marfar7

I started dating almost a yr after having the band (down about 70 lbs) after being widowed for almost 4 yrs. I told every guy I had a meal with (meeting for coffee didn't warrant telling them). All the guys I went out with thought it was interesting. I dated 1 guy for about 10 weeks that wanted me to have it out. I guess he was a "chubby chaser". When I met my now husband a yr and a half ago, I told him on our first date. When we became intimate, I showed him where my port was (at first he was afraid of hurting me when he touched it) and my scars. He never minded. He likes the fact that I've lost over 100 lbs. Especially when he sees before pics of me. I never felt the need to keep it a secret from anyone. I'm proud of the fact that I made the choice to take charge of my weight and actually did it. My husband does worry a little when he hears me throw up that I'm gunna slip my band (which I did 4 mths ago). He tells everyone that he knows that I have the band too - I think he's a little proud! Good luck to you! Don't worry. You'll know when the time to tell is right Marci

Yeah! Congrats! 100 lbs is wonderful! So happy for you! Marci

I'm just wondering how many people out there eat perfectly and work out like they should? When I read some posts (none in particular, just generally), it seems that most people on here are perfect eaters. They eat their 3 oz of Protein and then veggies, all 3x a day. If I could stay with that plan, I wouldn't have needed this "tool" to help me not eat so much! I've been banded for 2 1/2 yrs now and have lost over 100 lbs (about 12 left to go) and I'm far from perfect. I'm not even a good eater. I eat whatever I want, never measure anything, don't count calories, fat grams, or protein. I eat a few bites of everything then I'm done. I love my life now. I can fit into a sz 7/8 and no longer have hypertension. My band slipped about 4 mths ago (my fault, too much vomiting from eating way too fast) and I've been unfilled for 3 wks now. I go back in next week (thank God) for a fill. I guess my brain finally decided to catch up with my band and be satisfied on very little food now,cuz I haven't gained a pound. I do eat a little more than I did, but not much. I thought for sure I'd gain 20 lbs. I just wanted to get a count on here of everyone who eats perfectly all the time, works out like they should, and is happy. I sure wouldn't be if I still had to diet the rest of my life. That's why I got the band - so I wouldn't ever have to diet again! Marci

After 2 1/2 yrs, the only thing my band dislikes from me is pizza crust and pineapple chunks. And I'm with the other [poster who said nothing worked except getting he stuck item out. I love pineapple juice tho so maybe I'll give it a try next time.... Marci

I physically can't drink till about an hour after eating or I vomit. But the fill was taken out of my band 2 weeks ago to fix a slip and I've been spoiled by drinking with my meals. I get filled again next week so that'll be out soon. I love Mexican food but also can't drink when I eat it. I'm really thirsty till I can drink again. Marci

Went to Outback the night before surgery for ribs, baked potato, salad, and cheesecake. That didn't quite tide me over for the 4 week liquid diet! Marci

My doc says no solid food (liquids only) for 2 hrs prior. Then liquids only for 24 hrs - then a normal diet. Marci

I had my surgery 2 1/2 yrs ago and for the last 4 mths, I've had severe reflux. That's the only symptom I had. Nothing else changed, not vomiting, nothing. I went to the docs last week and they xray'ed me. My band "flattened" - it slipped. I could keep down food and drink. I just had really bad reflux at night - keeping me up coughing and spitting up stomach acid. They took out 1/2 of my 10cc fill and will see me in another week to rexamine and possibly refill. I would got to the docs before it gets worse. If it's a slip, it won't get better on it's own. I was so sure I didn't have a slip because I could still eat and drink. Good luck! Marci

I lived on tomato soup when on the liquid diet. I ate a can a day - separated into 3 meals. There's butternut squach, tomato, cream of potato, cream of mushroom, cream of celery, cream of chicken, etc....There's lotso soups out there for a liquid diet. Good luck! Marci

Medicare covered mine for a yr. I'm in the US. Now 2 1/2 yrs later, I pay $160 for a fill. Marci

