123crod

I agree it is probably swelling but if in a week it does not change or if you are unable to take liquids do not be afraid of getting a small unfill. I went seven months too tight because I was scared of what it would be like to have some taken out. But a friend made me go as she had been through the samething, it did nothing but make me feel better no weight gain. You can always have it put back in. I only had .2ccs taken out but it made so much difference. Cheri

Do not think the band stops most people from drinking a large amount of Water it just goes straight through unless you are too tight. But spreading your water out during the day if you had to is just a small lifestyle change and with the band you have to change many different things. If you are not willing to change things maybe the sleeve would be better for you. But do your research and then decide. Good luck to you in making the right choice. Cheri

You were banded on my birthday! I am 50 years old and been banded 15 months and down 80 lbs. If you want to talk e-mail me at crodriguez17@comcast.net Cheri

We did not let them ruin our fun, but I just never had an idea that they looked down on us. One support groups I go to is all types of surgeries and most of them do have the bypass but they have never made us feel we were less then them. The other one is all people with bands. I love my band and am so happy with the choice I made even though my surgeon did try to talk me into the bypass. Sad people all just can't be happy for each other with the choice they made for themselves Cheri

Okay, This weekend I went to the OH (Obesity Help) WLS Conference in Houston. I went with 3 other friends who have the band too. We had so much fun!!! But . . . . Why do people seem to think people with the band are a lower class of people than those who have gastric bypass or the sleeve? Several times when we were seated at tables with others we would discuss what surgery we had and the gastric bypass people really would be totally turned off to people with the band. One couple even said “Don't worry we won't move" (to another table). What? Please are you superior to me because you had a large amount of your insides removed? Or maybe your surgery cost more than mine? Oh I know you lost weight faster than me? Now the speakers and promoters are very band friendly as were the venders but the people. Could not believe it. There were a lot of Bandsters there but we were out numbered. Anyone else experience this? Cheri

Good for you you have already been making changes it will really help you along the way. Let me know when you get your date.

Cheri, I hope it is getting better for you at school with your students. What a blessing you are to all your students and their parents. I have 3 nephews who are into every criminal activity there is, and I find myself resenting them for all the trouble they cause this family. I have found that praying for them keeps me from the resentment, trust me I have to do a lot of praying for them. Yes God is so good to us. My son Robert has an interview for a new job on Wednesday, I am not sure this where he is going to end up at, but I believe it could be a stepping stone to where God would have him be. Thanks so much for the prayers. Cheri

Okay where are all the July 2009 people we need to hear from you all! Cheri

I say do it as soon as you can. I did my in 1½ days from the time I got okay. I did not want the anxiety of waiting. Plus how last dinners can you have? I just did not want to say goodbye to Diet Coke but I did. Cheri

Hang in there, if you fall just pick yourself up and get going again! We all have our moments! Cheri

I am 15 months post op and all 4 of my fills have been with floro. I only have 3.8 ccs but could not take anymore. I had one unfill of .2cc about 1 month ago. I have not had hunger since my first fill.

Erin18, I have been following your posts since you were banded. You had a very rough time in the beginning and then not being able to get a fill for a long, long time because of insurance. So you have been dealing with the band for as long as I have, but I did not have to go through all you did, so in some ways you are behind and have worked harder without all the help you needed. You seem to really want to lose weight so just make up you mind that you will do it. You are young and beautiful and have you whole life in front of you so do it now not when you are older like I was. It will make such a difference. I know you have it in you to do it. Good luck! Cheri

Sorry to know you are going through this, it sounds so difficult. If I was you I would try to work with what you now have. Pull that band out and most likely you will gain all your weight back and then you will be really upset. The way you lost it was not good, but now you have a second chance to keep it off. Get a fill and learn a new lifestyle and you should do good. Wish you all the best. Cheri

Gonna give it a try, weight is slow going right now but want to lose 10 lbs by Christmas. Cheri

I too have this problem, but I eat sugar free popsicles. I know I am really not hungry but I just want to eat. I do not sleep at night despite medication I take. I usually can't sleep until around 3:00 am or later. My husband is out at 10:00 pm Sometimes I have to get up and do a workout. I spend a lot of time working out on my Total gym sometimes 1 or 2 am. I sometime take another warm bath when I want to eat.

btrieger: You are doing so good Congratulations! Cheri

You will be hungry probably untill you get a few fills. I starved for the first month and after first fill I really have not felt hunger again , 15 months later I could go all day and not eat . . . as I do not get hungry. I have a few times but it is not good for you. . .stalls your weight loss. Hang in there it get so much better. Cheri

Too tight!

Just wait till you get in your forties ladies then everything is just “the change” go home and rest. Hate those words!

Even Slimfast has a high protien not too bad or Muscle Milk is good too.

I prayed for you! Hope all goes well! Those can be painfull Cheri

ObesityHelp.com is coming to Houston Texas, November 5th and 6th! Due to overwhelming requests, we will be welcoming back Dr. Garth Davis and MaryJo Rapini of TLC's Big Medicine, Bariatric Chef Dave Fouts and author Dr. Connie Stapleton as our main stage speakers! Each of these speakers will be presenting new and exciting talks that cover a wide range of issues like bariatric surgery, plastic surgery, insurance issues, healthy dieting, exercise and rebuilding your relationships after weight loss.

I think that is normal, pain should go away in a few more days if not call your Doctor, everyone is different and has different pain levels. But sounds normal to me try not to over do it. Cheri

In 15 months I have hardly ever felt hunger. Sometimes if I am busy I can go all day and not eat. But I do not reccomend that ... we all need our protien. I do not know if everyone has that or not. I was hungry before my first fill but after that none. I only have 3.8 ccs in a 10cc band. It is so nice not to have hunger . . . but the head hunger or emotional hunger is a different story

Go to a support group with other people who are banded. Read, research online and asked your surgeon for more details if you need them. There are some good books out there. But do not believe everything you read use wisdom. Cheri