Pam P

Pammie, Congradulations! How wonderfuld to be where you are. I am at 1.8, only have restriction on certain foods, and the restriction is not what I expected. Unless I'm very careful I've had to much before I know it. This isn't the sweet spot, right? Any where along the waybefore you got just the right fill did you have this experience?

Hi, Ditto all your comments. I too have been trying to figure all this out. It's not what I expected, but I'm determined to make it work, since it seems to for many others and since I've spent a lot for the band. At first I thought it was just me, but now I'm finding other people having the same experience and asking the same questions. I was banded on 1/15/07, no restriction from that, and got my first fill on March 1st. I won't get another until after I come back from a three week trip to Paris, as I don't want to take the chance on complications from a too full band or whatever in a foreign country. When I come back in July I will go for another. Right now I'm at 1.8cc and have easily painful restriction on some foods and none at all on others. It seems possible that the people who don't do well with the band are the ones who don't learn that pre-full (pre-painful) feeling and resort to eating the things that don't give that problem, and probably too much like we have been doing all along. Just a guess at this point, but am thinking the idea is to have enough of a fill to give that "could easily be painful" restriction on as many foods as possible, while still being able to get some of all foods down, and then learning to recognize the new "full" one bite before and stop. I wonder though if I would ever consider this a "sweet spot". I would love to hear more comments from others.

Hi, Again thanks for your response. I'm starting to put this together ... what it is I can untimately hope for. It is odd what gives problems. Chicken sticks if you aren't very careful, bread too, but tortilla chips ... no problem. I was very happy to read response from Kristi Ann to a question I asked about that much pursued "sweet spot". Very informative and encouraging. Read it. Good luck with your fill next week. Please post after you've had the chance to see what you get. I'll keep good thoughts that you hit it.

Kristi Ann, thanks so much for you VERY informative answer to my question. This does sound like a "sweet spot" to be in. It really gives me something to aim for knowing it's possible. I've only had one fill ... 1.8cc. I'm going to Paris for 3 weeks on June 19 and think I'll wait until I'm back to get another fill. This is not because I want to be able to eat more while I'm there, but because I know how to handle this level of fill without complications. I'm afraid if I get another fill before I go and somehow it's too much and I have to go back to TJ and then leave the country not knowing where I stand, it could be scarey. At this level weight loss is slow to nonexistant, but it's easier to not gain which is an achievement in itself. It gives me something to look forward to when I get back. I dream of attaining that perfect or even near-perfect fill level that you have. Enjoy! And thanks again for the info. I would still enjoy hearing more about this from you or others who are experienceing what it is we all hope for. Viva la "sweet spot."

Thanks for the link. I found it really interesting, but must say I'm glad I have already had the surgery. I think it would have probably made me more nervous before hand. Having already been throught it, I found it interesting to see what had gone on while I laid there completely unaware. Also I'm amazed that it seemed such a breeze and that I was out shopping the next day. No wonder I had pains from the gas for a time after. Incredible that that was then only after effect with all that poking about.

Hi, I am from the LA area... Los Feliz, around Griffith Park. I would be interested in a support group, but we'll need more than two. Who else out there in or around LA is interested?

Can you please describe what "PERFECT restriction" feels like? I'm not sure what I'm looking for. Is it like too much food at Thanksgiving? Is it feeling like food is stuck in your gullet and your about to pb. Can you eat maybe 1/2 cup but have to do so slowly? Is the restriction on all but really soft foods or do you have to stick to only certain foods in order to have it? I would so appreciate you response to these questions. Also anyone else who is experiencing this perfect level of fill ... could you describe it to me. Thanks so much.

