Rainydayz

Good advice! I think that a scale will be a must have for me! I am terrible at guessing weights.

How much is 3 oz. of chicken? I've always heard it's about the size of a deck of cards. Does it really take up 1 1/4 cups? I'm sure my proportion perception is way off though, so you're probably right. But 1 1/4 cup of chicken has got to me more than 3 oz. right?

I'm loving all the responses here. Even the ones it didn't work for. My goal is to go into this eyes wide open. FWIW Jachut my dr. never said I would feel full on 1/2 cup of food, that was my thought after seeing the size of the pouch. I haven't had any appts. yet so I'm still in the information gathering phase. I appreciate your knowledge and the fact that your doctor is probably the best in the world at this, and it helps to hear about how you're using your tool. I'm hoping to avoid the disappointment that may come from having too high expectations and too little information. That's why I'm trying to get a lot of responses.

But it's a good source of fiber right? I'm sure there are better sources but when I lost 50 lbs. before I ate popcorn every day and I was very regular if you know what I mean. It was very filling for me as well. I hope I'm still able to eat it afterward. Popcorn and a slimfast was my favorite lunch.

OK, how much does it take to feel full? I ask because at the seminar they showed the model of the stomach before and after. And the pouch size sure looked like 1/2 cup would fill it up. They said the feeling of fullness comes from stretching the top of the stomach where the pouch is. Buy you're saying that you still don't feel full, but you're not hungry? So by full I'm guessing you mean that overstuffed feeling like we get after Thanksgiving when we can't even stuff one more pieces of pie in, right? I guess I'm one of those people who would wonder why 1/2 cup of something wouldn't fill me up after seeing the size of that pouch. I'm just looking for education. Thanks!

I quit smoking 5 years ago. I was going to take Chantix but my ins. didn't pay for it and I couldn't afford it. so my dr. gave me a rx for a mild sedative, like valium but a lot weaker. I don't remember the name. Anyway when the craving got really bad I took one and it helped take the edge off. I was in hell for about 3 days (and so was everyone around me!) then it started getting easier. Haven't smoked since. Glad to hear the Chantix works!

Wow that just sounds scary. I'm going to make sure and ask if my surgeon does that skin fold thing and if he does, I'm running!

Thank you. I tend to agree about the overuse of the term. At least when no clarification is forthcoming. It's usually used by people telling you what the band will NOT do. I'm glad to be getting a lot of answers about what the band DOES do. Thanks!

Wow, 4" heels! I don't think I could handle that even when I was small! I know when people start noticing it makes all the difference doesn't it? That's great!

OK, now that's a metaphor this southern redneck girl can understand!

I see. If you can't eat meat and veggies that would seem to defeat the purpose in my mind. I can see why having it too tight would be a bad thing. Now if they could just invent the band that keeps out chocolate and ice cream I would be all set.

When you say "harder to eat" does that mean it hurts when they eat it or what? If so I would think the band is too tight. Is that right?

How long do you have to be on the all-liquid diet? I thought it was just a couple of weeks.

Really? No one has information about long-term efficacy of this?

Yeah, I would like to know why they said they denied it 2 times then approved it the 3rd. I have Aetna and I think I would just freak out if they did that.

How did you know the band was blown? Your surgeon wouldn't even check it or fix it for you? He sounds like a real jerk. At least there is a clause in my insurance that states that if anything goes wrong with the surgery or something later that requires replacing or more surgery to fix they will cover it. My surgeon asks that you attend his support group twice a year for 5 years after the surgery. So I really feel like he will take care of and keep up with me.I hope you're able to find someone to fix it for you. Good luck!

It seems a lot of people here are recent or fairly recent bandees. And the ones that come back after years are probably the ones that are having problems and need new support. But I want to read about any studies or research that has been done on the long-term results of lap band. I would like to see statistics for people that have had it for 5 to 20 years. Does anyone know where I can find that data? Thanks!

Hi. I have not been banded yet but at the seminar I went to they showed a slideshow of people that had been banded by that surgeon and told a little about each one's experience. There was one woman who had been banded for quite a while they said never vomited. She has done very well and lost a lot of weight - I can't remember how much. But they said it was because she was very careful, like you, and chewed everything very well. So I think it's great that you haven't vomited and I hope I can be the same way. I HATE vomiting! The yellow pee might mean you're a little dehydrated or if you're taking Vitamins that can turn your pee darker and more yellow too. Please tell your dr. just in case, but I wouldn't be too worried. You probably just need to drink more between meals since you're not drinking with meals anymore. I know most of my liquids come from drinking with meals so I will have to be very diligent about getting liquids after the band. Sounds like you're doing great!

Thank you! That makes so much sense to me. Wow you've done great.

OK that helps some. I know WW claims to give you the tools to succeed and diet pills are a tool and all the other diets advertised claim to be the right tool too.I'm just really trying to decide if this tool is worth the $2K and the pain and risk of surgery. I leaning toward yes, but I want to have as much info as I can get going in. So here's another question: Why did you choose this tool over others?

I've read this dozens of times here and other places: "It's not magic, it's a tool." But I haven't seen anyone yet really spell that out. I mean what does this tool do for you? I know how it's supposed to work - I've read all the packet they gave at the seminar and watched the movie. But I guess what I'm looking for is specifics about what people feel this tool does for them - e.g. Does it make you feel full faster so you stop eating sooner than you normally would? Does it hurt when you eat "bad" things? Does it keep you feeling full longer so you won't snack between meals? How do you use your tool?

There is something in the insurance that says you have to have tried other weight loss methods that failed before. Do you have to prove that you've done Weight Watchers or whatever or can you just say it? I'm just wondering if I should go try to dig up my old WW journal or some receipts from buying Slim Fast or whatever.

This is good info and makes sense. But do the fills every completely end? I mean once I hit my goal weight and the fat pad doesn't change anymore do I still have to get it filled even if .2ccs is all it takes? Won't it eventually get to capacity and can't be filled anymore? How many years of fills am I looking at here?

OK, I saw that news story too and read a few different accounts of it. From what I can gather the women that died were all done by one of 2 clinics in California that are operated by brothers and at least one of them has had several legal actions against him already. I may not be accurate on all the facts but it really sounds to me like these clinics were more interested in the money rather than taking care of their patients. The last one died in 2010 and it was found she had lacerations on her liver from the surgery, yet the clinic sent her home with pain killers and didn't tell her about them. Now they're blaming her death on heart failure. So..... you just have to do your homework. Like any surgical procedure. Assure your family that you have researched your surgeon and the facility. Tell them that they are welcome to research them too and if they find anything bad about them to let you know. Also tell them that many, many more people die every year from obesity-related causes than have died from having the lapband. I don't know what the statistics are but surely strokes and heart attacks kill a heck of a lot more people than surgery. Honestly I think there may be jealousy involved. What business is it of your SIL's what you do with your body? When she says your family needs you just say that's exactly why you're doing this and you're a big girl and can make your own decisions. Hang in there!

Oh that's good to know. Not that I think I'm in danger of going below 40 bmi, I would have to lose about 35 lbs, but you never know.