HilaryInRC

I have noticed a lot of anger from bandsters who don't get the whole story and feel "duped" as one bandster recently posted. People do need to hear the good, bad, and ugly to make an informed decision about the band. If people get scared about what the reality of living with the band is like, they might need to choose a surgery that is better suited to their needs. That being said, I think you have a very good point about not wanting to scare the Newbies. Ultimately, getting the weight off and being healthy is more important than fear of puking. Newbies might be scared and not realize that, they might get overwhelmed, they might not have any surgery at all. So, I pulled the post down. I think there is probably a better way for me to share the realities of band life. Although, I did get a few chuckles writing it all out. No harm, no foul. Let's shake hands Jenc87 and move on. I look forward to seeing you around the forums. :-)

Down 45 lbs! Congratulations and keep up the good work! What size of band do you have?

Cheryl, You are right. It isn't about being full. I used full interchangeably with not being hungry. So, what I should have said up there was 2 cups keeps me from having a hungry stomach for 2.5 to 4 hours. Being "full" to me means something different than it probably means to new bandsters or people without the band. Full used to be wow, I can't eat another bit. Full to me means I am satisfied and satiated, could take more bites, but don't need/want to. I've had the band so long now that I sometimes forget what other people think full is! -Hilary

Thanks! That is good to know!

Nykee, You are too tight, which of course you already know. If you get a an unfill (not a complete one, just take out a cc or two) you will probably feel better. Lots of people get unfills and don't gain all the weight back. -Hilary

Sorry guys. Apparently the original post wasn't appreciated by a member. So, I deleted it in the only way I could figure out. It was a comical take on lap band struggles.

I'm going in for my first fill in a year on Wednesday. I'm pretty underfilled at the moment. Right now if I eat 2 cups it keeps me full for about 2.5 to 4 hours depending on the protein content. Any less doesn't last me very long at all!

I'm curious as to how many hours we should be able to go without feeling hungry if we only eat 1 cup of food. Does anyone have the answer?

Mathematically there is an average. Yes, I understand that every one is different. And average may not be the sweet spot for me. But, I want to know about where people are in their 10 cc bands when they hit the sweet spot. To me this is both valuable information and a curiosity.

OMG, girl. I seriously laughed out loud when I read that sentence. "That horrible feeling is called restriction." Anyway, I had restriction at one point. And, it did feel bad. And I thought it wasn't supposed to be like that, so I had my nurse give me quite a bit unfill. I've had two baby fills since then. And, I've come to realize that being able to eat all foods in whatever quantity I want just isn't right. I've also come to realize that preemptively eating a larger meal than I'm supposed to so I won't get hungry 2.5 hours later is definitely not right.

Can you tell me, at the 4 month period after your 4th fill, how far filled up was your band and how many ccs does your band hold? I'm trying to figure out what the average sweet spot is for a 10cc band. I know it varies, but there has to be an average...at least mathematically speaking. Thanks! -Hilary

You have some great ideas here. I absolutely agree with you about deprivation being bad. For me, feeling deprived leads me to binging on sugar/carbs/high fat foods. The 30/30/30/10 plan seems actually like a modified Zone diet. Apparently I've done too many diets if I can recognize that!!! So, here is a tangent. Your 30% fat part reminds me that I have gone through phases where I've completely shunned fats and also completely embraced them. On a recent diet I was eating a majority of calories from fat (like over 50%) and the rest pretty much from protein and a tiny bit of veggies. It was a low carb kind of thing. Anyway, I didn't lose any weight, but my blood sugar was so stable and I never felt hungry. My meals were satisfying. I guess fat does that. Now, I'm trying to find a happy medium with fat. Some things I do fat free and some things I do low fat or even full fat. The truth for me is that fat is filling and satiating. Okay, tangent is over. Another thing I want to point out is that in the past week I've lost almost 2.5 lbs. That is totally unheard of for me!!!! I was working my weight watchers as usual and I decided to try following on of the band rules (for a change, I'm sooo bad - insert smack on wrist). I focused on protein and set a goal of eating at least 80 grams a day. Well, the weight fell off! I think it is just that protein is so filling for me that it keeps me fuller longer than carbs. Right now shrimp is my go-to food. But, I do that with go-to foods. I find a food that I really like and then eat is a lot and then burn out on it. I guess I never really was any good at moderation.

