catfish87

I should have asked if you felt any restriction prior to this last fill? Also, does your doctor use a fluoroscope while performing fills?

I've got a 14cc band and like you, I am at 8.6 in it now. I'm really, really close to proper fill. Does your DR do your fills using flouro? Do you feel restriction now?

GREAT post Laurigee!!

GNC sells some very concentrated liquid protein "drinks". They are more the size of an energy drink and have 42 grams or protein and 180 calories. "New Whey Liquid Protein" They don't taste good to me, but i can tolerate them for the high protein count. Also, maybe a call to your doctor is in order??

I'm guessing you may have some dehydration? Are you able to get in plenty of clear liquids?

I've heard to use the following calc. Multiply your weight by between .33 to .45 For a 200 lb person 200 x .33=66 grams per day. My Dr suggest at least 70 grams per day.If you're looking for High Protein in a low volume, GNC sells a "New whey liquid Protein" Its 42g protein, 180 calories. Comes very concentrated. Doesn't taste good to me, but lots of protein in a hurry.

Getting in enough liquids is very important. If you're not able to do that, call the Doctor ASAP. As far as not being hungry....enjoy it while it last. Just sip, sip, sip and try and get in as much fluid as you can.

I posted this in response to another bandsters question, but it may be applicable here too. Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there are advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH

Positive feedback: Nothing squelches (sp?) the naysayers like a winner. You show them, and watch them eat crow while your the winner and smiling!

Bibliophile, This morning a very successful bandster posted a very nice topic: "Somtimes I just have to say...." Since I can't say it any better, I copied and pasted some of his post here: Now I know I'm going to get flamed for this by the "Know it all's" But personally, I do not understand how that can happen...(Short of a medical problem).... Either your band is adjusted to where you are in the Green Zone, or it's not!! To me, that is the only thing that is important... Two characteristics of the Green Zone is HUNGER CONTROL, and PORTION CONTROL.....yet I read posts about how people say they were doing fine, then started to eat anything and everything in sight...out of control...Does Not sound like being in the Green to me....

He/she will probably be 90% sure prior to surgery, but could decide to change sizes during surgery. Mine ended up using what he figured. I have a AP Large 14cc band.

Your doctor will decide what size band you get. I spent one night in the hospital. Probably not necessary, but all my doctors patients do. I think the most current studies will say the average loss is around 70% of your excess weight. Everyone is different though

First of all, a loss of 80 lbs is a victory in my book!! Don't sell yourself short! To do that without proper restriction is GREAT! Sorry to hear about losing your insurance, but possibly your surgeon included a years of fills with the initial charge to your insurance? It might be worthwhile to call the office and explain your situation and see? I wish you well on your continued success

As the VERY successful bandster above says, It is all about restriction. I couldn't/didnt manage to limit myself to 1 cup of food per meal without proper restriction. I posted this in response to another bandsters question, but it may be applicable here too. Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there are advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH IT

I posted this in response to another bandsters question, but it may be applicable here too. It really is about restriction for me. I don't do well managing 1 cup of food per meal unless I have restriction. THATS why I needed the band. Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there are advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH IT

I posted this in response to another bandsters question, but it may be applicable here too. Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there are advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH IT

I posted this in response to another bandsters question, but it may be applicable here too. Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there are advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH IT

Oh how I wish every office that gave fills had a fluoroscope machine to give them with. My doctor ( whom I REALLY, REALLY like )never had a problem finding the port, but there a advantages to using one. Heres my story about fills. My Doctor's office got the machine about a year after I had been banded. Only after the first fill using flouro, did he confirm what I had been saying for about 5 months... I had NO restriction. Because my band had come undone. Yes, the band had come unsnapped. I knew when it happened. My Dr's first to have this happen with hundreds of bands placed. Dr fixed it asap! Now all his fills are done using the machine....and now, standing up. Never any trouble finding the port. Never ANY pain. He/You can see the restriction as the adjustment happens. Your Doctor can get you so much closer to restriction by looking at it instead of guessing. My insurance, Aetna, pays for my fills. If your self pay, it is more expensive. BUT SO WORTH IT.

Kara/Crystal, I don't think is unusual to be anxious/nervous/scared prior to surgery. I know I was nervous prior to mine! After I got my surgery scheduled, I continued to weigh the pros and cons of having it. I also watched several videos of the procedure. My surgeon (Wagner, I would definately recommend!) was very, very good at answering any questions, and reassuring me that I would do fine. When I got to the hospital (St. Alexius, which I had a good experience at.) the day of the surgery, the anesthesiologist came in and gave me a nice cocktail in my IV and I no more worries! HA! As far as learning to eat slowly and take small bites, I still struggle with that. If I'm eating by myself, no problem. If I with others, I eat too fast most of the time. I have been on and off this site for over three years and can remember only a couple people talking about their body "rejecting" the band. I'm sure it could happen, but think its extremly rare. I'm happy to discuss anything about my journey if interested. David

Not once. 1 week clear liquids only. It was tough the first couple of days, but then wasn't as bad as I expected. The reward was better than the cheating would have been.

Hi Kara, I'm from Collinsville, just across the river. I got my band in Sep 09, so its been a while. I started at 322, got down to about 235 in six months. I had an issue with my band early on, ( band had come undone ) ate way too much due to no restriction, gained back to about 270, got it corrected and am almost to good restriction now I think. Im currently around 245. Its definately a learning proces and takes dedication to following the "rules". I would be happy to answer any questions about my experience with it. And knowing what I know now, I'd do it again in a heartbeat! David

Peaceful1, Obviously your going to follow up with your surgeon asap, but my thoughts are until then, since it was confirmed you have a LOT of gas in your stomach, to try liquid or gas x strips to help relieve that issue. Have you progressed your diet to full foods (solids) now? If so, you may wish to try liquids only for a couple days to see if that will help as well. I wish you well and a speedy recovery.

I'm not sure if I remember my doc telling me about "bite size", but definately chew, chew, chew. After all, you didn't get your mouth size adjusted, so you can take a normal bite in....but you wont get it down unless its chewed very well after you have restriction. For me, chewing well is more important than bite size. I can take normal drinks of Clear liquids with no issues. I wouldn't try crazy big gulps, but certainly have no trouble drinking regularly.

Starbaby11 The fluoroscope is similar to an xray machine. They still do the actual fill the same way, with the same needle, etc. The difference is you take the barium and swallow it while the doctor is making an adjustment, standing up in my experience. I would suggest at least asking about it. Restriction is MUCH quicker if they can see what they are doing, otherwise its just a guess/experience.

I didn't have the hernia, but I dont think abnormal to have a dry/scratchy throat. You may still have some bloating from the gas they used in your surgery. Most folks would suggest to take gas x type aids. Try and walk as much as you can tolerate. My dr had me on Clear liquids for a week after surgery so not eating was fine, per my instructions. Finally, I'd suggest to confirm with your Dr and take a stool softner every day or as recommended by your medical professional. You do NOT want to be backed up.