ElfiePoo

Mine just says be kind to the band. Eat however we're able to. On most fills I had no problem eating normally. With this last one at 8cc I'm pretty tight (more than usual) in the morning, so I'm sticking to soft foods. Not a problem at all since I don't feel like eating anyway. .

After the one goes off to school, stick the other in a stroller and go for a walk. Richard Simmons or Zumba DVD's at home if you're looking for something more strenuous. Sit ups, leg lefts (front, side and back lifts), pushups on the wall, step ups on the bottom step of a staircase. If you want to spend more money (but less than a gym membership), a rebounder is fun and great exercise. .

I would tell your aunt to update her knowledge. As with any type of surgery, there are risks but they are lower than those having gastric bypass. Results aren't in yet, but my doc believes that time will show the band has less risk than sleeve because it's not as invasive. We are at high risk for early death and a number of medical complications already just because we're fat. The older we get, the fatter we're likely to get, making our risk for early death even greater. Some of the medications we take to deal with diabetes, high blood pressure, etc. also put us at risk. I know a woman who's taken glucophage for 15 years and is now in need of a liver transplant because the glucophage destroyed her liver. It is nice to have a supportive family, but please don't let them make your medical decisions for you because they don't have to live (or not) with the consequences. .

Finally! Stepped on the scale this morning and it said 225.5...solid! It was driving me crazing that 2-1/2 weeks of increased activity has not driven this blasted scale down. After my fill yesterday morning, I found I was a bit tight by dinner but I could still eat solid foods (shrimp scampi) if I took small bites, chewed thoroughly and waited between bites...although I found I needed to stop after eating about 1/2 cup of food. No problems with even a desire to eat yesterday. Pretty much how I should be eating. I have no clue how tight my band is today but I'm going to do the kind thing and have a protein shake for breakfast now that I've had my mug of hot decaf tea. We'll see what lunch brings although I'm going to stick to softer foods just in case. Nice because I have a butternut squash sitting on my counter, begging "eat me" so I think I'll stick it in the oven and roast it. So, off to have my protein shake and by then it should be light enough to go for my walk. I've managed to do a 3 mile, one hour walk, every day for the last 11 days and now, with the weight loss, am motivated to continue. It averages out to 1 mile in 18 minutes and my goal is 1 mile in 15 minutes. Have a good one y'all! Melody .

Leigha: Ooooo...a 'published' author...congratulations! Meant to say earlier that I liked your nature pictures but you really don't have to do the Marlin Perkins "Wild Kingdom" type of nature walk. Christie: Congrats on the 5K! Must've been fun doing it in a ball gown and tiara. No heels though, eh? :cursing: Shad: You're looking fantastic! How are the rest of you doing? Melody .

OMG...ROFLMAO!!! "Budgie smugglers"??? BAHAHAHAHA! Melody

With the lovely chilly fall weather I've been in a soup kind of mood -- chicken and rice, chili, tortilla soup, etc. To adhere to the guidelines for the band, I'll make sure to ladle about 3/4-1 cup of filling (rice, chicken, vegies) into my bowl and then ladle in the broth. I drink the broth first, then finish by eating the solid stuff. This way I'm not drinking with my meal. :cursing: With chili, I just ladle out 1 cup and eat as is. My family eats exactly as I do and meals are usually pretty much the same - Protein fixed in a variety of ways (baked, broiled, steamed or Foreman grilled), steamed or roasted vegies and potatoes, rice, Beans or Pasta. I only fix dessert when we have company. .

I think the reason they stress low carb (usually means less than 60-65gm a day) is because eating too many can set us up for craving more...a vicious circle. I've always been particularly sensitive to carbs, both from a craving standpoint and blood sugar levels so I try to eat low carb just because I feel better. .

If the literature says '4 oz', it should mean by weight. If they're talking volume, it should read '4 fl oz'. The realize band literature says '4 oz'. My doctor says 3-4 oz of Protein, 1/2 cup vegies and 1/4 cup starch...obviously more than 4 oz and 4 fl oz (which is 1/2 cup). I just use common sense. I don't want my band so tight that I can only eat 1/2 cup of food at a meal or keep me from eating things like broccoli or salad (which it will do if I get that tight). .