Julie66t Thanks for your response. I am frustrated though hopeful that I can get this figured out. Too many people are so happy with their band, it must work when you get it right. I, like you, am not giving up. At this point, however, I am confused. 1) The good restriction you had for about a week after your second fill. What was that like? Was it like I described with chicken... where it almost hurts in your chest? Did you feel like that with most foods? Is that what we're looking for? I, personally, had not realized it would be so uncomfortable, but okay if it keeps me from eating I guess I can deal with it. 2) What is the average fill level? Do you know? I'm only at 1.8cc. 3) Have you lost much? I read in one post that when you get the right level of fill, the weight goes like chocolate melting in the sun. I have not experienced that yet.

Hi Teresa, It will go away and it is normal. I was especially sensitive to the gas and had pains even after two weeks, though with lessening frenquency, until finally they were gone. I was so concerned that I call OCC. I was told not to take GASX. That the pain was irratation from the gas they used not from gas itself. Advil helped. I cut it up to be sure it didn't stick. Anyway, take heart, it will go away.

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz January 15. The surgery was easy. The gas pains were a drag (I was told not to take GasX by the way since the pain was from irritation caused by the gas not by having gas), but went away after a couple of weeks. Apparently I was unusually sensitive to the gas. Still it wasn't that bad considering. After the three weeks of liquids I felt no restriction. Six weeks after the surgery I went to TJ for a fill. The procedure was a breeze. I was in and out in 20 minutes. The fill was 1.8cc. Now I have restriction with certain foods; chicken, bread, sticky rice for instance. Other things: crackers, well chewed vegetables, most things really, go through fine. With the first group I have to be super careful. One tiny bite too much and I'm in misery, one more bite & pbing follows and it 20 minutes before I can focus on anything other than the pressure in my chest. This is not what I expected. Is it what you guys experience? I guess I was naive, but I thought it would be like eating a lot at Thanksgiving dinner.... feeling full. This is more like feeling something is stuck. Would the "Sweet Spot" be another 4 to 6ccs, or whatever, so that I have this "restriction" with more foods? I can't eat just chicken and bread. I started at around 218 and have lost about 13 pounds, but a lot of this was due to the liquid diet phase. It also seems that the restriction is more severe at times and not so at others, but from reading on this forum that seems to be common. I just haven't read much about the restriction actually being easily quite uncomfortable. Can some one explain the "sweet spot" in their experience?

I had those pains for 2 to 3 weeks. I didn't expect it to be so extream. It does finally go away

Hi Julie, Glad to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. I imagine I too will be getting another fill soon, hoping to find that "sweet spot" where you feel full after eating 1/3 of what you used to eat and the weight just starts to "melt like chocolate in the sun"...as one bandster said happened to her. BUT I am somewhat concerned because I think with more of a fill there will be foods I will have to totally give up, and will the "fullness" be this discomfort that I feel now when I eat chicken, bread etc.? I had featured it more like, "Oh, that was so good, but I'm stuffed and can't eat another bite," not "Oh, this is is really painful, and I think it's stuck in my gullet and I'm going to have to go burp it up." It's certainly an adventure.

Hi Julie, Glad to know I'm not the only one experiencing this. I imagine I too will be getting another fill soon, hoping to find that "sweet spot" where you feel full after eating 1/3 of what you used to eat and the weight just starts to "melt like chocolate in the sun"...as one bandster said happened to her. BUT I am somewhat concerned because I think with more of a fill there will be foods I will have to totally give up, and will the "fullness" be this discomfort that I feel now when I eat chicken, bread etc.? I had featured it more like, "Oh, that was so good, but I'm stuffed and can't eat another bite," not "Oh, this is is really painful, and I think it's stuck in my gullet and I'm going to have to go burp it up." It's certainly an adventure.

Hi Kevin, I remember you, of course. We rode into TJ together. Thanks so much for your words of encouragement. Your advice about listening to the band makes sense. Glad to you are doing so well. Thanks again.

I was banded on January 15, '07. I took the pre-op and post- op very seriously, follwed to the "t". The surgery itself was a breeze. After the 3 week post-op I was excited and nervous to start solid foods. Slowly but surely I realized I had no restriction, and though I tried not to do so began to gain back some of the weight I had lost on the liquid phase. Six weeks after surgery I returned to TJ for my first fill. Again the procedure was a breeze. I got a 1.8 cc fill which I was told was the maximum for the first fill. After 3 days of liquid again I slow and carefully began solids. Here is what I found and where I am now. I have problems with chicken, tuna, salmon, bread. I have to take tiny bites and chew, chew, chew. If I forget, these foods immediately clog and pbing follows. Unless it's one of these foods, I notice little or no restriction. I'm not sure what this means. At least I'm not gaining weight and may be losing a little, though vey slowly if at all. It's been 2 weeks since the fill. I have a tax business so I can't get back to TJ until after Apr.17th anyway. I trying to follow the rules - only solid foods, etc. I notice that my cravings are less and that helps, but I don't think this is altogether what it's suppose to be. I sure hope not because I don't think I will get very far on my weight loss goal with so little restriction, but with more of a fill will I be able to get chicken, etc down at all? I would love the imput of those further along this road than I. Thanks in advance. Starting weight(1/8/07): 217 At surgery (1/15/07): 213 At 1st fill (3/1/07) 1.8 cc: 208 Currently (3/17/07): 204.4

You are past your clear liquid phase now, but would like to address the subject for others - including myself being 6th day post-op. My niece had surgery in April and said they were given jello immediately post-op at the clinic so I tried it. The first time it left me feeling a bit uncomfortable, but my niece who is also an LVN said I probably didn't squish it enough in my mouth. I tried it again making sure to squish very well and, though it was better, I still became a little to aware of my "little stomach" feeling full for my liking. I have decided it's more a 3rd week food for me. I have read that how well you adhere to the guidelines in the first there weeks determines how well you do with your banding, so I'm trying really hard to do exactly as instructed. It is somewhat confusing. Some of the material seems to say something slightly different. Some people seem to move to thicked liquids sooner than the second week and do fine, but I am terrified of stretching out my "little stomach" (I don't like the term "pouch") or causing the band to slip so I'm toughing it out. Today and tomorrow! I am dreaming of tomato soup and Slimfast. I haven't been hungry - though the growling from my "lower stomach" is disconcerting- it's just boring!!! I'm keeping my eye to the future to get me through.

Hi Mindysa, My BMI is around 34, certainly higher thatn yours. My surgery is 1/15. I am on preop diet now...stark, but I doing my best to stick to it.

I too am super nervous, but to me it's like... how could I not be? Like you, it's not the pain of the surgery that worries me . And I am not worried about the competance of the doctors or having the surgery in Mexico. My neice, who is a nurse, did mucho research and then had the procedure with Dr. Ortiz and had no problems and is very happy. What I am so concerned about is the unknown. How can I really know what it's going to be like until I do it? There are lap band failures. Will I be one of them? Do all this and barely lose any weight? Will I have some kind of terrible complication which will make me worse off than before? They say you can have it removed, but they don't do that for free. I'm doing the pre-op diet now, and it is stark... talk about deprivation. And after this week the surgery and three more weeks before solid food. Yikkkks! Why am I doing this? The worst is when I wake up each morning and think, "I can't do this." It seems unreal. But then I just have to figure that I made a rational decision to have this surgery during the months that I thought about it and researched it and talked to my doctor about it, and this is just fear of taking this very big step - which it is. How could you not be nervous, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't move forward.

Apparently the cost of removing a band with no complications involved is $6,800, at least at this time. I really hope I'll be very happy with it because the idea of paying to put it in and then paying to take it out is not pretty.

For me it was 12 days from call to surgery date.

What is a Advaned platform Band?

I am calling tomorrow when the office reopens to arrange for surgery, but have a lot of questions. What is a VG band? Who decides what kind of band you get? Why is one used for some people and the other for others? If your BMI is just barely in the qualifying range do you still do the pre-op diet? If you decided to have the band taken out, does it cost the same as it did to put it in?