BlueMoon~T

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

BillieG,
Generally, surgeon's make you wait one month post op before giving you your first fill. I got my first fill one month after surgery and my surgeon will only do fills once a month. They believe it takes the stomach some time to heal.
It's important to remember not all surgeons are the same. Have you have your follow-up visit with him yet?

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

Hi Susan-
I was banded in September. My starting weight was around yours when I started the process of looking into WLS. I had a friend tell me to try to eat like I was banded already before surgery and I lost weight. I'm down to 240ish now and I couldn't be happier. It's true the band doesn't help you lose weight as fast as some of the other choices. Bottom line: You need to decide about how you feel about part of your stomach being removed. With me, that was what lead me to the lap band. Sure, there are complications--but that goes for every WLS. If you read some of the forums you will find tons of users who have lost over 100 lb with the band. So, it is very possible. I plan on being one of those!
Check out some of the VLS forums and ask the same question and see what they have to say. It's such a personal decision. I don't think there is any wrong choice as long as you stick to the diet required by each procedure you can be a success.
I'm laughing b/c this topic can cause the "ugly" to come out of people. No worries! They're just passionate about their decisions.

I would get some gas-x and make sure you have a heating pad on hand. This will help with the gas pain that settles in your joints(usually) after your surgery.
food wise- broth, SF Jell-O and pudding. SF popsicles. Make sure you have a yummy Protein shake picked out. You'll need mushies, which you can put just about anything in a blender and make it mushie. Drink lots of Water. I use Crystal Light to flavor my Water, but some bandsters prefer other types of flavoring.
Search the web for bariatric food recipes- there a ton of excellent Protein Shake ideas!
.
Everybody's pain threshold is different. I was in pain for about three days then I was fine. Just remember to walk as much as you have. AND be EXCITED you're starting a journey of commitment and triumphant!

My Doctor uses fluoroscopy every time. I believe that's why it only took me three fills to get me in the 'green'. I, like you, feel fluoro is the best way to go and it's awesome to see the restriction with your own eyes. Thanks for sharing, Catfish!

Unfortunately, I was one of those people who thought I wont get stuck. I know the rules... I was wrong. I got stuck on some homemade chicken and noodles. It was HORRIBLE. Terrible pain in your chest, the sliming, then PB'ing and finally I threw up. I just didn't eat slowly enough and the egg noodles were kinda rubbery. I guess it happens to the best of us. Wont be eating that again anytime soon. when it happens its something you don't want to repeat!

This is one of my favorite topics on here. Fluoroscopy....not because what someone told me, not because what I read, but because it happened to me. (this is from my surgeons notes on me...not sure why I can't make it larger but click on it to see)

Now, you'll hear from folks telling you it's not necessary, too costly, etc....thats their opinion and I respect it. I have mine...for the above reason and others.
Lots of Doctors still don't have the convienent access to a fluoro machine where they do the fills. So, they "blindly" do the fills by their experience ( or lack thereof ) and guess it'll be ok. Then have you drink some water after the fill to see if the water will pass through...."the water method" after the guessing method.
By making adjustments to ones band while watching the restriction level, it provides for a more optimal result. Not saying folks can't get to the proper adjustment without it, but its' much easier to do something correctly when you can see what you're doing.
Here's a link to my surgeons page describing fluoro: http://www.hoab.org/fluoroscopy-st-louis-missouri/
Heres a link to the page showing what MY fluoro adjustment looked like back in July13: http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/168149-heres-what-my-restriction-level-looks-like/
Hope your doctor will at least check your band with fluoro on some interval. Best wishes!

Unfortunately, I was one of those people who thought I wont get stuck. I know the rules... I was wrong. I got stuck on some homemade chicken and noodles. It was HORRIBLE. Terrible pain in your chest, the sliming, then PB'ing and finally I threw up. I just didn't eat slowly enough and the egg noodles were kinda rubbery. I guess it happens to the best of us. Wont be eating that again anytime soon. when it happens its something you don't want to repeat!

Unfortunately, I was one of those people who thought I wont get stuck. I know the rules... I was wrong. I got stuck on some homemade chicken and noodles. It was HORRIBLE. Terrible pain in your chest, the sliming, then PB'ing and finally I threw up. I just didn't eat slowly enough and the egg noodles were kinda rubbery. I guess it happens to the best of us. Wont be eating that again anytime soon. when it happens its something you don't want to repeat!

