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!

Hey Miss Sammy, I'm not sure if anyone has talked about this yet, but I just read up on my Metaformin I'm taking for diabetes. It says that it can be good for people with PCOS to help them lose weight. It is also know as Glucophage.

Ok, I definitely had the gas after surgery. I'm a little over 1 month post op. I pretty much stopped having gas 2 weeks ago and now it's started up again. I did recently switch protein shakes about 2-3 days ago, and they have soy in them which tends to bother me. But it not only feels like gas, it feels like my stomach is very tender (I guess could be a bloated feeling). Are gas problems a natural thing I'm going to have to deal with throughout my banding process? Also, how fragile is the band anyway? I haven't thrown up at all since surgery. It is easy for the band to slip or have problems? I lay on my stomach after eating, is that bad? I know, I know, a lot of silly questions, but these things have been bothering me and I need some words of wisdom from those who have gone before me. Help!

Thanks for the good wishes. I think my first fill won't be until July 8th, at least that's when my next doc appt is. My doc is very strict with the diet phases post op. So I'm on my last week of pureed foods and on Sat I start 2 weeks of soft food. Oh the process!!! I know it will all be worth it! Good luck to you as well in your next month, Happy Bandiversary too!

Hey there, today is my 1 month bandiversary!! It's funny that we all go through mourning over our food. I definitely began mourning food as soon as my stomach started to heal, and I still have bouts where I wonder if I should have done this. But then my hopeful side of my brain overpowers my food addicted side of my brain and I realize that I need to do this and I remind myself of my new mantra...Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!!!!! I have a long way to go, but from what I've read we will be able to eat all kinds of food, just in restriction/moderation and feel full and satisfied. My band hasn't been filled yet and I certainly am in bandster hell, but I know it will end and this implant will start to do it's job to help me. Hang in there!

Ok guys, give it to me. What really happens when things get stuck? I haven't been filled yet, but sometimes when I eat thick things too fast I get this sharp pain going up into my chest. Is this getting stuck. Please give me details so I know what to expect.

Hi Miss Sammy, you are scaring the crap out of me!!!!! I don't know anything about PCOS, but I definitely know about feeling hopeless and that nothing seems like it will change. First off, you are a gorgeous girl and your signature quote is so positive- try to remind yourself of what you wrote to motivate yourself, those words are still within you. I'm only 1 month post-op, but my weight loss has stopped. I've been feeling discouraged and like this isn't going to work. I don't have restriction and want to eat way more than I should, sometimes I talk myself out of it, sometimes I don't. It's my food addicted brain talking, I know I have to overpower it. It does help me to tune into this forum to keep the dark thoughts down and re-motivate myself. Maybe see if you can find a specialist that deals with PCOS who might have some better ideas on how to help. I'm a children's therapist and do know a lot about clinical depression. If you can't seem to get yourself out of this rut, you might want to talk to someone (a professional) to help. You are not alone, remember that. We are all here to support you, just keep tuning in and talking.

I need some guidance. I'm on week 1 of my pureed diet. My nutritionist told me to continue with 2 shakes a day and then include 3-4 ounces of pureed foods at other meals. I haven't been filled yet. I have found I can eat more than 3-4 ounces and I'm worried that if I do, which I have from time to time, that I will stretch my stomach pouch. I had too much to eat for lunch today and feel full with a little tightness going up into my chest-- I won't eat that much again. Please let me know your experiences. Can I stretch my pouch on more than 3-4 ounces?

You are probably only eating liquids right now, and on that stage calories are low and yes, you can lose it fast. Be prepared, it definately slows. I'm on pureed foods right now and I have noticed my weight loss slowing. I'm still losing, just at a slower rate cuz I'm getting more calories, fat and carbs.

Hello, I've got the shake for you. It's Premier Nutrition's Protein Shake. It has 30 grams of protein per shake!!! It's low fat, low carb and has 160 calories. It tastes good too, I have only seen/tried the chocolate flavor. I get it from Costco, they've had it for a long time, but you may be able to get it from GNC. At Costco it's 18 shakes for something like $25. Highly recommended!

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. I talked to my surgeon's office and they said it sounds like my blood pressure and maybe my meds need to be adjusted due to the weight loss, and to talk to my pcp. I called my doc's office and they couldn't get me in right away, but want me to be seen cuz they said it could be my blood pressure too. I stopped my pill for 2 days and the dizziness definitely decreased a lot ( I don't advise this). I'm gonna get my blood pressure checked at cvs or other drug store cuz I'm not sched to see my pcp until next week. I'm starting pureed foods tonight, I'm actually supposed to begin tomorrow, but what is 1 meal, right?