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SarahMarie - what you are feeling is not uncommon. I girl in our support group spoke of actually crying in the supermarket because she was going to miss being able to eat what she enjoyed. She spoke of her attachment to certain foods often and how those foods are triggers that she avoids in order to keep on her path. The mental part of this journey is extremely difficult for many of us with emotional attachments to food. I will tell you that the progress you make after your banded (albeit slower that GBP), will help to give you time to get your head in order. I encourage you to get support anyway you feel comfortable, whether that is a family member, exercise buddy, support group meetings, a professional consult, online...whatever works for you. Somebody or a group of people that you feel open to talking about your issues with food and steps people are taking to get through them. Let's face it, food plays an important part in many social functions and daily lives. Coming to terms with how to eat healthy and for the long haul can be agonizing, but do-able. Focus on the long term results you want and how to make that happen. I wish you all the best!

The Lap Band was the only procedure I considered. I've been able to lose hundreds of pounds over my life but couldn't keep them off. I needed the "help" that comes from a restrictive procedure, but didn't want the side effects of gastric bypass. I'm lucky, I can eat anything. That being said, I keep my band on the loose side and make exercise a daily part of my routine. I still am only able to eat small quantities, but anything I want. The band has given me a feeling of control over something in which I always felt I had no control, and that was my eating. I had a relatively poor diet since I lived alone for alot of years, but wanted to change. The hardest part for me was underestimating the changes that needed to be made in my head and how hard that would be, but the band gave me the time I needed to get my head in the game while seeing positive results. You do have to pick the right surgery for you. Based on how I used to be, gastric bypass would have been the more preferred method of WLS, but I would not consider it. I'm very glad I chose the lap band and am proud of the work I've done to get where I am. More importantly, I don't feel like my eating is "out of control" anymore, nor do I feel like I can't help myself. My mindset has changed as my body changed. I wish you the best whatever you decide. Just consider all your options and look at the long term, not just for next summer.

Not sure why fill costs are so "all over the place". My fills were included in my package for the first 2 years and thereafter it's $50 per fill. Seems reasonable.

I usually quit drinking something about 15 minutes before I eat and wait an hour to drink after eating. Suits me fine. If I'm not going to have an afternoon snack I may wait 90 minutes after eating just to keep my stomach a little fuller longer. Your doc's recommendations seem a little out of the ordinary and difficult to maintain. You need to get enough Fluid in. 64 ounces recommended. It also helps with weight loss and can help you to not feel hungry. I quit drinking about 30 minutes before bedtime now, but when I was having reflux issues I would have to quit at least an hour to 90 minutes before bed. I would think it's more important for you to get adequate fluid intake than adhere to your doc's orders. Staying hydrated will help to keep your band from getting tight due to dehydration.

Normal portions of food, no. Band size portions of food. I haven't gotten an unfill either. It seems like my daily calorie count needs to be around 1500 calories a day to maintain so I aim for that. You could cut down 1 day of exercise, lessen the intensity or treat yourself occasionally. The key is finding a proper maintenance level and being mindful of what you are eating.

I've had a .1 cc unfill and then another about 4 weeks later and could not eat any more than I did prior to my unfill. Don't equate an unfill with being able to eat more. It is not necessarily so. Like Leigha said, you may be able to tolerate more foods with a little looser band that keep you satisfied longer. I was like you when I went to get an unfill, I didn't want one because I enjoyed the progress I was making, however, I was also gravitating towards softer foods and things that went down easy. But I hated pbing and sliming more, so I got the unfill after a flouroscopy showed a slight dilitation. So, I'm much happier now, can eat any kind of food and still have a great restriction. Don't be miserable. Reflux is a sure sign you are too tight. I still lost weight after each unfill since I was eating better and was still satisfied. Being too tight can cause problems...slippage, pouch dilitation, along with the problems associated with reflux like pneumonia from aspiration. It's a fine line between proper restriction and too much. A slight unfill can make a world of difference. Always be able to get in enough fluids...can't stress that enough. I get tight when I haven't drank enough fluids. It can make matters worse. Good luck!

No regrets at all. My journey has been relatively uneventful. The hardest part? Changing my eating habits, acknowledging and trying to change my relationship with food, and the pre-restriction phase. I haven't been my current weight since either I was early high school. My outlook on life is much more positive and exercising and eating better have become an important part of the journey. If there was any regret, it is that this tool didn't come out 25 years ago when I first struggled with my weight. However, in my 20's I personally don't think I would have been mentally prepared to do what is needed for this to be a success. That's just me being realistic about myself.

