Elizabeth36

I am so with you Roxy..you can read my recent post under a topic written by "Tadpole" called "frusterated"..will give you more of my info and history. I am thinking a sleeve may be the thing for me...how bout we go together?..lol...

Tadpole, I too am so frustrated. I got my band 4/15/10, and initially with the liquid phase I lost 15 lbs. I had no restriction, and my 1st fill was 7 cc's that was in June 2010. After that, I still could eat anything I wanted, so I went for fill number two on 9/11/10. There was 2 more cc's added..I was up to 9 cc's, and oh yes I had restriction. That was D day for me for many reasons...1st my mom was told she may have bone cancer & sure enough she did. She had stage 4 Ovarian cancer that had spread to her bones...the next 6 months were living hell for her and myself & ultimately she lost her battle in March 2011. All that time I had to be careful with what I ate...I did lose weight, but only 13 lbs and then it just stopped. I still couldn't eat anything, and did have freq PBing if I ate the wrong thing. I finally got a chance to go to a fill center ( the other one I had went to the 1st two times closed, and I had to find another...it was 5 hrs away). During that visit the practioner wanted to tell me that I had probably slipped my band and that's why I was having the pbing...I didn't think I had and after the fluro..everything was in perfect position. I had him remove 1 cc, and I could finally eat again and still have restriction. I have found if I eat slow I can eat more...way to much. Now I've gained a good 10 to 12 lbs, and everyday keep getting bigger. I had my thyroid checked and it was borderline low, so I've been on Levoxyl for about 5 weeks..was hopeful that would help, but so far it has not. I am just a few pounds shy of my surgery weight, and have made an appt finally with a provider that lives close. I am worrried my pouch is dilated, and boom I will be back to the "unfill/fill mode", and I have a feeling it will be small amounts that will cost me a small fortune. I have been reading a lot of people who has had this same problem, and they have opted for a VSG. I am considering this option myself, but worry about the scar tissue that's present from the band surgery, and my GB surgery I had to have last year. I see so many successful people with the band...I feel like such a failure. I can't help but think it may be the band size 11 cc's and my anatomy. Maybe you and I both can get the answers we need..8=)

Try myfitnesspal.com

Hey are you having trouble with being to tight? I have 9cc's and at first I thought it was great..now I'm not so sure. I have had several episodes and have to PB. I eat alot of ceral and i have had no weight loss in a while...

I just had my first fill Saturday 6/12/10. I went to Roswell GA with fill centers usa. I have the 11cc band and was banded 4/15/10. Before my fill, I didnt really fill any different than I did before I had the surgery. I hadn't lost any weight since the liquid phase adn was kind of feeling like "is this thing going to work".

I must say the guy at the center who discusses nutrition and operates the fluroscope was very nice & knowledgeable. His name was Evan. There is a doctor that accessed the port. He was an older man, and didn't say to much. He didn't hurt when he accessed my port. There is a nurse practitioner that also does the fills there and some of the other patient's said they had been filled by her at previous appts. They said she done a good job. I guess they swap out. They are only there 2 times a month on saturdays. ( I cant see what I am typing so forgive any typos)

At first, I thought I would get about 5cc'c, and Evan had told the doc to draw up a little more than 5cc'c since I had an 11cc band. I drank the barium and I was wide open. He put the 5 in, and I drank more but it was still pretty fast. he then had him pput in 7cc's. He had to draw up more saline and change the syringe out because he had air in the first one and didnt draw up more than 5cc'c. I thought was a little silly ( I am a nurse). My thinking was he should have noit left air in it to start with, but no big deal. I ended up with 7cc's and I could defin. feel restriction. I had drank to much barium.. be sure you only drink sips.. and made myself a lil nauseas. i drank some water and everything felt ok. I went to eat something before I headed back home and tolerated it fine. I did eat some ice cream a little later and had some discomfort. I got over it and have been ok since I just have to take things slow and I noticed this morning I felt restricted when I got up, so I drank some coffee and later tried part of a bagel. I had to eat small bites, but I was fine. I just didnt eat the whole thing. In fact, I didnt have to have much at lunch either. I drank some Iced coffee a little while ago and I dont feel hungry. I am very pleased with my fill from Roswell Ga and have already lost 2 lbs. I hope this helps. It's funny you ask so soon after my experience with the fill from the same location you are interested in and we have the same band.

My goodness at the typos...I was just rambling on and on.....

I just had my first fill Saturday 6/12/10. I went to Roswell GA with fill centers usa. I have the 11cc band and was banded 4/15/10. Before my fill, I didnt really fill any different than I did before I had the surgery. I hadn't lost any weight since the liquid phase adn was kind of feeling like "is this thing going to work".

