Phranp

My 1-4 fills were fine ... but no restriction ... then at my 5th fill my doc could not find my port -- scratch that, even I could find my port without looking -- my port kept slipping when he tried to get the needle in. My doc does not use a flouroscope. He stuck me until the numbing agent wasn't working anymore, so he put in more numbing agent. That still didn't work. Finally, after 3 numbing shots and numerous shots to try to find my port entry spot, he finally got the needle in and gave me a fill. I was traumatized! And I was bleeding. It was awful. Unfortunately, I still was not at my sweet spot so I needed to go back. took me two months to get the courage up to go back. I went back with a plan in mind. I laid on my back and pushed my stomach out and voila! he was able to get the needle in the right spot after just a couple of tries! And, I had restriction! YAY! My doc is a really good guy so I didn't hold it against him. He let's me come in for fills whenever I feel I need it and he doesn't charge me the insurance co-pay. I am at my sweet spot after my last visit in December. I understand your need to change surgeons. You really need to have more control over your fills. Good luck, I hope you get to your sweet spot soon.

I understand how frustratdd you must be. The bottom line here is, if you don't have restriction your band is not useful. I would suggest that the next time you have money for a fill you get a GOOD one. One of the requirements by my insurance was that I see a therapist so that I understood exactly what I was getting into. I started seeing a therapist 8 months before I had my surgery. I continue to see my therapist twice a month. I chose an obesity specialist. It was a good thing I did because my weight loss is slower than most, but when the weight comes off -- it stays off! Had I not been in therapy I would have let the slowness of my personal process get me down. Thanks to my time in therapy I focus on my progress. FOR ME therapy has been very helpful. I hope you don't give up and that you are able to get enough restriction to have a "working band". If you are already eating right and exercising, once you have restriction you will have great success! Good luck!

Yes, I did swallow it whole, but I've done that before ... but I agree, it's not a good idea. But duhhhhh, why didn't it occur to me to buy CHEWABLE Vitamins???? Thanks, I will buy some tomorrow! The liquid vitamins go down well but they taste terrible! LOL If the Vitamin is still stuck that would be weird ... but I suppose it is possible.

I am having the hardest time swallowing today! My vitamin didn't go down very well this morning. I felt nauseous. I have already decided to go back to liquid vitamins but I haven't bought it yet. But I took the vitamin at 8:30 this morning! Getting my lunch down was really hard (Lean Cuisine Chicken Chow Mein). It got stuck! I haven't had as much water today as I usually do because since taking my vitamin I haven't been feeling very well. I made a salad for dinner and couldn't get it down. Any of this sound familiar to anyone? I had my last fill sometime in mid November. I have felt pretty sure I am at my sweet spot, so why am I feeling tighter NOW? I am perplexed.

I have Anthem BC of California. I live in L.A. Originally I was giving the doc's office my co pay but when he moved his office to Beverly Hills he no longer requires the co pay. He says that the fills are part of the surgery. I don't get it, but I ain't knocking it! Good luck!

Sorry to hear you are suffering, I am suffering too and I think it is acid reflux. I went out Saturday and had one alcoholic beverage, ONE! And I haven't been able to eat since ... I just forced my lunch down ... couldn't drink my protein drink yesterday morning, but got it down this morning. I forced down a Lean Cuisine for lunch toay and my esophagus is burining a little ... I'm going to start drinking cold liquids in about half an hour. Hope you feel better soon.

Currently, I drink a protein drink made with Chocolate Muscle Milk powder and soy milk (very tasty). 16 ounces holds me till lunch -- now that I am at my sweet spot -- can't really eat real food for breakfast at this point (maybe I could but it would take forever). I am not a big breakfast eater so it works for me. Before I hit my sweet spot I ate Quaker Oats Weight Control Oatmeal, one packet.

I stayed overnight as required by my insurance. And, although the nurses did come in hourly, I was already up going to the bathroom EVERY TWENTY MINUTES, must have lost 5 lbs of Water weight in 24 hours ... lol Also, my arm was hurting soooo bad. I didn't realize that it was gas and the nurses either didn't know or didn't mention it, but they gave me Tylenol and a heating pad and extra pillows. I really did have great nurses during my stay. They catered to my every whim ... that was nice. :thumbup:

I am sure you are right, ParrotheadCathy. I guess I just didn't think that cutting my carbs so much would take me down ... but, again, I believe you are right. Reaching a happy medium is certainly a challenge for me ... always has been, I guess (hence my obesity ... lol) Thanks.

