lessme

Hi Boykin, I was banded June 23 and have only lost 2 lbs total. Everything I have read here and other places stress that you might not lose weight until your 3rd or 4th fill. The restriction you have then will affect you hunger center at the top of your stomach and make it easier to eat less. You are exactly on target according to my fill nurse. I have had 2 fills and am now at 5cc in a 10cc band. I do think 1400 calories is a little high to lose much weight but it will be easier when you get more fills. I totally understand your worry, frustration, and depression, but we (most of us) have been there or are still there and you will lose weight.

Hi SanDiegoPhotog, Good for you!! I was banded June 23rd but have only lost 3 lbs. I'm am not discouraged. Posts like yours keep me excited and motivated. I have 5 cc in a 10cc band. How many fills have you had to get the 6cc.? Does your doctor give them once a week, once a month, or anytime you need them. I agree, I have never really felt deprived and I am an Atkins dieter as well. Keep posting, it is so encourgaing to all of us.

Hollie, we are all so proud of you. I'm so glad you will be getting a new job, that last one sounded hellish. Hey, how often did you doctor let you get fills. Since you were so closely monitored in the study, I was wondering what their policy was. Do you know how much fill you have and the type of band? Just curious.

Hi there, I was banded June 23rd and I have only lost 2 lbs. Please read more of the threads and you will find it is common not to lose aything until your first fill. I have had 2 fills already and am waiting for my 3rd fill Aug 19th. I asked my nurse at the doctor's office and she said not to worry. She said some people get 4 or 5 fills before they start to lose and then it happens. I follow all of the band rules of protein first then veggies and no water with meals. You will be fine, you just need the proper restriction. I urge you to read under Fill forum and I think you will be reassured. Good luck. You are just starting be patient, your life will change.

I have the same situation, 2 fills and I still get hungry. One of the posts explained it that the band and fills restrict certain nerves that signal the hunger response up high in the stomach. My doctor said the same thing that that is why the band works with the right restriction. I'm with Hollie that you probably need a fill but with my doctor that easier said than done. My doctor only gives fill once a month and the mean receptionist won't let you schedule before then. Hollie, does your doctor let you get fills more often. I'm curious because you are in a study. How often did or do you get fills

This is a great thread!! I have been inspired by it. I too always love Luluc's comments. I haven't reached a point where I am losing very much. I was banded on 6/23 and maybe have lost 2 lbs. I can only get a fill once a month. Suzanne-- I am reminded of Kathy Griffin the comedian who says everyone loves Oprah when she is fat because they can relate to her and are not threatened by her (I wonder why she doesn't try the band). I think the people at work are threatened by your weight loss and jealous. I'm sorry to say that many people I know are not happy for other people's success. It could be promotions, weight loss or a new love, many people begrudge other people. These people are probably not happy with themselves. I do agree that when you tell people you need to be healthy they seem to respect that more than I want to look good. Suzanne you are doing great, I am so impressed that you take the stairs up and down 10 flights for the bathroom. Wow-- you are motivated and succeeding. I'm with you--I hate writing down everything.

Great book--"Fighting Weight" by Laila Ali. It is great and tells all about her struggles as Muhamad's daughter when she was a fat little girl and the boys beating her up so they could brag they beat up the boxer's daughter. She tells how it was and is the only way she could lose weight and is extremely inspiring. She believes it is the only way to lose weight long term and keep it off. I read it before the surgery and it helped asuage any doubts or fears I might have had. She is also the only heavy one of Mohamad's daughters that is heavy so it was an additional burden. You can get it at The Tattered Cover or Amazon.com.

Kat817, I loved your post I want to hear more about the band pressing on the hunger nerves when it is properly filled. My doctor tried to explain it but he was in a hurry and didn't explain it very well. Can you elaborate ot this aspect of the band?

So true, sweetie, you have lots of mature and young friends on the forum who are all on your side and many of us have been faced with this same situation. Please let us know after you find out for sure either way. I know I don't speak for just myself when I say whatever the outcome, it is not the end of the world. There are always answers, alternatives and ways of coping with almost anything as long as you have support. Please don't do anything rash until you have a chance to see what works best for you and only you. Take care and let us know.

