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Boy, I sure had the SAME question after I was first banded. I lost 17 pounds the first week, then things came to a screeching halt. If you read more posts, you'll find that until you get a fill (or two, or three.....), the weight might not come off very fast, if at all. In my case, I've had one fill and still not feeling restriction. I'm going for #2 soon and hopefully that will help. So what everyone says is true.....just concentrate on eating proper foods and healing the first few weeks and don't worry about losing weight until you get some decent restriction. Believe me, you are NOT alone!!!

Ugh th is is a personal topic! I was banded 8/12... and I have been to the ladies room every 15mins for the past three days. I am staying hydrated but I feel like it makes it worse!! Tomorrow I'm am on the second stage of my diet, pudding and soups - hopefully that helps somehow!!!! I dont know what else to do, I am planning on returning to work tomorrow too...

Well, Clay, since my insurance paid for my band in Mexico, yes, i would expect them to cover complications. I really don't have any fears for that. I would probably go to Dr Ortiz for any problems I have anyway. I could have had the surgery in the US and my insurance would have paid for it, but after seeing Dr Ortiz and his clinic when my daughter went there in 2006, my husband and I felt that was definitely the right choice for us. None of the three of us has had any problem or complication whatsoever.

I posted a few weeks back because I couldn't keep anything down. This has been progressive and it been going on for over 6 months. I went to the surgeons office three times with issues and all the Fluid taken out. The last visit in July I requested the appointment to be with the doctore (Atkinson) and still, when I went for the appointment I was seen by the PA. The PA said she would talk to doctor about the band slipping and check with my insurance to re-position or remove the band. I didn't hear back for a few weeks. I called the office and they said that because my insurance was now Aetna, not Blue Cross, Dr. Atkinson would not perform the surgery, even out of network. As you can imagine this was very frustrating. As the months went on, my symptoms kept getting worse. I dedided to start calling other bariatric surgeons in the area and no one would take me as a patient since they didn't perform the surgery. Long story, but I finally went to my regular doctor because I couldn't hold liquid or food down for several days. She contacted a bariatric surgeon and he told her to get me an upper GI. I still wasn't sure if he was going to take me as a patient. Anyway, I got a call from the surgeon's coordinator and she couldn't believe my upper GI. It was the worse slip they had ever seen. She explained that the doctor usually take other doctors patients, but my condition was very severe. My entire stomach has slipped through the band. The band is now located between my stomach and intestines. This can be a life threatning situation. So I was told not to throw up any more until I coudl see the doctor. My appointment is Tuesday and my surgery will be scheduled. Sorry for such a long post but this has been such a bad experience for me and needed to vent. I have a few friends that have the band and it works great for them. But for me, the band has to be removed and can't be replace. I have learned alot with this band and hope to continue my weight loss with other means. If anyone has had this type of band slippage I would love to hear from you as I don't know what to expect with the surgery.

Every day you wake up breathing is a reason to celebrate! I think sometimes we people who carry extra weight also carry extra guilt around, and don't feel like our achievements are worth as much as the next (skinny) person's. The main thing here is you are moving along in your journey, and what's not to celebrate about that? Three cheers for you!

Glad you liked them which reminds me, I still have some in the freezer -- better eat them up soon. It was so good to finally meet you -- just wish the meetings were better - maybe give it another shot next month? It would be great if they would organize the topics and let us know what they will be discussing and if they would ENCOURAGE older bandsters to attend - I'll mention this to Chris this week and see what she says. I loved Pam, though -- she's great too. We'll make it through this - the three of us -- we'll be skinny minis in no time! Linda

Yep, I've been unfilled for four months so far. My rule is simply three meals a day, no snacking, ever, not even a mouthful and I've kept up my exercise. I havent gained an ounce, in fact I've lost weight.

I explained to my doc that, although not completely back to normal, I have been feeling better. He said we would make an appointment for another three months and see where we are. Let's face it. This is his way of covering his bottom should something more serious with my health happen. This way he has it on recored that he suggested removal. The problem is, I have no "normal" band problems like slime/PB'ing, getting stuck or vomiting. All the test showed that it wsa in proper place and does not show erosion. All of my symptoms started after removal of my gallbladder. They can't tell me that the band is actually causing my problems and if it is removed that my symptoms will vanish.