Congratulations on onederland...and working out even though you didn't feel like it! .

Hang in there...as someone already said, you may be reaching the point where even the tiniest amount will give you instant restriction. Prior to becoming overfilled and having some Fluid taken out (now working back up to restriction), I went from no restriction to being not able to eat anything but sliders with just .5cc. .

We just came back from Disney and I rode all the coasters with absolutely no problem! That was a great NSV moment for me because I didn't 'just barely fit'...I fit comfortably! First time in 17 years that I've been able to ride the coasters! Woot! I was a bit worried about those that had restraints that went over the shoulders, fearing the bottom part would push against my port, but they were all fine. Enjoy! .

Only as long as he promises to *not* put on a Speedo or G-string...yes? Melody .

Coco, My doc gave us a print out of lots of stuff during my seminar and it said that while intial weight loss with the sleeve was greater than the band, at 3 years postop, weight loss was about the same in the two groups. .

Jillian, Don't be too hard on yourself. My doc told me nothing more strenuous than walking 2-3 weeks and absolutely nothing that would bend/stretch the abdomen too much since everything was still healing in there. I had no pain after surgery, but I did get tired out more easily during the first two weeks. I just thought I was overdoing it too soon in trying to return to my normal activity level...no exercise but I'm usually on the move all day. You might try backing off on the exercising and just focus on movement, like walking. Maybe add even more protein into your diet. During my first month, I was probably taking in 160gm of protein each day (through protein shakes). .

In my first bottle of Water for the day (since I tend to drink that one more quickly than the rest), I put a packet of benefiber. It's clear and dissolves completely so I don't even know it's there. I started doing that when I reached the point of too full where I couldn't eat my vegies at all. .

I would demand a fill. If he doesn't, you have two options...either find a new doctor or threaten to report this jackass for fraudulently installing a band and refusing to do the followup that actually makes it work. It's a bit like selling you a car with no tires. I would ask the 2nd doctor 'why' he's not giving you a fill. According to the band literature, fills should be given if you're hungry and able to eat to excess. If you're losing weight without the band, bonus...but as we all know, that won't continue to happen long term for most of us. As for seeing the surgeon...I had/have very little contact with mine. He saw me at the seminar, on the day of surgery and at the 2 week post visit to check my port and incisions. All the rest of my visits have been with his nurses, who do the actual fills. Addendum: Just read the 2nd post where someone compared this to selling you a car with flat tires. ROFLMAO...GMTA. .

I get to be Batty Dwarf...as in 'batwings', although my son would say I'm also quite batty as in 'bats in the belfry'. .

Many eating disorder sites have a definition along the lines of: "Eating disorders are a group of conditions characterized by abnormal eating habits that may involve either insufficient or excessive food intake to the detriment of an individual's physical and emotional health." By that definition, all fat people have an eating disorder...anyway, my .02. .

Life with Hilda is a never ending bundle of fun. About a week before we went to Disney I was scheduled for a fill, but woke up that morning feeling 'tight'. So I cancelled the fill. Now, three weeks later, I was scheduled for another fill this morning and woke up tight. Pffft. I told Hilda to shut up and went for the fill anyway. After 30 minute conversation with the nurse, we decided to go ahead and get another 1cc (taking me to 8) and then stay there for a month. She said to be kind to my band for that month. In other words, stick to soft foods and mushes for 3 days and then if I'm too tight to eat solids, continue to stick to mushies and pureed and see if it doesn't resolve on its own. At the end of the month, we'll take another look at Hilda and decide where to go from there but will most likely do it in tiny .1cc increments. I had a protein shake before I left for the fill and another protein shake about 30 minutes ago. I'm not hungry and have no desire for food. It would be luverly if I kept this feeling. Now, I think I will go out for my walk since I missed my aerobics and walk this morning and it is a *gorgeous* fall day outside! Melody .

