AngelaAnn

Hey everyone

I have my first fill scheduled this week. I am super excited. Just curious -it seems like for the majority the first fill doesn't really do much. Is this really the case? How did everyone's go?

THANKS!

Hi,

I, too had no restriction with my first fill--I have a 4cc band and they put 2.0cc's in for the first one. However, I had great restriction with my second fill of an extra .8 in November. I just got my third fill this morning of an additional .2 for a total of 3.0cc's. Hopefully this one will last for awhile! Good Luck!

Carrie,

That is good advice. I need to get some chromium picolinate and green tea.

Last night was my daughter's B'day. A dinner last night I ate a diet hotdog (lowfat frank & lite wheat bun) a large handfull of baked Doritos, a 2.5 x 2.5 inch piece of cake, and sugar free ice cream. I was really careful all day long with everything because I really wanted a piece of that cake. I don't normally do so many carbs either, but that's what she wanted for supper and I got the healthier versions. That is way more than 1/3 of what I would normally eat at one meal, so I think I am going ahead with the fill. I started my 3:45 a.m. workouts this morning and I am feeling very positive today. Good luck on what you decide about your fill.

Kimberly

Hi Mrs. Parris- I just came home from getting my third fill--I had 2.8cc's already, and I just got a small one of .2 for a total of 3.0cc's. Dr. So told me to stay on liquids today and he looked at my pouch, tube, port etc. and said everything looked fine! He also told me that this should be my "sweet spot" so, hopefully it will be. He also told me to wait at least 2 months before getting another fill. I'm fine with that since it's been 3.5 months since I got my last one. Good Luck and I hope everything goes well for you!

I have been struggling with eating after my second fill. I ate two decent meals afterwards and now everything gets stuck; beans, chili, cheerios, deli meat, cheese, etc. I have emailed Dr. Acosta, but have not heard back from him yet --- I am sure I will today. Will my fill loosen up? Or do you think I should consider heading back to the OCC for a partial unfill? I am losing faith that I will be able to eat and it work as it should with everything getting stuck. I am doing liquids at the moment. Any advice would be welcomed.

Thanks, Kristy

I got things stuck a lot with my second fill--it took about a month for it to loosen up. I lost about 8 pounds i that first month. I'm getting a small third one tomorrow since, I'm ALWAYS hungry now and can eat a lot of food.

OK...there is actually no name on the box, but found out the website who makes these "Green Tea Fat Burner" liquid soft~gel caps I have. Again, it was included inside the Dual-Action Cleanse I purchased at WalMart. It contains EGCG, which clinically researched to help burn calories and it's new with "2x Boost".

Here is the website were you can purchase (3)-30 day supply for $38 (includes shipping and taxes, etc).

http://www.appliednutrition.com/greentea.htm

Hope this helps...

Thank you so much! I'm going to pick some up after my fill tomorrow.

Well, I've used it already for a week or so and I am telling you, both works ~ gentle and yet effective! I don't have ANY bloatness, have a BM every day (sometimes twice) and I've noticed more energy. I sleep real good. I'll wait out the rest of the 30 day process and let you know...

Hi Jazzy,

What kind of fat burners are they? Can I have the whole name? You got them at Walmart? Do they cause that crazy pooping that some fat burners cause? I'm very afraid of that happening in a public place. I'm really interested in trying some, but don't know which ones to get.

Thank you!

I went to a Bariatric Surgery/Nutrition meeting the other night and they passed out recipes for diet Red Velvet Cake, Apple Dumplings, and other treats. I actually do better if I try to not eat any kind of sweets at all. My main treat lately when I really want something sweet is to eat a Kellog's Double Choc. protein bar. I almost feel guilty because they taste sssssoooooo good! But, I know I could be eating something a lot worse.

I would love to have those treat recipes as well! I have a huge sweet tooth that I still struggle with on a weekly basis.

Some have voiced their opinions that my reply was spot-on/appropriate - some have taken it as nasty/sassy.

I apologize and have NO desire to become a 'troll' or whatever the word is.

