angbutler0712

tmf, I am EXACTLY where you are! I have found this entire process absolutely frustrating. I do finally have restriction, but the fact that it took me almost 6 months to lose 24 lbs makes me want to cry! I came into this experience having gone through 2 years of prep work required by my insurance and the surgeons office..(I was denied by ins the first year because I was not a 35bmi for more than 2 yrs, 6 months after my denial, I had to restart the entire workup process all over to resubmit to insurance) I had heard the horror stories of bandster hell, and I thought, no way, that's not going to be me. BAHAHA.. My surgeon even called me on my cellphone one week before scheduled surgery to see if I wanted to change to a gastric bypass. (he told me he's seen so many people disappointed with the results) NO way I told him. I was so afraid of that surgery and that there was a much greater chance of complication.. I also liked the fact that I can be 5 years down the road with the band and have an adjustment.. 5 years after gastric bypass.. you're stuck as is. The reality of it all... there are many days I wish I went with gastric bypass. Lapband is very difficult esp during the first phase. It does get easier with restriction. To all the bandsters out there that have hit their goal weights, I applaude them. This is a tough road to travel. I think a lot of people go into this with the misconception that they are going to lose a massive amount of weight quickly.. that was my problem. I'm so disappointed with the fact that I was only able to stick to my calories for the first 6 weeks before I fell off the wagon. Just like EVERY other diet I've done in my life. Luckily now with this last fill, the band reminds me what I can and CANNOT eat. Tried eating one of my sons french fries the other day.. nope. refused to go down and ended up throwing up. I doubt I'll ever eat french fries again. Now it's trial and error until I get this right. Bandster hell does play with your mind. Keep positive! A

Like 2muchfun said, this is the beginning of bandster hell for you. Of course it's different for everyone, but once your stomach heals and you have zero fill in your band, it's pretty much like it was before surgery. You will need to diet and watch your calories until you get some restriction. I just finally got restriction with my 5th fill. I am almost 6 months out. They call it bandster hell for a reason.. so if you need support, feel free to let out all your frustrations on here.. we've all been there. btw, at two weeks out I was taking in about 600 calories per day, mostly through protein shakes, yogurts and fat free puddings. I was always starving. I cried to my doctor that there was no possible way I could stay between 400-600 cals a day. (thats what they recommend for the first 2 months after surgery) psh. no way could I do it. My stomach felt like it was eating itself. I bumped my cals up to 800-1000 per day. Like Jean said, make sure you're spreading out your calories throughout the day to help with the hunger. The more protein in your meal or snack, the longer it'll be before you feel those hunger pains. Good luck!!

I have heard of this quite a bit on this forum. I am totally bewildered by this. When I get my fills, I always feel it immediately. After a few days I'm usually able to get more through.. i'm assuming it's because of the swelling. However, this past fill was different. I felt tight immediately after my fill.. then after a few days I was able to move onto solid foods without an issue. Then about a week and a half later, I feel super restricted again.. the way I felt after my fill and go back to mushies. I wonder whats happening with our bodies to make the band tight again a couple weeks after a fill. Definitely not complaining! I'm excited to see the weight coming off!

Praying that all goes well. So excited for you!!!!

I have Aetna and did have to complete the 3 month nutritional program, which the nutritionist made me keep a log of everything I put in my mouth. As for exercise, they asked me at each visit how often and for how long I was exercising. The nutritionist I saw kept thorough notes on our meetings and that was all submitted to insurance when the time came.

The longer the better. The biggest shock to me was how exhausted I was! when you're only taking in 400-600 calories a day, your energy is pretty much non-existent. For the first 4-5 days I would take two naps a day.. I couldn't stay awake. Plus your body is healing and that takes it out of you. If you're planning on going back after 3 days, you will most likely still be experiencing gas pains in your shoulders and chest area. Honestly, this was the worst part of the surgery for me. But it could be different for you. I'm sure you'd be fine going back after 3-4 days, but you'll probably be miserable. If your insurance is covering your surgery, you may be able to take short term disablility. That's what I did. I was able to get the doctor recommended three weeks off without using vacation time or fearing that I'll lose my job. I didn't even ask my doctor for paperwork, he automatically handed it to me because they strongly suggest all their patients take 3 weeks to heal and learn to eat with their band. Good luck to you!!

I have an 11cc Realize band. I'm 5 months out and at my last fill went from 5.5cc's to 7cc. I'm feeling that this may be the green zone. funny.. I didn't think I would ever say that! Just remember that everyone is different. I may try for .5cc's more at my next appt. I can eat most everything except bread, dry meat and have to chew like crazy. I usually feel full after about a cup of food.. some days its more, some days it's less. It's so exciting getting to this point. I haven't lost much weight since being banded and have been super frustrated, but now it's really starting to work! Good luck!

