rockstar

Could it be that you have a leak?

Nope. Each fill, they unfill me into a syringe to make sure it's all still there. Never missing a drop.

Is it purely because I just haven't gotten it the life change down yet?

Hey guys. I just have a little concern, just wanna hear if someone is having something similar situation.

I got my surgery in October of 2010 and lost about 45 lbs in four months from, I'm sure, the result of the surgery and being a little timid of the foods on the restricted list. So after about six months of monthly doctor visits, monthly fills... I still felt no restrictions. After about 8 months, I started to fall into old habits because, well ... I guess I was mad at myself for not being the typical band patient and having normal restriction... I don't know. But 10 months out, I've gained 25 lbs back... all my fault. I've never felt stuck, I've never slimed, I've never pb'd. It's like the band isn't there. I think I have 8 or 9 ccs out out of 11, I believe.

Has anyone gone through this? Had 8 fills and felt no restriction? I realize that 90% of losing weight on the band is me. Eating right and exersizing but I was counting on the band to help. Has anyone gone to maximum fill to get restriction?

I'm back on the program with smaller portions and getting my 150+ minutes of walking in but I'm getting a little discouraged after almost a year.

Any response is appreciated!!

Amy

I was back to 100% by day 8 and could do pretty much anything. My job is pretty physical and I had absolutely no problem with it.

If you are on a clear liquid diet only, you don't need to be so restrictive on what you allow yourself to eat. I was unfortunate to never have restriction right after surgery so I drank and drank all day long the first week post-op.

But if you don't think you can take it another day, call your surgeon. Sometimes they will bump you up to the next week's food or allow you to introduce fuller liquids.

It does it get better! After 7 days, I felt 100% again.

Like people are saying .. yogurt, mashed potatos, cottage cheese, Soup, blend some salsa, refried Beans, soft scrambled eggs, and so on.

Baby food is disgusting. I tried it when my husband got his gastric bypass last year and rebought some different flavors and brands after my surgery and blegh. I fed them to my dogs.

I had a one week clear, sugar free diet pre-op, one week clear liquid diet post op, one week full liquids, one week pureed foods, one week soft foods, one week modified normal foods, then off to normal foods, no bread/pasta/red meat for 8 weeks.

I'll have my first fill 6 weeks after my surgery date. Can't wait!

Welcome and keep us updated on your progress! I look forward to seeing your posts around. :thumbup:

I was absolutely miserable for 5 days after surgery. I was in a ton of pain and hungry constantly. I never got the restriction that most people talk about. I walked and walked and walked and took Gas X in every form - no relief. So I know how yucky you're probably feeling.

But if it's any help, it DOES get better. By day 7, I was feeling great and almost back to 100% normal.

I wish you luck!

I quit Feb. 2, 2010 with Chantix. I smoked 10 years, 2 packs a day and quit that very day. The first week was a little tough but I WANTED a cigarette, not NEEDED one. That was the biggest problem but I over came it and fully believe that anyone can do it if they really want to.

And my surgeon told me that 99% of the patients he's encountered with eroded bands have continued to smoke after surgery after they were told the risks. He also checks all his bypass patients the morning of surgery for nicotine and will refuse to do it if you've smoked.

But that's just him. I wish you the best of luck. Quitting smoking was THE best thing I've done so far for myself. I love being smoke free. :sneaky:

By day 6, all my gas pain was gone and I was feeling good. By day 8 and 9, I was back to almost normal. By day 12 and 13, I could start to bend over without wincing, and now at day 16, it's like I never had surgery.

Day 2-5 were hell on earth for me!

Hi and welcome! No reason to be nervous. You've made an awesome decision that's going to help you get healthy!

About going back to work ... everyone heals at different paces so some people were able to jump right back into a desk job 3-4 days after surgery. I have a pretty physically active job, so I took an entire week off. The first two days were a tad rough (mostly on my feet) but after that, I felt completely normal. By the end of week 1 post-op, it's like I never had surgery.

So most people say 1 week should be the longest you'll need. Just depends on how you feel.

Good luck!

Hey and welcome!

All I can say about the pre-op is take it one day at a time. You'll have some days you just wanna scream and eat everything in sight, and other days where you think, "Hey, this isn't that bad." Cherish those days! Just gotta plow through it and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. It's all worth it!

Keep us updated!

Hey there! Feel free to ask all your questions! And welcome.

Hi and welcome! Keep us updated on your journey!

Congrats!!

Renee:

I don't work for an insurance company so all my advice is purely opinion and could be completely wrong. BUT. With what you've stated I would think you'd be a breeze to approve. And if the worst case happens and you're denied, you appeal shouldn't be too difficult because you have a number of co-morbidities related to being overweight. Honestly I don't see how they could deny you, even with a point or two less than a 40 BMI.

But I wish you good luck and keep us updated!

We're glad to have you with us!

Only your surgeon can clear you for any physical activity as all surgeons are different. At my one week post-op appointment I was cleared for more walking, recumbent bikes, and no lifting over 25lbs. That was about the extent of it though for me.

I'm on mushies right now and I find myself throwing a can of Beans in my food processor and adding everything that can be pureed into that pudding consistancy. I just finished "eating" a black bean, Tomato, avocado, salsa, winter squash Soup slurry. And it was tasty!

Approvals really vary in time frame. My insurance (Anthem BCBS) could potentially "review" my claim for up to 30 days. It took about 4 working days from submission until I received my phone call. Most people don't have to wait long. My surgery date was scheduled that day. If I hadn't been going out of town, I could have been operated on within two weeks (because of the pre-op diet).

The process is generally very quick for people.

Hi and welcome! Your weight loss is awesome for such a short time! I wish you the best of luck and keep up posted on your journey.

Welcome Jim! You're among friends now so feel free to post comments and questions at will. :]

And keep us updated on you and your wife's progress!

Some doctors fill the band a little at surgery but the majority wait 6-8 weeks after to start filling it little by little. Some claim you have to wait until your 3rd, 4th, or even 5th fill to really start losing weight. But everyone is different and everyone's approach is different.

I'm only 10 days post-op and have lost right around 20 lbs from the pre-op diet to now. (241 to 221)

Welcome!!

The pre-op diet isn't as tough as it sounds once you get passed day 2! It's all downhill from there, in my experience. But it's all for a great reason in the end!

Good luck and keep us all updated!