Elisabethsew

The size band that you have has nothing to do with your weight and everything to do with your anatomy. There is no way to predict, until the surgeon actually views the organs, what size band you will come out of the OR with. Unfortunately, there is no set amount for a first fill. It really depends on the preference and experiences of the MD. Also, some people don't feel the results of a fill for up to 2 weeks after getting it. Obviously, bigger bands hold more saline so someone with a 4 cc capacity might start with 1 cc for a fill while a patient with a larger capacity might get 2-3 cc's. It might take a few fills but eventually you will fill restriction.

What size band do you have and how often does your surgeon allow fills to be scheduled? I felt the same way you did and did not feel restriction until I had the third fill. Like you, I lost weight DESPITE the band and could not relate to people who wrote about how wonderful the band was and how little they could eat. I now have some restriction but it's still not to the point where it needs to be. The last fill I only received 0.3 cc and the next fill was scheduled for 6 weeks later so that's not until 10/18. When you go in for your first fill make sure you share how you're feeling and your concerns with the staff. Hang in there... better days are coming.

Congratulations on making your 6 month goal. I have until 9/30 to hit my 6 month mark and have my official weigh-in on the 29th.

The gas and stomach noises are all part of the banding. LOL. You'll eventually get used to it. As far as the pizza goes, you likely did not chew it well enough and that caused your discomfort. You'll have more of these episodes but they rarely damage the band which is securely sutured to muscle. Welcome!

I believe Price Club (Cosco) offers low Rx costs as well.

I find killing people with kindness shocks them. For example, when someone gives me the "finger" in a car, I wave and smile. They assume I know them so they must know me and usually give a nervous wave back. When I hold the door for someone or move out of the way and they don't say "thank you" I say "you're so very welcome." That usually snaps them back to reality and they say, "thanks" and scurry away. Clearly, this man on the scooter was a miserable person. I would have replied, "why thank you for that information and you have a wonderful day." I refuse to stoop to the level of imbeciles.

Can you give more details? Are you having a lot of side-effects?

Why not be honest? He clearly likes you for who you are and not what you weigh so don't you think he would be supportive of your efforts to lead a healthy life? Tell him the truth.

You look wonderful! I wish you a life time of happiness.

If you're vomiting on a nightly basis, you're too tight and need an unfill. Instead of eliminating all the foods you want to have but can't have, why not make a meal plan that allows some of those foods into your diet? I love pretzels so I buy the 100 calorie packs rather than "eyeing" what I think 100 calories will be. If you look at life with the band as an "all or nothing" lifestyle, you're doomed to failure. If your surgeon has a dietician, make an appointment to see him/her to assist in planning healthy but enjoyable meals.

There is no way to know ahead of time how your recovery will be. Some people require longer amounts of time. If you think you'll be uncomfortable at your job, ask for a few more days off. I needed a full week off and felt very tired for nearly two weeks.

I thought my gallbladder surgery was a piece of cake compared to the lapband surgery and was out planting flowers 3 days post-op. Be advised that for any abdominal surgery (regardless of surgical approach), no heavy lifting (> 25 pounds) is advised for 6 weeks. Good luck to you!

Dress Barn has some larger sizes and I love Catherines. If you can't find a store near you, you can shop online.

I don't think fill levels matter either. What does matter is losing the weight and my question was related to frequency of fills and not amounts. I have the largest band but my fills have not been aggresive and occur about every 6-7 weeks. The band is a tool but the tool needs to be sharpened in order to work. While I have some small amount of restriction, it's clear that I need more fluid to make the tool work as is was intended. I think more frequent fills would, for me, be more effective than a set fill schedule.

Congratulations on getting approval and welcome!

LOL, a punch in the face would serve him right. I think being fat makes you a lot more tolerant of people because you know first hand the pain of hurtful remarks directed at you because of your weight. I was always a good friend to this man but yes, he's only interested if you look like a trophy and that's a role I will never play. So, I am distancing myself from him and not allowing myself to be used by him or others. I happen to be a gourmet cook and an even better baker and prepared him dinner for his birthday 3 weeks ago. What he doesn't know is that it's the last dinner I will ever prepare for him. My self-esteem has always been high in every aspect of my life except personal relationships with men. I now realize I am worthy of a wonderful relationship with a man who loves me for me... inside and out. If I find that man, great. If not, I don't need a man to complete me.

