I have been lurking here since before I had my surgery and finally decided to take the plunge and join you! I had my surgery on 2-20-08 and other than being in the depths of Band Hell - starvation right now I am doing really well. No complications so far and I am looking forward desperately to a fill. I feel like I have zero restriction and could eat a horse if I wanted to. I actually slightly increased my food on my own because I was feeling weak and sick from not eating enough. I am feeling much better now and really am still eating about a 10th of what I did pre-band and making much better choices, although not 100% of the time!

Hope you all don't mind taking in one more. I could use the support as well.

Thanks!

Welcome Officeslave, nice to meet you. I welcome you to the victorious Valentines. Congratulations on your weightloss so far. I, too, am looking forward to my first fill. I am sure you will find your sweet spot, until then and after we are here for you:cool2:

Welcome to the group! Feel free to chime in anytime! We are all going through our various challenges together and being involved really helps.

Please do join us! I've lurked around on other support groups on the forum, and honestly, this is the best one! (don't tell 'em I said so). If I hadn't had my surgery in February, I would have pretended I did just so I could join the double V's.

lol Becca!

welcome aboard office slave! i was banded the day after you and also have lost 18 pounds. i'm hoping to lose 2 more this week! i get my first fill tomorrow, when do you get yours? i also can feel no restrictions but have been keeping my calories down and it's hard!

i hope my fill tomorrow is not painful and is successful. lol

again welcome!

Hello Officeslave! I was banded the same day as you... I'm scheduled for my first fill today.. I was originally scheduled for my first fill last week but the Dr wasn't able to access my port?? I dunno.. Good luck in your journey! Keep us posted.. Oh btw.. I ate the horse... so you'll need to find something else to munch on! :crying:

maya313, did you get your fill? did he find the port today? hope you are doing ok. just curious, i get mine tomorrow.

Jeanie

maya313, did you get your fill? did he find the port today? hope you are doing ok. just curious, i get mine tomorrow.

Jeanie

Hello Jeanie!

It was a success.. didn't hurt as much as the last time either.. what's strange tho is that the Dr did it while I was standing.. ( I don't know if other Dr's do it this way) It definitely didn't hurt like it did last time, (It was a different Dr)

I have a GINORMOUS (that's a word right?) band.. 14cc's I guess.. and so he filled it half way, I definitely feel restriction, not sure if it's cuz of swelling or just the fill.. cuz all I had since 2pm was a Special K protien Water and I feel stuffed. Please keep in touch, I'd like to know how your fill goes as well! Good Luck! :smile:

I go back to the surgeron on April 7th. I am dying for some help and am really hoping she will give me a fill or at least schedule one. I am so frustrated at how hungry I am ALL THE TIME. I did this surgery because I really thought I wouldn't feel this way all the time. Hell I could have saved myself the surgery pain and starved myself to lose some weight is how I am starting to feel. Sigh. Maybe once I start on the fill track I will feel better.

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear about people who have lost around the same amount. Some of the losses here from those who had surgery around the same time are so huge I feel like I must not be doing something right.

I have lost more, but then again I started out at 329. I think when you are larger you tend to lose the weight faster. With the exception of Jax, but she is amazing and follows that no carb diet so well. Props to her.

You are doing great. My mom lost twenty lbs by her self, it took her almost 4 months. Keep your head up and keep your eyes on the goal. After your fill, perhaps you will find your "sweet spot"

Officeslave,

I was banded on Jan 3rd of 08 and wish someone had told me that I would not have restriction and that I would be hungry until a couple of fills. IT IS HELL, but you will make it through. I have had three fills and now feel restriction and my hunger is in check. I was so dissapointed and questioned my decision for about a month. BUT NOW.. I am sooo glad.... Just know that the hunger and no restriction is NOT forever.

Lois

Hi Officeslave,

Welcome! I hope this website helps you as much as it has been helping me. I go in for my second fill on April 9th. :puke:

Wow!! Everyone is doing so well!! I was banded on Feb 13th and My band is empty and was told no fill until 8 wks out. Well I can't eat very much anyway because I get major gas pains. I'm a lower bmi so I had no pre-op diet either. I've only lost about 10 lbs so far. It's very discouraging. I am doing the protein first thing and usually have about 3oz. I am really having a hard time with the gas. I'm trying to eat slowly and chew but still end up with pain. I take the gas x and rolaids gas relief chews. I don't eat any starch at all except popcorn and sometimes those Quaker mini crisps. Just wondering if anyone else is having a hard time with gas? I'm starting to wonder if something is wrong or if I'm just swallowing too much air.

I like Gas-x with Maalox chewables. They seem to work the best for me. I hope things get easier soon. I have always had trouble with my stomach so I know how miserable that can be.

I have lost more, but then again I started out at 329. I think when you are larger you tend to lose the weight faster.

I agree. I started at 319 and the weight has dropped pretty quickly.

Okay, I just finished a new thread. Wish I had read this thread first. Bandsternan, you and I have something in common. Have not lost much and I was a 36 BMI. I am being held off from my first fill, too. Very frustrated. Hoping the fill will help. My problem now is that I am always hungry. Thought that by munching on something small and healthy thismorning would curb the hunger, but it came right back. When is your fill? Mine is ont he 24th of this month.