jtreece

Well I didn't get to onederland but I'm only 7 pounds out so I'm ready to shoot for that for a Halloween Challenge. I like the accountability of doing these challenges. Thanks for those that set them up.

The doctor will be able to tell if there is less in the band because he can draw up the fluid before he fills you again. Mine always does this to make sure that I'm still at the level of my last fill. Also, you will often have quite a bit of swelling for the first few days after you are filled. When this goes down you will probably have a lot less restriction.

I've had this before and what usually was the case is that I was swollen from either eating solids too soon after the fill or was irritated when I got the fill and it just made it worse. After I got the unfill, the swelling would go down and then when I went to get it filled again I wouldn't have the same restriction I had the first time because I wasn't swollen. I take forever for swelling to go down and I don't listen to myself and continue to try to eat when I'm swollen. Now I stick to soft foods for a few days before my fills so I can better judge how I'm really feeling.

I swell a lot from my fills. It took me almost 2 weeks from my last fill to be able to really eat anything that could be chewed like meat. I tried to stick to liquids or mushies. I have to be careful because if I do get something stuck, I seem to swell up and have to start the process again. I suggest going a little longer on liquids if you can get those down. I definitely drink hot tea when I'm really sore. Also, I try not to eat late because I think I heal better if i can go long periods of time without irritating it. I always feel much better in the morning. I'm debating if I'm still too tight also or finally reaching true restriction. It's really hard to judge sometimes. I do feel better each passing day so time does help.

I put down 16 pounds so I'll be at 199. I'm going to the beach a couple weeks after Labor Day so I really want to do well. Good Luck everyone.

Has anyone burped after a fill whenever drinking and did it go away after the swelling went down? I'm on my 5th fill and didnt have this previously but I don't want to jump the gun and get an unfill if others had this go away after a few days. I'm on liquids and they are going down, just a little sore and burping. Thanks.

I had a fairly large hiatal hernia that was diagonosed through an upper-GI many years ago. Thanks to the hernia I was able to get insurance to pay for my hospital stay and pre-tests even though they wouldn't pay for the band. I had immediate relief from heartburn that was absolutely terrible because I had GERD. It was like hot acid spilling over open wounds all day long. The band was worth getting even if it just pushed me to get the hernia fixed. It did make my recovery a little longer because I was in surgery longer. Now I only get heartburn from the things you would expect and not very often.

He did my surgery in October 2009. It's been a little difficult to get convenient appointments since he seems pretty busy and only does fills half days on Monday and Wednesday. I love his personality. Sherry the coordinator is really a help for any questions.

I got banded a week after you and I'm in the same boat. I have a 14cc band and only 7cc in it. I'm still losing at a snail's pace :thumbup: but I'm not gaining. I have had 3 fills and 1 unfill so it's been a difficult time trying to find the right amount with a very conservative doctor. I would love to get to the point where the weight falls off but for now it's still a couple pounds a month. But I feel better in so many regards that I'm willing to go slow if it means I'll keep it off. It's is so hard not to get discouraged when you see people saying they lost 50lbs 3 months out. I just figure that no matter how long the journey, we'll all be at the same destination. Keep your chin up. You are not alone!!!

I'm putting my goal at 22 so that I can reach onederland with the challenge. If not, i'm definitely going to be closer. Good luck!

I'll be gearing up for the 4th of July one. I've been such a slow loser. This really sucks. Not going to get discouraged. Another fill in a few days. Maybe that will help. At least not gaining anything back. Sigh......

I was down another pound this week on Saturday morning but after the weekend it disappeared and i went back to where I was. I'm bound and determined for 3 lbs this week so no snacks. It's funny how I get upset about my eating when I know I didn't eat exactly as I should. Before the band I would have considered my eating this weekend to be depriving myself.

I used ice packs the first couple days to help with the pain of the port. I agree with the sugar free popsicles...they are heaven when you can't or don't feel like eating anything.

Hey just to let you know that I was banded 2 days after you and I've only lost 27 lbs so far. I know this is hard because so many people have dropped 50 lbs by now. I feel like everyone is judging me because they expected me to be thinner by now. I realized I only fail when I start eating the way I did before and gaining. I went months with only a 2 lbs lost and didn't start losing again until my last fill. I don't think you're at restriction yet so don't give up. You've made so many changes in your life. Big mental hug. You are not alone!

I felt the same way after a fill and ended up going for a slight unfill and felt so great afterward. I was able to get filled again the next visit.