oreo4972

Ok. My bad. I did finally see mention of the wound. Smh...

Okay, first of all, did she REALLY say that she didn't realize this was a forum for FAT people??? Wow...Secondly, there was no mention of the resulting wound that HAD to be a result of the port coming through her skin. Hmmm...

I remember the recovery room nurse trying to wake me up and me being soooo groggy. She kept tapping me on my forearm calling my name and telling me to wake up. I recall peeping one eye open and trying to focus on her face (I'm blind without my contacts). The nurse chimed, "Boy, you were riding that high, weren't you?". I told her "yep" and that I was ready to go for another one. Lol. However, my first COHERENT question was, "Do I have my band now?"

Interesting post. I have been really slacking on my H2O intake lately. I was drinking at least 8 glasses per day, but for the past two weeks, things have been CRAZY at work, my youngest son has had football practice 4 evenings per week, and I'm just on the go, go, go and forgetting to drink my water. Wondering if that could be why my band is so tight for the last week (not TOM, don't have that anymore). Food has been either going down very slow or getting stuck. Had a stuck episode for an hour last night. Put myself on liquid/purée diet today...gonna do this for 3 days, up my water intake and see if that helps. We'll see...

Since I've been drinking coffee daily since I was 16 yrs. old, I would definitely say that I'm a caffeine addict! I've tried to switch to decaf, but get terrible headaches. Since I was banded (July 2010), I've gone from 3-4+ large cups/mugs to 1-2 daily, with Splenda and fat free unflavored creamer or just with fat free flavored creamer. My coffee us the one thing that I just won't give up. Sodas are out, alcohol is out, but I need my coffee!

I'm with you on that, Jennifer. Since my fill last week, I can't eat or drink early in the morning cause I'm really tight in the morning. I have to be at work at 7am and am used to drinking a bottle of water as soon as I get up in the morning, however, my first real drink of water is now around 8:30-9:00 am. Yesterday morning, I inadvertently grabbed my water when I woke up and NOTHING would go down! I was sooo scared. I've never had water get stuck. I contemplated going in for a teeny unfill, but when the band loosens up, I have great restriction and can only eat about a cup of food. I've already lost 4lbs. since last Friday! I'm gonna stick it out and see how things go. I'm just gonna have to retrain myself to drink/eat a little later in the morning to allow my band to "wake up". Lol. I also wish that getting fills were a lot easier to get just right.

Well, I'm definitely relieved that I'm not the only one here that has had a "moody" band. I got a .5cc fill on Friday. I had no problem eating or drinking all weekend and this morning I woke up soooo tight that water wouldn't even go down. I PB'd, slimed, and regurgitated about 4 times over the course of 3 hours before I was able to take sips of water and eat a 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce. As the day went on, my "moody" band has loosened up, but, boy, was that an experience! I'm on mushies now, and plan to stay on them for the next few days. I've been banded for 2 years this month and am used to the loose then tight "thing", but never so tight that water didn't wanna go down. Anybody else have this problem? Could it be because my tummy has to get used to the tighter band? Wonder if it will ease up or if I'll have to get a teeny unfill...ugghhh!!

If you like coffee (I LOVE the stuff!), I've found an espresso protein powder called Click. I enjoy it when I'm craving a coffeehouse drink, it gives me a little extra protein (14 grams), it's only 120 calories for a 14 oz. serving, and it tastes great!!! I have it hot or cold (mostly cold), and they have mocha and vanilla flavors, as well as decaf. When I'm really watching my calories, I mix it with water, but as a meal replacement, I use skim milk, ice, and sometimes a shot of SF French vanilla or caramel syrup for a flavor boost. So far, my favorite protein shake, but looking for others that don't have the "protein taste".

Well, I made an appointment on 6/29 to get another fill and I can't wait!!! I hope this fill will bring me back into the "green zone" as I've slowly slipped back into the "yellow zone". My PCP told me that my band may be a little looser due to the weight that I have lost, resulting in my ability to eat more and not staying full. Guess I'll find out after next Friday. I've been making myself be more conscious as I eat - taking even smaller bites and chewing even more thoroughly as I am fully aware that I'll be a little tighter and will need to be more careful when I eat after my fill. Hope the next week goes by quickly!!! Lol.

