debbie815

I need a new doc in Pittsburgh. UPMC where I had the surgery charges $695.00 for a PA to decide if you need any fill. Insurance does not cover the code # S2083. I cannot afford to pay that much. Can anyone recommend a more reasonable MD? If I had known in advance that most health insurance does not cover the fills ( which have never been effective) I would have gone for gastric bypass.

Thank you,

Debbie

Hello all,

Last week I was on here with a backache and worsening nausea. I landed in the ER where I had my surgery. Anyway since I was not presenting typical symptoms it took them a day or 2 to figure this out. They removed all liquid in the band which alleviated the back ache. Unfortunately my white cell count was going crazy and not able to be controlled with meds. Here I am a week later with no gall bladder. My question is will this affect my ability to lose weight? I had 2 fills with about 6cc. I was struggling to lose any additional weight. I was low carb, 4-5 cardio workouts a week. Any ideas of what to expect would be great.

Thanks,

Debbie

I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone. I have a low grade pain in the center of my back on both sides. I think it's my kidneys. I'm wondering if I have overdone the Protein or Vitamins so I'm swearing off both to see if the pain goes away. Has anyone ever had this happen and did it go away?

So I drove myself to the ER at 2:00 am. They finally figured out it was my gall bladder which has been removed. Thanks for the advice.

Debbie

I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone. I have a low grade pain in the center of my back on both sides. I think it's my kidneys. I'm wondering if I have overdone the Protein or Vitamins so I'm swearing off both to see if the pain goes away. Has anyone ever had this happen and did it go away?

Is it ok to have soft eggs I am post 11 days from getting my band in

Definitely check with your md but I didn't have any issues

I was eating soft foods by then: cream Soups, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt

On myfitnesspal.com when I exercise, it adds to my calories. So, if I get 200 calories from exercise, it raises my calories for the day to 1400. Which is cool to me, MORE FOOD!

Just kidding.. Anyways, do I still try to keep under 1200 calories or do what it says and add the calories. I'm confused because my RN says to definitely stay under 1200.

What do ya'll think?

J.

I am not a lapband poster child. I was at 1200 calories + I was excersizing and not using those calories. I've had 3 fills but haven't lost any weight. I have dropped my calories down to 800-1000 and still not doppping weight. My PA doesn't really know what to say. I'm trying to eat very few carbs to see if that helps. I think that all of our metabolisms are different. If anyone has any insights or suggestions please let me know.

I got banded March 10 2011, and I have only lost 20 pounds since. I am frustrated that I am not losing like I thought I would. I had imagined I would have lost at least 30 to 40 pounds! I barely eat food now. I made the decision out of desesparation to join the nutri system diet. Strangely enough I don't throw it out like regular food. The food is not extremely awesome, but is not horrible either. It's the lack of discipline that I don't have because everytime I now it's time to eat, it feels like an exciting adventure. I feel like ok so now what am I going to eat? etc, but with the nutri system at least I have the food already cooked. I am workinig on establishing the discipline of sticking to the food and the diet.

Why am I losing at such a slow pace? ??????

Hi Claudia,

I am having similar issues. I was banded at the end of January and haven't lost any weight since the surgery. I was eating between 1100-1200 calories a day and nothing. I go to the gym 3-5x a week and do cardio for an hour. I have been tracking my calories and took them to the pa for my third fill. I've reduced my calories to about 900-1000 a day. I haven't felt any restriction so far. I am not sure what else to do.

I tend to agree that it's the food choices we make. I have not lost any weight since pre op diet. I started keeping a food log on my fitpal.com. I was 1200 calories a day and stayed well within that range. I treated myself to mcdonalds low fat cones (my trigger food - can't have it in the house). I took it with me to my PA who does the fills. She moved the calories to 900-1000. I am eating oatmeal for Breakfast w/protein powder in it. Her theory is under 100 c is a snack anything over is a meal. I have to give up the ice cream. All of my Snacks have to have Protein. She did a fill and I honestly do not feel the hunger pangs for the first time. I pretty much live on Greek yogurt, Friendship cottage cheese, chicken & fish - no potatoes, rice, bread or Pasta. I hope that I start to lose some weight. This is definitely difficult. - Don't give up. Just keep changing your diet and trying different things.

i havent had my surgery yet . However , ive been dieting and working out like a nazi and im GAINING WEIGHT !! What the heck !? My jeans even feel tighter ! What is wrong with me ? Im not working out with weights or anything im just walking about 45 mins every night .

So disappointing . I was REALLY hoping to be one of these " Bandsters" that lose 50lbs before they even have surgery with diet and exercise . It really makes me feel like crap. If i gain weight once i get the band , that will be the end of me . I cant do this anymore.

Hi,

I lost weight prior to surgery, not one pound since. I am on my Fitnesspal.com which was an easy way to track calories. I am supposed t be eating 1200 calories a day and seem to be consistently under that. I have no interest in eating any more than I am. And this includes a McDonalds low fat cone whenever I want one. I can't have ice cream in the house. Its a trigger food and I know it. I go to the gym 4x a week for an hour. I'm hoping the pa will have some suggestions to help. This is not easy. Its like a puzzle I can't quite figure out. Good luck, Keep the faith

I have been in size 18+ for the last 15 years or so. Now that my clothes are starting to get big, I am debating on what to do with the stuff after I cant fit into at anymore.

Are u donating them or storing them away? If I store them, is that my head thinking I might need them again someday?

I am getting rid of clothes that don't fit. I am continuing to visualize a thinner, fitter me.

