browneyedgirl52

Thanks to each and everyone of you that took the time out for me to reply to my message. I really mean this. I was having such bad thoughts about this band and I guess still not understanding all the possibilities yet. I realize I must be patient, talk to the professionals and go from there. Thanks to all of you for your support, I will NOT throw in the towel. I will push forward and keep trying. God bless you all for your support, words of encourage and sincere concern for me.

Was real excited about finding a tool to help me in my Quest for better health and was so happy and excited to learn of lapband. I jumped through all the hoops for my insurance and did as I needed to do. I had the surgery, did pretty good with it and then looked forward to a healthier me. My doctor took me off all my meds immediately and I was so thrilled. I went for my first fill, then number 2, then 3 and all the way to 8.5. I have absolutely no feeling of fullness or satisfaction after eating anything. I can still eat as I did before the band. Now, I know that everyone is different and so is the body. My band is 11cc and I just dont think this was the right thing for me. Im so upset and back on my meds. I have done what is necessary to eat right, excersise and Portion Control. I'm still so hungry after small portions that I end up eating even more of the "right" stuff. Im so frustrated and wishing I didnt do this thing. I guess i have to accept that this just isnt the right "tool" for some people. I also wish that I had been better informed by the professional people leading me and alos maybe I could have done more research. Through all of this I only ever heard that a person may fail if they dont follow the instructions of eating small portions, excercising and following doctors orders. I have. The band is failing me. I cry.

oh my gosh, I feel so stupid. you make so much sense to me when I read about how you define restriction. I was honestly waiting for a real restrictive feeling. I have been full with less food then before the band and without any feeling of any kind. I too wish the doctors would explain this better to us. I have been so disappointed with my band and felt as if I may be one that it doesnt work for. thank you so much for putting it in a more unstandable form. I now can move on with a more healthy life.

it seems like everyone is searching for the magic land of "restriction", but I'm beginning to realize that we may have very different ideas of what that means. I'm curious about what restriction or sweet spot, as terms, mean to you and how you use your band.

For me, my band is working when it makes me feel full after small amounts of food and then stay full for several hours. When I say full, I mean "not hungry for another bite, even if my mental hunger tells me I still want to eat because it tastes good".

For me, my band does not in any way restrict WHAT I can eat, just how much. I don't get stuck, I've never PB'ed or slimed, and I absolutely never want to. If I want a piece of pizza, I eat a piece of pizza (A Piece, at less than 200 calories for the meal) and the beauty is that I feel completely full after that one single piece. I don't usually eat bread or Pasta, but that is a choice, not a band-forced restriction. For me, I like it that way. I don't want pain and discomfort for the rest of my life to keep me thin-- I just want to eat like a normal person in normal amounts.

What about you? I don't think everyone's bands work for them in the same way and I think new bandsters who are searching for the spot might be helped by understanding the different ways the band could work for an individual.

Thanks to those of you who replied to my concern. I do feel alot better now knowing that im not alone in my problem. I have been in tears over this thing. I got the band to help me loose weight so that I can come off my meds and to loose weight so that I can finally sleep without a CPAP machine. I honestly felt as if I would be the person who this band didnt work for. I will give it more time and more fills and see what happens. Thank you all so much.

I know everyone is different, but come on now. I have been banded since 11/1/2010 and with 5cc in an 11cc band I still can eat anything that wont eat me first. Im getting so discouraged. I feel absolutely nothing. Everything goes down so smooth and I have no problems with eating anything I want to. I do however try to eat healthy, but Im eating so much of the healthy stuff that I am slowly gaining what I lost prior to the band. What should I do? I have the scars to show that I should have the band, but wondering if it is really in there. LOL

Hi everyone. I had my surgery on November 1st and, for the most part, it went well. Nothing went wrong with the surgery it was my stay at the hospital. Found out the day after and right before my discharge that someone was to get me up every three hours around the clock to walk....that didnt happen and also I was having port pain real bad and was not offered pain meds...because the pain was not bad enough when I was laying down or just sitting still. I ended up with lots of gas and still had port pain. Not kidding you, the pain was unbearable at times. Was told that in some people the port pain happens. Today Im back to work, Im on pureed foods now and doing just fine. I have no restriction yet. My first fill is scheduled for Dec 1st. Im so sorry to be the bearer of the port pain news, but it is possible and it does pass. Good luck to everyone with your journey to a healthier you.

I don't meet the BMI either, but my surgeon said because of the co-morbidities I will be covered by the insurance. I have BCBS of Delaware and had to do six months of education. I have finished those 6 months and my surgery is scheduled for November 1. I still do not have an official approval from the insurance company...I only have the word of the surgeon's office that I will be covered. I can only wait now. I'm hoping for the best and wishing you the best as well.

Hi, I'm scheduled for Nov. 1 and have been through all of the things I needed for BCBS of Delaware. The 6 months really went fast and honestly, I was glad to have been required to do so. I did learn alot and hopefully can incorporate what I have learned into a healthy life style after the band. I have my final medical clearance on Oct. 7 and then my last appt with my doctor. Wow! What a journey this has been so far. I'm looking forward to the rest of my journey and a more healthier me.

I know what I want to say and I hope this comes out the right way. I mean you no hurt with my words. First let me say that I understand your pain. I too had a husband who cheated on us and when I say us, I mean me and my two boys. The boys were very young when my marriage ended. My oldest was only 4 years old and my youngest was 4 months. I raised them all alone, did not date and consentrated on raising them and giving them what they deserved. I put Me on the back burner. So I do feel your pain. However, and I know you probably have heard this a million times, but "this too shall pass" You will eventually heal from this and if you and he do what is right for your children they to will do just fine. Now for the hard part and this is where I hope I say it just right. From what I hear in your message is that you went through your journey to lose weight for the wrong reasons. First, I feel that you should have done it for you and your health. Second, is where your husband and children would benefit from the new more healthy you. Also, if you and he do the counseling thing and you choose to make a go of it, I wish you all the best. I do beleive that a person can change if they "want" to. So its not impossible for him to learn from his mistake and to be the man, husband and father you need him to be. The hardest thing for you will be forgiveness. I hear you when you say that even if you do decide to stay together, the marriage will never be the same. I think thats the truth. It can however be managed. Please dont do the "getting back together" thing for the children. They will pick up on that is a heartbeat and it wont be pretty. I hope that you know that I wish you all the best and encourage you to keep up with your journey to be more healthy. I really hope that I havent hurt you further. That wasnt my intention. God bless you in whatever decision you make.

I have a six month requirement from my insurance too. I have BC/BS and have to do nutrition and life style classes. Like I said before, it will give me a foundation for a better way of life.

Hi, I too will be ready around September or October. I have BC/BS and they require me to do 6 months of what I call "jumping through the hoops". I'm not upset about that though, because it will give me a foundation for proper eating habits and better food choices for a lifetime. Good luck to you also on your journey

Hello to everyone, Im new here and new to this whole process. I'm currently just starting through the whole process that is required by my insurance. I had my first nutrition class this morning with 5 more to go over 5 months. I am very excited to have the opportunity to do this in order to help me to become more healthy. I look forward to meeting new people here and hearing about thier journey. :redface: