WOW do I feel silly, all the worring I did that I wasn't losing enough weight and at my first fill was told that 13 pounds was great ! And oh boy can I tell I got a fill. Just like that the major hunger has went away and I have a full feeling. That's only 1cc in my band. So everything is going well. Just thought I would share that info in case someone was wondering what it was like for me anyway after my first fill. Hope everyone has the same good luck.

Had my surgery Sept 11 - everything went great! WooWhoo! Even after speaking to the nutritionist and Mona ... now that I'm home, I have more questions... How much can I really drink?  I have been drinking only 1 oz/every 15 mins and I feel sooo thirsty.  I went back and checked my papers and sure enough it says to drink 1 oz/15 mins to stay hydrated.  I talked to a friend who's bf had the surgery back in May and she said the 1oz/15mins is only for the "meal" liquids and that her bf drank and drinks as much water as he wants, which is a lot more.  Can I drink more than 1 oz every 15 mins? Can I take a Gas-X? I'm guessing it's fairly common to have all sorts of gurgles, rumblings, and comotion going on in you digestive tract post-op. I feel like I have so much gas built up in me though and I am having a really hard time passing any of it. I did finally pass some while lying in bed this morning, but it just doesn't seem to want to come out any other time. I've been walking, tried laying on different sides of my body, and other suggestions friends have had to get it out with no success. My DH was listening and laughing at how loud the rumblings and gurlges have been. So now I'm curious, can I take a gas-x to help get it out? How much to eat?  This may be just a stupid question. My understanding is that I should be eating 4 oz for my meal. I'm doing great at eating my liquid pureed meals very slowly - so slow that I have to reheat before I'm done because they cool off too soon. I really cannot tell if I feel full or not after my long 4 oz meal. I think I have too many other things I'm feeling in my stomach right now between swelling, a little pain, gas and all the activity that seems to be going on in there. But yesterday I really felt hungry, I think it was a true empty stomach growl and it wasn't long after I had eaten my 4 oz. I ignored it rying to stick to only 4 oz meals, but I'm wondering as the swelling in my stomach goes down and since the band hasn't been filled yet, I'm going to be hungry and not feel full. Do I eat more than the 4 oz if I'm hungry? I'm guessing it's easier to stick to the 4 oz when you have the correct fill in your band - what do you do in the meantime?   My cousin's BF who's surgery was in May has had a few fills and he still eats 6 in subs and said Dr. H said he's doing fine because he's still eating less than he use to and is still losing weight and hasn't overeaten and vomited.   Thanks for answers!   Michelley - NP

13 pounds.  That is great.  Don't get discouraged.  13 is more than none and if you are like me it took me 44 years to get to the weight I am at.  I had surgery in April and I am down 93 lbs.  The most I have lost at 1 time has been 16 lbs.  I feel so much better that I figure if I only drop 1 lb that is one more that I am not packing anymore.  I have found that we are all different and just take the weight off the way it works best for you.  I felt the same way but as you loose it gets better.

Hi, jilldee! Don't be discouraged! 13 pounds in 4 weeks is great! I realize that you probably were expecting it to be more but don't give up hope! I have only met with my Dr. just this last week and am now waiting for approval from insurance. So I haven't made it "over to the other side" yet. But, I have done a lot of reading on the lap-band and trying to find average results and such so I know what to expect once I have had the surgery. Maybe your appetite is bigger than it needs to be? If this is the case, you probably just need a fill. Maybe you're eating more calories than you think you are. Some things that seem healthy might have more calories in them than you would expect. Are you drinking anything with your meals? If you are, maybe avoid drinking anything before or after eating for like 30 minutes or so. Maybe go for a few short walks for like 10-15 minutes. These are all just things to think about. Like I said, I haven't gone through surgery for the band yet but I have been trying to soak in all the info I can about it so once I do have surgery, I will be better prepared and have some direction when I come to issues such as this one....I am sure that as your body is healing and getting used to the band and especially after you get your fill, you will start seeing more results! Best of luck to you!!!!

I never do anything 1/2 way.  I am known by my GP to be one of the most informed patient's he has.  :)  I always do extensive research whether it is surgery or just a medication.   RayJean thanks for your input as well.  I am very much leaning toward the DS, basically because of the amount of weight I need to lose as well as the fact that it seems more appropriate for my lifestyle and diet habbits   I'm thrilled that the band has worked for you all!  It just doesn't seem to be what will work for me.   But I do suggest that EVERYONE, read up on ALL forms of WLS BEFORE making their final decission,  I didn't even know that DS was out there until Dr. Sudan talked about it.   Laurie PS, Mona, Dr. Sudan does DS through lap surgery, so it really isn't any more risky via that way than the band.  The higher risks lay in the fact that most of those who have the DS surgery  are SMO rather than MO and that makes them high risk in and of itself.