Band_Groupie

*Post Deleted for Lap Band Book

First fill- 3cc's and can't notice anything yet, but I'm on liquids for 2 days...off to post on "first fills" thread...

I know I read this somewhere months ago and now I can't find it...How many cc's does it take just to fill the Port and the Tubing in the Lap Band APS (standard/small 10cc band)? I just got my first fill (0 fill at surgery) of 3cc's and I'm wondering how much of that actually made it to the Band. Thanks!

I'm going for my first fill this morning and wanted to celebrate...Here's hoping my Doc isn't late (thus the verse is fitting) for my appointment again! Sing to the tune of (play it as you read- Click here): Why do you fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up, baby just to let me down (Let me down) And mess me around And then worst of all (Worst of all) You never fill, baby When you say you will (Say you will) But I love you still I need you (I need you) More than anyone darlin' You know that I have from the start So fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up Don't break my heart ”I'll be over at ten”, You told me time and again But you're late, I wait around and then (bah-da-dah) I run to the door I can't take any more It's not you, You let me down again (hey, hey, hey) Baby, Baby, try to find (hey, hey, hey) a little time, And I'll make you happy (hey, hey, hey) I'll be home I’ll be beside the phone Waiting for you ooo-ooo-ooo, ooo-ooo-ooo Why do you fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up, baby just to let me down (Let me down) And mess me around And then worst of all (Worst of all) You never fill, baby When you say you will (Say you will) But I love you still I need you (I need you) More than anyone darlin' You know that I have from the start So fill me up (Fill me up) Band Check-up Don't break my heart

I know this thread is about a 10cc band, but I thought it would help to see that 34% responded they needed more than 7cc's in their band. Click HERE.

Wow, 5cc's is a huge first fill! Congratulations!

I wasn't allowed gummi vitamins or gummy anything as it can get stuck. I use the Centrum Chewables, but a liquid would work as well. I didn't use the Protein Shakes for very long, but FYI most docs won't let you mix fruit in with them immediately post-op. I like the Atkins chocolate ones and the EAS chocolate ones (both pre-made from Wal-Mart or Target). I found these not to have that yucky protein texture as much as others. I did not like the metal canned ones. I also bought the Isopure Alpine Punch powdered mix from GNC, but it's only OK to drink with lots of fruit mixed in, so I couldn't use it post-op. It's got that protein texture and is pretty yucky alone...I plan to use it after fills. My doc doesn't require protein shakes EVER, so this is just my choice to use them after fills. Good luck! -BG

LOL...Keep 'em coming! How are you doing...I'm sure you're all ready to go! I can't wait for you to feel that great restriction for the first time! Counting down with you! -BG

Lena- I thought you were *raising your hand* to b*tch slap me LOL (not that I don't need it).

Yep, I'm learning that I'm going to be the Mom forever...a cry-baby Mom. DD just called me and I could here gobs of voices in the background...she, and all her 'new friends' were just walking back to work from lunch...she'll do just fine, as usual.

Hang in the LM...we'll get to that sweet spot eventually. I've got my first fill tomorrow and I'll be in shock if I get more than 2cc's (0 fill now)...my doc is conservative too...I think he only gives them every 4-6 weeks...slow and steady...

Blogs are for anyone to journal whatever they want...it's not the Forum and they can say whatever the heck they want here. Hey, I've read both your blogs today and nothing you said is harsh, it's just real, and even if it was harsh to anyone, it's your journal/blog...say what you want. BTW- I think very few of us here aren't food addicts. For me, what was key in your wording was 'the band isn't working'...come here to the blogs and whine all you want (I certainly do it all the time), but don't blame your band for things you know are your fault (doctors issues and complications are a different story). Whine away if you know you've screwed up...we'll give you support here to get back on track and I know it's helpful to journal the 'I screwed up' parts of our journeys as well (I've screwed up things from the very beginning, so I know it helps to share that and everyone here has helped me to keep going). Tell me you went to your family reunion and ate your cousin and I'll be there for you, just don't blame it on the band. I usually walk away from the blogs that blame the band...if people want to lie to themselves in their own journal...so be it. If, however, you put it on the Forum where you're asking for opinions though, watch out, because you'll get them and you've opened the door for me and others to tell you it's not the band's fault. JMO. Thanks for the blogs Wendy! -BG PS- You all now have permission to b*tch slap me if I ever blame my band when it's my fault....you've all got your hands at the ready, don't you?

Go girl go!

