Elisabethsew

Hi Bandedmama, Before I got the band, I lost over 200 pounds (diet and exercise) and then regained all but 100 pounds. I'm getting my first fill on Thursday and hope that I finally feel restriction. I read all the posts about people not being able to eat X or Y and feeling full after 1/2 cup of food and I wonder if the surgeon operated on me but forgot to put the damn band inside. Come here for support and psych yourself into the "losing" mode. Obesity is an addiction so you'll never be cured. The best we can do is never give up the battle and admit defeat. FIGHT BACK!

Yes, that is something you should worry about and you should consult a surgeon. There is a drug called URSO that is used to dissolve sludge and crystals that your MD could prescribe but, if that doesn't work, you would need surgical intervention.

I love people who are real and I needed the smiles that reading this thread brought. Thank you.

I'm going for my first fill on Thursday and am glad to know it's not painful and that some of you are feeling restriction. I am VERY eager to see what kind of results I get.

Three years ago I took a vacation to Ireland. I was VERY surprised that Ireland was running public interest advertisements on the increasing rates of obesity in that country and stressed the importance of NOT becoming an obese country like America. They didn't slam America... just pointed out what the future could be and the future was America.

You're feeling the tightening of the sutures as the edema subsides and the healing progresses. Try to take is slow and easy for the first 2-3 weeks.

I didn't read the thread in question so I can't comment.

Night binging and not remembering the events are associated with sleeping pills. I have not heard of anyone with your experiences but I sure do applaud your creativity in finding a workable solution. LOL.

There's nothing in the list that's harmful and if your kids love it, that's wonderful.

Hungry all the time? Are you getting in the required amount of calories and eating 3 meals a day? Are you getting in foods high in fiber and drinking plenty of water? Have you distinguished "physical" hunger from "emotional" hunger? Are you losing weight? If you've been having trouble for 5 months, you should speak with your MD and maybe have an EGD scheduled to make sure everything is OK. I have not heard anything about cutting nerves for hunger reduction.

You mentioned the hospital and surgeon's costs but make sure you find out if the anesthesiologist's bill is included in that deal. Most bill separately so you'll want to know that before you make any decisions. Also, find out the cost of fills. Welcome!

I would bet that ONE burger and fries is a lot LESS than you would have normally ordered so don't sweat an occasional deviation from the diet plan. I hope we BOTH achieve some level of restriction from fill #1 on Thursday. I'm a little nervous but that is nothing compared to my desire to actually FEEL like I did have surgery. LOL. Good luck on Thursday.

Hello fellow March bandsters. I had my surgery on March 30, lost 31 pounds so far, and am FINALLY getting my first fill on Thursday. I have not felt ANY restriction since 5 days post-op but my surgeon is a stickler for waiting a full 8 weeks before giving a first fill. It's been a struggle sticking to the diet but I'm making good choices. I hope to kick start the weight loss after the first fill and am like a kid anticipating Santa's arrival waiting for that fill. LOL. One person at work noticed I lost weight but I have a lot to lose and don't expect to have people notice yet. My clothes are fitting looser, I'm feeling better, and I'm motivated to be successful so that's all that matters now. Did anyone feel restriction with the first fill?

Most companies demand that 6 month medically supervised diet. Since you're diabetic, couldn't your MD write a letter stating that he/she has been medically supervising your weight loss attempts for X years? Welcome to the board!

The fast answer is "no" but the right answer depends on other factors such as co-morbidities (diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, heart problems, etc.). Insurance companies have a "general" guideline that you need to have a BMI of 40 with no co-morbidities or a BMI of 35 WITH co-morbidities to qualify for weight loss surgery in the United States. If you elect to self-pay (either in the U.S. or another country), the insurance constraints don't apply and you can find a surgeon to operate on you.

I was wondering if anyone has achieved a maximum fill? I have been reading about people who go for fill #3, #4, etc., but have not heard from anyone who is maximally filled . Also, for those who have "found" their ideal fill amount :clap2: , how long did you remain in that "zone" before the optimal restriction level began to wear off? Thank you in advance for your input. :biggrin1:

A disgruntled cook at the local bar and grill poisons your food. You suffer in agony for days until the poison eventually kills you. Hmmmmmmm... death by food! What was I thinking eating that crap at a bar and grill? LOL.

I'm amused by the posts that speculate whether or not a famous person has had weight loss surgery and, if so, what type. My opinion is, who cares? If he/she has decided to reduce their weight by opting for a surgical intervention, more power to him/her.

As long as you tolerated the food and did not have any pain afterwards, you likely didn't do any damage to the pouch. While I can eat ANYTHING and have felt no restriction, I purposely don't eat things like fast foods. I'm getting my first fill on Thursday and HOPE I will FINALLY feel SOME restriction. My surgeon told me it's fine to splurge on a burger on a RARE occasion but it pays to make healthier choices. The important thing is you spent time with your family, exercised while having fun, and suffered no repercusions from the fast food.

Just for the record, intubation does NOT involve the stomach at all. Intubation is an artificial airway that is inserted to help a patient breathe. It is positioned in the trachea, just above the point where the respiratory system branches out to the left and right lungs. Do not intubate (DNI) is associated with do not resusitate (DNR) and the only time the medical community pays any attention to DNI/DNR is when it's written on a legal document. Alert bracelets are NOT advance directives and should only serve to do what they say, alert people of an allergy, illness, device, etc.

"Fat-burning" as described by this MD is putting the body in a state of ketosis. This is NOT healthy and is especially dangerous for any people with kidney problems/disease. I'd be interested to see how many patients actually KEEP the weight off.

I'm getting my first fill on 5/25 and plan to do everything I can to remain a PB virgin. Still, it's good to hear your experience was not too awful.

I chose my goal weight based on what my surgeon said I should weigh from insurance height/weight charts. I am FAR away from my ultimate goal and now just set mini goals of 10 pounds. When will I know I have reached the ideal weight for me? When I look in the mirror and like what I see reflecting back at me.

I'm glad you got some answers from your MD. I had my gallbladder out a few years ago and never had a problem with reflux from that surgery.

My deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. Take the time you need to heal. Congratulations on a WONDERFUL milestone.