juliansmom2003

Please let us know what happens. I'm sorry to hear you're unable to keep anything down. What a terrible feeling!

Woohoo! Congratulations! What an amazing feeling! Good for you!!!!

I can sooo relate to this post. i actually said the same thing. ("Is it even in there? I feel NO different!!") I had surgery on October 21 of last year and didn't get my first fill until January 12 of the following year due to hospital and doc vacation schedules/holidays, so I lived in Bandster Hell for a LONG time. I just tried to keep my portions smaller, make better choices and at night, when I seemed to be the hungriest, i would work out and force myself to go to bed to avoid the temptation. This is the worst time of year not to have restriction either, so my heart goes out to you. Just know that right now is a time for your body to heal, so don't focus on any weight loss or gain (yeah right! SHE says LOL--easier said than done, I know). Just know that you have the tool, it's just not working as it should be just yet, but it will. It definitely will, so try to hang in there!!! Stock up on fruits, yogurt, veggies and lots of lowfat cheese sticks--it will be ok!!!

Oh boy...as I'm typing this you are probably prepping for surgery or already in there. Positive thoughts are with you and welcome to Bandland :-)!

Hi there. Are you 100% sure you didn't catch a stomach bug? I remember when I first had my band and i had issues, I immediately thought something was wrong with the band itself, not anything 'regular'. If your band had slipped, you definitely would have a good case reflux and you wouldn't be able to keep anything at all down, so it really doesn't sound like a slip to me. I would just call the doctor and get his opinion. Web MD and a ton of internet searching always made me even more scared, so a quick phone call to the doc might be better for you. Good luck! I hope you start to feel better soon!! Please let us know what the doc says if you call!

Doing the happy dance for you. Congratulations on this milestone! What an accomplishment. Keep on truckin' to the next one !!!

Your post really touched me, as I'm sure it's touched a lot of posters on this board. I believe the majority of us do have these feelings and it's literally every emotion.....from being sad and ashamed to happy, nervous and excited about what the future has in store. When the reality first hits you, it sure is a lot to process, so letting it out like you did is good for you. You will definitely have highs and lows with this journey, but when you get to a certain point, you will look back and cry with NEW feelings...of pride and happiness for all you've accomplished. Lots of luck to you on your journey :-)

LOL --I've been around. Working like crazy, but trying to be on more. Haha, I'd DIE without my pizza! I'm pretty much at complete restriction and God bless my band, it still lets me have it :-)!!!! Miss you guys!!! And I'm jealous--I only WISH i could get down to your weight, girlie!!

I would certainly dump his a$$ and switch to a more knowledgable, supportive doctor. I cannot believe he treated you that way! I'm SO sorry!!!

TOTALLY AGREE with Denise. Honestly, you will feel some physical affects if you are stretching your pouch. I never really measured either and it seems to have worked for me. I measure when it's easy (i.e. 16 wheat thins = 1 serving, a 4 ounce can of chicken breast, etc.), but your band will eventually tell you when you're full after you hit a decent restriction point. Just try to keep it within reason before you get your first fill. I still ate pizza and some "no nos" before my first fill and it was fine. Just be moderate and try not to eat huge amounts. You will get through this and it will get better. And this is a VERY crappy time of year to lose weight too (I should know--I was banded on October 21 last year and was able to eat 'real' food again in the beginning of December with all these Holidays and junk--I just forced myself to go to bed when I had cravings LOL) Hang in there!

God, men can really be sooo difficult sometimes. My husband fought me tooth and nail NOT to have the surgery!!! In all the research I did about fills and stuff, a good reason for weight loss to stop is also being too tight, so perhaps that is a reason you may experience a slow in loss, but 23 lbs in 3 months is just freaking awesome!! Next time, shove a big piece of meatloaf in his mouth and tell him you've got this :-)!

I know how scary it can be. You have gone through all the preparation wanting this and at the same time, it's utterly terrifying when it is upon you! SO many of us can relate! Honestly, I agree with one of the pps about telling your doctor how freaked out you are. They do this all the time so it's "old hat" to them, but there are patients that are petrified of having any type of surgery and being put under anesthesia. I am sure once you tell them, they will be very sensitive to how you feel. Honestly, they prepped me and gave me something when I didn't even realize it, next thing I knew I was chatting away and giggling with my husband, even teasing the doctor about singing AC DC when they wheeled me in LOL! Next thing I know.....well there wasn't a "next thing I know" LOL I woke up in recovery to a nurse rubbing my head telling me how great I did. I don't remember a thing. And I don't know about you, but I rather feel pain after and not knowing what the heck they did ! In the end, it's only YOU that can make the decision. It depends on how badly you want the surgery. Me? I would have walked through burning broken glass to have the surgery so nothing was stopping me, and while I'm scared of pain, I'm cool with you doing whatever you have to do as long as I'm not awake LOL. You have many people on here that can speak to the good, the not-so-good and the bad that can answer all your questions to try to prepare you as much as possible. This is a life changing thing and it's WONDERFUL that you are taking it so seriously. Believe me, it will be okay no matter what you decide. (For the record, I am now 154 and can feel the port from the outside to the touch, but never, EVER have I felt my band from the inside or outside--I couldn't even tell you where it is LOL!)

SO sorry--I just saw this now! I am an 'oldie', so I find the new arrangement of the board confusing LOL! I ended up going through the Fitsmart program in Voorhees, so all the psych and nutritional stuff was all done there. When I was going through the process, they hadn't yet started affiliation with other facilities for the psych and nutritional evals. Lots of luck to you!!!

YESSS!!! That's it!!! Full is different with the band. You will no longer feel it in the stomach. You're feeling restriction. YAAAAAY!!!!