I respect you all and will make an effort to read the posts differently (i.e. trust that the person is not being condescending and remember that type written words can be taken out of context).

crazycoolbutterfly - I wrote that a death had occurred in the original poster's life and that she made a poor food choice while dealing with that. I applaud your weight loss, committment and contributions to this forum.

Jennifer- your reply was appropriate (and entertaining), especially in defense of Mrs. Parris. And Mrs. Parris, you probably do need a small fill--that's the bottom line. And working out 3x a week is more than most people do and nothing to feel bad or guilty about. Neither is the double cheeseburger, in my opinion. Having one cheeseburger in four months, especially under the circumstances you were under is in a word: REALISTIC. You have done a fabulous job and I apologize that your post thread turned "ugly." I hope you have a wonderful week-end.

Making statements like "if you can eat at night, you can exercise" are awfully haughty. If someone snacks for 2.5 minutes in between folding laundry, serving a family dinner, spoon feeding an infant and god knows what else...that isn't exactly the same as having the time to go for a 20-30 minutes run! Wow! Assumptions...

Also, admitting to eating a fastfood cheeseburger and getting "if you can eat a cheeseburger, you can eat whole wheat grain turkey..." - wow again! A death, come on! Some days that whole wheat grain barley tofu spread is not gonna be there. Not to say that preparation is not key, but a death, folks!

I'm surprised by comments like these.

I should probably take a shower and relax. And maybe just follow the OA motto, as well. "Take what you like and leave the rest."

Have a good night.

Jennifer

Here, Here!! You've said everything I've been thinking about this post!! Go get a fill- a small one if you're afraid of being too tight because I'm going next Wednesday for my third fill and I'm just going to ask for a small one, too. Good Luck and Congrats on the 50+ pounds you've lost thus far!

Isn't there an issue of crossing the border with drugs?

I've never had that problem and I've been going to Mexico for "drugs" for over a decade.

Thanks Angela! So... you need to have a prescription? I'm wanting to price Plavix for my mom since it's so expensive for her here in the USofA. Maybe I'll call her today and see if she can get a prescription.

Thanks, Kristy

No, I've never used a prescription, but I think you need to know the generic name for Plavix because that's what they deal in and usually it's on the bottle.

I would be interested to see how many of you have purchased meds in Mexico. I know that Amoxicillin is a big one. What types of pain meds are available? Does anyone know if Plavix is available? Do you negotiate prices at at the pharmacies? And, does anyone have a specific pharmacy that they would recommend? I know that they are everywhere.

Thanks in advance, Kristy

I don't have insurance and buy a lot of meds in Mexico. I buy my synthroid for my thyroid, I used to get chronic strep and would buy antibiotics for that as well as antibiotics for UTI's and diflucan for the yeast. (3 months of thyroid meds cost me $4, a round of strep meds cost about $8, diflucan cost $10 for 10 pills, etc. very affordable) You can get pretty much everything there, especially if you have a prescription for it already. My sister gets her zoloft there. And my esthetician gets her Meridia there. You don't negotiate at pharmacies, and though I have one I go to in Algodones out of Yuma, I don't have any specific one I go to in T.J.--try not to go to the one next to the border because they will probably charge more than some place further in.

I'm eating approx 1/3 of what I was before.....around 1200-1400 cal per day. I KNOW I was eating close to 3000 before. I am making good choices, of course not perfect, but who is. I am going back on Atkins monday, but I am really frustrated because I could lose weight BEFORE the lapband on Atkins. I thought I was done with diets but I guess I was wrong. I've lost 25 lbs, of which 8 was preop and the rest was before my first fill. I have only lost 1 or 2 lbs since having two fills.

I have restriction that is WAY too tight in the morning and I am starving but can't eat. I have tried the warm liquids, cold liquids, you name it and nothing helps. Any time I am hungry I have sever shoulder pain, which means my shoulder hurts every day until I can eat. So I usually eat lunch around 12-1 and it hurts in my chest, no matter how small I take my bites and how long I chew. Then as the afternoon goes along the restriction goes away to the point that when I eat dinner at 7pm (which is the time I get home) I could really eat as much as I want. .. Then after dinner I've got the munchies until I go to bed. I resist eating and do pretty well, but wake up in the middle of the night starving with my shoulder hurting.

