make33

Betsy's right--check with your insurance company to see what their requirements are too. Even though I'd been trying to lose for YEARS, they had me go to a nutritionist once a month for six months, who weighed me and all it proved was that I couldn't lose it on my own. (AND it's actually only five months, because it was "six visits"). Initially that six months seemed like an eternity to me--but the time went quickly and I utilized the time to study on the Internet and here in this forum to learn exactly what my new life would be like. And this is a permanent change to your life, so it requires a lot of thought too--so I would go with the doctor that you absolutely trust with your life and begin the process. I'm sure you will lose the 50 pounds before surgery is scheduled. I know that right now that seems like an impossible task, but once that ball starts rolling, it's unbelievable how quickly your body will change. Congratulations on your decision for a new life! :confused:

It is all SO worth it! The stomach hunger will subside but I think we all deal with HEAD hunger! Hey, it's been 2 years and four months for me and I deal with being a chocoholic every day of my life!! :thumbdown: Sounds like you've got a good handle on it now and just think, by this time next week you'll be starting into your new life--that's the real prize! Congrats on your decision...:thumbdown:

It took me about 4 months of trying all kinds and flavors of Protein shakes before I found the ONE I LOVE, so be patient.:thumbdown: I DID find that all the canned shakes had a tinny taste to me, so I opted for whey protein isolate powder that mixes easily with Water / milk (which helps when there's no blender around). The isolate is a little more expensive than the whey protein concentrate (which has lactose & requires blending) but the isolate is worth the little extra price. For the person who asked about the band itself: you yourself will be able to feel your port under your chest area (just like a small hard ball) but you'll never see or feel the Band itself and no-one else can either. The small laproscopic incisions almost go away after a few years too--so even the scars don't give away your Band. Good luck all...:thumbdown:

Wow, what a runaround you got and all this time you were in dire need of someone to help!! OMG-- Well, tomorrow's your appointment and hopefully this new (more professional) surgeon will thoroughly take care of you and discuss what options you have at this point. I wish you the very best of luck. From what my original surgeon told me, if the Band didn't work out, the sleeve was something we could go with--so it might be a consideration for the future. Please post after your appointment tomorrow and let us know how it works out for you...

Corliss and Cleo's Mom: Both of you should read the thread by tgka23 who just had her band removed on 1/19/10 called "Band Removed 1/19/10". She said the left shoulder pain is now completely gone. I've read a lot of threads about persons with that pain but I've never had it myself. (I've just got a band that's leaking). Good luck to both of you...

Wow--sounds like you have a great success story there! Thanks so much for giving me some courage--my band is leaking and will have to be replaced (I go for another fluoro February 25th) so I'm nervous as all get out! 10 pounds in a week--whahoo for you! You really are a great example--thanks again for posting!

Thanks so much for posting--you both seem as love with the Band as I am--and I guess I never thought it could go wrong! My Band is leaking and so I'm looking at either having the tubing or the entire Band replaced. I go back 2/25/10 under fluoro again to see where the leak is. So reading posts like yours where you've had to have some type of re-surgery done makes me less nervous--especially when you were out of there in less than 3 hours. I really appreciate your posting!

bandfan1: I'm in the same boat as you! 2 1/2 years out and suddenly I realized I lost all restriction in January. Under fluoro my surgeon kept putting in 3 1/2 cc and only getting back 3 1/2cc--so there was nothing in my Band (should have had 4 cc in it already). He gave me 4 1/2 cc that day but the restriction only lasted maybe 4 days, if that. He says they can replace the tubing or the entire Band if needed--and I totally emphathise with the weight gain--7 pounds and counting. :thumbup: I'm going to call my insurance company today to find out whether a "fix" is covered--because so many of you brought up good issues. So where are you with this mess now? Please say you were able to get it fixed or replaced with no issues...

youknowit: I'm in the same boat as you! 2 1/2 years out and suddenly I realized I lost all restriction in January. Under fluoro my surgeon kept putting in 3 1/2 cc and only getting back 3 1/2cc--so there was nothing in my Band (should have had 4 cc in it already). He gave me 4 1/2 cc that day but the restriction only lasted maybe 4 days, if that. He says they can replace the tubing or the entire Band if needed--and I totally emphathise with the weight gain--7 pounds and counting. :thumbup: I'm going to call my insurance company today to find out whether a "fix" is covered--because so many of you brought up good issues. So where are you with this mess now? Please say you were able to get it fixed or replaced with no issues...

