Lapbandster

wow toddy and marfar thats really amazing! @toddy: may I ask, what were your eating habits before the band? did you eat big huge meals? and now even if your sitting at a table with your whole family "digging in" you won't have interest?

Oh, here's where i saw it http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/136997-im-wondering-about-the-full-feeling-after-surgery-what-does-it-really-feel-like/ "The band stimulates a nerve and sends a signal to your brain, telling your brain that you are full, and you don't - can't eat anymore. But in reality you have not eaten anything all day! So physically you're not full, but you brain keeps telling you are. Have you ever eaten so much that you say something like "I'm so full I can't even look at another slice of cake!" Well, that's kind of what it is."

I have been hearing very conflicting things. I do realize that the green zone feeling can vary from person to person, but can you please post what it feels like FOR YOU? Also, did I hear somewhere (maybe it was here?) that when you get to the green zone the nerve that makes us crave food is effected, helping subside cravings?

Your patience is mind boggling. And very amazing. So you live your life dieting with the band and barely see and fruits of your labor? OMG!

First of all, CONGRATS on losing 14 pounds!! Secondly, I'm so sorry to hear that your not satisfied with the rate of weight loss. maybe get your thyroid checked for hypothyroidism. I know people who have hypothyroid's and it majorly slows down their metabolism and causes them to gain weight (or not lose any) through no fault of their own Good Luck,

Thanks, Glad to hear And BTW congrats on being more that halfway towards your goal!! and in only like 2 months?!! whoohooo!!

The surgeons office just called me to tell me that on august 16th they can do the surgery!! i'm legit FLIPPING OUT!!! (In a good way ) I DO NOT want to go into this unprepared. I realize that it's impossible to fully be prepared, and I will be treading in unknown waters for the first while, but for now I want to to the best i can in terms of prep. Does anyone have any links to good articles/blogs/sites with good prep info? Anyone have any tips/advice for a newbie? Anything would be extremely helpful Thanks!!!

Thanks everyone for the responses Just wondering, when you googled "lap band" and saw all the horror stories, were you at all deterred? This morning I started to freak out when I read a story of someone who got the band and gained everything back after one year. Then she said that the real statistics show that long term lap band success is only hovering at around ~10% :o OMG!

OMG!! what happened????

Hey cooper! Congrats! Glad to hear you're feeling well

I find that very interesting my surgeons nurse Practitioner was almost MAD when I said i wanted to do the band and not gastric bypass. She told me about what a failure I will be if i do it... and then when the surgeon came in i explained that i am leaning towards the band and he didn't either seem to pleased. I recall someone once told me that surgeons prefer gastric bypass over the band because they do the surgery, make the $$, and never need to see you again. Whereas with the lap band they have to devote a lot of time on fills which is not a real moneymaker (btw, to me that sounds insane...)

I also just got approved (yesterday I got the letter in the mail!!!) CONGRATS!!!! So happy to hear!

I just got insurance approval for the lap bad yesterday (WHOOOOO HOOOOO!!) But i'm just wondering, did I make the right choice in deciding on the Lap Band over the other weight loss surgeries? I mainly chose LB because -It's adjustable -It's (supposedly) reversible/removable (If need be) -Seems to be the least invasive -The thought of rerouting/removing my stomach freaks the $h!t out of me! What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance

awesome!!! So happy to hear!

To the OP: Sounds like your wife is not being much help and that really must suck. I really feel for you, but my suggestion: Get an ipod, download some music that you love and then start running on the treadmill (or working out) and just try to visualize how great it would be to be thin, and how proud you will feel to report back on the forums that you have lost the weight. Think about how handsome you will look and how much confidence you will have. Keep thinking these thoughts and then you will see how motivated you get. Be visual because if you picture yourself as a thin/healthy person you will have the desire to lose weight and once you start losing weight you'll gain confidence. When you are confident you'll have more self control and those tantalizing sweets won't tempt you like they once did. The summer is coming and that will be good becuase you can get a bike and cycle around the 'hood. Make yourself a goal and when you reach it reward yourself BIG TIME! Good luck dude

Wow what a great post. As a person who will (hopefully-lol fingers crossed) be getting the surgery soon, I really identified with your post. I'm scared because what if I'm a failure? But As you aptly said: This is a TOOL and thanks to posts like yours I (hope to) get into this with the correct mindset

congrats! Keep up the good work!

Wow I can't wait to be at that place. Btw, I hope it's not too rude to ask, but what were your eating habits before the surgery? Did you eat big portions? Or did you snack a lot? Both? I'm just interested to know because I eat portions that are too big but I don't really snack at all so i'm wondering if my lap band will have a similar effect on me as it did on you BTW CONGRATS on reaching your weight loss goal!!! woohoo!

Me either!

These are advice forums not doctors orders. People come here to talk about the techniques that work for THEM. If someone advises you to do something that you doctor has specifically said not to do then just don't do it. For example I have read some back and forth about the 2 week liquid diet before surgery. Some doctors are super strict about this and some are not, and therefore some people give "bad" advice and tell forum members not to take it seriously. My point is: Read what others have to say and get ideas but always listen to your doctor. I don't think that anyone is intentionally trying to be misleading but they follow their OWN doctors orders which may look may look like bad advice to a patient of another doctor who has different protocols (BTW I have seen the same back and forth in regards to drinking soda- Each surgeon has a differing opinion, and what might look like terrible advice because it is the opposite of what your doctor recommends is really not)

Exactly!!! THIS is why I'm so nervous... But hearing other people's stories and success's helps me feel encouraged

Thanks everyone for your input and advice. Much appreciated!

I'm really sorry to hear about your predicament. I think you need to get your band tightened, see a dietitian, and try switching your habits from pizza --> fruits/veggies

Hello everyone I registered on this site a few months ago but have not been very active due to the stagnation of my situation. I met with the surgeon in January and was told to meet with my doctor for six months in order to get approval so it's taken me a while! My question with regard to the 6 month documented dieting: Does it have to be EXACTLY one appointment every six months?? Or can I have seen the doctor 6 times in the span of 9 months? And can my meeting with the surgeon be counted as one? The surgeons office has sent in a request for approval but I was DENIED!!!! It was so sad. But now i'm gonna try again... Also, has anyone been approved with Wellmark insurance? do they cover the fills? I see that insurance requires a TSH (thyroid test) prior to approval. Is this because they will deny me if I am slightly high/low? One more question- Does it matter HOW the doctor details my weight loss efforts? Like will insurance be more likely to approve me if she writes lots of details? (I am noticing that she only writes my weight and that I am trying to lose- no details such as which diets I am on etc...) Thanks in advance!!