outside*looking*in

I was banded on the 3rd. I had my first fill of 3cc on March 2nd. It made no difference. I was actually hungrier afterwards for some reason?? I am down 13lbs. I was stuck at the same weight (up and down by 1lb) the week of and after my cycle. I have gone down a pound a day for the last 3 days though. My next fill will be April 1 but I am not sure how much it will be. I stick to about 1000cals a day.

I had my first fill on Tuesday and I swear I am more HUNGRY! I want more and more often. I have been trying to stay on my docs plan of eating no more than 3oz. of food each meal but I am starting to feel really hungry. Did I mention that I am hungry? I think he may have taken some out instead of putting some in! I just try to keep up with tracking on myfitnesspal.com (LOVE IT!) and stay abut 1000cl and within my protein goal. I will not get another fill until April 1st.

That is actually a little scary. So, how long is it going to take for you to get in for fill appointments afterward, or heaven forbid you need an unfill! What area are you in?

Well - I finally started moving down a little and I went for my first fill yesterday of 3cc. That being said I feel like I could eat like crazy today! That has not been an issue until today. I know that you probably won't get restriction after your first fill or two or three, ect.. but should I feel this stinking hungry!!?

I got my first fill yesterday and was told to go back to liquid diet for 24 hours then back to whatever phase diet I am on after that. I have been SO hungry today. Way more hungry than before the fill!

I weigh myself in the am and in the pm most days. I have learned to understand how my body(weight) reacts to different things. I know that I am usually higher by at least 2lbs at night.

Here is how my nutritionist and doctors office does it. Daily Protein is based on a formula of (1.2-1.5) grams of protein per kilogram Ideal Body Weight(appropriate) My protein range given to me as I left the hospital 70 - 87gm daily

You will do great!!! Excited for you.:thumbup:

I am going for a fill today at 2pm. My question is this. Should I go in on an empty stomach or is it okay to eat before I go? Does it matter either way? Thanks

My doc does not allow straws either. I just recently started filling up a 64oz container in the am and put it in the fridge. I try to have it finished by the time I go to bed. My docs office also wants us to have 100oz a day! Not making that. I stopped having ice in my water because it would slow me down. I like to eat ice and never sure how much it is in terms of oz? I have problems sipping though. I don't guzzle but still take bigger sips than I should. I tried using my 2y/o sippy cup but she steals it back from me:laugh:

Betsy - I think you are right. I did not take in fact that my body is still thinking about those first 10lbs. I just figure it is wondering "where has all of our food gone??? better hold on to what we got now!" I have no worries of erosion. I really don't think that would even happen in such a short time. I used to always get stuck at 10lbs no matter what diet I tried. I guess I will just wait it out more. Thanks

Will do... Best of luck to you with your surgery and recovery. Keep us posted.

Not a dumb question Btreiger, but yes I am drinking the Water. I am writting all of my questions for the docs now so I will remember them for tomorrow. I have watched your unbanded success for the last few months and wanted to say "GREAT FREAKING JOB!:thumbup:"

Okay so tomorrow I go get my first fill. I will be 4 wks post-op. For the last 10 days or so I have been watching my weight and food amounts. I do not have restriction of any kind so I am really trying to be good and follow the "rules" I recently joined myfitnesspal.com (love it) so I can better track my colorie and other intake. I find that I am getting sticking around 1000 cals a day. BUT for the last 14 days I have been going back and forth with the same stupid 1lb! Why would I not be dropping weight if I am eating less cals and doing more and more exercise! I don't think I am in starvation mode. How will getting a fill and eating even less make the weight come off if it is not coming off now? I have lost a total of 10lbs in my 4wks post op (all in the first two wks). Am I doing something wrong? I have cottage cheese, yogurt, applesuace, deli meats, eggs, cheese and Protein shakes. Should I increase calories? SO CONFUSED! Any thoughts appreciated.

I also used CreditCare (17,000) no interest if paid by 18 months. The only hiccup we had was 3 days prior to surgery when we had to make the final payment (we put $2000 cash down) to the hospital We call to set up the payment and they told me they DID NOT ACCEPT credit care. I about flipped. This was one of the finance companies that the doc suggested. Turned out we had to pay the doctors office that remaining amount and THEY paid the portion owed to the hopital. SHewww. Still had surgery and did not need to postpone as I thought I was going to have to do.

