melaniematters

It's one year since I was banded. I've lost 54lb (25kg) I have about 20 lb to go. I'm happier and healthier than I've been in years. Love my band - it's not easy but a hell of a lot easier than doing it on my own. I would like to have lost in faster and to have lost 70lb in the first year but hey, this is so much better than where I was a year ago.

This is sad - my fills are included in my banding price and I've only had fills, no unfills. I'm so happy with my band. Surely you need to see a specialist and get it sorted so you can reap benefits of the investment in your self? Mel

It's been a long long time (Jan) since I checked in and it's great o see your progress. Some people are stalling and certainly for us all it appears the weight loss is slowing, especially for those of us on the final 20-30lb. I've been keeping my blog updated all year but overall things have been terrific. It's only 7 weeks until the bandiversary but I see this journey as starting on the day I started Optiyuk 17th July 2008. I've lost 53lb since then (24kg) and feel like a new woman. Funniest thing is the smaller I become the more visible to the world I am! Take care, all. Melanie:thumbup:

Quote: Originally Posted by Mommy 13 Hi Ladies, just wanted to check in and tell all to have a great holiday. Went to the doc. today and he would not give me a fill due to a 15 pound lose in the last month. I know I should be happy about the lost, but I tried telling him that the lose is due to my hard work, working out seven day a week and not because I have restriction. I am so starving at night and find it harder and harder to resist snacking. Now I don't go back until after Christmas and I am nervous about all the food during the holidays. Anyone got a game plan for food at family gathering? I'd go back to the doctor and demand a fill - take a diary of what your eating and how much exercise you're doing. show him/her you can eat more than a cup of food.

You look great - I've put my progress pics on my blog pages. Feel free to visit to take a look. I feel great.

Hi there, I've just found this thread - I've been banded 4 months and all is going great. My doctor said mushies after 5 days - all docs are different. I can't see any harm in having a few teaspoons of something really mushie - just so it won't go up a straw. I started mushies with soft buttery scrambled egg, mashed potato and gravy and a salmon patty. Hope that helps. You could always phone the surgery on Monday to check but after 12 days I think you'd be fine as long as you keep it to 1/4 cup max at first. Still, I'm not a medico so I'd hate for something to go wrong after this advice...

Ok, I'm more than curious. Where do I find info on the 5 day Pouch Test? I must admit that up until my last fill (I have 8.25 ml in an 11 ml band) I thought the problem might have been a stretched pouch. Since the last fill, I think it was just a matter of not having enough fill. As of this week I've hit "One-deland" - it's a fantastic feeling. But maybe I was lucky in that I only needed 34lb lost to get there! Still it's been nearly 15 years since I've been here and I feel I can achieve my goal.

Hi, I went to Dr Michael Crawford in Sydney and had the operation at Mater Hospital Crows Nest. It cost about $15000 of which my top cover health insurance covered $11000 - therefore $4000 out of pocket. My doctor bulk bills for fills and has unlimited no extra cost for follow ups. It's worth every cent. melanie:thumbup:

Hi everyone, just thought I'd drop in and see how the fellow butterflies are going and you're all doing great it seems - not always with problems but hey we're getting there. I've lost about 30 lb (14 kg) since mid July and feel so much better. I have 8.25mls in my 11ml band. I've had several fills 4ml - then 6 mls - then 7.5 ml and then 8.25 ml. It's a 400 km (250 mile) return drive per fill but I want to get to that sweet spot. have been having the heartburn since the last fill - hopefully it will settle soon. Melanie

My surgeon says that fills under a flouroscopy are a rort unless there is a specific problem. My fills are included in the surgery price but I'm bulkbilled by (Australian) medicare at each visit. Mel

Hi there All has gone well so far if a bit more slowly than I hoped. I'm keeping a pretty detailed journal on www.melaniematters.blogspot.com if you're interested. I now have 7.5ml in the band and think that's almost enough. Cheers Melanie

Hey congratulations. My first weight loss goal of 10 kg (22lb - we're metric down under!) was reached today. I was banded opn July 31 and I agree best thing I've done. Keep up the great work. It is work but lap banding is a great tool to make that work easier. Mel:thumbup:

How frustrating for you. My doctor said there were three cardinal rules to remember about judging whether one needed more fill: losing less than 1/2 kg (1lb) a week meals are getting too big (ie over 1 cup of food) snacking or "feeling starving" between meals He said the main thing to do is not to drink with the meals or for as long as possible afterwards. This is because the food goes "soupy" and passes through the band too quickly - this will slow weight loss. He said it was fine to drink up to the time you start eating. Maybe you need more fill? My doctor said that if the band is not working it's not because you're a failure etc, it's because the band is not adjusted correctly. He said all he asked was that his patients did not battle not losing weight alone but came back to him to discuss it and get a fill. He said to be alert for "fat thinking" - like "it's all my fault" - It's not. I hope this helps. Mel

Hi Orea Just a word of caution on the apple - I tried an apple yesterday and even thought I thought I didn't have much restriction (banded 31 July and first fill not until 11 Sept) I found the apple skin was causing pain - once I peeled the apple it was fine. I curious as to why you're on 4 weeks of mushies - I was eating non mush by the end of week 3 post op. I suppose we're all different with different bands and bodies and doctors. Good to hear you're well, Mel

My surgeon said that what's in the lower stomach is fine enough to pass back up through the band and generally there is not much sitting below the band at any time. I had quite violent vomiting in the 24 hours immediately post surgery and I was petrified my stitches or band would slip etc but all was fine. Melanie

That sounds so traumatic. Has the bleeding stopped? Do you need to get checked out again? Mel

I'll be watching for your next posts to see how you go. My first fill is on 9/11 and my doctor said I'd be getting 4cc in my 11 cc band. He said I may not feel much restriction afterwards but we have to take it slow. What does your band hold, do you know? I know at the moment, I'm could eat pretty much anything and any amount I wanted to - I was banded on 31 July. All the best to you post-fill. Mel

Hi all, love all the postings - my first fill is on 11 Sept in Sydney and i can't wait. The surgeon said he's put 4cc in an 11 cc band but that I shouldn't get too excited that I'll feel restriction. He said it's best to go slowly although it's frustrating to wait for the band to kick in. Trying hard to eat sensibly but getting too hungry at night especially. Drinking fluid helps a bit. I suppose we all have to hang in there. Melanie:confused_smile:

HI there, I also travel for work reasons and have to eat out etc. I'm struggling with the temptation to eat what I feel like rather than what I should eat i.e. healthy choices. At the moment, I'm generally taking the healthy route but I'm eating amounts that all that much less than I was pre-banding (which was 31 July). The restriction I had when first banded has all but gone and I can't wait to get first fill on 14th Sept. I find because i'm often on my own and ordering room service in the past I comfort ate - also there was no-one to see me "pig out" if I wanted to. I'm trying to delay much work travel until after the first fill and the band and I "bond" more. Melanie

HI there, I think the answer could be to increase your fluid intake at night. I have been struggling with picking and food urges and a fellow bandster reminded me that we should still be taking in 8 glasses of fluid a day at least. Perhaps drink more in the late afternoon before dinner and then, when you feel like picking try some lo-cal sweet cordial drink etc. The other thing that works for me is a stock cube in hot water if I'm seeking out the savoury flavours. Having a jug of suitable drink made up in the fridge so that when you start to hover looking for something to munch, it's easy to grab that drink instead. Hope that helps - I just know I confuse thirst with food urges.

HI there, I'm a fellow Aussie banded on 31st July. All going well. have you seen the Aussie bandsters thread? Also on my blog there are some link to some Aussie bandsters' blogs - one of the young women (around 20) started a facebook page for young Aussie bandsters - Skinny Biddy. The links are on my blog. All the best Melanie

My guidelines said try to keep to 1/2 a cup at each meal and to eat 6 small 1/2 meals a day if I'm getting hungry. I'm getting hungry and so I'm doing the 6 small meals. I could easily eat more than half a cup and I'm sure sometimes that I do. Stretching the new stomach pouch is the main issue I believe. For all our angsting over these issues I do note that most of us are on the downward trend re weightloss, albeit at various paces of loss. Well done to us!!!!

Can't see your blog address - can you please post again as I'd love to read it. thanks melanie

Apparently the docs use different types of bands and they have different qualities (according to my doc). I was prepared for 2 weeks of fluids (not clear) and then 2 weeks of mushies but to my joy I can start mushies, slowly introduced from Day 6. At the end of Day 4 post op I'm getting fluids down and I can drink around half a cup without feeling like I've swallowed a tennis ball. I think I'm kinda hungry but I'm unsure - could be just feeling like eating. Thanks for your messages of support on this forum. All the best, Melanie

Hey Has someone spammed your blog? I followed the link in your signature and it is all about cash loans - not lap band stuff at all? Melanie