For those worried, I found this...have to say I'm not worried at all about my band. VOLUNTARY RECALL OF REALIZE® ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BAND CINCINNATI - October 13, 2010 - Obtech Medical Sàrl, a medical device manufacturer, and Ethicon Endo-Surgery (EES), in cooperation with the U.S. food and Drug Administration (FDA), have initiated a voluntary worldwide recall of existing inventory of adjustable gastric band systems sold under the brand name: REALIZE® Adjustable Gastric Bands. There is no action required for patients who already have received these gastric bands, and removal (explantation) of the gastric band is not required. The voluntary recall was undertaken due to reports of the potential for the Tubing Strain Relief, a small (2 centimeter) flexible sheath on the band's Injection Port, to slide out of its intended position. In these rare cases, the Tubing Strain Relief may slide along the catheter tubing that connects to the Injection Port. If this happens, the Tubing Strain Relief can no longer aid in preventing kinking where the tubing connects to the port. The Tubing Strain Relief was an enhancement made to the gastric band system to address tube kinking, a complication common to all gastric bands. Movement of the Tubing Strain Relief is highly unlikely to cause any serious injury or adverse health consequences and it rarely affects the band's function. In the extremely rare instance when tube kinking occurs at the Injection Port, the physician might be unable to adjust Fluid volume within the gastric band, which may require additional surgery to correct. The reported incidence of the Tubing Strain Relief sliding out of its intended position is less than 1 in 1,000. The reported incidence of tube kinking at the port related to the Tubing Strain Relief sliding out of position is 1 in 10,000. There have been no reported cases of gastric band removal due to the Tubing Strain Relief sliding out of position. As part of our ongoing commitment to improve the safety and effectiveness of the band, EES identified this issue as part of the company's continuous improvement program and developed an enhanced design of the component that was approved by the FDA. Hospitals and clinics will receive the enhanced replacement product upon returning the recalled product. All new orders will receive the updated product. About the Realize® Adjustable Gastric Band The Realize® Adjustable Gastric Band is used in one type of weight-loss surgery. It contains two main components: the first is a fluid-filled balloon that is placed around the stomach; the second is an injection port to adjust the degree of fluid in the band. Thin flexible tubing connects these two main components. The recall involves an ancillary component called the Tubing Strain Relief. If surgeons or patients have any additional questions, they may call our Customer Support Center at 1-866-REALIZE (1-866-732-5493) for more information.

Treat eating softer foods for a few days. Everytime we get stuck, we irritate the banded area which may cause swelling, which may cause even more things to get stuck. My doc said to measure out what I *should* be eating and take no longer than 20-30 minutes to eat it. *Never* drink with your meals. I can drink right up until I take that first bite and then nothing for 30 minutes after my last bite. When I've been stupid enough to disregard that advice, I'm instantly stuck. I just had another fill this morning putting me at 8cc and the nurse reminded me to 'be kind to your band' for a few days. Since I've already done the overfill, constant sliming/stuck episodes to the point where I couldn't eat anything but sliders, I'm sticking to soft foods and mushies for a few days. .

My doc has a sign on the wall in the fill rooms that shows you what to look for when determining whether you need a fill, are at the right restriction or overfilled. If you're losing weight and aren't hungry, then you're 'just right'. If you stop losing weight and are struggling with overeating or snacking, then you don't have enough restriction. If you're constantly getting stuck, coughing at night, have reflux or pain in the abdoment, you're overfilled. .

Betsy, I thank you very much for your interest and concern and do not see it as being condescending or argumentative :cursing:. I actually had quite a long conversation with my doctor's nurse (who has been very successful with her band) this morning regarding my expectations and she confirmed that my expectations were on target. She was not the one who was giving me my past fills and she thinks, based on the notes, that at 8cc I was close to that sweet spot and when we jumped by .5cc, we should've been going up by .1cc and allowing a bit more time between fills. They decided to give me another 1cc fill today to take me back up to 8cc and then come back in a month for a small tweak if I need to. I had a Protein shake this morning before I went for the fill and am just now getting ready to eat something...but I'm really not hungry. In fact, I'm going to have to force myself to eat something because I have no desire to eat. Maybe I'll just have another Protein Shake and be kind to my newly filled band. Now if I could just keep this feeling...no hunger, no desire. Sweet! .

I'd just respond with, "Yeah, I know a bunch of people who went on WW and gained it all back too." The band is not for everyone. We each have to find the tool that works for us...and then we have to work that tool. .