tombourn

Hi.. I am still trying to figure that very question out and I 've been banded since Sept2006. I think that yes and no is the right aswer. I think that if you have eating mushies or even liquid to the point where it goes past the top of the small upper stomach it hurts the same way it hurts if don't chew or take a big bite and it it stuc at the enterance of lower stomach ( at the band). Getting something stuck, i thinks makes the body produce the saliva o push it down, if it doesnt go down and the saliva builds up to a point, it causes PBing.. But, then again, this is only a guess. Tom

Don't Worry...Be Happy... I wouldn't worry at all about the surgery and your safety during it. However, my best advise to you is not to set your expectations too high. The band is a tool and with a low BMI, the weight will only come off if you follow the rules. Following the rules are tough... ask anyone...Eating around the band is easy and if you do that with a low BMI weight loss will stop. I am not saying don't have the surgery.. by all means I would recommend it, and especially Dr. Ortiz, to my child, if he/she needed it... so I am in favor of your choice...just do not want to see you get all excited... then 6 months out.. be frustrated at the weight loss you do have and quit trying. Tom

Nita Hey there... I too have those days although I can never eat fast or breads....But unlimited Butterfingers..yes...My last fill kick started a 20 pound drop so that might be your answer. I think when you are only half way there... you do not get the proper signals so you end up pbing since you thought you weren't filling up when you are... so being super tight( sweet spot) you don't even try to eat the full bowl of cereal or even the full size bite... whereas like you are now and I'm getting back to, you eat then get caught be surprise... I never forgot to drink slow when even coffee was going down slow and no more than say 10 oz...so that might be it.. or again, I might just be rambling. Tom 4/27/07 Currently 33.4 BMI 246 lbs

Reality check.. and don't take this the wrong way. But gaining a few pounds back here or there is still lookin short term.... Remember if you wanted the short-term solution, the Gasteric Bypass would have been a better choice. All this weightyou have lost to date is gravy...the band will be the real work horse when it's filled and maybe not even until fill 2 or 3, just relax and know you have the rest of your life to enjoy. Today I went back to my old work and a former colleague called me hot ( an exaggeration of course especially since she is a lesbian), but it sure made all this worth it... and it will motivate me to lose the next 50 pounds.... but from September through February... it was slow going with the VG band not filled to the sweet spot... but the months and pounds add up and its not until people you haven't seen in awhile that you get the wow comments.. Remember we see ourselves in the mirror everday and do not realize the change.. good luck.. and be patient. Tom

I figured I would start a thread that would let those of us with the VG Band give our testimonials and frustrations that may not relate to those with the smaller bands. I'll be back shortly when I have more time to leave my story. Tom 4/26/07 Currently 33.4 BMI 246 lbs

At 2.5 fill, I assume you do not have the vG Bandwhich does take a bit more time to get to the sweet spot. Until that point, you are still relying on will power and not the band. i was stuck 10-15 below surgery weight until by 3rd fill and since there I have steadily dropped even though i sometimes eat/drink around the band. Now I am down 53 pounds at the 8 month mark.. it could have been more, but I'll take it. Tom

Hi guys.. I am 8 months post-op and have a soda once in a while... those instant cappicinos are my down fall. but back to carbonation, I too drink them real slow... but i all honesty, they just don't taste the same any more.. either because we cannot gulp them or we are no longer use to the caronation taste.. by tongue buzzes with drinks I use to drink without the slightest notion they were that carbonated.. I guess everything in moderation DONT TRY THIS UNTIL MONTHS POST OP Tom

No question about it .. its not about money its about letting the surgicl team make sure everything is in order.. and if not, they are ther it fix it Tom

Donna.... if you do ...don't worry....it is all about getting to your sweet spot and then work the tool...remember.. you don't have the function of the band until it's filled. if you could stop from gaining the weight back.. I'd be mad that you even got the band...cauze you wouldn't have need it.. eat the best ya can ..AND GET THE FILLS AS NEEDED.

The key phrase was his "quality of life" sucked. He related his quality of life to being able to eat unregulated quanities of food, wich in the past I was guilty of, to having a poor quality of life....He never changed his mindset... I, too, every once in a while scream "I just want a double bacon cheeseburge, fries, onion rings now!" But that passes, when I go look in the mirror or while I am shopping at "regular stores" and hey actually have my size with selection. So pick your quality of life.. I pick THE BAND

At 7 months post-op and with the VG Band I am down 50 pounds...yes it could have been alot more, but I do eat around band just to get enough calories in after a workout... and the morning switch from Mountain Dew to those instant cappacino drinks has not been my best decision. But, the reason I felt the need to reply in this thread.. is to tell everyone to just relax... the weight will come off and the slower the better...especially for us older folk would might have to have tummy tucks if the skin doesn't shrink too... So just do the right things...number one in my book is get and MAINTAIN a proper fill... so, no matter what, I can't eat more than two pieces of pizza ( hard time with just one most the time) period.. so there is no way I'l be gaining this stuff back if I maintain a proper fill.. Anyway sorry for the ramble.. just relax and enjoy...it'll happen. Tom Highest Weight 315 Current weight 247

