Hey Everyone!

I'm new here but I signed up a while back when I was planning my surgery.

I was banded on July 14th, 2008 and since then, I've lost 85lbs. My pre-op weight was 348 and now I am down to 265.

I'm still losing though I've not been able to exercise as much because of financial reasons (gym membership).

My question is this -- shortly after I was banded, I ended up quitting my job and losing my insurance, and then moved out of state. So I have yet to have a fill. I wanted to get one but because my insurance has changed, it hasn't happened yet. But I've gotten a new job and insurance kicks in the first of December.

I've been noticing lately that I am able to eat more, which I've taken to mean my pouch must be expanding. That scares me a little.

I've had NO complications at all luckily and it's been smooth sailing for me. Over the past couple of months, I've learned what I can and cannot eat, and I haven't had much problems. Changed my diet totally, but I am looking forward to bread.

I have had a few kernels of rice and a couple tortilla chips here and there, but I'm fully waiting to eat bread and Pasta and the like until my 6 month mark.

I'm not sure how much weight people have lost, but I am wondering if I even need to get a fill. Aren't fills done to counteract the natural expanding of the stomach?

I'd love some feedback and to see what people think about my situation!

Sorry so long :thumbup:

Congrats on so much weight loss. With all changes with your job situation, I really want to commend you for doing so well. I personally think that the lapband is a just tool for you to lose weight and maintain the weight lost and it sounds like you doing great and I personally would not change anything. You will know if you stop losing weight that you need a fill. In the meantime, keep doing what you are doing!

Helen

Fills are needed as you lose weight. When we are overweight we have fat around all our organs including the stomach. With the band, as you lose weight, the fat around your stomach goes away and the band gets looser (just like a belt would).

When you find yourself eating more, not staying satifsied between meals and gaining weight then you need a fill. You are very fortunate to have made it this far without a fill, some are able to lose it all without a fill and some can go a very long time without one. Most of us need an average of four fills to really start seeing results.

Good job on the loss (loss of weight, I mean. Not loss of insurance).

Honestly, it sounds like you're using your band as the tool it is meant to be. Most likely, while you are getting some restriction, most of that 85 pounds is your will to lose. That it a great accomplishment, and you should be proud.

I know it costs money, but if you don't keep your tool up to date, it will likely not function as it should. You are certainly due for a fill just to keep the band working at optimum level.

As a private pay person, I can't speak on insurance and such. I went with a plan that allowed 10 fills over a 2 year period as part of the total pay package.

Maybe you can work out something with your doc to get at least one or two fills (especially since they got more from your insurance then private pay people normally give over several years).

So talk to your doc and see what they think.

Thanks everyone for the great advice! I am definitely going to look into getting a fill soon then, sounds like.

I am noticing that I can get more down, but I am still making healthy choices so I just need to bump up my exercise as well.

Thanks!