bobbiezhere

i soooo feel for you! I gained 2 lbs after thanksgiving too..my willpower is caving as well....ive had a few fills banded 7/7. I could have written so much of this! (I got the band...etc...) I have an appt again tomorrow (long story).....and i am hoping to get restricted once again....This is a big step for us - getting this band...we HAVE to succeed with this!!!

6 weeks ago he put 8 cc's in...my complaint was that my restriction never lasts more than a couple of weeks. He withdrew the fluid to see what was in my band...it was 8 cc's...so basically he was telling me i still had what I had been filled with (he did this on a prior visit as well. Then, he attempted to be aggressive and put in more...he didnt say how much, but it was apparently alot - because he even said, he'd probably have to unfill a little bit. But, i drank Water with no issue. Mind you, 6 weeks ago, he started with 8.5..and i couldnt really drank my water, so he unfilled .5 and I was better. Now, he was telling me my band was almost at capacity---meaning he had attempted to put in at least 3cc's (no way could i do that!). He took the syringe, and said "this holds 12cc's....let see again whats there"...yet, when he tried to retreive it...he only got 7 cc's out.... After i was driving back, i realized that i had really felt when he filled last times (3 times)...i felt the almost gurglie type feelng. I didnt feel that this time. My thoughts were is he missed the port somehow and the saline just went into my body. Nothing else makes sense...if my band had a leak..how could i have 8 ccs 6 weeks ago, and 8 cc's when he withdrew the initial fill amount??? In any case...before he schedules whatever tests and have to schedule a surgery for possible repair..i want him to try again tomorrow to see if he did a fill, if it would be successful. In previous fills he has not had an issue...for some reason THIS time it was difficult for him to find the port. He stated that he had never had a band leak....what are the odds mine would? Honestly, i think it was a fluke...but 930 tomorrow will tell me what i need to know. I just hope there is not another co pay ($40) tomorrow ---this should be on them not me!!!

ok..heres my story NOW....I was banded 7/7. I did very well from the start losing at the highest - about 39 lbs (sooo wanting to get to the 40 mark!). Then I started yoyoing....I never had a fill that stayed restricted! When i got my last fill, 6 weeks ago, I really felt restriction...i thought "ah ha - this is it!" Well, in typical fashion, it lasted a little over a couple of weeks. I had scheduled my appt for 6 weeks in between this time...instead of 4. So today..i go in, determined to ask the doctor why my restriction is again gone. Thanksgiving? We made turkey enchiladas..i had 2..plus rice...plus Beans. Doesnt that seem like alot???? I didnt fuss too much cuz i figured i was going in today and would get back on track. I kidded with the doctor that maybe i had a slow leak. Know what? he took out the fill and 8ccs. So in 6 weeks, still at 8ccs. So much for the slow leak theory. He decided to be aggressive and really add. Uh, he did, said he might have to unfill. I drank my 2 glasses of Water - slid right down. Wierd. Last appt 1.5cc's and i could barely drink...he had to unfill .5. Now he can add 2 or 3 cc's with nothing? He goes to take the liquid out, can only retreive about 7 ccs. Now he says..i might be right..i might have leak or defective band. WHAT???? I'm stunned. Well i was thinking driving back to work..and figured, wait..if i had 8 ccs and still had 8 ccs - thats not a leak. I think, when he put in the fill..that it didnt go into the port. I called to talk to him, before he started arranging a test and another surgery!!!!! This Friday i'm going back and I'm gonna have him re try. He did have trouble finding the port today. I honestly feel he just missed it. My theory for the unrestriction....could it be, when they fill you swell right? which is why you are on liquides 1 to 2 days..what if its swollen..causing restruction and over gthe next 2 week or so, the swellign goes down --- so i can eat nore..and its merely the fact that i might be one that need to have 9 or 10cc's in my band to be at my sweet spot??? Could it be? My band will hold 12 ccs. Does this make sense???? It just seems to me he need to try to fill again friday...i cant imagine going through a correction or another surgery....he said he's never had a band "leak" before.... THOUGHTS???? PS...im now down to a loss of about 33 lbs...i was at one time at like 38? my band was done 7/7. I feel like a failure for gaining back....