Happy Birthday and good luck with the consults.

You can't tolerate solid protein.

When I went from 440 pounds to 195 pounds, MANY men were showing an interest. One of those men I was close with. As a regained weight, he got more and more distant and now that I'm losing again, he suddenly calling more. Well, there are no guarantees that I will get to goal or stay at goal so he is no longer someone I would consider a relationship with.

Dr. Geiss was my surgeon and I am also an RN who has known and worked with him for 20+ years. He's done well over 1000 lapbanding surgeries and has excellent stats. You need to call the office and tell the staff that you completed all the pre-op requirements. They will then give your chart to a PA for review. The PA signs off on the chart that day or the next day and you're given a surgery date... 4-6 weeks after all requirements are done. Let me know if you have any specific questions.

I am a BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) instructor as well as an RN so I know the answer to this one. Normally, the Heimlich Maneuver is performed about an inch or two above the navel. You place the thumb side of a closed fist in that position and cup the fisted hand with the other hand. Forceful upward thrusts are given until the food is expelled or the person becomes unresponsive. For people who are morbidly obese or for pregnant women, you do the Heimlich Maneuver in the upper part of the mid-chest on the upper half of the breast bone. For people who have chemoports, mediports, lapband ports, etc., the same rules apply. If you're able to get your arms around the person and can do the thrusts just above the navel... go for it. No damage results to port devices.

The hormone levels in BC pills are a lot less than were once prescribed. I did 5 straight years of BC pills and did not gain weight on them.

I think it's a mistake for people to say that a person who choses to keep the surgery private is ashamed of the band. I am one of those people who does not tolerate chicken but I can eat out with friends without a problem. I tested what solid foods I tolerate and what ones I don't and I stay away from those foods. Having been obese my entire life, I chose not to share my surgery. My real friends give me unconditional emotional support and I am able to gracefully leave the table if I need to get to the bathroom because a food is stuck. The bottom line is you have to do what's right for YOU. Listen to your gut feelings and go with them. Don't let anyone elses experiences influence you.

I'm sorry to hear about your husband's lack of support. Welcome to the forum, you'll find a lot of good info. here.

Thank you for posting that, TOM. I was at home watching TV when I saw the planes hit the towers. About 15 minutes later, my phone rang and it was the hospital I work for mobilizing a disaster response team. We are a Level 1 Trauma Center and expected a large number of casualities. I never took any note of living on an Island (Long Island) until 9/11/01. The trains shut down, the airports shut down and the only people being allowed to commute were health care workers and other service workers. All others were turned back. We waited for hours and then word came that there would be no need for the disaster response team. Casualties were minimal because death rates were sky high. The team slowly broke up and returned to work or home. I began vacation that day. With the disaster called off, I decided to go forward with my plans to go to Newport, Rhode Island. The only way off Long Island was by ferry so I drove to Port Jefferson and was shocked to see miles long lines to get on the ferry. People can say whatever they want about New Yorkers but we sure do ban together when it's called for. I was with a friend but noticed that many of the cars had only one driver. It was a sunny but very warm day and each hour the line moved as 90 cars made it onto the ferry. I decided to walk to the hospital (about 1/2 mile) and I bought 2 dozen filled water bottles and a bunch of candy and snacks. As I walked back to my friend and the car, I stopped along the line of cars to see if any elderly, diabetic, small children, etc. were in need of water or food. After I reached my car, I noticed other people offering donuts car to car with small children tagging along and knocking on car doors to "give away" a cookie or a donut. On my fifth hour on line, I noticed people from the local McDonald's were going car to car and taking orders for dinner. They were delivering the food to the cars at no charge. People in the area opened their homes so those of us on line could use the bathroom or call a loved one. The day was tragic but I never felt so good about being a native New Yorker as I did that day.