OnTheWay to Thin

I had my first fill today, 2.5cc and boy I can feel the difference. Eating was a challenge tonight, but they said it would calm in a few days. If the restriction does not last and I feel I need it I can get another fill next week. I guess they go weekly utill I hit sweet spot. Fingers crossed...

I was also banded on the 28th of may and I am right there with you, the last 2 weeks have been up a # down a #, up 2 #'s, down 1 # and so on. I was told to expect this and I get my first fill today so I am hoping this makes the scale start moving down again. Hang in there!

Wow my doctor included the first 3 years of fills for free.. but generally if insurance does not cover the surgery they dont cover the related fills or complications. Call and ask your insurance, but it is likely that anything "Weightloss" is excluded.

I love the idea about the jeans, I am a recent bander but did not think of that, I will do the same.

I get my first fill tomorrow and sure hope it helps I too am stuck at the same number and know I need some restriction soon!

We were both banded about the same time (I was the 28th of May) and I understand how you feel. I think what you are going through is a major adjustment to a different life, but it can be an awesome life! This is part of bandster hell, the period between surgery where you are healing before your first fill, where it is impossible to follow all the rules. Dont let it get you down, this will get better and once you have your first fill you should start seeing more results. As for weight gain we are all going up and down as we heal, some days water weight some days a bit too many calories, but it is a learning experience and once you get it figured out you will be stronger. Hang in there you are doing great.

Hang in there, I have lost 27 lbs, dont miss the soda at all, and my knees are starting to feel sooooo much better, I have more energy and feel like I can do things now, cant imagine how good I will feel in another 50lbs or so!

That sounds a bit like what happens with dumping syndrome which I have not heard of with a band. You could have a bit of swelling from the fill, if it does not go away in a day or so definatley call your doctor.

totally normal, I am 4 weeks post surgery and doing great, I can tell you though the days before I was scared spitless...

I did not tell anyone other than immediate family and 1 friend. But now that the weight loss is starting to show I can see people looking me up and down, but so far no one is asking, like they are afraid to ask. Kind of funny actually, I can see and feel the difference and feel better.

Thai food, my husband son and I went to our favorite restaurant and had dinner, they have lovely lean meat and fresh veggies, I knew the meat would be ok after, but was not sure about some of the fresh veggies. i.e. broccali, asparagus... Having been banded for almost a month now I think the only thing I have really had trouble with is bread and broccali, yep, lightly steamed broccali did not work well.. otherwise, ok. Have 1st fill in 2 weeks and then start the food checks all over again.

Hi Bonnie - I had given up dieting and just decided I was me and that was it, however, I have had several deaths in my family that were diabetis related. I have always been happy and active, have a great husband and family and so I was not too worried about it all. I am not diabetic yet, but I do have pretty severe osteoarthritis of the knee and am looking at a total knee replacement and decided it was time. I researched for quite a while, talked with those that had both good and bad experiences and then talked to my PCP. He actually recommended my particular surgeon as the one he would go to if he needed surgery so I went and decided to go forward. Not knowing your specifics and if you have ever had surgery, this procedure was pretty easy for me, I am 4 weeks out, down 26 lbs and waiting for my first fill. I have had to work at it, I have always been able to lose weight, but keeping it off is another story. Allready I can feel amazing improvement in my knees and energy level. My advise is to check all your options and talk to people you trust and you will make the right decision for you. There are lots of options now and diffferent ones are best for each person so you and your doctor will decide what is best for you. If you decide to do the band I wish you luck, and know if I can do it you can.

WASA I did not respond to you point by point because you just are not worth the effort. However, for anyone who is interested the information I quoted is right of of the manufacturers web site for the Lapband AP product which is the most commonly used band in my area. As the manufacturer of the item in question this is their recommendation. Their site is: Lapband.com - Why choose the LAP-BAND® System? But this is an excerpt of their evaluation criteria. Is the LAP-BAND® System Right for me? (BMI Calculator) If you've been thinking about weight loss surgery as a tool in losing and your excess weight and maintaining your ongoing health goals, you can use the guideline below to determine if LAP-BAND® System is the right option for you. To determine if your weight and physical attributes meet the criteria for the LAP-BAND® System, slide the controls below to your approximate weight and height. You may be able to benefit from the LAP-BAND® System if: You are at least 18 years old You are at least 100 pounds overweight or your BMI is 40 or higher (or at least 35 if you have one or more comorbidities - weight-related health conditions - such as type 2 diabetes) Keep in mind that only a qualified physician/surgeon can properly evaluate all the factors in your case. This result is a guideline for you, and can help you make the decision to seek more information about weight loss surgery using the LAP-BAND® System.

If the doctor is a participating or preferred doctor with your insurance they should not be asking for anything other than your deductible. That is part of their contract with the insurance company. So check that out first, to make sure if there is a contract, then go back and try and find out why, I have heard of a couple of doctors who did not like the amount their insurance contract paid so they tried to collect extra on the side from the paitient. That is not cool as they promised not to do that in their contract.

