marfar7

Fabulous! Good for you!Keep up the good work! Marci

Congrats! Doesn't it feel wonderful to succeed? Happy bracelet shopping! Marci

I agree with pixistix - you're probably not at full restriction yet. It took 3 fills to get me there, and she's right, if I try to force another bite down after feelnig full, I will vomit- so I know when to push my plate away. AQnd yet, I keep trying to get another bite in - when will I learn? Resriction will come - I promise. I thought for the first 4 mths after getting the band, I would be the only one that the band didn't work for. I ate burgers, tacos, burritos, Pasta, evrything. Now I eat whatever I want, just smaller amts - and it makes me satisfied. Good luck to you! Marci

Thanks ladies! I knew you'd all understand. I agree about the bra fittings - you definately need one, I've never had one tho. My doc actually told me that my cup was too big (I was wearing a DD and he said I was a D) - so I bought a D and it fit perfectly. Now to get the perfect around size.....After I lose all of this weight, I plan on getting a breast lift and a tummy tuck. I'd better start saving my $$ now! My boobs sag down to my belly button! Thanks for all of your input! Marci

I've always been happy with the 6 pack Hanes Her Way panties for yrs. Even my panties are too big now. And as I was looking in the mirror this morning at my saggy underwear, I realized that it's not so attractive. So out went the granny panties and I went shopping for some cute ones. Got some boy cut with lace - very pretty. And they make my butt look great! I never thought panties would ever be important to me - I mean, who cares what you wear underneath clothes? I do now. And I can now fit into the bra/panty combos I've seen all these yrs, that I could never fit into. And it makes me feel better about myself just wearing them. Simple remedy for poor body image? buy some pretty panties! Marci

Since I got good restriction a few months ago, everything I drink or eat stuff like yogurt, pudding, ice cream etc seem to make my esophagus gurgle. Sounds like my tummy rumbling, but it's coming out of my throat. It's truly embarrassing - especially when I'm on a date with a new guy!I'm not really into hiding it or anything, but I wasn't plannng on telling them on our first date! What do I say about the very loud noises coming out of my throat? Anyone else have this gurgle? I've heard my sister in law say that she had it for a couple of yrrs after her gastric bypass. I can understand more for that, but I don't understand the noises from the band. Most people that I eat with know about my surgery, so they laugh when the noise comes, sometimes really, really loudly. One of those side effects they never told us about..... Marci

I didn't feel any restriction until my 3rd fill, and good restriction on my 4th. You may be just like me - it might take a few fills to get you going. I didn't lose any weight (oh, maybe 10 or so) the first 5mths, but I've lost another 42 lbs in the 2nd 5 mths, when I finally got good restriction. You'll get there. I thought I'd be the only patient this didn't work on and I'd never know what restriction even felt like. You will - just hang in there. Yeah, we're jealous of those who have immediate restriction or those who lost 100 lbs in a yr while I lost 52 lbs in almost the same time. But everyones body is different and you can't change that - you might as well roll with it! Best to you! Marci

I'm also hypo, on Synthroid. I've lost 52 lbs since Oct 09 and my doctor said he was going to do some blood tests on my next visit (Oct) to see if they can lower the dosage. I talked to him about possibly getting off the meds once I reach my goal, but I guess I need them forever. It's not like diabetes - where if you eaqt properly and lose weight, you may not be a diabetic anymore. From what I understand, hypothyroidism doesn't go away with weight loss, you just need less of a dosage. Marci

I wish someone had told me that it might take a few months to get it adjusted right - I expected to start losing immediately, unfortunately it took 4 mths to get the right tightness and then I started losing. Marci

I orderd the Acai berry + a colon cleanser over a yr ago (before banding). They told me it was free I had to pay S & H with my credit card. Little did I know that the following month, they would then bill me over $100 for the 2 bottles of pills. 1 just gave me diarhea and the other did nothing. I'd tell you to keep your money. Your band will work soon enuf and you'll be amazed by the results. Good luck! Marci

