Worried I am eating too much, please help..

[flowers 0]

My Dr. ... put in 2cc. 3cc made the liquid come right back up, so he took out 1cc and said that should do it till feb 09. ..I see him again on 12-11 depending on my weight up or down we will schedule a fill before Christmas.

We also discussed that the band doesn't work for everyone and that the sleve might be an alternative.

Wow did your post strike a cord with me. My first two fills she tried 3 cc and went all the way down to 1.8 cc. I went back in yesterday and she only gave me .5 cc more and wanted to take .2 cc out. I went to a different fill doctor and even had my surgeon write her a letter. She brought up again that she doesnt believe I really have a 10 cc band. I think its being scared that tightens me up on her fluoro.

She cant put more in because the barium wouldnt go down to my stomach. She uses fluoro and barium swallow test each fill and wouldnt put in a fill if the liquid wouldnt go to your stomach. It is important I think to know what size band you have. Im up to 4.1 cc in a 10 cc band, which is unusually small. I dont feel tight and can eat anything and feel like its not helping me with appetite control. Im walking every day to get the weight off, not dieting like I should. I dont measure or eat Protein first and not drink during meals, but promised I would start that. I have been avoiding sweets and Desserts and walking and jogging 3.5 or more miles a day, which so far has been enough to lose weight.

When you say your doctor said the band doesnt work for everyone I wondered if I was one. It doesnt seem to be helping me one bit. I need to try harder. Im just dieting regular, not following rules some here use, none of which either my fill doctor or surgeon imposed, like folks here talking 3 oz Protein or 1/2 cup and measuring food.

Your reply is very interesting .... and scary.

[mjacot35 0]

I also had the fill done under fluro w/barium. Its pretty cool to see it go through but when it doesn't I panic. I don't want to give up on the band yet I hasn't even been 3 months for me yet.

My dr. wants me to know he is not going to let me fail which is why he told me about the sleve. He told me that ins will not cover gastric bypass now that I had the band done,(not that I even considered that)! I started exercising this morning. Hopefully that will help w/weight loss.

[mjacot35 0]

Silversurfer, I can only assume you can have hot liquids the day after surgery in the hospital they gave me hot broth. As far as coffee I feel you I love my coffee. You have to watch your sugar intake. I used sweet and low but I have for years because of diabetes. Hot chocolate is sold in sugar free packets that are good.

As far as eating regular I did the same thing I ate mush for a week and then to solids as tolerated. My dr. told me it was fine just to watch what kind of solids I ate. Good luck!

[silversurfer 0]

MJACOT35 thank a lot, it helps to hear from someone who has been there. I see my doctor tomorrow , it will be 2 weeks since surgery.lost 10 pounds.

[HeatherO 7]

Hi Kiz, thanks for responding to me.

My fill was on 11-10 not 10-10.(my mistake)

It was 6 weeks after my surgery. I went to the Dr.'s yesterday and I'm down a total of 6lbs since my surgery on 9-29.

My Dr. is a little concerned that I gained because when I got my fill he put in 2cc. 3cc made the liquid come right back up, so he took out 1cc and said that should do it till feb 09. Some turkey got stuck on thanksgiving and he said the band is still giving some restriction just not enough. I see him again on 12-11 depending on my weight up or down we will schedule a fill before Christmas.

We also discussed that the band doesn't work for everyone and that the sleve might be an alternative. Thats a bit scary to me, I'm kinda attached to all my body parts which is why I went w/ the band in the first place.

It scares me a little that your doctor is already saying that the band does not work for everyone and is already suggesting alternatives this early.

Although this is a true statement in that some fail with the band, the majority of us see significant weight loss with the band. Most common reasons for those that don't are because they have other underlying physical reasons preventing loss, or failure to confront emotional eating and learn better behaviors, or inadequate support/follow-up care, or they become dependent on slider foods and liquid calories. In the first 2-3 months, it is very difficult to say that you will not succeed unless there are immediate issues with compliance.

Many people do not lose well after they lose their post surgery restriction until after their first fill. I didn't lose well in this early stage after the first two weeks of liquid diet . . . yet here I am at goal with close to 100% excess weight loss. My doctor even told me that it is a bonus to lose anything before your first fill or two because you will get hungry.

If my doctor would have told me that early on that I may not be successful and start thinking of other options, I am sure this would have had a negative impact on my confidence.

The band needs a little time to kick in with fills . . . and restriction makes all the difference in the world. When you have no restriction, you are not really much different than before banding. If you are following the bandster rules, eating a healthy diet, and getting in some exercise then the weight loss should come for almost every one of us.

Most importantly, stay optimistic and give it your all. 6 pounds is definitely a start in the right direction. Much of what makes banding work is in your head more than in your stomach, a positive attitude can work wonders. You can do this and we are all rooting for you.

[silversurfer 0]

i know i am new here and and getting great information, i was wondering do any of you have a support group that you attend? I go every month when not working it is a part of my surgery support?