Surby

I'm getting my FOURTH fill in one week, and I think that will do it. I'm finally feeling some restriction (especially early in the morning) with my third fill. It's a great feeling when you get there!!!

I've read the posts about hair loss, and I just kinda ignored them. I mean, I'm 5 months out of surgery, and you'd think I was in the clear right?? Noooo!!! During the past week I've lost more hair than I've probably lost during my lifetime!! I'm not losing weight quickly at all, and I think I'm getting plenty of protein, but it's thinning BIG TIME!! Any suggestions??? My hair is my only feature that I actually like! Help!!!! :help:

This is kinda gross I suppose, BUT what happens when a bandster has a stomach virus or food poisoning and has to do a real throw-up (non PB)?? Does it hurt coming back up through the band?? I felt really nauseated yesterday, and I was so afraid I was going to vomit. Ugh!!! :phanvan

I get these embarrassingly L O U D hiccups when I have not chewed my food well enough or have taken too big a bite. My friends really get a kick out of them!!

I am going for my fourth fill in 2 weeks. I barely felt restriction after my third fill, but it was definitely different. I can't wait to see how it feels to finally get to the point that I can feel the band actually helping me! I think my doc must be pretty conservative with his fills. Keep going til you know you have restriction!!

I've had 3 fills with very little restriction as well. Both my parents are having major major health problems, and I am finding myself eating like I used to (will I ever lose that coping mechanism?). I'm hoping to get my 4th fill next week, and maybe I'll feel restriction then. I need help!!

One word: FLUOROSCOPY!!!!

1. My port is actually LESS visible as I lose weight. I think it's because the fat behind it is disappearing. If you wear underwire bras, you might want to ask your surgeon not to locate the port in the center where your bra hits. It does get uncomfy at times. My port has tilted, and I wonder if that's why! 2. I think I answered that in number 1.........I always try to be ahead of the game! LOL 3. I would say eating ice would be good because you're not gulping water.....just getting a slow intake. I have heard that craving ice sometimes indicates a vitamin or iron deficiency. Might want to ask about that. 4. Here's an answer to a question you didn't ask. It takes some people FOREVER to actually fell restriction. I've had 3 fills and just now am feeling a tad bit restriction! I am NOT patient. I had surgery on Aug. 24, and I've only lost around 35 pounds. I will have my 4th fill after Christmas, and hopefully that'll be the charm!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Vanity to a very small degree. Here's what pushed me all the way over the edge. My mom, who was in perfect health and at a perfect weight, had a massive stroke on Dec. 22 of last year. Believe it or not, that's not what convinced me. She spent A LOT of time in rehab because of paralysis. Her roommate at one place was an obese woman, and it took 4 to 5 staff people to help her up and down. It was nearly impossible to bathe her, and the weight of her own body broke her leg during physical therapy. She probably only weighed 250 pounds. Obese, but not THAT big. I never ever want to be in that boat!! THAT'S what convinced me to be banded!

As far as erosion goes, my surgeon has said that not controlling stomach acid with Nexium or another similar drug and/or taking ibuprofen will contribute to erosion. Since being banded, I haven't needed Nexium, but I sure stay away from Advil!!

I FINALLY have restriction! Woo hoo!!! :clap2: I was beginning to think that my band was a lemon because after 2 fills, I still had no restriction whatsoever. I had my 3rd fill on Monday, and I can finally tell that I have a band!! I just wanted to tell those of you who are in the same boat, that there is hope! I think after maybe one more little fill, I'll be in the perfect spot.

I feel your pain! I dry heaved and vomited for 7 days! I haven't had problems, but I've only had my band since August. That first month was MISERY for me because I was so so hungry. Even though I've had 2 fills, I still have no restriction, BUT I'm amazed how my body has adusted to smaller amounts of food (willpower) and wayyyy less sugar. I'm having my 3rd fill on Monday, and I'm hoping and praying that I will get restriction this time!! My surgeon does the fills with fluoro, so I know my band is OK right now. Hang in there, those first few weeks are way harder for some than for others! I had a hard time!!!

My surgeon said that it all depends on your body type. If you have the "diabetic" build, which is most weight in the middle area, your liver is more likely to be fatty. I have met many women in the waiting room in my doc's office, and about half had to do the pre-op and half didn't. I, personally, didn't have to. Believe me, if my liver was in my butt area, I would've had to do a year of pre-op dieting! I think I might've had an easier time adjusting to the diet post-op if I had been required to do the pre-op diet!

I PB'ed on liquids for about a week after surgery........probably due to extreme swelling (the ONLY time I've had restriction). I couldn't figure out what was happening, but I'd feel all nauseated, and then I'd produce this ENORMOUS amount of saliva. If I swallowed the saliva, I was really in trouble. Then I'd do this HUGE belch that sounded as if I had a lion in my tummy. All that came up was a little liquid. It was HORRIBLE!!

I needed to read that! I have had 2 fills and could still eat the south end of a north bound mule!!! I was so hoping to have restriction for Thanksgiving, but I'm just going to rely on my WILLPOWER!! Thanks for taking the time to write the post!

I was banded on Thursday and ATTEMPTED to go back to work on Monday. BAD IDEA. I just didn't do well for about 2 weeks..... lots of nausea and weakness. Then after 2 weeks, I just bounced right back and have felt great since! BEST WISHES!

The barium does that to me BIG TIME. Did you have barium??

I was banded in August and have had 2 fills. I still feel no restriction whatsoever. I have lost almost 30 pounds, but I have worked so hard and have been so hungry during this time. I can still eat absolutely anything and a lot of it. I keep wondering if there is something wrong with my band? Why don't I feel restriction after 2 fills??

Just wanted to check in to see how everyone was doing. I've had 2 fills with no restriction. I'm frustrated, but I'm not giving up!!!

I JUST WANT RESTRICTION!!!!!! Two fills and no restriction! Grrr!! I've heard a lot of people say that their restriction comes and goes. I wonder if it's just like all other bodily tissues that at times have inflammation??

Gurgles are the MINOR noises that my body makes!! I have had 2 fills and still feel no restriction, but boy am I noisy!! My stomach gurgles, growls, and barks! My throat does the same. The worse thing is the belching!! After I eat, it sounds as if I am belching from my toenails!! It can get embarrassing. I just try to eat very little if I know that I'm going to be in an important meeting or in a quiet courtroom!!! But, like others have said, it's a small price to pay!

I am a big-time water-guzzler too!!! OK, so I WAS a guzzler! My doc told me that drinking anything too quickly could stretch your pouch. When I'm very very thirsty, it's so hard not to, but I do NOT want to risk that!!

Taco soup.........mmmmmmmmmmmmm

I have had 2 fills and haven't felt a difference yet. It's very frustrating. I have lost around 25 pounds (surgery was Aug. 24), and I can't get my ticker to change!!! I have to wait 4 weeks on my next fill, then hopefully I'll feel restriction!!!

I am a self-pay patient, but my fills are only $50 for the first year....and that's an unlimited number (he will do them only every 4 weeks). After that I have no idea how much they are, but it's probably pricey because he uses fluoro every time.