clovergirl

Just having the band won't make you lose any more than weight watchers, Atkins, jenny craig etc. It just won't prevent you from gaining weight and won't enable you to lose weight until it's adjusted properly and you understand how it works and work with it. It comes easy to some but for some of us, it's so much more difficult. Changing a lifetime of bad eating habits won't happen in 30 days and maybe not 12 months. Just keep working on it. Read Jean McMillan's most recent entry, "Think thin".
tmf

I sometimes think it is better not to know! Numbers make everyone compare and no one is the same or feels the same.

The green zone is incredibly subtle and transparent. But it sounds like you're there? I don't know why you're so concerned? Most all of us would like to be where you are. I'm nearly there and was once there. I could use a small fill but I'm not concerned about it. I'm just waiting for the biking season to start. I can eat 3 meals a day and 2 small Snacks and be fine. I sometimes crave something late at night and usually I ignore it but sometimes cave and have an apple or cheese stick.
Jean McMillan said it a few weeks ago: "NO WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY OF ANY DESCRIPTION WILL KILL THE EATING DEMONS IN YOUR HEAD" No truer words were ever said.
There may be a bandster out there who can eat 3 times a day and never experiences head hunger/cravings but I know of not one.
tmf

I think every office is a little different but I actually went to 2 before I chose one. The first one was like a seminar where they just give a bunch of information and then want you to schedule a visit with the surgeon but the second one was more one on one and in depth. It started out by filling out a bunch of paperwork while a video about the lapband was going on in the background, then I met with a woman who actually had the lapband (and looked wonderful) who gave me her story and allowed me to ask questions. They called her a patient advocate. Then she went over what my insurance would possibly cover and what I had to do to try and get approved for the coverage. Every insurance has their own guidelines but mine was a 6 month process. I had to go for monthly visits and show some weight loss or at least maintenance. I also had to meet with a nutritionist a few times, a psychologist and a cardiologist (only because I had an abnormal EKG at their office). It was a long process but they helped me every step of the way and I appreciated it only because it prepared me for the surgery more. I knew exactly what to expect when the time came. I'm only a few days post-op (banded 4/12) and adjusting to the feeling but I feel like I know a lot more than I would have if I just went in and then scheduled at the same time. I even worked on eating as if I had the band BEFORE I even knew if I would be approved and that helped me to lose some weight while training my brain. Hope that helps, sorry it's so long I tend to be a bit detailed. Remember if you don't like the place, find another one because they will be the ones to help through it all. Good Luck!

Oh i thank you a lot for the details and CONGRATZ on your band:))) Im so excited and dreading the process at the same time lol i been on so.many diets its insane its very stressful but thank you again i def have a better insight!!

I think every office is a little different but I actually went to 2 before I chose one. The first one was like a seminar where they just give a bunch of information and then want you to schedule a visit with the surgeon but the second one was more one on one and in depth. It started out by filling out a bunch of paperwork while a video about the lapband was going on in the background, then I met with a woman who actually had the lapband (and looked wonderful) who gave me her story and allowed me to ask questions. They called her a patient advocate. Then she went over what my insurance would possibly cover and what I had to do to try and get approved for the coverage. Every insurance has their own guidelines but mine was a 6 month process. I had to go for monthly visits and show some weight loss or at least maintenance. I also had to meet with a nutritionist a few times, a psychologist and a cardiologist (only because I had an abnormal EKG at their office). It was a long process but they helped me every step of the way and I appreciated it only because it prepared me for the surgery more. I knew exactly what to expect when the time came. I'm only a few days post-op (banded 4/12) and adjusting to the feeling but I feel like I know a lot more than I would have if I just went in and then scheduled at the same time. I even worked on eating as if I had the band BEFORE I even knew if I would be approved and that helped me to lose some weight while training my brain. Hope that helps, sorry it's so long I tend to be a bit detailed. Remember if you don't like the place, find another one because they will be the ones to help through it all. Good Luck!

I've really enjoyed reading all your replies, thank you so much for reminding me this will not last. I feel much better today then I have since surgery so I'm going to try and drink a little more today. Looking forward to Friday and trying the mushy foods, but hopefully like Bandedlexi said I won't let the fear get to me. I know in time it will be like second nature, I just need to get used to it. And carolinagirl, SF popsicles are the best right now, thanks!

I've really enjoyed reading all your replies, thank you so much for reminding me this will not last. I feel much better today then I have since surgery so I'm going to try and drink a little more today. Looking forward to Friday and trying the mushy foods, but hopefully like Bandedlexi said I won't let the fear get to me. I know in time it will be like second nature, I just need to get used to it. And carolinagirl, SF popsicles are the best right now, thanks!

Hello, I was banded on April 12 and am still on liquids (although thicker now) until Friday. I'm having a hard time stomaching them, I don't know if its me feeling full or just getting disgusted with the choices I have (soup Soup and more soup or yogurt) that I have no interest in them at all. I'm also having a hard time not drinking cold liquid and my surgeon wasn't too detailed about how long that had to go on for. Before surgery I was constantly drinking something, mostly Water or tea, cold and through a straw. Now I can't do either of those and so I hardly drink anything at all which I know isn't a great idea. Just wanting to vent and see if anyone else has had this issue. I know this will pass...I keep telling myself that everyday!

Hello, I was banded on April 12 and am still on liquids (although thicker now) until Friday. I'm having a hard time stomaching them, I don't know if its me feeling full or just getting disgusted with the choices I have (soup Soup and more soup or yogurt) that I have no interest in them at all. I'm also having a hard time not drinking cold liquid and my surgeon wasn't too detailed about how long that had to go on for. Before surgery I was constantly drinking something, mostly Water or tea, cold and through a straw. Now I can't do either of those and so I hardly drink anything at all which I know isn't a great idea. Just wanting to vent and see if anyone else has had this issue. I know this will pass...I keep telling myself that everyday!