bevanfranks

in the mushies stage i just measured foods-- i was allowed to have about 1 1/2 cups of food now, i try to judge by measuring also, but my doc also said to listen to your body's signals, one of them is to sigh, another is to hiccup (if you hiccup, you've eaten either too much or too fast and must stop) I think there were a few more signs too. My doc said you should NOT eat until full, but just eat the measured amounts and you'll be satiated. So, your stomach won't be growling. However, w/my 2nd fill, I now feel more satisfied, and for longer periods, with only the recommended amount of food.

mboski, It kind of depends on your situation. I've heard of some people waiting up to 6 months with insurance (because they have to do a program w/a nutritionist or meet other requirements) and some people are approved quickly through insurance. On the other hand, I'm self-pay. My insurance has an exclusion for weight loss surgeries. They NEVER pay for it. So, I took a loan and paid myself. From my first appt, I had surgery in just under one month. That included 2 1/2 weeks pre-op diet. (depending on your bmi, I had to get mine to be under 50) At my first appt. they weighed me, told me the possibilities of the lap band, what it will do, and what it won't. They also gave me tons of information, and had me fill out some forms. My next appt. was a week later, w/a nutritionist and pshychologist. Then I started the pre-op diet. And about a month later I had surgery. Are you going through insurance, or are you self-pay? Good luck! Lisa

I was wondering if you came to the meeting or not. As it turns out, my next appt. is the day after a meeting also (I think Aug 27 or 28) so I will try to attend the next one. If you plan to attend, let me know. I'm not a very outgoing person, so I just kind of observed the meeting and didn't talk much. Maybe next time we can chat and compare notes. I'm glad to have lapbandtalk to discuss the band with others- and I enjoy hearing how your experience with the band is going too. Since my fill (last Fri, 2nd fill) I also notice a difference. The amounts I eat are definitely limited by the band now (most of the time, depending on the type of food). I have to be much more careful with chewing and portion size, but I'm happy for the change, and am excited to see the scale move! Once in a while I still have an urge to snack, but I try to remind myself that it's most likely just head hunger. That's great you can tell the difference w/your fill. Maybe you won't need but 1-3 fills to get you to goal! I've heard some people only need a couple. With my first one I felt somewhat different, but not very much. With this 2nd one I can tell much more. However, Dr. S. told me I'll probably end up needing another one, if not two more. Did he mention to you the cc's he put in at all? I asked one of the ladies on my first fill, and she said that she didn't know, and that I shouldn't worry about the #'s. Then I was kind of embarrassed and didn't ask Dr. S. Sometimes I still wonder though anyway-- obviously :thumbup: ha ha congrats on your progress! Lisa

I just had my 2nd fill on Friday (7/24) and I'm hoping this one will work more for me than the last. So far, I think it really will. Today I've felt satiated much longer than I had been after meals last week. The doc told me that I'll probably still need 2 or 3 fills to really benefit fully from the band, but that I'm doing well. The fill didn't hurt at all, he didn't use anything to numb me. It was just a little pinch, and it was over! I drank the cup of Water (it went down smoothly) and I was outta there! I'm sure the 24 hrs liquids and mushies after that kind of helps to jumpstart the weight loss again too. I've already dropped a couple more lbs. I'm excited- had to share! Good luck to all of you out there getting your 1st and 2nd fills.

I went to the support group meeting on Thursday evening. Dr. Simpson gave some good advice/info. I think I needed the boost of "band talk" because it helped me to feel more motivated and optimistic. On Friday I had my appt. w/the doc and I was given my 2nd fill. Dr. S told me I'll likely need another one in a month, but that it's important they do it slowly- it's best for your body. Right now I"m on mushy food for a day (was on liquids 24 hrs first), so I'm not sure how well the fill is working yet, but I have a feeling that it will be noticable! Each one will help a bit more! Charms- Congrats on pregnancy! Pelesfury- let us know how your fill goes! The one I just had went very quickly/smoothly. Lisa

Pelesfury- Yes, I'm definitely planning to attend the support group tomorrow. Hope to see you there! I'm not one to speak out or go to these things either, but I figure that most people there are in the same boat as us. I attribute my uneasiness in large groups to my weight, because I wasn't always this way. I'm sure others feel the same. This will be my first support group meeting. They told me it's at 6:30pm in the surgical specialists building upstairs. I'm trying to get off work early tomorrow so I can make it on time. It's a few hours drive for me. You should come. Dmarcy- thanks for the info- I'm hoping to get my 2nd fill at my appointment this Friday. I really need it, because I'm hungry WAY too quickly and I haven't lost much this month at all. I realize that they said it takes a few fills to really be effective for most people. I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard some days! Lisa

Jacqui- that's great to hear that you sleep better after losing weight- I never realized that! I also wake up several times w/hip pain at night- I look forward to losing weight-- and sleeping better! Lisa

