Cocoabean

Glad you are feeling better, Carrie! Being too tight is no fun at all. Of course my surgeon said that he prefers his patients to have looser bands and exercise more self-control. To which my husband replied that if I had self-control, I wouldn't need the band! He is right, but that was putting rather bluntly. Denise

I'm with kgloverii. My surgeon has no 'rules' for eating. I am not supposed to do Protein shakes (except after a fill) unless to not do so would mean skipping a meal of regular foods. He wants me eating a wide variety of foods and to learn how to eat and what works for me. There seem to be as many post-op eating plans out there as there are doctors. I chose to get banded because it doesn't carry the restrictions that bypass does. I wanted the freedom to eat foods I love, just less of them. So far...so good, for me. Denise

I had an experience like Barbiek. It was 2 weeks of misery before I went back in. Getting stuck on mashed potatoes was the final straw for me. Like Barbiek, I think I need a tad more restriction and will likely ask for another much smaller fill. But for now, it is nice to eat with confidence that I most likely won't slime and will be able to keep the food down. I got to the point where drinking plain Water was painful. Don't let it go that far. I've decided I'd rather be a little too loose than a little too tight!! Hope you feel better soon, Denise

My surgeon won't fill before 6 weeks out. He said I needed time to heal from the surgery. This time is known as Bandster Hell, and not without reason. You have a powerful tool just sitting there and you really want to use it! But you need to be fully healed after the surgery before getting a fill. Denise

I would consider postponing until after Thanksgiving. Especially as you don't want everyone to know of your surgery. I was to have my first fill 2 weeks before a cruise. I postponed until after. I was afraid of having problems while being so far from home. After my first fill I did not feel much restriction and would likely have been OK, but I didn't want to risk it. Just my thoughts! Denise

I did Medifast pre-op. My PCP suggested I try it for a permanent plan, so I did. UGH. I lasted about a week on that attempt. So I had plenty left when it came time for pre-op diet. I managed to gag it down and make it through the two weeks, but it was not a fun time for me, that is for sure. I'd just hold my breath and chug the shakes. I made it through and my surgeon said my liver was nice and small. So it IS worth it. You can DO it!!! Best wishes, Denise

That is around where I was for the pre-op phase. Now almost 9 months out, I come in around 1000-1200 calories per day. Except when I was too tight for a couple of weeks. Then I had a hard time getting anything down. Best wishes, Denise

I had to do a medical fast--my surgeon sells Optifast, but I had Medifast meals on hand from a previous diet attempt. So I did that for two weeks pre-op. I lost 8 lbs and my doc said my liver was nice and small for surgery. It seems all docs have different requirements and it may vary by patient. This was my experience. Post-op was Clear liquids for 3 days then fulll liquids for another week. After that I was able to progress to regular foods. Denise

You should check with your insurance company to be certain, but most of what I have seen is a BMI of 40 or higher is a stand-alone condition for surgery. Best wishes, Denise

In my pre-surgery seminar it was stated that sodas affect Calcium absorption or leach calcium from your system. So, I quit them due to that. I have tried carbonated drinks since being banded, but I cannot tolerate them, the bubbles are just too hard to consume and I usually end up with the hiccups--including beer But, since I don't enjoy drinking them, I don't really miss them. As for coffee, I drink one travel mug every day and an occassional latte without any negative effects. Just my 2 cents worth. Denise

Hi everyone, I had a band adjustment two weeks ago and I became too tight (I got stuck on mashed potatoes!). When the doc removed some Fluid, he said there was an air bubble in the band. I am wondering what the significance of this is, if any. Does it make the band tighter than you would expect at a certain fill level? I had 1 ml added, he took .5ml plus the air bubble out, so I should be tighter than I was before the 1ml addition, yes? Thanks! Denise

Hi Shamrockgirl. How does blood get in? From the needle going into the port? My doc says that proper portions are those that satisfy me and I still lose weight. That is what he bases the need for fills on. I am not sure how much I am eating measuring cup wise, but last night I had about 1.5-2 oz of steak, some mushrooms and about an ounce of potato. I am much hungrier now than I was during my tight two weeks, but cannot determine if I am eating more than before the fill that put me over the top. I don't think I am, but need more time to tell as sometimes my band feels looser than at others. Denise

Hi Jacqui, thank you for your response. I appreciate that someone at goal hangs around to help us less veteran bandsters get through it all. I seem to be as loose as I was before the 1 ml was added. As you say, I need to wait and see where I settle in. But I am happy to be able to drink liquids without pain! I plan to wait a few weeks before scheduling another fill (which takes about three weeks to get in) to see how it turns out after any swelling has gone down. I'll take a slower weight loss in exchange for not hurting like I was! I am about 20 lbs from my goal, and I lost 7 lbs in the two weeks I was too tight...that just seems much too fast for my weight. The medical assistant said, "Holy Cow!" when she saw my loss when checking me in :rolleyes2: I have put back on 1.5 lbs since my unfill, but I figure that was Water weight as I was not able to get much water down during that time and was experiencing symptoms of dehydration. Denise