I don't mean to go off thread but Nanook, how did you gain back the weight. Can you go in for another fill to readjust your restriction or did something happen with your band. I don't mean to pry, I'm just interested.

Hi there DesertRose, I can totally relate as many bandsters can. I have had 2 fill and have not lost 1 lb. I really think it takes the correct restriction and then you do stop feeling hungry. Don't worry Clickersister it is not like before you were banded, you will do fine. What did Sunshine Lady mean about front and back loading with water? Does that help with hunger? Do you wait 1/2 hour and then start drinking water like crazy? There is a really great poster on these threads, Luluc, she took 5 fills to really reach her restriction and lose weight and lose her hunger. She went from a size 16 to a size 6. It will happen. When I was at the doctor's office for my second fill I expressed my concerns to the receptionist who weighed me and she said "Don't worry, it will happen. People come in and are worried and then at their 3rd or 4th fill BOOM they hit proper restricition and they start losing weight." For me it is that I can't eat very much but then in an hour I find myself hungry again. Some people on these threads will eat and stay full for 4-5 hours. I want to experience that. Hang in there, we all empathize.

Hi sweetie, I too love your posts because you are able to be so candid and honest with yourself and us about your deepest fears, and thoughts. I think many of us wish we could be as insightful and analytical as you. I think as you get older you develop defense mechanisms that shield us from our basic reactions to events and people. You seem to be able to feel it, react to it and then learn from it. I do think many of us can relate to feeling that others are judging us for taking the easy way out when in fact we know that this decision took a lot of commitment, courange and personal strength. Hang in there we all love reading your posts.

Hi Hollie, I did read another one of your posts, but I forgot if you said you counted calories or carbs or protein. How many calories did they say you could consume in a day? Do you work out? Hey how are things going with your boyfriend? You forgot to update us on that.

Hey Hollie, I love your enthusiasm and aliveness. You have such a childlike curiosity about life that is so endearing. I was wondering how much fill you have in your band and what size is your band. I think you have done great with your weight loss and I also think it is great that the medical establishment is doing a study on wls for younger girls to save them the health problems and heartaches of obesity. Did the study monitor your progress every step of the way? Please tell us about your fill history. Did the kids at school resent your transformation or were they glad for you? I think about telling other people it is probably best to wait and see if they say "You look wonderful, How did you do it, I would love to lose weight." Then you tell them.

Hey Rosy, As you can see we are all anxiously waiting to hear how you are doing. Thanks Kat 817 for all of the great information on the band, ports, and fills. Very informative and you weight loss is so encouraging it is certainly amazing that you got to your perfect fill spot on just 2 fills. Good for you. Did you use a different doctor than your original surgeon and how did you find him? He sounds great. I think we are all rooting for Rosy because we have all been at the mercy of some sexist doctor. I'm finding that with most medical care we all have to be our own advocates and sometimes be very assertive. I have gotten a lot of courage from the great people on these threads.

This is a great thread, thanks for posting it . I too have had 2 fills and I haven't lost a single pound. Of course I am discouraged and embarrassed to explain to the 3 friends who know, what is going on. Now I can have them read this thread. When I went to get my 2nd fill I asked the receptionist and the nurse who did the fill what is going on and they both said the same thing everyone on this thread has said. "Don't worry, once you get the proper restriction you will start losing weight." Some people get there in one fill and some people don't get there for 5 fills. I do agree that you could ask for a more aggressive fill, just make sure you wait at the office and drink several glasses of water before you leave to make sure you don't have too much fill. Hang it there, we are all in the same boat with a tiny paddle.

A nurse does my fill and she has me do a little crunch to locate my port. One time she numbed the skin and one time she didn't. It actually hurt more to get the numbing. Then she has me drink water to see how that feels. Last time I starting sliming just with the water so I had her take some out. Can't they do a fluroscopy to study your actual anatomy while you drink to see what is going on. I have found that patients have to be their own advocates and speak up espescially with this proceedure. You might have to be more agressive with this issue. Please keep us posted.

Hey sweetie, I agree that you should get another fill to motivate you. It sounds like you can eat too much at this point. You said your final fill--according to who? Did your doctor say this was your final fill or doesn't your band hold anymore. Keep reading these threads as many people have your similar problem. I think we all deal with the problem of using will power balanced with band power. When you stall with weight loss it seems like its time for a doctor visit. He wants you to succeed too.