Well CONGRATS on hitting that milestone! You are doing AMAZING and you should be SO proud of yourself!!! I agree, I am slacking with Water too, which one of the reasons I've hit a plateau, but the great thing is that we have this wonderful tool to help us. If you feel it needs to be doing a little more work in helping you, you are absolutely right to call the doc, get into radiology for a fluoro and check your restriction level. You could very well need another fill. It sounds like you're doing everything right to work your band to have it do its job. So many people forget about all the post-op maintenance after everything they've gone through to get the band, and that's when all the REAL work needs to start. Kudos to you for acknowledging that and doing your part too! I have no doubt you will be hitting your next milestone in no time. Keep up the great work!!

I thought that was the port LOL.

I'd eat a chocolate bar LOL! Just kidding! I wish I had that problem!! I am actually at about 1100-1200 calories, as I'm close to maintenance mode (which seems to be working for me). When you get low, I agree, have a Protein drink (muscle milk light is great--100 calories, 15 g of protein--pretty filling too!) It's amazing how different we all are. I know quite a few people who were banded around the same time I was that will only lose at 800 calories a day and others swear that they go into 'starvation mode' that low and need more to lose. Throw in exercise and that's a completely different story. My goal in life is to somehow figure all of it out LOL

Everyone is so different. I know people that have had no fills two years out and have perfect restriction and those who have had TONS of fills. I really started feeling restriction at 5.8 ccs and just had another fill last week to 6.1 and I really feel it now. My doctor actually told me that I would have been fine with what I had since I am so close to goal weight, but I am one of those who prefers to be tighter. The thing I also forget sometimes is that in banded life full is different than the 'old' full and if you are taking longer than 20 minutes to eat your meal, your brain has lost the 'full' signal and is starting over so it will still go down. I am over a year out and these are things I still need to remind myself of LOL.

Usually, it's the doctor's preference. I have heard of a ton of bandsters who have fills right in the surgeon's office without fluoroscopy and they do very well. Since I've always had mine under fluoro, it's all I know, but I do love the fact that you can see how restricted you are and that is how the doc decides how much fill you receive. Your surgeon may or may not offer the option, sometimes they do that if there is an issue with the band itself and don't feel fluoro is needed for just a fill, but it couldn't hurt to ask. It's also a good way to be able to tell if you may have a leak or something, since you mention you're not feeling any restriction. Perhaps he is just being conservative since he can't see how restricted you are? I am positive you will start to feel something on fill 4 or 5. Believe me, there is NO worse feeling than being too restricted, so until you do get to a good restriction level, just stay on track with your food choices, Water and Protein intake and you'll get there. I was one of the naysayers for a LONG time that I wouldn't ever know or feel restriction, but I am there. I am sooooo there :-)! Hope this helps you somewhat!!

We have a kitchen here, so I bring one of those Healthy Choice Steamers (cheap--only $2 and the chicken ones have 16g Protein for 220 calories, and includes a serving of veggies with the protein)! I also keep my frigo light cheese sticks on reserve just in case, as well as my Pure Protein chocolate bars (180 calories, 21 g of protein-$6 a box at Target--LOVE THEM!) Also, Cream of Wheat Healthy Grains is pretty good. Canned chicken breast with light mayo has become a staple in my diet with some wheat thins as well. The best is making a crock pot chicken recipe and just being able to bring it in the day after :-) Hope this helps!

Are you getting the fills under fluoro so the doc can see the restriction level? I have had all mine that way and I didn't really notice a difference until after the 3rd. Perhaps the swelling from having the actual fill making you look more restricted? I used to feel this way too and wondering what the heck was wrong with me, but trust me, it gets better. I PROMISE! Try to hang in there!

I was banded on 10/21/09 and have lost 77 lbs. Not much further to go (although I must admit I haven't been as vigilant with exercise as I should be to get this last 9 lbs off!)

Hi there, I have Dr. Goldstein. LOVE LOVE LOVE him (and his assistant Eva is the best). I just saw him for a fill today. I have to say he is absolutely wonderful and I couldn't be more pleased with my choice. What an amazing experienced I've had. I've recommended him to several people. I can't say enough about him. I was intimidated by the checklist and Fitsmart requirement (I had my surgery before he began working with the Team over at Lourdes as well), but I wanted this so bad I would have walked through fire to make it happen and before I knew it, everything was done. @Rebecca--good luck on Monday! You're in excellent hands!!!!!

It sounds like you are active, but sometimes, it's not enough. I know you mention that you're eating lean cuisines, but the packaged foods are loaded with sodium, so you really need to pay attention to your Water intake. Are you getting at least 64 ounces of water a day? For Protein, how much are you taking in? My doc tells me 70g, but I am actually around 80-90g per day and it does make a difference. I understand the need for 'cheat' days here and there, but they should be every now and again during this time and when you get closer to goal, perhaps you could do more often (this is what I did, which is why I am still 10 lbs from goal LOL). You have the tool to help and until you get a fill, try to find alternatives to one of the lean cuisines. Perhaps do some chicken and veggies for lunch or chicken salad with light mayo and wheat thins. I bring lean cuisines to work because it's just easier, but I make sure I drink a ton of water to balance out the sodium. 2 a day might be a little much, so you really have to get that water in. The good thing about the band is that it's always there to help you, but to be successful, it truly is a way of life. It's not an easy road, but it's definitely a journey--we can't just snap our fingers and BAM! we're all following everything to the "t". So, pace yourself. Don't be hard on yourself and try to Celebrate your successes with things other than alcohol or food (me, it's usually a pair of shoes or new jeans LOL). I do have some wine during the weekend, but try to keep it within reason. You'll get there. It's definitely not about deprivation, but moderation. Good luck to you!!!