Banded Sept 7th 2006 with the VG. Slow and steady. Really didn't lose much until my third fill Started at 298 and today 6 months 2 weeks later at 251. Could have I been better in my choices of foods before I hit my sweet spot.? YES, but yeah 47 pounds in six months isn't bad and I KNOW I cannot gain it back, unless I melt down my chocolate and drink it by the gallon!! Restricted to liquids in the more a few bites at lunch and a little more by dinner. Still cannot get down 2 slices of pizza without being filled to the brim and that on a REAL lose night. Tom

Girls..Girls...Girls.... Just relax and enjoy. The fact that we haven't put any of the weight back on since the pre-op tells you that this thing works. I took two-three plates at the buffet table to get full. Now, I don't even waste my time thinking about going to such places. So it will come off, the slower the better, unless either of you are in your seventies, then you do not have any time to loose. Tom

wutteva: Just sit back and relax... it's not about weight loss in the beginning. If you have the VG band you'll get very discouraged very fast if that is what you concentrate on. On Wednesday it wil be six months since banding. Up until 10 days ago, I had lost but 12 pounds post-op, but I wasn't at my sweet spot yet. The VG band takes 3-4 fills to get there and until you get there it begins to seem like a waste...but once there..it is well worth it... So sit back...and relax.. unlike the past these pounds ar falling off for good, so if it takes one -two or even three years oh well!! Tom

Way to go Becky!!! I am right behind you. My six months will be on Wednesday the 7th of March. I'm only down 42 pounds...but I just got to my sweet spot with my last fill 10 days ago and I have lost 12 pounds since then. If this fill holds, I see the pounds flying off. Before, I would cheat the band because I wouldn't get full, but now WOW!!!. Anyone have doubts about this thing working, get to your sweat spot before you give up....100 pounds in a year is VERY do-able!!! Again Congrats!!!!

Greg: I too am hoping the 3rd time is the charm!! I have only lost 12 pounds post surgery (9/7). The good news even with the limited restriction and holidays, I still didn't gain any weight. I'm at 7.0 cc now and wow I can feel the difference. Dr. Romero wanted me to eat right away to see if I had restriction before I left Mexico. I could keep water down but would burp constantly, eating was a mistakem, becvause it made the next day just miserable. But now can't eat squat HURRAY!!!! 1/2 cup is finally here!!!! Go get those fills, if your not restricted ...even if Dr. Romero thinks your fill should last 3-4 months, don't wait if you can eat alot!!! Keep us posted... Tom

Changed date to Thursday 2/22 anyone wanting to do the taxi/trolley thing let me know.. I've done it twice.. no problem...flight getting in around 0830

Hi All: Thinking of going to get fill on Feb 19th and staying the night returning on 20th. Anyone want to share hotel room...I know it's a wild shot since most on here are female.. but thought I would give it a shot..Tom

Hi All: Thinking of going to get fill on Feb 19th and staying the night returning on 20th. Anyone want to share hotel room...I know it's a wild shot since most on here are female.. but thought I woulf give it a shot..Tom

The trolley is a cinch and although I understand coming back across might seem intimidating I have two possible solutions. One chances are you will see someone at the clinic that is going back across and you could just tag along or take the taxi back to the border....once the taxi drops you off just hang out atthe back of the line for 30 secs to a min until an American couple or family gets in line, then get in behind them and then you have a friendly face to help if needed, but you won't it's pretty straightforward with no hassle from anyone, unless its the transpo guys trying to get people to pay five bucks for a ride across Tom

Roger Way to go on your continued weight loss. I've been stagnate Only 5 pounds lost since banding... VEry Very sporadic restriction.. mainly if I eat too fast and of the wrong food ( bread)...I'm getting my second fill 9th so I think that is when the weight loss will really begin... When you can eat.. you do.. or I wouldnt have had to get this ..so as soon as I get get restrricted I know it 'll be different.. or at least I hope so Tom

Andie: Unless you can get 1/2 dozen people, the trolley and bus are cheaper and just about as fast considering the fact that they don't necessarily go when you want them too, but when the surgery people go or when they fir it in. Plus again, I like to stay around town for awhile afterwards. Getting there and back is easy, let me know if you decide to take the trolley, I'll stay with you until you cross the border on the way back. Let me know Tom

Roger: I have about the same to report. I can eat a full meal, but my full meal now is still alot less than before. Feel some restriction, but can usually eat past it. So I'm scheduled for my second fil DEc 9th. Still below surgery weight but not by much. Hope this next one does it.. Tom

Nita: I bought my ticket to San Diego for the 9th, but I forgot to get my appointment first. I hope they can fit me in. I'll be arriving around 0830. Are you taking the trolley or the van. I like to take the trolley and go for a massage after. They are really cheap down there...A legit one of course:) Tom

I scheduled a fill Dec 9th. Anyone heading that way? I do the bus / trolley thing...it's just as easy as waiting for the shuttle bus and of course, cheaper. Tom