Wow, you sure answered a lot of my questions! When I was banded 10/07, the surgeon suggested gastric saying that if the band didn't work out, all he would be able to do is the sleeve--and I've never read of anyone who had that done yet--so congrats to you and your success so far with the sleeve! Just found out I have a leak in my band, so I'm looking at either having the tubing replaced or the band itself--but at least now I know that my final alternative is such a great one--thanks again for posting!

So, Allie, how did the surgery go and how are you now?? I found out yesterday that I have a leak and I'm a little freaky (on the inside) so please tell me that you are okay now. How long did you have to be off work with the second surgery?? My very best wishes to you...

I'm so sorry for you! I just learned yesterday that I, too, have a leakage--I wonder how common it is?? My surgeon kept putting 3.5cc in yesterday and that's all he could pull out (when I was supposed to have 4 cc in already)--so he finally put 4.5cc in and I have an appointment for February 25th for another fluoro. Please please let us know what happens--I was told that, depending on where the leak is, they CAN replace the tubing--and if not, they will have to replace the band. (I'm like you--what kind of scar-tissue buildup do we have around it by now?!!)

I've been banded for 2 1/2 years and I've encountered an issue in the last two weeks: So for the two years, I always "got stuck" 4 - 5 times a week and I blamed it on myself--eating too much, not paying attention, eating too fast. Right after New Years, it got worse and for two days I couldn't take anything in without getting stuck except yogurt, cottage cheese, and liquids. Last week I suddenly realized I hadn't gotten 'sick' in over two weeks--AND I can eat more without being satiated and nothing seems to get stuck--not to mention the fact that I gained 5 pounds since before Christmas! (And I had only gained back 2 pounds from my lowest weight). I made an appointment for a fill for this Thursday, January 28th, but thought I'd check with you guys to see if anything like this ever happened to anyone. Is it possible my Band was twisted and has straightened out? (Hopefully) I have to tell you that I've only got 4 cc in my 14 cc band. What do you think??

So, I went to the surgeon yesterday and here's what MY problem was: I've got a LEAK in my Band!! Yep, under fluoro he tried 10-15 times to unfill me and kept saying "I keep adding 3.5 cc and all I get back out is 3.5cc!" So I finally said to him, "Is it ever possible for the tubing to leak? :crying:" To which he replied "YES!" Bottom line, he put 4.5 cc in and I have another appointment in 4 weeks to see if I still have 4.5 cc or nothing left! Apparently, the tubing can be replaced--or, he said, depending on just WHERE it's leaking, they may have to replace the entire band. But you were right, Heather, absolutely no slippage whatsoever! Now I'm off to find threads on band leakage! :bored:

Thanks so much for the info--in reading all the threads, a commonality in slippage DOES seem to be pain and the inability to take in anything--I'm a little more calm now. Will see the surgeon tomorrow and will hopefully get fluoro and a fill. Again, thanks for the response...