I had my 14cc band placed Oct 1, 2009 - and I really didn't see any significant weight loss for the first 4 mths. It took until my 3rd fill (and my doc only does them every 6 wks and he's also 3 hrs away) and 8.5 cc to get any restriction at all. I had my 5th fill almost 6 wks ago, for a total of 9.5 cc in my band - and I think I'm finally at my sweet spot. I've only lost 50 lbs in the last 9 mths, but most of that has been since Feb, when I finally got some restriction. Good luck to you. And remember, each band is so personal, it doesn't matter how much I have in mine, what counts is how you feel. Marci

Finally, after 9 mths - I weighed myself yesterday morning and weighed 199! I never thought I'd be happy to see 199. I have about 50 more lbs to lose - and I will, eventually. It's taken 9 mths to lose 49 lbs, hope it doesn't take another 9 mths to lose Marci

This past Tues morning, I woke up at 5 am in extreme pain. I thought it would go away.. When it didn't at noon, I went to the urgent care. The doc there sent me to the ER with a note saying "patient needs a surgical consult/possible band slippage"/ Scared me to death. So, I sit in the ER for a few hrs before they see me. They did a ct of my abdomen and found my band was fine - I had diverticulitis. They gave me a pain shot in my IV and I felt so much better. 3 rx's later and orders to eat Clear liquids for 48 hrs - I'm feeling much better now. Has anyone else thought their band had slipped? Marci

What was the date of your surgery? How healthy did you/do you eat? How much do you exercise? How much have you lost? Are you happy with your results? My surgery was Oct 1, 2009 Fairly healthy - I just don't eat very much I walk my dog 2x a day and go to the gym for 1 hr 3x a wk As of yesterday, I've lost 46 lbs If you were to have asked me 4 mths ago, I would have said no, but now that I have good restriction, definately I'm happy. Could have been more, but as my doc says "the slower you lose, the longer you'll keep it off"

Everyone pretty much answered what I was thinking! In addition to their comment, I see you're on Seroquel. Did your dr explain to you than you can gain weight with that drug? When going over my options for a med to help me sleep, he brought up Seroquel. I siad let's try it. Then my psychiatrist adds "it'll probably put 10 more pounds on you", I said no. Has something to do with messing up your blood sugar. I've sinced learned from several docs that Seroquel causes weight gain. However, if that med is working for you, don't stop taking it because I said you'd gain weight - I'm just giving you facts about it. Google it. I hope things start going better for you, sweety! It was about 5 mths before I started losing anything also. I'm now at 8 mths - 36 lbs - it'll start for you too! Marci

My doc does them every 6 wks, sooner if absolutely necessary. I have to drive 3 hrs ea way to get there - so I'm happy they aren't every 2 wks. I've had 4 fills in 8 mths. This last time, I lasted 12 wks instead of 6 because I was feeling good and losing. I have an appt with dr on the 23rd and gunna ask him for another fill. I've loosened up big time over the past few weeks, Good luck to you! Marci

HEy all! I got my band on Oct 1, 2009 (8 mths ago) and I've only lost about 35 lbs. I'm happy with that because the first 5 mths I had lost about 15 lbs and the next 3 months - 20 lbs. About 3 months ago, I had my 3rd fill and it seemed to work. I was full after just several bites. But now, I'm still hungry even after I finish my meal, eating too much, too often - but yet I'm still throwing up (due to my one carelessness) (usually eating too fast or the wrong things, like bread!). I've heard someone on here say that good restriction doesn't necessarily mean Im throwing up - it could just be user error. But to feel good restrcition, I should feel fuller and for longer periods of time. I accidently missed my appt today (forgot what day it was) and I rescheduled for Monday the 14th. Will he give me another fill even if I still occasionally vomit? I wouldn't call it PBing - I didn't burp - I vomit (only food tho). I'd like to get to the point where I can only eat a small amt and be full for hours. What do you think? Am I already too tight cuz I throw up due to human error, or do I need another fill because I'm not getting/staying full?