ok..heres my story NOW.... When i got my last fill, i really felt restriction...i thought "ah ha - this is it!" Well, in typical fashion, it lasted a little over a couple olf weeks. I had scheduled my appt for 6 weeks in between this time...instead of 4. So today..i go in, determined to ask the doctor why my restriction is again gone. Thanksgiving? We made turkey enchiladas..i had 2..plus rice...plus Beans. Doesnt that seem like alot???? I didnt fuss too much cuz i figured i was going in today and would get back on track. I kidded with the doctor that maybe i had a slow leak. Know what? he took out the fill and 8ccs. So in 6 weeks, still at 8ccs. So much for the slow leak theory. He decided to be aggressive and really add. Uh, he did, said he might have to unfill. I drank my 2 glasses of Water - slid right down. Wierd. Last appt 1.5cc's and i could barely drink...he had to unfill .5. Now he can add 2 or 3 cc's with nothing? He goes to take the liquid out, can only retreive about 7 ccs. Now he says..i might be right..i might have leak or defective band. WHAT???? I'm stunned. Well i was thinking driving back to work..and figured, wait..if i had 8 ccs and still had 8 ccs - thats not a leak. I think, when he put in the fill..that it didnt go into the port. I called to talk to him, before he started arranging a test and another surgery!!!!! This Friday i'm going back and I'm gonna have him re try. He did have trouble finding the port today. I honestly feel he just missed it. My theory for the unrestriction....could it be, when they fill you swell right? which is why you are on liquides 1 to 2 days..what if its swollen..causing restruction and over gthe next 2 week or so, the swellign goes down --- so i can eat nore..and its merely the fact that i might be one that need to have 9 or 10cc's in my band to be at my sweet spot??? Could it be? My band will hold 12 ccs. Does this make sense???? It just seems to me he need to try to fill again friday...i cant imagine going through a correction or another surgery....he said he's never had a band "leak" before.... THOUGHTS???? PS...im now down to a loss of about 33 lbs...i was at one time at like 38? my band was done 7/7. I feel like a failure for gaining back....

Your doing great Regina! Glad to hear!

Omg thank you for saying this (about the leak)..i swear i wondered if i had a "slow leak" in my band lol. I thought i was the only one who thought that! The thing is, i do feel a restriction at first..and it DOES last two weeks..and in that two weeks time i might lost 2-3 lbs...which i'm good with....its after that restriction goes away (right now, its gone) that those 2-3 lbs i lost, come back...and THAT is what frustrates me most...i finally lose, and then...just kidding cuz they're back! Your post makes PERFECT sense to me - the fact the band would loosen with a little loss, etc. I get that... I'm encouraged that you've reached perfect restriction! I was afraid of what would happen when i eventually got 11ccs in my band and what if i still had issues...but now i re alize they can put a little more in the band, if need be..and maybe..just maybe, i wont need that. I'll keep hoping that the next fill is it. THANK YOU...this really made me feel better!

Please help - im just not sure what to think any more. I had my surgery on 7/7. Pre op and post op i was on target and losing well....I got to a high weight loss of 39#'s....sooo wanting to hit that 40 lb. mark. When i had my last fill I was at 7 in an 11 cc band. I could only take 1cc that visit, because i struggled to get Water down. I had been stuck in limbo for weeks in a 227/228 lb. weight - after my last fill I finally dropped from where i was stuck..about 227/228 to 223.4. I was thrilled beyond belief! Now, here i am a couple weeks have passed..and guess what? Im back up to like 227.5 again. Im frustrated beyond belief. Sometimes i wonder if my band has a slow leak...i mean, i felt the restriction..but about 2 weeks into it...i seem to have less and less restriction ...and slowly the weight creeps back up. Tho I'm still watching what i eat. But anything solid means i gain! Once again I feel like I can eat more than I should be - and that restriction i HAD - seems to be gone again. Is this normal??? I just dont get it. I see the doctor 6 weeks after my last appt....so i go in i believe 1st week of dec. I'm tempted to call and schedule earlier....maybe at least a week..but...if i'm already at 7 in an 11 cc band...i dont really have much more room - right??? What happens if your band is "full"??? I thought that 'sweet spot' that eveyone has talked about was maybe gonna be there after my last fill...but now, i dont think so. Has anyone had their band totally filled???? Please - any feedback would be welcomed. I truly feel like a failure and i've worked so hard! My once 39 lb loss is now at 35 and i'm discouraged. Thank you..for reading...and helping...

