mona-camille

Silly girl, of course you can see a difference, you are doing fabulous!!!! This would be a good time to start using a tape measure. That way, a month from now if you haven't lost any pounds, you will still have lost inches and will KNOW that you are looking better and better!

KatyG is 100% right, listen to her!!!

SheRee, you did not waste your money. You have lost 13 pounds, why are you depressed and embarrassed? Is it not true that you would have gained 13 pounds if you hadn't been banded? Listen, you need to stay positive because you are way too early in this journey to be upset. I am not sure what you mean by tightness but that is probably the restriction you are seeking. Plus, you have had only one fill. If you read the posts you will find that the majority of people on here do not have restriction after only one fill, so why should you be any different? Please stay positive and stop beating yourself up. 13 pounds is nothing to sneeze at. You will get here, but not if you stay mad at yourself. You've got a long way to go, so get moving, and be positive!!!! ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))

Yes, I would too. For the simple fact that I would have gained a whole lot more by now if I hadn't. I am not anywhere near goal, but then again, I am not anywhere near 300 pounds and a size 28 anymore either!

Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! YES, take that picture and then put them side by side for comparison and you WILL see a difference. It will motivate you to keep going. If you have the same outfit, it would be good to keep taking pictures with the same clothes for a very good comparison.

Although it is supposed to be a compliment I assume, I absolutely HATE when people look me up and down! I hate that hate that hate that! It just feels very rude. But, if they check me out when I am not 'seeing' them check me out, then ok. I am glad they mention that they see a difference but it is very uncomfortable just the same.

Revolution avenue was fine. I've been there 4 times and never once did I see a problem in Tijuana or Revolution Avenue. Just don't go out at night is the best advice. And make sure to use Lucerna's taxi and you will be fine. It's no different than going to New York City.

Honey, I have had 8 fills, yes 8. I do have the larger VG band and I currently have the max of 10 cc's of saline in my band, so it is absolutely conceivable that you too will need a lot more to be at your sweet spot. Go get another fill. Don't give up, I haven't and it's almost a year or me! Get another fill amd ask them to be aggressive with it! In fact, if you just had one on 2/11, you should get an adjustment for free! Don't give up, you shouldn't be fighting this hard, it will work, just get another fill!

I was just there last week and there was nothing like that at all. I believe they are speaking about a different border area then where we go.

Well as you know, I am an odd odd person..............yes, I have extreme tooth sensitivity. Sometimes, my teeth hurt unbearable when I hear heavy metal music playing. They hurt mostly from September to May. Only when it is hot outside I have no problem. I do brush twice a day with senitive toothpaste and have never had my teeth whitened (can't, would kill me with the pain - my dentist wouldn't even try it on me). That being said, my teeth have actually LOST some of the sensitivity with banding. That is why I was very confused when people said their teeth hurt form less chewing. Yes, weird, I know. Thats me! I will have to remember to ask my dentist. I go back in 2 weeks so I will try to remember.

YEAH good for you!!! Awesome post and I am very happy for you!

I don't think your food is in your big stomach that soon after eating. That is why you can wash it all into the big stomach by drinking too soon. Also, water sitting on top of your food in the pouch will do just that. Sit on top of it until it goes down, little by little. I believe the way it works is the food in the pouch empty's into the big stomach slowly, thereby keeping you full longer. And you can drink before a meal for exactly why you said, it runs right through. I think they wat you to stop a little before eating is because some fluid can loosen up the band a bit and make the opening bigger so food goes through easier instead of sitting in the top part like it should. I know that if I drink something cold, it tightens me right up but if I drink something warm, it loosens me up. But, you might not want to listen to me, since someone will be posting right after me telling me that I am wrong.

