Russian_BANDit_inNY

I told 75% people I know. 20% guessed because they know someone who went through it and was on liquids and Protein Drinks before the surgery.

PRO - I have to succeed now

CON - I wanted to hear from someone who did not know about the surgery " You lost weight!!!" took me a while to run into someone like that

That is funny - i found your post today.

This last week i am hopping someone who does not know I had the surgery would tell me that I am loosing weight.

I met group of friends on the street and they kept raving how much younger and rested I look... asked if I had botox or some other rejuvenation cosmetic surgery on my face LOL and mean while I am dying inside hopping for ' looks like you lost weight' NADA

Another one.... Doing some yard work last weekend - the neghboor comes out and looks at me for a while then opens her mouth - I am thinking - HERE WE GO - I will hear say IT. What did she say?!?!?! "You know my doughtier lost 20LB on weight watchers" AH WTH !?!?!?!

I think I would of had better luck if I did not tell almost everyone I had the surgery

To the OP, you might benefit from reading Dr. Simpson's article "It's not about restriction". http://drsimpson.net...estriction.html

Melissa - that should be required reading before the surgery. It helped me and my family to understand banding before I went for it.

Lost a link before - THANK YOU for posting it!

No glasses / lenses as well...

1. Any regrets - no

2. Is there anything you did not expect after surgery - was totally not ready to be scared to eat for the first few weeks

3. How long before you returned to work - surgery Wed, home Thursday, worked from home started Friday. Back to office Monday.

4. How long before you felt normal again (I did passed psych evaluation - but my friends all agree - I was never "normal" :-) Physically maybe 3 weeks.

I had 2 week pre-opp. Lost 13lb.

Also was not just liquid. Veggies were OK. Had to stay under 35 g of carbs and fat , and above 60 Protein.< /p>

..... an insurance broker, who said I will never be approved again for individual insurance.

Please PLEASE someone tell me it is not true?!?!?!

NYU - Dr Ren-Fielding and Dr George Fielding(my doc)

http://thinforlife.med.nyu.edu/

Why do you think you are doing something wrong?

Average weight loss with the band 1-2 lb a week... 7lb / 3 weeks = 2.33lb/week

...Your doctor is going to give you a "one size fits all, most restrictive possible" program to follow. But the fact is, you're going to have to figure out what you can do that's safe but also that allows you to lose weight but live your life.

This is completely opinion-- but I think that people who have the most struggle with the band are people who have been told they shouldn't be able to eat more than 1/2 cup of food, 3x a day, and that amount should make them full. Because those are the bandsters who search for such tight restriction to force that 1/2 cup issue that they are way way too tight and develop problems like acid reflux and an inability to eat healthy solid foods.

AGREED!

I have some details on weight progress in my signature, so people don't get too exited and think I lost 39lb after the surgery :-)

I went for surgery 257 (came home 266 - don't get on the scale for at least few days after - it is all Water weight)

As of this morning I am 238.5.

I am averaging 2.25lb a week so far.

I am 8 weeks banded. Not too long.

I scheduled and cancelled fills twice already. Another one is scheduled for the 5/5, and plan to cancel it.

The restriction IS there. Some foods if not chewed well do get stuck.

And band pressure on the right part of the stomach helps with my hunger A LOT.

So at least for me - some restriction IS there.

Once my info was submitted to the insurance company they approved me within 30min.

My test was scheduled for 1 hour, we might of run over by 15 min or so. She told me right after an hour that I "passed".

I learned more about her than she did about me I think :-)

Was very informal. But what do I know - That was my first visit with a shrink.

I had mine done @ NYU.

Good luck with your plans all!!

A bit off topic...

You are loosing avg 2.67lb a week. That is above average 1-2lb a week. You are still going for a fill?

I am curious because I am about 2lb a week and decided against fills (for now).

Anthem BCBS of PA here... Live in NJ and doc in NY.

Anthem rep - Anna, who was contacting me every step and was very helpful. Got a phone call from Anna when BCBS did not receive request from doctor's office, then when she did not receive the only form they require in the pile of papers doc office sent, then when she got everything, and back in 30 min with approval.

VS

Surgery coordinator in Doc's office (nothing good to say about her - she made the pre-approval hell for me) told me I will need 6 month pre-opp diet, 5 years medical history in order to be approved - BS

Insurance provided 25 page doc with no mention of 6 month diet or 5 years of med documented 'trying to loos weight' history.

She never returned my phone calls, and took for ever to fax paperwork.

All the frustration with that one person in doc's office definitely worth the way I feel today.

brooklynn,

I had about 2 weeks post opp where I was scared to switch from liquid to regular diet. I was told it is normal...

I am about 6 weeks post opp and the fear is gone. I can eat anything I want. SLOW ... have to remind myself SLOW.

And if ever get stuck - dont panic - relax, and follow advise you get from your doc or from this forum on how to 'unstuck'.

Good luck!

I was told by my doc 6 weeks post opp.

Great achievement, just awesome!!!

... I was wondering of anyone who has had surgery could tell me if it is very common. ...

Absolutely not common. Especially after each meal.

I think there is no 'NORMAL' in the way we work with a band, or bad works with each of us...

Some find sweet spot with restriction, some just lost hunger for food like you describe that first week post opp indifference to food.< /p>

Its easy to say - re-train yourself and don't overeat and eat only healthy foods .... If most of us could do it - WHY would we need a band?!?!

Same goes for exercising btw.

Regarding your band size.

I read on this forum people had 4 ml bands. Also people loosing with no fills in any size band.

DO not get discouraged!

I hope above will help a bit. And I hope you will get to the elusive sweet spot we all hope for. Most cases it is not an instant hit - it is a hit and miss with fills, and un-fills, and time, and hopping for the best.

I might be the only one here who does NOT want to loose 100% of the extra weight.

50-60% might not be enough, but 70-75% - is perfect for me.

I had an EKG and X ray... Did not had a CT.

I am 41 5'5

I live in NJ, work in NY and PA sometimes.

no kids but have seven nieces/nephews to 'borrow, spoil, and return' any time I want

Open to a long term relationship. Contact me via private message...