Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Lap band disappointing



Recommended Posts

Hello,

I have not lost more than 8 lbs since my surgery. The surgical center has not really been supportive at all. I have seen a dietitian one time and that was minutes before surgery....

The place was called Brand Surgical Center. I paid cash 15,000 although I knew that my insurance would have covered it if they had been more interested in helping me... Anyone else experience any of this? I am new here and very depressed. Don't know what to do.

Cdy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What has your routine been? How long ago were you banded and how much fill do you have?

These things do affect how the band works. Get them right and what follows is much much easier.

And what follows is a hard truth - diet and exercise. You still have to do the work that you would normally do to lose weight, the band just makes that easier.

And my apologies if you've been working like a trojan to get that weight off and gettign nowhere, you dont say so its the obvious thing to mention first.

But basically, yes its taken running an hour five days a week and keeping food intake much lower than it was before AS WELL as choosing healthier foods - I've cut out fast food, packaged crap, convenience foods and cook from scratch most of the time now (I'm not a machine, I have a glass of wine now and then and eat bad foods too but I did it much less whilst actively losing). Its been hard work but I could never do it before the band.

Good luck, you need to firstly make sure you have optimum restriction for you in the band.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how long ago were u banded...and what portion of food are u allowed? I can only eat 4 oz. per meal. i may can help you get into the band and start losing more if i knew what u are allowed to eat etc. Let me know if u will..you should lose consistantly and sounds like u need a fill... Brenda/vamaillady

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded August 30th and tighten one month ago... I was told to have only liquids the first week and soft foods the next. Then after I was tightened they said liquids for the first week.

I cannot eat many things as they seem to get stuck even if I chew. I don't think my teeth are very sharp. I wonder if I was too old at 50 to do this. The lady that runs the clinic kept assuring me I will lose weight but I haven't had any support from them...

I am so glad I found this site and I appreciate the honest truth. I weigh about 200 and am 5 4". I had broke my foot and was down for 4 months and that took me over the edge. Before that laid off from my job...

Anwyay, all the support you can give will be mostly appreciated. I live in Mission Hills, CA in the San Fernando Valley. I even have been looking for support groups around here but I don't find any,..

Cindy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

how long ago were u banded...and what portion of food are u allowed? I can only eat 4 oz. per meal. i may can help you get into the band and start losing more if i knew what u are allowed to eat etc. Let me know if u will..you should lose consistantly and sounds like u need a fill... Brenda/vamaillady

I am not sure if I am relplying correctly.... I was banded in August 30th and filled October 1st.

Condy

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi there!

The best advice I can offer is to make sure you are taking in enough Protein (60-90 grams) and Water (8-8oz. glasses) daily. Get in that Protein first, then focus on green vegetables. Minimize the carbs--kind of a South Beach diet kind of approach seems to work well for most. Don't drink anything a half hour before eating or until an hour after eating. Avoid eating between your three meals, too.

I agree with the others who mentioned the importance of exercise. I'd be farther along in my weight loss if I exercised more.

Don't forget that it will most likely take several fills before you reach optimum restriction. It's too early in the process to get discouraged, so hang in there! You can do this!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Cindy I will be your support person. I had my band done in September 07 and had my first fill two weeks ago and go back for another one this week. My clinic is very supportive always giving good information and such. No one said this would be easy and sometimes you might not lose the weight and then others you might just lose a bit more. I get depressed because I want to lose more faster and I am doing real good. A total of 54 pounds came off but it has been hard from eating right and doing my exercise and walking alone does not help me very much for I get boared but I have to do it every day because if not I know I will fall back and I don't want this to happen. Don't give up it will happen.Email me at sharrroc@aol.com if you like I will answer.

Sharon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on 8/21/07 and I am not losing as fast as I would like either. I had one fill and saw the dietitian two weeks ago. I go back next week for another fill. The dietitian told me there are different size bands. I had 4.5 cc fill so she thinks I have a large band when the dr told me mine holds around 14 cc. I can eat sometime way more before I am full than I should be able to, yet when I ate a fresh pair I thought I was pulling out my band. I am 59 so you aren't too old. The dietitian said my dinner plate should be a saucer. Good luck. I will let everyone know what the dr says this week.

Chris8601

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i'm three months in right away i lost 10-15lbs by month 1 1/2 i would say but nothing else since i went again for my second fill.

but i always feel hungry, i dont eat properly all the time i dont think anyone does? but most of the time i do and very small portions.were all human but i can honestly admit it, i do eat ALOT less than i use to being banded, i do cardio and go walking minimum of 3 days a week but i have reached that plateau....any suggestions

ive been losing alot of hair but i have a Protein Shake every morning, i use the Protein Powder in my meals, 2 Vitamins a day, two calcium chews a day, so it's not like i'm not trying could i be missing some other Vitamin?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Transformer- can you PLEASE tell me where you found your "changing" butterfly? I have looked everyhere for something just like it with no luck. If you can e-mail me my address is: Doingitforme01@aol.com Also if anyone has any ideas about "breaking thru a plateau" I would really appreciate it! Thanks, Anne

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on Sept 20, 07. I drank liquids the 1st two weeks and then mushies for 2 weeks and now I am eating fairly normal although quite a bit less. I dropped 15 lbs. right away presurgery and the first 2 weeks after surgery. Nothing food wise seems to bother me to eat but I have not tried steak or rice or raw bread. I am now at a 22 lb loss and get my first fill on Tuesday the 6th of November. I guess I am to have liquids for 2 days after this but what else should I expect after the fill. Any experiences out there that I should watch for or expect?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

6 weeks after surgery are for healing -- not for weightloss!

After healing, High protein/low carb diet with exercise should be a daily thing.

And, life with a band is about getting help by restriction....get that band filled properly.

You should be able to eat...but only a tiny, tiny meal..... three times a day!

There are books and much online info. to help out (even with little help from Band Center).

Sorry they seem to have banded you and then "fed you to the wolves"!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×