AngelaAnn

I was told moderation after the six month mark--before six months, I did not have any soda. I had everything checked out in February, and nope, no stretched pouch. And five sodas in four months ain't going to do much except maybe make you gassy.

I had surgery in August of last year and I've had about maybe five sodas since February. For me, they're sometimes uncomfortable to drink now because of the carbonation. It makes me feel super bloated. If I sip one, I'm usually okay. It's weird, I generally don't order anything to drink anymore when I'm out and about so, it's really easy to not drink soda or my calories in general. I do like a nice glass of orange juice once in awhile--it's a nice change up from water/coffe/crystal light for me.

Hell Ya! I was a B.I.T.C.H. while on the pre-op 'cause I was hungry!

LMFAO! I totally will show anyone my scars too! I personally like them and wear them like a badge.

I'll tell anyone or everyone, and most people are curious, especially those who are "larger" like myself and want to know details. I'm happy to give it to them--one person is actually looking into banding. My family has an open door policy when it comes to information so, I'm probably one of those annoying people who holds nothing sacred and will talk about anything. It's just the way I was brought up. You'll probably see that you'll tell those that you know won't negatively judge you and will be supportive. The couple of naysayers I've had--I just tell them that it's my body and this is the way that I choose to get the weight off. I ate my feelings--good or bad so, for me, I needed the band to help with my out of control binge eating. I KNOW that I would be well on my way to 300 lbs. if I had not had the surgery and if I do have a bad food day, I might not lose that week, but I sure don't gain! Good Luck!!

I was at a plateau for over 4 months--same 3 pounds lost and gained like you. My third fill I lost 14 lbs. but now at a plateau again, losing and gaining on a day from 212-215. It is very frustrating.

Hi Sabrina, Right after I made the appointment, my heartburn went away and I was able to eat a decent amount of solid food for dinner and breakfast the next morning (and I can NEVER eat in the am) and today I've eaten okay too. No heartburn either. I told the OCC that if I didn't feel better after my period started then I would have a partial unfill. I even ate a piece of toast today and I can't remember the last time I had bread. I'm sure I will tighten up again due to stress from finals, last semester I didn't have as much of a fill and I could only do liquids finals week (I did lose 5 lbs.) but once the stress went away, the fill loosened. Stress and the band ain't no joke. If I go get an unfill this week, I will let you know.

Hi All, Thank you--I talked to Dr. Acosta and he said that it sounds like I haven't been eating 'normally' since my SECOND fill and that I will just continue to get tighter until nothing can get through. I'm getting a complete unfill tomorrow morning--I wish they wouldn't take it all out because I know that I still can't be trusted around food--even after 8 months. I'm scared of being hungry again. I'm scared that I will gain a bunch of weight back in the interim and sad that I have to start over again with the fills. I'm crying as a write this and I don't know why. This has not been a good day.

Hi All, I had my third fill in February of .2cc's-- almost 2 and a half months ago. I've had a love/hate relationship with this fill. Lost 14 lbs., but PB'd a lot. Well, lately the PBing went away but since Monday night, I've had terrible heartburn and I know from the paper that the OCC gives that this is a sign of being too tight. I don't feel too tight and I can eat and drink just fine, but this heartburn is killing me. Some points to consider: 1. Money. Lame ass excuse I know, but $100 to unfill and then another $100 in a month to put that same .2cc's back and I'm pretty strapped for money right now. 2. It's the week before my period and the band generally does weird things before it. 3. Upcoming finals= Mad amounts of stress. Don't know how to stress manage either. I honestly don't know what to do. Any advice would be helpful. Has this happened to anyone else? I mean after 2.5 months?!

LOL! True! And its taking its time coming off! My goal weight "time frame" is still a year off. I just want to be in the 160's by my graduation next May.

I've been stuck at 212-214 for the last three weeks! It feels like the one hundreds are so close, yet still so far!

Most people don't feel restriction with their first fill--I had 2.0cc's in a 4cc band and I felt nothing and could eat like I always did pre-band. I went back 4 weeks later for a second fill for a total of 2.8cc's. It was only when I had my second fill that I felt restriction and I knew what everyone was talking about. My second fill lasted about 3 months and then I had .2 added in Feb. for a total of 3cc's and I have super restriction now, sometimes too much depending on time of month.

I was told 4 weeks between my first and second and 8 weeks between my second and third.

If it was a "violent" PB then I would definitely do liquids for 24 hours or so--if you just opened your mouth and the bollus (ball of food) just came out then you're probably okay to continue on with your day. I still have issues chewing my food until its liquid--you really have to be conscious of it with every single mouthful. Also, don't have a conversation with someone while chewing 'cause you won't chew enough times. It almost has to be a religious experience. LOL. Good Luck and welcome to restriction.

Yup. The period makes my restriction funky, too.

I, too can only eat thin crust pizza and only one slice SUPER SLOW, otherwise I'm asking for a PB. I can eat one slice and then sometimes I'll eat the toppings off another slice or just the toppings. Lately, I've been steering clear of bready-carby things as stress at school sometimes makes me super tight.

Yup, I've PB'd while driving--especially the first month after I got my third fill for 3cc's in my 4cc band. I finally realized that I can't eat and then immediately get into a car or I get a weird feeling of car sickness (which I've never had) and then I PB--I started keeping plastic bags in the car, but now that I know what it is, I don't eat before driving or I make sure to eat an hour before having to get into a car. I'm glad I'm not the only one this has happened to.

It's not that easy to get around without a car--we have public transportation and such but it's not always that great or reliable. You can stay downtown in the gaslamp, but I'm not sure how cheap that would be but there are many things like shopping and restaurants within walking distance like Seaport Village and balboa park/zoo are close as is the trolley which you can take all the way to TJ if you want. It's also close to the airport.

It's uncomfortable. I don't drink beer, but I had a soda at about 7 months post op and the carbonation wasn't exactly painful, but it was almost like I could feel it expand my pouch. I think this is especially true if you have good restriction already.

I'm with you Jude--I am not the poster lapband child by any means with my constant battle with sugar, but I just didn't feel that I should leave the comment I wanted to--so I just left a "nice" one.

I used to drink soda like water--and I think I've had one at about 7 months post op. It hurt to drink and tasted way too sweet. So, I just stick with water and a couple of cups of coffee a day. I did post something as nicely as possible that in my instructions I was told to not have carbonation for the first six months and to please be careful with what he eats as he is still healing. Truthfully I was so shocked that I didn't know what to say...cause what him and his doctor needs are slaps upside the head in my honest opinion.

Okay, I decided to see what else was out there for forums and I was shocked at what some of these people are posting one month after surgery! Drinking carbonation and alcohol and eating all of this crazy food? People giving advice saying that it is okay to drink carbonated beverages as long as they are diet and that this person is not hurting their band by doing it? WTF? I have a sick feeling that many doctors in the U.S. are NOT preparing their patients for the lapband--can somebody help me out with this? I cannot believe how shocked I am. Sorry for the rant, but I can't believe someone was drinking beer and eating chicken wings less than a month after surgery. Isn't their body still healing? How is this possible?