and how long have you been banded. Just curious.

I am at 1.65, and have been banded 8 weeks.

thanks for the support. I am feeling so much better! I drank 2 glasses of water before I left the doctors office and my husband bought me a 32 oz. powerade on the way home. I never appreciated liquids in all of my life! I am finally getting my energy and strength back.

I did find out what I think my problem has been. Salads! I ate salads thinking it was good for me. The problem started after eating salads. My doctor told me that salads aggravate the band. She told me to basically to stay away from salads, breads and thick cuts of dry meat. I am just curious does she mean lettuce... because I love tomatoes and I have fresh ones from my garden. What is your opinion?

Hi and congrats to all of you who are winning at losing. I was banded 11 21 and have gained weight I have had 2 fills the first was 3 cc and the 2nd was 2 cc and I never felt any restriction so it was not easy for me to change eating habits. I have had my 3rd fill on June 22 and now I really feel restriction so much it makes me stop eating due to feeling very full . I hope this continues and I start to lose weight. I know much of this is partly my fault, I guess I expected a miracle. I forgot to ask the Doc how much He put in this time. I know I have a 10 cc band and maybe thats why I needed more fill than others. I really want to be a loser /in this way only/. Any one out there can relate to me ? I would love to hear from you Thanks for listening Makemelean

7 weeks post surgery with a 1.8cc fill in my 4cc band

I got a fill and am now at 2.9 in a 4ml band. Still not tight..... Lucky I've managed to lose nearly all the weight i wanted to without being tight, since it seems I will never get there.

Salads? First time I've EVER heard to stay away from them. They dont irritate my band, that's for sure. I can eat salad easily.

I have heard lettuce can be a big problem. I heard this from several different sources. I, myself, can eat a bite or 2, but after reading your post - I think I will refrain. I ate a garden fresh tomato on Sunday. I had to cut the skin off, but really enjoyed the part I ate. I believe it is probably the fibrous consistency of the lettuce that is problematic (like the skin of the tomato) so I say try the tomato - carefully when you are fully healed and ready...

good luck to you! I have been banded 2 years and I am finally feeling HOPE!!! It sounds like you may have just found your "sweet spot"... I am sure you will be in for a big surprise when you step on the scales next time!

thanks..... I will definitely peel the tomatoes. I am on my second day of liquid to pureed foods after my traumatic weekend with my overlytite band! I am so grateful to be getting something down now though! I am staying away from lettuce from now on. I also heard to stay away from asparagus!

Yes, I have heard asparagus as well. I know there are a few people on this site who are successful with asparagus because they love it so much. I have a problem with salmon - too dry!!!! I think most problems come from the moisture content of the food. I wonder if the people who can not eat steak order well done? I order Med. Rare and am able to eat steak if I cut it VERY thin and chew well!!!

Stay away from salads, oh my! My band loves salads, I can eat salads easier than any other food, with the exception of soup. Plus, eating salad makes you eat slower and chew, chew, chew. Had asparagus last night with cheese slices, also a tomato and cucumber salad... yummmm.

I'm sure there are things you can or will be able to tolerate that I wouldn't attempt. My mom who is banded can eat crackers and even toast, the thought of eating bread would freak me out. Same for french fries, or any type of potato, yet my mom eats potatoes either baked or mashed.

I truly believe our bands have their own personality, LOL.

Add me as one who can eat salads no problem. Of course, I drown them in dressing so I'm sure that helps. That's also why I need to stay away from them!

Oh yeah, I now have 2.6 in a 4cc band, had a fill two weeks ago, first one in a year and 3 months, ya think I was due, LOL.

Fellow Banders I had my 3rd fill on 6-22-07 as of this am ,6-29-07 I have lost 7lbs. I feel great about it maybe this is what they call the sweet spot.I was banded nin Baltimore Md. 11-21-06 and never really felt any restriction with my first 2 fills. I hope this continues for me . I have a long way to go, 75 pounds yet to go. take care and continued sucess to all of you sincerely Makemelean

I am so glad for you. I hope this is "your sweet spot" too! I think I am at my sweet spot too. YEA for us!

Dear nursing gal thank you for your reply and good wishes. How long have u been banded and how much have you lost ? I am a retired LPN according to your name it seems you are a nurse ,also. Thanks again 4 replying it makes me feel included in the group. God Bless and take care , makemelean .

Dear Makemelean (good name)... Yes, I am a RN. I was banded June 1, 2005. I initially lost approx. 50 pounds. I took a new job in quality review, had boughts with my asthma and bronchitis, was on predinisone, had my band fill out due to esophagitis and eventually gained all of weight back plus 5 pounds. I was so discouraged and angry at myself. I felt out of control. I was feeling horrible, run down and could feel my health deteriorating. My internal med doc suggested that I give it another try. (I switched doctors b/c mine was not supportive).

So I found a new doc, got a fill......it was too tightl.......had some taken out a few days later......and am doing better. I did lose 10 pounds, which made me feel great! I new it was a new beginning. I finally found like I found a right spot for me!

Right now I am vacationing and am having a bit of difficulty "restraining" myself. But, I have got to take it one day at a time and forgive myself if I screw up.

Good luck to you. I am glad you are on here getting support. I am loving this online support! I wish there was a convention that bandsters could go to! That would be cool!