Same here, definitely get your Protein in! hair is made of Proteins so you want to keep that in and it helps the body heal as well.
I use Nioxin Shampoo and conditioner and take Biotin supplement daily along with my mulit-Vitamin. The shedding has slowed way down. The Nioxin helps new Hair growth and the Biotin helps the hair you have left be a bit stronger and in better condition.
Hydrate and Protein...those are the BIG keys to helping slow down the loss of hair. IMO

that's how it has been for me, for well over 2 years now....the band controls my hunger 24 hrs/day, NOT by making me feel full, or restricting the ability to eat....it's just that the lack to need to...no interest or overwhelming desire....
I believe the mere presence of the band, properly adjusted, tells my brain I'm full, therefore I have no need to eat, even though I have not physically done so, and have no physical feeling of being full.....it took a while to figure out what was going on, but once I did it has been heaven!!
The band is there 24hrs a day, so the signals to my brain are there 24 hrs a day....
I eat because I know I have to, but sometimes I just don't want to continue....

I love your posts, CG! I want to... I can... I will!

Soungs like you're doing the right thing. I had a fill a little over a week ago and I haven't been hungry since. I can drink and eat I just haven't felt the want to. You know your body best and its not good if you're starving and can't keep fluids down. I know it takes some time for the swelling to go down after a fill and I would say to wait it out if you could, but no fluids and you'll get dehydrated and that will cause some serious issues. Let us know how things go!

Soungs like you're doing the right thing. I had a fill a little over a week ago and I haven't been hungry since. I can drink and eat I just haven't felt the want to. You know your body best and its not good if you're starving and can't keep fluids down. I know it takes some time for the swelling to go down after a fill and I would say to wait it out if you could, but no fluids and you'll get dehydrated and that will cause some serious issues. Let us know how things go!

Soungs like you're doing the right thing. I had a fill a little over a week ago and I haven't been hungry since. I can drink and eat I just haven't felt the want to. You know your body best and its not good if you're starving and can't keep fluids down. I know it takes some time for the swelling to go down after a fill and I would say to wait it out if you could, but no fluids and you'll get dehydrated and that will cause some serious issues. Let us know how things go!

Soungs like you're doing the right thing. I had a fill a little over a week ago and I haven't been hungry since. I can drink and eat I just haven't felt the want to. You know your body best and its not good if you're starving and can't keep fluids down. I know it takes some time for the swelling to go down after a fill and I would say to wait it out if you could, but no fluids and you'll get dehydrated and that will cause some serious issues. Let us know how things go!

I love your posts, CG! I want to... I can... I will!

I love your posts, CG! I want to... I can... I will!

I see we are all different. My fills were only covered for 3 months after surgery. I pay a deductible now, $30. I don't know what my insurance is charged.My PA uses fluoro every time and I'm happy to say that on my third fill I've found my "sweet spot". They may have been a bit aggressive with my fills. I have 8.5cc's in my 14cc band. Just wanted to share that sometimes it doesn't take that many fills to get you where you need to be. I know I'll need maintenance as I'm still scheduled to see the Dr. once a month. Happy Holidays everyone!!

I'm not sure what makes this new forum so uncomfortable but I just don't feel the love anymore. There's something detached about this site and I suspect others feel the same way. I seldom see any of the veteran posters posting any longer.
I see fewer topics started and even then the topics have few replies which devalues the site altogether.
What happened to the "Trending Topics" on the right side of the screen. And the blogs? Now I see very old topics with no reply. Why reply to a topic or a question posted 4 months ago?
And it does seem like many of the forum members who relied on an IPhone app or a Samsung app have now wandered away or just can't navigate this site any longer.
Sorry, I'm just venting. I see other WLS forum members crossing over and most are polite but seems like occasionally a new sleever or RNY'r pops in and posts some nonsense about the band. I'm sure it's the same on their forums where a Bandster posts some ill informed advice or information regarding surgery they know little about. This format seems to encourage this where the old format seemed to have a wall that most people respected.
I'm done. Just sad to see an old friend(LBT) retire and be taken over by a new social media brat.
tmf

When I see you guys come together I realize that I can lose 100 lbs. regardless of what BS the Nah-Sayers are spouting. Since the big merger (puke) I've noticed a lot of if you have more than 100 lbs. to lose the band will never get you there. I say BullS**t!
You all should start a club called the BIG LOSERS.
Lately, I've been feeling like the little kid who wants to hang out with the older, wiser kids to be cool. I just like the energy you guys put off and the positive reinforcement you share with each other.