I'm so jealous! I still have 15 lbs to go to be 199. You should be very proud of yourself! You're doing great! Marci

Please help! I was banded Oct 1, 2009 - over 7 mths ago. I've only lost 30 lbs - and I am hungry all the time. I don't get full at meals. But, I still find myself vomiting about 2x a week from getting stuck. So I know my band is tight. Can my band be tight and me be able to eat almost anything I want, as much as I want? I thought I would feel full after a few bites, but it doesn't work. I've had 4 fills so far, my next ones due June 10th. I started going to the gym about 6 weeks ago and even have a personal trainer. I'm losing inches (they weigh/measure me every 2 wks) and I lost 4 lbs over the past 2 weeks , but that's all due to good old fashioned willpower. I thought the band would help with my willpower, make it easier to push the plate away. I was hoping to lose my 100 lbs in 1 yr - doesn't look like that's gunna happen. There's some people on here that have lost 80 lbs since Oct - and I'm at 30.I know, I know people lost at different rates - but 30 lbs and 7 1/2 mths is pathetic. And I just keep gaining/losing the same 4 lbs. Help please!

I'm so jealous - I was banded on Oct 1 and have lost only 28 lbs so far. I'm way behind. I thought I would lose the extra 100 lbs in a yr - yeah right! It's coming off slowly,. but it's definately not coming back. Congrats on your accomplishment - that's AWESOME!! Blessings! Marci

I was starving after about 4 days on the clear liquid diet. I cheated and added tomato Soup to my diet on day 5. I wish I could do a do-over, I'd follw the rules a little more closely! You're lucky to have no appetire - enjoy! Blessings! Marci

I woke up this morning, after vomiting alot last nite, to a pain in my upper stomach. It wasn't an upset stomach, it felt like there was something wrong in there. I was lying in bed, imagining what I'd have to go thru if my band slipped. I know no one where I live (I'm new to this area) and my docs office is 3 hrs away. My brother in law came up from Sacramento to take me to my surgery and stayed for a week afterwards. They won't let me drive home if I have to have surgery again. It's not hurting now, it lasted about 6 hrs. I had steak for dinner tonite - a usual "stuck" food, while I was in a little pain, I didn't get stuck on it tonite. How do you know if you've slipped your band and is it dangerous? Marci

After my 3rd fill, I had restriction, as in if I eat too fast or too big of bites, it comes back up. But I'm never really "full". I'm guilty of eating many slider foods - just because real meat gives me such problems (I know, I know, if I cook it right it'll be moist and if I eat slowly, yadayadayada) and I can pretty much eat my weight in slides foods. I've been losing and gaining the same 2 lbs over the past 3 weeks. If I eat too many sliders, will it stretch my pouch, or is that just stretched by real food? And if it is stretched, will getting another fill bring it back to normal - or does it just tighten up the tube food goes down? Can I do something about a streched pouch or did I ruin my surgery? Thanks! Marci

4 fills for a total of 9.5 cc in a 14cc band. Hope that helps! I had no restriction until the 3rd fill, then I lost 20lbs in 9 weeks. I went in for a .5 cc fill last Monday (as I thought it was loosening up, I was eating too much) and it doesn't feel any different. But my doc only does them 6weekks apart - so I have to wait another 5 weeks to get another. Blessings! Marci

I have been craving pancakes for a couple of months now. After church today, I went out for Breakfast and ordered some. I ate about 4 bites, was in extreme pain and had to go to the ladies room to vomit. I'm really good about eating in public, I always eat slowly so I don't have to get sick. But today was a must. A lady in the restroom asked if I was sick - of course I said "I think so", I didn't want to go into the long sordid story about WHY I wasn't sposed to be eating pancakes in the first place! Lesson learned. But those 4 bites were awfully good! Blessings! Marci