Thanks for the responses, I will certainly work on this. Lisa

I'm a side sleeper, but after surgery I was terribly SORE if I slept on my side, due to my port. Either side made it feel like it was pulling and my muscles would be sore. I'd try sleeping on my back (horrible, I agree!) cause in the middle of the night I would naturally try turning to my side, but the pain would wake me up! I ultimately had to sleep in a recliner for the first several days, which allowed me to sleep on my back, but kind of in a C shape, so I slept great! I'm now 2 months out, and can sleep on my side, but once in a while, that darn port will still ache a bit. Your port doesn't bother you if you sleep on your stomach? Oh- also, try to use many pillows if you can to try and protect the port area if it does hurt. That has also been something that helped me catch some zzzzz's. Lisa

I know that everyone (dr's etc. ) mention that you should chew, chew, chew your food, and eat very slowly, etc. However, I'm just wondering, do you need to do this even before you really feel restriction? I try to chew, chew, just to get into the habit, but I don't feel that I MUST in order for my food to pass through the band. I've only had one fill, so I'm wondering if that is why, or if I missed something here? Will chewing become more and more natural/required for me? I also try to eat slowly, but don't really feel like it makes much difference if I eat slowly or moderately. . . Please advise- thanks!

I know what you mean about it being hot! I've just recently been going back to Curves. However, I'm not quite adjusted to working out right now. I have to get used to it-- but I think usually after about a week or two it gets much easier. Not long from now and you'll be able to swim again! About the 3pm hunger thing-- Well, especially before my first fill (and even now sometimes) if I'm really hungry and Water doesn't do it then I'll have some cottage cheese. I measure the 4 oz. I also worry about stretching my stoma pouch so I try to measure foods as required. If not then it's easy to get carried away! Old habits die hard. Have you tried eating different foods for meals and seeing if they last longer for you? For example, i sometimes have refried beans/salsa/chopped lettuce and it fills me longer than some other foods. It's worth a try. As far as your next appointment goes: When you go in, they will have you fill out a form. It asks if you can tolerate chicken/steak/bread/pasta, etc. (most of which I never eat? I only have chicken from that list) but anyway- then it asks you how long after eating until you are hungry-- the options are 1, 2, 3, 4 hours. Last time I went, I circled 1 to 2 hours. They told me "well, you definitely need a fill then, because the goal is to last about 4 hours or so between meals without hunger." If it's the same with you, you'll probably get a fill. I try to ask myself often-- "is this just head hunger?" then I try to occupy myself. I also believe that drinking unsweetened tea, like green tea etc. keeps me satisfied a bit longer. I think exercise is a natural appetite suppressant too. I also bought some sugar free gum which has aided me through difficult times. I think it'll take me a few fills to be really set. One bright note though-- since my first fill, it has been easier than it was before the fill- but just slightly. I can't wait for another fill or two, then I'll probably be well on my way! Also, I broke my plateau since going to Curves. Only by about 2 lbs though. I know I need another fill. My appt. is on the 24th. When's yours? I plan to try and attend the support group on the 23rd. It'll be my first. Lisa

Miosa5073- I agree with you completely! I think my current weight loss is due to cutting out rice, Pasta, bread per my doctor. Christy712- You also make a valid point-- I realize the band won't do it all for me, and I have to work at this too, but right now I'm not feeling the band's full benefits. I hope my next fill with do it, but it's hard to say- I realize it could be another couple fills before I get there. I"m hoping I at least feel SOME difference with my next fill though! Fingers crossed :tongue_smilie: Lisa

Thanks for the responses- everyone seems to be losing really well. I guess plateaus must be normal. It's just a scary thing, since before the band I was always in a plateau!! I feel like I'm eating really healthy, but I might have to start tracking my calories just to be sure. I'm hoping this plateau is just because I'm in need of a fill, and then the weight loss picks up again.

I'm looking forward to getting my 2nd fill too. When I had the first fill, I noticed a slight difference, but only for a couple days, now I feel hungry more often than I'd like. I still have about 2 weeks until my next appointment-- I'm pretty sure I'll get the 2nd fill then. Hopefully I notice more of a change after that-- it seems like many of you are-- that's great! Right now my scale is hopelessly stuck on the same number! Lisa

RestlessMonkey- Thanks for the info. My doc didn't quite tell me that, so I was unsure. So, I probably just have to wait until eventually my fills help my band to work correctly. I do feel like the last few pounds I lost were just due to good 'ol diet and exercise - like you said! If only I could master that! I'm struggling to keep from gaining any back now. I guess it'll just take more time to get this weight off. TeganRheana-- WOW- we ARE both in the same boat! My surg was only a week after yours, our weight loss is about the same, and our first fills were around the same time. Hopefully we'll both get things moving again soon. You don't see your doc until Sept? Can you plan a visit sooner? I see my doc at end of July. . . I'm just frustrated. Even though it's only a few weeks, it feels like a lifetime. Learning not to turn to food is hard enough, so I guess I get a bit of anxiety over things (like not losing weight) and I'm trying to learn how to deal with it! ha ha Lisa

April, How's your weight loss going? I'm frustrated a bit, I seem to be at a plateau, I guess I need my 2nd fill soon. My next appt isn't for 2 1/2 weeks though. I thought i would just keep losing continuously in the beginning, so I'm surprised it's stopped like this. Hopefully it resumes again soon. I was losing so well before! Lisa

I'm looking for some comments on how people did in the first few months. Initially, with the pre-op diet, and being newly banded (May 12) I lost weight pretty quickly. (about 25 lbs by my one month point). My loss had slowed, but then I had my first fill. My doc requires a 24 hr liquid diet after a fill, so that seemed to help me lose a few lbs quickly. A week after my fill I was down by another 6 lbs -- but then I hit a plateau! (I really don't notice much difference w/this fill either). So, I am now about 7 weeks out and my weight hasn't changed for about 2 weeks. I'm frustrated. I guess I thought the loss would happen more quickly in the beginning, and it scares me to think it's slowing already. I asked the doc about another fill now, but he said I should wait a bit longer. . . My next appt. is not for 2 1/2 weeks. Did anyone else have plateaus so early on? Is it just a matter of getting more fills? Thanks, Lisa

I just had my first fill (a week and a half ago) and told the doc that I'm not feeling any noticeable difference. he told me to give it some time, stating that it sometimes takes 2 weeks for the brain to react to what the fill is trying to accomplish-- we'll see! So far, the only weight I've lost off this 1st fill is from being on the liquids/mushies for a day and a half. Lisa

Thanks. Yes, I suppose it must be the #2 class. I thought I read somewhere that it's required before you can get your first fill, or something of that sort. However, I already had my 1st fill. Also, I had the same problem with the stitches. At my 1st week appointment everything looked great, but about a week after that (2 wks out) I had a small piece of what looked like clear fishing line protruding from one of my incisions. I found (in the forums within this site) where several others had a similar problem. I also e-mailed Dr. S when it happened, and he told me not to worry. I didn't have an infection or anything. Dr. S told me he could cut it at my next appt, or I could do it myself. Lisa

Sure, if you have the opportunity that would be great- thanks. . . Good luck on your appointment. Lisa

Has anyone been to the support groups yet? My next appt is near the end of July, and I'm planning to attend a support group then if the timing works out well. Also, has anyone had their 2nd nutrition appointment? I thought I read somewhere that we're supposed to have a 2nd one at some point, but I haven't looked into it much yet. Lisa

I didn't gain weight back once I started real food, but I didn't lose much either. At times, my weight loss would stall, but then I'd lose a pound really slowly- over a few days. . . I think it's partly because my desire for food has diminished (even before my fill) so I'm not having urges to eat "junk" food. Just the fact that I'm eating healthier, because I feel less hungry, has helped me to avoid gaining back any weight. It's not always easy though-- I find myself constantly pondering "am I really hungry, or is this head hunger/emotional hunger." I pretty much decided that if my stomach isn't growling, I'm probably not really hungry. I've also been measuring my foods as recommended. But it's not always so simple, sometimes after I eat I feel like-- "That's it?!" but I'm trying to adjust to it. I know that with each fill it'll get easier. I try to use the little cups from Dr. Simpson for measuring my Protein, and then I have 4-6 oz of veggies. I have not been eating bread, Pasta, or rice. I'm sure that's helped with my weight loss. I have had some crackers though-- per the nutritional packet guidelines. My scale is very different from Dr. Simpson's so it's hard to gauge my weight, but I can tell it keeps going down, even though it's more slowly than I'd like. Lisa

I was banded May 12th and had my first fill on June 18th. I asked my doc's office how much they put in, but they said they don't want people fixated on the amounts, so they basically didn't tell me. They did tell me that they put "some" fluid in during surgery, and when I had this first fill, I think it must have been a small amount, because I don't feel much difference. I was on liquids for 24 hrs afterwards, and the following day when I could eat again, I noticed a slight difference in the length of time I was satisfied after eating. Now, it's a week later, and I feel hungry every few hours :thumbdown: I e-mailed my doctor and he replied saying that sometimes it takes 2 weeks for the fill to "settle." I've also read some things like that on this website, but it seems weird to me. Anyway- my next appt is not for a month, so I hope this fill kicks in- otherwise I'll be white knuckling it until then! Or maybe next week I'll try calling the doc about it again. I live in a different city so I have to plan out my appointments pretty well in advance. I am losing a bit here and there, but I think it'll be much easier once I'm filled more. It's hard to not eat more than the prescribed portion sizes, but I worry about stretching the pouch or having a slip, so I try to stay within the guidelines. . . Anyone have a fill, but then feel the effects after a week or more? Lisa

Restless Monkey- I agree with you about finding foods that last longer. I'm still trying to get used to my band, and I've only had 1 fill so far, so sometimes I find myself hungry sooner than I should be-- can you give a few more examples of foods that work well/last long for you? I'm trying to expand my menu a bit! Thanks, Lisa

my doctor says not to drink with your food, because it washes your food down to quickly- he compared it to "flushing a toilet" so, try to separate your eating and drinking gradually. My doc had me start with 30 minutes between eating and drinking, then 1 hour, and now 1 1/2 to 2 hours. It's a little strange at first to get used to, but I just make sure i don't have a drink nearby when I eat so I don't drink it out of habit without realizing it. Lisa