Anybody?

Hi Jenn,

I've had two fills and still feel no restriction. It's frustrating and I haven't lost any weight since my surgery. I've been adding all of my calories on my fitpal.com and can't see any huge eating issues. I hope the next fill works.

Debbie

Congratulations. You will reach your goal. You have a great attitude

Had my 1st fill yesterday. I'm not sure the exact amount but I know it was a bit more than 3 cc. I feel NO restriction. Is this normal? Also, How have you all worked past the "head hunger"?

I had my second fill this week and don't feel a thing. I have only lost 5 lb. I was told I'm still eating too many calories. I get very hungry

I was banded in January...didn't really lose any weight until my most recent adjustment. However, now eating is miserable. I am constantly throwing up and have terrible acid reflux. Is this normal? Does it subside at some point? I don't want to "undue" the adjustment because its the first time I'm losing weight after having been banded. Anyone experience this as well and come through it?

My MD has had me on a nexium type med since the surgery. I've had my second fill and don't notice a difference. I'm not losing much weight either.

I go to the gym every morning for an hour. Doing mostly cardio and use an ab cruncher machine. My jeans are falling off. Unfortunately my stomach is definitely not deflating. Does anyone have any suggestions for excercises that will flatten my belly? Thanks

Hello Fellow banders,

I have been wanting a pair of toneing shoes now for awhile, but I need some feed back first from people that have them. Which do you perfer Skechers (Shape- Ups) or Reebook (Easy Tones)?

Watch the Shapeups. A friend of mine fell & broke her ankle in4 places

I had most of the information through my surgeons at UPMC in Pittsburgh. The most frustrating thing is that with one fill nothing has changed. I am still hungry and unable to lose more weight since pre/post op diet. I have made life style changes (work out for 1 hr. a day) and still can't lose anymore. My next fill is 3 weeks away & I hope it works.

I am thinking of getting up in the morning before work and riding the eliptical. Does anyone do this? If so do you eat anything first or just hop outta bed and jump on it, then get ready for work and eat breakfast?

Thank you

Hi, Due to the fact that I couldn't lose any weight after the banding, I get up at 5:30 and work out on cardio for one hour 5 days a week. I have a Jay Robb Protein Drink before I go or I get very hungry.

I had my first fill last friday. It was only 2cc's. I expected to feel some restriction, but I feel nothing. Actually, I feel hungrier. I am to go back in one month, which he said would also be 2cc's. This seems very conservative to me, but I am new....so advice please... is this conservative? Im also reading that many doctors have you drink Water during the fill to see if is adequate, he does not do that. Im just feeling a little worried and need some reassurance. Thanks so much!!

Hi, I got my first fill 2cc's 2 weeks ago. I also feel no different but hungry. I go to the gym 5 days a week and do cardio and haven't lost a pound. It' s a little discouraging. I hope the next fill works for both of us

Hi All,

I haven't posted on here in quite some time, mostly because I have had smooth sailing for the past couple of months. I have been loosing weight steadily at my last two doc appointments and haven't gotten a fill. However, the past few days things have been different. I noticed this morning that my eyes have big dark circles even up to my nose. This is unusual for me. I have been feeling tired and fatigued as well. Eating dinner with some friends tonight I felt like I couldn't even follow the conversation. I sort of felt like I was in between two worlds. I have been more tired than usual. I typically wake up at 7 or 8 on a Sunday and today my husband woke me up at 10. This is not typical behaviour for me.

More troubling, I got on the scale and had gained 3 lbs.

Outside of band stuff, I am in the process of moving, and am packing and lifting a lot of stuff. Packing today I would have to work for an hour or so and then lie down, and repeat.

Does anyone out there in the community have any insight on what this could be?

I am looking to talk with others in their 50's that either are trying to be banded or already have the band. I am a 54 year old lady in Houston Texas. I am a self pay and just trying to get cardiologist approval at this time. I would like to hear back from others in this age group. If you are in Texas even better!!! Thanks

Hi,

I am 57 and had lap band surgery on 1/30/11. I have had no issues and lost 23 lbs to date. 't seem to notice any difference I had my first fill last week and don't seem to notice any difference so far. I still get hungry:)

I am 4 weeks out of surgery and making my transition from mushies to solids. I eat and sort of feel like I am getting full. That said, I could eat a lot more. Quantity is not an issue. I constrain myself so I don't stretch my stomach. I could clearly keep eating. I am having 1 to 1.5 cup at a meal - is that too much? I then feel hungry a half an hour later. Still losing weight at a rate of 2-3 per week. What's up????

I think you're doing well. I haven't lost any weight since my surgery 5 weeks ago. I haven't gained either. I get very hungry after about 3 hrs. I am trying to motivate to joing a gym and get a routine started.

Hi,

This is my opinion only on Curves. I belonged to one for about a year when I was 30 lbs lighter. I went at least 4x a week. What I found was that the equipment didn't have the ability to add enough resistance to continue to help me. I need a gym where I can add weights, higher cardio to see a difference.

Good luck to you. I am only 7 days post op. I hope I can lose as much as you have.

Ok so I have been on Clear liquids since 1/20. My surgery was on 1/27. Today the MD gave the go ahead to cottage cheese, yogurt, etc. & Protein Shakes. I feel fine but everything is running right through me. Is this normal? The hospital said to be ion the watch for C-dif but I don't have any symptoms. Does it just take some time for your digestive system to normalize?

Thanks in advance for any comments