Hi guys, tired of being fat....yeah, men get tired of it too. Also tired of waiting on penurious BCBS of NC to get off their fat duffs and admit that the LAP-BAND is more than an "investigational" tool. Sooo, this week, after waiting three long years for BCBS to come around I gave up, waved a chicken wing in the air, admitted to myself that I must either take my chance on several co-morbitities or self-pay. The self-pay won out. I called Dr. Voellinger's office, they faxed the "packet" I filled it out, attached my $150 "processing fee" and stuck it in the mailbox. Flashback three years to the fall of '04, I filled out all the paperwork, was accepted, went to the meeting, and then had an appt. with Dr. V. He accepted me and scheduled me for the other tests. Then I found out he'd only done 7 LAP-BANDS and BCBS wouldn't pay for a penny of it. So I decided to wait. What I need to know now is what's your opinion of Dr. V? I thought he was fine back then but there must be many of you who have had ABG surgery by him by now. Is it Dr. V. or should I research Dr. Bauman up north. I live in south Charlotte so Dr. Bauman is automatically my second choice unless there's a reason....skills or big $$. Thanks, JB

Im not sure exactly what the numbers mean, but my doc had me take Ferrous Sulfate 325mg three times a day for 2 weeks. This brought my levels up, and it was especially helpful in keeping my energy levels up during my two week liquid diet.

I'm definitely having difficulty trying to figure out what size I am as well. Especially since I haven't been this size in a VERY long time! I have been noticing that my 16W jeans have been getting baggy on me. I wear jeans a LOT since I ride a Harley. They are a major staple of my wardrobe. I've been trying to just get my women's/plus size jeans from Walmart as they are cheap and have been fitting me well until now. Yesterday, I went to Kohl's and after trying on about six pairs of jeans to figure out where I was size wise, I determined that the Lee Stretch, at the waist, boot cut jeans in a size Misses 18 fit perfectly! I think if I didn't have all the excess skin on my tummy I would actually be a 16 but until I have PS I'm going to have to accommodate the extra flesh. I am in an XL shirt now with no problem which is down from a 1X/2X depending on the cut. I also had to get new bras yesterday. I had been in a 40D at one point. Those and my 38D's had gotten so loose around my rib cage I was falling out of the bottom of them. Yesterday I got three new 36D's! (Yes I still have boobs but they are hanging a lot lower now unfortunately. They will perk up at the same time I get the tummy tuck! LOL It's a little frustrating trying to keep enough clothes around that fit you but not having reached goal so you can replace your entire wardrobe but it's a problem I definitely don't mind having!

For maintenance, my losing lifestyle is what i adopted forever, nothing changed from when I was losing. My weight loss just petered out over time, in fact i eat less now than i was able to eat when i first began losing although i think over the ast two or three years, goods have become easier to eat and i get more variety now. I run for an hour several times a week, do a couple if rpm classes and to or three body pump classes a week - much MORE exercise than I did during the first year of my journey. None of this feels hard or like a diet, its just my life. I am five feet ten, 140lb, burn 600 or so calories a day with exercise and work as a teacher, so am on my feet all day. I have three kids aged 16, 14 and 9, so my "leisure" time is active too. Yet i gain if I eat more than 1800 calories a day, most often I sit at 1500. I definitely need my band. I may need it less if I were happy to weigh 160, but Im not.

Hi Lisa I am a newbie too, and feel the same way. At about day three, the hunger started, and I am keeping a food journal to make sure I don't drink too many calories. As for the nausea, I only felt nausea and hunger together when I was pregnant. Are you taking any Vitamins or medicinces on an empty stomach or at night before you go to sleep? That might be the cause. You could try taking any medicine with some skim milk and see if that helps. Good luck. Dessia Banded 10/10/06

Hello all!! My insurance requires 12 consecutive months of physician supervised diet and excercise. I completed my year in July of 2012. My insurance has denied my three times because they see no risk versus benefit. They denial letters continue to say, in so many words, that I am a healthy fat person. I am currently on appeal number four. Has anyone else had to jump through soo many hoops to get approved???

