1shauna1

I have heard that, depending what you drink, it can "prime" the band and make it looser. Myself, I don't worry about drinking before. I don't have a drink near me when I'm eating, and I wait (try to) 30 minutes....it's hard, I know!

I think it's a little early to say you will try it without a fill....you're only on the pre-op diet so why bother with the band at all? If you think you can do it without it, then that's great! But really, if you're getting the surgery I don't see the point of not utilizing it to it's fullest potential. Good luck.

It depends on the surgeon; I had 2.5 cc in my band after surgery. But I didn't really feel any restriction from that.

It sounds rough, and I was one of the ones who didn't have to do a liquid diet beforehand. Hm, new liquids....what about yogurt drinks? Can you blend some soups to sh*t in your blender to make them completely liquid?

Nine months seems a long time. However I would continue it until you know for sure what's happening. Are you sure you're going to be covered under your boyfriend's insurance (are you considered common-law?)? Just make sure you know what's going to happen before you stop the diet; you wouldn't want to be screwed after stopping the diet.

Actually, yes as Anita mentioned, I often have issues with milk and yogurt earlier in the day. So, you may want to find another protein drink to try.

I did have a fill where I felt immediately nauseous afterwards....I was too tight. If you think it might be getting sick, then try to wait a day or two. Otherwise, you may need to go back to your doctor.

Pixie - I've had a fill like that. I could drink clear liquids in the morning, but nothing cloudy like a protein drink. I think (hope) you will find as the day goes on you're getting slightly looser. Also, since you've only had coffee, remember the caffeine can dehydrate you so I would follow that with a glass of water. To be honest, with that fill I had to get some removed but that was just me. You may be able to adjust to this level of tightness; every fill comes with some adjustments I find!

The clear liquids are the worst, but by the time you are back to work, hopefully you're on full liquids (like protein shakes and creamy soups).

Like you, OP I had my surgery a while back, and I'm not down as much as I had thought I would be. In fact, I had thought I'd be at goal by now. But it's mostly my own fault for working around my band. I've also had issues with my fill level (going for another fill next week after three unfill/refills; just can't get this right!). All I can say is, yes it is totally frustrating, but you can't give up! I'm going to be 40 next January and I'm damn well going to be finished losing weight by then! You can do it too!

Well written! At this point, my happy weight will be under 200 lbs. It's been several years since I've been there. I think my ultimate "happy weight" is going to be 174, which puts me in a "normal" BMI. I had originally planned my goal to be 155-165 but I don't know if I can ever get there. At 174, I'll be a size 12 probably (I don't even know it's been so long), but seriously that 200 lb mark is major. However that's also when I get really complacent so I have to watch myself.

I don't think so, especially if you don't have a fill. It's basically like you didn't have a lapband. Honestly, unless you're drinking glasses of fat, I wouldn't worry too much. Nothing is wrong!

Well if you're already down 25, that's awesome! You're still doing great; the lapband just makes it a bit easier when it's working properly (and you're working it properly!).

Don't worry about gaining back at this point. I think a lot of the pre-op diet is de-fatting the liver. I didn't even have to do a liquid diet; just eat healthy. Of course, try to follow your doctor's orders and be careful. There have been stories on here about doctors closing people back up because their liver was still too fatty.

For snacks I like jerky (beef or turkey; just watch sodium), those little tuna/cracker snacks, greek yogurt, and my new thing is salt & pepper pistachios in the shell (and they take a little while to eat so that helps).

As Mis stated, that's the amount, and you should techinically be able to eat everything. HOwever, many people have issues with some foods. So just because you can eat steak doesn't mean anything is wrong (You are lucky IMO because that's a food I have issues with!). At your sweet spot you should find these minimal amounts of food keep you full for several hours. So if that's not the case, then you may need another fill (although your levels seems very high to me, but I can't seem to get above 5 cc in a 10 cc band). I hope you can find a level that works for you!

Congrats! I heard about that Heart Attack place....that's crazy amounts of food!

One glass will probably put you on your ass, but I'd go ahead and enjoy it!

To be honest, I really prefer to just eat alone now! Sounds so sad, but true! Lol. Even if I go to dinner at my parents' house....I just feel like there is this pressure to eat within their timeframe. They always tell me not to worry and take my time but I don't know what it is....I often have more issues when I'm eating with other people, than by myself!

Well, unfortunately you'll have to wait for your next fill. That's often the way it goes; first time really doesn't do anything. If you're getting another 3cc next time, I bet you'll feel a lot of restriction. Really though, you have to stop drinking with meals. Don't even have a drink on the table. if you drink, you're defeating the purpose of the band which is to have the food slowly trickle through the band, keeping you feeling fuller. If you're drinking, you're just flushing the food through the band, and then it's not doing anything. Good luck!

If you can't get any liquids down, you're definitely too tight and should probably go back and see your doctor! Doesn't matter how many fills you've had; sounds like you can't tolerate that amount of liquid.

To be honest it depends on my day. If for whatever reason I've been having issues that day, I'll try to stick with more "slider" type foods (soups, etc). I've often shared with a friend, especially if the place has large portions. I often go with an appetizer since the size is better.

It doesn't sound normal, but it could be just that you've pulled a stitch or something.....take it easy the rest of the day & if the pain persists, I would contact your doctor!

At the time I had just finished a college program and was waiting to start my new job; I probably would have been off for 5 days (that's total including weekends; some others have had a worse recovery, though. And it depends on the activity level of your job; I'm sitting all day).

I had to stop my pills the month prior. However, I started them again after surgery with no issues (except the times when I've been too tight and had problems drinking liquids in the mornings; I take my pills in the mornings. Nighttime might be easier for some). I don't know about shots or anything else, sorry!