That's what I figured, Close to normal BMI range. Fingers crossed that I'll be there soon enough! Funny Kbliss78! My experience was exactly the same!! I had to take that horrid 3 hr glucose test twice and the 1 hr once.. all came back negative.. He weighed 10lbs 12oz. With my third child I actually did have diabetes and he only weighed 7lbs 13oz! crazy.

Question: Do you have to be below a specific BMI or lose a specific amount of weight before being approved by surgeon and insurance for a panni or TT? I have only lost 30lbs, but definitely want to start the process of seeing the doctor to get this extra skin removed. I am a 35BMI now, started out at a 39. My extra skin is mainly from having very large children, biggest one was 11lbs. I believe my muscles may be separated also, I'm sure they'll check. I just want to know if it will be a waste of time now and to wait until I hit a normal BMI. Of course, I know the more weight I lose between now and then, the better the outcome. I guess the surgeon will probably tell me how much more weight I need to lose before I'm eligible to have the surgery?? Were any of you told to lose more weight before plastic surgery? Thanks, A

I agree with Mis73. People are more likely to come to the site and post when they are experiencing something, usually negative, to ask for advice. If you're a week out of surgery, then I'm sure you've been through the entire prep process. You should know the positives and the negatives that come along with this procedure. Don't get me wrong, there have been a few posts on here regarding complications and even death that have scared the bejesus out of me.. but as you're told before surgery.. there is always a chance for problems to arise. Follow the rules, don't push the band healing process and listen to your body. The band is a tool to assist you in losing weight. I have found myself extremely frustrated over the past 5 months with my band thinking it was going to do all the work.. i was wrong. I'm finally hitting the groove of feeling restriction and eating less. It took me 4 fills before I had good restriction. It takes time. It definitely requires you to "diet" more than say getting the sleeve or bypass.. you'll still feel hungry, but you're body will adjust. Now that the weight is starting to come off, I'm feeling better. More mobile, energetic and starting to fit into my smaller clothes! woohoo. Stay positive and look forward to how great you're going to feel! Go into the surgery with positive thoughts. You'll do just fine.

I'm right there with you PixiePower. I had a fill 3 days ago, I'm now at 7cc in my 11cc band. The first day I was only able to get clear liquids through, now I'm able to have a protien shake or a thinned down yogurt. I did try to eat a tuna melt on toasted oatmeal bread.. I took a tiny bite, chewed chewed and chewed.. first couple bites were ok, but that's it. Started to get stuck, so I stopped. Took a long walk and it eventually went through.. I'm going to stay on mushies for a few more days. This is the first time I've really felt this much restriction.. I would say after a few days if you're still having problems getting down thicker drinks like slimfast, you may want a tiny unfil. Keep us posted.. a few days have gone by now, is it getting better? or is it still tight? I'm curious if mine will losen up. I've read a lot on here that it may be tight for the first week, but then losens up over time.

WOW! 62lbs! I also had my surgery 5 months ago and am fluctuating between 25-30lbs from my starting weight I haven't lost a single pound in about 2 months, but that's my own fault. So you are doing absolutely amazing! I've heard that if you're losing weight very quickly, they won't give you a fill.. it sounds like that must be what they've done for you. You're only a month away from your fill.. stay strong and when you get your fill, hopefully it'll help give you the needed restriction.

I have the Realize C 11cc band. My first two fills were 2cc each. Third fill was 1.5cc. I'm at 5.5cc and have some restriction. I definitely have trouble eating breads and dry meats. I have to chew chew chew! Next fill is in a few weeks. I'm hoping for another 1 - 1.5 cc's. I'm getting close to the sweet spot.. i can feel it.

Maris0l, you should definitely talk to your provider about getting another fill. My doctor says that some people will not feel restriction until their band is almost full. Jsi69i, there is a great post under the Lapband Fill forum called How many cc's in your band. Check it out. Lots of posts of how many CC's people have in their bands and whether they are in the green zone. It's really all over the board. Depends on the person.

Have you heard why they denied you yet? I was also denied twice, for not being able to prove that I was over a 35 BMI for 2 years and not having co-morbids. I spoke to an insurance representative and wanted to appeal a third time to my employer, but they told me flat out that I will not win because I didn't meet the criteria. I started my journey in 2/2010. I had to wait after Jan 2011 and start the entire process all over again to show the 2 years of being a high BMI. All tests, all those doctors appts, nutrition appts had to be redone.. it was horrible. Within that year, I was diagnosed with borderline high blood pressure (not controlled with meds) and osteoarthritis in my back. I was a 38 BMI at the time.. After all my testing was completed, my doctor resubmitted to Aetna October 2011. Took 3 weeks for them to finally approve me. I called them every day after the first week asking for a status. I was over the moon excited that I had been approved! SOOOO.. Don't give up! Unfortunately for some people its more difficult. Read your insurance policies and make sure your doctor tests you for everything that could be counted as a co-morbity. I didn't have any of the major co-morbitites so I thought for sure I'd be denied again.. Good Luck!!

I have Aetna and they paid all but $40 of my surgery. Luckily I had hit my deductable when I had the surgery on 11/23/11. So far I have had two fills and have yet to receive a bill for them. So either Aetna is paying for them, or the hospital is behind on their billing. Good Luck!

I had my second fill on Tuesday, 2/28 of 2ccs. That puts me up to 4.5cc's total in an 11cc Realize Band. I was banded on 11/23/11 and have had a really super hard time with how hungry I have felt and not feeling any restriction with food. I know there are others out there like me, feeling so frustrated.. Immediately after my second fill I felt restriction. Sipping the water in the doctors office, I could hear the gurgling of it going through the band. I am now a couple days out and still feeling good restriction.. It's so exciting! FINALLY.. this is what it feels like! I ate oatmeal this morning and I could feel it sitting in the pouch, processing slowly.. and I wasn't hungry again for at least 4 hours. Amazing! Now.. the doctor said that she would be very surprised if I felt any restriction with this fill.. Do you guys think it's just because I may be swollen? Or are there actually bandsters our there that feel restriction with less than a half full band? I think it's going to be easier for me to have my band tight.. I've read that some people like it like that. I have NO willpower, I need my band to tell me NO! Going for my next fill on 3/29. Can't wait.

I have the 11cc Realize Band. My surgeon, also a center for excellence office, will only do Realize Bands due to the low pressure vs high pressure post op problems. He told me the Realize is low pressure, therefore is less likely to slip. I just had my second fill and have a total of 4cc in my band. I can definitely feel the restriction this time. I'm sure I have a ways to go until I'm in the green zone, but so far, so good. AND I have a low profile port. I have a smaller BMI and was nervous about losing weight and having a golf ball sized port sticking out. Not with this band.. Reading all the negative posts in here has made me a little nervous, but I have the newest type band and hopefully won't have any problems. So far, so good! Good luck!

Well, they didn't numb it, but it was only a pinch.. totally bearable. Unfortunately they only put in 2cc's. So I have a total if 2.5cc's. I was hoping for more. Oh well. My next fill is in 4 weeks!

Waiting in the doctors office for my first fill! Im super excited, but nervous all the same. I NEED some restriction! 8 wks in bandster hell has brought me down. Im hoping my dr will put in at least 3cc's. Fingers crossed that they also use a numbing agent! I watched the fill process on youtube.. that is a huge needle! AHHH

My doctor required me to take off 3 weeks. Of course I could have gone against him, but am happy I didn't. I was only down and out for a couple days, but man was I tired! Living off only a few hundred calories a day takes it's toll on your energy. I definitely could have gone back to work after a week and a half. Instead I enjoyed to time off to learn how to eat and get my strength back. Goodluck!

yes, how did it go? I have my first fill next week. I'm nervous! I've watched a few videos on Youtube which probably didn't help. Let us know what it was like..

Amen insanejane! I'm having a very difficult time with my band.. I am 7 weeks post op and have nothing in my band. I haven't lost a single pound in 3 weeks. I go for my first fill next week, thank goodness, but have been too afraid to discuss my failures on here. I see so many people get slammed for posting the negative truth about how their band process is going. Esp what they can eat. I'm not specifically talking about this post. We are all on here for the same reason.. why put someone down for their failures.. isn't that what most of us have experienced our entire lives. Speaking for myself, absolutely. Encouragement goes a long ways.

I agree jayres14. I will tell them my experiences when I go back in for my fill next month. Thank you all for the support! I knew this wasn't going to be easy, but hopefully with a few small changes it may be bearable until I receive my fill.

I'm sure some of it is head hunger. My stomach is growling so badly it's making me nauseous. I've even had episodes where I get dizzy and feel like I'll pass out. When I was first banded, the first week or so.. I was rarely hungry, but had the urge to eat.. That's what I feel head hunger is. What I'm experiencing now is mostly stomach growling. It's not necessarily always an hour when I start feeling hungry again. Could be 1.5-2 hrs sometimes. I keep my protein powder with me all the time in case I need a shake, but at 180 calories a pop with skim milk, I'd be way over 600 calories a day if I had one every time my stomach growled. I'm going to bump my calories up to 800 amd see how it goes. My doctors office put lap band and bypass patients on the same diet. I think this is horrible. Not only do I feel like a failure for not bing able to maintain a 400-600.calorie day, I've started regretting choosing the lapband.