CanadianBandster

I do everything I did before. I love dancing! I just eat less and more slowly - I still eat everything I did before. I was slightly over filled for awhile and couldnt do breads, carbs - but once I had the proper fill I was alright with it. I love my band!

I realized I was too tight after not being able to eat bread, steak, rice, pork. I had a slight unfil and then could eat those foods - just small quantities and very very very slow. I have to chew them like crazy. I will never be that tight again - where I have restrictions on what I can eat - just how much. THOUGH - I can not eat any foods except oatmeal and smoothies before about 11 am. I could but I would have to chew so much and I admit - I am so hungry in the mornings I have a smoothy and I am happy again I just cant sit long enough to chew because I am too hungry when I get up and eat too quickly.

Did you get your band at OCC? I would go back and talk to them. They can check everything out to make sure you havent stretched your pouch etc and advise you on getting a fill or not. Until you can get there - watch what you eat, track it and get your butt in there

Pasta - It would take me about 45 min - 1 hr. I have to chew like crazy and wait a few minutes between each bite.

Watermelon is hard for me to eat and there is no way I could eat it before noon.

ohhh but shopping in San Diego is fun fun lol

I want to throw in another 2cents lol

I had my band put in Dec 08

I was told by others to get a complete unfil before PS I had in May 09, but the doctor thought I would be fine since I wasnt having problems eating - glad I didnt. I would have gained.

I got pregnant Jan 1, 2010. Again was told by others to have a complete unfil, doctors again said I would be fine because my band was a little "loose" - again, glad I didnt. I am 6 months and gained 7-10 pounds. I would be over 200 by now I bet if I had a complete unfil, I eat a lot throughout the day - but the band helps me control it. I just eat little bits all day long and make sure it isnt crap food I am eating. My doctor thinks I am doing great and have gained the perfect amount of weight for my pre-pregnancy weight.

Just wanted to add that in here, since I had a lot of people who were not doctors say get completely unfilled and I listened to my regular doctor and am doing great

Thank you Dolittle My band too is for life - I will never be bandless lol

I agree - safe. I was there 8 times last year with no problems, and we went out shopping, even out for drinks and dancing and had no problems.

My longest wait was 2 hours.

They dont expire. But if I were you in your shoes I would book an appointment to go get things checked out I would go back to the OCC for that as well...but thats just my opinion

Being banded for a year and a half I have to say that as it is stated over and over again that the band is only a tool. I know that at 13 even though I was over weight and would have loved to have something make me "normal" I would not have been successful with the band at that age. It is really hard work and I dont think that someone who is 13 would understand the consequences of not following the rules of the band.

okay this is totally a personal opinion...but I wouldnt take my kids there (my oldest daughter is 12). Too many reasons, but I just wouldnt. I love it there, and enjoy my time, but just feel it isnt somewhere I would like my kids to be. Just thought I would give my honest opinion mom to mom. I have and would take them to Mexico - I just wouldnt have felt during surgery time would be the best time, plus TJ isnt really a place I want them to see just yet.

I got money back from AHC as well. I just filled all the info in myself and included a receipt. I did get a doctors note before I went saying it would benefit my health and included that just in case

I also included it in my taxes and got money back ((sorry I dont remember how much)).

My private insurance paid the rest, but that doesnt happen often.

Sabrina - I am pretty much exactly where you are. I have 1.6 in my band, and although I have a little restriction, it isnt a lot, but I feel much better. Being too tight was horrible. I do have to watch as once in awhile (especially now being pregnant) I could really overdue it. But the band helps me maintain Even with this little fill - the band was one of the best things I have ever done You are doing great!!!

I was lower BMI - ha, I cant remember what it was...youll see my stats below though. I am VERY happy I got it done. I cant say anything for coffee as I dont drink it!

As for fills, I prefer going back to the OCC. I went here a few times, didnt like it as much though it is free here for me but travel back to the OCC and the fill is usually about $1000 ( I am in Canada). Just ensure you arrange your aftercare before you have surgery. Read around the board more - youll find more answers to this already

good luck!

definately call the OCC as stated above. Not that it helps you now, but always, always try to have enough money on hand to at least fly to the OCC or to see a doctor for things like this (might help someone who is thinking of being banded). I always make sure I have enough cash on hand to ensure I can fly down in a moments notice if need be.

1. Did you get an un-fill? If so, was it a total un-fill or just partial? At what point did you refill the band?

I had an unfil pre-pregnancy, I was actually just about to go in to have a little put back in....then found out I was expecting so I left it alone (with dr advice). All is good now I have 1.6 is my 4 cc band

2. Did you feel that your band in any way hindered you ability to eat enough foods or to breastfeed, to push during labor, etc. (especially if you did NOT have all your fill removed)

lol - okay this is a hard one because a)I will not breastfeed due to a med I am on and i have to have a c-section (due to having 2 previously and it isnt an option here for a v-bac)

I have to make sure I am eating enough though because I am not hungry often, so I have to write everything down to make sure I am eating enough

3. Did you port give you problems as your belly got bigger with the baby? Did it become something that was visable or uncomfortable as more of your insides were filled up with the baby?

I am 17 weeks tomorrow and not huge yet, but I am thinking as it seems now that it wont cause problems. I tend to have smallish babies though! My port was a bit visible before after losing, but I am not worried about it- no one would know unless I pointed it out and that wont be happening.

4. Were you able to find an OBGYN who had experience with an expecting mother who had had the band or did you feel you had to do the educating of your doctor(s)?

My doctor did a lot of research once I told her I was getting banded. Where I live no way would someone have experience with it

I didnt get a complete unfil and things are fine. BUT - if I had been too tight AT ALL, I would have had some taken out If I werent pregnant I would have a bit of a fill - but I think having a little bit of room is good to ensure nothing goes wrong in the later months

I dont drink wine - but if I did, I would still have it. I dont drink much, but when I want one - I have it.

PB was never a no no for me. Actually, for awhile when I was too tight I almost lived off the stuff - I will never allow myself to be too tight again.

I also add PB to my chocolate slim fast smoothies (with 1 cup milk a few ice cubes) YUMMY

Rice - is not a no no now, again only when I was too tight

Hm - baby brain here - I cant remember what other food you asked about sorry lol - just went back and read....tortillas, okay I admit, I still have a hard time with them, but I do it - just really slow lol

Now - I can basically eat anything, except some breads that get too gummy, like home made buns I can only have such tiny bites its not even worth it.

sushi is a no no for me LOL but for different reasons icky lol

good luck!!!

I made sure I measured what I ate when I let myself get too hungry - but the biggest was to not let myself get there in the first place. I would have a small snack in between. I had a slim fast smoothy for breakfast everyday - BECAUSE it was my favorite - and if I didnt I wouldnt eat anything.

The #1 thing that helped me reach my goal - was my friend. We emailed each other not kidding everything we put in our mouths and if it werent for that I would never have reached my goal.

I eat a lot of soup as well - again because I like to and it seemed to help me accomplish what I wanted.

I cut out A LOT of carbs. I hardly ever eat bread- very very rarely, I think that attributed to about 80% of my weight loss.

I

I couldnt do bread and loved it because I lost quickly BUT realized I was actually just a little too tight. I had a bit of an unfil - now I can barely do it, which is perfect. If I chew VERY good and eat VERY slow most will work, somedays not so much and in the mornings not at all. Just because careful that some of you arent too tight. I know yippie that we lose quickly, but make sure you dont have too many no-no's

I am almost 4 months pregnant. My doctor doesnt see any risks for me with my band, everything has been positive. I do not have the same high blood pressure I had with my previous two because ofthe band (when lost the weight, got off the meds) so it has been a positive experience

haha - I had to throw this in there, tell your sister to try the chicken fajitas at the Lucerna - YUMMY

I didnt get an unfil. I had actually had one not too long ago. I thought I could have a tiny bit added and had an appointment but then found out I was expecting and didnt get it. I am at 1.6 right now. My doctor and I thought I would be alright and all has been good I too had morning sickness - BAD. I drank a lot of slimfast and ate soup crackers for about 2 months BLAH. But its much better now and I can eat pretty much anything as long as I take it slow. I just make sure that everything I eat is healthy so that I can optimize what I am taking in I have gained 4 pounds, and am 14 weeks 3 days. But I sure am getting a belly. I admit it is hard after losing and have PS so I have to remind myself that it is OKAY! My doctor is very happy with my weight and says I am on track. I wasnt a twig, I was still between 136-140 so all is good

Good luck - feel free to PM anytime!