zaygram

I am here often just reading and trying to figure out what to do, but I don't post. I got my band in March of 09, started out just fine; the mental adjustments seemed to be right and I was happy. I had a couple of issues steming from not knowing better, but thought I had overcome them. I have about 5.5cc in my band and hunger is not a problem for me; until I eat. I don't get hungry until then and I become an eating machine. I have gained about 11 lbs in the last 6 weeks or so, some because I hadn't been drinking enough water, some was just about bad choices of food. I don't think I'm eating anything ""new", but eating to much of it. I am concerned that there is something else going on because I am seeing changes. My hair isn't growing (I keep it short) the texture is different even though I still take Biotien daily, EVERYTHING makes me bloted; even water. My BP is up but I take my meds daily. I had a check up with the PC, did a colon screening last week and everything came back good. I will see my surgeron/PA on Mon. and made an appointment for a fill on Fri. I haven't had one since last year and I hope this will get me going again. I love my band and the weight I've lost but still feel like a failure because I never reached goal which wasn't the same as my doctor's and I was happy to be where I was, but now that I'm gaining I am really down.

For all of you please remember everyone has some issue or the other with the band. I am almost afraid to say how uneventful it has been for me except when I did the wrong thing. Last summer I got stuck, up it came and I went back to finish lunch. STUPID!!! I continued for the next few days thinking all was well, it wasn't. I was having an issue, usually small every few days. Then it was every meal and I got to a point that I was only doing liquids. My husband made an appointment and dragged me in. Unfill, not much but I was swollen and the doc gave me a good what for. Then I was stupid again and waited almost 3 months to get a fill. I gained 19 lbs. lots of tears with that. It took me almost 6 months to get that off, but I couldn't get lower. In July I was the same weight as I had been the same time last year; only I had lost between 19 and 25 lbs. with on and off weight. I finally went in for a fill on the 12th and now have 5.5 cc in the 10cc band. This is what is bad for me, my only real band issue, where I struggle DAILY .... I don't get hungry. Not once since placement. It was great to follow the rules and not be hungry; pounds came off and I was happy. Down 63 lbs. in a size 12 and I got careless. I didn't have restriction and could put down a 10 oz rib eye, some salad and a veggie no problem. So I ate what DH wanted to, often my only meal and it would be wrong. In July I realized that I wasn't getting anything done. I tried to make changes, more water and such; not enough. So I got that small fill it was only .2 cc and I now have restriction. Life is very different, now I wonder if I will start to loose again. My doc said the band doesn't get looser when you are so far out and I should be very close to green. I am doing greek yogurt to start my days, but lunch and dinner are still a kick me in butt to get in. Hopefully I will get down to the goal I set in the beginning.

I am new here, got my band in 09. Don't know why I never checked this site. I find it informative, but I am confused by the ratings of the members. Is someone able to explain them to me. I haven't done as well with this band as I had hoped, so I know I need more input. I just want to know more about the ratings of the people who respond.

Hi, My first post and it's not good. I got my band on 3/13. It's two weeks and I already realize that I wasn't as ready as I thought. I did a lot of research and planning, but I have done most things wrong these past two weeks. My follow-up went well but the doctor didn't ask me much and I didn't volunteer any info. I lost well on the liver shrink, as well as on my own before it; day of surgery I was down about 29lbs . However, I had only lost 9lbs. since my pre-op visit so about 4 weeks. I really lost more I think because I had put some on and lost it again. The first week was full liquid and I was almost OK. At the end of the week I tried some tuna salad and chicken salad went down fine so I went with it. Second week same stuff plus. I thought it should be mushies and if it was soft I could have it, now I see it was to be liquids again, mushies the next week. So I threw chicken in processor, steamed some liver. Now I know I am eating about 2 weeks ahead of myself!!! I have a fill scheduled on the 13th and I don't want it; I don't eat a lot but it is more than it should be. I have felt good and I am afraid that with restriction I will have problems all the time. My head isn't in the right place yet and I don't know how to get it there.