KathyLynn

I was feeling very frustrated up to this point. No restriction after 2 fills and had gained 3 lbs since my surgery date of April 18th. (My total weight loss since January is 23 lbs.) At my appointment this past Thursday, my surgeon agreed to an aggressive fill and I now have 9.5cc in my 14cc band. (1st fill - 2cc, 2nd fill - 4cc).I finally have restriction and hopefully will begin losing.Today at lunch...I did not chew enough and I began PB'ing and having pain and within a few minutes everything came back up! I have to remember to eat slow and chew, chew, chew. I learned a lesson today and hopefully won't experience that again. I hope I'm not too tight...I guess time will let me know. I've been patiently waiting for restriction and not sure what to expect from here on out.

Thank you Ms73 for the visual! That helps me a lot. My bites were not small enough today in comparison. I've since had a small bowl of Soup and I feel satisfied. Thank you fericito....you are right...I need to practice what I know.

My surgery was April 18th and up to that point I had lost about 20 lbs. Weight loss after surgery was right around 7 lbs. My first fill was May 17th (2 cc's) and I had no restriction. So now I am slowing gaining weight. My second fill was June 14th...and I got 2 cc's more. Still no restriction. I feel so frustrated. I feel like I have lost my momentum with my weight loss journey. I'm gaining weight, have no restriction and don't go back until July 12th. Is this what is known as "Bandster Hell"? When am I going to feel restriction? I could kick myself for telling people I was getting lap band, because they are looking at me like "well when are you going to lose weight?" Is anyone out there experiencing this? Please help...need support!! Thanks!!

Thanks Highland. I know I need to be patient. I am trying to make good food choice....no bread, no carbs, more protein, more veggies,but without any restriction my portions are larger, hence weight gain. I feel like I am battling myself right now....and losing (not weight but the battle).

Hey everyone, I am 2 weeks post-op (surgery date was 4-18-12) and feeling really, really well. I went back to work 5 days after surgery. I was on liquid diet for 1 week. At my 1 week post-op appt., my surgeon said I was doing great and to advance to soft foods and within the next week advance to regular diet. My first fill is on May 17th. With pre-surgery weight loss and liquid diet, I am down about 25lbs. However, my appetite is back, I feel no restriction and have gained about 3 lbs. Needless to say, I'm worried about contining to gain weight. Is this normal? Is anyone else on a regular diet? Do you feel restriction since your surgery? Thanks for any input!

Well, after many months of SWL, my Insurance approval came back in just a matter of days. My surgery date is April 18th! I have to follow a low fat 1500 cal/day pre-surgery diet. This will not be difficult since I've been doing this all along. As of today, I'm down 18 lbs. I have to admit...I'm getting nervous. Good luck to everyone!

Are there others out there that are required to have a 6 month Physician visits prior to surgery (to satisfy insurance requirements)? This will be month 4 for me and I am unsure what purpose this is serving. I qualify based on my BMI and co-morbidities. They weigh me, figure BMI, she asks me what I have been doing to try to lose weight....count calories, smaller portions, exercise (for me walking). My physician may prescribe phenermine at my next appt. (didn't want too sooner because of my BP). I was just curious how others were doing with this and if anyone had to do anything else during this 6 month window. Thanks for your input. K

Just wondering if anyone is taking Phentermine while on their supervised weight loss. My physician offered it to me at my last SWL visit. Since I had not lost any weight from December to January and she said I could try Phenermine. January was visit #4 out of 6 for me. I've made a lot of changes these past few months...gave up Diet Cokes (really hard by the way), making better food choices, incorporating more veggies, etc. I feel I am just stuck and can't lose a single pound. I may try it when I go back in February. Any feedback would be appreciated!!

As I wait a few more months before I can get banded...I thought it best to quit drinking Diet Cokes. I basically decreased each day until they were all gone. That's it no more. So, I need a new drink. I drink plenty of water each and every day, which I love. But I want something else. I'm not big on flavored fruity water. I like tea but was wondering what everyone's thoughts are about the best Artificial Sweetner out there? Thanks for any advice and input!

Fit in my 60's ... I think we may be neighbors. I'm in Spencer County Ky. The information you listed sounds exactly what I have to do. Nice to meet you and Good Luck to you!

I haven't meet with the surgeon yet...they won't see me until after 4 months SWL with my primary doctor. I was wondering what to expect. Who all will I have to meet with? What tests, evaluations & specialists will I have to do/see? I know I will meet with the surgeon, nutritionist & psych eval...what else? Please share if you have already done this pre-surgery work-up. Also, when things do get moving a long, how soon did you get your surgery date. Thanks for sharing!

Well said NightShift Nurse! I too am a nurse and often feel that Physicians need to take a CE on listening, empathy and therapeutic communication. With that being said, I know I am fragile right now. I'm currently doing the required 6 month SWL (on month 4) and at my last appt I had gained 4 lbs. My physician just kept bringing it up over and over again. I go later in the week for my next scheduled appt and I can feel the pressure beginning to build. I don't think I have lost any weight this month. I have eaten more salad and veggies this last month than ever before. The nurse with the Bariatric Center called this past week and I told her of my building anxiety over not being able to lose weight...her advice was to not be so hard on myself that this 6 month SWL was more about to see if I could follow orders and directions. I'm trying to keep it together...I don't want to "fail" my psych eval that will eventually come! LOL! Good luck to everyone!

I just hope when it comes time for final Insurance approval they don't come up with something else for me to do. I'm trying to dot my "i's" and cross my "t's" now...but ultimately they are going to do what they want. Good luck to everyone!!

As I stated before, I'm on visit number 4 (will be Jan 19th). I will not even meet with surgeon until after visit #4. Not sure what happens then. I believe I meet with a nutritionist, psych eval, then I'm unsure. I hope all goes smoothly. It appears the Bariatric Center that I'm working with is really prepared. They gave me the impression they know what the insurance companies are looking for and have all the necessary paperwork The packet they gave me was 50 pages. It included the 6 monthly forms for my required doctor visits, a referral letter my doctor to complete, etc, etc. I can even write a personal letter if I want too, not sure if I will though. Has anyone else done this? If so, what did you put in your letter. Good luck to everyone! K

Will someone share what the Pre-Op diet is/consists of? I'm still about 3 months out from surgery, but am curious what this is. I trying to diet now but am having difficulty, probably due to holidays. If anyone has any suggestions I would really appreciate the help. Thanks!!

Thanks everyone for your input! I wonder if I tried the liquid diet now it would help "kick start" weight loss for me? I can't seem to lose a single pound at this point. I'm frustrated as he**! To MochaLee: Congrats on your surgery...hope your recovery is going well. Let us know how you are feeling/doing!! To Amee Rae: Congrats on your upcoming surgery! I suppose you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Hope your surgery goes well!

Gosh, as I read everyone's posts, I'm so excited for everyone. My insurance will pay 100% but I have to do the 6 month physician visits. I had visit #3 in December and had gained 4 lbs since November which made me feel horrible. After physician visit #4 in January...I will then meet with the surgeon. I'm hoping my surgery will be end of March or first of April. I love reading/hearing about others. I think 2012 will be a GREAT year.

Hello all, I am new to this forum and will be attending my first informational seminar. I've been wanting to this for awhile, but just now getting my nerve up. I believe my insurance will be paying 100% but have to do 6 month physician visit prior to surgery. Anyone from Kentucky?