Dixieland

I'm also eating more than I should. I am going in for a refill. I was banded on 11/18/09. I can eat anything, and hardly ever feel that I am restricted. I am loosing about 2 pounds each week. Sometimes it fluctuates back and forth, according to what type of foods I'm eating, but it always goes back down, with an average of 2 pounds a week.

I find that eating chicken or meats, that I do feel the restriction, but eating Soups, salads, and vegetables, I do not. I'm ok with this though. I was told by my doctor, that loosing 2 pounds a week is excellent. You do not want to loose too quickly or you will have more loose flab. If you lose it slowly, it will tend to shrink with the weight loss. I have not lost enough for me to know this yet, but I'm hoping.

Most the time I eat what I know is good for me, but there are times when I eat things that I know that I should not, and I'm still loosing. Between meals I eat nuts (pecans, peanuts, walnuts, etc) to tide me over. These are good fats and Proteins. I was on the Atkins diet before doing the surgery, and it worked great for me. I just could not keep loosing on the diet. My body would get to a stand-still and not loose any more, and of course, I would gain it all back. I found out a lot of good information from being on it though. Eating Good fats with Proteins will burn themselves up and not put fat on the body. That is what makes the atkins diet so great. Nuts have the good fat and Protein. Beef Jerky also helps me.

I also agree that you should not think of it as a snack, but just something to tide you over. Just a small amount, eaten very slowly will make a world of difference. Good luck.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

On Dec. 16th I had my first fill after my surgery on Nov. 11th. I have lost 18 lbs. since my surgery. A total of 38 lbs. in all. I feel great and my fill is working wonderful right now.

I had my surgery on November the 18th, and I can eat anything! I also eat very slow and chew my food very well. If I start to feel like I'm going to belch, I know that I'm full and stop eating. Certain things I do not eat because I know that they are not good for my diet, but so far, I have had no problems with food. I know that most people do not drink when eating (you are not suppose to), but I find that taking a sip every once in a while, helps me when eating dryer items, like chicken. To me, it's the same as eating Soup. You have your liquid with the dry portion of the meat. I know that you should not drink too much because it fills you up and you won't be able to eat your food, but a little sip through the meal is a big help to me.

I'm not sure if what I felt was the band or not. What does the pain feel like? Mine felt like a pin prick? Is that what the pain of the port is? I thought maybe mine might have slipped, but I did not do anything that could have caused it to slip. The pain only lasted the one day, and I have not felt it since. The pain was right under my left breast, which is where I had my surgery on November the 18th. I always thought it would be down on my stomach, near my navel, but all surgery was done right under my breast? Any information would be helpful.

I was also banded on Nov. 18th. I lost more on my pre-op diet than I did from my after surgery dieting. I really believe that when it does start coming off, it will come off fast. Hope so anyway. Good luck to you.

I would like to be added to your list.

Surgery Date: 11/18/09

Start Weight: 248

Current Weight: 212

Height 5'3"

Hi! I just got banded yesterday. I'm soooo... glad I did. I have had some gas pains in my shoulders and neck area, but the doctor said I did great! The good thing is that you are not hungry for the first couple of days after surgery. I'm on my second day and I really just eat because I need to, not because I want anything.

Anyway....Good luck to you!

I just had my LAP-BAND® surgery yesterday. I chose to go on a longer liquid diet, because I was not sure when I was to get the surgery and I wanted to make sure when I got the call that I was on my way and would not have to wait because of the liquid diet. I was on it for 4 weeks.

I bought the whey Protein mix from Wal-mart. Make sure it has 20 grams of protein, and very little fat or carbs. It cost about $14.00 for a large container. I mixed strawberries with mine. I had 2 Protein Shakes a day, and 1 meal consisting of baked turkey or chicken breast. 1/2 apple sliced up and some greens. (spinach is the best).

I lost almost 20 lbs, and I did cheat 1 day. After a while I really did enjoy my little meal. I found that the taste of all the items together was good. I was never hungry. If I did get a little hungry, then I would eat a small amount of beef Jerky (about 1/2 of a piece only). To play it safe, just take the small amount with you, but DO NOT TAKE THE WHOLE PACKAGE. From experience, it is easier if you do not see the package. Always eat very slow! And chew, chew, chew. Hope this will help you. In the end, it is worth it!!!

This is what I did, but you might want to check with your doctor first. I know the diet is to decrease the size of your liver. To keep it out of the way when the doctor does the LAP-BAND® surgery. :confused: Hope this helps some.

I was told that the dieting will shrink the liver and make it easier to put the band on without the liver getting in the way. It usually just takes about 2 weeks of the dieting to do this, but I think it is very important that you do it.

