kiz

Hello, Pezo, and welcome to LBT. Last June, I had the same experience as you. I came on this board and found a different surgical group. I went to their seminar a week later, and was pleasantly surprised that not all seminars are created equal. The second surgical group was much more band friendly, and I felt that I would have the support I needed from them. I'm now two months out from surgery and have lost almost 30 lbs. Good luck to you.

I have a close friend who has an overfill in the Vanguard Lap Band. I think it's 1cc over, and she still has very little restriction. She got the band October 2007, and she's only lost 25 lbs. I don't know if it could be the band placement, the size of the band, or what could have caused this problem for her. She's considering having gastric bypass surgery at this point.

Congratulations on your band. The Realize band is supposed to be placed in empty, so that's normal. I had tight restriction for the first few weeks from swelling. After that, I had less restriction, but I was didn't have a problem with out of control hunger while only eating three 1/2 cup to 1 cup meals per day, heavy on protein with an added healthy, low/no cal snack. By the fourth week, I was feeling more hunger, and doctor had me substitute my snack with a high protein snack, such as tuna, egg, or Greek yogurt. That satisfied me, and I had my first fill at six weeks out. Two weeks later, I had another fill. The second fill was just a few days ago, so I'm still on liquids, but I can definitely tell I have more restriction. It's still not to the level I had the first week out of surgery, but I'm not sure that I'd want to be that tight on a full-time basis.

I was self-pay too, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My doctor said his self-pay patients are his most motivated. We have one year of free fills and then they're $200/fill. He gives aggressive fills, and I can tell that with my second fill, I'm going to have good restriction for at least awhile. I also know that once I reach my goal weight, I'll have my band as tool to help me maintain my weight loss.

I had my first fill two weeks ago, and although I it has helped me with hunger, I have to stop myself from eating more than 1 cup of food. I could easily eat more if I let myself. I don't have to eat slow or take small bites, and I'm getting hungry within a couple of hours, so I know I have room for more restriction. I'm self-pay with one year's free fills, so I'm getting another one today. My and my doctor's plan is to get me to goal within the first year. So, rather than waiting four weeks for my second fill, I'll be going in today.

I chose the Realize Band. My doctor doesn't recommend one over the other, so it was totally my decision. He had samples of both bands, and when I compared them side by side, I didn't have to second guess my decision. My doctor has preformed hundreds of lap band surgeries, and if one actually helped his patients lose weight faster, it would be in his best interest to recommend it, so I do believe that I could be equally successful with either band. What I liked about the Realize Band was the size and shape of the port and how it attached to the muscle wall with metal anchors, so hopefully it will be more comfortable in the long run and have less chance to flip. I also found the pillow system on the Realize Band to be superior for my needs. The pillows were softer, and with the low pressure, I felt it would be less likely to erode or to cause slippage. I really wouldn't fret too much over the which band to use though, because they preform the same function.

I asked my doctor about my port at my first post-op appointment. While I was laying down on the exam table, he had me put my right hand behind my neck, and raise my head and shoulders slightly off the table. With my left hand, I felt just above my port incision, and I could feel the port.

I rarely have a protein shake. I usually eat a bowl of Quakers Weight Control Oatmeal in the morning with a half of scoop of protein powder added to help boost my protein intake though.

Some of the protein shakes have added Benefiber (Boost and Carnation Instant Breakfast, for example). I use Benefiber, now that I'm on a regular diet, because I can't get nearly the amount of fiber that is recommended.

Ketosis: What is Ketosis? Is Ketosis Dangerous? How to Detect Ketosis Yes, it's pretty normal if you're eating/drinking a low carb diet. I had a metalic taste in my mouth, but the bad breath pretty much went away after a couple of days for me.

Marcie, from reading lots of posts, this is normal, because you have very little restriction. I had my first fill yesterday, six weeks after surgery, but I was pretty lucky that I didn't go through "bandster's hell". If you search that term on the forum, I'm sure you'll find many/most bandsters experience it. What really helped me was making sure I had Protein at every meal. I rarely drank shakes as replacement meals. I measured most of my meals and stayed between 1/2 and 1 cup per meal. I had three meals/day, and a 1/2 cup snack that consisted of a high protein food (tuna, Beans, Greek yogurt). I'll see how it goes now that I've had a fill, and I should replace the higher calorie protein snack with something like a sf Jello, which is on my diet. Of course, your doctor may have completely different diet recommendations. I also added cardio exercise at around 3 weeks. As soon as your doctor okay's it, I think it was really helpful, at least for me. Also, I made sure I got in all my Water and non-calorie liquids. A lot of times that alone did the trick to tie me over until my next meal.

I was restricted from driving until 24 hours after I last took a narcotic pain reliever. My surgery was on a Thursday, and I drove the following Monday.

I had my first fill today. My schedule is two days of full liquids (which will end up being a day and a half), two days of mushies, and then a regular diet.

I agree with Misty. Go with the recommendations from your doctor/dietitian. I measure my meals. I get my first fill tomorrow, so I now I can probably eat pretty normally. I measure and keep my meals, and stay between 1/2 to 1 cup, plus one snack. For satiety, I make my snack a protein snack, like Greek yogurt or tuna.

If you wear glasses, we were told to bring a hard case. I didn't need a pillow for the ride home, but I didn't have too long a drive (well, ride). I wore a big t-shirt, so I didn't have to wear my bra home, sweat pants, and slip on shoes. That was all for me.

I had my surgery almost a month ahead of you, but within the past couple of weeks (I'm sure that's because all the swelling had gone away), I could eat more than the 1/2 cup my doctor recommended. Only a few times, have I eaten more than the 1/2 cup, but less than a cup. I don't want to have any band issues down the road, due to my negligence. At my last appointment, I asked the nurse practitioner about this too. She said that, basically, I'm completely open, so mostly my food is going straight through. She said to make my snack, (my meal plan allows for one), a high Protein snack to help me stay full throughout the day, and to try to keep my meals around 1/2 cup, but up to one cup would be fine. I know my maintenance diet, when unfilled, allows for 1 cup meals, so I think that's kind of where I am now. I'm mostly sticking with 1/2 cup now that I've revved up my snack from something like a sf Jello to something with more substance. I feel very lucky that I'm not too hungry yet. Drinking LOTS of Water and other no cal liquids, eating my protein first, and adding the high protein snack seems to be doing the trick. I'm still losing, so I scheduled my fill for a couple of weeks from now.

I followed these instructions. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Thanks, HarleyNana, for the congrats. I'm finding the band is helping me attack this weight in a healthy manner: healthy food choices, smaller portions, and exercise. It's not that I couldn't do this without the band, but not having constant hunger, while trying to lose or even maintain, is such a gift. About the hubby, we're still negotiating my worth. lol

terilynn, I'm so sorry your precious little one is facing this, and I know it's going to be very hard on you. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Sue, that's GREAT news!!! I'm so happy for you. Don't be embarrassed about the weight gain. If we could control our weight on our own, I'm just sure none of us would be having surgery. I know I wouldn't have spent $13,500 out of pocket either.

That's great to know luluc. I know from family members who are have used the both the liquid and the pills, that they strongly recommend the pills. I'm glad to know that when time comes for me, that I have the option, with the approval of my doctor. Abby thanks for your advice too. It's very helpful.

I know the pills are supposed to be much better than the liquid stuff, but are they small enough for the band. By the time I need a colonoscopy, I shouldn't have much if any fill in my band. Even though I'm a few years away from needing the test, this has crossed my mind. Have you taken the pills, since you were banded, luluc? Did you have to crush them or anything? ~Thanks

Cleo's mom, I can hear your hunger pangs! yikes My schedule: Day of surgery, clear liquids. Week one, full liquids. Weeks 2 & 3 mushies. Week 4+ regular foods.

Hi Stormy, and welcome to LBT. I've gotten so much invaluable info here. There's so many questions that come up, and you can't always ask your doctor. This is such a great resource. My first mushy was egg salad (which was really just a smashed egg with a bit of mustard, ff salad dressing, and pepper), but I savored every bite. I'll never have an egg that tastes so good again. lol

Hi Jet, and welcome to LBT. Have you met with your doctor's nutritionist, or do you have an appointment pending? I had very detailed lists of what I needed to have on hand pre and post op. Doctors vary widely on their dietary requirements. I'd be happy to let you know what my diet entailed, but chances are it would be completely different from your doctor would recommend.