Oh my gosh, you are so funny. With all of the conflicting information, sometimes I feel like I did get my brain banded! Has anyone ever considered 80/20? For example, if I eat 1,000 calories, 800 of them have to be high nutrient value foods like protein/veggie/fruit and 200 can be junk like english muffin/tortilla chips/sugar free pudding/diet soda. This is a very popular approach in some non-banded Paleo/Primal circles.

Oh, one thing I want to mention. There are a lot of things I have forgotten over the years, a lot of things I've done wrong, and a lot I didn't know. I've started watching BandedWendy videos on www.youtube.com and have found them extremely helpful. Those of us getting back on track might want to take a look at them. They are pretty inspirational too.

I tried the 5 day pouch test. It didn't do anything for me. But, if I am too loose, doing just liquids is like torture. At least in my opinion. I was sooo hungry. Even on soft and mushies, dang I was hungry. But, it seems to work for some people. Give it a shot. It is only 5 days. What can it hurt?

Hi NeenBand, I understand you concerns. If you are worried about infection, perhaps your doctor can prescribe you some antibiotics to take before you have surgery just in case. Also, it is still probably a good idea to clue your anesthesiologist in on the issues you have had in the past. I am severely allergic to asprin/advil/all NSAIDs and before I go under the knife I always talk to the ansethesiologist I know that people who had the band 10 years ago were getting the 4cc band. A lot of people with the 4cc band had many complications. These complications seem to have diminished since Allergan went to the 10cc band (and there appears to be a 14cc band as well). I got the 10 cc band back in 2008. I am not sure how long the 10cc band has been around. So, you may want to see how long the 10cc band has been out and its success rates and not worry about what was happening a decade ago with the 4cc band. I also hear that back in the times of the 4cc band, the tubing was much shorter causing problems as well. Also, if you are going to get the Realize band, you might consider doing research on just that brand. One more thing to consider is that the US did not get approval to do the band as early as they did in Europe and Australia. So, if you are looking for results from a long time ago, check out European and Australian research. I have gone through times where I hated my band! I absolutely wanted to have it removed. But, I have passed through that phase and am giving it another shot (starting with a new fill on Wednesday). There were many misconceptions I had about the band because I didn't want to really hear about what it was going to be like, didn't do my research, and didn't have the facts repeated to me over and over by my health care professionals. I got very angry when my little bubble got popped. I am in no way saying that is your experience, I am just sharing mine. But, many people have been tremendously successful with the band. Have you ever watched BandedWendy posts on www.youtube.com? I recently discovered her and have leared so much from her, even though I've had my band for almost 5 years. BandedWendy got her band in March 2009. So, she is almost 4 years out. Let me tell you, she shows us what happened every step of the way and has maintained her goal weight successfully for 3 years. But, like you, I am curious to hear from old bandsters. In about 5 years, I will be one of them! In fact, when I go into the office for aftercare, when the practitioners talk to each other they remind one another that I have an older band. Jeesh, outdated already?!? All in all, you have to do what is right for you. I hope you make a decision you are comfortable with and feel good with whatever decision you choose. I'm rooting for you! I know you will be okay no matter what you decide.. Are you considering the sleeve or RNY if you don't get Realize? Also, and I in no way mean to offend, but have you considered talking to a weight loss therapist to see if your fear is mental (perhaps a fear of success?)? I'm just shooting in the dark here. Sometimes I think I purposefully sabotoge myself just when I am getting successful. -Hilary

NeenBand, I am allergic to certain medications used in anesthesia. I had complications after I had my appendix out way back in 1998. So, since then I have made it a priority to talk to my anesthesiologist before any surgery. If you tell your anesthesiologist of your concerns, he or she can use a different type of ansesthesia on you! I would schedule the surgery, but ask to speak to the ansesthesiologist before surgery. After you get all suited up in that funky gown and sock booties, but before they give the IV is a great time to talk to him! Best wishes, and let us know what you decide. -Hilary

Elcee, Right now I can eat just about anything I want. But, I'm going in for a fill next week and I want to be made much tighter. Can you please tell me, what foods are hard on the band and should be avoided? Are there any go-to foods that you have very frequently? -Hilary

