Russian_BANDit_inNY

You can get everything else right and not make good progress if you allow your insulin levels to get out of whack. I am back to this site after few months of silence ...and now I have an answer to why I am no longer loosing. I need to share what happened to me - hopefully it will help someone who is/will go through the same... I had my surgery March 2011. I was not diabetic. My cholesterol was in 160-170 range. Lost almost 25% of my original weight with no fills. Stopped loosing End of 2011. Had first fill in December. Have good restriction. No cravings. Healthy diet. Regular light exercise. But still did not loose a pound. A nagging thought of "born fat will die fat" start creeping into my head. So I start eating what I should not, just to give myself a reason to WHY I am no longer loosing. I am now 7LB above my minimum weight. Routine blood work showed that my cholesterol is 195. I was upset by that, but my doctor was more concerned that my Insulin was too high and my sugar was too low. After a lot of reading up on the Internet about High Insulin levels I am now hopping that addressing and 'fixing' that problem will get me back on the 'loosing' streak :-) So I now have the reason and hope I will get my insulin levels back to normal. Would love to hear from anyone else who went through the same. PS Pre-surgery people also should check Free T3 cells (blood test) normalizing its levels might let you loose weight without the band.

You are absolutely right about making the right choices when it comes to food. But it is not only what person eats. The insulin production did not catch up with my new weight. Also, for me ..... Not my food choice but portion size was the thing that got me to the point where I had to get banded. I am putting it out there for others who struggle - check your insulin. It might be the answer. PS Pre-surgery people also should check Free T3 cells (blood test) normalizing its levels might let you loose weight without the band.

You can get everything else right and not make good progress if you allow your insulin levels to get out of whack. I am back to this site after few months of silence ...and now I have an answer to why I am no longer loosing. I need to share what happened to me - hopefully it will help someone who is/will go through the same... I had my surgery March 2011. I was not diabetic. My cholesterol was in 160-170 range. Lost almost 25% of my original weight with no fills. Stopped loosing End of 2011. Had first fill in December. Have good restriction. No cravings. Healthy diet. Regular light exercise. But still did not loose a pound. A nagging thought of "born fat will die fat" start creeping into my head. So I start eating what I should not, just to give myself a reason to WHY I am no longer loosing. I am now 7LB above my minimum weight. Routine blood work showed that my cholesterol is 195. I was upset by that, but my doctor was more concerned that my Insulin was too high and my sugar was too low. After a lot of reading up on the Internet about High Insulin levels I am now hopping that addressing and 'fixing' that problem will get me back on the 'loosing' streak :-) So I now have the reason and hope I will get my insulin levels back to normal. Would love to hear from anyone else who went through the same.

I had surgery Mar 2011, lost 65lb in 9 months. Weight loss stopped for a months or so, so after thinking about it for a while - went for it. Got first fill just few weeks ago. Not sure it did effect anything.... other than for the first week right after the fill. Restriction is not everything - thats what I think. Placement and pressure on the right nerves' of the stomach - can bring results.

OK - I gave in and got my first fill - 4cc I can (and do) eat more than I should - about 1400-1500 cal a day and only light exercise. I lost 0lb this month. I am loosing my good insurance, and not sure when will be able to see my doc (not a good reason to get a fill just because of it - but did play role in my decision) I had a great run with no fills - but it is time to use the tool I got. So my Wilpo (name of my band Will Power) is now 4cc fatter. Hope I start loosing again. The fill took 5 sec and was so uneventful - I almost did not noticed it. Hope it will work hope it will work hope it will work :-)

Totally agree with you - placement is very important. YEY our docs !!!!

Took me several weeks ... Fear is gone. But I am very couscous about any food I eat for the "first" time (post-banding). I am still learning what I can and can not eat even with no fill. For example freshly made fish - no problems, but canned fish is a NO-NO for me.

I have PA A BCBS - no 6 month required for me. Even thought my doctor's surgery coordinator told me it is - I think they want patience to have 6 months to get more money from the insurance. But I had a nightmare of a surgery coordinator. She might be just one bad apple :-) I would suggest checking twice with A BCBS. They have 25 page doc ( at least PA A BCBS) and it does not mention any 6 months diet or 5 year weight history ( yes the coordinator insisted to have it as well) I submitted ONLY what insurance required. Which was a request from my surgeon for approval - 2 page form ( 2 last pages of that 25 page doc the insurance pointed me to)

How do i add link to my doctor profile ? I see some people have it in their forum postings ... THX Got it - THX Alex!!!!

Another good idea! I was not big on drinking enough Water before band. So you are probably right!

You might be right ....I did had a membership to a gym with personal trainer, and tons of 'personal attention' I actually did not hate it as much. But end up gaining weight and quit after six months. Will give it a thought - THANK YOU!

I hate exercising. I want to vomit during and get very weak after gym sessions, even low intensity. I signed up and canceled my gym membership at least 3 times... All pre-band. I do walk fast-pace at least 1h a day at least 3 days a week. I need input, advise, a kick in the a$$ from this forum. Do I need to exercise? Is walking enough? And just in case - anyone in Shipsheadbay Brooklyn or Woodbridge NJ is looking for an exercise partner?