debbie815

I need a new doc in Pittsburgh. UPMC where I had the surgery charges $695.00 for a PA to decide if you need any fill. Insurance does not cover the code # S2083. I cannot afford to pay that much. Can anyone recommend a more reasonable MD? If I had known in advance that most health insurance does not cover the fills ( which have never been effective) I would have gone for gastric bypass. Thank you, Debbie

I just got fitted for a dental appliance. I can't sleep with the c pab. The noise was horrible & the mask claustrophobic. I hope it works for you.If not find something that does work. Good luck

Hello all, Last week I was on here with a backache and worsening nausea. I landed in the ER where I had my surgery. Anyway since I was not presenting typical symptoms it took them a day or 2 to figure this out. They removed all liquid in the band which alleviated the back ache. Unfortunately my white cell count was going crazy and not able to be controlled with meds. Here I am a week later with no gall bladder. My question is will this affect my ability to lose weight? I had 2 fills with about 6cc. I was struggling to lose any additional weight. I was low carb, 4-5 cardio workouts a week. Any ideas of what to expect would be great. Thanks, Debbie

So I drove myself to the ER at 2:00 am. They finally figured out it was my gall bladder which has been removed. Thanks for the advice. Debbie

I'm wondering if this has happened to anyone. I have a low grade pain in the center of my back on both sides. I think it's my kidneys. I'm wondering if I have overdone the protein or vitamins so I'm swearing off both to see if the pain goes away. Has anyone ever had this happen and did it go away?

Definitely check with your md but I didn't have any issues

I was eating soft foods by then: cream soups, eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt

Hi Claudia, I am having similar issues. I was banded at the end of January and haven't lost any weight since the surgery. I was eating between 1100-1200 calories a day and nothing. I go to the gym 3-5x a week and do cardio for an hour. I have been tracking my calories and took them to the pa for my third fill. I've reduced my calories to about 900-1000 a day. I haven't felt any restriction so far. I am not sure what else to do.

I tend to agree that it's the food choices we make. I have not lost any weight since pre op diet. I started keeping a food log on my fitpal.com. I was 1200 calories a day and stayed well within that range. I treated myself to mcdonalds low fat cones (my trigger food - can't have it in the house). I took it with me to my PA who does the fills. She moved the calories to 900-1000. I am eating oatmeal for breakfast w/protein powder in it. Her theory is under 100 c is a snack anything over is a meal. I have to give up the ice cream. All of my snacks have to have protein. She did a fill and I honestly do not feel the hunger pangs for the first time. I pretty much live on Greek yogurt, Friendship cottage cheese, chicken & fish - no potatoes, rice, bread or pasta. I hope that I start to lose some weight. This is definitely difficult. - Don't give up. Just keep changing your diet and trying different things.

Hi, I lost weight prior to surgery, not one pound since. I am on my Fitnesspal.com which was an easy way to track calories. I am supposed t be eating 1200 calories a day and seem to be consistently under that. I have no interest in eating any more than I am. And this includes a McDonalds low fat cone whenever I want one. I can't have ice cream in the house. Its a trigger food and I know it. I go to the gym 4x a week for an hour. I'm hoping the pa will have some suggestions to help. This is not easy. Its like a puzzle I can't quite figure out. Good luck, Keep the faith

I am getting rid of clothes that don't fit. I am continuing to visualize a thinner, fitter me.

Hi Jenn, I've had two fills and still feel no restriction. It's frustrating and I haven't lost any weight since my surgery. I've been adding all of my calories on my fitpal.com and can't see any huge eating issues. I hope the next fill works. Debbie

Congratulations. You will reach your goal. You have a great attitude

I had my second fill this week and don't feel a thing. I have only lost 5 lb. I was told I'm still eating too many calories. I get very hungry

My MD has had me on a nexium type med since the surgery. I've had my second fill and don't notice a difference. I'm not losing much weight either.

I go to the gym every morning for an hour. Doing mostly cardio and use an ab cruncher machine. My jeans are falling off. Unfortunately my stomach is definitely not deflating. Does anyone have any suggestions for excercises that will flatten my belly? Thanks

Watch the Shapeups. A friend of mine fell & broke her ankle in4 places

I had most of the information through my surgeons at UPMC in Pittsburgh. The most frustrating thing is that with one fill nothing has changed. I am still hungry and unable to lose more weight since pre/post op diet. I have made life style changes (work out for 1 hr. a day) and still can't lose anymore. My next fill is 3 weeks away & I hope it works.

Hi, Due to the fact that I couldn't lose any weight after the banding, I get up at 5:30 and work out on cardio for one hour 5 days a week. I have a Jay Robb protein drink before I go or I get very hungry.

Hi, I got my first fill 2cc's 2 weeks ago. I also feel no different but hungry. I go to the gym 5 days a week and do cardio and haven't lost a pound. It' s a little discouraging. I hope the next fill works for both of us

Hi, I am 57 and had lap band surgery on 1/30/11. I have had no issues and lost 23 lbs to date. 't seem to notice any difference I had my first fill last week and don't seem to notice any difference so far. I still get hungry:)

I think you're doing well. I haven't lost any weight since my surgery 5 weeks ago. I haven't gained either. I get very hungry after about 3 hrs. I am trying to motivate to joing a gym and get a routine started.

Hi, This is my opinion only on Curves. I belonged to one for about a year when I was 30 lbs lighter. I went at least 4x a week. What I found was that the equipment didn't have the ability to add enough resistance to continue to help me. I need a gym where I can add weights, higher cardio to see a difference. Good luck to you. I am only 7 days post op. I hope I can lose as much as you have.