ROSE

I was banded on July 14, 2006. I have lost 30 pounds (50 more to go); however 25 of the pounds were lost during the pre-op and immediate post-op period. I have had 5 fills, a total of 8cc, and I am still far from restricted. I am going to the support group (of the local bariatric surgeon I go to for follow up care)tomorrow and am fairly certain that the nurse will recommend that I have another fill. I am completely frustrated and think only about food...how not to eat it and when will I start feeling full. I know that I am an unusual case, but this is so frustrating.....I am so eager to be one of the success stories.

Chelley, I am sorry for your loss and continue to thank you for your openness, which is such a support. I am happy that your last fill gave you restriction. I am now up to 8cc's in my band and have only the mildest restriction. It seems so weird. Each time I go for a fill, I feel some degree of restriction. But within a week, the sense of restriction is either gone or greatly reduced. I know this is hard work, and I really am not looking for a miracle....but I would be happy for even a pound a week. I find myself so discouraged that I just want to not think about all this. But I know that I have come too far to give up. I am very con cerned that if I am at 8cc's now, how much further can I go? What if I never get restriction? I am frightened.

Chelley, I feel like you are living inside my skin. The last seven weeks have really been HELL. I went back to the doctor today and now have 8 cc's in my 10 cc band. I can only pray that this time is a charm. Of course I feel tight now, but I have to see what happens in the next 2 days...that is when the restriction usually leaves. The whole process has been so difficult for me, as well as my family. I have been very teary eyed and sensitive lately; not to mention ashamed. I want this to work sooo much. I told my husband to hide any left over candy from Halloween...I will scream if I see it tonight. I am praying that I will wake up tomorrow and only be able to eat spoonfuls. Chelley, I am so happy for you and hope that you have nothing but success from now on. Sheila

Chelley, I am so happy that you are losing weight and I hope that it continues. Your words are always encouraging. It really helps to hear what restriction is supposed to feel like. It confirms for me that I am simply not restricted. Despite having 7.2 cc in my band, I have no resriction. I am going to the surgeon tomorow for my fifth fill (banded July 14). I am going broke, and am so frustrated. I pray that this is the one that works.

Chelley, I am so glad that you have had success. I haven't been on line in so long, because I am trying to figure out my life. I have been attending a local support group and have been seeing a bariatric surgeon (who was trained by Dr. Ortiz). I was banded July 14 and already have had 4 fills and am up to 7.2 cc in my 10cc VG band. Thanks to the support group, I didn't beat myself up as long as you did. But sadlly, I still am not losing weight. I lost the original 26 pounds, but the scale has not moved even one pound in the past six weeks. I am getting discouraged, but after reading your post, I will probably call the doctor this week again. I think the answer is in getting the right tightness to the band. I still feel hungry and can definitely eat more than just a couple of teaspoons. When I question myself about the restriction, I remember what it was like immediately after the surgery, and I know that I am just not restricted now. This has been much more difficult than I ever thought, but I am not going to give up. Chelley, was your last fill under flouroscopy? I have had 2 with and 2 without. God luck. I hope you keep on losing. Sheila

Chelley, I am so happy to hear from you and am so sorry that you have had such a hard time. I have been filled twice since I was banded on July 14th. One fill was under fluoroscopy and one was a "blind fill" because I just couldn't afford all the money of the fluoroscopy. I haven't lost one pound in the past 3 weeks and am beginning to freak. I do not have any Pbing and have not yet learned that I do not feel full, but feel satisfied...a real difference. Like you, I hate exercise and am so tired from really long days at work. I know that the evenings I go for a 1 mile walk, I do feel better and more energized, but that means getting back in the house about 9:30 pm to start my home chores. I need to make more time for me and that is hard. Luckily, I found a bariatric surgeon who was willing to do after care for me (he was trained by Dr. Ortiz). This Thursday I will be going to my first Support Group meeting there and hope that I will get some help with getting on the right track. You are right about false expectations. I read all the testimonials about people who lost weight pretty well, and I thought I would look great by Christmas. I think I have to alter my expectations and work harder. I always wish you good luck. Keep writing. Sheila

Chelley, In case you do go on line, I wanted to write. I feel like I have always known you and have thought that my experience parallels yours. I only wish you the best and hope that somehow, you will find success. It makes me angry that we are nurses and help people all the time, but insurance isn't there to help us get the help we need. I have now been banded for two months and have lost 20 pounds (50 more to go), but haven't lost anything in the past 2 weeks. My first real plateau. I was banded 3 weeks ago, had no restriction and then back again last week to have the band checked. The band did not leak, but the doctor increased the fill from 4 cc to 5 cc. I really haven't noticed much of a difference. I think that part of my problem is that I am expecting to feel full, instead of feeling satisfied. Also, still not exercising...something I must face. Curious. I need some encouragement. I would love to hear someone's success story. Lori, are you losing weight? Sheila

Rid, I am so happy for you. You have had amazing success already. I hope you have nothing but more sucess. Keep up the good work. Sheila

