AmandaSlim

Thank you so much for the encouragement! I know this is a journey and I am not very patient. I need to just give it time and then go from there. Even if I lose .5 lb a week, I will eventually hit my goal and I am only 22 so I have some time Amanda

Hello, I was banded in late June and I have yet to experience a steady loss or any real indicators of what is a good fill. I lost only a few pounds during my liquids phase and then gained them back when I went back on solids before my first fill. I received 2.4 ccs in an 11 cc band. I felt like I had decent restriction at first- I was only able to eat a half a sandwich as opposed to a whole sandwich with chips and a drink (and not feeling totally full) and I was not snacking in between meals. I lost about a pound a week. I was moderately satisfied with the weight loss but I noticed that as the weeks went on, I was becoming more and more hungry. I went on a cruise and gained 2 lbs back... sucked but I knew that it would probably happen- although mathematically I was perplexed that I ate 7,000 (3,500 cal per pound) additional calories in one week where I wasn't devouring everything in sight. Every morning I walk 2 miles at a brisk pace up and down hills- I am an active person with a high muscle mass from collegiate sports hiding under my fat . When I returned I went back to the OCC where I received another 2.6 ccs to make me at 5.0 ccs. I did not feel restriction but I was banking on it "settling in" within the next week. The only difference that I noticed was that I could not gulp down liquids. After gaining weight during the two weeks after the fill, I sent Dr. So a desperate email telling him about my weightloss woes and he called me back and told me to schedule a fill asap. I was at the OCC at 9:30 the next morning. He filled me up to 7.0 ccs and I was completely closed off- water would not go down. So he removed 1.0 ccs (down to 6.0 in my band) and told me to order lunch and when I was done, come back in the room and he would see if there was still food in the pouch. I had one bite of my lunch and I started painfully burping, sliming, and then after 30 min I threw up the little piece of meat. I put my head down on the table, still burping, and waited until I felt better to try again. The receptionist came out and told me to go see Dr. So. I was crying because of the pain and he told me that he would take out the 1.0 cc and put me pack down to 5.0cc- the level I came in with and was gaining weight with-AHHH! I begged him only to remove .5 ccs which he did and told me to come back in two weeks if I thought I needed more. I didnt really eat the rest of the day because I felt nausea ( he told me this might happen) and the next few days I was very cautious. I did go to the L.A. County Fair where the food is deep fried and totally fattening, but I didnt eat alot of it. I had my fill on Thursday and when I weighed in on Tuesday (5 days since fill rather than 7 as usual) and I was back down to my pre-cruise weight (for a loss of 2.0 lbs). I was ecstatic and clothes felt like they fit better too. I didnt feel deprived as well. This week, however, I only lost .4 lbs and I did not eat more than the week previous. I actually felt like I had gotten tighter- not being able to finish my meals, no snacking, etc. and I am still exercising. I am so tired of this roller coaster where I lose a little, gain a little- to the point where I hover around the same weight for months. I had 70 lbs to lose and I have lost 11 in 3 months of trial and tribulations. I wish that I could say that I could not have done this without the band but the truth is I could have with SERIOUS willpower BUT the reason why I got the band was that when I dieted before I also felt deprived/depressed which only made things worse. I just wonder now what has taken the place of the deprivation/depression? The fear of weighing in every week? The fear of getting a fill or actually knowing what is a good fill amount? What about the fear of eating around people because of the weird burping (not pb) that happens 1/2 hour after? I understand the Lap-Band program but I also find it unrealistic at times. I cannot always eat a hunk of meat with veggies- sometimes the restaurant only has mexican style dishes or pizza or my mom is cooking something different. Do I wait to eat until I get home and grill up my lonely woman's dinner of chicken and corn? Also, I do not always want to eat meat and veg and if I had to, it would be yet another hellish diet that I could not keep up for the rest of my life. I understand that the band is a tool and not a cure-all but I am beginning to feel like I am on another diet- afraid to put anything in my mouth because I wonder if it will show up at my Tuesday weigh in- and that is no way to live. I apologize for my LONG post but I finally decided to write rather than just browse for people with stories similar to mine. I also wanted to add, to quash assumptions, I do not drink caloric beverages (or even diet soda anymore), I dont cover everything I eat with ranch dressing or other creams, I dont eat fatty meats like hot dogs and call it a quality protein, if I snack, I try to make wise choices like hummus with veggies crisps and I exercise everyday. Am I being impatient? I know that lower BMIs often take more time to lose the weight but I am beginning to feel more often discouraged/sad about my weight rather than happy and hopeful. Thanks for taking the time to read this! Amanda

Hello Everyone! I just had my first fill on 8/6/09 and it seems that I have great restriction. My food intake is about 1/3 of my pre-fill level. I think this is just fantastic- no guilty feelings of overeating or embarassing hunger after an already big meal. My only issue at this point is to-go foods. I am taking a class for my Law School Admissions Exam and its 4.5 hours several days a week (from 5pm to 10pm- not including drive time). When it is time to leave for class, I am not hungry for dinner and when I come back, it is way too late for a meal. Do you suggest any low calorie snacks that are easy to pack and do not turn gross if they are not cold? Do granola bars work? I just know that some of those have alot of carbs, taste like diet bars, or are too caloric for what they are. After this class, my schedule ony gets more hectic between Law School and coaching, so I wanted to learn early about healthful snacking that goes a long way! Thank you! Amanda

I am having my surgery on the same day... I am on day 2 of the pre-op diet of all-you-can-eat green vegetables (its already boring and gross) and protein shakes. It sucks!!! Luckily my parents are doing it with me and have devised a competition to see who can lose the most percentage of their starting body weight. But, I still have vivid thoughts of chips and salsa and cheese. This is torture!!! After my pre-op tests are done, I plan on eating everything in sight!! I feel ya Canadamama!! amanda

I am local (so cal) so Ill be driving down there with my mom... I start my 7 days of shakes on monday..eeek!

Im staying at the Marriott... they offered massages. hehe

Congratulations!!!

Thank you all! Your responses have eased my mind. I am very glad to hear that it is not a flu like vomiting--that would be terrible! I am just so excited to finally have something that works after failing at so many other things (even being a college athlete!) and I wanted to make sure that I explored every aspect that I could about such a life changing procedure. This forum is very positive and gives me confidence that everything will be alright. Thank you! Thank you! Amanda

Hello Everyone, I am set to be banded on 6/24/09. I have been reading every thread and post on the this forum (as well as a few others). On the other sites, namely this one http://au.messages.yahoo.com/lifestyle/gen...nutrition/1417/ and I am absolutely terrified. These people are choking constantly, throwing up to the point that their teeth are turning yellow, they have fluid come up while they sleep, and several desperately want the band out! Do any of you deal with constant problems like this? I understand that bite-size and chewing is a huge aspect of throwing up or "getting things stuck" but these people are adamant that they are following the proper procedures. I am also aware that throwing up is "normal" as you get used to the band but many of these people have been banded for years. I am 21 (22 day after surgery!) and I do not want to have lifelong problems like throwing up, being afraid to eat or drink, rotting teeth, and an overwhelming fear of choking to death in my sleep. Please tell me that I am overreacting. Amanda

Me too! Scheduled it today! I am so excited as well!!!! Amanda