Just a few things to think about if you have not been banded yet. 1. Have them put your IV in your NON-dominant hand, especially if you have an over night stay. (It makes bathroom trips much easier - among other things) 2. IF you experience blurry vision after the surgery it may not be the pain meds but a motion sickness patch that they have put behind your ear (if they give you that). 3. Neck pillow was nice to have. Best of Luck to you all. :eek:

I agree with Betsy. I was in the same boat with my insurance. I decided to do it anyway as selfpay. I have heard of people finding out if they happen to have a hernia and having the insuance cover a hernia repair surgery and then they pay the doc the difference for putting in the lap band. I did not explore that option, ended up having a hernia repair and now I am trying to see if I can get them to cover any of it after the fact. It would have been better to try BEFORE. Just a thought. Best of Luck

Ha! Funny..... suicidal t.v!

Boy...there are a lot of adjustments to make after having this surgery! I mean -I knew all about the small bites, chewing well and stuff. I guess the head hunger vs. real hunger is a biggy. I must say that I am only just now starting to feel hungry in between meals. At first it was more that I wanted flavor and texture, not that I was hungry. I am FINALLY on normal foods but I have noticed that I have been getting a little bit of an upset stomach after I eat, especially in the morning. Also, I have added back two protein shakes a day since they seem to keep me full longer and I don't mind the taste. I guess for me it is safe until I start eating with my stomach and NOT my eyes. I also have to- have to -have to -have a small snack between lunch and dinner otherwise I feel like I could eat everything in sight including the pets! And do it without taking small bites or chewing well. Good thing I go for my first fill in five days. Hope I will feel some sort of restriction.

Boy...there are a lot of adjustments to make after having this surgery! I mean -I knew all about the small bites, chewing well and stuff. I guess the head hunger vs. real hunger is a biggy. I must say that I am only just now starting to feel hungry in between meals. At first it was more that I wanted flavor and texture, not that I was hungry. I am FINALLY on normal foods but I have noticed that I have been getting a little bit of an upset stomach after I eat, especially in the morning. Also, I have added back two protein shakes a day since they seem to keep me full longer and I don't mind the taste. I guess for me it is safe until I start eating with my stomach and NOT my eyes. I also have to- have to -have to -have a small snack between lunch and dinner otherwise I feel like I could eat everything in sight including the pets! And do it without taking small bites or chewing well. Good thing I go for my first fill in five days. Hope I will feel some sort of restriction.

I am about 3 weeks out. I know everyone is different and I remember having to deal more with head hunger. I was not that hungry and even had a hard time finishing my shakes or yogurt. I thought it was crazy to hear my stomach gurgle and think "I not hungry - why is my stomach growling??" Now - I feel hungry by the time it starts growling at me. There are a lot of things/adjustments to get used to. I notice that now that I am really hungry, I eat bigger bites and eat faster. I guess it is a learning process for everyone. I lost 10lbs but now that I am starting to feel hunger and allowed back on regular food, I went up a pound. SO - I will now start the journaling and measure everything. Best of luck to you.

When I was heavy into low carb I made a version of lasagna where I used thin/long slices of zuchinni instead of noodles. It was pretty good. I am not a huge lasagna eater though.

Coaco "Desire to eat your dog" - - that is just too funny~! I was banded on 2/3 supposed to be on full liquids for 21 days. Last night was a challenge as we were out late and had to find a place to eat. I managed to find a place where I could have french onion soup/took out the bread and I ate the pot roast out of the 1/2 pot roast (very soft meat) sandwich I orderd. I discovered I could have stopped at the soup but old habbits had me ordering more than I needed. I have had little slip ups along the way. When I feel I can't stand it and need texture "real food" I have tried to find soft healthier options. Each doc is different and so I figured some people go back to soft foods three days out and if I have a small bit of something soft, it is not going to kill me. Just make sure to move past it and get back on track.

Hi - I was banded on the 3rd. I have to do 21 days of liquid/yogurt/shakes. I have been tired and was able to take my first small walk today without feeling exhausted. I have only lost about 8lbs since surgery but have been dealing with a heavy cycle for this past week and that is when things really started slowing down. I still get full with the shakes but would love some real stuff! Best of Luck to all:thumbup:

Update - so I spoke with the ladies from the office today and it just seems that they have never heard of this before and are not sure what to do. As a self-pay, they have a "package price" basically and don't have an itemized billing. I explained to them that had this hernia been detected BEFORE the surgery there are things that they would have covered. They thought that I was trying to get the ins to cover the whole thing. I explained that I knew they would not cover the band and other things but possibly the anestheia or hospital stay. SO they finally decided to submit the claim today but made sure to let me know that I may be subject to the co-pay??? Ugh, I have paid near $18,000. If they re-imburse some, I will take it out of that. This is still a big ????IF they pay anything. THey may not. I guess we will wait and see. It seems like the docs office is not to enthused about doing this.