shibalover

I'm not trying to be paranoid, so I'm asking for some advice. I have the Lapband AP with a 10cc max. I went for my first fill several months ago and he gave me 3 cc's. When I went back for my second fill about 3 weeks ago, my doc told me that 1 cc had depleted. He said that the fluid dissipated throughout the balloon of the band. He gave me 3 more cc's for a total of 4 cc's. I felt restriction for a week or 2, and still have some, but I can really eat more then what others are saying they can. I'm not gaining any weight, but not losing any either. So I'm wondering if anyone knows about fluid dissipating into the band and how you know if you have a leak.

Thanks everyone for your feedback! I also thought 62 pounds was pretty good for 4 1/2 months in! I went for my fill today and I lost 6 #'s since my last fill a month ago. He told me I could do better. He said now I should try to keep my calories between 600 and 800. Jeez!!! I guess he's of the aggressive surgeons! I agree I could do better with exercise, and maybe with 2 more cc's I'll have better restriction to help eat a little less, but I think 600 calories is absurd! Does anyone else have a doc that expects this?:smile2:

I have an appointment tomorrow to get my 2nd fill, and I am nervous that my doc is gonna get mad at me cuz my weight loss has slowed since surgery. I still have been losing, just very slowly. When I got my first fill he said he wanted me to keep doing 800 calories a day and exercise. I've tried to stay around 800, but it's hard as I am in bandster hell, I really don't have much restriction on my first fill. I need some words of wisdom and support/encouragement to take with me to my appointment!

The best protein drink I have found is Premier Nutrition's Protein Shake. They have 30g of protein, low calories, low fat and low carbs. They taste like chocolate milk and I don't get hungry too soon on them. You can get them at Costco for $24 for 18 of them. I used them for breakfast before my pre-surgery diet and still love them and I've been on regular foods since the beginning of July. Good luck!:thumbup:

Thanks all! I go back in a month, I think for another fill. I feel a little more restriction than before, but I can still eat. I wonder what it's like to be in the green zone?

I did the Atkin's diet years ago and lost 60lbs. I worked/strived to get into ketosis. That was the whole point, as far as I was concerned, about the diet. I had a metallic taste in my mouth, but no pain, when I was in ketosis. I tried to keep my carbs under 30g a day. Besides the taste in my mouth, the only bad side effect I noticed was some hair loss, not too bad, but I remember worrying about it. I eventually stopped the diet, due to boredom. From what I read, it was ok to be in ketosis for periods of time, but not for long periods, as it was too much stress on kidneys and liver.

I had my first fill today, 3cc in a 10cc band. It was no big deal at all. I was nervous that it would hurt and that I would have too much restriction. It barely hurt, just a little pinch and no gurglies! Glad to know it's not so scary!

Hey everybody! I'm new in my journey, and have been wondering about excess skin after weight loss. Is there a way to decrease the possibility of excess skin? If so, how? I would really love to know what needs to be done to avoid weird skin and plastic surgery.

I have not had a fill yet, but still keep losing. On my visit to get my first fill, my surgeon said I was doing so good he didn't really want to fill me yet. I know I can eat more than others that have been filled, and sometimes find myself overeating. I have to work on not being a member of the clean plate club and/or putting a lot less on my plate. I do eat much, much less than I did pre-band. I have found I can eat almost anything, bread, pasta, etc. So I think it all really is a matter of what is working for you. If you are eating and still losing weight, it is working for you. I guess it's just important to monitor how your stomach is feeling as you eat, eat slow and stop when you feel full. Good luck!

Hey Trishfish! Good info. I had a longer restricted diet after surgery progressing from liquids to mushies to soft and then to solids over an 8 week period. Just wondering now if occasional overeating, after the healing period, could cause the band stitches to have problems or for slippage to occur. Any info on that?

I'm about 2 months post op and have lost nearly 50 pounds. I love starchy, bready foods! I have managed to have some of these things while still keeping it low carb. There are options out there and I haven't found a food I can't eat yet. You just have to have it in moderation and be slow and careful when you eat. The band will let you know when you should stop eating. I admit I haven't been exercising like I should and sometimes overeat, but I keep trying to pay attention to stop when I'm full. I haven't had a fill, my doc said I was doing well enough without one. If I get one, I expect that some foods will be harder to eat. It is a tool, I still battle with the old demons that got me fat to begin with, but I'm telling you it's way easier to control myself with this band knowing the consequences than when I didn't have it. Good luck, keep positive and it will work for you!

Hey everyone. I've heard that anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin can be bad for the band because they could cause slippage or erosion. What kind of pain relievers are recommended?

I just went for my 2nd appointment after my surgery on May 14, 2010. I thought I was going in for my first fill. I have lost a total of 48 pounds since pre-op diet. My doc said I was doing so good and steadily losing weight that he thought I should wait to get a fill. I have no fluid in my band, he doesn't fill it at surgery. So he wants me to continue as I have been and see him again in 6 weeks. I also feel like I'm not really hungry in between meals, but I notice at dinner I eat too much and feel too full. So I'm gonna try to restrain myself cuz I can eat more than the 4oz people say were supposed to eat and exercise more.

Also known as sharts!