Its obvious you dont have to have any charm or discretion to get a medical degree. Its not great to go into anythign without the full picture but why do so many doctors and nutritonists feel the need to piss on your parade before you even begin?. He doesnt know YOU, he cant foresee the future. Dont listen to his negativity, you can make of this what you will. I"m sure you know not everyone loses 100% of their excess weight for a whole variety of reasons. Doesnt mean you wont. A million times over the past three years I've been so very thankful for my medical care. The surgeon was a nice guy but not exactly Mr Personality. But the doctor who does my fills and aftercare is absolutely fantastic and has encouraged and pushed me the entire way. Never once has he said anything negative like that. The nutrionist did, I just ignored her, as I tend to do with anything I dont want to hear :thumbup: She had nothing to say that made the visit worth the cost anyway.

Hi Femme, It is sometimes very difficult to get your head around the band. I found after numerous trips to the bathroom :wink2: that the only way to eat is to take small bites and then chew and chew and chew and then chew some more. I find that once I take the first three fork/spoonfulls the rest is easy. Before I had the band I used to virtually inhale my food so it was a difficult road to begin with. As for the drinking whilst eating, sorry but thats a big no no. The thing is you will dilute your food and push it through the band quicker than it should go down and as a result you will be hungry more quickly and will not be satisfied for as long as you should be. Do try to eat normal foods just much slower than ever before and don't drink fluids for half an hour before your meals and for 2 hrs after. The optimum time to lose the weight is within the first two years of being banded. Good luck with your journey and keep posting we are here for you.:wink2:

Cindy, my ankles are thin too! I must say, that's a really cool thing. My summer shoes are finally not pinching! I think you'll do absolutely fine tomorrow. Remember, the mushy food thing at this point isn't to avoid food getting stuck or PBing or anything nasty like that; it's to continue to allow your stomach to heal. You've been out of surgery for 10 days now, and mushy food won't be a problem at all. Have a good day at work! I'm looking forward to going back myself. Three days at home with the kiddies and I'm ready for a good long snooze at my desk.

So today is a mix of emotions... first let me say I am not a patient person and if this process has taught me something it's that I must be patient... but like I said that's difficult. Got a call from the surgeons office and I need a formal dietician visit for insurance review.. I finished my 6 month (7 visit) on March 15. i anticipated being banded in April... I am hoping it happens in May but am unsure...Now I am wondering if the dietician visit was required with the 6 month supervised, I was going to Weight Watchers the entire time.. but dang another bump in the road, but I shall persevere!! Where to start.. well let me bare the craziest thing about this whole journey... 4 years ago i attended a weight loss surgery seminar with a friend as her moral supprt... I was not judgemental but swore up and down that this was not for me, BECAUSE i love food.. well duh, I guess I am not the brightest bulb on the tree... Over the last 4 years I have lost and gained over 200 pounds.. the most being 80 pound loss. I wonder some days why I can't keep my weight under control. I remember saying at the time to myslef "I would never do this, I would feel deprived, I would hate to live without eating anything I want".... the irony is that now I can not wait to be limited... I love structure and am (I know this is weird but) am already following the pre-op diet because I can't wait anymore.... but it's a matter of being ready and knowing you have tried everything... I hadn't had enough failure then to concede that I needed a better tool to help me. It's not that I can't diet... I can and do, and have my whole life. I can spout fat, calories, carbs, protein and fiber of most any food you can name. I know what good nutrition is and I understand input/output. I can tell you how many calories I burn in 30 minutes of many exercises... I am not dumb... I am not lazy... I am not weak.... I AM ALWAYS HUNGRY!!! I know that sounds silly but that is really what it comes down to. I really feel that many of us are in the same boat. I have accomplished so much... and am a prefectionist in many ways, (OK, it may seem like I'm bragging here but I am making a point).. I have three fabulous, successful, athletic children who never get in trouble, they are respectful and kind, I have a great marriage, I graduated college with a great GPA, was great at my job when I worked, love staying at home now and caring for home/children, did the PTA president thing, always a homeroom mom, always volunterring at church.. and can do anything I set my mind to BUT keep a healthy weight. I find it embarrassing at times... that's a lie... I find it embarrassing most of the time. As unfair as it is we all know the fat discrimination... it sucks and it makes me feel "less than" in certain situations. I know that is more my problem than society.. but I also know how I am viewed compared to my size 4/6 friends... I hope I have not rambled too long... I feel myself purging all the negative and finally getting in touch with my feelings.... this process has been great for intraspective analysis, and I am getting there... and believe it or not, am already feeling much lighter!