I was banded June 15, 2009. I have been off my diabetes meds for about 4 months. My weight loss has been slow and steady since I hit my sweet spot (I think) about 2 months ago. My blood sugar numbers had been good (100 - 105, 106) until I decided to further cut my claorie intake so that I lose more weight faster. Of late (less than a week), my blood sugar has been low, 80-90 AND I am shaky. What's up with that? My other question is, when you are off your meds does that mean you are no longer a diabetic or are you just "in remission" of sorts? Any thoughts?

I was in therapy years ago trying to deal with my eating issues. Finally stopped because there was nothing left but to "do it". But I never did. When I started thinking about having lapband surgery I decided to start seeing a therapist. So, in October 2008 I started seeing an obesity specialist and I had my surgery in June 2009. My therapist has been extremely helpful, mostly because I am conscious of when I am trying to fight the process. She would give me feedback and I would tell her why I couldn't do it. Eventually I realized that I needed to listen to someone other than myself. So I stopped saying "I can't" and started saying "I can do that". Let me tell you, it works! Last night I was in tears because one thing after the other was going wrong and I had been to visit my mom in the convalescent home and I was very sad. The sadness turned to anger and I gave myself a headache crying. Now, I still had to stop at the grocery store to pick up something for dinner. I credit therapy with being able to see my favorite slice of chocolate cake and saying "how is that going to help?". And passing the Tostitos and saying "that's not going to help either". And being able to leave the store with what I intended -- salad stuff. I have changed my thinking for the most part. I still struggle but not nearly as much. Hang in there and good luck!

Jachut you hit the nail on the head for me! My fight is not with food, the problem for me is in my head and the way I allow food to control my life. This band/tool is really a big help in making me look at the reasons I eat. I am NOT that fond of food ... I DON'T like to cook and I HATE being in the kitchen. But, historically when something happens in my life -- good or bad -- I am ready to eat over it. Well, since I have so much restriction now, the thought of eating when I am not hungry is a bit repugnant to me. So, instead I have been doing what my therapist has been trying to get me to do for a year now -- think about WHY I want to put something in my mouth. It's not easy looking my fears in the face, but I am finding that it's not the end of the world either. I'm not a person to weigh and measure and I have failed at every "diet" I have ever tried. But, just this morning when someone in my office told me (after I had refused a piece of cake) "go on, it's the holidays, give in", I thought about it and decided that I wasn't hungry and the truth is that I didn't really want it. It has been liberating to look at food differently. Slow and steady ... Also, for those with diabetes, in January 2008 I went into emergency with my blood sugar at 917 ... I was delirious! Fortunately, I wasn't alone and my doctor was meeting me there. It was so bad that I couldn't answer the questions they were asking me. Good thing I was there with a friend that has known me for 40 years. Anyway, after being banded and losing a mere 20 lbs I am no longer on any diabetes meds. I am a Type 2 diabetic and yes, I am atypical; all I know is that "for me", the band is working in ways that I never imagined. Slow and steady ... We are all different and I hope for the best outcome for each and every one of us. Happy Holidays!

Unfortunately, I am definitely and evening snacker. The good news is that with my new restriction (BTW, in my original post I meant to say "now" I am tight", sorry about that) I am eating less at night -- even though I am able to eat more than I could at breakfast/lunch. Oh how I wish I weren't a "night snacker", my life would be so much easier. I will work it out though, me and my band. LOL

I am tight in the morning and pretty tight at lunch time, but by dinner I am able to eat more. I have read that other experience this too. I recently had a fill (12-16) and I am not very tight. Yesterday I had my usual Protein drink for Breakfast and for lunch I had my usual - Lean Cuisine - but, since my fill on 12-16 I have been unable to eat the whole thing (all 280 calories) ... this is new for me because usually I am able to eat the Lean Cuisine and I am satisfied. But this time, after a few bites I couldn't eat anymore, so I waited an hour and tried to eat another couple of bites, no luck. So I threw it away. I was famished when I got home from work. I heated up a Lean Cuisine and was able to eat the whole thing. I was full when I was done, but I was able to eat it just the same. Why are we able to eat more for dinner than for lunch or breakfast? Anyone else experience this?

