eating and was hungry, wolfed down my food and my little pouch did not like all that food in it. It hurt like all the bejeebeez and then .... well, the food did not stay there. If they ever get a standard protocol it will make life much easier. But I don't think it is going to happen anytime soon.

I understand your curiosity completely. When you have the band or are in the process of getting the band, a lot of the times I was given a do and don't kind of list. But seldom was it explained why. And some of us are just the kind of person that wants to know the in's and out's, the why's and where's, etc. At least I am. I drove my doctor nuts at times I am sure, but that is my personality. It also drives home the rules a little more if you know exactly what the ramifications of not following them are. I hate to be told "eat protein first". In addition, I want to be told why. That is one of the great things about this board. Knowledgeable that are willing to share info. I love it.

I was banded 9/23 and have lost 30 pounds. Started out at 305 pounds so you can do the math. I know I need to exercise more. I walk the treadmill 20 minutes a day at home. I joined a gym and that has turned out to be a joke. A little skinny fit person went through the machines with me and told me what I had to do before and after my workout regarding cardio. Well, no matter how hard I try, I can't do it. I am too fat to do what they are expecting. If I could do the arch machine for 30 minutes I would. It is kind of like a stair climber in a way. I can't. I really thought I was having a heart attack. In fact, one of the other ladies came over and asked if I was alright. The little skinny girl told me after a few times I will be just fine with it. I was the fattest person in there. Maybe I am just making excuses and there is no difference in someone 300 pounds being able to exercise the same as someone 150 pounds. Would someone who has been there give me an idea of what I should be doing at this weight so I can increase my exercise and stick with it without giving up which is what I have done in regards to the gym. Maybe I should just concentrate on cardio for now. Or maybe not. I need advice please from someone who has been there.

Beth got it right. Had my first experience with it last week and what a horrible experience. If you are wondering "if" you've experienced it or are wondering "if" you will know, don't. You will know it! And you will not be wondering if it happened. I say this only because I thought once that I had experienced it and could not figure out what the big deal was. Now I know. I have now learned my lesson. Chew, chew, chew, and then chew some more.

I was banded 9/23 and I eat popcorn. The good kind and in the mini bags. I share with my dog so it really does not turn out to be that much. This is my thoughts on being banded. I chose the band so I could eat more or less what I wanted. It is the portion size and the frequency that I needed to get under control and the band allows me to do that.

Remember the one episode earlier this year where they were walking up and down a hill for 14 hours. They agreed not to do it and all took a nap when the temperature got above 100 degrees for a few hours then resumed their walking. That is not a realistic lifestyle. It is an extreme diet and exercise regimine. I love the show. I really do because I love to see people's lives change. I just wish they would do a reunion show and let us see how people have maintained. I can't believe the majority have maintained the weight they ended with at the end of the show. Maybe I am too cynical.

Hi All, My name is Jeannette and I started this journey at 305 pounds. I am 5'3" tall, 45 years old and I am not sure what my goal is. I think around 150 pounds. I carry weight very well. Even my surgeon did not believe I weighed what the scales said. I can remember weighing 170 and I was actually happy with that but my primary doctor wants to see me at 150 so we will have to see. The reason I did this was primarily because I am a single mom with a 14 year old daughter. I have no other health issues but I know I am just playing the waiting game on that one. One of these days I will get high bp, signs of diabetes, or something because of my morbid obesity. So, I had the band installed 9/23/08, have lost 29 pounds and pray to God that this works for me.

I was banded Sept. 23rd and have lost 29 pounds. I have had one fill so far and go back tomorrow for another. I have absolutely no restriction whatsoever. So far I have been able to keep my weight in check but the last two weeks have been pure hell. I am hungry and desperately want that feeling of being full. Thank God tomorrow I get my second fill. I hope it helps. I wonder how long it will take me to get to that infamous "sweet spot". I am afraid if this keeps up I am going to gain. Every time, before the band, I went on a diet I could do it for 3 or 4 months then fall off the wagon. Right now I am basically dieting since the band is not at the point it needs to be. I know for everyone that point is different. Hope tomorrow helps. I know the band is only a tool but right now I feel like I am tool-less.

I think I am nuts! I am afraid to get on the scales. I was banded 9/23 and my last visit to the doctor was 11/5. I had lost 25 pounds. Walking up to the scales was a nightmare because I was so sure I had gained. I lost. Now I have taken the scales out of the house because I am doing the same thing ... I am so sure I am gaining weight. Don't have reason to believe that I am. I am eating pretty good (yeah, I eat more than a cup now and then but it is the good stuff, not junk). I love brussel sprouts and I eat more of them than I should but I don't think that is too bad. I just have this fear that for some reason, even though I am doing all the right things, (okay, almost all the right things) I am somehow going to fail at this. Do you think it is because of failing at so many other diets before getting the band put in? I am dreading going to the doctors on 12/3 already. Once again, my pants are about ready to fall off my backside but I am sure I am not losing weight. Do you think it would be better to weigh myself once a week? I just had a problem with weight and the scales years back and I don't want to go there again. It was an obsession and I got myself into some unhealthy trouble on that weight loss program and we will leave it at that. Or maybe I am stressing over not being perfect on the diet? I don't know. Any advice or words of wisdom fellow bandsters?

Jeremy, I am on Xanax, .25 mg 3 x's a day for anxiety, panic disorder. I was on this before the surgery and my doctor knows this and this dosage was acceptable and he kept me on it. As stated by him, the band causes a lot of changes and he must know everything you are taking in regards to prescribed meds, alchohol, herbs, vitamins, OTC meds, etc. The surgeon put me on two meds, one to prevent gallstones and one to prevent ulcers. The point is that alcohol and meds interact ... and now you have this foreign object in your body and the side effects of it can change your body chemically, the way your absorb nutrients, etc. Just let your surgeon know what you are taking and how often. Good luck Jeremy.

Please call your doctor immediately. Dont' be afraid to tell the truth. Let him know everything you are putting in your mouth to include the alcohol and pills. You are doing exactly what the doctor told me some people do with this surgery when I went for my psyche eval. You are substituting one overindulgence for another. How you are able to consume that much alcohol with the band I don't know but please call your doctor. I can't even say to stop taking everything because doing that cold turkey may cause you harm. You have done a most wonderful thing for yourself with the weight loss. Now do another wonderful thing and call your doctor. All my best to you. Please keep us updated.

It is common sense to expect and see larger weight loss the first six months to a year than you will after that. I started this process weighing 305 pounds. If I continue to lose the 2 pounds per week my doctor is asking for I will weigh 201 pounds a year from now. Even I can figure out it is easier to lose weight weighing 305 pounds than it is weighing 201 pounds. The closer I get to goal weight, I expect it to get harder. That being said, I am still going to work as hard as I am now to get there. I already have accepted the fact that it will be harder but I will get there.

It sounds like a cop out, but it really is true that everyone's experience is unique. There are no 100% truths about this little beauty. For me, I felt restriction the first 3 weeks after surgery with no fill. Doctor does not do the first fill until 6 weeks post op. Those next three weeks were kind of tough. Could eat more than 1 cup. Not a lot more, but more than I should have. But I did eat the good stuff. Protein, veggies. When you are allowed to eat real food (not the liquids or the mushies), I think that is the most dangerous time to overeat. I had my first fill yesterday and it is working. He said to go easy yesterday and today and I understand why. It kinda feels like it did right after surgery. Can't eat a lot and really don't want to.