I don't believe any advertisements for stuff that says it burns fat. But I also watched this Dr Oz show a couple of weeka go and went ahead and bought some from Amazon. If I remember to take it I'm doing ok. Don't know if it's working or not. Haven't gained anything in the past week since my band has been emptied due to a slip. I was so afraid I'd gain a couple of lbs this next 2 weeks till it's filled again. Like I sai I don't usually believe anything that states that it burns fat, but I trust Dr Oz. So I thought I'd give it a shot. My husband is taking them too. I'll keep you updated on his progress. Marci

Sounds like an advertisement Marci

Good for you! Keep it up Marci

I've never been a coaster fan - as in I'M TERRIFIED OF THEM! I would always be the benchwarmer when my late husband and friends went on them. But last year, my new husband and I went to Disneyland and I went on everything. I have to admit - I had fun! Didn't bother my band a bit (actually, I never even thought about it). This past Christmas-time we went to knotts berry Farm with my husbands kids. He got me on everything there too - even the upside down ones. Scared but had fun anyway! I think they're perfectly safe. I can't imagine what the jerking would do to a plastic band that attached to us would even do? Have fun! Marci

As others have said, you don't have restriction now and probably won't have any for at least a couple of fills. I finally had restriction after my 3rd (4 1/2 mths into it) and I wish I had known this beforehand. It would have saved me from thinking I was a total failure. Be patient. I promise, you'll get restriction soon. Then you'll be on your way to those skinny jeans! Keep up the good work! Marci

I also got the whey shakes from Walmart. My doc gave me samples in a gift bag at the seminar of several Protein drinks and they were all nasty (including the ones he sells). I would be leery also if my doc required me to use only his. Good luck! Marci

Hi! I'm 2 1/2 yrs post op and about 12 lbs from goal. My band slipped about 4 mths ago, altho I just had it taken care of this past Monday cuz I was tired of the severe reflux at nite. For 4 mths I Sufferred every single nite, taking boatloads of meds and sleeping sitting up. Couldn't stand it anymore and went in. It was slipped. My dr removed 1/2 of my fill (about 5cc) and will leave it out for 2 wks before refilling it. I've read everyone has all of their Fluid removed for a longer period. Will some fluid in my band prevent it from springing back into action? I'm terrified I'm gunna gain weight (as my usual 1/2 tuna sandwich was definately not enuf!) over these next 2 weeks. Just wondering if anyone else had just 1/2 their fluid removed and did it pop back into place? Why would he remove just 1/2 of it? Just curious. Never heard of anyone having 1/2 removed for a slip. And btw, I'm sleeping like a baby since Monday! No reflux at all! Wish I had done that alot sooner! Marci

Also not to be discouraging but it took till my 3rd fill, 4 1/2 mths to get any restriction at all. That's normal. What's not normal is to have restriction after 1 fill. It happens occasionally - even no fills happens occasionally, but it's not typical. The first fill my doc put in was 5cc. then he put in 1cc at a time. I didn't feel any restriction till 7cc. 2 1/2 yrs later I've had a slip. It's been slipped for about 4 mths but I just got it taken care of this past Monday (didn't want any Fluid taken out cuz I was afraid of gaining wt) and let me tell you I'm so happy I did! I can actually sleep at nite instead of sleeping sitting up cuz of severe reflux. They took out 5cc (I had 9.5cc total) and will leave it out for 2 wks. Then I'll have it filled again. Hoping it'll work better the 2nd time around. Just wanted to let you know that if you don't feel any different after your fill, it's totally normal. Most people wait for 3-6 fills before feeling restricition. Wish I had known that before surgery. Would've made the weight a little more bearable! Good luck! Marci

Hate to tell you this but reflux is also a sign of a slip. I had no other signs of it (I could keep almost everything down and had no pain) but when I went in for an xray on Monday, they found my band had slipped. After 2 1/2 yrs. From vomiting most likely. I knew that would eventually catch up to me! I had severe reflux for the past 4 mthsd, was sure I was too tight, but didn't want any taken out for fear I wouldn't lose my last 10 lbs. Wrong idea. I gained 4 lbs and was miserable very single nite. Had to take 2 prescription meds, 1 otc med, and pop rolaids like I owned stock in the company. And sleep propped up on 3 piilows on my back - very uncomfy. My husband finally talked me into going to the doctor and I'm so glad I did. The last 2 nites of drug-free sleeping have been wonderful. I'm gunna have to be careful not to gain during the 2 weeks my Fluid is out, as I'm hungry at all times it seems! I'm gunna try to stay the same tho - no losing for me the next coupla weeks. You need to call your your doc and get checked out. Instead of waiting 4 mths like I did. Almost ruined my band. Good luck to you! Marci