Advice? Talk this over with your doc. He/she may want to do a flouroscopy at your first fill to see if it's moved. Also, follow your doctors recommendations from now on. The rules are there for a reason. That's your smack on the nose, by the way It is truly the hardest part of the journey, the liquid diet, mushies, soft foods and then normal foods. Hang in there. But do tell your doctor and get checked out. You don't want to have problems already. I wish you the best. (no more smacks!)

After reading this, I just can't wait for the post that you feel it and are on your way. Be very cautious the first couple of weeks after your fill if your doc puts alot in...some people don't get tighter until 3-4 weeks out. Good luck and your frustration is certainly understandable. Patience with the band is very difficult after liquid diets, then surgery, then liquids, mushies, soft foods, bandster hell, etc. But it IS worth it.

There seems to be a learning curve when it comes to trying to eat "bandster style"...taking small bites and chewing thoroughly. I might also add taking some time between bites. The moment you feel pressure, don't continue to eat, wait until it subsides and then continue. Like other posters said, some people have trouble with hard boiled eggs and maybe that will be you. I might also add that it's possible you won't need much of a fill if you are already having a bit of restriction. For right now, avoid hard boiled eggs and don't be too aggressive with the amount of the fill, make sure you tell your doctor about this episode. It's better to take it slowly than get overfilled and be miserable or end up not being able to get liquids down. After the fill, pay attention to the amount of food you are able to eat and how long it takes to get hungry again. These are telltale signs of if and when you need a fill. Just remember to be very mindful of your eating. Take your time, listen to your body when you are eating and see if it's telling you to slow down or wait a minute or two before resuming to eat. And yes, when you get stuck, alot of times you will feel it in the middle of your chest. Your pouch is up higher than you would think. Remember when you used to feel stuffed? Well, think of where that region is and then go up about 5-6 inches and that is usually where you will feel it. Myself I tend to feel being stuck more in my throat than my rib cage. Watch for signs you are getting full. A hiccup, a pain in your shoulder, a runny nose. Some people get them, others don't and have to rely on the amount of food they put on their plate. Good luck and I wish you the best with your first fill. And don't fret that. If your port is in the proper position and the person giving the fill is experienced, you may feel nothing at all or just a mosquito bite. You are on your way girl!

Yep, I get a serious case of bleacher butt after a game. Used to do a triple header...no way now!

I'm so glad Carol. No sense being miserable on this journey. Just pay attention to how much you can eat and how long it takes before you get hungry again. That will give you an indication of when and if you need a fill. And ALWAYS be able to get in enough Fluid. If you don't, that can cause tightness in the band also. I'm always a little tighter in the morning due to the loss of fluid at night. Not than I can't eat, just more uncomfortable so I just drink a Protein shake instead. Hope it all goes better for you now!

Kristy29 - I can't believe the doc expects you to adhere to that for 2 years! That just seems crazy! I'm not sure what is reasoning is for keeping you on such a strict diet, and I hope he's not setting you up for failure because that just seems impossible to me. If you feel that you can be moderately active, make good decisions with healthy food and eat approx. 1 cup per meal, I don't see how you wouldn't lose weight. Honestly, I don't think I would have even considered the surgery had a doc told me that is what I would have to do. It seems rather extreme. I would think by now you know your body better than anyone and what works for you and what doesn't. And also what you could improve upon. I could give you the recommendations of my doc if you want. I really feel for you because it's not something I would be able to do for that long of a period. Doesn't seem like a realistic way of living day in and day out. I wish you the best!

Check out www.5daypouchtest.com. No need to purchase the plan, they have enough hints on there to do it without buying it.

I went from a 28/3X at my highest weight to a current 8/10 in pants/suits and small/medium in tops. I'm not sure how you can "spot reduce"...it's pretty much falls off where it wants to. I was a size or two bigger on the bottom than the top at my heaviest and with exercise...mainly walking, elliptical, hiking and biking and strength training, I'm more "equal". You may be one of the unfortunate that need surgery to remove that area. Give it time. The more you lose, the more it will reduce.

Are you sure this regimen your doctor put you on isn't just for the short term? I sure as heck don't see that as some life-long dietary regimen. I drink normally 2 Protein shakes a day just to supplement my protein intake...only 1 is a Meal Replacement since I'm rarely hungry in the morning. Otherwise, I eat normally and I can eat anything, just not as much. I stick to whole grains, yogurt, cottage cheese, fruits, some veggies, meat, chicken, fish and limit processed foods. That's not to say I don't eat a Lean Cuisine now and then, just not as a rule. I personally don't feel like what your doctor is telling you to do is reasonable. To do that for any length of time may have you craving the foods you are missing. I've gotten to the point where I'm done with dieting and am concentrating on eating properly and exercising. It's working.

It sounds like you need a flouroscopy. It could be a dilation or slippage. Your doctor should be trying to get to the bottom of this. Everytime you go, make sure you tell him exactly what's going on and your concerns. It the fills were working before and now you are not feeling the same restriction, there is a reason and it needs to be investigated. Sometimes the 5-day pouch test will help get the feeling back in restriction. It's an option at least. Good luck!

I just use an Excel spreadsheet. I don't keep track of liquids because I get enough in, but I have been tracking what I eat, the caloric value, my exercise for the day, and my weight. It's not fancy, just enough for me to show the progress I'm making and what has been working. If you have a smart phone, there is probably an app somewhere for it. Some people use websites like Fitday, etc., but I don't know if you can customize what you want to track. Pen and paper works too.

There is no physical reason for avoiding sugar with the lap band. It will not harm the band. Many bandsters limit their sugar because of a change in dietary habits, or diabetes, or they prefer low carb. Also, it seems in alot of folks that food with sugar just increases their appetite for more sugar. But there is no problem with sugar that some have with RNY.

Betsy gave you a good response if you choose to say anything to them at all. If they aren't talking to you, the point is mute. You don't have to say anything. So what if they think you took the easy way out? Don't let it bother you. We all know better. Your continued success will be the best revenge and may even get them to think twice. Sometimes it's the reality that says it all. Enjoy your success and congratulations to both of you.

To me it sounds like you are overfilled (or swollen from the fill). A cup of food should be fine. Too much vomiting is a big alarm that you are too tight. I don't really understand why he gave you such a big fill if you were losing at the rate you were. You may need to be more assertive with your care and tell them what you want. If you feel you are at a good place and losing weight consistently, there is no need for a fill (if the amount of food is keeping you satisfied). It is dangerous to be overfilled. Too easy to dilate the pouch, easier for a slipped band, and a stretch esophagus. I'm not trying to alarm you, but it's important you are proactive with your care and communicate your concerns to your doctor. Remember it is YOU that needs to determine where is your sweet spot. Your doctor doesn't live in your body and doesn't know what it is like for you as everyone's "journey" is different.

You mentioned eating too close to bedtime but not about drinking. When I was having reflux issues, it was suggest to me to stop drinking anything 1 hour to 90 minutes before bedtime and stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime (and only a light meal at that). Those 2 things helped with the reflux issue. Otherwise, you may need just a tiny unfill to resolve the problem, especially if the tech could already notice that you were having reflux problems by the ultrasound.

craigmorganfan - the simple answer to your question is...you can have ice cream anytime now and it doesn't have to be sugar-free. You got enough smacks on the nose from the other posts.

Yep I've noticed it too. People tend to treat me better. Others just stare and talk amongst themselves with side glances (like grade school for G__ sake!). When you live in a small town, everyone knows your business and you suddenly seem the "flavor of the month" topic. I've gained and lost, gained and lost, and quite a few know I've had surgery and probably think I'll just put the weight right back on. But I'm in a better place now...mentally, physically, emotionally. I get alot of compliments, and yes generally people are nicer overall. I've had a couple of friends that I don't see as often and I think it's because I just make them uncomfortable (they are weight issues too). So, it's been overall a wonderful journey, but a little sad too. I guess you really don't know what effect your change is going to have on someone until it happens. Some of the attention can be uncomfortable. I lost weight so I could feel normal. Getting alot of compliments is nice but also makes me feel like I'm the center of attention and that really isn't what I wanted. But I'll take all the pleasantries I get from strangers anyday. It makes the day seem so much more brighter! And they never knew I was fat!

Olwen - Please don't equate being tight with the ability to lose weight. I did this and was miserable for about 6-7 weeks. My doc's office really cautions people on their forum to try and leave the band a little looser rather than too tight. I was reading some recent statistics yesterday concerning the band and noticed that between year 2 to 3 with the band the average slippage rate goes to 10%. That is a huge concern to me. I have been tight and have been where I am now and still been able to loose weight effectively. Just because I can eat more comfortably doesn't mean I can eat more in volume. But I sure have more of a variety of foods I can tolerate. It's really important to be able to get your fluids in daily. That was also an issue when I was tight. It was difficult to drink 64 oz in a day. Now, no problem. I can't chug it, but I can take 3-4 medium size gulps with no issues. I am just really concerned with those who choose to keep their band tight. Because it is a really slippery slope in terms of taking chances with a slippage. Good luck to you in your journey!