Phranp

Thanks much Hellcatt.

My start weight was 307, I am 5'7". I don't know my weight now because I have an issue with the numbers on the scale. LOL If I get on the scale and I don't like the numbers it can ruin my entire day. So, I judge by my clothes. But, the last time I saw my surgeon, probably in May, I was down to 211, I think. My size 16 skinny jeans do not fit as skinny jeans should. They do not hug me ANYWHERE. My size 14 skinny jeans fit ok in the waist but the legs fit like regular straight leg jeans.

I don't see any way that I will ever afford plastic surgery so I am not anxious to have a lot of saggy flesh. I'd like to lose another 20-25 lbs, but at the moment I'm good. Bear in mind that I am almost 60 years old, so I'm not trying to get "bikini ready". LOL

I had lapband surgery in 2009. I had a terrible surgeon that lacked experience in the WLS field. He was NOT my first, second or third choice for a surgeon (but that's another story). I had my band removed in September 2013. I had been so miserable the last 6 months that I had the band that when it was removed I went crazy eating. I had lost 60 lbs with the band and gained back 30-35 between the time I had it removed and gastric bypass (April 2014). I now have the best surgery center on the planet! LOL I lost the 30 and another 30. I am not at my goal weight (I have other health problems that limit exercise), but I am truly happy with gastric bypass. On August 7, 2015 I had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff. I was home from work and completely (although it did not have to be that way) sedentary for 8 weeks. Guess what? Two days before I returned to work I decided to try on the outfit that I was going to wear; after all, I had been "lounging" for 8 long weeks. My clothes fit perfectly!! I was thrilled! Going from band to gastric bypass was the best thing for me.

All the best to you!

Fran:

Could you elaborate on how the lapband changed your EXPECTATIONS regarding head hunger or hunger in general.

Thinking it through...perhaps enough "stuck episodes" will change your expectations of food really quick. Perhaps this is what you meant by how the band had changed your expectation of food.< /p>

Yes? No?

I think you took my quote out of context. Here is what I said: "Did starting therapy in October help prepare me for life after the surgery the following June? For me the answer is yes because I struggle with head hunger much less after acquiring tools to change my thinking AND expectations after having the lapband placed." I did not say that the band changed my expectations, I said that starting therapy 8 months before having surgery help to change my thinking and expectations. I apologize if that was not clear to you as written.

I chose an obesity therapist. As it turned out she had been obese and successfully lost and kept off her excess weight for several years. She is also well versed in several WLS. She help me recognize the more subtle "triggers" that caused me to eat when I wasn't physically hungry. Some triggers were obvious to me, she really helped with the ones that weren't. We also discussed what the band is (i.e., a tool not a magic bullet) and how it worked; and what I believed it would do, as well as what it really does. To be quite honest, after having the surgery there was a part of me that remained in "fantasy land" ... for about a month. After all the discussion we'd had, I still thought that I would feel something after my first fill. When I looked back at that I laughed at myself. Once I was back in the "real world" (after that first fill "reality check") I was able to be patient and not use food the ease my frustration over how long it was taking me to get to the "green zone" or "sweet spot".

I was a slow loser from the start. I have had back surgery, I have spinal stenosis and degenerative disk disease, so pain had been a part of my everyday life. But eventually I was able to make walking every morning a part of my daily regimen. At my high point I was walking 3 miles every morning before going to work. Due to some respiratory problems earlier this year I've had to start again, one mile at a time ... I'm old, what can I say. LOL The difference is that I don't give up and grab a bowl of ice cream to soothe me. Instead I get up and go for a walk.

I hope this answered your question .... no, it was not a "stuck episode" that changed my thinking.

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran

Stress and the band ... ahhh yes, when I am stressed my band locks up tighter than a drum! And of course my history is that when I am stressed I eat, but not since being banded. Try as I might, when I am stressed food cannot get through so I have to work through my stress, do breathing exercises, get a massage, or whatever it takes to release the stress so that I can eat again.

Been there, done that ... hated it!

