Cherylann

Hi, I have a similar experience,I was banded 6-20, I'm at a 3cc fill in the 4cc band. I havent lost any weight. I just had my fill 10-8, I think I might be too tight but I just want to lose! I dont want to get an unfill, but like you I can do liquids and have a hard time with hot meals. I can drink coffee eat things like cookies and chips and ice cream, but not chkn or beef or anything good. I donrt know what to do.I throw up all the time and spit up a lot of slime yuk! Hopefully there is someone who can give us some advice.

Hi! I have been procrastinating getting on-line. The last time I did was in May of this year! I realize now, how much I need the support! I was banded nearly a year ago, the 3rd week in Nov. "06. I went back to TJ in early Jan. for my follow-up and fill. I had lost 35 lbs. by May 07. I have not used this website to my advantage, for help, comraderie, etc. so here I am. I had another fill the end of Sept. (I don't remember the cc amount.) My problem is that I have had some problems in my life that I have taken medication for. The medication makes me want to eat, and relaxes my muscles to the point that the band almost becomes non-existent. I can hardly feel it, when I take the medication. When I went for my fill in late Sept. the Dr. looked at me really funny when I told her the date of my surgery. She later said that she would have thought that I would have lost much more weight! Well, the fill definitely made a difference and I have lost more weight. However, I still fight the food thing everyday. It seems like I'm subconciously always trying to beat the system.(The lapband system.) Anyway to make a long story short, I have found in the past year that warm foods go down well for me. And unfortunately cookies and other sugars go down very smoothly. And like you, the meats, green salads, and other foods that seem more healthy, don't go down as well. I think I am still in my former mind set, and trying to eat the same portions that I used to! Old habits die HARD!!! I have also done my share of throwing up! If you can only do liquids, stick with warm broth (like at the beginning-in the days after surgery). I also drink Atkins shakes. They are similar to Ensure, and I love them! You can freeze them in the can, let them thaw a bit, use a can opener, and eat them like ice-cream, without the calories of ice cream. Anyway, this whole mind set of smaller portions has been hard for me. But to make a long story short, try warm liquids and liquids that have vitamins and nutrients like Ensure, Atkins, etc. There have been days since my last fill that liquids were all I could have. That's when the weight comes off. (As long as you are not drinking high calorie liquids.) Take care, and good luck.

I GOT AN EMAIL THAT ASKED WHERE MY PICTURES WERE SO HERE THEY ARE:

WE JUST GOT BACK IN, AND HAD A WONDERFUL TIME AGAIN AT THE OCC. I JUST ADDED A FEW MORE PICTURES FROM THIS MORNING FIRST FILL. THAT NEEDLE IS VERY INTIMIDATING!!!

http://www.webshots.com/homepage.html

JUST USE MY USER NAME, NELSENETC, AND THE PASSWORD IS ORTIZ EVERYTHINGS IN CAPS IF THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. THEN CLICK ON "MY SHOTS", THEN "ALBUM".

PAMMIE,

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing them with us. I am a scrapbooker, and didn't even take my camera with me! Thanks again.

Cherylann

Hello! I am scheduled for surgery March 26. I feel like such a failure when it comes to my weight. I am terrified that even with the surgery, I could fail. When I read that some people have had a lap band over a bypass or gained weight back even after the lap band, I wonder if I really want to spend the money when there is a chance at failing again.

I swear that since having my first child nine years ago (I have four now; youngest is 3), I've tried everything (as I'm sure most of you have). I have 60 lbs. to lose. Has anyone had the surgery and regretted it? Maybe those posts wouldn't even make it on this site. Do a lot of you throw up?

Rochelle

Hi Rochelle,

I had lapband surgery on Nov. 20, 2006. I've never been happier. I would do it again tomorrow. Yes, it is a daily struggle to overcome my bad eating habits! I did not do a lot of research before my surgery, so I sort of went into the whole thing blind.

However, I felt good about having a tool to help me control my eating habits. I understand your feelings about being a failure. I have been afraid of that too. Especially when I found out that sugar (my comfort food), goes down real easy!!! Sugar has always been my problem. That's why it is important to follow the diet plan that Dr. Miranda (the nutritionist) sets up for you.

If I eat like she told me--protein first, vegetables, fruit, then carbs last...at each meal, you will lose weight. I have not thrown up a lot. I have had PBing on occasion, but only when I overate, and was not careful.

The surgery is a committment that I don't think you will regret. Just be super committed, and start getting rid of some of your bad eating habits now, so it won't be so hard on you at the end of February (when you start the pre-op diet).

Good luck!

Cherylann