Constance

Awesome Kutia! You can do it!

Hahaha! :llama:

I'm scared to set a goal for October. With no fill, I fear I won't make it

Hey guys, I sucked with my eating today. chips, chicken, cake...family picnics are the worst for me! However, my awesome husband bought me a bike today! It's like on ol' timey cruiser type - but new with gears and stuff. So hopefully we can do some bike rides and that will balance oiyt my eating. Question: (and I'm sure I could do a search for this but I'm being lazy) How long do you need to wait between fills...a few weeks? a month?

Faybie I totally felt like that too! Until, about 3 days ago. It was like I had an invisible fill removed (if that makes sense). Totally go with it. I don't think you have anything to worry about unless you have persistent PBing. I bet it will ease up a bit with time. It seems like everybody says when you lose weight and your stomach loses a little fat too which leads to less restriction.

You guys, I've sucked today and yesterday. Totally eating like before I was banded. The sad part is, I don't feel that bad about it and I'm enjoying eating! Hello!? I just paid for this! I was obsessed with getting surgery and now I'm just eating and snacking like it's no big deal! So I need a fill -- another 2 weeks will be 6 weeks. Guys, tell me the first fill will help some, please? I have the standard 4mm band. I got a little panicky imagining 4-6 months of trying to feel restriction and gaining the whole time. Ah! No!

I would put that in the "bad idea" category. Although I think it would be great if they designed a band/port system that COULD be self-filled. I suppose if you were a nurse or something and you had done fills before then you could give it a try. But it seems like you might do some damage if you missed -- like could you puncture the tubing? Or poke at your guts?

Thanks for sharing this! You have a great outlook! Please don't be a stranger. This place is so full of support and we are here for you.

Just had to give a gratuitous shout out to Dr. Ortiz. My husband was reluctant too - but the facilities Dr. Ortiz uses are immaculate. The staff is warm and comforting and the surgery is no big deal. Feel free to PM me with any questions!

I used to get this really bad. I actually had blood pressure that was too low and I needed to up my salt intake. Now, I'm about normal. If I go salt-free for too long OR if I over hydrate I will get the 'head rush' feeling. Make sure you have enough salt and you're not over hydrating. When you drink lots of water you can actually get low on electrolytes. Just be sure you keep the blood sugar balanced and throw some salt in the mix. That should help.

A few years back when I was dieting my doctor said I should be at 165. Well, really, even on the high end of normal I should be at 135. She said she would rather me shoot for a goal more within reach. Now with the band, I'm going for 135!

Also faybie, I love your hair. I just had mine cut about that length and I dig it like crazy. I wish I had a pic of your haircut when I had mine done!

Rlitt -- here is some stuff I found on the web that might help: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-Many-Calories-Can-I-Have-And-Still-Lose-Weight?&id=6723

Questions: Do the Spanx bras or tops give you support? Or is it like a sports bra where you get some compression but not really lift? So the waist bands roll? Or do the waist bands on the tank roll up? Ugh, I hate that! I have some Jockey slimming underraments. They work, but they roll and pretty much you want to tear them off at the end of the day.

Faybie you are beautiful!

Faybie, you totally rock for putting that together! In other news...it is "Shark Week" for me. (time of month, i.e. just want to eat, sleep and kill) I just ate nearly and entire Tostino's pizza. You know, the little ones? Well, it wasn't that little. Where'd my lovely post-op restriction go? I am so hungry and it sucks. I was sooo thinking I didn't need a fill. But restriction is gone - for today at least.

Um, I lied to about 12 people and I don't regret it for a second. It is none of anyone's business but yours! You can never "un-tell" people. I personally did not want to be under the microscope about what I was having for lunch, how much I'd lost or gained, etc. Just read the threads here - there are countless bandsters who say they regret telling people. The very few people in my life who DO know even get on my nerves examining my every move. Listen, do what you need to do. You are not telling a lie if you say you need some time off for a minor surgery. You can even say "it's embarassing, so I'd rather not go into details". Or, like someone else said, just take one or 2 days off. Don't feel guilty! You deserve privacy!

I think you should send a seriously threatening letter. What nerve! You probably don't have legal recourse. But what you DO have is the internet! Please post your experience everywhere you can, on every board you can! It is the best way to get justice. Other prospective bandsters will see your plight and he will lose business. The internet is a powerful thing! I'm so sorry for what you've been through. This is a great place for support. Thanks for sharing your story. I'm sure with all the knowledge and resources here you will find a doctor who can help you.

Everyone is different. But it is pretty common to feel less and less retsriction after surgery. You might have some initially post-op and it could last a day or a year. I think most people need a fill after the first 6 weeks. The period between surgery and the first fill is often referred to as "Bandster Hell" because even though youve had surgery you find you have no restriction. Just don't overdo it. But if you are following the rules, you're fine.

Rlittman: I know it sucks when people say this because it seems like surely what you doing will work. But maybe youa ren't getting enough calories to lose weight. Your resting metabolic rate is probably at least 1000 calories. Any less than your RMR and you can really slow the metabolism. Just a thought. I know it sucks not to lose!

Do a search on Huacuz using the search bar at the top. You should find some info. I personally used Dr. Ortiz in TJ. I researched a TON. I wanted the best surgeon I could get for the best price. He was definitely in the top of all the Mexcian surgeons I researched. Great feedback, great price, great reputation. Definitely look into the Mexican Bandsters group in Yahoo Groups. You can search the archives and find things several years old...things some docs might hope you DON'T find! The internet is a great tool. Gather as much info and you can. And don't be afraid to ask for patient referrals from the office. They shoudl be ahppy to provide with you names and contact info. Good luck!

Banded on a Thursday, F, S, Su , Mo off. Then back to work Tuesday. Basically a long weekend. I was a little tired and sore that first week back but not too bad. I pretty much just sit all day. It helps to recline your chair a tad, too. It takes the pressure off of the port area. Just don't plan anything physical that first week. You can do it but you get tired fast -- esp. when you're only on liquids.

Cool! I hope everything goes well. That's great you;ll get a new band for so cheap, too! And that is great you get to keep your port -- what a drag if they had to dig one out and put in another. no thanks.

Alexandra, and everyone, thanks for the clarification. I see the risk of losing touch with the proper portions and body signals. I will try and be very attentive to that as time passes. Chelley, I'm hoping everything works out with this doctor you found. I've followed your journey on LBforum and I know it has been a really difficult journey for you. Hopefully you can get some answers!

Geez I know! Now I'm worried about the pouch dilation too. And I've only been banded 1 month. How DO you know? How can you prevent it? I don't overeat, but from one bandster says it sounds like you could be overeating and not even know it. Seriously?