Constance

Wow, reading about you guys being TOO full makes me feel pretty lucky despite knowing I could use some more restriction. Is it wrong that I wish I knew what being seriously restricted feels like?

So I just went in for my second fill. The doctor wasn't my surgeon, but he was reccomended by some local bandsters. This time he asked how much I was eating at a sitting. Not having much restriction, and not knowing EXACTLY how much I eat, I said, "about a cup" And he got really fired up and said "A CUP?! Your surgeon didn't give you any information about this? (mumbles something about MexicoYou should only have 1/4 cup of food. Go home, get a small dish that holds 1/4 cup and eat out of that. If you are eating a cup you will stretch your pouch or have food back up into the espophagus -- that can lead to complications, irritation ans even esophogeal cancer. If you eat a cup of food regularly you WILL lose your band." I'm not exagerrating. He scared the sh!t out of me. At that point, I said, "Honestly, I feel like I've only really overeaten about 3 times and I've never PB'd." Then we went on with the fill. Anyway, then I emailed the dietician at my surgeon's office. She said one cup at each meal was fine (?!) and that the real guide should be to eat 1/3 of what I used to eat. This inconsistency makes me crazy! Can anyone shed some light on this? 2 surgeons, both competent and trustworthy, dispensing totally different advice on food quantities! What gives?

Everyone heals at a different pace. Don't feel any pressure to compete with those who are running laps after 2 days! My port and incision site seem to be sore forever. Really it was just bad for 2 weeks, then much less for another 2. After a month, it was non-existent. Don't sweat it, you will feel better in no time. Keep with the TYlenol and take it easy with bending and twisting.

Janiee, I have to tell you that I too was initially denied and told I need the 6mo. supervision. In that time I GAINED weight. I don't know where you're at with your BMI, but I totally regret waiting. In the many months of waiting I gained new stretch marks and felt so bad about myself, continuing to fail at yet another diet. That's just my experience. I know that paying for surgery on your own is no picnic and I really thought by giving up 6months I would save a lot of money. Not the case, I was denied despite my efforts. Some people were successful on the 6 mo. supervision. Me...not so much. Best of luck to you! Keep us posted of your progress

You guys, I'm all frustrated. I had too much lunch today...and no pain or issues. So immediately I went into the food obsession/bad self-esteem mode. "This band isn't working" "I will go broke paying for these fills!" or the worst, "I want to leave work immediately and go eat while I can". Why do I totally equate self-esteem with restriction and feel like a failure as soon as I can eat more than bandster portions? I feel mad and disppointed that I had a fill ONE WEEK ago and now I feel like I need another. And they are 150$. Yet, the lack of retsriction makes me want to get a fill with flouro -- which is 350$! Guys, any advice or words of wisdom? Should I pay up for the flouro? Should I be patient and wait a few more weeks? Am I rushing the restriction?

Drewslou I'm so glad. That is great he is helping you out!

Happy Birthday Jamie! Scorpios Rule! (my b-day was the 7th)

I'm SO sorry to hear about the bad fills. Man, what turkeys! Geez, people, show some respect for the patients! I swear it is because we are overweight. Josette, that doctor is such an ass! YOu couldn't even drink Water. You could have serious emergency dehydration from that condition. Doesn't he have any compassion? And Terry B...good grief, that guys sounds like a complete fool. "she needs to lose weight". yeah, thanks, workin' on it a-hole! Sorry girls. I hope the next oen goes better! :success1:

No flouro here. I've had 2 fills with 2 diff docs and both felt for the port and hit it with one poke. I am curious to see how everything looks with flouro but it is pricey.

I was really trying to eat like a bandster before the band, too. Once yoU have the band it IS much easier to oobey the 'rules'. With drinking, just try to stay hydrated BEFORE you eat. Then work up to delaying drinking by an hour after you eat. Try waiting 20 minutes to have a drink. You'll find you might be thristy for a little while but it passes. The small bites will come more naturally when you have restriction. Honestly, my bites are not that small. They are smaller than before - but I like to chew a little and swallow a little, but there is still food in my mouth. Does that make sense? Then you get to taste the food more with having more in your mouth than just a nibble. Don't worry! It all falls into place! I was really stressed out about it too. But it just becomes second nature after just a few weeks. REALLY!

I'm so happy to hear about the victories from you guys. So far fill #2 has been fine for me. No issues today and eating pretty small portions. Pebbles, you are so beautiful! Your skin is amazing! ladydi and rlittman -- way to go sisters!!

Hi, I've flown several times for work and I've been fine. No change that I can detect.

Bush is a douche. That is all. Carry on.

I had my second fill today -- although it turns out it was really a "refill". I had lost .5cc so he just added it back. Ok, I know it is totally normal to lose some and the doctor said it is NOT leaking. But WHERE does it go? I just can't wrap my brain around the concept that this sealed thing loses saline. Yet it does not actually leak. Anyone have a good way to explain it? So far I feel good restriction, though I've only been on mushy stuff. PLEASE let it last longer than the first fill. BUG, I'm so sorry. That totally sucks. I only got stuck with the needle once and I am sore - you poor thing! BOO BOO, I found that if I only weigh myself once a week I don't get too obsessed. Ideally, I'd like to get to every 2 weeks. Then I think I could safely say it was a true loss or gain. Even every week can give you a screwy impression of you true progress.

I thought I would put this in the Bandster Basics as it was a question I really wondered about when I was first banded. For me, I feel it in my chest. It is a slight tightness -- sort of like you have just eaten something dry and you need a drink. I've heard it referred to as the "Bandster Pledge of Alegiance" because as you get full you have a tendency to place your hand on your chest. I also feel a little 'soft stop' when I have had enough. It can be an involuntary sigh or hiccup. How about you? How does "full" feel for you?

I was totally excited to see the ads! The few people in my life who know think the surgery is so sketchy. Since they've seen the ads they see it as totally legitimate. Tv is so silly that way.

mimIN, I felt very similar after my first fill. I wan't PBing but I would get unexpectedly painfully full/stuck after a few bites...and usually at lunch. For whatever reason (sitting in a chair, being blaoted from sitting, stress, slightly dehydrated, haven't had anything in the stoma for several hours) lunch was giving me some trouble. I started doing some warm mint tea before lunch and it helped a lot. That and really slowing down with the first 3-5 bites. After that I would take a little break and let it move down then start eating again. Usually once I got past the first 5 tiny bites I could eat bigger bites and speed up. Well 'speed' is an overstatement. I guess slow/normal would be the a better description. The first few bites being, 'feeding a baby bird' speed/quantity wise. Hang in there. It can be so scary when you feel like something is wrong. But I think you are fine and normal -- just a little tight perhaps.

Wow, I am feeling the same way right now. I am waiting on my next fill, which is Thursday. I find myself able to eat so much more and taking advantage of it! Oh, and don't even get me started on all the candy i've consumed today. I will make a sincere effort to eat healthier tomorrow, then Thursday I'll be on liquids. I do think even in my moments of over-indulgence it is still SO much less that how I ate before the band. But I do need to work on the quality of my choices. Lapbandit - nicely said. I AM worth it. Sometimes I mix up being worth it as needing to reward myself with food, but it is really the opposite. The reward comes WITH the hard work...not INSTEAD of the hard work!

I'm getting my 2nd fill on Thursday. I totally agree about feeling sort of like a loser when you need another fill. Why!? That is so ridiculous, I know, but I feel the same way. It is crazy how quickly restriction just slipped away. One week I was perfect, eating about 1/3 of what I used to and losing steadily with no 'off limits' foods. Then it seems like overnight I was able to eat and eat and eat. My husband has been getting a little spooked saying 'is this thing gonna work?' 'do you have a leak or something?'. I don't know how to put his fears to rest other than to say it is a flexible band on a flexible organ and things can shift and change and that is to be expected. Anybody else have any pointers on howto explain it? Confession: Since I've lost a lot of restriction I've been drinking with meals. Not to excess, but certainly breaking a rule. I just don't feel restricted when I eat and I'm thirsty so I go for it. I know, I'm bad.

ok, um, just to bring this back around full circle... I was just watching Matt Lauer interview SHaron on TODAY and he said "you also talked about your gastric bypass surgery (in your book) and you are thinking of reversing that surgery", and Sharon nods and says '"yes". What is the deal? DID she have bypass -- why didn't she correct him? So weird and annoying. They are totally different surgeries and people seem to lump it all together. She needs to represent her bandster brethren a bit better.

Cjay, I have to echo the sentiments on Dr. Ortiz. It was a wonderful experience and I have zero regrets. PM me if you have any questions.

Telly, I love your attitude. So how was the decision made to reamin awake for surgery? I think it would be fascinating to watch, but not on my own body. You obviously have a strong stomach. Both figuratively and literally!

You can contact the main office in Scottsbluff and they have all his Kimball contact info. He prefers to do the first fill in Scottsbluff as he has access to flouro should he need it. With me, I sort of slipped through that rule and had it done in Kimball. No flouro for me. He just felt the port and inserted the needle in the first try. I think he goe sto Kimball a few times a month. Also, he is out of town right now --- he'll be back the first week in November I think.

I haven't invested in any creams for sagging skin. I have however, invested in mederma which I've been using on the band scars and stretch marks. No change so far. But I guess it takes a few months. Who knows if it even works...if ANY of it works. But I still want to give it a try.

Telly I'm so excited for you! When you can, will you post a totally in depth blow-by-blow? Take care of yourself and heal. I know you already had a rockin' bod before. This is just icing on the cake! You've worked so hard and totally inspire me!