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I am newly banded and eating solids now. I had a defill in my first week due to swelling and not keeping down liquids. I feel if I wanted to, I can eat anything and everything still. I follow the 1 cup a food rule but sometimes it's hard to measure combo foods such as a bean burrito. Today I made 2 pieces of toast out of habit but only ate one. If I overeat because the band is not stopping me, am I still stretching it or would I feel it if I was over doing it? Most days I eat slowly but sometimes too quickly. Maybe I need to just measure more carefully and eat in front of a clock LOL Any newbie tricks or advice would be great. I want to start off with good habits but just don't feel the restriction to help me.

dang it is! Steph your a moderator - let us back in! We will have serious withdrawals! :-) is it an April fool's joke? Hope everyone is having a good week.

Ok, so I am about 6 weeks in and getting used to the whole deal, but MAN AM I CRANKY! Usually have a great temperament, nothing phases me and nice as pie - but now am screaming at my child/husband at the drop of a hat and am generally super cranky. Can anyone help with a bit of advice? Has anyone gone through the same thing? Rachael Perth Australia

Just called my insurance and they told me I would pretty much be approved. I just need a psych eval which I am going to be therapist tomorrow and talk to a surgeon and do my sleep study which I have next week and I could be approved within 30 days

Stocky, I am so sorry that you need more info. Wish I had some good answers for you. Some of this sounds like your Lap Band Dr or office did not put the package together correctly. But t's a good thing that you called the Ins Co. You may have not heard from them for a coulple of weeks so you could be ahead of the game. Is there another Dr that could give you a physical faster? I called my PCP's office and told them I wanted the first available with whoever was free. They have your records and anyone could do it. Also has you lap band Dr given you a surgery date yet? :spider:

Well I was banded 6/28/2007 I started off great. In fact with in the first two weeks I lost twenty pounds. Then I was able to eat and I had a slight gain. So I had my first adjustment and lost a couple of pounds but I still felt no restriction. Then a month later I had another and explained to my surgent that I was switching jobs and would be with out insurance for a couple of months but would follow up once I had medical coverage. Well then the holidays came and I was able to eat anything and everything and feeling depressed about it. To make betters worse the new job I took had horriable insurance and I was able to see my surgent untill yesterday 2/12/08 and the last time I was there was 9/2007. Well I gained twenty pounds back! I wasnt true to myself or this process and I do take responsabilty for my down fall however I was so affraid of my surgents responce that I brook down in tears when he came into the room. He said he wasnt suprised since I havent had an adjustment in so long and the first two I had where small ones. We had a good talk and he told me its not to late to get back on track. Unfortunaltly I am switching jobs again to something better with better coverage but I will be with out health coverage for a couple of months again. When I first started reading other post on this page it have me hope to know I wasnt alone. I hope my story will do the same for some one else. I had a big reality check! But most of all it made me realize I had this surgery for a reason and put a lot of money, time and hard work to have it and I wont to continue well. So here I am back to square one BUT I am determined to do it now and do it right!:biggrin:

I had my surgery early Thursday (Nov. 10) morning and I'm feeling great. The surgery lasted less than one hour and by 1:00 p.m. I was home in my own bed a little bit and walking a little bit. I spent most of Friday out of bed walking around the house. Saturday I didn't lay down at all. Pain is minimal. Today is Sunday and I plan to go to work tomorrow. I had previously had a gallbladder surgery and was expecting that type of pain, but it was nowhere close. What a great experience this has been so far. Much better than I had anticipated. And I've lost 10 pounds in these last few days - which I am sure is mostly Fluid - but who cares it is weight loss. Hope all the others having surgery in the next few days, weeks, months, years have the same experience as I have had. Carolyn

Hello all; I've been away from this forum for awhile. I was banded on 8/12/08 and had my first fill in September (about 5 weeks after the surgery), and felt some restriction (although my doctor says that his first fills are really quite small; sort of to help you get used to the band). I did well at first; lost about 20 lbs. But, right before Thanksgiving, I noticed that I really didn't have any restriction anymore. I was going to schedule another fill right then and there, but I sort of wanted some freedom during the holidays, and also I had a sort of "macho" attitude where I felt like I "shouldn't" need another fill. (I realize that is sort of silly... I mean, why did I have the WLS in the first place?! lol) Between November and now, I have gained back about 5 of the pounds I originally lost. I had my second fill yesterday, which I'm sure was the right thing to do. My doctor has us go on clear fluids for three days, though, after a fill... then full fluids for a week, then mushies for a week, then regular diet.... and I'm SO HUNGRY! In the past few months, I truly reverted back to my old way of eating... so clear fluids for three days is torture! LOL I'm looking for a little encouragement here :thumbdown: thanks everyone and good luck to all

Hello everyone, It has been a long while since I have been here and things have changed alot. I got my band in July 2009 and I did lose 60 lbs in the beginning. However for the past ohh 4 yrs I want to say I have absolutly come to a stand still.. NOT gaining or losing.. This really stinks. I actually joined a gym about 14 months ago and I do go today 4-5 days a week. I love going to the gym but other then making me stronger and building my muscles I have not lost any inches nor weight!! I have had so many test done, thyroid is fine. I have gone through menopause, I have been on and off of hormone replacement, I do not sleep well and my life is full of major stress, I do eat very good and healthy, i cook my own food from mostly organics/fresh foods. I very REARLY do I eat out.. I even keep track of my food..I take suppliments and I am very very healthy ..I am not perfect with all this even after all these years but I do not get out of line much.. This NON weight loss is killing me..I work hard at the gym and I eat right but yet nothing is happening.. I am right now as I type having a very bad time dealing with all this. Something has to give here because all this along with these lingering symptoms of menopaus which by the way has been going on about 10 yrs now, well it is just about two much for me to bear emotionally.. Well if any of you have input that might help get me jump started,, Thanks alot for taking the time to read this and help out if you can.. Michele

Just to update, I did call the Dr and was able to get in today instead of on Jan 7 for my follow-up after my Dec 3 fill. I was able to eat over the holidays and did eat more than I should have. I was so afraid to step on his scale this morning. I thought for sure I would have gained 3-5 pounds but, to my surprise, I was down 1 pound. It doesn't make sense to me that I lost because I know I ate more than I had been eating right after surgery but I'll take it and run with it. My Dr is very conservative with fills he tells me so he added .75 to my already 3.5 filled band. So, I'm at 4.25 right now. He wanted to see me in 6 weeks so, I guess I'll see how this one works out. Happy New Year! I'm excited for this new start.

Well I'd been throwing up for about to weeks. Didn't think much of it because I'd throw up thick spit and whatever I tried to get down, no pain just relief. BUT this weekend was the one that did it for me, I had 2 scoops of rice and I immediately started to vomit like I usually did but I didn't feel any type of relief this time. I continued to vomit until I just started to vomit acidic tasting black gunk or coffee grounds like my Dr referred to it which was a "none panicky way" of telling me that it was blood. So he made me go get an xray and take it to his office and showed how my band was waaay off from where it was originally and told me he had to operate in 48 hrs or less so I wouldn't get a perforated stomach which would be even worse. So he empties my band as much as he could and I got surgery 2 days ago ( feeling great btw) to loosen the band all the way and in about a month & 1/2 when all my swelling goes completely down I go back to get my band placed properly. I can't wait.

I’m having all three tomorrow and have spent so much time reading, lurking and commenting on this site re: the bypass that I have neglected my info gathering on the hernias. I’ve read several posts regarding hiatal hernia and a couple of folks out there with umbilical hernias but none with my special combination. I know you’re out there! What is the most challenging part of the recovery with all three? Personal experiences and anecdotes from friends wanted!

NEVER being able to lose with the band would require a complete medical workup with a doc, a detailed food journal, etc... Having a band is a very small part of the journey... my best friend and I were talking about it and she was like "You have it cause it makes you accountable right?" and at the beginning, it does help with that... but as you continue in your journey, for me, it is NOT an accountability thing anymore, cause I just have my full feeling and am ready to stop eating cause I am satisfied... You MUST have a TRUE commitment to the band. A true commitment is NOT just eating till you are full. You have to follow some rules. The most important eating rule FOR ME is NOT to eat and drink simultaneously. PERIOD. I can FEEL the food wash through the band with the drink... Anyone who is trying to lose and is eating and drinking together is self-sabotaging. Whether they want to admit it or not. You also MUST maintain a commitment to do the follow ups with your doc. If you are not losing at the 1-2 pounds/week rate (accepting an occasional plateau) you need to first look at that food diary, and second make an appt with your doc. A fill too much or too little will make it MUCH harder to lose and maintain that loss. I am down 53 pounds and it is NOT a fast journey anymore... but I am doing the right things and losing slowly but surely. I look better than I have in a LONG time... My mom congratulated me and I did that "Aw shucks, I don't deserve it, I had help" line and my mom was like "WAIT! Katy! You DO deserve congrats. You made a commitment to your health and you've done it. Many people go get the band and don't do the work to get where they need to go, but you've been consistent and bought into your success" and that is true. I have. So, every pound I lose, every size I drop, I raise a glass of sparkling water and orange juice and toast myself. Because I DO deserve congrats for doing my work...

<HR style="COLOR: #d9d9d9; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d9d9d9" SIZE=1> Hi everyone!! I've had 3 fills now....the last one 2 weeks ago. I lose well for a few days and I have good restriction but i always seem to overeat on stuff that goes in easy. chocolate, cakes, biscuits, icecream etc and I just can't seem to stop myself. Eating good healthy food isn't a pleasurable experience at all. Yes it goes in if I chew well and go really slow but the pleasure i get from food is in the bad stuff. I don't know how to stop myself. I've lost 28lb but know I could have lost more if I'd been good throughout. Wondering now if I've wasted my money on the band and should have gone for the bypass....would only have been a couple of thousand more... HELP!!! Amanda xx

i agree with everyone else - i had major second thoughts, cancelled the surgery two days prior and ended up talking (and crying - ugh) to the sugeon about my fears - needless to say, he allievated all of them (most) and had me actually smiling by the end of the call. He told me if i came down and decided to not go through with it up to the last second that was fine but it is very common to be scared etc. And, for weeks and maybe longer, on and off i felt like what the heck have I done but that all passed (mostly - ha) too! As long as you have done all your research, and feel comfortable with your doc - try to relax and know you are not alone in these feelings. I also wish I had tackled this problem MUCH younger - You may be able to tackle it 'on your own' but I've learned from banding just how entrenched bad eating behaviors are and they take a lot to change.

Hi Snapplegirl, Thanks!!! I agree wholeheartedly with what Karen G says about avoiding making comparisons and staying on top of your fills. In addition to that here are my three basic keys to sucess: 1) Fills under fluoro always. 2) Track everything you put in your mouth. I started out using Fit Day and currently use Daily Plate. I try to stay right around 1000 calories, but I'm not going to drive myself crazy trying to achieve perfection, so some days it might be closer to 1500. 3) Exercise and lots of it. Hope this helps and good luck on your journey!!!!

I am writing this for all those who are struggling with the idea of "am I too tight?", "I'm hungry but I can't eat anything...". I just spent the worst 2 weeks of my lapband experience, suffering from the "too tight" affliction, and let me tell you, NEVER AGAIN! Up until my last fill, I've had a pretty dream run of things. No great post-op hassles, first 3 fills of 1ml each were space 1 month apart and came in just at the right times. 4th fill of 0.5ml 2 months after that also went well - great restriction but not too much. After 3 months, when my appetite was starting to rage again, and I was eating 1.5+ cups of solid food at every meal and fighting the urge to snack in between, I knew it was time for fill #5. The doc put in 0.5ml again and warned me to do liquids for a couple of days and ease back into solids after that. Unfortunately, that night I couldn't even manage thick Soups and ended up PBing half the night, till I remembered my emergency anti-nausea pills. I went back to clear consommes for Day 2 and creamed soups for Day 3 but couldn't move past them for a while. By Day 6, I was managing mushies but had to fly back to work and that, combined with getting my ToM a couple of days later set me right back to clear consommes again - anything thicker and I chucked my ring up. I lived like that for the next 8 days but could never get past soups and on a good day, mushies. Let me tell you folks, that is NO WAY to live! I booked the unfill before I came home (got home last night) and just had 0.25ml taken out today - ahhh sweet relief! This morning, I was gurgling and burping over a cup of coffee. This evening, I had a small chicken & vege thingie in filo pastry - delicious, and FILLING and no burping, no sliming, no pain! Best of all is that now I've eaten it, I'M NOT HUNGRY ANY MORE!! What I noticed more than anything with that overfill, was that even when I was gurgling and burping, sliming and PBing, I was HUNGRY in between and kept trying to push past what I was capable of eating. It was so hard not to just get in the habit of eating slider foods and saying to myself "at least I'll lose weight". Of course, the only solid things I could eat in all that time were cheesecake and Cookies... but healthy solid veges and lean meat - not a chance! If any of you are thinking to yourselves "I'm really uncomfortable, but I don't want to take the fill out in case I start to gain", please PLEASE take a leaf out of my book. When you are too tight, the only thing that goes down easily is crap and you won't lose weight eating crap! Life on the band is not meant to be not eating at all! It's not meant to be living on soups and mushies! You need to eat solid, healthy veges and meat and you won't feel hungry! Stay too tight and you'll be miserable, eat fattening non-nutritious foods and will be HUNGRY all the time! Don't do it!!!

I have been on a lot of different meds for the last three years following the death of my Dad. Currently, I take 300 mg of Wellbutrin. But honestly the thing that has helped me the most with depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder is....drum roll.... a rockin' therapist and a lot of self-examination. It is hard and painful but seriously rewarding. I'm really lucky to have a group of friends and some family that know my true potential and kick me in the butt when I'm doing falling back into old habits or ways of thinking. I'm hoping that with the band, I can feel better about my body. I would HIGHLY recommend a good therapist who will keep you honest. For me, I just didn't want to realize that, for the most part, I was in control of how my anxiety affected my life and the people around me and that I part of me actually liked being in crisis. Did I want to admit that? NO! But is it partially true. Yup. Final thought: I am NOT saying that depression and bipolar disorder are not medical illnesses. Both my parents have responded very well to medication... ironically the same medication and the same dosage. Obviously genetics plays a significant role! I am saying that WITH the right meds and a trained professional (a therapist, priest, social worker etc) real recovery and maintance of symptoms IS possible. Thanks for reading the long rant. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us posted with your journey. 30 pounds is 30 pounds is 30 pounds. Go to the super market and pick up one pound of Crisco. Now multiply it by 30. It's great progress. You're doing great. With love, Sheila

Has this happened to anyone else. My surgery was all set. Pre-op is tomorrow. Dr. Mejias office called THIS morning... ONE WEEK before surgery and said that my portion (the part insurance won't pay) is due before surgery. I had to cancel and they seemed to care less. Just said "ok". The end... my dreams dashed... Patty

Dear Tammi, Your pain is very normal. I had sever pain for the first 2-3 weeks and then very uncomfortable pain for antoher 2 weeks. I was banded on Aug 7th. If you want to get rid of the pain, WALK, WALK and WALK some more. This is the only thing that kept me from crying. As you walk around the gas starts to move and slowly move out. Most people experience this only for the first 2 weeks. I guess I was one of the lucky ones to spend numerous sleepless nights! Heating pad helped me somewhat but really it was the walking that saved my sanity. Good Luck, Mary

Congrats to you Jason. Happy Birthday. That's awesome for a birthday present. I got my 1st fill on my birthday last week and that was a great gift.

Hi Mom! It wasnt until week 7 that I could eat something like chili, it has a tendency to be VERY gassy on our new formed tummy's. So be patient, you will start on regular foods soon enough! FYI: this is one food that I MUST eat slow - it clog's the stoma easily. And one more bit of info about chili that I JUST found out; to add MORE protien to it, order a small meat patty along with the chili (Wendy's sell's just the patty's for .60 cents) then break it up and stir it into the chili. It helps fill you up AND you get more protien!!!

as everyone knows my band was removed due to erosion on 11/28. I know that my band is not there but it sure feels like it is.... This is weird! I have PBed everyday for a week and I can only eat a small amount. I have also lost 8 lbs in 2 weeks.. I have not lost any weight in months... My band is gone,now I am losing weight... what is up with that? Am I just loosing my mind?

I would recheck your instructions. 2 weeks of clear liquids seems impossible to do. I only had to do it one day before surgery and just recently one day after my first fill. That one day was tough. :omg:

No you can't feel the band. My port is on the right and yes I can feel it but that's cuz I'm three weeks post op and its still a lil swollen.