ElfiePoo

Bread, eggs (doesn't matter how they're cooked) and ground meat. After this last fill, I'm up to 8cc and still no restriction but these are definite no-no's. I have no problem with Pasta or rice. .

I've lost 31 pounds and am still wearing the same clothes I was pre-band. However, we went to a baby shower on Saturday and I found a pair of black dress pants (2 sizes smaller) in the back of the closet that I bought and was unable to wear and just never got rid of them. I put on one of my newer, smaller tops and the pants and oh my gosh! I'm definitely going to go out and buy a couple pair of new pants and toss these things I've been swimming in. The weight loss is so much more apparent and I looked *good* which in turn has made me more motivated!

After reading a couple of bypass forums, I'll be honest and say that there are worse things than being fat...and in my opinion, having a bypass is one of them. If my band had to come out, I'd seriously consider a gastric sleeve, but never a bypass. According to my doctor, when someone has their band removed, the weight comes back because you're once again dealing with hunger. I also agree with what someone else said...if this guy has put two bands in you and they've both slipped, I'd find another surgeon. .

I had a tech that did the same thing...and she'd press so hard on the port that I'd be sore for days after a fill. I finally requested the other tech and now it's a breeze. I think some people are just a bit more 'inept' at their job. In the case of your doctor, at least he's 'ept' (hehe) at putting in the band. .

If your band will let you, just increase the calories you're taking in. If it won't, get a slight unfill so you can. .

To be honest, you just don't have a case. Save the money you'd waste on a lawyer and get your fills instead. At 1.5cc, all you have is a little piece of plastic inside of you but it's not doing anything. It's not the fault of the doctor that you aren't getting your fills. .

If I had it to do all over again...I would seriously reconsider the sleeve even though it's more invasive and has a higher risk of infection, leaking staples, etc...all a greater problem for me since I'm a diabetic. This endless parade of visits to the clinic to get fills, aiming for restriction, is wearing thin. I'm getting close so catch me in another month and I may be in a more positive frame of mind than I am tonight and might say just the opposite. :thumbup: .

I think you can call the state licensing board to find out. It would be worth a call. .

The postop program varies according to doctor. Mine did each stage for only 2-3 days and I was back on regular foods in 2 weeks. I'm now 3 months postop, have 8cc in my band (still with no restriction) and am down only 14 pounds since my surgery. I don't worry about it. The fact that I haven't gained back the 28 pounds (total) that I've lost says that I am being successful at eating less and making good choices *despite* not having the band working for me yet. And yes, as we get older, the weight doesn't come off as quickly. I don't understand what the physiological dynamics are but I know it's more than just becoming less active as we get older because I'm actually more active at 53 than I was at 25...and when I dieted at 25, the weight just melted off. Not so once I hit my mid-40's. .

Bell, Once you have restriction, the band will prevent overeating, which in turn will help us lose weight. The band won't make us go in and get our fills (and push reluctant doctors who want to take months or years to get to restriction...or use it as a carrot/stick reward for weight loss). That's up to us...and until we get restriction, we're doing it on our own. I agree there are a lot of unhappy people here who are not losing or even gaining, but if you read their posts carefully, you'll find they don't have restriction and they're in the same boat they were before getting their band. The band won't make good food choices. That's up to us. The band won't stop us from eating slider foods or junk or sweets...which all tend to be sliders. As someone has already said, I believe those successful with the band are those whose obesity is mainly a result of overeating because they were always hungry. Those who eat for emotional reasons or who eat excessive amounts of junk and sweets are going to find it much much harder. .

We got the band because we couldn't do it on our own...and until the band gives us that restriction, we're still doing it on our own. Stop comparing yourself to others. While some people are motivated just by having the surgery, that's not common. Most of us don't start losing until we actually get some restriction. You'll get there...and in the meantime, stop looking at yourself as a failure. You're not.

I had restriction for about 2 weeks after surgery. Then it went away. .

