Thats All Folks

You're not cheating at all. Look at it like this: The band is just a tool. Everyone uses different tools for different jobs. When a painter is complimented for a beautiful piece of art, do they respond "Oh thank you, but I cheated, I used a brush to paint with". No! You're not cheating. You wouldn't be losing weight if you weren't eating right and changed your relationship with food. That is 100% YOU. That's not the band. Look around these boards, you will see post after post of people still eating like they did before surgery and not losing weight as a result. That's not the band's fault, that's their own fault. The band is just a tool to control your hunger, it is YOU that is doing the work. When someone asks what you're doing, tell them with pride! "I've changed the way I eat and watch my portions". That's not a lie, it's the truth, and it's a truth you should be proud of. The fact you used a tool to do is irrelevant.

Unfortunately you can only buy Unjury online. Some bariatric surgeons carry it but they usually mark up the price.

Ok that is a great story, thank you for sharing it

Be patient with yourself, you really are very newly banded. Not only are you still healing you're trying to adjust to a new way of thinking about food and life in general. It's not easy at all. Learning to live with the band is a major learning experience. Perhaps you should focus on one phase at a time. Like for instance, right now I'm going to assume you're on liquids being as you're only a week post op. Focus on what you're supposed to be eating for this phase and this phase only so you don't get overwhelmed thinking about what comes next. You might also find getting out all the information your doctor gave you and re-reading it. I even kept mine on my dresser for quick reference. Increasing your protein will help your hunger for sure. Maybe you could try other brands of protein shakes? If you find one you truly likely you'll be more apt to actually have them. I know I had to try 3 or 4 brands before I found one I actually liked. Hang in there, and remember, just focus on one step at a time. It does get a lot easier.

You're doing really great! The average is 1-2 pounds a week and you're way over that average. Btw, I started out with a high BMI too. I weighed 421 the day of surgery.

wow that is just awesome!! Congratulations!!

Honestly? I wouldn't go on liquids, especially considering how incredibly busy your life is. You need your energy and nutrients very badly to keep up. I find tracking my calories to be the easiest way for me to stay on track. I use the Lose It app and it's I swear I'd have never been able to lose so much without it. Not only does it track calories but protein, too. It's the only way I can be sure I'm staying within my daily calorie allowance and getting in enough protein. Plus, being as it's on my phone and syncs to my computer, it's really fast and easy to use. Perhaps something like this can help you? Especially with your busy schedule, this would be a lot easier and quicker than writing everything down.

Having adequate Fluid in your band will help to control hunger. Optimally, it should allow you to to be satisfied on a cup or less of food for at least 4 hours. However, some people take multiple fills to reach this point so don't be surprised if you don't notice a lot (or any) difference after your first fill. Now as far as cutting back on what you can eat- that's not the band's the job. That's your job. The band's job isn't to restrict what you can physically eat. It will always be your job to make good food choices and stay within band sized portions. Have a look at this link, I think it'll help you considerably: http://drsimpson.net/fills/Lap-band-eating/lap-band-not-restriction/lap-band-and-restriction.html Best wishes.

I'm very sorry you're struggling. A couple of things to remember- you just had major surgery so you're healing but also there's something in the anesthetic that makes people very emotional. Because of these two things, you are not only physically hurting but you're likely not in a very good place mentally right now either. If your doctor filled the band during surgery and it's causing you pain, you could always ask him to remove all of it. I know you said you had two unfills but if he didn't take it all out, you may want to consider it. Some people (like me) would never be able to handle big fills or a bunch in their band right after surgery. Best wishes and hang in there, it does get a lot better and easier.

You look beautiful!

What is the exclusion they're trying to deny you for? I seriously hate insurance companies. I see stuff like this all the time and it's frustrating as heck. It's like, they'd rather pay hundreds of thousands of dollars over years for obesity related illnesses than a quarter of the cost to get the WLS and hopefully cure the obesity. It makes zero sense.

Oh wow, I'm so sorry! Did they tell you specifically why they keep denying you? Or is it an exclusion against bariatric surgery?

I've not seen any, however if you type "Gluten" in the search bar on the upper right of your screen, you may find some threads on it. Best wishes.

Because I would hate to see them rip out their sutures and end up back in surgery. You should really get some common sense.

That's very good news! Good luck on your journey

Ummm...yeah...I don't respond to text speak ignorance or juvenile behavior. Have a blast, I won't respond to you further

If you're staying overnight, I'd bring a robe. Those hospital gowns are notorious for giving a free show of your bottom and they will make you get up and walk around regularly. A robe will assure you don't give anyone a peek of your bum

Are you serious? That's your response? I was trying to help you from hurting yourself...but since you asked... it's obvious you're old enough though I'm now seriously questioning your maturity level. Go ahead, do "what you feel like doing", however don't be shocked when you rip the sutures in your stomach or cause a slip because you weren't mature enough to do as your doctor instructed. Good luck.

You were just banded a week ago and you're drinking Coke? Carbonation? Are you trying to rip out the stitches in your stomach and cause a slip? If you know it's "not good" then why do it? Call your doctor and talk to him. I think you need a much better understanding of the band and how not to hurt yourself, especially during the post op phase. I say this with all sincerity because I am honestly afraid you're going to hurt yourself. You didn't go through all this surgery just to be injured. Please, call your doctor and talk to him.

You still need to go see your surgeon ASAP. No one you saw is qualified to check your band and you should not be having reflux or pain. Not to scare you, but you have the symptoms of a slip and you should not let this go. Go see your bariatric surgeon.

Yup I agree, sounds like your first stuck episode. Incidentally, hamburger is the meat I'm most likely to get stuck on. I have no idea why but I have to be really mindful to take small bites and chew well when eating it.

It's very normal after surgery. They pump a lot of drugs into during surgery, you've been through a big change, you're likely nutrient deficient from the post op diet, and there is something in the anesthesia that often makes people depressed. What you're going through is very, very common. Hang in there, I promise it gets a lot better and easier very soon.

Actually that's not true at all. In fact, studies show the band has a very low failure rate and the majority of Lap Band patients maintain their weight loss long term. It also shows that 2 year weight loss results are comparable to the Gastric Bypass or Sleeve. Here is the study: http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-stays-off-long-after-lap-band-surgery/ The main cause of revision to other WLS isn't band failure, it's patient failure. The exception to that rule would be in the case of the old 4cc bands- which have been discontinued in the UK and US due to a high complication rate.

Glad you found what works for you. Everyone is different.

Unfortunately it varies from one insurance company to another. If I were in your shoes, I'd get in writing exactly what they consider to be co-morbidities. This way you'll know exactly what they're looking for. Best wishes.