Hi bcarlton, I cannot eat bananas, and I love them. I found it out the hard way, too. I do liquids for 24 hours after a fill then softer foods for another day or two. Getting stuck is no fun at all, that is for sure. Hope you are feeling better now! Denise

Welcome to the world of slime :rolleyes2: Once the food passes or comes up, you should feel much better. In the mean time, walking helps the pain. Many say that sipping pineapple juice helps to break the food down to help it go through. After a bad sticking episode, I take it easy for a day or two and go with Protein shakes and liquids. If it continues, call your doctor. I had a fill two weeks ago and have gotten food stuck three times. I just had half of that fill removed. I feel much better now. Take care, Denise

How exciting for you! I couldn't believe it when I went from obese to overweight! Now I have 20 to go to reach normal land, I look forward to my celebration. Denise

Hi phenry, I referred to the book Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies quite a bit when researching my decision for surgery. The author provided a sample of an appeals letter, that is what I used to base my letter on. I also included in my appeal information included in the National Institutes of Health Consensus of 1991, it contains a lot of information. It also does not include a recommendation of a 6 month supervised program, so your WW stuff should suffice, IMHO: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Consensus Development Program: Gastrointestinal Surgery for Severe Obesity Here is what is says for BMI 35-40: In certain instances less severely obese patients (with BMI's between 35 and 40) also may be considered for surgery. Included in this category are patients with high-risk comorbid conditions such as life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, and obesity-related cardiomyopathy) or severe diabetes mellitus. Other possible indications for patients with BMI's between 35 and 40 include obesity-induced physical problems interfering with lifestyle (e.g., joint disease treatable but for the obesity, or body size problems precluding or severely interfering with employment, family function, and ambulation). Best wishes to you! Denise

I felt nothing on my first fill, second fill got me some restriction and my third fill last week got me a LOT of restirction. I am very happy with my surgeon in San Diego, see below:

Hi Phenry, I have BCBS California Care. I had a BMI of 38 when I started researching Lapband. I was denied a consult but appealed it and won. One of the things they stated in my denial letter was a lack of a 6 month supervised diet. I gave them my Weight Watchers records and other diet diaries I have and won the appeal. I was then approved for surgery without further denials. My co-morbidities were metabolic syndrome and joint pain in my legs. Metabolic syndrome includes: Abdominal obesity: a waist circumference over 102 cm (40 in) in men and over 88 cm (35 inches) in women. Serum triglycerides 150 mg/dl or above. HDL cholesterol 40mg/dl or lower in men and 50mg/dl or lower in women. Blood pressure of 130/85 or more. Fasting blood glucose of 110 mg/dl or above. (Some groups say 100mg/dl) The World Health Organization (WHO) has slightly different criteria for the metabolic syndrome: High insulin levels, an elevated fasting blood glucose or an elevated post meal glucose alone with at least 2 of the following criteria: Abdominal obesity as defined by a waist to hip ratio of greater than 0.9, a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m2 or a waist measurement over 37 inches. Cholesterol panel showing a triglyceride level of at least 150 mg/dl or an HDL cholesterol lower than 35 mg/dl. Blood pressure of 140/90 or above (or on treatment for high blood pressure). Best wishes!! Denise

I was naked and thought I was going to have a catheter. Fortunately, my doc had recently stopped doing catheters for lap banding and about the last thing I remember before being knocked out was the nurse asking if he wanted her to insert one and him responding in the negative...BIG smile as I drifted off to sleep!! Denise

I didn't feel anything after my first fill, had some restriction after second. Had my third on Thursday, got food stuck last night. Taking it VERY easy today. Hoping I am not too tight and just didn't chew enough. Restriction will come, just give it another fill or two. Denise

OK, this just hit me, 8 months to the day after banding! I am clueless how maintenance with the band works. I am familiar with the Weight Watchers maintenance plan of eating more when you lose and less when you gain. But so far with the band, I am eating at my appetite and losing slowly, but losing. I am now 2/3rds of the way there. So, those of you at or near goal, how does it happen? I know my doctor doesn't like to do fills often, "chasing the dream" as it were. But do you get a bit unfilled if your weight goes too low or is too low unlikely with proper restriction? I have 2cc in a 4cc band. I am seeing my surgeon next week for a possible fill and will ask him then, but I am curious and, I realize, uninformed. Thanks! Denise

Thank you both for your replies. I am thinking it will all become clear when I get there, which I am very much looking foward to!

My pattern seems to be drop 3, stay still for a few weeks, drop 3 more, gain one, stay still for a few weeks. I keep a journal of my weight and measurements. It really helps to see inches go down when my weight has stalled. I don't like it, but I am trying to accept it and see the overall trend. It is going DOWN! YAY! Denise

Just remember, if we could diet successfully, we'd not need this powerful tool we have. I struggled with my eating before my first and second fills. After my second, I have restriction. Without any fill, it is like you don't have the band. They don't call that time between surgery and restriction "Bandster Hell" for nothing!! I have noticed that for me, weight-loss comes in bits and pieces. I lose a few pounds, then stall for a few weeks, maybe gain one back, then lose a few more...and on and on, but the overall trend is down, that is what counts! Denise