KimJ384 you've made me feel sooo much better. I talked to my husband and we've decided that I'll go for another fill. I'll be the first to admit that I could take smaller bites and wait longer between bites. I am definitely guilty of eating too fast because I'm always hungry! Hearing of your weight loss after your fill is very encouraging. I'll definitely be making my appointment tomorrow. Singingmom, PB'ing is "productive burping".

I've been banded for 2 years this month. It took about 8 months (with next to no weight loss) and 3 fills before I finally felt restriction. Since my surgery, I've lost 60 lbs. (from 245lbs to 193lbs) and want to lose 25-30 lbs. more. However, I've hit a serious plateau and my weight just doesn't want to budge!!! Uggghhhhh!!! I work out for 40 min. 3 times per week and walk 20-30 min 2 times per week and have been doing so FAITHFULLY for the past 7 weeks. I currently have 7cc's in my 10cc band. I'm noticing that I can eat more than usual and am getting hungry between meals more frequently (I'm starving in the morning). I want to get a "little fill", but am a littled worried because a) I'm embarrassed because I haven't met my goal yet and because I still have occasional "stuck" episodes/PB's and am afraid It'll happen more frequently. My husband doesn't like the idea because he doesn't like to see what I go through when food doesn't want to go down. But I'm getting discouraged by my snail like weight loss. Any suggestions? P.S. Sorry for such a long post.

Don't feel bad. I, too, have also lost (only) 40 lbs. and I am 9 months post banding. Same as you, I have to try to make myself stop saying "only" 40 lbs. I feel better than the heavier me, and I'm looking better - slooooowwwwwllllyyyy (lol). I have 8cc's in a 10 cc band and eat between 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food at mealtime. I eat 3 small meals and have 2-3 snacks per day. I have only recently (within the last month) started a 3 day per week exercise program and try to walk at least three days per week for 20-30 minutes. Eating small, healthy portions is not a problem for me. I am a nurse and am on my feet for 7-9 hours per day, 5 days a week, so when I get home, usually the last thing on my mind is exercise! However, I push myself through it. Getting another fill anytime soon is not an option for me right now. I am already pretty tight. I have to chew, chew, chew and eat very small bites. Some days, I don't seem to want to eat much, then other days, it seems like I'm hungry every 2-3 hours. I try to drink more on my "hungry" days. I am trying to learn to stop comparing myself to other "bandsters" and stop beating myself up because I haven't lost a HUGE amount of weight and be thankful for what I HAVE lost and that it is because of what I HAVE lost that I have been able to come off of my blood pressure medication, that my cholesterol is back down, I haven't had an asthma attack in over 5 months, I no longer have acid reflux, nor do I have to sleep on my CPAP at night. Not to mention the fact that I am down 4 dress sizes and I don't look sick, tired, or ragged due to extreme weight loss. It took me 14 years to gain almost 100 lbs., I don't intend to lose it in one year! I get frustrated, but NEVER regret getting banded. It is still a learning process for me and I am glad and thankful for having it. It has definitely become a tool to help me avoid overeating. I wish you the best of luck. Keep your head up and keep on trying. Everyone isn't the same. We all gained the weight at different rates of speed and time, and we will lose it the same way. Take care and keep up the good work.

First of all, I must correct my surgery date which was not June 2010, but July 2010. I started at 235 lbs. day of surgery (240 lbs. when I started my one week pre-op diet). I just got my 5th fill last Monday (1/10/11). I am currently at 7cc's and can eat anywhere from 1 - 1 1/2 cups of food at each meal. I am eating 2-3 small, high protein snacks in between meals and no longer feel hungry between meals (unless I skip a meal). Since my fill last week, I've lost 6 lbs. and am down from 215 lbs. to 209 lbs. I finally made my 30 lb. weight loss goal! My new mini goal is to be under 200 lbs. (I have 10 lbs. to lose to meet that goal) by the end of February. Wish me luck!

