LL67

Hi everyone, great to see your familiar faces! Seems like just yesterday we were all stressing and excited about our upcoming surgeries! I have not done as well so far as I had hoped, but still very happy I had the surgery. I started at 220, and am down to 188. 32 lbs. ALthough its not alot, I really don't think I would have done it on my own, as I had been holding that weight for 10 years. My blood pressure med has been cut in half so far, I'm hoping to get it gone all together. I must say the slow weight loss is my fault, not the band. I do not eat my Protein as I should, meat is def not my preference! I just started adding Greek yogurt into my diet... Also I have really not picked up my exercise routine. I am very sporadic. SO...all in all I have not USED my band properly. But the band is not going anywhere, and I will persevere! Will not give up. I am thankful I have the band in there and will use it better in my future. You have all done SO great, I'm so happy for all of you, CONGRATULATIONS! Lisa

Hi there! I know its frustrating with the slowness of weight loss, I have not lost weight in a few months, and am feeling very disappointed in myself. Like you said, its the end all for our weight loss, we do have to put the work in too! You have lost alot of sizes, you should feel really proud of that and I'm sure you look great too! I have gone from an 18 to a 14, but have only lost 30 lbs since August. I have to feel happy though because I don't think I could have lost that weight on my own without the band. Hopefully more is to come off! Hang in there. I am going for a fill Wed. for the first time in awhile...

Hi Abby! Nice to see you here. I was wondering how you were, you were so sweet and supportive before the surgery! I too have had very slow weight loss. I have lost about a total of 25 since Aug, and I too have not given it my best shot. I guess the thing that I was surprised at is that it actually takes effort! Something I have not been so good at in the past. I have not had good restriction because each time I have had a fill (I am up to 6 CCs in my 10 CC band) it feels TOO restricted and I can't even get down Water and they have to remove most of the fill. However, at this level I feel no restriction. Not sure how I will get to that spot, I will just keep trying. Hang in there, we just need to refocus! Lisa :thumbup:

Hi everyone - I too have not lost as much as I hoped to so far. Only 25 lbs since August. However I do fit in clothes I couldn't before, which is great! I have 5.5 in my 10CC band. Had to have 1cc removed after an overfill (NOT a nice feeling!) Going back next week for another fill, hoping that gets me to a better place. I can eat way too much now. I'm still glad I did it and I know the weight will start coming off again eventually! Hang in there everyone, it will come. We knew the band was a slower process than the bypass surgery. In the long run, we'll be great!

WOW Triplet Momma, you lost 86 lbs??????? That is fabulous, you have to feel GREAT!!! I have not gotten sick since I've been banded, thankfully. I think I've been more diligent with my vitamins and stuff, so maybe thats why. I hope you are feeling better though and that you get a full round of blood work.:bored:

Hi gang - I have had 2 fills - 1st fill had 4 ccs, 2nd fill had 2cc's for a total of 6cc's in my 10cc band. I feel some restriction, but definetely will need one more (at least). From this point on the nurse said they will only put in 1 cc at a time, because the point of too much restriction can come pretty easy at this point. I'm very happy with the band so far. Its not drastic, but I have lost a total of 23 lbs, with about 25 more to go.

Hi everyone- I had my first fill two weeks ago, 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. I really still feel no restriction at all. I guess my capacity to eat has diminished somewhat, I can't pack in it like I used to. But I still can eat a good amount (too much). I go back in 2 weeks for another fill. My doctor said usually 7-8 cc's gets you where you want to be. I hope so! I've lost 20 lbs so far but nothing the last few weeks. :mad:

Hi everyone...well I had the fill yesterday. The doc had me do a little crunch while laying down, and she felt the port easily. However she quickly discovered I had a pocket of fluid around my port, which I guess develops sometimes after surgery (she had a name for it but I forget). So she had to drain that first, and then she was able to do the fill. It was not terribly painful, but strange and uncomfortable...but not terrible at all! She put 4 cc's in my 10 cc band. I was on liquids yesterday and soft foods today, and back to normal tomorrow. She said some people get good restriction with 4 cc's, some not. She said seems like the magic spot is around 7 for most people. So I can go back in another month for another fill. Haven't really eaten much yet so I can't tell how much restriction there is yet. We shall see! :thumbup:

I'm so excited, I get my first fill tomorrow. I'm really hoping for a change in my restriction, right now I am operating off pure will power, which does not always work great. My weight loss has stopped since I started eating regular food, even though I know I am eating much less than before the surgery. Hopefully this will kick start me again. Has anyone had a fill yet? Wondering how the first one went....:blushing:

thanks for the encouraging words Jacqui... I'm not stuffing myself or hurting myself, but...like you said eating more than I should for good weight loss. After the first couple of weeks where I guess the stomach is still swollen in there, and you really CAN"T eat... I was getting used to that quick weight loss, not so much now. But I will try to be patient and hope the fills help me out......

I hate to admit this, but I am 3 weeks post op and eating too much! At 2 weeks I was able to pretty much eat would I could tolerate...now 3 weeks out I can eat anything and I am eating the wrong things and too much! I lost 15 lbs with my liquids but now that I can eat again, I'm so disappointed in myself. I"m hoping my fill next week will help out. Pretty much feel like I did before having surgery, think the fills will help? Had to admit that to someone:sad:

Hi Darce, How frightening for you, I'm so sorry. Did the doc say why it took so long for the infection to surface like that? Did you show any symptoms prior (swelling, redness?) I wish you full recovery and quick healing! Lisa:smile2:

I can't wait either, after 2 weeks post op of having no appetite, it has suddenly returned and I don't like it!

Just wanted to see how long you all are waiting until you can get your first fill, has your dr. let you know yet? I have an appointment for 4 weeks out (I am 2 weeks right now). Seems quick to me, but maybe not. He said we will determine when I am there if I need a fill (depending on weight loss, hunger, etc). I am kind of feeling hungry the last couple of days. I am on regular food now, and it does make it a little more difficult than when on liquids, because the choices were so limited then. I'm at work right now and just walked into the kitchen, where there was a huge chocolate sheet cake with whip cream sitting there cut up waiting to be eaten for someones birthday! That was the first time my brain was really tempting me....I passed it up however. Like the crack head passing a table full of free crack!:thumbup:

My doctor actually allows solids two weeks post op... nothing too drastic but they said its trial and error as far as what will go down easily and what won't. Things have been going pretty well and I've been taking it very slowly, but today my son was eating a Devil Dog (holy moly) and I didn't even think about it when he handed the remainder of it to throw out, my old instincts kicked in and I gobbled it and swalled it (about 1/4 of the thing). Talk about PAIN. I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I won't eat again without thinking (hopefully). That was not fun.