I must say the guy at the center who discusses nutrition and operates the fluroscope was very nice & knowledgeable. His name was Evan. There is a doctor that accessed the port. He was an older man, and didn't say to much. He didn't hurt when he accessed my port. There is a nurse practitioner that also does the fills there and some of the other patient's said they had been filled by her at previous appts. They said she done a good job. I guess they swap out. They are only there 2 times a month on saturdays. ( I cant see what I am typing so forgive any typos)

At first, I thought I would get about 5cc'c, and Evan had told the doc to draw up a little more than 5cc'c since I had an 11cc band. I drank the barium and I was wide open. He put the 5 in, and I drank more but it was still pretty fast. he then had him pput in 7cc's. He had to draw up more saline and change the syringe out because he had air in the first one and didnt draw up more than 5cc'c. I thought was a little silly ( I am a nurse). My thinking was he should have noit left air in it to start with, but no big deal. I ended up with 7cc's and I could defin. feel restriction. I had drank to much barium.. be sure you only drink sips.. and made myself a lil nauseas. i drank some water and everything felt ok. I went to eat something before I headed back home and tolerated it fine. I did eat some ice cream a little later and had some discomfort. I got over it and have been ok since I just have to take things slow and I noticed this morning I felt restricted when I got up, so I drank some coffee and later tried part of a bagel. I had to eat small bites, but I was fine. I just didnt eat the whole thing. In fact, I didnt have to have much at lunch either. I drank some Iced coffee a little while ago and I dont feel hungry. I am very pleased with my fill from Roswell Ga and have already lost 2 lbs. I hope this helps. It's funny you ask so soon after my experience with the fill from the same location you are interested in and we have the same band.

WOOO HOO! YOU ALL HAVE MADE MY DAY OR SHOULD I SAY NIGHT..LOL! ANYWAY, I WAS BANDED 4/15 AND DURING THE LIQUID PHASE I LOST ABOUT 13 LBS. SINCE I HAVE BEEN ON SOLIDS I HAVEN'T REALLY LOST.. WELL MAYBE A POUND OR 2. I HAVEN'T BEEN EATING LIKE I WAS, BUT I DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH RESTRICTION. I HAD DECIDED I WAS NOT GOING TO WOORY ABOUT IT AND PREVENT MYSELF FROM GAINING BEFORE MY FIRST FILL 6/12.IT'S FUNNY..EVERYDAY SOMEONE IS ASKING ME HOW MUCH HAVE I LOST...IVE BEEN EMBARRESSED TO SAY "NONE" OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, SO I JUST SAY I DON'T KNOW. THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN TELL I HAVE LOST MORE. I DO NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN MY CLOTHES. I THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY, BUT YOU ALL HAVE LET ME KNOW THAT MAYBE I AM SHRINKING WITHOUT SEEING ANY DIFFERENCE IN THE SCALES! I STILL CANT EXERCISE MUCH DUE TO MY FOOT, BUT I HAVE BEEN WORKING OUTSIDE AND HAVE FOUND MY ENERGY LEVEL TO BE OVERBOARD!

I was banded on May 5 and am getting ready for the next phase of my diet. What is considered creamy soups? Does potato soup count, minus the potatoes?? Would greatly appreciate any suggestons!!!

I ate it...I would go for the broth of the soup and it worked well for me. i just finished the post op phase. now i could eat the broad side of a barn..lol. Good Luck.

I stayed at the Lucerna (just left the 17th). It was great. The staff were awesome. The massage therapist was awesome. It was very clean and had a beautiful pool. I stayed on the side that overlooked the pool on the 3rd floor. I had a king size bed. It was great! I was going to stay at the marriot and after I asked the same question you did I switched to the Lucerna.

I was banded on April 15 2010 and on my way to the border from Hotel Lucerne I had to ask the driver to pull over as I was going to regurgitate. I was wondering if that may have done any damage to my band. My concern is I have heard a little about band slippage and feel concerned. Does anyone know about this. I also did this right after the nurse gave me my medication right before my band surgery.

Had you taken any medication (post op pain meds they gave you from OCC)that might have made you nauseated after drinking water? How are you feeling now? How is liquid going down? If you just threw up liquid you probably just drank to fast and still had gas in your abdomen that caused it to come back up. It is sutured to your stomach and it would take some real forceful vomiting to move it. I still have a discomfort (gas) that is worse when I drink something and feel pressure in my chest/ esophagus.

