2muchfun

2nd step towards skinny!

Awesome! Love to see the big weight loss. Wish we all could see such great results? tmf

For me, getting stuck every now and then is normal. Mostly it's because I get distracted by the TV, a conversation or I'm trying to eat while I'm still cooking/preparing other food. So, I eat too fast or don't chew enough. I don't see getting stuck a reason not to have a fill. I had one 10 days ago and I've had to re-focus on my eating routine. And the fill has made a big difference in how much it takes for me to feel full or satisfied. tmf

First time you've heard that a lot of banded people have experienced what? Lactose intolerance? Gas? I've read a lot of posts and I don't recall a combination like this before? Sounds like you might want to talk to your doc and definitely your nutritionist?

J Rob is right. For me, I was never in much pain. But I was hungover and traumatized by the anesthesia, meds and antibiotics they pumped into my body. I think I could have gone but I wouldn't want to hang for too long? tmf

Yes, any idea how this happened? Good to know so that we can all learn from this? I was banded on 11/28/11. tmf

Why did you wait 3.5 months to get a fill?

You might want to look at some youtube videos? Check out resistant band exercises for seniors, for handicapped and just lower body. You should be able to adapt some of these exercises to accommodate your temporary handicap? Also, if you're not weight bearing, consider some exercises using leg and ankle weights. They're fairly inexpensive at Walmart and Target? Again, check out the videos on youtube for the exercises. I'd keep the weights on the lower end and go for isometric and longer duration exercises if you're looking to keep your heart rate up. Increase the weight if you want to build muscle? tmf

I just posted this(see below) on another thread and seems like it might fit you as well? We're about 1 year apart in being banded: My experience was very similar to yours. I was banded a little over a year ago(11/28/11). I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. My band did seem to give me a sense of being full quicker than before surgery but I fought the hunger(Bandster Hell) every day. Then I got my 3rd fill at around my 4th month being banded and met with my nutritionist. The weight began to fall off after that. Relax, what you are experiencing is very normal and has happened to many of us. Seems like I was hungrier after the surgery than ever before. But, I was a good boy and ate healthy foods, but maybe not the 1/2 cup I was told to eat. Sounds like you could use another fill and I strongly urge you to speak to your nutritionist/dietician as soon as possible. She helped me so much. tmf

My experience was very similar to yours. I was banded a little over a year ago(11/28/11). I lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. My band did seem to give me a sense of being full quicker than before surgery but I fought the hunger(Bandster Hell) every day. Then I got my 3rd fill at around my 4th month being banded and met with my nutritionist. The weight began to fall off after that. Relax, what you are experiencing is very normal and has happened to many of us. Seems like I was hungrier after the surgery than ever before. But, I was a good boy and ate healthy foods, but maybe not the 1/2 cup I was told to eat. Sounds like you could use another fill and I strongly urge you to speak to your nutritionist/dietician as soon as possible. She helped me so much. tmf

Here's the video again. I seldom sip anymore but I do drink before and after a meal. The entire series is very helpful but if you go to about 6 minutes into this video you'll see why they think it's OK to sip now.

"Has anyone here felt there band was totally useless in the beginning and still gone on to lose lots of weight later?" It has nothing to do with what you feel or your emotions. I guess no one told you that this is how it usually goes with most all of us. Most successful and not so successful bandsters all experienced the bandster hell phase and some of us took up to 8 fills(adjustments) before we found the green zone. It took me 3 fills to find some restriction. You'll only lose your $15 grand if you give up now. tmf

There is no standard for the questions you ask? Your insurance will determine what you do next and how long it will take. Also, your doctor has a say in when you have surgery. If you go to a seminar and I suggest more than one, settle on one doc and then schedule an appointment. But first, make sure your insurance covers bariatric surgery? tmf

I can see the 1 CC part, but not giving you a fill if you lose 4 lbs or more is silly. If you've gained weight, it must be time to get another fill? Look into other docs for fills in your area? You may have to cough up some money out of your pocket to have someone else do your fills? Most docs won't take you in but I know here, in Denver, there is one doc who takes in clients from other bariatric centers. tmf

You'll be in "bandster hell" until you get the fill that gives you enough restriction for the band to work it's magic. That may be 1 fill or 6. No one knows. Till then, like our esteemed forum member B-52 says, "Until there's restriction...It's just another diet" tmf

Just got back from the doctor and had my 8th adjustment. Added .5 CC's this time. I asked my Doc if saline seeped out of the band, tubing or port over time because I've been able to eat most anything these last 2 months. He told me something that made a lot of sense. As time goes along, our stomachs acclimate to the band and adapt. The pouch becomes stronger and is able to massage that bolus of food through the stoma with more ease than it did before we reached the green zone. This makes sense to me. Likewise, if someone has been eating slider foods the pouch could weaken and have more difficulty massaging healthy solid food past the band? Therefore, the bandsters who come here and bemoan the fact they can only eat junk but can't eat solid food anymore would make sense. If you train your pouch to just allow slider food to pass right on through, expect it to put up a fuss when you give it real healthy solid food. jmo tmf

You'll be in "bandster hell" until you get the fill that gives you enough restriction for the band to work it's magic. That may be 1 fill or 6. No one knows. Till then, like our esteemed forum member B-52 says, " "Until there's restriction...It's just another diet" tmf

Another easy one is just ham with a smear of lite cream cheese rolled up. Add some veggies to it and it's a meal.

4 weeks for me.

Only a doctor can know and so sorry you may have a slip. Vomiting can cause that so they may deflate you completely for a while? tmf

I can't imagine any doctor would skip this procedure? How else would it stay in place?

That's unfortunate. Of course, you now know that dry chicken and turkey are not very compatible with the band unless it's in fingernail size portions 1 minute apart. And I guess some doctors bedside manner reflects how they parent too? My doctor is more on the nurturing side and I like that. If I make a mistake he seems to understand. After all, it's the patient population they chose and should be well aware of our weaknesses. Find a diet that you've had success with in the past and utilize it till you get a fill that gets you back to the green zone. It's so easy to fill up and be satisfied if you stick with lean meats, veggies, salads etc. I've found that I love Salmon more than ever now. I also cooked up some great red stuffed peppers. So easy and if you use a real low fat hamburger it's only about 300 calories per serving. Get involved with one of your favorite low cal recipe books and rediscover how good healthy food is again. And, see a nutritionist. tmf

Some doctors push hard on the port so that it doesn't move around and that can cause some bruising. tmf

Please fill in your profile so we know you better and can better advise you? It's so hard to comment if we don't know when you were banded? tmf

You're in "bandster hell". That's where your band opening(stoma) is still fairly wide open. So, until you get enough fills to find some restriciton, you're basially on a diet. Sorry, I wasn't told either and I was starving for 4 months till I got my 3rd fill. Work with it and try to eat very healthy foods in this time. Just don't eat junk. tmf