I just got my first fill bill....Without insurance $1700, with insurance (what I have to pay $177) ok I've had 2 fills...that's $354 and not counting what I lost when I was on the liquid diet, just counting the pounds the band has "helped" me lose...2 lbs. I'm 19 years old...it shouldn't be this difficult. I walk for my job...8 hours of walking, standing on my feet, climbing stairs. During the week I clean my apartment, walk a mile across campus to my class. I have for the most part cut out bread. If I eat "Fast food" I get the chicken nuggets. Lowest in calories, highest in protein. No fries or anything bready. My calories per day are between 800-1200. Even the days I "gorge" I never get above 1200...I'm depressed, this was a horrible mistake. I knew it wouldn't work for me...

Did I mention I haven't lost a thing and my band is already at 8cc in a 10cc....?

ok first off you are doing great. You are psyching yourself out. Just going down in the sizes was an enormous accomplishment. It sounds like you are mentally trying to ruin your bands progress. I understand that because i sometimes let myself do that as well. It really isn't about where you are at on your fills its about do you have restriction? You might need another fill if you don't have restriction. But it seems to me #1 you are losing inches and #2 you have lost weight. I would suggest getting into a support group and just taking it one day at a time. good luck...

With the liquid diet 2 days before surgery I got down to 245 on my own. Then I slowly went down to 240...and I've been stuck there for 2 months....I just recently went down a pound. that's it. I was a loose 22/tight 20 and I'm not at a tight 18/loose 20....I really havent lost much of anything...

I'm sorry to do this, but I have to comment.

I think your number one problem is your attitude. If you continue to say it was a mistake, it's not going to work, then it's not. You've got to believe in yourself and stop the pity party.

Are you saying you owe $177? Or even $1700? I'll trade you debt for this surgery - I paid $9950 and drove over 12 hours for the surgery because it was so much cheaper in Colorado than anywhere else (except for Mexico). I was willing to do that because I want to be healthy and happy and see my son grow up and prosper.

Get your chin up and find either a counselor or a nutritionist or both to talk to about your issues. If you keep telling yourself and everyone else that you can't do it, then you won't.

It also serves as a real downer for everyone else who is on this life changing journey.

Good luck!

You may want to up your calories a bit for a few days it should jump start your matabolism again your body is getting too used to so little calories and its going to think you're starving.

Maybe your just a slow loser it took me 4 months to lose 10lbs..then it started to work for me..I'm at 5.5cc in a 10 cc band

I started off feeling really good, I'm just really upset that the fills cost a lot and that they aren't getting me anywhere. And yeah I owe 177...not bad, but I can't work all day I have 1200 to last me for the next 3 months. In college. I have the VG band and the more I read about it the more it sounds like this is a common problem(lack of restriction). Only problem is my doctor doesn't realize this and he was like mad at me last time when I came in for my second fill...so he put in 3cc's and he was like "There! Now you'll feel something." I do , a lil...but not much...

Which band is the VG one

it's a 10cc one.

Hmmm...I never knew 10cc bands didnt get restriction as well...never heard it from pople I know with them now the 4 cc band i Have heard it about that one

Hi Blackcherry. I'm not trying to sound overly snarky, but how did you not know about the fills? Did your surgeon not do a good job of explaining things to you (because, as I found out, some don't. Some docs just run a cash-grab, and don't explain anything to their patients). Here's my advice: Cut out the fast food completely. It'll save you money and calories. Also, continue walking, and exercise...it really helps. Eat until you are not hungry...not until you are "full" (there's a big difference. Eat slowly, and your body will gradually learn the difference). Lastly, be patient and don't give up. You can do this, but it takes time.

I know you are trying, but you really shouldnt be eating chicken nuggets. Baked chicken breast is great, so get a sandwich and throw away the bun, but deep fried anything you know isnt good and the breading is also bad to lose weight.

I try and eat fish, plain baked fish, whenever I can to lose weight. I know calories are not calories. I can eat a whole lot more calories if they are Protein than if Im eating things I shouldnt. I dont even lose well on chicken, fish works much better for me to drop weight. I bake a piece of salmon with steak pepper on it to dress it up. Still not my favorite, but at least I can fill up when im hungry.

Sounds like you might need to look at what you are eating if you want to lose faster... or maybe the example you gave wasnt typical. If not, then I aplogize. I think most of know how to lose weight, we just dont like to eat that way.

It does sound to me like you are trying and counting calories. Maybe we can all put our heads together and help you find better choices. If you really believe chicken nuggets are a good choice, then Im guessing if you put down your other choices, maybe we could help. List some of your other choices and maybe we can guide you to some better choices that would fill you up better. I read a book on eating the low g.i. way which helped me immensely know what works better for me to lose weight. I got the books free at the library.

Edited October 5, 200817 yr by flowers

Lap band is not a quick fix...you have to work with it...choose more fruit and veggies...

Ask for another small fill...and u will be fine..

just a little FYI incase you didnt know...

Wendys 5 piece chicken nuggets 230 calories. That is WITHOUT dipping sauce. Sauce will add anywhere between 45-160 calories a pack depending on which one you use.

McDonalds 6 piece nuggets 250 calories.

Mcdonalds selects chicken strips 630 calories

Chick-Fil-A Chicken nuggets,8piece 260 calories.4piece stips 310 calories

Burger King Chicken tenders 5 piece 210 calories

Keep your head up and stay strong. It is a learning process for us all! Don't let it get you down. I have found I am learning what works for me and what doesn't.

I don't count calories, because my doctor told me to eat three 4 oz. meals a day. So I weigh everything that goes into my mouth. Then I drink no cal. or low cal. drinks all day. Are you weighing your food? Maybe that will help.

Keep working hard you will find what works! Like others have said, if it wasn't working you wouldn't see the drop in clothing sizes. That means your body is losing the fat and making muscle. There will come a point when it will start to drop. Just have to find what works for you!

Good luck!

Why are your fills so expensive? I mean, $1700? That is criminal. I pay less than $170 without insurance. It's a quick, 15 minute procedure, for heaven's sakes.