I'm assuming you have a copy of your insurance policy and have reviewed all the requirements. The surgeon's office (person who works with ins. for approvals) is a great source for everything you need to do. Good luck tomorrow...and weigh in 'heavy' if you're at all close to the cutoff (read HERE)...I've never heard of a '100 pound' requirement, but your BMI and comorbids seem to meet all the ins. requirements I've seen. Best wishes! -BG

You're so right...it's all about getting healthy no matter how you do it! I've never had a problem losing large amounts of weight, just keeping it off. I've chosen the LB to help me get healthy and stay there. It's all a personal choice and we each know if/when we're ready and for what kind of help. Good luck to you on your journey and keep on blogging. -BG

Ditto what Wendy said...great post! Very inspirational! -BG

DD started her first ‘real’ job today. It was a wild morning to say the least…She panicked over what information they requested that she might be forgetting to take (she had it all)...she tried on different outfits, fixed her hair two different ways, and has she had almost a month at home to work this all out…yeah, that’s my girl…women, we reserve the right to change our minds. She gave herself an hour and 15min. to get downtown, but got a late start because the GPS wouldn’t take the address (remember that month of being at home…hmmm). I calmed her down and made her take off and I’d talk her through it (she’d only been there once for the interview). At one point I was holding two phones up to each other (had DD on one phone and DH on the other phone), while I had Mapquest up on the computer. She made it…about 25 min. early even…and then I talked to her the whole way walking from the parking lot into work building her up for her first day. We hung up and then I teared up, as usual. She’s my oldest so I was sitting here remembering her and my FIRST DAYS… …of childcare…we moved to Cincinnati when she was 10 days old and I started a new job in her third week. I cried all the way from childcare to work….I also made the mistake of wearing a dark silky fabric work dress…let’s just say breastfeeding and leakage didn’t work well with that dress…that afternoon I ran back into childcare past all the parents with my arms crossed…she’d done fine, but it was so hard for me. …of Kindergarten…she was transported to school by another childcare when we lived out near Philly. I cried after all the way to work after dropping her off that day to childcare with her new backpack and her shiny nametag pinned to her...I was so sad I wouldn’t be there to see her off and take her there. She did great…my little outgoing girl couldn’t wait to go! …of new Schools (we’ve had 6 different homes since she was born)… …we moved back to Columbus when DH got transferred and in the summer a few weeks after I had my youngest and I quit work. We lived with my parents for a few months while our house was finished being built. They were in a different school system, so I drove her to/from school for those months with the boys in tow. I remember taking her picture by the school the first day of fourth grade and then walking her in…I cried all the way out hoping she’d be accepted…she had a list of friends the first day and had a wonderful time. …we moved out here near Pittsburgh (another transfer) the summer before her eighth grade. Again, we were building a house and it wasn’t finished so we temporarily moved into an apartment for nine months. It was a hard move for her because she was leaving so many friends and my family. She was really involved in many activities back in Cols., she'd been dancing competitively for years with a studio, had just made Cheerleading again, Swim Team, etc. It was hard starting over with no activities that first year and not being able to even live in our home and find new friends there. I cried and had my usual bout of ‘Mom Guilt’, but she adapted quickly and soon became involved in all kinds of new activities. She handled this last move better than I did. …of College…I thought I was prepared for this one. We shopped all summer before. If there was a contest for the most furniture and other ‘stuff’ fitting into a tiny, shared dorm room, then she would have won. DH was convinced it wouldn’t all fit and people were actually laughing at our ‘pile’ when we unloaded (I was going to have no guilt over leaving her without everything she needed). Well, DD and I had no fears…you know me (Mary Poppins); I’d pre-measured the room and knew where it all went. While other parents were standing in line for hours at the local Wal-Mart buying longer extension cords, she and I arranged it all, hung artwork we’d made, put up cute lights and decorations…the girls on the floor were all coming in asking where we’d gotten things and ooogling. As prepared as we were I still cried the whole way out of town. So, why should today be any different? It just doesn’t get any easier…no matter how independent they become and how many times you’ve seen them adapt well (better than you) to new situations and changes, you still worry about them. If only I could keep the three of them home and little forever. It’s just so hard to let them go.

Mimi- How many calories are you getting in per day? I heard you have to be around 800 or at least less than 1000 cals. for starvation mode (and it will stall your weight loss as your body metabolism slows way down). I don't think you want to be in S. M. once you're back on solids, so I'm wondering what the office said about that? Just curious. Wow, I wish I would have had a fill by 5/22! My first fill is tomorrow and I'm sure it will be way longer than 2 weeks before I get the second one (my doc is very conservative). But I will go in begging for as much as I can and will schedule the next one as closely as they'll let me. I'm glad I'm not the only one paxie! Good luck today and let us know how it goes...I'll be following you in tomorrow (42 days post-op...you win LOL).