It’s been almost one year since my banding; and when first contacted to write about my personal Lap Band experience, I really did some soul searching, looking at what my life was like for all those years versus my life today. You see, when I first heard about the Lap Band, I thought it was too good to be true: a non-invasive surgery that would be life-changing and bring me my dreams? Bring it on! :cursing: My decision seemed like a no-brainer! But during my six-month required wait prior to surgery, I studied, studied, studied about what my new life would be like, the good and the bad. So I was well-informed and knew the sacrifices I’d be making. I honestly thought it wouldn’t work for me—nothing I had EVER done in my life to lose weight had worked, and we all know the torture we put ourselves through, only to fail time and time again. I thought “I’ll be the only one who actually gained weight with the Lap Band”! Time has proven me totally wrong in that respect! Mentality? Here are the two mentalities I tell everyone that are absolutely required for banding: Discipline and Commitment. I knew it coming into surgery and how well I know it now! food? We obese persons (yes, I will always be mentally ‘obese’) develop a special relationship with food; and once we are banded, that relationship changes drastically. There are many foods we will never be able to eat again because of the stoma. I wasn’t much of a “protein” eater before—more of a “low-to-no fat eater”—but man, has that changed! :embaressed_smile: Exercise? I’ve exercised for twenty-five years, so that hasn’t changed much (went from three days a week to four, and added weight training for two of those days). Co-morbidities? Although I was solid fat, I hadn’t developed any of the physical co-morbidities. But mentally, I felt like I was a cast-out from what our society looks upon as an acceptable size; and I still feel there is a real societal stigma associated with obesity. :tt2: Life in general? Life will always be about YOU once you’re banded: making sure you get enough daily nutrients and Fiber to protect your body, not eating the wrong type of foods, not eating too quickly. Bottom line? I absolutely LOVE it when people come up to me and comment on how ‘thin’ I am now—I actually had an old friend say she’d seen me in a crowd and didn’t recognize me until I spoke! That’s the best part, along with wearing clothes that look good. I felt okay-to-good before, but I feel (mentally and physically) terrific now! Do it again? Yes, I really think so. :cool2:

I absolutely loved the complete honesty you've displayed! I think that many of us obese are looking for a quick, easy way to the promised land and don't research enough about our futures. It IS serious business, and although the results are extremely gratifying, they are not easily come by. And I am so glad you pointed that out!!

I'm coming up on a year with my Band and I feel terrific, having lost 60+ pounds. I'm at the perfect tightness and I quite think I'm going to maintain around this weight. My problem? I'm having trouble coming up with anything different to eat day-to-day! I have 2 Protein shakes, one for Breakfast and one mid-afternoon to make sure I'm getting my protein numbers. I DO generally have yogurt or a cheese stick mid-morning. Then I have a mini-meal at lunch (1/4 cup leftovers, i.e. baked Beans, spaghetti, sloppy joe) and about 15 wheat thins (or other crackers). My real problem is with dinner: I find I have such trouble with EVERY type of meat except ground meat--cannot do chicken, beef, or pork--and I am even at the point that I can't do refried beans. Of course, no breads, but I can easily do meatloaf, hamburger, sloppy joe, spaghetti, chili. But then I find myself eating potato chips and dip as a side dish! (They go down so easily!) My dear husband, who really really roots for me, even mentioned tonight how many times he's noticed that I'm eating chips and dip for dinner--and that can't be right--it's easy, but I KNOW I've got to get away from it! I have trouble with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese--should I just steam the heck out of vegetables? I'm still losing--but I KNOW I've got to go for nutrition. What do you long-time banders have daily?? :tt2:

(Yesterday) B - Belgian Chocolate Protein Shake (Powder mixed with fat-free Lactaid) S - 1/2 FF Yogurt L - Other 1/2 yogurt, 15 wheat thins S - Belgian Chocolate Protein Shake (Powder mixed with water) D - 1/8 c spaghetti, potato chips and sour cream dip :tongue2: (spaghetti had issues, but the chips and dip didn't!)

Thanks, Bloo--that is a GREAT thread!! I'm going backwards (on page 96 now) and getting some good ideas to change my routine up! Somehow I missed that thread....:tongue2:

Yes, like many others, when I order what I want, I immediately tell them I want to "To Go" box. Then when I get home, I bought a ton of the "Little Wonders" bowls from tupperware (holds 6 ounces each) and separate the leftovers into them, put them in the freezer, and voila' ---LUNCH AND SUPPER FOR DAYS! My surgeon had advised ordering an appetizer or a side dish but I find them too greasy or boring...:tt2:

Although my self-image is still of my 'before' picture, I would say that the truth is told in the 'after' picture (and still losing, albeit slowly!). My Band is at a perfect spot and I am just so glad I made this life-altering decision!

When I first began pondering just what to write my first article about, my natural instincts wanted me to write about my journey through Lap Band Land this past year. But then an occurrence this past weekend made me decide to change my subject: My husband and I were up at our cabin working, when our neighbor’s husband suddenly called me over. Now they’ve been our neighbors for the 1½ years they have owned their cabin, and we’ve had a “passing casual acquaintance” during that time. When I went over, he blurted out, somewhat embarrassed, “Don’t take this wrong, but you’re pretty cute. I never noticed before and I hope you’re not offended by me saying this”. :smile2: My emotions immediately became mixed: yes, it was a compliment—but there was a much more profound significance to this. You see, I had seen this man numerous times, but during that time, to him I had been INVISIBLE. This had been the case when I was out in society, too: heads turn away at the sight of the “morbidly obese”—whether not wanting to stare or because of the repulsion caused by a huge mound of flesh meandering about. Likewise, our Intelligence Quotient is generally considered lower than normal, because if it were truly higher, why would we “choose” to be fat—as though it IS a choice we have made at some point in our lives. Only through close personal contact, i.e. work, church, group meetings, are our real personalities discovered. Throughout the six months of testing prior to surgery, my statement to healthcare professionals that “I work out four days a week” was met with stares of incredulity. Surely I could NOT work out and still have a body mass like that—I must be embellishing the truth: perhaps I was just saying this to gain their respect. It has become so easy for society to pass judgment—polls are taken to see whether the morbidly obese person should have to purchase TWO seats on a plane, whether a child will name an obese child as their best friend, what is thought to be the cause for this obesity virus running rampant. Inequality is no longer permitted with regards to race, age, religion—but we still permit it with regards to body mass. Unbelievable…:rolleyes2: So now here I am wandering into the Land of the Truly Living through the installation of this fantastic tool. I must say the sun shines brighter here and the laughter flows ever so freely. Has the road been easy? Not at all--it has truly been hard work—not the veritable snap of the fingers and “poof!” that I had wished for so many times in the past. But my new healthy life has really begun. I am now confident, I am now brave, I can now say what I think to strangers and have my opinion valued, I am seeing all those around me and being seen by them—and perhaps best of all, I am now “CUTE”. :eek:

Yes, even now I have to supplement my food intake with two Protein shakes a day to get in my 80 grams of protein. I use the IDS Multi Pro whey protein isolate in belgian chocolate flavor (whey protein concentrate has lactose and doesn't blend well at all!) powder and one scoop in Water gives me 26 grams of protein, about 4 grams of carbs and really helps fulfill my daily Vitamin requirements too. I am now at that perfect spot (have been since my last fill) and my food intake is almost nil--so we have to take care of our bodies for the rest of our lives--protein supplements just come with the territory, m'dear! :biggrin:

Isn't it fun to play "What If???!! I've had a curly perm every three months like clockwork since the 80's and when I had the surgery, I said "No More!" and now I'm poker straight--but I DID learn what a flat Iron is real quick! Then, suddenly last week (I've been using blond hair coloring for years) I decided to go RED! And I did! BUT, it was so flaming orangy-red that I called my beautician immediately and put an ash brown on top of it--so now I have my God-given hair color back, reddish brown. (Blond in the morning, Redhead in the afternoon, and Brunette at night--am I an idiot???!!) And I'm debating where to go from here! :biggrin: Had lasik, have fake fingernails, and would like to have my boobs pulled up into an area that gravity would have a hard time finding! But first, teeth whitening!!!!!!!!!!!:thumbup: