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I hope he will fill me right back up since we already know what fill level I need to be at. It has taken me 9 fills to get where I am right now. Plus, I am self pay. He's pretty aggressive with his fills and he always does them with a flouroscopic x-ray. As far as what I usually eat, I have gotten into a bad habit of soft foods. I love to eat Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal and cottage cheese with fruit. While cottage cheese is a soft food, I do think it's a great source of Protein. It has 12 grams in 1/2 a cup. Since I have made the decision to really try to change my habits I will probably eat normal food like meat and vegetables. I will just be eating much slower, chewing much longer, and taking tiny bites. Doing that I am sure that I can eat almost anything I want. I won't be trying to eat a cheeseburger from McDonald's or anything like that. I always try to make healthy choices. What kind of things do you eat? With my first band I really got into the habit of standing up and maybe that's why I am doing it again this time. The only difference this time is that so far no matter how tight my band is filled, food still goes through easily if I am standing. With my first band, it didn't matter if I was standing up. When my pouch got full, that was it for a few hours. Most of the time, because I ate too fast or took big bites and didn't chew enough I would end up PB'ing. If I had only taken the time to slow down and do it right I am sure I wouldn't have had that problem. Hindsight is 20/20!

<p>Coo, good luck and you'll find it's over so fast. The recovery period is a bit hard, but the hard part only seems to last from around 3-5 days. Totally tolerable! And so worth it! Actually I was like you, really prepared and even more prepared than I needed to be. I was able to do a lot more after surgery than I expected to! I didn't need some of the supplies and meds I'd bought, I purchased WAY to much soups and stuff for the mushy stage --- the whole journey is easier than you fear. I'm so excited for you!

Hey Cal, I was banded on 11/14 too. I have a 10-12cc band and my first fill was 3cc. Sounds to me like your eating too fast. I agree with Chubster - try eating slower and chew better.

Banded in Mexico 11/07. Had port reattached in April 08. Port is now migrating out of my body. It's half way out, pretty. I saw a surgeon at Dr. LaPort's offices. He seemed judgemental that I went out of country. He was really down on "other bands" not available here. I need surgery TODAY... I'm still waiting on the "endoscopy" referral to rule out the E word. I now want to find a 2nd opinion in my area and compare apples to oranges. I found the naem Brian Quebbeman. Anyone out there have anything to add about this guy???? Thanks Kym

I was wondering if anyone else here has the habit of eating to fast, taking large bites, and not chewing properly. I am not a slob but I am in the habit of eating fast. This does not go over well with my band. I am already too full by the time my brain tells me to stop. I feel like I have tried every trick in the book but with no sucess. I tried laying the fork down between bites. I tried setting a timer so I would take 20 minutes to eat. If anyone has any suggestions on ways to slow down and chew better I would greatly appreciate it. I cut my food into small pieces but I find that takes too long...........it all goes back to being in a hurry. That is how I live my life and it is hard to slow down even when I have nowhere to be and nothing to do. Thanks ahead of time for your support. This is a great group of people!

And I hit 50lbs on Friday!!! So happy with this decision. And still no fills! When it slows down I will gladly get a fill. But can't believe within 3 1/2 months down 50lbs with NO gimmicks. No juicing, no just shakes, no fasting. I have actually eaten the entire time. Just healthier!!

I never have tried Pilates. For my exercise I alternate things but they include things like: crunches, leg lifts, walking, spinning, dance video and using weights to tone. My stomach has gone down as I lose, just not fast enough for me (never is, is it?!). I knew there had to be something to do to target a certain area but wasn't sure what to do besides crunches. I will have to try Pilates. I have been twisting! I am going to hold off on measuring for a while though.

I am confused, what are you actually asking? I think you might be asking advise on how to loose a bit more is that right? First you can start by never going to another fast food place again. Taco Bell, Wendys, McDonnalds are all HORRIBLE for you. No nutrition and full of fat and high calories....try a steamed piece if fish and some fresh veggies! Chicken & brown rice..... just stay away from the fast food and you will loose just by giving that up!

My doctor talks to me quite a bit about how things are going with my appetite, how fast and how much I can eat. He also monitors my weight loss. If I am losing 1-2 pounds a week, no fill is needed. He does make me wait 6 weeks between fills though.

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I cannot believe how fast a month has flown by! Ok well at first it seemed as if it was crawling but hey tomorrow begins my second month! YAAAAAAY! My original and only goal was to be under 300lbs by this time. A month has flown by and I now know that it was a really really, really tall order in such a short time. I came off the liquid diet on valentines day cause my husband decided he was taking me out to a formal dinner and there was no way I was going to pass up on making such wonderful memories. :wub: I just had the soup and dessert and brought home my entree for the babysitter. Next day I continued to eat normal foods in half cup portions. I did not meet the original goal but I'm in no way disappointed. I'm wiser now! Ususally in the past I would have just given up and rolled right back into the old swing of things. "What's the use... I'm not seeing the results I expected!" That was B4! But thanks to good ole perseverance and loads of invaluable advice from you guys right here on LBT I consider my first month in an overwhelming success! What did I accomplish? 1. I now recognise that the last fill I got since over a year ago had put me in the green zone(aka sweet spot.! I was there all along! 2. I now understand what it means to have your head in the game and how necessary it is for this banded life to be successful. 3. Every morning I smile 'cause my normal clothes are getting loose and the tight fitting ones are now fitting right. Also I have clothes that I can put away now cause I know I'll never wear them again. I have a few outfits that I ordered just b4 christmas and were small in some body areas due to their cuts. Those are starting to fit and will come in handy when my current clothes get too big. Shoes that I was able to wear for only half of the day stay on my feet all day now cause my toes don't rub on the inside of them anymore. (Go figure! My feet lost weight!) 4. I understand what it means to just eat two spoonfuls and be satisfied and I no longer have the mentality that any food is forbidden cause I'm on a diet. 5. I have recognised and have come to accept that slow and steady is the way to go when it comes to weightloss. 6. I have managed to keep my caloric intake between 800-1200 for the past month. ( I have never, ever, ever been able to do that before) MY STATS: Ok so by now you're like... "Tell us how much you've lost already! " So without further delay... here are my figures for the month.... B4 Feb. 3rd 335 Feb. 10th 325 Feb. 17th 321 Feb. 24th 318 March 2nd 319( TOM in full swing) So for the month I lost a grand total of 16lbs for the month and 33lbs since I've been banded!!!!!! My goal for next month is to exercise cause that was definitely lacking in this month. Thanks for readng and check out my before and after pics for the first month. I would greatly appreciate your comments. Thanks for posting about your journeys cause when I get stuck or lost I run unto the site search for posts related to my problem and I'm on my weigh again! Til next month......

Thank you all for your replies. I hope the time flies by fast

Theres many reasons why I am fat. But none of them are really good enough. So I dont think I have to explain my journey of how I got fat, only my journey to become thin. I'm 105kgs. thats 231 pounds. I've gained and lost all my life, but suddenly last week something hit me, and I cant take it anymore. I did a search for lap banding in Korea, and I found this site. I called the clinic last Friday, and I made an appointment for Monday. Today's appointment went well, but I was even unsure as to whether I would go through with it or not. But I just have to do it, and I know I can succeed. The doctor said I can have the surgery as soon as this Friday. I'm just a bit shocked at how fast this is all happening. Being in Korea, if youre a fat woman, you stand out. If youre a fat woman with blonde hair, its even harder. But until I see my reflection, I dont really feel as big as I am. The main reason would be, that alot of my weight is in my belly. And since I've had a baby, I guess my belly looks like I'm still pregnant, keeps the same shape as when I was. But its been almost 2 years, so I dont want people to ask me 'when are you due?' I really have to convince myself that no matter how I lose the weight, what counts is that I do. So I can be healthier to live a long life with my family. And LAP banding isnt cheating, it will still take work and commitment. So, next is to decide when I want the surgery. Me deciding? feels so strange.

I hope this info helps someone. I sent this to someone that was having fears ..I know I had my fears and all these kind of story's helped me mentally prepare..here mine.. I lost 20 when I started my preop diet over the month before surgery and I lost ten since Wednesday when I had it..I'm only 5 days out of surgery..and I feel pretty back to normal..was just thinking about going in to work for couple hours tommorow. When I got to hospital they gave me and I.v and started fluids..they gave me a blood thinner shot and percocet to calm me. I waited in a room until it was my turn..the anesthesiologist came and explained what would happen..freaked my mother out so bad she started crying..and I almost changed my mind..my daughter looked scared ..but then I remembered my faith and just knew I would be o.k. I went in and within a minute I was passed out. Woke up to people calling my name ..and a horrific pain in my chest..it wasn't my stomach that hurt..it was my chest ..it felt like there was a elephant sitting on my chest. It was very painful. I read on here that it is gas from surgery and to walk..so I made them let me walk as soon as I got my room..that helped..I was in tears..but by 2 am that night..it was a lot better..they monitored me and gave me pain meds. My doctor gives his patients a pain ball called a on -Q pump..it is a pump you carry around with you and it has a tiny hose that stays inside you where your stomach is and it releases a numbing medication right where the doctor cut. I think this was soooo helpful because I never felt stomach pain..only gas pains.. after three days you just pull it out..sounds creepy but I couldn't feel it. I stayed one night in hospital..left next evening..feel fine..I'm glad I went through with it..I'm careful about what I eat and how fast I drink..I don't want a leak..that's my only fear..but I gad so many fears before surgery..I'm just glad its done..now the job is staying hydrated and getting protien

I WISH my process was that fast! This past 4 months of the "Diet" has been agonizing. I want the surgery done YESTERDAY! How awesome that you got your insurance approval so fast! Good luck with your surgery!

...my last fill is too tight or if I am just still eating too fast or taking too big of bites, maybe not chewing enough...sigh. I had my 2nd fill the end of Oct and I went back to liquids and soft foods for first week, not an issue, except couldnt keep jello down, weird, but ok. So I start back on some regular foods and the foods get stuck, and it comes back up, then after a few minutes of PB'g I can eat...is this weird or what?

I am better after feeling like I was dying yesterday and I am not crazy hungry which is wonderful. I have to wonder if the carbs really are an evil drug like some people say they are. Maybe it's because I am so geared up to suceed at my surgery but the thought if tucking into some toast or a bowl of Cereal makes me really sad. I am not really craving anything right now. Odd. And I managed not to have a drink watching the primaries last night (big time political junkie) so yaaaaay me :thumbup: OK so I am not totall liquid but today I had: 120 calorie poop shake grilled chicken salad with lettuce and pico de gallo, no cheese and about a teaspoon of dressing or less 190 calorie slim fast 120 calorie turkey sausage (my slip up) Turkey burger patty & brocolli I think that's ok isn't it? The salad was at black eyed pea and before I would have had a few rolls plus chicken fried chicken tenders with brocolli rice casserole. OK so not techinically a liquid diet but if I can be under 1000 calories and not eat carbs?? I am pretty happy with myself, must keep this up after the surgery.

You sound like I did back in the beginning. Hang in there, it does get better!!! You're in bandster hell! The limbo period of time when you're banded, but not at your sweet spot yet. Don't worry, you will get there! First off, you NEED to eat. Skipping meals and slacking on Protein will not help you lose weight. When you don't eat, your body is holding on to every ounce it can get and you go into starvation mode. By eating, you will increase your metabolism and make the food start working for you. Get some Protein shakes, Protein Bars, etc... they will help. If you're getting stuck on meat and vomiting, it could be one of three things, or a combo of all. 1) You're taking too big of bites and not chewing enough. or 2) you're eating too fast. or 3) you're band is too tight. I think you said you've only had one fill, so I doubt you're too tight. I'm willing to bet you're eating too fast and taking too big of bites. We're all guilty of it, and by vomiting, it's your band telling you you're doing something wrong. Throwing up is the last thing you want to do, as you could slip your band. Meaning, your stomach, while contracting to push food out, will come up through the band and that will cause the band to slip down. That is NO GOOD. Try cutting your food up in peices you would feed a toddler (or no bigger than the eraser on the tip of a pencil). Sure, it's a pain, but it will help. Great job at drinking the Water. Still practice small sips. Trust me, when you're tighter, big gulps will be a thing of the past unless you enjoy pain! Hmmmm, what else can I offer from my journey?!?! I don't claim to know all the answers, and Lord knows I've cussed this band on more than one occasion, but at the end of the day I'm almost 55lbs lighter and it's all because of the band and from what I've learned here and other blogs!! Good luck!!! You CAN do this and you WILL!

I am in the considering stage right now and just doing my research. If and when I get banded it will be in Toronto (I only live about 2 hr n/e of Toronto). I was wondering how long it took from the time you made the initial phone call to the clinic to the time you had your surgery? Was there a waiting list? I am curious to know if I inquired now, would I have surgery before the summer or are we looking at into the fall sometime? Money is also an issue for me. We are a low income family and really couldn't afford a big debt like this. I know I am worth every penny and am willing to make some sacrifices to pay for this. I am also wondering if anyone knows of any Canadian insurance companies that cover the cost or at least cover a portion. I would be willing to get insurance and wait whatever the required waiting period would be, just to be able to reduce the cost of the surgery (and my family would have the benefits of the insurance too!). It would be nice to get banded as soon as possible! Thanks! ~Dawn~:cry

I tried my first fill with a fillcentersusa.com doctor in Las Vegas. He was obviously new to the whole procedure, had the book out and everything. Took three tries, no numbing, just jabbing. It was so painful, I took pain meds for two days. My first real fill was today (Oct 5) with Novabody Solutions in Garland TX. They accepted me even with my lapband being inserted in Tijuana. Cost was $200.00. The doctor used a numbing agent, then a sonograph to find the port. It was so fast...and painless... I could hardly believe it! They can be reached at: novabodysolutions.com or by calling 972-665-2639. They are located within Vista Hospital of Dallas. Thanks so much to their team...I am back on my way to losing weight.

We went to church tonight and it was -9 when we got out! When we left the restaurant from dinner, it was already -11!! I guess we haven't had it this cold in quite a long time, so I won't complain, but yes it is freakin' cold!!! Gotta go, my dog has to go out. He's been wearing his sweater since last night. I've never seen him 'do his business' so fast before!

I heard today that insurance said no, so I am moving on with the self-pay route, which was my original plan anyway. I am having my band removed Tuesday, November 17. That's 4 days from today! Talk about moving fast. That will give me 4 - 5 weeks to heal before the sleeve surgery over my Christmas break. FINALLY things are starting to move! Thanks for all of y'alls encouragement while I waited to hear from insurance.:thumbup:

I agree, I lost a big chuck before my actual surgery. I felt if I was making this big a change, I better get on board fast. So in June, 2012 when I made the decision to move forward I started weight watchers, then modified it to be high Protein, low carb/low fat. And set out to find a Protein Drink I loved. I've had no problems at all since surgery (other than a day or so of gas) and I think I really got a handle on emotional eating and head hunger. I just make sure I have items handy that I can have and enjoy.

I feel like I have waited a lifetime. I was given a surgery date of Monday August 1st. I think my mom is more excited about it than I am. I was stressed out and wanting a surgery date so bad I couldn't see straight. Now I am just bouncing back and forth with my emotions. I am discourgaed that the best date they could give me is 28 whole days away. (though in my heart I know time will fly by). I am nervous because as prepared as I thought I was, now that the date is real, I feel like I have failed to do something or research something or buy something in advance. I feel dread at the thought of having to have the talk with my boss. She is 5'1" and all of 98 pounds. One year older than me. We have been short handed at work for the better part of 7 years. Lots of projects going on. She is going to freak out when she finds out I am going to be off work for a week. I worry that she will talk about me to co-workers. I hadn't planned on telling anyone. Yes, I would imagine given a long enough time line- my co-workers will NOTICE. A thousand little worries that have never entered my mind in the past year- suddenly set up camp in the back of my mind. What if I am the only person in the world that Gastric Sleeve will not work for? What if I lose all my hair? What if my face looks like my skin has melted off of it? What if I lose weight but I cant control it and I lose too much too fast? What if I am tired and sick all the time? Who will mow my yard- how will I function at work? I know I want to do this. I just worry a lot more now, than I did before the insurance company approved me- and the doctor gave me a date. Anyone else felt this way?

Not to be the wet blanket, but you need to evaluate what you ment by unmotivated. I have seen alot of people that waiting on the surgery to lose was a blinking yellow light - not a "stop" but just a sign to be preparing for what is ahead. Your sleeve will not do it all. You have to be head-ready. Hunger can be a horrible thing, a true foe - but the sleeve will only reduce real hunger. The reasons why you eat - the bad food choices, the cravings, the triggers - you will hav eto overcome these things or you will not have the sucess you want. Take this time to "diet" but not necessarily to lose weight - get accustomed to some light exercize if you arent already, eat better choices, even if you still eat in bulk. Get away from fast food and trans fats. Read, read, read - and not just here. Not just online! Get the books, do it just like old-school - read, re-read, read again and take notes.... Get practice in food-logs, read up on your meds and what to expect.. There is a series of books called "Eat This, Not That" and they go into better food choices, even if you have no plan to stop eating as much as you are - whatever that is....but it is, generally, nutritionally sound choices, and you would be suprised!!! For instance: You can eat a CAN of sliced pineapples in Water for 1-2 chocolate Cookies, depending on size and brand...no fake sweeteners or transfats needed. It can be a gentle guide for what is ahead. No excuses either - if you are diebetic, for example - what were you doing eating 2 cookies anyway? Good luck!!!!