Thanks pinkfordyone

Sounds like you have allergies- probably seasonal due to the high pollen count this time of year. If you have colored drainage you probably need an antibiotic for sinusitis. I also would suggest a prescription nasal spray like nasonex or flonase to decrease the inflammation affecting the lining the inside of your nose. It takes 2 weeks for the full effect of

th nasal spray. I also would suggest clariten or allegra for allergies more so than Benadryl. Benadryl can make you sleepy and does not work as well as the newer allergy meds. Sorry if i have errors...i cant see what i am typing. the nasal spray

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz on Jan. 8th and had a very good experience in Mexico and no problems w/recovery. I have a Realize C band. I lost 25 lbs and then went to a NJ Fill Center for my first fill (6 cc's in my 11 cc band) a couple weeks ago. I have no additional restriction but have lost 5 lbs more through running and dieting. For a couple weeks I have had pain under my left rib cage. Also, separately, I was doing abs exercise and stretching on April 14th, and felt an obvious rotation in my port area. The port has been sore ever since and also less protruded than before. I suspect I have flipped my port. I am much more concerned about the left rib cage pain. I have no other symptoms. Please advise. I have no money and no medical insurance. If the left rib cage pain could be serious I realize I need to do something about it--what are the possible complications this could be?

Anna

My advice is to call the OCC clinic. One of the MD'S will be able to advise you of the best thing to do.

Exactly! I've told several myself, but I still have been all but told I was stupid...even though I know they are thinking that & probably saying behind my back. I have just stood strong. Funny, I am the most undecisive person I know. Not with this. I made up my mind & nothing can change it. I would love to read that book, but I tried to order and it says they are unavailable

I would be afraid to drink a glass of wine myself...knowing myself as I do....I would end up drinking the whole bottle! I'd be having a fiesta instead of siesta!

Debbie, so glad to hear your meals and portions work for you and you are feeling restriction without any fills.I myself find that I am not satisfied after eating 1 slice of tomatoe pie or 3 ounces of tuna & 5 crackers or 2 tilapia fillets with 1/2 cup of cottage cheese for dinner like I tried the other night.

I excercise 30 minutes a day and track my weight watcher points every day. I am doing everything by the book and I am not experiencing restriction as of yet. Maybe Janelle is right, maybe in 6 months my band investment will kick in and I will have restriction or myabe I will be like Skymoon1982 and not find my sweet spot until I reach goal who knows. In the end it is all a crap shoot, even for those of us who follow the rules.

By the way, I do not weigh myself every day and have actually avoided the scale this week due to TOM and I do not plan on weighing until next week frankly.

Most nights I do go to bed hungry and I am okay with that since the band is not going to curb my appitite as that is no it's function. The band is designed to make you feel full, not to ward off hunger or control appitite, both of those sensations are generated from our brains, not our stomachs. My problem is I am not getting a "satified" sensation that comes form being full.

My rules

1. Drink at least 7 cups of water per day

2. I weigh or measure my food

3. When I order take out I account for the calories

4. When I consume liquid calories I account for them, even coffee

5. I track my food & excercise

6. I excercise 30 minutes a day

7. I maintain a calorie restriction of apporximately 1100 calories per day or 22 points

8. I avoid foods high in fat and/or low in fiber (8 gram or more of fat/2 grams or less of fiber)

9. I avoid higher calorie foods altogether

10. I avoid meats for the most part as they have a tendency to be higher in calories & replace meats with high protein foods such as cottage cheese, beans, fish & tofu. Also meats are harder to digest and stay in your system for longer periods of time which can be unhealthy.

11. I do not eat fast food or consume carbonaded beverages PERIOD!

12. I WAIT 30 minutes after a meal to take a sip of a beverage. Yes, I watch the clock.

13. If I can't count it, I don't bite it OR drink it. You will NOT see me at Starbucks guzzling down Frapachinos that's for sure. But you will find me at Robeck's having a 16 ounce peach smoothie (NOT the 24 ounce).

Janelle, yes, the band has been a financial motivator to stick with weight watchers but other then that there is no correlation between my band and my success on WW. It has been all me baby.

Debbie asked how bad I wanted to loose the weight, well how bad do you think I want to loose the weight? Would'nt you say I am a woman on a mission? I give myself an A+ for effort that is for sure.

Have you had your Thyroid levels done?...well I'm sure we all do pre-op, but the nurse in me wants to ask this first.

I finally got the pictures posted. Still cannot believe it is me. Only 33 pounds more to go.