I haven't been on in a while because I've kinda been in denial over the fact that this band and I aren't getting along right now. I'm not sorry I did it and would do it over, but I would like to think that this frustrating time will pass. I also don't exercise and I know I should, but the simple math of the # of calories I have decreased should result in lost weight, even if its just a few lbs a month.

I am in your same boat as well! I haven't lost a pound in 2 months and I've been exercising 4x a week since the beginning of January. I am always tight in the morning and then I can eat at night like you. And I'm six months out--I'm scheduled for a fill on the 18th, but don't know if I should get it because I do still PB a lot...

Really? Are you staying at the Lucerna? We are coming in the morning of the 18th but my fill is on the 19th. If you are at the hotel, I will see you I am sure! Just look for a short fat girl with a short skinny guy!

Alas,

I live in San Diego and just go down for my fill and then home, and I never even got to see the Hotel Lucerna, even when I was banded. Hey, I have a question for you....should I ask for a certain amount in my band? This will be my third fill and I have 2.8cc's in a 4cc band--I must admit that I do PB on a regular basis, but I think it's because I still don't chew my food enough. I fill "looser" and I've been eating more in the last two weeks. (I just thought I'd ask because I've seen that you've had a few fills). Thank you!

Anyone besides me and Darlene going to be in Tijuana? She is going for a fill and I am going for a checkup and a fill. Just wondering if anyone else is going then.

Hello,

I'm getting a fill on the 18th at 9am!

Everything has been great with my first fill (1.8 CC, Jan. 8). I've had a lot of restriction. Then all of a sudden it seems like I am ravenous and can eat whatever I want! It was like an overnight change - literally on Wednesday I could eat hardly anything, and then on Thursday it was like I had no restriction.

Is that normal?

It varies, with my first fill, I could still eat anything, I've had my second fill since November 5th and I still have pretty good restriction, but it's true. Some days I can eat and other days I can't. And I'll go a week without PBing and then I'll PB every day for three days. The band is a strange and mysterious thing.

I know you are not supposed to drink anything during a meal but was wondering if anyone can just take tiny sips of water?? I do understand that it is not recommended because you should not "wash your food down" but has anyone tried to drink with their meals? If so, what happens?? Did it make you PB or vomit or have pain?? :-?

After my second fill, if I drink while eating, I will immediately PB all the fluid I drank back up, so I literally cannot physically drink while eating.

Ok first off, you look amazing in that outfit! Love the shoes! I forgot to call them today and ask, but from what your saying I just need to devise a plan to make it so that the jewelry can't be taken out....hmmmm. Can't think of any physical barriers, because I'd want to change them incase I find super cool jewels.

Maybe psychological trauma that would result in years of therapy? Must keep them because I'm a dimple model on the side? If taken out, then I can't chain them to my ears for my Shanid O'connor Halloween costume?? Open to other suggestions.

AngelaAnn, did they just find yours and take them out without you knowing ??? That's gotta be some type of piercing larceny! Thanks for the heads up. I put Mom on red alert.

Amber

No, I mentioned it the day of surgery and whomever I told (I don't remember now) said okay, no problem. No problem to me, means that it wasn't an issue, but I guess No problem to them meant "we'll just take them out while she is under". I don't know....so, yes please check into it so your piercings aren't a causalty.

Besides, "do it" I was only told no ab work for three months after surgery, but everything else was okay. I generally do the elliptical + upper body or elliptical + lower body 4x a week. I can already see things firming up after only 3 weeks! I guess excercise really does work.

I had lost 10 pounds after having the surgery in Oct and had my first fill of 2.2cc on Dec 18th. I lost 4 pounds but gained it back after the liquid diet for two weeks was over. I can eat anything. I do chose healthy foods. more protein over breads..more veggies over potatoes. I excersize 2x a week for an hour. I question this journey often and I dont mean too but I do. Please an advice would help me. I go to the nutritionalist on the 27th and I am asking for another fill...maybe that will work! Hopefully.

