2muchfun

When I first started the process in October of 2010 BCBS required 6 months of doctor/nutritionist oversight. By the time I made it through this process my BCBS dropped that requirement. But, each plan could be different. The only way to know is to login to your online BCBS account and see what your benefits are and what they require of you? It was all there in writing when I started this. tmf

I rarely get real hungry. As long as your band is adjusted properly and you understand your band you shouldn't be hungry. I think I shared the same fear you have before surgery. It's just that now that I'm banded, I just don't care and I don't fear being hungry. I found this quote and don't recall who said it, but it seems to fit. "In my case, the most fearful thing I had to do in order to succeed with my band wasn't switching to skim milk, surviving a liquid diet, or giving up bread. The most fearful thing was giving up my emotional attachment to food. In the nearly 5 years since I was banded, I've made a lot of progress with that, but the attachment is still there. It forms one of the innermost layers of my turtle shell. Working on that layer will probably be a lifetime job for me. At times I'm not even sure I truly want to get rid of it altogether. At times I'm afraid that if I shed my shell completely, I won't be able to survive. On the other hand, I seem to be doing fine without that thick old b***h layer. So I'm going to pay attention to my dreams rather than my fears and pray for a miracle. And why not? It can't hurt to try!"

You and I can agree on one thing? WTF was uncalled for. No excuses. But the band is useless? I would hope you meant that it was useless for you? The evidence otherwise is overwhelming. And I believe most all of us were made aware that other WLS techniques provided quicker and more lasting weight loss. But I know I made an informed decision to go with the lap band as did most other bandsters. Sounds like you either made an uninformed decision or was it just bad luck? No, it doesn't always work, and for many of those that it did not work, they have themselves to blame. I'm not saying the band or the doctor aren't culpable. But, the fact is, 98% of dieters fail. What would the % be for bandsters? 25% fail? Maybe? I'll take my chances and think my odds are good. tmf

Size of band and how many CCs are in it have nothing to do with restriction and getting to the green zone. Everyone's stomach is shaped differently and has a different thickness. Also, not all surgeons place the band in the same spot. You might find your green Zone with just one or two fills. tmf

Not always a good thing for us guys Fortunately, with the band, for guys, it works the other way tmf

If this is an impulsive decision, I would advise to spend a year or so to research this, read this forum before you make such a drastic step? tmf

No, my doc has never been pissed and I only lost 12 lbs the first two weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. He just kept giving me fills. But it was the 3rd fill and some great advice from my nutritionist that made it all work together. Did you look at some of the other posts I suggested? Here's one of the better posts. Posted Today, 12:49 PM seeme1954, on December 13, 2012 - 12:23 PM, said: I am 6 weeks post op feeling no restriction. Why did I get this surgery when everyone on this forum talks about losing all this weight without fills. Most of you are saying its not the band. Then why would you or I have gotten it to just be on a diet. I can diet without band. I am regretting my decision Boy do you ever sound like me......after my surgery I was told I needed to count calories, measure/weigh all my food, keep a journal, etc, etc....I WAS PI***D! ANOTHER DIET??? I did not need surgery for this....I could do this at WW, Jenny Craig, etc, etc.... However, I did eventually learn what it is all about.....for me anyway, everyone has a different experience..... Having the band surgery is nothing more than having this device installed....that's all, it is not really activated yet....first stage is post op healing, eating the right foods so as not to damage the tender post surgery area, etc. In my case it took 30 days. THEN the adjustments started - Fills! This is a step by step process, adjusting the band, to get to that point where the band really starts to do what it is supposed to do.... It took me 6 months from surgery to get to that point.... That 6 month period from surgery, was also for me a time to learn the lessons that I would need later in order to survive with a tight band.... I called it "Bandster Bootcamp" or "Basic Training"....it is also called "Bandster Hell" because everything you do during this time is mostly will power, self discipline....white knuckling all the way....very frustrating.... But once I hit that groove, where the band takes over...it has been all a piece of cake....I began loosing weight without trying....my appetite disappeared, lost interest in food. Only ate when I felt like I needed to.....beats dieting hands down. Critics say it is the easy way out...I say SO WHAT...I LIKE EASY, and I LIKE BEING SKINNY!!! That was 2 years ago, and the feeling has not gone.....having this surgery was the best thing I could ever have done...only regret is that I did not do it a lot sooner..... But there was a big learning curve in the beginning.....now it is normal day to day life....never have to diet again! You, ♥carolinagirl♥, donna12 and 4 others like this Like This Unlike Surgery 1/31/2011, Final Fill ......6 months after surgery....Green Zone ever since! Hit Goal weight at 12 months.... All medical Issues - reversed!! It's All About Restriction! (Otherwise It's Just Another Diet.)

Well, every doctor is different so what I eat and what your doctor told you to eat could be different? Here's a manual from another clinic that gives you some suggestions. http://www.peachtree...ient-Manual.pdf Wait, I just noticed that Dr Simpson is your doc? He gives you a book and his website is very informative? Did you check with Simpson? tmf

You have to excuse me but WTF is going on today??? This is the 6th post like this in the last 8 hours? Sorry, but here are the links to the first two that mirror your thoughts almost exactly? http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/161530-very-confused-about-lapband-and-reason-for-it/page__hl__b#820852#entry1893880 http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/161530-very-confused-about-lapband-and-reason-for-it/ I'm sorry and I don't mean to be rude and I know you just logged in so you have no idea what went on before you came along today, but many of us have been answering the same questions over and over again today. So, the links above should help you, i hope? tmf

I believe that most doctors here in the states, do not advise their patients well. And support is nearly non existent unless you demand it and even then the staff may make it hard to find? When you have time, watch these videos. They are invaluable: Part 1 part 2 Part 3 Part 4

Pbbbbtttt! No worries. I only lost 12 lbs my first two weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. Everyone is different. I know it's hard to watch as some others post that they're losing 30 lbs in two months but it happens and if you stay patient it will happen for you too. You're still in the healing phase so I wouldn't worry about it. Get a fill the first of the year and start your journey. Go to this post by B-52, it should make you feel better: His post is #7 but there's a lot of good posts and advice. The topic addresses your issues closely. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/161530-very-confused-about-lapband-and-reason-for-it/page__hl__b#820852#entry1893880

If you're eating slider foods, restriction may never kick in and you will not lose. You eat less food just once a day? And the other meals you don't? I'm going to suggest you watch a series of videos. These are invaluable if you don't understand how this works and it sounds like you're not there yet? Watch these videos. All 4 of them: Part 1 Part 3 part 2 Part 4 tmf

This is the 4th such topic today. Sorry, but here are the first two topics with many many answers to your questions? I just posted this a few minutes ago with "Is this normal" topic: Yours is the 3rd such post of the day. Here's a link to another post and topic that dealt entirely with the same issues. http://www.lapbandta...d-some-support/ And another: http://www.lapbandta...t/#entry1893882 Don't mean to put you off, but many of your questions are answered in these two topics. I will say that for me the band was very finicky the first 8 months. I could go a week eating pretty much anything and then suddenly, my band would say, no way, no chicken today. It takes some time to change old eating habits. Big bites, eating too fast and the wrong food mix takes time to change, but you'll do it, in about 3 more months. tmf

Yours is the 3rd such post of the day. Here's a link to another post and topic that dealt entirely with the same issues. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/161522-so-discouraged-and-i-just-need-some-support/ And another: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/161530-very-confused-about-lapband-and-reason-for-it/#entry1893882 Don't mean to put you off, but many of your questions are answered in these two topics. I will say that for me the band was very finicky the first 8 months. I could go a week eating pretty much anything and then suddenly, my band would say, no way, no chicken today. It takes some time to change old eating habits. Big bites, eating too fast and the wrong food mix takes time to change, but you'll do it, in about 3 more months. tmf

If you want some advice we're going to need a lot more info: What are you eating? How much are you eating? Calories? Are you exercising? Do you feel any restriction? Do you count calories? Have you spoke to your doctor or nutritionist? Starting weight, now weight?

I too was angry over the time it took to find some restriction. I thought I would immediately lose 8-10 lbs every month. HA! So much they don't tell you. Or, like I said earlier, so much I chose to not hear. LOL 6 months from now you'll be coaching some other lapband newbie on how to stay the course and commenting on all the weight you've lost. I look forward to it. tmf

Don't take this the wrong way Seeme. But I don't understand how you could have got this far into your journey without some basic knowledge of how this all works? Now, I know that sometimes we weren't told that we wouldn't start losing immediately. But, I know I was told over and over that I could need up to 6-8 fills for the band to start working? And maybe I was told I'd be in bandster hell and that I may only lose 4 lbs a month, but I apparently chose to ignore those words of wisdom and I was going to be one of the lucky ones who drops 80 lbs the first 4 months. And, the number of folks who have had no fills on this site is miniscule compared to those of us who have had many more. 7 for me btw. Hang in there, this can work but you're going to need a lot more patience. Keep reading on the forum. tmf

I too only lost 12 lbs the first 4 months. And the 12 lbs came in the first 2 weeks and then nothing for the next 3.5 months. I would have to say that you are eating all the wrong foods. You really need to see a nutritionist! I did at 4 months and I was eating like you. Turned my whole program around and I immediately started to lose weight. You're eating slider foods that will not give you that feeling of being satiated. They just slide right through your band and do not place any pressure on the nerves that send the feeling of satiation to your brain. It's OK to eat stuff like that occasionally, but not if you are not losing weight. Some people, like Honk, your foods may work, but for most of us, yogurt and slippery lean cuisine meals will not work well with the band. We're all different and if something isn't working, don't do it anymore! Change it up weekly. See your nutritionist, and you're really fretting over a small plateau that all of us have experienced one or many times during our journey. It's very normal. But you should be consuming more Protein and definitely more solid food. tmf

DebbiePolk, The lapband is not 100% effective. And for many reasons. For most of us, it has given us the tool to manage our eating behaviors and eventually our destiny. There is no magic pill, tool or wand that will make each of us a compliant patient or make your doctor be a Dr Simpson or Dr. O'Brien. Dr's are people too and some of them will be A-holes. Do your research and be very comfortable with your choice. BTW-The number of posts like this one are well below 2% of the posts on this forum. Yes, there are many who are struggling in the beginning or during the journey and that's what this forum is for, but don't confuse those strugglers with failures, it's a learning process for all of us. tmf

I wouldn't call 27 lbs as nothing? You may need to reign in your expectations? I only lost 12 lbs the first 4 months and I know i'm not alone. tmf

You teased us with a website that offers advice on how to lose the last little bit of weight? And the website issszzzz?? tmf

You should update your profile so we know more about you? Need more info Dino? How many calories a day? Do you track your meals or calories? How long is the plateau? What else are you eating? Do you have restriction and do you feel satisfied after a can of tuna? Are you hungry often? What did your doctor have to say? Have you visited with your nutritionist? tmf

I'm down 50 lbs over the last year myself. I always told myself that if I lost 50, it would be worth it. I plan on losing 30 more early next year. It took me some time before I bought new clothes(Late October). I'm still very judgemental of myself though. I'm very happy with my weight loss, I'm so happy that I'm so much healthier now, and I know I look better, but my mind is still not completely there yet. And, it's so comforting to see so many other bandsters who lost even more in their 2nd year. So, I'm looking forward to 2013. tmf

What kind of band do you have? 4 CCs doesn't sound like much?

You make a good point. I think it would be helpful for the poster to research if her insurance will pay for bariatric surgery in the first place. Then move forward with the tests etc. tmf