Man I agree with you, I am amazed at how this has turned out. Wasa for your edification the info I quoted was not from the insurance companies, it was from the Surgical Review Corporation. The guidlines I referred to are set in place for and by the Bariatric Centers for Excellence, who gather all the data on these procedures from member surgeons and board certified bariatric surgeons. They then make recommedations as to who candidates should be for the procedures, and evaluate the risks vs benefits, longterm outlook and analyze the complication rates. They have compiled a very comprehensive list of recommendations in this regard. As I told Alice, her initial post sounded like she was looking for the easy button and I had real concerns for her and saw that was the case for several other posters, they voiced their opinions in concern, however, in subsequent posts Alice filled in a lot of info... and I told her to go for it! You seem to have a real talent for picking out pieces of a thread and then ripping it and the person to shreads, most out of context to the conversation that was happening at the time. There is nastiness, but most seems to be from you, others are just giving their opinions, some misguided, but all valid points of view for different reasons. Info regarding the Surgical Review Corp from their website is: Surgical Review Corporation (Which is a United States entity) BOLD has three primary goals: To offer Centers a real-time tool to monitor their compliance with the Bariatric Surgery Centers of Excellence (BSCOE) requirements. To provide SRC with credible data that can be used to demonstrate to consumers, employers, medical professionals and payors of the value and efficacy of bariatric surgery. Clinical series, although helpful, represent only selective data. Claims data collected by payors is often inaccurate due to the nature of billing codes. To collect the information needed to improve patient outcomes. The data will guide surgeons in choosing the right operation for patients. BOLD is a unique platform for evidence-based medicine, tracking complications and improvement or resolution of co-morbidities longitudinally in an effort to develop risk stratification guidelines that will promote improved patient care and outcomes.

My doctor said that during the first days after surgery not to worry about calories as much as nutrition as we are drinking only and getting very little calories in there and anything is a help. Although there are calories in cheese and potato, there is also protien, vitamin e, calcium, and alot of other nurtients so while you dont want to make a daily habit of it during recovery it is fine. Also, my instructions said once you puree food, you need to make sure that it is thin enough to go through a straw, not necessarily that you have to use a straw to drink it! LOL... also not all doctors think straws are bad, my doctor and others as well have said if you are able to use a straw and dont have excess gas or pain then use your best judgement. Remember this is not 1 size fits all, nor is it 1 set of instructions for all, every doctor and patient is different and most all paitients are looking for whatever they can do in the liquid to mushy phase to have some taste, nutrtion and not being hungry all the time.

I am right there with you! I was losing really well, then bamn hit a wall, and have been going up 3 down 2 up 1 down 2 but never really progressing... for about 11 days now... but yesterday and today I was down a lb each day so I am hopeful that this will start moving again... My first fill is not till the 9th so I know how frustrating this is.. Hang in there...

I went to the store and bought some of their deli soup then took it home and blended it, added broth if necessary to make it thin enough to fit through a straw. It was good and something different. I liked the cheddar potato soup this way as it had actual flavor. Good luck but go easy and keep the liquids thin. Yes those darn sugar substitutes can make you feel blah especially if you are not used to them.

Are you sure you are not feeling the port? The port is usually sewn into the muscle and when moving or stretching a lot of people report pulling there...

Agnes - I dont think anyone here is trying to discourage you from doing something to make you healthier and happier (myself included), but your original post sounded very much like you thought this was the easy button and that you just have surgery and boom the weight falls off quickly and without effort. That is not the case. There are risks with all surgeries and the concerns that have been raised are concerns for you and your well being, not people trying to be mean other than the "head case" comment. LOL. If you have really researched your options and you can be committed to a long term weight loss program than I say go for it, but just understand that it takes a lot of work. Also, your follow up care concerns me, many doctors will not see Mexico paitients, and therefore if you have a problem or complication you may find yourself having to get on a plane to get medical care and that scares the beegeebies out of me for you. I wish it was not that way and that the costs were equitable regardless of location but that is just not where we are with WLS at this point. It is a big $ business and not all doctors who do it, do it for the right reasons. I am very fortunate, my doctor has a true desire to help people be happier and healthier but not all doctors are like that. Good luck to you in whatever you choose, just make sure you are well informed and understand the process fully and you will make the right decision.

bMy doctor flushes the lines to get all the air out but does not put anything in the band. That way on the first fill which he will not do for 6 weeks, you have full benefit of the fill.

I agree with restless monkey, weight loss by itself is not going to solve lonliness, or feelings of solitude, one of the most social and well adjusted people I know weighs around 400lbs, so the isolation you are feeling is likey the a sign of a bigger issue than just weight by itself. Talk to a good therapist and they will be able to help you pinpoint the areas you need to work on as you lose for you to be well rounded and happy at the end of your journey.

Congrats to you, I had my son bring me a couple baskets of clothes I sent to the basement a few years back and found that I could wear most of them now! That is such a good feeling!

It does not sound like this poster is not 50-55 lbs overweight. I am all for weight control and would have loved to stop my weight before I was 50lbs overweight, but I cant ever remember being just 50lbs overweight. There is a bigger issue here and this poster sounds like she is looking for a quick fix, this surgery is NOt a quick fix or easy way to reduce weight, it takes work, each and every day and I would hate to see someone go through surgery and fail because they did not understand that it is not a quick fix AND it requires 100% dedication to this for the long term.

My doctor required 4-5% weight loss prior to help shrink your liver. I understand this makes the surgery easier and less pain for you as a result. I was able to lose this and had a very easy recovery. All doctors are different on this so check with your surgeon.