If you haven't already guessed by now, I am someone obsessed with learning. And I mean learning anything and everything so I ask questions all the time every chance I get. Or, you can call me a nosy beotch, LOL!!! I admit to both! Anway, went to the dentist today (OUCH by the way) and mentioned to her about the enormous amount of saliva I expel when I get stuck. She was actually VERY happy to hear that! She said that was wonderful because saliva helps our teeth a lot! The more the better. Although she had not heard that from her other 2 lap band patients she was very interested in this. She said she never heard of it pouring out of me like I explained (yup, it pours an unbelievable amount) but it was just the body's response to inflamation and it was great and the longer I could hold it in my mouth versus letting it drip down the drain, the better. AS LONG AS I DO NOT HAVE ACID REFLUX! If I did, along with the saliva, I would need to get it treated and quickly because that would be disasterous to the teeth. Inetresting huh? Don't know if I can purposely get stuck just for my teeth nor do I think I can hold saliva in my mouth that long, but hey it was interesting just the same, LOL! By the way, I MIGHT have to get a root canal. Not sure yet, just a maybe. Depends on if I get pain in the next 2 weeks, if so, YOWZA!

Funny you mention this. As I mentioned in my checkup post, I too got some differing advice than I had when I was originally banded. I was also told that they don't necessarily say the same thing to everyone. A lot of the information s very personalized and it does change over time for each person. So, I guess it kind of depends on who you speak to and when. A great example is that they say you can have carbonated beverages after 6 months. Well, I asked Dr. Miranda why they say that when the US doctors say never again. She said they prefer us to never drink carbonation ever again but knows that most people will do it anyway so they say 6 months to at least give out bodies time to propery heal and adjust to band life. But, I asked for the truth, not just what she thought I wanted to hear, so there you have it. And I am quite sure someone will come on here and say the exact opposite of what I just said. So, it IS hard. I think the best advice is to really understand that the information we get can, and often is, more personalized than general.

Yeah, is this weird or what???? Never would I ever have thought it could have something to do with the band, but yet, here it is. Weird!

Well really, if you think about it, regardless of the reasons why, it still shouldn't be done. Whether food slips through or you stretch your band, both scenarios are not good for the band. So why risk it? And it's funny but the only time I PB is on liquid. I think when I gulp by accident or again, if I sip something when my pouch is full. No matter how tiny of a sip it is, I pb it up. So I just don't do it. And one other thing to keep in mind, the rules can change by person. The OCC does not necessarily tell each person the same thing. That was confirmed for me last week when I met with all of them. So it is best to follow what they told YOU as an individual.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But, in my right thigh! The whole outer area is numb especially when I walk. It never occurred to me to tie it in to the band, but now that you mention it, thats when it started!

Geez, then I wonder why Dr. Ortiz, Dr. Martinez, Dr. So, Dr. Acosta, Dr. Romero and Dr. Miranda told me that drinking with meals is an absolute no-no and can stretch your band, as can eating too much. It was explained to me this way - when food is in your pouch and you drink on top of it, nothing goes through and the extra space the liquid is taking up is forcing the band to stretch to be able to fit the liquid. This is one of the main rules of lap band life.

And thank YOU for this post. Glad to know my stuggles can actually help others and hopefully, you will get right back on track!

Coughing sucks too!

We have ALL been there. THis is completely normal and you should stop stressing over it. You will lose after you have your fill. You absolutely MUST stop drinking with your meals or you are going to stretch your pouch and ruin your surgery. There is a reason to stop drinking with your meals and that is it. If you have to, then drink (or rather sip) right up until your meal and then one hour after. You don't need to wait 30 minutes before but you do need to wait an hour after. I too, got sick of being told it is a tool, I already knew that and didn't need daily reminders. I also understand your frustration at having a tool that isn't working, but it will. It is too early but once you get a fill, might even be your 2nd fill, it will start to work. Be patient. And by the sound of it, if you are sliming, then the band does seem to be doing something, or at the very least you still have some swelling. Just try to be patient, it will come.

I know just how you feel. Go read my post about my OCC checkup. It might help you a bit too. I have only lost 40 pounds in 11 months but Dr. Ortiz is happy with my progress.

Awwww, I am sorry I missed you! You have done wonderfully, wow! Good for you.

As a matter of fact, I just found someone in my area to test it for me. 2 weeks I go, and I can't wait. What a valuable tool and wish I would have know about it sooner. And it only costs $75. I think that will really help, thanks!!

I don't think coughing will ruin the band. It's not that sensitive. I got sick and was vomitting a lot after my surgery and my band is just fine. Try not to worry, you'll be ok!