slow_but_steady

I'm 6 months post-op and that burning sensation you all are talking about just started earlier today on me. The only activity I've done today is laundry. It hurts really bad, even now. I'm going to call the doctor first thing in the morning. WEIRD

I know that you, and me too, don't give a rats *** what those print outs show you and how your body mass has changed. What I want to see is the numbers on the scale go down!! Don't stress, I know you've heard it time and time again. That weight WILL come off. You are doing everything right with respects to eating healthy and exercise. What my doctor has explained to me is that most lap banders begin to see big reductions once their fills are between 5 and 7 in a 10cc band. This means you will be going back for additional fills. Here's the kicker, they won't give you any more than 1.5 to 2 ccs at a time. I scheduled another 30 day appt everytime I went in for a fill. You can always canx the appt. if you don't need it. I was banded in May and because my doc was so busy, I couldn't get my first fill until 20 July. That put me behind the curve. I went in again 3rd wk of Aug. and had another fill; went in again 17 Sep and had another fill. I now have 5.2 in a 10cc band. I've seen some major improvements since 17 Sep. Lowering blood pressure and reducing cholesteral is another story. I still have hypertension and my cholesteral is (down a bit) from 325 to 275. I am still taking meds for both conditions and my primary care doctor says he'll do checks every 6 months to determine when and if I'll be able to stop taking meds. I wish you the very best of luck. I felt just like you when I started my new life; I joked with my family a month after my surgery when they saw the quantity of food I could still eat. I told them that the joke was on me; while I was under the knife they gave me 2 stomachs, oops! Please consider adding strength training to ward off the loose skin that will come when the weight really starts to come off.

Sure thing; here you go:

Dr. Hugh Babineau

1100 E. Lake St., Suite 230

Tyler, TX 75701

903-593-0230

Dr. Babineau and his staff have been just super. My surgery went off without a hitch and the pre-op and post-op support his staff offers is very helpful and comforting. I would recommend him to any and all.

Thank you all for putting me at ease.

I had LB surgery on the 24th of May and was scheduled for my 1st fill on the 6th of July. Mind you, during my 2nd post op visit I explained that I had zero restriction and was concerned about how much I could eat. I was told not to worry that during my July visit they would give me the max fill. I was notified this past Wednesday that my scheduled appt would be move back to the 26th of July. That's another 20 days in lapband limbo... I fumed about it all Wed night; Thursday I called them and let know that waiting until the 26th was just not going to work for me and that would come to their office and sit in the waiting room until I was seen. Well, guess what...they rescheduled me for the 7th of July. What do you think? Should I have done what I did or been a tad more patient?

I was banded on May 24th; my first fill is Jul 6th. My pre-op weight: 230 My weight this morning: 205

It is vital during this period especially that you do not drink anything 30 min before eating anything, and wait an additional 30 min after eating. It took me about a week and a half to get this concept down; it's a difficult habit to get in to (was for me). Also 3 weeks post-op I started an exercise routine. Walking 30 min a day, then switched to Water aerobics. I felt I was able to eat way too much but the doc says I'm still losing so not to worry. He said he would give me the max fill on Jul 6th. Seriously, I'm able to eat pretty much anything I want and about 4 or 5 cups per meal. I am eating heathly though. No liquid calories, lots of fruit and vegetables and lean meat.

Best of luck to you.

I am aware of what and how much I eat, but I don't count calories. Make healthy choices since you can only eat so much with the band. Follow the no drink before, during, after meals and you'll stay full longer. Makes sense to me, but I'm only 3 weeks post op. I expect I'll be whining and rethink the calorie counting when I hit the plateau.

Hmmm...Interesting thoughts and comments. I'm for following the rules MY DOCTOR layed down for me. No carbonated beverages, yikes, not even alqua zeltzer. Believe me, I asked.

I am 3 weeks post op and am scheduled for my 1st fill on the 6th of July. When I saw the nurse this past Monday, I explained that I am able to eat about 3 cups of food in one sitting (no drinking 30 min before or 30 min after) I am losing, but I told her I thought I was only suppose to be able to eat no more than 1 1/2 cups. She said that on July 6th she was going to give me the maximum fill. What exactly does that mean? Anybody?

Liquied diet only for me too for 2 weeks prior to surgery. I went to CVS Pharmacy and bought their vanilla whey Protein Powder. I added 8 oz of Water and a crystal light on the go packet and shook it up real good. I also added about 4 ice cubes to make it good and cold. Believe it or not this is real tasty. At night to treat myself I would have 2 cups of chicken, beef, or vegetable broth. I made through, though it was tough. Good luck to you!!

I wish you the best of luck! When I considered the surgery back in February and discussed it with my husband, he was all for it until I told him the cost. Then he whoa!! He said I'd have to wait for a while. That is when I found this site. I had no idea that insurance would cover the cost. I went to see my PCM, he got the referral from my insurance. Two weeks later I saw the surgeon, they got the go ahead from my insurance the very next day. Each insurance company has different requirements you must accomplish prior to surgery so I quickly fulfilled all of mine and then BAM! I was scheduled for surgery on the 24th of May. If I could do this so can you...I'm the queen of procrastination.

My experience with TriCare Prime has been terrific. I saw my PCM in March of this year, the referral to the surgeon took no time at all. I saw the surgeon on the 20 of April and Tricare's approval came back the next day for the surgery. I had the surgery done on the 24th of May and am doing great.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Bess