GirlBarb

I get mine done locally with a bariatric doctor, it is less that an hour and only costs 50. He offers a nutritionist and phsycologist for free. They will fill with numbing or without, I like without, the numbing needle hurts more than the fill LOL That is what works for me. It's what you are comfortable with. Barbara

I'm glad that I am not the only one to see the show, it was crazy that they told the girl that she could only eat two bites of food at one time ever!!! Dr Ortiz kindly said that she would eat one third of what she used to eat. He was a class act! Barbara

Lisa, You sound like a level headed sweetie!! Thanks, happy holidays to you too Barbara

Lisa, I did the same thing, got rid of all the clothes as they got too loose to wear. I loved doing that, in the past when I went on diets, I would keep the clothes, just in case...and just in case would always happen! I too am forced to get the inches down, I gained about 5 pounds over the last 3 months, even though 5 pounds isn't a lot, is is a lot of inches when you stop exercising too. Happily I am back on track and exercising (started today already) and scedualed my next fill for 12-10-08. I am in 12's now (some snug 10's stretch jeans) but look forward to being in single digets by the springtime. I was a 16 but stuffed myself in tight stretch 14's when I had my surgery in 6-6-8 My first fill with restriction was about 6 weeks ago. So odd that that is when I stopped loosing and even gained? Babara

Lisa, I can't imagion being able to say those words. Too thin. Well, all I can say is that by the pictures and the "work" you have talked about having is that you look so beautiful. Congradulations, take it slow girlfriend, I would like to hear how you manage to gain a few back without gaining too much back. Barb

This is a time of healing, please keep up your proteins to help the surgery heal. Do not focus on the weight for now, you are going to a lifetime to learn to work the band. Have faith that when you get your fills at the right amount for you, the weight will come off. I bet you have lost some inches??? Be kind and patient with you, it is going to happen. Barb

I wish I could say what I do today...I am not loosing weight. What I did and need to get back to that lost me 35 pounds: Breakfast: I would cook fresh spinage in a small pan, drop of water and cover, when very soft I would add a couple of scrambled eggs and toss lightly...when soft cooked, I add a bit of strong, hard cheese. Remove from the heat and top with salsa. Lots of vitamins and protein in this meal. Lunch: tuna with greens and any vegatables and mayonase (I love mayo, but it's not so good) OR a cooked soft fish like flounder and steamed vegatables. OR a frozen dinner in the microwave. Dinner: chicken and vegi's I did real well with that, I also added things like yougart and nuts, or non sugared fruits (berries are the best for weight loss) I am not doing this now, I added junk food, like ice cream, etc... went on vactation for a few weeks and I'm up five pounds in the last 3 months. I also need a fill, and that is in two weeks, so I am starting to curve to my habbits back to the good ones. The fill will help. I also used the treadmill 3-6 times a week for close to an hour each time. When I get back to all the right things I did, I will get this weight off (including the inches) that I did by eating around the band. I wish us both luck, Barb Make that I wish us ALL luck in working the band.

We can look at the possitive side...the noise is coming from the attic and not the basement LOL that would be even worse.

Why did you have some of your fill removed, if you don't mind sharing?? Barb

It varies, some USA doctors include fills and all follow visits for a determinded amount of time. OCC in Mexico will do fills for free and you pay 100 for the fluro machine I pay 50 each fill to my local bariatric doctor and the PA's do the fills.

Does anyone else get that strange gurgle sound from their band after eating that sounds like a plugged drain finally letting loose? It is very autible and make my husband laugh...very embarssing in front of others. Barb

Stormy, When I started with the band, it was amazing the amount of inches that I lost vs the pounds on the scale. The inches came off so much faster, when I started to focus on the pounds, I got discouraged...that was dumb on my part because I was not feeling gratful for the inches lost but felt terrible that the pounds didn't come off. Of course that got me off my program! I have been gaining 5 pounds (but many more inches) over the last three months and will be going for a fill in a couple of weeks. I just posted a topic from a doctor about fills, it is good and light hearted but informative, if you get a chance, read it. It has helped to put me back on track mentally. Let's keep at the process of using our bands, we all have slips (and I'm not just talking about the ice cream that goes right through) and if we keep working it...it will work for us. We are the boss over our bands!!! Good luck to you and your husband, I love it that you guys got banded together!!! Barb

