catfish87

Its really ok that you didn't reach some magical weight number in some predetermined timeframe....Hell, its taken me over 4 years to reach my initial goal!! Just don't give up...accept no excuses from your medical team. MAKE them get your band adjusted correctly for YOU.....I went into this surgery with the understanding this band would control my portions/limit my eating. IT WILL!! You just gotta get there.

Rayanne, Congrats on your decision to "get ready for a restart"! For me, the most important thing was getting my band to optimal level of adjustment. I see you have scheduled an appt with your surgeon to discuss and adjust yours if needed. Kuddo's to you for doing that!! And on the exercising! I'm not sure which lapband book you are referring to, but for me.....a properly adjusted band was the most important thing in this whole process. A NUT could tell me until they were blue in the face what to eat, how much, etc....Kinda like I've heard all along. Eat this/don't eat that books....never worked for me...by itself longterm. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up...IT really works.

Tara....Congrats to you! Your story is proof this thing really works! Best wishes for your continued success.

This is the key....just make it a part of your routine. Start today....tomorrow never comes. If you start today...think where you can be by New Years. YOU can do it! Best wishes!

Fish is good! I don't eat much red meat either....lots and lots of fish though.

Congrats is right! Good point...I'll be using mine in three weeks for the first time in a couple of years....Way too long! Ready for some sun!

Congrats on your success!

It's never too late to get back on track! I did great "in the beginning"...just as you say. GungHO, exercising, eating what I was supposed to, etc, etc....then the Honeymoon ended! I too, thought I could just eat anything I wanted, quit exercising, and let the band do it all.....Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. I was eating too much, gaining weight, just like every other diet I had been on in my life! Because it was JUST A DIET... I was so embarrassed, didn't go to my surgeon for a YEAR. Couldn't face the reality I was gonna fail at this too... But I had a friend who had the band encourage me to go back to my surgeon, and find out why I was eating too much. Why was it just like before I even had surgery? Now...with a properly adjusted band for me, I couldn't be happier with my decision to have this surgery. Since you say you haven't had an adjustment in several months, please follow up with your surgeon...and don't accept any excuses! This thing will do what it is advertised to do....Control/limit your portions...you just gotta get there. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up.

About 6 months post op, I had my first glass of wine....did not notice any difference. You'll read on here where many folks are more sensitive to the alcohol. Now, 4+ years post op, I'll have some a few times a week. Maybe thats one reason I been awarded the slowest loser's badge......

Excellent topic Terry! I'm thinking your prices are pretty cheap! Although in reality, there isn't anything much to a fill. I have Aetna insurance through my employer. Years ago, when mine were done without fluoro, my surgeon billed the insurance $250 for a office visit/nut time/adjustment. A blind or "Water test" fill. ( If you can drink the water, your not too tight.......lol. ) Now, If I get an adjustment, my insurance gets billed $700, the negotiated rate is $364.03. They pay $291.23, and I pay $72.80 ( after meeting my yearly insurance deductible I've got an 80/20 plan ) If no adjustment but just view under fluoro, the bill is $275, negotiated rate is $170.71 split 80/20. Both of these include the normal office visit with the SURGEON and prob 10 min with a NUT. I go more often than I really need to now...I enjoy going my appts now. Everyones always smiling there!

Sorbets/Sherbets were on my full liquid "menu". I had some often during that timeframe.

Congrats and welcome to the start of your new life! Wishing you a speedy recovery and much success!

As a coincidence...I went shopping today for some new clothes. The person I mentioned earlier that encouraged me to go back to my doctor, works at the store I went shopping at. I haven't seen or talked to her in a while. She told me today SHE was going back to my doctor this Thursday.... she hadn't been to see him in over a year. ... she said she's gained some back and wanted to get everything checked and maybe an adjustment. Why am I posting this you might wonder. .. because she's ten years ( 10 YEARS )POST OP. Just goes to show you can't give up after a month or a year or two, three, four, etc years.... this really is a life changing experience. Think long term..... and it was re affirmed to me today. Never,ever give up!

Parrishel, Congrats on your success and thanks for the incredible post! May you continue to enjoy your new life and keep coming back here to offer your inspiring words. What a great story! Best wishes

Very similar to my experience...I always have felt the adjustment more after a couple of weeks. I THINK it may be because the first couple of days/or first week or so, I really pay attention to my eating/chewing. Then....maybe I forget and get in too much of a hurry. I'm still learning 4+ years out.

LadyBandit....I so feel and understand where you are coming from! I did great "in the beginning"...just as you say. GungHO, exercising, eating what I was supposed to, etc, etc....then the Honeymoon ended! I too, thought I could just eat anything I wanted, quit exercising, and let the band do it all.....Unfortunately, my band had come unbuckled/unsnapped....Kinda like you describe....NOT at correct restriction. ( NO restriction ) I was eating too much, GAINING weight, just like every other diet I had been on in my life! Because it was JUST A DIET... I was so embarrassed, didn't go to my surgeon for a YEAR. Couldn't face the reality I was gonna fail at this too... But I had a friend who had the band encourage me to go back to my surgeon, and find out why I was eating too much. Why was it just like before I even had surgery! My doctor started using Fluoroscopy for all adjustments during my hiatus....we immediately realized why and he corrected it asap! Now...with a properly adjusted band for me, I couldn't be happier with my decision to have this surgery. Please continue following up with your surgeon...and don't accept any excuses! This thing will do what it is advertised to do....Control/limit your portions...you just gotta get there. I wish you much success in your future! Never, ever give up.

Great Post! I will never allow my band to be to a point where I "can't" eat. I want it to help me....not rule me.

I've had employer paid ( at least a portion of it ) health insurance for over 20 years now. And something about the coverage changes almost every year. I think you just deal with it as it comes.... kinda like life.

4+ years and no band caused problems for me.

Hi Amber, And welcome! PB'ing is a term used to describe when food that has NOT went through the band area ( stoma ) is brought back up. A "productive Burp". For me, it's when I didn't chew it well enough. Stuck for me, is when a bit of food is physically stuck in the area where the band is. Once again, caused by my not chewing well enough or eating something that doesn't work so well with my band restriction level... It has always passed....and I try and remember to do something different next time. Chew better, etc. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

As the gowalking mentioned, welcome to bandster hell. Not uncommon at all to have the feelings you are having. My suggestion to you would be to follow very closely the TYPE of foods your surgical team recommends for you at this point and do your best to limit quanity. Lots of folks you will read about on here, GAINED weight during the period after introducing "food" back into their diet....until they have their band adjusted to where it provides the help it's designed to do. Try not to get discouraged....you're 5 weeks into your new life. Once again, just follow the TYPES of food you've been OK'd to have. I've been on here long enough to have read several post op diet plans....your's seems pretty liberal. Use caution. Best wishes and never, ever give up!

Good post/points Terry...and I know the feeling as well. I haven't lost pounds in a while but clothes sizes are going down as well. Keep up the good work! And good luck on the interview!!

Welcome aboard! Congrats on your upcoming surgery. You can get through the pre-op...one day at a time. Best wishes!

Congrats!! You're doing great!