Ok...I've avoided posting...cuz I'm frustrated to no end! What I've determined, is after a fill, i lose..and over the course of t he weeks folloiwng...it slowly creeps back up! surgery wt: 244.7 last weigh in: 223.4 this week: 227.5 WTF? (sorry!). I dont get it...its like i felt sooo restricted when i left the dr office..and now..nothing...I sometimes wonder if i have a slow leak! lol. I'm beyond frustration....i go in to see dr. again first week of December, i think. But the cycle of fill, 1-2 lb weight loss..and then weight regain over the next 3 to 4 weeks frustrates me. I just dont get it...I still am making good choices, tho the temptation to eat whatever is getting to me. I truy dont know what to do...i'm amping up my exercise...but it doesnt seem to be making much difference. I cant seem to hit the 40 lbs. loss mark...and i'm sooo wanting to be below 220. Its been YEARSSSS since i've been at this weight..but I'm not ready to be done losing. HELP!!!

Nope...still there...cant seem to budge..i get a fill, drop a lb or two....and after about a week...back up that 1 or so...i'm disheartened....

Im at a total loss of about 38 lbs. I cant seem to get below this. I go up and down a lb or two every week it seems. Very frustrated.

Just wanted to let the July bandsters that im going to be changing my user id...i'll post more later about this..just a personal issue..

You have a 5 cc band???? Wow..that seems INCREDIBLE small to me! My doctor uses a 10, 11 or 15cc band..i guess i never realized they came so small!

After what i consider 6/8 weeks of bandster hell, Im hopeful I'm out of it. I have now 8cc's in my 11cc band...and I think i have a good restriction... I hope beyond all hope that i'm now at my sweet spot...time will tell!

I love going out to eat still..and while i cant eat as much either...i always always always take my food to go...sooooo often later or the next day, its the perfect amount for a 2nd meal, and I have found I enjoy the food just as much on day 2. One morning i went to breakfast..ate very little, brought my food with me..and ended up having it for lunch. The splitting meals is good too - as long as you like what the other person is ordering, lol.

Wow..what amazing results--and some with very little fills (if any!)...thats something! I have had 3 fills - first one was 5cc's..the 2nd one was 2 cc's and Wednesday i had 1cc. My band holds 11cc. Ive lost 39.? - so i'm almost at 40 lbs. I have had weeks and weeks going upand down by a lb or two...I have felt that i can actually eat too much. Now this last fill, I think i finally feel the restriction i need. We will see. I too have any many "stuck" episodes...and i truly attribute that to eating too fast or too big of pieces. Hey, i get hungry and take too big a bite and not chew enough and bam - I feel it. Saturday i starving..but i had a hamburger..chewed very very slow (was concerned cuz i didnt know, if i had a problem, if i could get into the bathroom quick enough)...i was happy and content with 1/2 of that burger - that says alot! I am hoping that now I am at that sweet spot..i know that bandster hell stuff is real - cuz i truly had 6/8 weeks of it. The coolest thing tho..i went and bought new jeans - two pairs -and i bought them in the REGULAR department - not the plus size area! Yay!!!!!! I was sooooooooo happy! My birthday is next week = and I have the coolest outfit to wear to my birthday luncheon ! :wink2:

Ok..after a month of struggling had a slight fill on wednesday - and I can finally post a loss again... surgery wt: 244.7 last week: 226.0 this week: 223.4 My doctor did a 1.5cc fill, but couldnt swallow water, so he took out the .5 and i ended up with 1cc. This is now a total of 8cc's in my 11cc band. He told me to amp up the exercise (urgh).... We'll see..this is an all time low for me - I'm soooo wanting to get below 220 and then the goal will be to be under 200#'s..that almost seems impossible to me...but baby steps..I'll work towards under 220 first!

I hear you Mary....Good for you for getting back on track! Thats the key! I'll admit, part of me was just gonna blow by today's weigh in....but here i am. I'm eating solid, but just too much i guess..tho I'm staying with good high protein foods..so i dont get it. Sigh... surgery wt: 244.7 last week: 225.6 this week: 226.0 I have been going up and down for so long now! I go in to the Dr. again on Wednesday. Im thinking he might do a slight fill - I dont anticipate any huge amount because I already have 7cc's in my 11 cc band..maybe just a slight amount will do the trick! Good luck all!

Well, for along time i was up and down from 228/231... now i'm up and down again...sigh...well, i'm keeping at it...at one point i got down to 224.1, dont know what happened tho... surgery wt: 244.7 last week: 225.0 this week: 225.6 My body is really struggling to keep this weight..I might try doing a full day of protein shakes only to shake things up a bit...we'll see... Good luck with your week everyone - and congrats to all the "losers"!

Congrats on hitting the 30lb mark!!! thats great! Me...well.... surgery wt: 244.7 last week: 224.6 this week: 225.0 Up .4 not sure why - but oh well!

Ok..my 2nd fill seems to have helped me -thank goodness! After weeks and weeks going back and forth I'm actually moving downward again! Woohoo! surgery wt: 244.7 last week: 226.7 this week: 224.6 Im sooo jazzed!:smile2:

Boy oh boy do i understand what all of you are saying/feeling. I did very good pre op...post op...ate what i was supposed to and figured..ok..band is in (7/7) - I'm on my way...well, not so much.....but 6 weeks after surgery i was scheduled for my first fill - so i figured "ok!"...well guess what? I got 5cc's in my 11 cc band..and...well - i didnt really lose much! I played up/down yoyoing with the same flippin couple of lbs! I didnt feel much of a restriction - so two week after my fill, i called and moved my next appt up a week to 5 weeks. And..in those 5 weeks..didnt lose much...a lbs or 2 maybe. Talk about upset/frustrated! Its fine if i wasnt eating what i was supposed to - then i would figure "ok..partially your fault"...but i was eating good! But, i could eat, in my feeling, more than i should be able to. Today, i went back to my dr. He added 2 ccs to my band. He told me it might take a little but we WOULD get the right restriction. This MIGHT do it - i can hope! But what i liked, is he told me - to give it a couple of weeks - and my next appt should be 4-6 weeks out - whatever feels right to me. I did make an appt 4 weeks out. But i will see what happens in the next couple of weeks. Maybe this fill will do it and i'll be losing good and then i wont need to go in a week 4. Just know that it sometimes takes more than 1 fill to feel restriction. I truly hope i'm going to be feeling it now! Up till now, what ive lost, i feel i've lost on sheer will power with my food choices. Now i'd like to have a little help from this band to get to my goal! Hang in their ladies....i think sooo many of us feel the same thing...its part of the process i think to getting the "right" amount for us. And because everyone is so different---its hard to know what that time will kick in for us - but it will!!!

Zumba is amazing! Or at least it looks that way from the videos I've seen. I'm a little worried about the intensity of the workout, but also excited to push myself to the limit and see what I can actually accomplish fitness-wise. And if I cam learn to move like the girls in the video I posted at the bottom, going to the clubs will be much more fun, since I'll no longer move like the white girl with no rhythm I am. :thumbdown: Here's the official description from the zumba website: Zumba® fuses hypnotic latin rhythms and easy to follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program that will blow you away. Our goal is simple: We want you to want to work out, to love working out, to get hooked. Zumba® Fanatics achieve long term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life! The routines feature interval training sessions where fast and slow rhythms, and resistance training are combined to tone and sculpt your body while burning fat. Add some Latin flavor and international zest into the mix and you've got Zumba®! You can see it in action here: Oh wow - that looks like quite a workout - and alot of fun too! I love workouts that are "dance" - esp if there are steps that i THINK i might be able to do (granted, some of those..well...hmm not sure! lol). I might have to try this!

Hi!!! I'm here - i was posting all over the place at one point..i wondered how everyone was too~~~I had been voicing my frustration at things going soooo slowly..up down up down by a lb or so.... Anyway...i got my 2nd fill this afternoon...i have an 11cc band..first fill was 5cc - today he put in 2 more cc's. The good thing is...he told me not to wait 6 weeks..that if i need to come in at 4 weeks, to do so - so i did schedule 4 weeks out. If i see after the next few weeks that the 2nd fill is working, i'll hold off and put the appt off - but at least its made. I keep thinking at 7cc's in an 11cc band..you would think i'd feel something...lets hope so! I guess i expected to eat..and then feel very full and unable to eat any more...and i just have never felt that. Get this..the other day i went to red lobster..and for the first time since 6/23, i wasnt very good - i had 2 of their cheesy killer bisquits...1/2 of my shrimp caesar salad (they're big there)...a couple of motzarella sticks...doesnt that seem like wayyyy to much to be able to eat???? Luckily i was at the fair all that day--very active..i didnt gain..lol.

Omg that is great! Congratulations!!!!!! Man, i havent been in onderland for ..lets see...18/20 years???? I'm still fidgeting with 226/227---so onderland seems soooo far away! But thats awesome - good job!

Wooohooo - that is awesome!!! Very cool!!!