I have also lost lots of weight on diets before, but have always gained it all back. Before deciding to get the lap band, I had been on a diet and I had lost 55 pounds in about 4 months, but I came to a standstill and could not loose any more. After a while, I just started gaining it all back. When you stop loosing, you get frustrated and start eating again. You know that you are not going to live forever, on just eating to maintain a diet. In time you are going to sneak in all those foods that got you in trouble before. And the more you eat,....the more you want to eat....! Then, ...there goes the diet....! I have never had a problem loosing weight, but I cannot keep it off. I can never loose enough to get to my goal weight.

For the lap band, I have gone on a 3 months diet for the insurance to cover me. But I am not going to let myself loose very much because I'm afraid my insurance will not cover me if I do. I know that I can do it with the lap band, but I cannot lose enough without it.

I think you lost so much weight, because you were excited about getting the lap band, and you were anxious to get started with the loosing. You had a goal that was within reach, and you felt positive about it. I had felt like this, but my nurse, (almost) told me not to loose too much. Therefore, I've made a diet plan as requested, but balanced my weight to what I felt I could loose and still not jeopardize my lap band with the insurance. If you are still loosing, then maybe you CAN make it without the band. I hope so. Your reward with youself would be soooo...much better. Good luck to you!

You've done Great! I'm so glad for you, (and jealous). I have not had my surgery yet, but I feel the same way that you do. I know without a doubt, that I can loose the weight. Just knowing that every pound you take off, will stay off. Not like all the diets that are so depressing, because you know that it will never end. Even if you do loose, you will put it back on because you are never able to stay with the diet long enough to loose the amount of weight that you need to. With the lap band you can attain your goal. From there you just have to maintain, which most people can do. I am so anxious to get mine done. Good luck with your future!

Dr. Hollis in Houston? That's who I'm working with, I haven't seen him yet, but have done the pre approval for my insurance and will see the doc in the next couple of weeks. I have researched him and I'm satisfied.

I assume that you have had your surgery by now with Dr. Hollis. He is also my doctor. I have not seen him yet, but have heard that he is a good doctor. Did you like him? :biggrin:

What is a magic bullet? Where do you get them? It sounds like some type of blender. :biggrin:

I am happy to say that my log in name is true!! I got my band yesterday. It went so well, I couldnt have asked for it to be any better. I had surgery at 7:30am , was up walking the halls by 10:30 and homein my own bed by 2pm.

Today I am a bit sore but most of the pain is in the shoulders from gas. Also my throat hurts because of the tube during surgery.

After 8 days of clear liquid diet, the pureed lentil Soup I just had for dinner was amazing!!!

Glad to see so many others are having great surgery stories this week too. We are all strong and will do great!!!

I'm so glad for you. Can't wait till I get mine. I just started. I'm have my first doctor visit tomorrow. Hope you stay healthy, and loose lots of weight! :thumbup:

Hi all. I am just starting to read and decide about getting banded. I started this a year ago, but am really serious now. I just don't know.I have talked to my family doctor and she has told me about the group here that does the surgey and that I should go to the talk they give at the hospital. So that is in my future.

I'm 59, 80 lbs overweight and I have Fibromyalgia, arthritis and asthma, degenerative discs in my back and I need knee replacements. Wow...that sounds like a lot when I actually see it in print! I know it all would be better with weight loss.

I'll enjoy reading through the posts and gaining info from you all.

I'm a newbe too. I just found out about the lap band in June and I knew right then I wanted it. I thought my insurance was going to make me wait for the 6 month diet program, but found out yesterday that I can have the surgery done in 90 days. I am so excited!:thumbup: Can't wait. I go Thursday to see the doctor. I have the sleep apena, and I have already had the knee surgery. So far I'm in pretty good health. I usually heal fast, so I'm ready! I've learned a lot from these post. The people are very nice, and (happy)lol. I think this is the safest way to go, myself. Most people seem to loose a lot and keep it off. Good luck to you!:thumbup:

Yep, Aetna made my psychiatrist give me the "book" of questions about 400 of them but they were obviously to weed out those who are not sure what they are doing in life and that is okay with me too. Just made it another hoop and more cost for me out of pocket but I was not going to be stopped by that!

SpecialK

Did you have to do the 6 month diet plan before you get the lap band surgery?

What is a Realize Band? Is it the same thing as lap band surgery? Dixieland

I'm waiting for mine too. Once I decided I wanted to have it done I feel like I'm sitting on pins and needles waiting to hear from my doctor and have a date set. My insurance says I have to have a supervised diet for 6 months. How can I wait! I'll be a nervous wreck by then. (lol)

I also have aetna PPO, and was told I had to have a 6 month supervised diet before getting the lap band surgery? How did you get a 3 months diet plan? I would appreciate your answer. Thanks

Does anyone here know anything about Dr. Hollis? I've just started the process of getting approved for the lap band. My insurance is suppose to cover it, but I'm still waiting to hear. Before I make a committment, I would like to hear from someone that has had him for their surgery.

Hi! I have just started. I was told that my insurance requires a 6 month supervised diet plan before I can get the lap band. What insurance do you have? I have Aetna.

Hope you make it for Thanksgiving also.