Lori Voss Green

I do not for one moment regret my decision. I am sorry you are not having success and the band did not work for you, but you also shouldn't assume EVERYONE is going to have the same result.

I was told you shouldn't because it will make the food go through too quickly. I didn't know it would make some people sick either, but that is even more reason for me to NOT want to drink it.

Floridays.......I save SO much money at restaurants now! Only drink water and don't even always order a meal. We actually went to Texas Roadhouse yesterday. My daughter ordered a steak dinner that came with 2 sides. She got a cup of chili as one side and gave it to me. LOL So many ways to be thrifty now!

Marci.....I have actually never TRIED drinking with a meal or not so I have no idea what would happen, just don't do it because my doctor told me not to. LOL Swishing with Water is a good idea though! kmaas21605.....now THAT would be a very good idea! I didn't even think of that, and it would have gone perfectly with the meal! Thanks!

Went yesterday for my 2nd fill. Only got 2cc this time, so I currently have 6cc in my 11cc band. Week 2 after my first fill was HELL. Hungry all the time. Not feeling satisfied at all. On mushies now then back to normal food tomorrow. Crossing my fingers for a change, but the nurse did say with my band there usually isn't a noticeable change until at least 8 cc. She didn't want to overdo it though, so 2 cc yesterday then back in 2 weeks for a follow up/another fill. I was 279 when I got my first fill. I got down to 271, but then it was back up to 278 yesterday. I know the bouncing is normal right now while trying to get the right fill, but oh so frustrating. Just going to use it as motivation though!

When I was in for my 2nd fill yesterday, I was talking to the nurse about those wonderful gurgling and rumbling noises. She laughed, told me to get used to it, and said I might as well name my band now and get used to it! LOL Still working on a name.

I have (and work for) Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. It's horrible that you can't get a rep on the phone to answer your questions. It bugs me to see that kind of customer service. I can't speak for other BCBS since we are all separate entities, but for mine the requirements were a BMI over 40 and the psych testing. BCBS of IL no longer requires 6 months of a weight loss program like Weight Watchers. I had my approval in a few days once the surgeon got everything together and faxed in. I always suggest faxing over mailing, speeds the process up A LOT.

So the 1st fill wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. I still have some pain in the port area, so that had me concerned. Also, even though I have 7 tattoos and some piercings, the thought of a needle in my stomach scared the heck out of me! So while we were discussing everything before doing the fill, she mentioned we could go 3-4cc. Well, once we did it, I forgot to even ask how much she put in! She put some in, had me drink some Water, then put more. So, I called the office and told the person who answered that I forgot to find out how many cc's and asked if she could check. Her response was, "Is there a reason you want to know?" Ummm.....? My response was, "Well, because I'd like to keep track, that's why." Seriously, why in the world would she ask me that? She finally, after seeming annoyed, checked my chart and let me know it was 4cc....but really, what was so hard about checking?

As I mentioned in other posts, I had my first fill yesterday. A few hours later, I started to not feel well. I do NOT feel like I am going to vomit. Not at all. I basically got REALLY tired, face got flushed, got the chills, and sorta achy all over. Has anyone else had this? I still feel this way this morning, so I have left a message at the doctor's office so they can call me when they get in. I am having my protein shake this morning and it's not making me feel sick at all. Perhaps I am just coming down with something and it just happened to hit at the same time? I have no clue, but I thought while I wait for the office to call, I'd check in here to see what everyone else has experienced.

1st fill was a week ago. I feel more hungry now than I did before the fill. My scale is now also moving up a bit. This is so frustrating. I go back a week from today for #2.

Is it normal to be sooooo hungry just one day after my first fill? I have felt like I am starving all day. I've had protein shakes, soup, cottage cheese, yogurt. NOTHING is working. I am constantly hungry and the sounds my stomach is making.....my daughter keeps laughing at me because it is so LOUD.

So my scale has been bouncing the same 2-3 pounds around for the last 2 weeks. I just had my 1st fill on yesterday, so I am not shocked over this. So yesterday morning my scale said 279.8. At my dr's appointment, their scale said 279.6....so pretty much reading the same as mine. My last appointment their scale and mine read the same, which I like because I know mine is accurate. So anyway, this morning I step on the scale and it says 275.9. Now, is this possible? I mean, a 3.9 lb loss from yesterday morning to this morning? I stepped off the scale, waited a bit, and tried again. Same reading. I am not going to be shocked if it's back up tomorrow...but is a loss like this possible?

Yep, I had the same realization. I also realized how often my online friends (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr) post about food and post PHOTOS of food. The 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery were the hardest for me, but OH SO WORTH IT!

I got the Realize band, but I left it up to the surgeon. I was basically told the Lap Band seems to get to the right tightness quicker, but the Realize Band has shown less slippage. I had NO idea which to go with, so I opted to let the dr make that call.

Banded on 8/7/12. Starting weight 304.5. Weight as for this morning is 271.8. While I wish it were MORE of a weight loss, I also realize almost 33 lbs in just over 6 weeks is nothing to take for granted. I have a concert/girls weekend get away the first weekend in November, and my goal is to be to 250 by then. I had my first fill on 9/20. I feel exactly the same as I did before the fill. I go back on October 5th.

Best of luck to you both!!! My decision and surgery were the best things (other than my daughter of course!!) I have done in my life!

It all depends on your doctor's instructions. I was told liquids for 2 weeks but at my 1 weeks appointment they let me move on to mushies. Again, depends on the doctor and I always say follow YOUR doctor's instructions.

I had a couple of weeks post surgery where I bounced around the same 3 lbs....up and down. Do NOT be discouraged. Your body is still healing too! I had swelling for weeks after. It WILL happen. In this last week I have had TWO days where the scale moved at least 2 lbs. It takes time. We didn't put the weight on overnight and we won't lose it overnight. Your body needs time to adjust to the HUGE difference it is being put through. I was actually going to say what Sojourner did about calories. My max is 1200 in a day. My goal range is 900-1200. I know all dr's are different, but it does seem like the calorie range is high. HOWEVER, follow whatever YOUR doctor is telling you.

I weigh every morning. I sometimes step on later in the day, but I don't give that one much thought since I will have eaten, etc.

I just read a post on my Facebook. Someone said, "103 lbs down. No surgery, just determination." Maybe that is not meant as a diss to lap band surgery, but it hit me as one. I feel like so many people think having lap band surgery is such an easy way to lose weight. Just get the band and the weight drops off. Why don't people realize the band is a TOOL?! WE are still the ones doing the work!!! If someone can lose 103 lbs without surgery, I applaud them. I, however, could not. It does mean that by getting the lap band I took the easy way out. This has not been an easy road. Not at all.

I woke up late this morning so there was no breakfast. I had lunch with my daughter almost 7 hours ago. A few small bites of steak with MAYBE 1/2 a cup of mashed potatoes. I sit here almost 7 hrs later and I am not one bit hungry. I KNOW I need the calories and protein though. Anyone ever have to deal with that.....needing to eat but not being hungry?

I will definitely ask the dr next time. I go back in 2 weeks.

Thanks for the advice! This is why I love this board!!

You guys are awesome! YOU ROCK!

I am the same. I have lost before, it's the keeping it off that I struggle with. I just wish there was a way to make people UNDERSTAND, ya know? I have not kept my surgery a secret, because I had hoped to educate people. Some people you just can't educate.