xavier

For me restriction is eating 1/2 to 3/4 cup of any food and feeling very full. Two more bites and I am miserable.In the long haul I lost about 6 pounds a month when my restriction was good. I am now in maintenance with 8cc in a 10cc band.

I have heard from two people here that they got a pill stuck and damaged their band to the point of having an erosion...why risk it! I chew all pills or take liquids...

I have tried it both ways and it never made any difference in terms of feeling full or satisfied or for how long...

Thanks, coco! I guess we are the motivated and informed patients! Great! I do think a lot of band failure comes from the doc's office not really knowing who has real addiction/depression/ psych issues and who just needs a little reigning in! The former group has the deck against them, I think. I am sure that's what the psych evals are for but I dont think you can really uncover all that in one office visit!

It bothers me that you are blaming the clinic for you year of regurg etc...this is ultimately your body, your responsibility and I think you know it.

Generally this site just sucks and is unbelievably not user friendly! It has gotten worse with every 'improvement"! I have had about two/thirds of my friends deleted and now recently I have noticed my before and after pics have disappeared! On the other hand, the people on here are generally great, supportive, honest, and wise so its still sort of worth it! Alex is the main moderator but I suspect he isnt real!

He did say mine will move down a bit and that he would 'dig a hole' under it to help it sit lower...I think he meant lipo a hole under it! I really just cant decide if I want to do it at all!

agree with b52...if it was that hard...how can you do it for life? (is your band really working for you?)

Lisa, how long have you been at your current weight? Whenever I had a long plateau I got a tiny fill and started losing easily again! I was almost going to give up and be happy at 180, then at 155 (two long [plateaus) but I self paid and really wanted to get to normal BMI! My last plateau-busting fill was only 0.3cc and it took me to 140 in two months where i am happily living now! I LOVE this band!

Agree with b52...addict no, overeater (me) Hell yes, this thing works!

These are really good questions and if you really would rather have parties than be healthy this may not be for you. I can eat and drink at a party and definitely enjoy both. Bit you have to be really ready and willing to change your behavior with the band to succeed. Have you considered gaining the 8 pounds to qualify? I would have had to gain 29 pounds s I did self pay.

Moderate drinker before and after...

I think everyone's goal can be their range of normal BMI. I think your group leader has no business making statements like that! Disregard!

keep doing what you are doing regardless of the scale!

The number sewn into your clothing is meaningless and has already changed over the years. I consistently wear a size 6 at Gap and Ann Taylor but I am 15 pounds heavier than when I was in my 20s and wore a 4! We all know whether we are overweight or not without looking at a scale or at the size of clothing! I am in the normal BMI range and that is all that matters.

Mine made no difference...really fast procedure (45 min total) and easy recovery...not much pain just sore.

J, Do you have to get it unfilled for the surgery or only if you have the port switched??? I would HATE to get unfilled beause mine is so perfect! My doc did say he could 'dig a hole' with the lipo cannula under it so it could sit lower against the abdominal wall. I seriously cant decide. I talked to Lellow about it and she said hers isnt too big but shes just used to it...shes pretty darn skinny and has had belt lipectomy...shes awesome if anyone hasnt looked her up!

You are doing everything just right but the body resists change...all you have to do now is stay the course and your plateau will end. Its hard to be patient but thats all you need and the conviction that you are doing it right!

For an acute (urgent ) situation use the MOM. For daily, prune juice until you get to solids and then just a few prunes every morning. Water is also critical but is difficult to get enough right after your surgery.

I feel terrible for you but it looks like you do have the strength to keep on pushing! Most people on here who have a pity party just need a bitchslap (just my opinion) but you have some really serious medical conditions and I think a weaker person would have quit by now! Keep on struggling...I think you have it in you to succeed. PS: I never exercised and I still did lose al my weight...I am just lazy though so you are inspiring me!

Do they have a website or can you ask someone else here who had the same doc? My doc told me to try to lose ten pounds...I think I lost 8, there was no set diet.

I am pretty tight in the morning so I have a Premier Protein drink every morning.. They are from Costco and they are 130 cals for 30 grams of protein. I am lazy to do the powders but I used the GNC in the post op phase. Greek yogurt is great for protein and works great as sour cream. I dont like the sweet ones.

If you are PBing that much you are in trouble...that can cause some serious damage! I LOVE my band and would do it and even self pay all over again in a heartbeat! It has never been easy but I am still surprised at how it has helped me make real changes lifelong.

Thinking about the TT and asked my PS about switching to the low profile port because mine looks like a half a golf ball under my skin! He said there isnt that much difference and it might not be worth it because there would still be a bump. Not sure If I want to spend 7K and still have a weird lump! Anyone have this issue ? Thanks all!

Totally normal as our weight does fluctuate quite a bit...keep doing what you are doing. Its for a lifetime and it will make a difference!