This is copied from another forum, it is written by a gastric band surgeon, I was surfing the internet and came across this, I liked it and it made me laugh. #58 DrWatkins Gastric Band Surgeon Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 130 City: Cincinnati State: OH Opinions differ about how gastric banding actually works. My opinion is based on the fact that stretching the stomach wall shuts down the appetite hormones. When your stomach size is reduced from a football to a golf ball you are going to get stomach wall stretch and appetite hormone diminution on much fewer calories. Also, the food takes a while to empty through the restriction so the full feeling lasts longer. Some patients will forget to eat dinner because they are still full from lunch. We know about some of the appetite hormones floating around but we know that there are many more and that the way the stomach and the brain communicate is very complicated. The drive to eat is a very powerful biological drive. If the brain thinks for an instant that you're trying to starve yourself it will take drastic measures. The small stomach pouch above the band fools the brain into thinking you've just eaten a Thanksgiving meal. In some patients the appetite suppression is very powerful and some patients say they are never hungry after band surgery. Some patients deal with lots of "head hunger" which is a complex process and not easy to deal with sometimes. As you lose weight, the stomach tissue inside the band loses weight and that is why you need additional fills as you lose your weight. At your goal weight, the stomach tissue thickness stabilizes and the need for fills diminishes quite a bit. I read a lot of posts where patients do not have their bands perfectly adjusted. Here's my version: Perfectly adjusted - full on small meals, not hungry between meals, easy to lose 1-2 pounds per week, amorous feelings toward your surgeon and staff, send them a Christmas card that will bring tears to your eyes Too loose - hungry, can eat large amounts of food, hard to lose weight, feels just like you are on a diet. Too tight - everything wants to come back up including liquids, hurts to eat or drink, bad heartburn especially at night (when you lay down), the only thing that wants to go down is Cheetos and ice cream (bad stuff) I think if you don't fit the "perfectly adjusted" description you should call your band surgeon to make it perfect with an adjustment. Also keep in mind that each patient's band journey is very individual. Hope that helps brad __________________ Gastric Band Surgeon since 2002 www.SynchronyHealth.com "There are no secrets to success. Don't waste time looking for them. Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure...and persistence." Colin Powell Remember that every band patient's journey is individual and that reaching your goal is far more important than how long it took you to get there.

8-10 pounds a month is a high expectation. I would be happy to lose a pound a week! I have lost so slow the last couple of months, I am going for another fill as soon as I can get in to the doctors office. I still struggle with giving up food or being overweight. But that is because I am looking for food to be more than just nurishment. I guess that I am not one of the bandsters that have "gotten it" yet. But I am looking forward to the day it will all just click for me.

Boy oh boy Amber, do I remember your story...I was horrified by it, it was just before my first fill! I truely feel bad that you are going through this ordeal! I pray that you will need to have only your port replaced and will not have to go the long wait for another band and the 21 phase that goes with it. I know that Dr Ortiz will take of you either way and I hope that the forum will offer you some comfort knowing that we care about you. Be brave girlfriend, do what needs to be done, becasue a working band is worth multiple times it's weight in gold. hugs, Barb

I think that I will need a fill, I thought that the slimming meant that I didn't. I worry about so much, I worry that I am stretching my pouch.

thanks Cat, I will

HI Cathy, Sorry that I didn't respond earlier, I was without a computer for a month. Here is my response, "HURRAY" you look so different, where did the bottom of you face go? LOL. I always like to read the encouragment that you give to others, it inspires me to hear what you tell them, you are losing the weight very quickly from the way I see it. Keep being kind to yourself and keep you a priority. Hugs, Barb

Hi Michelle, As usual, you look fantastic, I have to say that I showed your profile to my husband and he said you are such a pretty girl. Thank you for all the sharing you have done and the motivation you have been to the rest of us. There are so many wonderful people on this forum. I am happy to be active again after not haveing access to the computer for a month! Barb

Hi, Boy this is confusing, I mean about how much fill to have. I got banded in June and have lost 30 pounds so far. I got my first feeling of restriction when I had my last fill 6 weeks ago. I lost only a couple of pounds. I have had food get stuck a half a dozen times and after spitting up slime for 5-10 minutes, I am fine. Does this mean that I have the right amount of fill. Because I don't ever seem to feel full and I am hungry a lot of the time, feels like there is no band. I have 20-25 more pounds to loose, and my weight is not budging. What is your experience? Do you think that maybe I need to get the band fill tweeked up a bit? I have under 1.5 CC's thanks for any advise, I really want to know what you think.

Hedi, You look beautiful, if it wern't for the dress, I would have to guess which of you is the queen. Sorry about your husband, it must have scared the crap out of you. I haven't lost as much as you , but I am real happy with the progress so far. I have lost a ton of inches. And ten ponds since this picture was posted. You have 16 year in your house. You are a hero. I hope all works out for you, anything has got to be better than what you have just gone thru. You are a strong young woman and I know you can are ARE handling things well. So glad to hear from you, Barb

Hi Trina, I'm glad you got a good fill, it makes a big difference. Be carefull to chew 30 times and eat real slow, expecially the first couple of bites and first thing in the morning. Barb

Denise, I feel like I know you and so I am so proud of your 50 pound loss. I am right behind you. best of luck to you and your Mom. Barb

Wow 18 pounds. I was about the same starting weight as you. I have strugled with platues and was very frustrated, I just got restriction three weeks ago. Hang in there, if you are like the rest of us, you want instant results, weight loss is a slow process and ove time you will get there. The beauty is you will learn over time and keep off the lost pounds. I can't tell you enough how much it is worth the wait, to slip into those smaller clothes and go off meds and like the way you look. You are worth it, you know it, or you wouldn't have invested in this great tool "the band" this is a great place to help keep you on track, you are not alone, look at all the great suport and sugestions that have come your way.

I have had the band for four months now, I have had restriction for three weeks. Big difference. I am now learning what I can and cannot eat and to listen to what my body is telling me when it comes to eating. Sometimes I eat a bite or two and that's all I can get, other times the band will open after a couple of bites and let me eat. Soft foods like flounder and well cooked spinage go right down and one bite of hamuger will hurt and make me slime. So because of this, it makes me want to know how afraid I should be of erossion and slippage. Is there anyone out there that has experienced either of these and would they please let us know how it happened to them and what we should do to avoid it? Thank you for your help. Barb