Hello fellow bandsters, I have not done so well this past week. I have been eating too much. For me the night time eating is the worst! After dinner until bed all I want to do is eat! I always want fatty and sugary foods. Sometimes, I will even wake up in the middle of the night and eat. Other times I will wake up in the morning and there will be dishes in bed with me or food wrappers and I ate in my sleep and have no recollection. Sleep eating is super frustrating for me. I'm not sure why it happens. But, my mom says my grandpa also sleepwalks and eats in his sleep too. But, the few bites I take in the middle of the night isn't my biggest problem. It is the food I consciously put in my mouth that can be the problem. So, today is the start of a new week for me on Weight Watchers (because today is a weigh in day for me). Unfortunately, I had to miss my meeting today because of work, but I plan to go to the Saturday morning meeting. I have not gained, but I haven't lost either since the 9th. I am going to do better this week! I think it is interesting how sometimes I am really good at not eating and just being hungry all the time and dealing with it. All of the times I have lost weight, I just wasn't really eating much and I remember being sooooo hungry for just months on end. It is hard for me to talk myself into doing that again. I hope that if I get to the proper spot with fills that I will be able to not eat much and not be starving all the time too (and not throwing up...too much to ask for?). To me, feeling hungry is the worst. I've been reading the Beck Diet Solution and Dr. Beck says that we need to teach ourselves that hunger isn't an emergency. Well, I'm sorry Dr. Beck. Maybe hunger doesn't feel like an emergency to you, but it makes me down right panicky. I get confused and I can't focus and sometimes my blood sugar crashes out and I get shakey and light headed (although that doesn't happen very often). So, here are a few questions for you: 1) When you are losing, do you feel hungry all the time? 2) Does your hunger feel manageable? 3) What are your thoughts on dessert? I want it every night, but I feel like I need to break that habit. Should I have fruit instead or just go cold turkey? -Hilary

I understand. I had my band done in October of 2008. I lost some weight, gained it all back, lost again, gained again plus even more weight, and now I'm trying my hardest to lose...again. Sigh. Right now I'm at the exact same weight I was when I got the band in the first place (and I've recently lost 8 lbs). I have only had 4.something ccs in my 10 cc band. I have had trouble going tighter than that, but have come to realize now that I haven't been doing the right thing by my band. Being able to take huge bites of english muffin isn't right. I'm supposed to be taking small bites and possibly not even be able eat bread. And, tonight I was thinking that I would like to have pizza for dinner. I've been thinking about pizza for three weeks. So, I was working out how much I could have and how many points it would be (just joined weight watchers) and I decided I could have two slices of thin crust veggie. And I was thinking, that isn't going to be enough food. I'm going to need a salad too. Then I was like, (parden the profanity) "Jesus! I shouldn't be able to eat a salad and two slices of pizza at all, much less in 20 minutes for dinner!" (I decided to go with a salad and a few baked coconut shrimp instead). And, I decided that after a year of hiding from my surgeon, it is time to go in for a fill. I'm asking myself, what was the point of getting the band in the first place if I'm not going to use it? I didn't pay $16,000 out of pocket for this surgery to not use the tool I've been given. And, FYI, I have really been on a roller coaster with my band. At first I was expecting magic and efforless weight loss. Then, when I realized it wasn't just going to be easy peasy with no effort from me, I got really pissed (again, sorry about the language) and hated the band for a few years. Fairly recently I decided I wanted the darned thing removed and to see if my insurance would pay for bypass or the sleeve. And, thanks to this website and some of the wonderful people here in the forums, have very recently decided that I can't just hate the band when I haven't really given it a chance. I mean, I am pretty non-compliant with the band. So, I have joined weight watchers and am trying to do a daily 30-60 minute walk out in the desert (soft sand). I made an appointment for a fill today. My appointment is on the 27th. When I called the office, I was disappointed to learn that my long-time nurse I've been seeing doesn't work there anymore! :-( So, I now need to start over with someone new. I am a little disappointed, but maybe this is exactly what I need. A fresh beginning for me and with a fresh person to manage my care (same surgeon's office, just a new PA). I'm going to take a leap and get a moderate fill. I'm going to say I don't want a tiny one, but not a big one either. I want something that I will notice, but won't make me hate life i.e. slime and throw up all the time.