Hi Hollie, I have read many of your posts and I admire your spunk! You fought for your surgery and got yourself into a study that paid for your medical expenses now you need to fight for your independence. I agree that you should keep a supportive friend but it sounds like you are giving 110 percent and he is taking 100 percent. Honestly it sounds a little co-dependent with this person. As a high school teacher I think you seem incredibly mature for your age and I am sure you will make the the right decision. College is not just a whole lot of fun, it is a whole lot of work and studying. You will need all of your energy to graduate. Best of luck and keep us posted on your progress. You may only be 18 but you sound like you have the responsibilities of a 30 year old.

I understand your concern. I went for my 2nd fill on Aug 20th and I had not lost a single pound so they were fine about giving me a fill. But I do believe the patient should have a say in whether they get a fill or not. Someone on the threads said her doctor was banded and he was very agressive about the fills because he knows how hard it is if you are relying on will power alone. One woman on the threads took her husband in with her to explain that she needed a fill. I also told my fill nurse that they are all discussed BY NAME on the internet's different websites. She was very interested and I said that was why some people didn't like Dr. Brown. I think when doctors and nurses know they are being reviewed on line they may be more helpful in trying to please the consumer within safety standards. I have no problem with telling the nurses what people like and don't like about their office. Good luck--we are all rooting for you success.

Hi sweetie, I feel for you. I would rely on your husband for your support and then when your family sees the results then you can tell them and hopefully they will be supportive. I told only 3 people that I thought would be supportive. One of them was good at the outset and then she became competitive and angry and now she won't even speak one word about it. I have come to completely avoid her. I agree you need to do this for you and I'm sure its not like you haven't tried countless times in the past to lose weight. Your family may be your family but they may be too worried about the risks to see the enormous benefits. I say do it for yourself and keep it to yourself.

Jodi said it really well and I second everything she said. I will also say that many people have said that it takes 3 or 4 fill to really lose the cravings. Something about the appetite receptors in that sector of the stomach. Actually my doctor said that too. I love sweets too but it is like an alcoholic, you can't have one drink. Even starch can signal a binge like Jodi said. Good luck and I haven't lost any weight and in fact gained back my pre-op fast weight loss too. We will get there.

Hi vk, I hope you are feeling better today. I too went for a fill yesterday. My2nd fill. First fill of 3.4 , she put in 2.2 and I tried to drink water. I stood in the waiting room trying to drink water. I kept sliming and burping and not feeling good. I told the receptionist I needed some out and she told the fill nurse. The nurse was really nice and took out .6 which put me at 5.0cc in a 10 band. I instantly felt better. My doctor will only fill you once a month. I asked why and the nurse said because of inflamation a irritation. Since you are self pay could you just wait 3 to 4 weeks before your next fill so any irritation can subide. I know you are anxious to lose weight. I have not lost a single pound since the surgery including the pre-op fast (I gained that weight back). I, of course, spoke to the nurse about this lack of weight lose and she said "don't worry" it will happen but you need to be patient. I hope you feel better that is the worst feeling, but you did the right thing by having some of it taken out. Like Fanny said "When in doubt, take it out". Read that thread, it is very similar to you experience.

Hi Noahsmomm, You didn't say how much weight you've lost. It seems the doctors go by that. If you've lost an average of 1-2lbs a week then you are okay if not then it is time for a fill. It sounds like your doctor is very aggressive. Most doctors only give fills once a month after the first 6 weeks of healing. It sounds like you are feeling what you are supposed to be feeling. I was banded June 23rd and have had one fill of 3.4 in a 10 band. I have not lost a single pound. I am trying like crazy not to get discouraged but last night my partner told me this was all a waste of time, money and emotional energy. Yikes!!! I am going in for another fill today at 2:15 so wish me luck.

I always love to hear from HeatherO, she has such insights. As to your question, my doctor said the placement of the band affects a certain hormone in your stomach (gherlin?) that affect satiation. The signal that tells you have had enough at Thanksgiving dinner and you are satisfied. He said most people without the band have to eat at lot to get that signal and banded people are helped by the high placement of the band. You might want to research this hormone. Stay encouraged!!