I'm not sure how old you are, but as long as the surgeon says you're a good candidate then age isn't a problem. I just turned 50 (the week I was banded) and I've met several people in their 60's here. Good luck! -BG

You look fabulous girl! Keep up the good work, you're an inspiration to us all! -BG

Good luck tomorrow! You'll do great...see you on the other side! -BG

We’re still working outside. My neighbor and good friend’s daughter came around selling plants for cheerleading. I was done planting, but I bought 2 more flats of plants. Yesterday we went to pick them up along with a few bags of mulch (yeah, those 8 yards weren’t quite enough) and a few more items we needed. Deja vu …another planting and mulching weekend…groan. I married my DH for his sense of humor…he still makes me laugh. My youngest-13, DS2 is his Dad in the making with jokes (he can always get me laughing), but unfortunately he also picked up on the practical joke trait…I hate practical jokes, so of course they torment me with them. All day long yesterday DS2 was ‘getting me’ with practical jokes. I’m turning on the hose and a trickle comes out…it happens now if there’s a lot of water running elsewhere (had to have our water pressure turned down after it blew out our first water heater). I’m yelling to DH to see if someone’s in the shower and the dishwasher is running. You guessed it, DS2 around the corner snickering while he holds a fold in the hose! I’m setting up the sprinkler, you guessed it…on comes the sprinkler in my face! Practical jokes are a family specialty. The first time I drove down for the weekend to meet DH’s parents his dad he tormented me with them. I poured my cereal and went to get the milk…came back and my bowl was gone…the snickering soon began as I was puzzling out where I left it…that was just the beginning…one shoe missing, etc. His dad is now 80 and he’s still pulling them on me…there’s no hope that DS2 will ever outgrow this. DH has been doing these to me for years…he sees an opportunity and he’s all over it…he’s very quick witted…that and sneaky. Luckily when others are around I’m not the only mark. We were all driving in one of my sister’s vans and she stopped to get gas. We had the same make of van and DH was sitting in the way back…he knew there was a wire back there that is a backup in case your lever that opens the gas door breaks. She finished filling up and closed the gas door…you guessed it ‘POP’ the door opens up…her windows were tinted so she couldn’t see that we were in all hysterics watching her close it over and over as DH was quietly pulling that wire ‘POP’! He’s done almost the same scenario on his sister as we all watched from the window in the house…POP the trunk keeps opening on his car as she’s putting something in it (electronic opener). My Mom, the gardener is always bringing me plants. When we first moved here she proudly brought us a May Apple plant. I'm thanking her and DH makes this huge deal out of how nice it is and that we need some cool shade plants for the woods behind us and sends her back into the woods to plant it. We soon hear "VERY FUNNY!' (I didn't know it, but he did, the woods was full of May Apple plants). Once my sis and I went into the bathroom while DH was getting gas. We came out and got back into the car only to realize it wasn't our car! DH saw the same car waiting in line behind him and quickly got gas and moved around the corner to watch it all unfold...pure evil! The only thing worse than a practical joke is scaring me…I HATE being scared! He’s gotten me really badly many times, but I put the kibosh on that after one particular incident (I don't think I shared this yet). We were newlyweds and living in our first apartment and both working day jobs. I’d forgotten something I needed at home and went home during my lunch to get it. Well, I had to go so I went into our one bathroom and had a seat. I’m doing my thing and I suddenly hear a loud moan and two arms come around from either side of the shower curtain right next to me reaching for me …so NOT FUNNNY…I could have had a heart attack! He had forgotten his lunch that day and came home to eat it and heard me coming in…sneaky, the man is sneaky…and now I have two of them at home.

Well said DB...the foundation is important! Xavier, I've never eaten a whole pizza, but only because that's not my thing, now..junk food and chocolate, I've got a long list; a whole bag of cookies, chips, big bag of M&M's, a can of Pringles in a hearbeat, I could go on and on! I think I ate most of the batter for brownies once...*hangs head in shame*. Yep I have to keep from laughing sometimes at the 'I ate a cookie...should I call my doctor now?!' threads. I remind myself that it's all relative and that must be a lot for that person (they must have never been a binge eater ). Obviously I'm not one of them as I'm posting about being super pleased that I 'only ate 2 small pieces of pizza' LOL...maybe someday I'll be thinking one cookie is a huge deal...wouldn't that be something! One small step at a time...

You can get a copy of your insurance policy's bariatric section just by making a phone call and asking them for it. It will outline all the requirements you have as everyone's are a little different. I started my required 6 mo. diet/exercise program Nov. '08, was approved the beginning of April and had surgery 4/22/09. I had to go through the following tests: sleep study, cardiologist, psychologist, pulmonary, nutritionist, a consult with my surgeon and a pre-op class. Good luck and keep asking questions! -BG

CONGRATULATIONS DB on reaching Onederland!!!!!