10/17/2017 was surgery date. In 2003 had original Rouen-y. Kept it off year last incisional hernia due to open procedure. About 2 years ago someone who meant the world to me died out of the. I went into deep depression. Stopped exercising (I did 5 miles a day 6 days a week). I had control of protein and diet. So I gained all weight loss plus an additional 30 pounds. Three months ago started having extreme nausea and vomiting. GI doctor found a large hiatal hernia. Called my old surgeon since in different state and was advised to have hernia repaired by a bariatric surgeon. Found wonderful doctor who said he’d fix the hernia but that my pouch had spread to almost 3 times it should be. So with a great deal of hesitation I had both procedures on same day. I’m was sent home on day 2. Am in pain and exhausted constantly I can’t seem to keep broth down but fine with shakes and water. I was unable to crush my meds because they were so vile I threw them up every time I tried. So I slowly swallow a pill st a time. I guess the gist of this since it’s been 12 years are these symptom and experiences common after bypass. Must note my doctor told me this surgery was one of his most difficult ever because he had to cut out massive amounts of scar tissue and cut up some of the mesh that was placed during incional hernia repair

Hi LM and welcome! They sell proetin shakes with Fiber, that might help. They also now sell very fine and clear fiber which you can add to the smoothies. Start with adding just once a day adn see...then you might need two doses of fiber or three, but so not overdue it. Remember to drink your water! Congratulations..youa re doing great! And by the way..it's great to see some guys here!:clap2:

It is now one month since I had my Lap Band inserted at Emirates Hospital in Dubai. One night in hospital was followed by 2 nights in a hotel in Duabi just so I could access the hospital should I need to do so. (My choice). An uncomfortable two days with my stomach feeling like a corset was tightly strung inhibiting movement. Then day 3 arrived and movement was significantly easier and life seemed much more positive. A return to Abu Dhabi and a further three days off work meant I could reflect on the sudden changes in my life - a lapband and a new apartment. Surrounded by boxes waiting to be unpacked I had to call on friends to assist in getting me the very basics of a bed organised. Now a month later my apartment is ship shape and I am already feeling clothes are loser and a spring is back in my step. Weight loss to date is 10kg or 22lbs. No fill as yet as the surgeon here prefers to wait 6 weeks before doing this. This have been going very smoothly no major issues with food. So far so good.

I never had a lap band. But I did have acid reflux quite often before surgery. I had high blood pressure and diabetes for several years before surgery along with several other problems. I had bariatric surgery (Roux-En-Y) 11 months ago. I was completely off my blood sugar medicine when I left the hospital two days after surgery. I was completely off my blood pressure medicine three weeks after surgery. I lost 20 pounds pre-op and 80 pounds post-op and now weigh 160 pounds.

I found the premade shake to be disgusting to say the least. I'm not sure how the same brand in powder can taste so much better than the premade version. I guess to have adequate shelf life in a liquid form they have to add something. I tasted three brands before realizing the powder was the way to go. I love the Myoplex powders that come in individual serving packets. I bought a $15 blender from wal-mart in which the blended shake can be removed, container and all, and used like a normal drinking glass. I do a Myoplex lite, scoop of Whey Protein, and one tbls psyllium seed husk with 12oz skim milk (~60g of protein) on days that I only do cardio. Days I strength train and cardio, I do a Myoplex Orginal, scoop of Whey Protien, and one tbls psyllium seed husk with 12oz of skim milk (~85g of protien). My daily protein requirements are ~125g and these shakes get me there following Breakfast and lunch. I've lost 65lbs (52% of my total goal) so far so I'm really happy with my combo. Good luck finding what works for you!