I just bumped a thread called "calculating your calories" which gives a formula for calculating how many calories you need to maintain a specific weight. This will vary by individual because you have to take into account your height, age and activity level. I think you can go to the Mayo Clinic's website and they have a calculator as well. Just put in your goal weight and it will tell you how many calories you would need to maintain that weight (usually around 1800-2000). Drop down to 1400 and you can see how you'd lose 2 lb. plus per week. Hope this makes sense.

bumping for those interested

Restriction is not a 'cop out'. It is why we get the band. Great...another doctor who thinks it's a placebo. No offense, but your doctor is an ass. If 'restriction' (the purpose of the band and what it does) is a 'copout', then getting the band is a copout and and as a responsible professional, he shouldn't be doing the surgery on anyone. Sorry...I have a low tolerance for stupid doctors who, above all, should know better. .

We've all 'been there, done that'. It will get better when your band is actually working with you. Just take each day as it comes. Sounds like you are back on track and recommitted so give yourself a pat on the back. Remember the old days when (if you're like me), you'd 'blow it' and then continue to blow it for weeks or months? .

I have a Realize band and it holds 12cc. They told me they've never seen anyone hit restriction before 8cc but just about everyone has it by 9cc. I have an appointment in 2 more weeks if I need it. Here's hoping I don't.

Well I can't say that's true of me. I've been posting on the post lapband board quite a bit. I went in for another fill this morning which puts me at 8cc. My doc doesn't have any restrictions on a liquid diet after a fill and I was a bit bummed to find I didn't feel any different in regards to 'full' from before the fill when I ate lunch this afternoon...but we'll see. I swore I was not going to diet or count calories but after running the numbers to calculate how many calories I'd need to maintain a weight of 140 vs a weight of 232 (given my height, age and activity level), I was a bit horrified to find it's only a difference of about 500 calories or so. Shoot...that's the difference between all the little extras (butter on my toast, cream in my coffee, etc.)...and they add up quickly. So I may bite the bullet and put myself back on my diabetic diet which is pretty balanced, low in carbs (but not too restrictive) and easy to follow just so I can monitor my calories more closely. What a PITA, but I am so tired of yo-yo-ing between the same 7 pounds. I want some weight loss here, dang it! .

Take smaller sips of water and I'd wait it out a few days as long as you can drink water and Protein shakes. It's most likely swelling.

3 months post op and just had my 5th fill putting me at 8cc's. Here's hoping it's *the one*. The fact that I'm holding steady and not regaining the 28 pounds I've lost says I'm still making good food choices and eating less than I did prior to the band, but still...looking for some real restriction for longer than a few days and some serious weight loss due to it limiting my quantity. .

I use Dulcolax...two tablets and within 6 hours...voila! I like it because there's no stomach cramping or other side effects that I got with some of the others. I'm happy to say that I haven't had to use anything since 2 months postop. Guess that means I'm finally getting enough Water in. .

Call your local hospital. They can either refer you to a free clinic (assuming there is one), or you can just go to the ER. They can't turn you away because you can't pay...and pus from your belly button is serious and could become life threatening if untreated. .

Same here. Before surgery I drank so much water I sometimes sloshed when I walked. No joke. After surgery, it was a battle just to drink any water...and not because I felt too full, but because I wasn't thirsty and didn't remember. I have 7.5cc in my band and can still gulp down water without any restriction so that's not an issue. I carry around an 18 oz water bottle filled with crystal lite. My favorite flavor is cherry pomegranet or the green tea & honey. I find if the water is flavored, I'll sip from it more.

Isn't restriction wonderful?! .

Erin, I have a deep 'inny' bellybutton and even at 330 pounds I never had what you describe...and I don't clean my belly button other than to aim the shower attachment into it to make sure I get all the soap out that may have run into it. Twice in the past I made the mistake of taking a Q-tip and a bit of Water and gently swiping it out but both times it resulted in a very sore belly button and clear liquid oozing out and crusting around the opening until it 'healed'. My doc said it didn't need to be cleaned out and I was just irritating the tender skin. So I stopped and have never had a problem again. Pus is sign of an infection. Get yourself into a doctor immediately. .