I've been stuck at 219 for two months--I think it's because I'm not working out enough so, I've upped my workouts from 2x to 4x a week. It might help.

My dimples have been such a pain in a** to heal that it is almost like I'd be losing the war if they close on me!! :angry: There is no way I'd get them done again either!

AngelaAnn, how long were your nips pierced before you went into surgery? Some places close faster. I haven't worn earrings forever and my holes are still open, but earlobes are different from pretty much any other piercing. Babies have them!! I would think that facial piercings would shut-up quick though.

Well, the only way to know for sure is to ask. I might have to give Mom a crash course in inserting body jewelry!

I had my nipple piercings since early 2005...and I had surgery in August of 2008. I really didn't think that they'd close up so fast. And, I was more shocked that nobody even asked/gave me the option of keeping it open some way. They just handed me the jewelry when I woke up. It's a good thing I wasn't totally attached to them, but I'll probably get them pierced again. I think I liked the shock factor on people's faces because I look conservative on the outside.

I am able to eat solids starting this Thursday, and although I am going to start out slow with softer foods, I was thinking I would love to have a subway sandwich. I know everyone is different, but I would hate to buy it then not be able to eat any of it. Even if I need to share one with someone, it would be wonderful, especially since after I get a fill I know I probably won't be able to. I used to eat it everyday for lunch, and really miss it.

I could eat anything before my second fill--now bread is 90% of the time not my friend. I used to love subway, too!

Worst: PBing in public or in a moving car (while driving!).

This just happened to me last week! In a car...I am so glad I had a plastic bag on hand. I figured out that I can't eat and then get immediately into a car. I get this weird car sicky feeling (never had it before the band) and then I start pbing. Weird stuff. And annoying.

I have read all the good things but now I want to prepare myself for reality. What do you find to be not all that great?

I'm wondering if I will miss being able to eat 3 times what I should eat. Will I miss the comfort of food?

Do you hate always having to plan? plan ahead?

PB's?

What is the worst thing for you?

Thanks Melly

PBing is a pain in the ass. For me, it's frustrating because one day I'll be able to eat something and then the next time I have it, I PB it back up. I can't eat bread, tortillas, sometimes salad, or generally most carb things. So if you were/are addicted to carbs, you might have to kiss them good-bye. Some days I can eat solids and some days I'll only be able to drink my calories...the band is fickle like that. And yes, you will miss the comfort of food. My problem was that I was a binge eater and now I physically cannot do it or I'll PB/slime up. It's a good thing I can't binge, but it's really hard psychologically to get throught it.

On the positive side, I've lost 33 lbs. in five months with just diet alone and my body fat went from 49% on the day I had surgery to 36% as of two days ago. I'm hoping by my one year to lose another 30 lbs. I've joined a gym and been exercising 4 days a week.

Even though sometimes I'm frustrated with the band, I'm 100% positive that I would be well over the 250 lb. mark by now--it's a slow process that definitely does take work, but it DOES work. I wish you good luck and know that this site is invaluable to getting support from people that are going through what you will be.

I am going to be banded in a couple months and I was wondering if anyone else went in with body piercing and if they were allowed to use retainers. I know that metals are definite no-no's, but what about PFTE (Teflon)? It is biocompatable material and I have PFTE retainers for all my piercings, but I don't want any surprises. I've had the piercing for a while, but I still freak out about closure because everyone is different and our bodies know where there are and aren't supposed to be holes! Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks!

I didn't know about metal--but they took out my nipple ring while I was under and it closed up that same day. They handed me the jewelry when I woke up, so I would definitely contact them if this is a piercing you intend to keep.

Anybody start this yet? I'm interested to hear how it goes.....!!

I got the product, but I'm going to wait until spring break to try it because I'm scared of pooing at school so, but be rest assured I will post if anything interesting is produced from the colonix/toxin out experience.

But I'm curious if anyone has started as well? Is there cramping? Running to the bathroom?