Good luck. :/

~Fran

Thanks to all of you for your responses and concern. One of my main questions to the doc during consult was how long should I wait before trying to conceive after surgery and he said that around six months should be enough. That's how I came up with that time frame. I was an overweight overeater for my last pregnancy and I really don't want to feel that way again. My knees are in terrible shape, they hurt all the time, and I know that I will feel better and be healthier after this surgery. I will try to wait patiently I guess, but I don't understand why I must wait so long for a procedure that is to improve my health. No one would advocate a patient waiting for heart surgery just to prove that they are serious about changing their lifestyle. I want to get my new life started now. It seems frivolous to make me wait for no medical reason.

You're right, "no one would advocate a patient waiting for heart surgery just to prove that they are serious about changing their lifestyle". But believe me, you are talking apples and oranges. You say "I know that I will feel better and be healthier after this surgery." No, you won't. Sorry, that's not the way the lapband works. You will feel better and healthier after YOU USE THE BAND TO HELP YOU CHANGE THE WAY YOU FEEL, THINK, AND ACT, when it comes to food. I cannot stress enough how the band is just a tiny element (that can make a BIG difference) of this weight loss journey. Please, please, please do more reading about the band and what it REALLY does. Also, on the "Lapband and Pregnancy" forum on this site (scroll down you'll see it) there is a woman that is documenting her pregnancy -- her second pregnancy, but first with the band -- because she gained so much weight with her first child and doesn't want to go through that again. She may have some first hand experience that will help you. She had her first child at 36 and is now 40 or 41 and pregnant with her second.

I am not responding to your post to be argumentative. I, like the others that have replied, already have the lapband and we know what actually happens once it is placed. I am baffled that your doctor told you that pregnancy 6 months post-band would be a good thing. Maybe you are getting lapband w/plication or something like that? I hear the weight loss is faster with the "extras". What I do know is that you sound like a smart woman, and you can only get smarter if you take the time to learn about the band from bandsters. Yes, everyone's journey is different, but there are some things that we all have in common, things that we all go through after having the band placed.

Although doctors would like you to have a greater understanding of the band before you have the surgery, some people are, as they say, "from Missouri, the show me state". These people aren't going to learn how the band REALLY works until they have it placed. I don't know if you are "from Missouri", but if getting the band is the only way you will "get it", then I agree with you "Why the Wait". You are not alone. Most of us were anxious, and like myself, some of us had to wait due to insurance requirements. I started therapy before I even went to my doc, hoping to be better prepared. Did starting therapy in October help prepare me for life after the surgery the following June? For me the answer is yes because I struggle with head hunger much less after acquiring tools to change my thinking AND expectations after having the lapband placed.

Again, I wish you only the best of success on your journey.

~Fran

Audrey, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but ... unless you are one of the truly lucky ones, you won't have had enough fills to even know you have the band in 6 months. You can probably get the surgery sooner if you change doctors (provided your insurance doesn't make you wait and you can get all the tests done in a few weeks). But once you have the band it is a process to get to the "green zone" or "sweet spot". Took me 8 or 9 months to get there.

I would suggest that you read on this site about pregnancy and the band. I believe there's a forum for it.

I saw 4 docs before I found one that would take my insurance. The first doc said I could have the surgery in a couple of weeks ... but ... he wasn't on my insurance so I had to keep looking. You may have heard over and over again that "the lapband is not a magic bullet" ugggghhh ... many get tired of reading/hearing that. Bottom line, it's true, trust me.

I honestly wish you the very best. I hope things work out to your satisfaction. I also hope that you will read everything you can get your hands on about the band - knowlege IS power - that is never more true than when it comes to the band.

~Fran

Hi Mini,

Sorry to hear you didn't get exactly what you paid for ... or maybe you did and your doc isn't explaining it right.

Are you in the U.S.? Do you have an article by Dr. Paul Burton. I ask because what you say he is suggesting doesn't sound like it's good for your esophagus.

I have the Lapband, which creates a pouch but also puts pressure on my vagus nerve which inhibits the hormone grehlin (sp?), this tamps down the hunger.

As everyone has said, there is nothing to stop head hunger but you, you learning the reasons for eating when not hungry and getting the tools to help you stop.

All the best to you on your journey. You will find plenty of support on this site.

~Fran

You might want to read some self help books about body image. I would think it better to get a handle on this sooner rather than later ... this can be a complicated issue. Therapy might help but you might be the kind of person that can do a little reading about the body image phenomenon and get a handle on it.

I remember one morning after taking my walk and stopping at the grocery store, I stopped in to visit my best friend. She looked at me and said "Why are you still wearing that running suit? It's much too big for you and you look ridiculous." If not that we have been best friend's since kindergarten, I might have been offended. But, what I realized was that I hadn't taken an honest look at myself and accepted how much weight I'd lost. After that, you couldn't keep me out of the stores buying new clothes! I still need to lose several pounds, and ... my doc took all my Fluid out last week, ughhhh. But, once I start to refill (and even before), I am going to keep working toward getting all my excess weight off. It's scary sometimes, but WE CAN DO THIS. Start shopping for your "real" size, I think you'll get the hang of it.

All the best to you and congratulations on your success!

~Fran

I've had an unfill (and I've also had a slip and my band replaced, but that's a different story).

Here's my thoughts. For the first week after a total unfill you'll feel crazy hungry. This is when to be THE MOST diligent. Eat lots of Protein (which is filling) and track what you eat and be on top of it. For me, after about 10 days, that *intense* hunger calmed a bit and while I could eat more, I wasn't so crazy about food every minute.

Just my thoughts on the matter. Good luck!

Thanks for the suggestions. I am seriously considering cutting my carbs to the bare minimum during this time. In the past I have had problems doing this because my blood sugar gets too low, but I want to give it a try just the same.

At any rate I will watch and log my food ... gotta keep me honest. LOL

~Fran

One more thing .... my surgeon is a very different kind of doctor. Yesterday when we were talking about refilling me he asked if I had the same insurance and which one it was. I told him and he said, "oh, ok ... well, if they don't want to pay for the refills don't worry about it, I will do them anyway for free". I was pleasantly shocked! But then, he's the same guy that, once he changed offices after my surgery (starting with my 3rd fill, I think), that didn't accept a co-pay for my fills. I said "thanks" and completed my fills without paying a dime. Who knew?

Here's to a great 2012!

~F

Thanks to all for your responses. While it doesn't sound like the road ahead will be easy, at least I know what to expect and I can choose to do the right thing or sabotage all the work I have done. I think I will skip the sabotage.

It would be really nice if all of my health problems got better at the same time (i.e., lung problems, sleep apnea problems, chronic exhaustion AND lapband issues) and I can start a new healthier life in 2012. The only problem I will have left is whether or not my firm closes due to extensive financial woes. The job part is the "least" of my problems because without my health, who needs a job? LOL

All the best to us all!

Thanks Shelley ... I will do my best to stay on track.

I saw my surgeon today for the first time in almost 2 years. My band has been tight for a long time and I was throwing up much too often. I thought he would only remove a small amount but apparently he felt I should take it all out and have an upper GI before refilling. He wants to make sure there's been no slippage. I can't argue with that, but I'm scared to death of putting weight back on.

Here's my question: How many have been successfully re-filled? By that I mean that when the doc put the Fluid back in everything worked just as it had before or better?

Thanks in advance for your input.

~Fran

My stats:

October 2009 Banded, weighed 236.2. My "normal fat" range had always been between 200 - 220 thoughout my adult life.

I am not sure exactly how much I have in, been told it was adequate last time I went in. I have had a number of fills, it's never felt too tight or that it's not there. Only YOU know when the amount in your band is "adequate". Someone else telling you that it's adequate is sooo wrong. You read here again and again how 5 cc's takes one person to their sweet spot, while it takes 7 cc's -- in the same size band -- to bring another to their sweet spot.

When sold the Lap Band, I was supposed to get "fills for life" with the cost of my self-pay. Well, the doctor left town. Now I went to the doctor that took his place, cost of $100.00, he did NOT give me a fill. He just scolded me for eating carbohydrates. This would have pissed me off to no end! I am so sorry this happened to you. Did the doc that took your original docs place "buy" the practice from your original doc? If so, he may have to honor your original doc's contracts. I would consider looking in to that. If, in fact, the new doc does not have to honor the original doc's contracts, I would find a new fill doc -- if possible. You don't need scolding, you need encouragement and a FILL!

I feel tight sometimes in the mornings, or if I go for a long period without food, I can feel chokey with dry Proteins, and sometimes vomit if I am not careful. Many of us feel tight in the morning, it is usually because we are dehydrated. Staying hydrated is key (and easier said than done for some of us) to being able to get and keep food down, for many of us. Steer clear of the dry Proteins when you can ... not worth the G&A ("grief and aggravation").

I am probably eating less than pre-band, and I contribute that to not gaining weight. Because before I would gain weight easily, now its been pretty steady.

Lap Band is not effortless, I am now on a Keto diet plan. Since Friday I have cut out all wheat, most all other grains, and sugar. From reading a book called Wheat Belly, I am convinced that I need to stop eating carbs (like the 2nd doctor said my last visit). It is absolutely NOT effortless and yes, you are right, many docs do not give a clear picture of what and how the lapband actually works. I am sorry you feel duped, I am sure you are not alone. But, the good news is you can learn how the band really works and make it work for you.

I am a slow loser and I am currently experiencing some very traumatic health problems related to my lungs and my ability to breathe out (asthma) and in (restrictive lung defect). These problems have set me back a bit, with all the drugs I am on (steroids... ugghhhh). Still, I do not regret my choice to get the lapband. I really, really, really (did I say "really"? have to change my eating drastically. I have been reading a lot about nutrition and how foods are processed in the body. Low carb works great for me except ... my blood sugar drops like a rock sometimes causing other problems. Before lapband I was diabetic, but stopped taking metformin after about 3 months. My numbers are consistently good and my endo says my AC1 is non-diabetic. But, even when I was on meds I often had problems with low blood sugar. So, I have to be extra careful with what I eat. Due to my breathing problems I am tired ALL the time and the last thing I want to think about is what I am going to eat and when. Yeah, it's no party, but hey ... I have my good days, and that's when I SHOP! LOL

Hang in there. This may not be what you expected and I totally understand your anger and frustration, but you can make this work for you ... you really can. I can't breathe, but I still get up at 5 to walk 2-3 miles ... sometimes I can only do 1 mile because my lungs demand that I stop, but I won't give up ... ever!

All the best to you. Rant whenever you need to ... we are here for you.

~Fran

Whether or not your insurance covers lapband depends on the coverage your employer has chosen.

I have BCBS in CA and mine was covered. It is likely that yours is too. Give them a call and ask. Also take a look at their website, it will tell you all the prerequisites.

All the best to you on your journey.

~F

All of you are an inspiration to me! I'm not about to give up!

Your support and prayers mean the world to me.

Yesterday was not one of my better days ... I made it to church but I couldn't seem to get moving afterward. Finally I gave in and spent the afternoon resting.

I have 3 doc appointments today. The first is this morning with my ortho. His office is in the Marina so I am leaving home early to walk at the park near his office. Wish me luck!

@elcee ... Not a past life ... more like something I did in my "misguided youth". LOL!

This is the park in the Marina. Hope I did this right and you can see it ...

Thank you Zen and 123crod I truly appreciate your support and prayers.

I am glad that I posted about this, I debated the merits of me doing so, wasn't sure it would make a difference. I am thrilled to say that it has made a BIG difference and I am feeling more and more positive about my situation.

Thank you everyone!

~Fran

hope you won't mind if I pray for you. thank you for working so hard!

Mind? Not at all, and thank you so much. I can use all the prayer warriors I can get. We both know: "No weapon ... "

~Fran

Thanks for the support.

@journey: Are you finding that weight loss is improving your health problems?

@xavier: LMAO @ "just need a bitchslap". For me to lose weight without exercise, for me, is virtually impossible. The less I move, the less my metabolism moves. LOL My "fat stores" are very stubborn and very comfortable. But during this difficult time I believe that if I can restrict my food intake drastically, I might see some results. I'm not giving up.

You are both right, I CAN DO THIS!

Thanks again.

~Fran

I'm actually writing with the hope that I can shut down this (pity) party before it turns into a big ole (pity) bash. LOL

Here's the deal: I have been banded since June 2009 and happy with my slow (but steady -- kind of) progress. Everytime I ran into an obstacle to reaching my goal I would leap over it (i.e., back surgery and spinal stenosis prohibits strenuous exercise so I started physical therapy to strengthen my back muscles so that I can step up my exercise). Had a recurrence of stuttering episodes due to lack of oxygen to the brain so made a visit to my PCP who added yet another med to keep me awake -- Ritalin (in addition to Nuvigil 250 mg.). No matter what came up, I kept pushing forward. I was (am) bound and determined not to lose sight of my goal: weight loss for better health and a long happy life. I have been feeling so poorly for the past 3 months with extensive respiratory problems that I had to cut my walking exercise to a minimum -- some mornings I cannot go walking at all ... because I am wheezing so badly.

All the exercise, the physical therapy, the "wake up" meds, and still I am exhausted every single day. I could sleep the entire weekend and still feel tired on Monday -- though not quite as tired, until the evening. I found a neurologist who ran several tests which resulted in a visit to my endocrinologist to biopsy the "masses" the neuro found on my thyroid. Good news the "nodules" (as my endo calls them) are begnign. My neuro sent me back to my endo for more tests, I see him on Monday. She aked me to give up beef, chicken, pork, scavenger fish, butter, Pasta, cheese and salt. She had already taken me off of all artificial sweetners, i.e., Splenda, Equal, Sweet & Low, etc. She doesn't like Stevia but I must have something. I didn't kick about the "artificial" sweetners because they give me spasms in my body, which she said could turn into seizures with continued use of the sweetners.

In the meantime, because I already know that I am not breathing at night and cannot tolerate my CPAP (I even changed the settings, no luck) because I awake in respiratory distress (asthma); I decided to see a pulmonary doc. I saw him on January 3 and I went in for a pulmonary function test on January 11. Well, the test results floored me. I was aware that I have asthma (obstructive lung disease), but I learned that I also have restrictive lung disease (I won't know which one until I see my pulmonary doc this coming Thursday). The test results show that my lung capacity is a 50%! 50%! WTH?!?!?!? This means that if I am at 50% while awake, and I have even less lung capacity while asleep! Hence the lack of oxygen to the brain problems (stuttering, inability to focus, memory loss, crippling exhaustion, etc.). I don't even SMOKE!! My sis and bro smoke, my dad smoked ... but not ME!! Why am I the one with lung disease?!?!??! I have been keeping a positive attitude since I learned of this, but last night was a bad night spent coughing and choking. I overslept, arrived at work 40 minutes late and realized that, in my haste, I had forgotten to take my meds! I am so tired I could FAINT. I will definitely take a nap at lunch time. For the moment though, I am grumpy and ... yeah, feeling sorry for myself -- hence the pity party.

Okay ... enough kicking and screaming and acting like I'm the only person on earth with problems. Time to show my faith and be patient. I am believing I will receive a good report from the doctor on Thursday. Time to be thankful for what I have and to do what it takes to maintain the weight I have lost even when my emotions are screaming "get in the lifeboat, it's filled with Cookies, and cake, and ice cream, and chocolate ... it will make EVERYTHING ALRIGHT" --- NOT!!! It's a struggle, but now is the time to show myself that I really have made a lifestyle change. Eating is not going to change my condition. But pushing through the frustration and fear, and maintaining my diet and exercising as much as I can will help me feel better about myself when the doc tells me that this lung thing is curable and I will be as good as new in just a little while. My weightloss will be back on track in no time.

[Exhaling] Writing this post was pretty cathartic... my body is still exhausted, but my mind and soul feel better. Thanks for reading. I will go to bed early tonight and hopefully be sane (or more sane, if you will) when I awake in the morning.

Hope everyone is having a great day. I live in L.A. and the weather is beautiful today -- something to be thankful for.

Thanks again.

~Fran

Congratulations! You are in my prayers ... but we both know, 'it is done'.

Fat2flat: Take a breath ... you are relatively new to band life and still need to adjust. You say you don't want to lose quick, then the band is the right "tool" for you. You also say that you want to lose faster than you are currently losing ... but you don't say how much you've lost. It is likely that you have not yet reached your sweet spot, so more fills are needed along with diet and exercise. Are you consistently exercising? Have you made "lifestyle" changes where your food is concerned? The band is (for most, for a few the weight falls off like GB) a tool that works only as hard a you work. Please note that "hard" is a relative term, it doesn't have to be hard -- if you are willing and ready to change your life. The good news is that if you are not quite ready to jump into the deep end, but need to walk from the shallow to the deep -- you HAVE the band and it will be there when you get to the deep end.

I have always been a slow loser, but I am still very happy with my progress. I had been banded a little over a year before I started exercising consistently. I have a number of health problems that prevent me from doing strenuous exercise, but i do absolutely everything I can -- because I want to reach my goal and I am WILLING to do what it takes. I have been in physical therapy for months building muscle to strengthen my spine which is riddled with a degenerative disease. My ortho says that the only way around this issue is building muscle to take on the work that my spine can no longer do. This is a win, win because you lose more weight when you have more muscle.

I would first recommend that you let go of the frustration ... it will only distract you from achieving your goal (i.e., losing weight). As you are working your way to your sweet spot do little things to change your diet, things you can live with; so that when you get to your sweet spot you will have many lifestyle changes already in place. Pay attention to how foods effect you. Some people are very sensitive to carbs and have to stay away from them; others require a more balanced diet to lose weight. Find what works for you ... let this be your focus and before you know it you will be at your sweet spot with a great new lifestyle AND you will lose weight. YOU CAN DO THIS. Be kind to yourself and ... patient. This journey is individual and very personal. What works for one person may not work for another.

mamastwo; hate to say this, but fills are really necessary. It took 7 or 8 fills before I was got to my sweet spot. If you don't have time to get your fills, you can't really expect the band to do it's part. Again, the good news is that you have the band and when you have time to get enough fills to get to your sweet spot, your band will do it's part to assist you with weight loss. Don't give up. Try to make yourself a priority in your life so you can work this band. Find the time for fills, exercise and consciously making time to prepare your meals. Don't let frustration overtake you .... that will only put you on a cycle to nowhere ... we've already done that and all we got for our troubles was weight gain. Move as slowly as you need to, but KEEP MOVING FORWARD. Be kind to YOU!

All the best to you both on your journey. This is a great website, with great support. Make it happen in 2012!!!

~Fran

I had some tests done a few months ago. At that time I was power walking 3 miles a day (I am currently having some health problems so I have cut back -- temporarily). I recently had a visit with my neurologist, she told me that my tests (from a few months ago) revealed a low heart rate. She was concerned. It did not occur to me that my low heart rate could be from all the exercise. LOL When I see her again I am going to mention that. I hope that is the reason.

All the best to you.

~Fran

I have Anthem BCBS or BCBS of California or ... I don't know, it seems the name changes EVERY year. I know at one point (and it's on the "back" of my insurance card) it was called Anthem BCBS. The main office for our firm is in NY, and from what I understand BCBS is different in every state. All that said, I had my surgery in 2009 (happy with results even though I am a slow loser and BCBS paid for everything including a years worth of fills.

I would suggest that you go to the website for your particular insurance and check out the pre-requisites. If you have a hard time finding this info, call customer service and they help you find the right web page. It's a good idea to check your insurance website for this info so that your doc's office does not get your insurance requirements mixed up with another insurance. Knowledge IS power and when it comes to medical issues of any kind, it is good to be your own advocate.

All the best to you on your journey.

~Fran