I was banded on July 21, 2010. My surgeon didn't give me my first fill until August 28th. At that time, I was given 3cc's. I could tell that something was different when I ate, but had VERY little restriction. I could still eat a nice sized plate of food if I was hungry. My starting weight was 240 lbs. (I am 5'1"). I got another fill in September (1cc), another in October (1.5cc's), and another in November (.5cc). Between my first fill and my November fill, I went from 240lbs., to 220 lbs. Over the holidays, I yo-yo'd 5lbs. So, I went back to my surgeon on January 10th, 2011, and although I was down from my previous 220lbs. to 215lbs., I was very upset that I was still able to eat pretty regular portions. Although I could no longer eat seconds, I still wasn't feeling the restriction and satiety that I was looking for. I was given another 1cc, which now has me up to 7cc's (I have a 10cc band). I think I have FINALLY hit my "sweet spot"! I have lost 6 lbs. since last Mondays appointment (down to 209 lbs. - yeaaahhh!) I am now eating about 1 - 1 1/2 c. of food per meal. I do eat 2-3 small high Protein Snacks per day. My surgeon and dietician don't require their patients to go on a liquid diet after fills. They don't believe in liquid diets at all. I was eating soft (mushy) foods 2 days post-op, and eating a full diet by day 5 post-op and have had NO problems whatsoever. I have been given no "off limit" foods, but of course, have to use common sense if I want to lose weight and make sure I get enough nutrients. I either have a cup of oatmeal or Cream of Wheat or a scrambled egg and two pieces of turkey bacon for Breakfast (with coffee - gotta have it), a salad or a small portion (about 1 1/2 c) of whatever was for dinner the night before for lunch, and then I have a balanced dinner (on a salad plate) with my snacks in between. Snack are usually, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese slices with apple or pear slices, nuts,or hummus with celery or pita chips. I also take a chewable Multivitamin every evening and 2 Tbsp. of liquid Calcium with Vitamin D (1 Tbsp. twice daily). I, too, have felt the frustration of hunger after the first initial fills. Trust me, you will get to your "sweet spot" and you will know when you're there and it'll feel sooo good. Be patient, communicate with your surgeon and dietician, and make sure you're getting plenty of protein and an adequate amount of Fiber. Sometimes it takes several fills before you get to the point where you're satisfied after a few bites. Also remember that it is very, very important to chew, chew, chew very good. Often times, banded patients say "I can't eat this" or "I can't eat that" when more times than not, they had a hard time getting certain foods down due to heavier, chewier, or drier textures because they just didn't chew, chew, chew (or took too big of a bite). I'm not only a patient, but I'm also a nurse. I wish you the best of luck and MUCH SUCCESS. You WILL get there. It takes time. We didn't get the way we are overnight. It was a long process for us to become overweight and out of shape. It takes time and effort to reverse some of the damage we've done to ourselves. It IS possible. The band is the tool we needed to help us with our unhealthy eating habits. Again, good luck!

I was banded in June of this year. My starting weight was 235 lbs. To date, I have had 3 fills (6 cc's in a 10 cc band) and have very little restriction. Not too many foods give me a hard time where most of my banded friends complain that they can hardly eat anything without it gutting stuck (bread, rice, pasta, beef, chicken). So far, the only things that have given me a problem are fresh white bread, peanut butter, chicken breasts, and raw celery. Everything else is pretty much fair game. I DO have to chew my food VERY thoroughly and take smaller bites, but I can still eat a regularly portioned meal (on a dinner plate). All of my other banded friends are eating the amount of food on a salad plate or less! When I get my fills, it seems as though I am restricted for about 3-5 days and then I am right back to being able to eat a dinner plate portion of food within about a week. If I try to cut back on my portions, I get SOOO hungry between meals (generally within 1-2 hours) and get light-headed and get headaches. Since my surgery, I have lost 20 lbs. and that's it. I can FEEL and SEE a difference in my clothes, and I do have more energy, but I am just SOOO FRUSTRATED! I want to find my "sweet spot", too! My next appt. is on 11/1/10. Hopefully that fill will bring me closer to where I want to be. Wish me luck! :thumbup: