B-52

That's a good one! I'm surprised she didn't ask you, very concerned of course, if you were terminally ill and is there anything she can do for you.

Well, recognizing you have a problem, and most importantly wanting to do something about it is the most important first step. My only fear is that lately, LapBand Surgery has become very popular, so much so I hope people do not choose it as they would some other new "Fad" way of loosing weight. It is a "Surgical Procedure" that puts a foreign object inside your body with a tube running to a injection port where the Dr. sticks a large bore needle into to adjust the amount of Fluid in the band. Once you have the surgery, it will alter your way of life forever! Change you eating habits including "Social" aspects like going out to dinner with friends/family, or holiday get togethers. As with so many other people, you will have to say goodbye to some of your favorite foods. I have read posts here from people concerned / worried that they will not be able to eat "ANYTHING They Want" Duh???? That is probably why most Insurance Co. and Surgeons require you to have a Psych Eval to be sure you have your priorities correct and you understand, maturely, what you are getting into. You will also find here, Myself included, a majority of people who do not regret for one minute having the Surgery done. It has changed, if not SAVED, our lives and would not hesitate if needed to do it again. Also, keep in mind that when you read through all the info here on this website, almost all of it is coming from people who are just starting out with their weight loss journey, and are confused, scared, and are looking for advice and answers. There are untold numbers who have been successful and moved on, not coming here all that much because there is not much support offered for them here.

You keep eating like that, so close to post surgery - 10 days, and your band will slip - OR WORSE. You ask for help? What can one possibly tell you? Did your Dr. not give you specific instructions? When I first read this post I was skeptical it is for real. Without getting into much detail, I work in Healthcare. I travel to different Hospitals, clinics and see patients all day. All pediatrics with their families. I am there to provide a service because they have a need. In order for me to work with them and have successful positive outcomes, they have to meet me half way and be cooperative. When a patient does not, it is though I am wasting their time, when actually they are wasting mine. In other words, Your Dr. is providing a service for your benefit...LISTEN TO HIM. If not, don't expect his best either.

Give us the link. I have been trying to find it, and others will also.

I was banded on Jan 31, took 3 fills before I got any real restriction, which was about early May. BUT It took me a good 4-5 weeks after that, to figure out the hard way how to live with the effects, which is choosing the right foods, and avoiding those that will give me problems, new eating techniques, etc. Once that all clicked, it is the easiest thing I have ever done. I have been on every diet known to man for the last 30 years. Surgery was the last resort because I did not have the will power, determination and discipline to do it on my own. I've tried many times before and failed. I don't even think about the band on most days. My appetite is completely under control, and I cannot over eat if I wanted to. If I did I will pay the consequences. I don't count calories or determine portion sizes. I've been on enough diets to know what's good and what is not good to eat, and the band (pouch size) gives me portion control. There's not much else I can do except go about my daily business,

This is a picture taken with my I-Phone in my Dr.s office. It is a little out of focus. But to be in the "Green Zone" you are: \ 1) NOT HUNGRY 2) GOOD WEIGHT LOSS 3) PORTION CONTROL 4) PATIENT SATISFACTION I hope you can read the yellow and red zones. When I go to my Surgeon for appointments, he points to the chart and asks me "Where do you think you are on that scale?" My interpretation is anything other than the Green Zone, where you have to work hard just like any other diet, and ask yourself "I had Surgery for this????" Also, if you have the first 3, you can't help but have #4

My first fill was 4 weeks after surgery, 4 cc's. Second fill was 4 weeks after that. 8 weeks from surgery In between I GAINED WEIGHT! Why? because after 4 weeks I was allowed normal food, and the band did not do anything at that point. I did start to fell something after the 2nd, but not much. About a week after my third - BANG! All of a sudden.

That's great news! Took me about 8 months. Sometimes all it takes is a major change in the types and amounts of food we eat, which is what got us Type 2 people there in the first place!

This is the first time I have ever seen this thread....amazed it went back to 2009. It may be late in coming......but if I had made a response in 2009, it would have been....... Looking at your pictures.......you're ex-husband is (was) a fool! Now, back to 2012.

What does a Tight Band fell like???? Being in the "Green Zone"? I'm sitting here at my laptop, having my Breakfast - a Protein shake with some mixed berries, mixed in a blender. I have to take small slow sips and swallows, and with each swallow I can feel it pass through my band, and if I keep my mouth open you can hear it "Gurgle" as it slowly passes. I'll probably have 2 cups of coffee before heading out to work, but other than Water that I have with me all day, that's it! I'm satisfied! No interest in anything additional to eat. I cannot even get interested in what I may (or may not) eat for lunch, let alone dinner! NO INTEREST! I used to be obsessed with food!!! That's being at that "Sweet Spot" It's not a feeling of being "Full", as if you've overeaten, it is more of a "Lack of Interest" in eating. I believe it is a signal the band sends to the brain, same as if you were full, but you're not full, telling you "You Don't Have To Eat".........make sense???

Yes they do. I have gone down a size in shoes, in doing so I guess I lost some natural padding. Plus I workout like crazy so I have increased the workload on my feet. I am always looking for good cushioned socks, and good insoles for my sneakers. However, I see a podiatrist every 3 months, and EVERYTHING about my feet are 100% healthy. I would also guess circulation in my lowers has improved also.

My first fill was 4 cc's. I GAINED weight between my first and second fill, one month later. Like other "Diets" I was intimidated about facing my surgeon and getting weighed in. But he smiled and reassured me stating that is why he is going to give me that 2nd fill, and additional fills after that if needed, until I get to that place where the band starts to do what it was intended to do. It took me a total of 3 fills, and I have not had one since last May. I only see my surgeon every 3 months now. Next visit is in Feb., and I will ask for a small adjustment, maybe .5 cc. It's become very routine. Heck, I see my dental hygienist every 3 months!! I need a adjustment because my weight loss has slowed way down. It does that when you get close to your goal, squeezing out every last lb. So don't be discouraged, but don't loose control either. This is what everyone calls this time "Bandster Hell" And it can take a few months for some people, like me.

The majority of people are here because we have failed at every diet in the past. To loose weight, then gain it all back. Diets depend upon our will power, determination. That is why I needed surgical intervention. It still needs a certain discipline, but not like diets of the past. This is really easy, once you get past the early phases. There is not a day that I don't regret having it done.

I don't know,.....when were you banded? How many fills? have you ever been in the green Zone?

I would call him and ask "Are You Sure"???? Generally it is clear liquids for a few days, then onto heavier liquids.

Keep in mind that just because you are scheduled for a adjustment, does not mean you will get one. You will be weighed, # lost dived by # weeks will determine how much you are averaging per week. They'll ask a few questions, maybe show you the Yellow-Green-Red chart and ask you where do you think you are, then either give you an adjustment or send you home saying you're doing fine. See you in another 4 weeks. At least that is how it has happened to me.

Don't forget, ultimately, after all clearances are done, your PCP must do a "Face to Face" and write the LMN - Letter of Medical Neccesity. This is the document he/she completes and signs, convincing the Insurance Co. Why you need this surgery. I deal with these everyday and although many are simply check boxes, there is always a place for a narrative. Can also type a letter and attach to the LMN. Everything else supports this document and is usually done last.

Yes. Very normal. It may loosen up a little next few days. I have a shake every morning for breakfast and I have to take it slow. It's a good feeling knowing the band is there doing it's job.

Yes, it is certainly is a good feeling to see that scale drop! But just remember, it isn't real. You have not had anything to eat in weeks. Eventually you will return to normal, and begin to eat normal food again. So don't get bummed out when that begins. You will then begin the next phase of being banded, and then you will see the real-permanent weight loss begin.

I have a Muscle Milk shake every day for Breakfast, for the past 12 months! Add a few ice cubes to thicken it up. I also bought a large bag of mixed berries, frozen from costco. I throw a handful in with every shake. You can add other things in the blender. 1/2 banana, Peanut Butter. Be creative. Google for some smoothie recipes. As long as yo use the muscle milk as a base, for the Protein.

And good luck to you! You will do fine, you have a good positive attitude welcoming, and looking forward to change, not trying to hold on to the past.

Don't worry, you will get there. This is a pet peeve of mine, when people start comparing how much they have in their band, as though if you have more or less, you are better off or worse than the next person. I know it is not intended by most people. but there have been people here who have BRAGGED about not even having a fill and doing ok. It makes the next person feel as though they are doing something wrong. The band is designed to be adjustable, to get the right amount of fluid for YOU to get to that "Green Zone", where the band operates optimally. Anything less than that, then you are selling yourself short.

Exactly......I take exception to calling it merely a tool.....It is Surgical Intervention, I cannot use it any way I choose, to my advantage or not. It was surgically implanted to do a specific job...Mainly my eating. Would you call a cardiac pacemaker a tool?? It also is surgically implanted to do a specific job.

When you day you feel nothing, does that mean you could eat anything? And as much as you want?