Debbie

Thank You for sharing! what an inspiration!

oh sweetheart, you should of gone to the ER...I am a ER nurse and they could of hydrated you and taken out some in your band. The port is just like a mediport that folks have in there chest for venous access....Any nurse who accesses mediport can access this port. Never wait that long...That is a horribly story and thanks for sharing.

Kim

Hey Kim, Who done your fills? Did you go to a fill center?

Your not alone. I also was wondering what Tomato pie is...guess I'll be finding that recipe.lol

Stormy,

That being said, the majority of women can not lose fat with diet alone.

You do need to incorporate at least 45 minutes a day of HIIT (high intensity interval training) - in both resistance training & cardiovascular.

(And while pole dancing may be fun, it`s definitely not what I mean in terms of increasing your heart rate for a specific amount of time.)

I would be interested in seeing specifically, what you eat in a week.

Have you tried keeping a detailed food diary (fitday.com, etc)

A few crackers, a small slice of hamburger ... it all sounds so vague, and I`ve worked with a lot of people, and that`s usually a red flag. People often don`t eat as little as they think they do - OR, the calories they are taking in, aren`t valuable.

Hey may I be nosy and ask what you do for a living? Are you a trainer, nutrionist, or dietician? If not, you should be. I know the home health agency I work for consults dieticians and the pay is excellent.

Stormy,

I concur with Debbie but I am about to say something you do not want to hear so brace yourself...

I have attended many a Weight Watchers meeting where plateaus lasting up to a year have been reported despite all the best efforts. I myself recently experienced a plateau that lasted 28 days.

What you may want to try along with eating more calories:

1. Switch up your diet completely and try tricking your system by avoiding foods you eat on a daily basis and start eating foods that are different.

2. How is your water intake? Maybe kick it up a notch?

3. Take you diet to the next level - eliminate a catagory temporarily. For example, try cutting out white foods (salt, sugar, flour), starches, meat, or wheat.

4. It kind of sounds like maybe you are too tight...is this a possibility worth exploring?

5. When all else fails - make an appoinment with your GP a week in advance. For one week log everything in detail from the times of day that you eat, what you eat, when you work out, how you work out, how much water your drinking, and the hours that you are sleeping, along with any medications you are taking. Take this journal with you to your appointment and see if your GP can catch something that you missed. This log will also back you up (CYA) and be helpful in getting some general tests done.

Wow! You have so much info...Thanks..now can you and Lindsay move to TN and be my new best friends..lol

I feel terrible. I'm only 3 weeks until my surgery and I've gained 4 lbs - which is a total of 9 lbs since I decided to get the lap band. I don't know if i'm eating out of being nervous, or scared that I'm about to lose my best friend (food) or what.

Anyone have any suggestions for getting over this mental hump???? I work from home so I pretty much always have access to food which really sucks.

you can do this...We can do this...I'm considering weight watchers...some others at work are doing it and they are loosing.

Wow there are still only 3 of us in April. I hope OCC doesn't find out they will raise the fee. LOL. I will be there the 18-22. That gives us an extra day to shop or do something fun. I hope to meet some fellow bandster's and start my journey.

Well shoot..too bad we are not there together since we are the only ones..lol..I'm the 15th.

Im scheduled for April 15th yippie! If anyone else is planning on this date, it would be great to hear from you.

Woo hoo...finally another April! Congrats!

Hey Jill, Congrats and glad to hear your feeling well. I use to work at a weight loss center. Although I can't say I practiced what I preached, I did counsel my patients about their bodies going into starvation mode from decreased caloric intake. It may be your brain has to get use to what your body is doing, or perhaps you may need to increase your cals to at least 1000/day. Of coarse, that depends on what you and Dr. Miranda discussed as far as your diet, but I did want to let you know I have seen people with the same issue at the clinic I worked at...good luck!... I don't think April will ever get here.

Gosh, I'm not sure what I would do either. I also have not been banded yet. In fact, I just joined and scheduled my surgery a few days ago. I still have a lot of research I can focus on,and if were planning a trip to Italy I would probably wait til afterward. Of coarse, the other members that have been banded no more than I..lol

I can say this...My surgery is set for April 15th, and maybe she could go on the same day (if she decides to wait until after your trip). We could pass the time talking about your trip to Italy post op.

Hey Zoey, I am a nurse myself and I think what Lisa suggested might be a good idea for you. Dr. Ortiz might even be able to speak with you on the phone and tell you his opinion on consulting him or exactly what type of physician would be most qualified to help. Hang in there! also....I have done home health for years. I found it a little odd that your packing was changed by the nurse every few days instead of daily. Do you know what they were packing the wound with? Usually, packed wounds needs to stay wet to moist and can dry out if not changed daily.