Sorry to hear you are having problems. I know it no consolation but I was banded on June 15 and am struggling to keep 30 lbs off. It's not a big struggle, to be honest -- but I have stopped getting on the scale as often because I hate bad news. I struggled at one point going up and down 3 lbs. Now it's down 1 lb, up 1 lb, down 1 lb. I didn't think I needed another fill but after I had a cold and did a lot of coughing it seems that I can eat more ... sometimes this is soooo frustrating. I am trying to get in for another fill but by docs office seems to be averse to giving me an appointment. Add all that to the fact that the last time I had a fill it was a traumatic experience because my doc had a hard time getting the needle into my port (I was shaking like crazy when I left his office and bleeding quite a bit). I have a tentative appointment for Tuesday the 15th but if he has surgery that day he will cancel my appt. Getting another fill will probably help us both. Good luck.

I am soooo confused. Since the fill I had in early October I have felt that I was at my "sweet spot". I was supposed to return for a doc visit just for a check up in early November but, since I didn't think I needed a fill (and since my doc moved to Beverly Hills the parking is RIDICULOUSLY expensive and impossible to find on the street - yuck), I opted not to return for a while. Well, now I can't decide if I need a fill or not. My weight loss is pretty slow but steady and in the right direction -- down. Lately though, I have been feeling hungry -- like right now -- AND, I know longer feel as tight in the morning and at lunch as I did a month or so ago. I had scheduled and appointment for December 3rd but cancelled it because I am afraid that if I get even a small fill I won't be able to swallow my breakfast (a protrein drink). My daily regimen has been pretty satisfying and filling for the last couple of months (breakfast = protein drink, lunch = Lean Cuisine, dinner = protein[meat, poultry, fish], starch, and veggie. But, of late I am getting hungry during the day AND I am able to eat more at dinner. I am sorry if my post is a bit confusing, but I am confused myself. Do I need a fill or not? Should I just stick to my current food plan and eventually the hunger will go away or what? Any and all advice would be helpful. Thanks.

Been there, done that ... just this past Saturday! LOL I wasn't bored, I was busy and had a birthday lunch and then a formal dinner to go to ... it was a crazy day! I felt like I had eaten soooo much food. I hadn't actually eaten that much -- I can't, I'm at my sweet spot -- but, I knew I had eaten more than I should. I was soooo full that I couldn't keep the food down and had to stop. I was very nervous because I hadn't been "out and about" in quite some time. Historically, I eat when I am nervous -- that has yet to change (though I hope it will in time). Head hunger and habit hunger I find to be the hardest to eliminate. The journal idea is really good, though I don't do it nearly enough. Hang in there Tracy and I'll do the same ... we can do this! I try not to beat myself up when old habits kick in -- it won't help and always hurts. I just jump back on track and try to do better tomorrow. All the best to you on your journey ... and eveyone else too!

My doctor didn't really put me on a "food plan". My doc is very different from many that I have heard about on this forum. My doc would tell me after each fill (until about the 5th fill) to to eat solid foods so that I would know if I had restriction. So I made my own food plan based on a 1200 calorie per day intake. I do protein shakes for breakfast because in the morning I am tight and eating food (except oatmeal) is uncomfortable. The shake holds me till my lunch at noon. For lunch I eat a Lean Cuisine which is quite satisfying since I hit my sweet spot. For dinner I find that if I get enough protein with dinner that I do not get hungry before bed. But, sometimes I am forced to have a snack between lunch and dinner because, before surgery one of my co-morbidities was Type 2 diatbetes. I stopped taking my meds (i.e., 1000 mg 2X a day) about 1 1/2 month after surgery. So, when I don't get enough calories for lunch I have on a few occasions become hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) and had to eat a snack to get through the work day. I would suggest that while our docs may be trying to guide us, we really need to listen to our bodies as well. I snack as often as is necessary to stay healthy. I consider myself to be a reasonable person, I know that overeating is what made me fat, so I make different choices when I have to eat more than I planned.

I was banded June 15 and am a mere 30 lbs down (need to change my "Ticker"). I didn't feel any restriction until my 4th fill and didn't hit my sweet spot until my 6th fill. It is so funny to me how different each doc can be. I do know that when my doc moved to a new office that has this "special chair" for doing fills, he was able to get me to my sweet spot. He lays me back till I'm almost upside down, finds my port, sticks the needle in and then sits me up -- not all the way up, but enough that I can drink Water after each fill. If I can swallow the water without a problem after "x" cc's then I am good but (and this happened to me), if I can't get the water down my throat he knows he has put too much in and removes it until I am comfortable. That was about a month ago and I have seen much better weight loss results since then. There is nothing more frustrating than having a "tool" (the lap band) that you cannot use! I hope you get restriction soon. Best of luck to you!

My former sister-in-law works in the same bldg that I do and sometimes we would go to lunch before my surgery. She is a few inches taller and a few pounds heavier than I am (before surgery), and has been trying different things to lose weight (water aerobics, Weight Watchers, nutrionist), all to no avail. When I told her that I was going to have the lap band surgery she wrinkled her nose and said "that's okay for you, but I'm going to do it on my own." (Mind you, she hasn't lost a pound after a year of Water aerobics 2-3 times a week.) I said, "cool, to each her own". Well, about 3 weeks ago she called me and after telling me some other stuff she started talking about the lap band surgery. She said that "she couldn't possibly do that, it's unnatural" ... "Putting something in your body that God didn't put there". I said "oh, like hip replacement or an artificial heart?". She then said that she had to go to a meeting and that she would call me back. I was surprised when a couple of hours later she actually did call me back. She talked a bit and then I told her that no one was going to make her have lap band surgery so she didn't have to worry about putting anything "unnatural" in her body. I told her that it's a personal choice and not the answer for everyone. Well, she hasn't spoken to me since! LOL! Trust me when I say, I AM GOOD WITH THAT!! LOL

I was diagnosed with A-Typical Type 2 Diabetes in January of 2007. I was feeling really sick, exhausted, and all the other symptoms. I finally went to the doctor and was immediately sent to the emergency room. My blood sugar was 917. I left the hospital 4 days later with insulin and metformin. Within a week I was taking only a third of what I was originally prescribed and off insulin within a month. Ultimately, I was taking 1000 mg of Metformin 2 X a day. Even that got to be a little too much and I went to 500 in the morning and 1000 at night. Anyway, I called my endo a couple of days after my surgery and he said I could stop taking metformin asap. I waited about a month and a half to stop completely. I continue to check my blood sugar and it has been very good since I was about 20 lbs down. Here's my issue, - and I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this - my blood sugar has been too low on a number of occasions since I stopped taking my meds. It usually happens when I change my diet to lose more weight. My numbers aren't crazy low (low 70's to 80), but I don't feel well at all when I am in the 70's (never did) and I get really shaky. Anyone else experiencing low blood suger after being in "diabetic remission"?

@HappyHomeCC My mom is 89 yrs old. She is blind from diabetes and still seems to know me when I visit. It was EXTREMELY difficult to put her in a home. No one in my family on either side has ever put a parent in a home. But I was raising my sis two children and working and could not care for her. My siblings were useless. I try to appreciate that my mom is alive, but her quality of life seems lacking to me. I am sorry to hear about your dad. I know how hard it can be. I pray a lot, it's all I can do. Keep the faith.

Thanks everyone! Yes, my band is tighter while I am sick ... the mucus, as I suspected. The fever has all hunger at bay. Apples2, my mom is still alive but in a convalescent home with Alzheimer's related dementia. I wish I could call her. It's been a long weekend being sick because I have been antsy, while at the same time I don't have enough energy to do anything. I'll be glad when it is over!

Thanks Enchanted ... I'll stock up on my way home.

I am getting sicker by the minute and can't wait to get home from work. I had lots of plans for my weekend, but it doesn't look like they're going to happen. My sinuses have are now draining into my chest and my asthma is kicking in. Aside from the fact that I could barely get my lunch down (a Lean Cuisine with all of 240 calories) is there anything I should know about treating a cold with the band? In my pre-band days I always liked to eat a "Ding Dong" or two -- I don't know why, just made me feel better (and bigger) when I was sick. Now, not so much. Anyone suffered through an ugly cold with the band?