Daniel, I am so sorry for all that you have been through. It is the nightmare that we all fear. Did the same surgeon put in the second band? Was it an INAMED product? Was the company who made the band willing to give you the second band for free? The band itself is expensive, even if a friend does the surgery. All we can do is send you our best wishes and pray that this time will be successful. I would love to hear from those people who have successfully lost weight. Are you really satisfied with only a few ounces of food. I had my first fill yesterday with 4 cc's in a VG band. Although I felt full sooner than usual after breakfast and lunch, I am very hungry just 2 hours after I have eaten. I made a 3egg white omelet for breakfast with feta cheese, tomato and spinach. I had half for breakfast and the other half for lunch, along with a small piece of canteloupe. And all afternoon I keep looking at the clock and cannot wait to eat supper. Is this realy what it is supposed to feel like?? Sheila

I had my first fill yesterday. It wasn't as bad as I had thought. At first the surgeon thought that the port had flipped...and I almost flipped. But he took a little more time and said that the port was not one he was familiar with...but it worked. I had wanted 5cc, which he instilled, but then nothing went through my stomache..he tried 4.5 and ultimately 4.0. I do feel a little restriction, but I had hoped for more. I was able to eat one half egg white, spinache and feta cheese omelet this morning, and brought the other half to work for lunch. The scale didn't move in the past week. I hope that the fill will help. Sheila

I was banded on July 14 and am scheduled for my first fill tomorrow. I must admit that I am very anxious...to see if it works. I also had a VG band put in, and was virtually not familiar with it. I had a BMI of 40 and am very short, so Dr. Ortiz felt it was my best option. The surgeon who is going to be providing my aftercare says that most doctors now use the VG band, but he also says that I will need 5cc's on the first fill. I am praying that I get restriction. I lost 10 pounds preop and have lost another 8 pounds, but I am really very hungry and denying myself. All I can do is pray that tomorrow's fill will help. I get angry when I think of how much this all costs. It is like the insurance company wants to punish us by not covering the procedure and after care. It is a large price we are all paying, in order to get healthy. Wish me luck tomorrow....I wish luck to all of you. Sheila

Chelley, I wanted to tell you that I found an entry regarding diet and the VG band, from a physician in San Francisco. He said that in order to lose weight, we must stay at 800 or less calories a day. The diet should be comprised of: <40 grams carb, <30 grams fat and 60 - 70 grams of protein a day. Protein seems to be the answer. Of course, he spoke of the "E" word; that we must get more aggressive. I know that wil be hard for me. As a nurse, I am always 'pooped' at the end of the day, but I know that I must get more aggressive. After my first fill, I am going to check out a local gym (just hope I don't feel too out of place). Also, on one of the INAMED sites, I read that the VG band needs 3.5 to 5.0 per fill for the average patient to feel satiety. Good luck. We are all your cheerleaders. Sheila

Jen, I went to a dietician on a weekly basis when I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 years ago. I know it is frustrating to eat less and not lose weight, but you are eating too many carbs. If Dr. Ortiz did your surgery, call Dr. Miranda. Otherwise try to get in touch with a dietician if you have insurance coverage. Also, Weight Watchers is always a good plan. Your body needs more protein, and you are not giving it any until late in the day. Try having carbs at only 1 meal, not 3. Also, you need fruit and vegetables. I love carbs, but they are definitely my enemy. I hope you find your way to weight loss and better health. Chelley, You should feel so good to see all the genuine caring and concern so many of us have for you. Can't change that you told others, but thanks; because your experience warned us not to tell. As far as weight loss, it is slow, but it is moving. It will come. You are right...the water and the dreaded exercise! We are all praying for your success. Sheila

Chelley, My heart is breaking for you. Also, I worry if I will have the same problem as you. I have dieted so often and lowered my metabolism through yo-yo dieting, that I wonder if this will work. I was banded on July 14th, four weeks ago today. I have lost 15 pounds (including the week of liquids pre-surgery), but have plateaued for the past week. I have been so hungry, but for the most part, I have followed the instructions. I had my first (and I pray to God, my last) p-bing today. I had 1/2 slice of bread with 2 tbspns chopped meat with onions. My first bite was of the bread because I had so much acid in my stomache. The pain was immediate and severe. I found myself pushing against my abdomen, trying to relieve myself and finally vomitted that mushy/mucus. So gross. Chelley, are you able to see a dietician? My insurance covers my seeing one, so I have. She has helped me with some ideas regarding what to eat; also to take chromium picolinate (which I think has also helped my blood sugars). I am also a nurse and I know that we are always moving, but it isn't the same as exercise. We are moving and then stop to do something. I think that exercise will help. In order to lose weight, we have to work for about 20-30 minutes in a row. I know you must be tired at the end of each day (and I can't imagine doing anything before work). I have started with walking at night and plan to look into Curves or some other organized exercise program. Also, are you drinking enough water? I find that since I am trying to drink slowly, and do not drink with meals, I am having trouble getting enough fluid in. Chelley, you have been such a support to so many of us. I am sure that I speak for everyone when I say that we all wish you success. Sheila

Cindy, I think I am somewhat confused about the diet. I thought that after we went through our liquid diet, we were supposed to stay on regular foods and not depend on liquid protein. Are we permitted to eat liquid protein? Sheila