Subbie, I go in for my fill on February 27th too! We'll have to both post about how it goes. I was talking to my mom about dinner and we decided that instead of pizza we are going to have homemade baked coconut shrimp and a big salad with fresh straberries, mandarin oranges, jicama, and poppyseed dressing. That actually sounds way better to me than pizza. Maybe it is the weather. It is in the low 70s here and we are running round in skirts and short-sleeved shirts. Good for you about committing to exercise! I try to go for a 30-60 minute walk (in soft sand in the desert) every day. Plus, I am a substitute teacher for 6th and 8th grades. On weekdays I spend hours walking the classroom keeping the kids on task. I don't know how many calories I'm burning, but on the weight watchers ActiveLink tracker I get 4 points a day on weekdays after I meet my baseline activity goal. For right now, that is enough. I think I'm going to start taking some light handweights on my walks so I can do some curls and presses while I'm at it. Yeah, I'm dorky like that! LOL!

Csadoney, I understand where you are coming from. I was banded in 2008 and currently weight 203 lbs...the same weight I was banded at. Interestingly enough, that is a loss for me, as I was up to 211 at the beginning of January. I am working my weight watchers plan. Last week I did great with exercise, but not so great with eating. I just have to get the two coinciding at the same time! But, I've been thinking, "Wow, I sure am eating a lot for having the lap band." For example, tonight I'm planning out what I will have for dinner. I've been wanting pizza for 3 weeks, so I decided that tonight is the night. I'm going to have two slices of thin crust veggie pizza at our local pizzeria (far less greasy than the commercial chains). That is 10 points. A pretty point-y dinner for me. I was thinking to myself that I might need to have a salad with that. Then, I was like, "What the heck! I have the lap band. I should be eating like 1/2 a slice of pizza or something." Anyway, it is time to go in for a fill. Probably a pretty big one. I am somewhat afraid of fills because when I get hungry I take too big of bites and then everything gets stuck. I know, bad habits. Plus, I'm pretty sure I'll have issues with bread and beef as well. I love english muffins. :-( Anyway, I called and made an appointment for a fill. Well, my nurse that I've been seeing since 2008 doesn't work there anymore! She's been gone for over 6 months!!! Oh, it is sad. I felt like I could count on her, and I did for 4 years. I guess it is time to forge a relationship with someone else there. So, I'm seeing another guy there that I've known for a long time actually - since before I got the band. So, I guess my points are these: 1) I'm nervous to get a fill (I'm only at 4.something ccs in a 10 cc band), 2) I'm afraid I'll get in trouble for gaining so much weight, 3) I'm dreading the 3+ hour drive to Ventura. But, I'm proud of myself for scheduling the appointment even though I am nervous and scared.

I've been on and off meds for depression, anxiety, and bipolar (which I don't believe I have) for 16 years. I am finally at a place where I have been tapering down and quitting my meds. I strongly recommend that anyone on antidepressants read "The Antidepressant Solution" by Dr. Glenmullen. Even if you aren't trying to go off your meds, but are thinking about switching to new meds, this book has some really good info. Also, meds that most psychiatrists recommend that are weight neutral are welbutrin, topamax, latuda, and lamictal. Topamax can be added to your current anti-depressant to up its effectiveness. Many people lose weight on welbutrin and topamax. Changing SSRI's can cause strong withdrawal symptoms and SSRI's are addictive. Yes addictive! I didn't believe that until I read "The Antidepressant Solution." Be careful with what you choose to put in your body. Brain chemistry is a delicate thing. I have been having good success with high doses of fish oil to supplement my slowly tapered down dose of Celexa (And the various other meds I was on. I am down to just getting off Celexa now.). I take 7 Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega gelcaps a day. Yes, that is a lot, but it really is making a difference...and as an added benefit, it is good for your heart too! http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil-supplements/AN01399

Schampange - Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how it goes! Well, on January 3, 2013 I had my all time highest weight of 211 lbs. Today, February 4th, one month later, I weighed in again at my doctor's office on the same scale - 203.8! Woo hoo! That is over 7 lbs in one month!

Wow Aussie30! Congrats on your weight loss, goal setting, and follow through! Keep at it! I am half way through my 2nd week of weight watchers. I crashed and burned the first week and ate way too many points (too many high fat foods and too much snacking) and only ended up losing 0.6 lbs. But, this week I am getting things figured out and am staying within my daily alottment. Eating veggies with fat-free dip and making a big batch of individual fritattas baked in the oven in a muffin tin has been a big help. I've also tried some other WW recipes and they are pretty darn good! I'm thinking I'll have a bigger loss this week. Crossing my fingers.