lindas0809

Hi! Thanks for starting the 2 year update. I don't come to LBT very much anymore, but its great to hear updates. My 2year anniversary was June 5th. I've lost 110 pounds and have been in the 170's since last fall. I'm not at goal, but I'm close and I've maintained my loss- which what I've never done before.

I'm so glad I had the surgery even though it hasn't been perfect, it gave me hope and the help I needed to lose weight.

Welcome to the world of insurance. It will only get worse if/when Obamacare completes.

In your opinion - but to the millions without any healthcare options it may be better.

Hey again,

One of the biggest things I've been doing to stay motivated is of course, following this website. I also found a young lady on You Tube to follow named Newtoy4kt. But what I love is reading BLOGS. So far, I have been reading Chronicles from Band Land and some other ones. Is anybody blogging their journey so I can follow?!? Thanks,

Not trying to be nosy, just looking for inspiration.

Hi! I've been blogging since right before surgery (about 18 months ago). I love the banded blogging community - it's a great place for inspiration and support. My blog address is in my signature - I hope you stop by.

Linda

I'd love to visit some of your blogs, so post your link in this thread, so we can show some love!

Here's mine- http://imwiththeband7.blogspot.com/

Mines in my signature - can't wait to read some new ones.

Okay well, I'm at a crossroad. I've been reading other peoples topics and everything and I'm always coming across someone 3-5 years down the road who regrets their band. I'm really wanting this done and I've done all the research done now I'm doing all of the pre-op testing.

All of those stories have completely thrown me off track. Can someone please tell me about their experiences with the lap-band and how you personally work with it?

Hi! I'm 18 months out from surgery and don't regret a thing (except not doing it years ago). I have lost 105 pounds since banding and about 125 total including pre-op weight. It does take work - you have to make sure you are following the rules. If you eat candy and milkshakes it won't work for you, but if you get your fills and eat Protein and fresh foods it will work. I'm not perfect in my eating because I know from past experience that I can't live my life on a diet, but I eat normal foods in small portions and never feel deprived.

I agree with another commenter that people who are a few years out and successful don't come to the sight and comment as much ( I know I don't), but people who are disgruntled or unhappy do so don't get too down. I have a blog and there are TONS of bandster blogs out there, so I encourage you to read some it really helps you get a good big picture (good & bad stuff).

Good luck with your decision!

It's really hard to fully use the band if you don't have restriction. I understand that your port is hard to access but really talk to your Dr. about making a plan to get you to full restriction so you can start losing. It took me a long time to get restriction, but once I did the weight fell off. Don't get discouraged - the band is great once you get restriction.

Heartburn can be a sign of being overfilled - have you had a fill recently?

It can be serious, but I know I have it and after I had an upper GI to make sure everything was OK the Dr. just prescribed a daily nexium. It works well for me.

I hope you find some relief soon.

I've been blogging since right before my surgery last year and I can't tell you how great it's been. There is a huge banded blogging community that offers great support. I recommend following some blogs and getting involved in the community.

Mine is below, feel free to stop by.

You guys are in "Bandster Hell" when you're back on solid food, but have no restriction. It can take awhile to get good restriction - I think it was about 4 months for me, but once you get it it's great and makes a world of difference. During this time it will take self control on your part to not gain weight, work with your Dr. to get your fills and get to the sweet spot.

Good luck!

If you opt to take COBRA coverage with his current plan you should be covered for surgery even if he leaves his current job. COBRA is expensive, but if it covers surgery it's so worth it. Call insurance and be honest with them they can confirm if COBRA will still cover surgery.

Good luck!

Congrats on surgery! I think at 5 days post op I wasn't getting all my Protein either. At this point don't really worry about 3 "meals" a day. Just work on getting high Protein liquids down all day.

Everyone's post op diet is different, but I know at 5 days I was on full liquids that included puddings & yogurts. Don't force yourself to eat just try to sneak in small amounts when you can.

Good luck!

Hi Mo!

Good luck with your decision! I was banded a year ago and have had great results.

Feel free to asks lots of questions and get as much information as possible.

Congrats! I was banded last year on June 5th. I've lost 83 pounds since and love my band.

I hope all goes well for you!

Sweetbean- we are band twins. I was 10 month out on the 5th and have lost 76 pound since. My next minigoal is 199 - I'm 3 pounds away!

Not sure what I'll treat myself to. Maybe a spa day or a new charm for my Tiffany charm Bracelet.

You are doing great - enjoy your new bag!

I think I've had 10 fills (including one unfill). I have 9.75cc's in an 11cc band.

I'm at sweet spot, but still need small tweaks to stay there (just had on yesterday).

I would definitely call Aetna. I had Aetna HMO and they covered fills 100% for the first 90 days and they I paid a copay and sometimes a balance of $50-70 that was billed after.

You definitely need a fill for the band to work, so do what you need to do to get them.

I can eat the same day as fills. If you plan on soft foods you should be OK.

I only had one day of clears for my pre-op diet. My hospital said it's research showed the diet didn't that much. They did require I not gain before surgery.

Restriction takes time, be patient. I know that you're anxious to get losing, but no one knows when they will get restriction so keep getting your fills.

Personally I took forever to get restriction (7 fills, 9.5cc's in an 11 band), but I tried to eat small portions and high Protein Snacks during that time and still lost.

Good luck! It does get better.

I can eat rice and potatoes with no problems and consider myself at the sweet spot. bread does give me problems now - it's just not worth the trouble.

Of course since these things don't give me any Protein I limit them to small sides.

Giving up starches really freaked me out when I was trying to decide to get the surgery, but it's been OK for me because I still enjoy what I can have.

I think maybe she was just describing the post op diet, when everything has to be pureed/mushie. I've been banded for 8 months and there are very few things I can't eat (bread is tough), generally I eat the Protein, vegetables & fruits I did presurgery, just in smaller amounts. I know there some people that are more limited, but unfortunately you don't know until after surgery.

One thing I will say is that you need to research and get as educated as you can before surgery. I had over 6 months because of insurance requirements. I don't think I would have gotten fully prepared in less than a month, so don't let the Dr. rush you into anything. Good luck! It's a great tool!

Congratulations on your surgery! I had surgery 6/5/09 and have lost 73 pounds since. I don't know if I have any secrets, but here's what's been working for me:

1. Get your Fills- The band doesn't work if you're not restricted. It took me like 8 fills to get restriction, so don't give up. You'll have to go through bandster hell - just accept it and realize that you'll lose when you get restriction.

2. I don't diet. My philosophy with the band is this is something I will live with for the rest of my life. I'm not going to live deprived and grumpy on an eternal diet. I do focus on getting my Protein then vegetables, but if I want a cookie, I eat it and move on. I know some would disagree with this, but it works for me.

3. Get Support!! This is huge. I get support from my family, my Dr.'s office and a great blogging community. I started a blog right before surgery and it's an amazing community. This site is great too.

4. Identify your NSV's (non scale victories). This will really help when the scale's not moving as fast as you'd like. Putting on old jeans in the back of your closet or running a mile can really keep your spirits up.

5. Find some "go to" foods that help with protein intake and the urge to snack on junky things. Mine are greek yogurt, string cheese, Baby Bell light cheese, mini Luna bars and Zone bars.

Good luck! This is a great post - I can't to see what others write.

I had 2 upper Gi's in December for slipped band scare and they were able to see the barium going through the band. Sometimes it depends on the clarity of the xray or video they provide, but they should be able to determine if you could tolerate more fill.

Hi!

You're in "bandster hell". We all go through it after surgery and before restriction. Some people don't lose during this time (some even gain), but it will get better. Watch your portions, but realize that a cup a meal may not keep you full. My Dr. was OK with a high Protein snack during meals if I needed it and it really helped. I usually ate a string cheese or greek yogurt.

Good luck! It does get better after restriction!

Hi! I'll check out your blog. I've been blogging for about 9 months - right before surgery. I've met a great group of people and get a lot of support.

Mine's in my signature.

Good luck!