I've had severe reflux for 4 mths also. Thought I might be a little too tight, so I went to the dr yesterday - I slipped. Dr said it was most likely caused by vomiting. So he took out 1/2 of my fill also (about 5cc) and will refill in 2 wks. I just ate my usual 1/2 of a tuna sandwich (which normally fills me up) and I'm still hungry. I'm hoping to not gain during these 2 wks. But last nite was the first time in 4 mths that I slept well. No pain at all. AND I usually take 1 rx Nexium, 2 rx Prilosec, and 5 otc Zantac + about 20 rolaids a day and I still had pain. Last nite I didn't have any pain whatsoever and I slept like a baby. What a relief. I'm also hoping to keep off the weight this next 2 weeks. Not gunna try to lose, just not gain. Then when I get refilled, I'm gunna work on losing the last bit of weight I need to lose before my goal. Good luck to you! Marci

Yesterday I went to the drs cuz I've had severe reflux the past 4 mths. Had an xray. My band was flattened - instead of at an angle like it was sposed to be. So even tho I had a slip, they only took out 1/2 of my fill (about 5cc) and will leave it like that for only 2 wks and then fill it back up. Dr said it was most likely caused by vomiting. I knew all my vomiting would eventually catch up to me. No more of that. I slept like a baby last nite-with no drugs! The past 4 mths I've been taking rx Prilosec, rx Nexium, OTC Zantac, and rolaids and still wake up about every 30 mins from the acid coming up. Last nite I actually slept with no pain! Yeah for me. Let's see if I can keep off the weight over the next 2 weeks. I just ate my usual 1/2 tuna sandwich which usually fills me up and I'm still hungry. But I'm gunna be careful. MY ?: For those of you who have had a refill after an unfill, is it better the 2nd time around? I was getting to where I could eat more lately and I still need to lose a few lbs. Does it work better the 2nd time around? Marci

I,m on my way (3 hr drive) to see my dr. The nurse thinks I might have a slip. I've had severe reflux at nite and I can eat tons of food at night. They're gunna do an xray and see whats goi ng on. If it's a minor slip, they'll empty my band for 6the wks and refill it slowly. If its a bad slip, they'll have to do surgery. Great. While I'm looking forward to a nites sleep without having to be propped up on 3 pillows on my back, coughing all nite, and spitting up stomach acid on my pillow, I'm not looking forward to my bannd being empty for 66 wks. I guess I'm gunna have to diet for the first time in 2 1/2 yrs. I love my band. Its helped me losr 100 lbs and I'm so afraid of gaining it back. Anyone have to have their Fluid taken out for 66 wks? How did u do? How many fills did u need to get to restriction again? If they do it like the first time, I'm gunnna need 6to fills at $160the each and a 3tee hr drive. What a pain in the butt. I'll letcha all know how my appt went. Marcia

Mine is on the left side also. I could barely feel it under all the fat but after losing over 100 lbs, it sticks out like an alien. It feels really weird. No problems with fills, altho it bruises and is sore for a few days afterwards. It doesnt bother me too much. Maybe if I was wearing a bikini (which will never happen) i might be concerned. Marci

I think regular broth is too salty. Also gatorade - that's the key ingredients in it, salt. Good luck! Marci

I didn't lose much (maybe 5 lbs) the first 4 mthsafter getting the band. Until my 3rd fill, actually. I think it was about 7cc in a 14 cc band. Until then, I pretty much ate like I did before the band - junk and alot of it. I guess I was waiting for the "Magic" the kick in and keep me from eating. And it did! My first meal after feeling restriction consisted of 4 bites of chicken, 4 bites of baked potatoe and 3 bites of broccoli. I was stuffed. It'll happen. You just have to be patient. That's my biggest "hint" to new banders - be patient. Some people get restriction right away, most have to wait for a while. Good luck! Marci