Lori123

One of the reasons insurance companies won't cover a drug or treatment is because it doesn't work. Phentermine isn't covered by most companies and YES you usually gain back all the weight you lost and then some. The band IS covered by most companies so that should tell you something. You do what you think is right but it is not something I would do and yes I have taken phentermine before. If your band is on correctly it sits on the too part of the stomach where the saiety receptors are, giving you appetite control. That's the first thing I noticed when I got my band. Commit to the band, read all you can about it and forget the phentermine. Good luck to you !

For me it was pasta...I ate it morning noon and night! Also soda and chocolate. I bought candy bars all the time. Since I was prediabetic I am very careful with any sweets.

Mine is tight in the morning too. I have one cup of coffee in the morning and a Protein shake. My LB nurse said some people have some mucous in there in the morning and that what causes it. I don't really want anything either but drink the shake so I get my protein.

I like nature valley protein bars. They have 190 calories and 10grams of protein. They do taste good. I use them when I have a sweet craving...better than eating a candy bar but am definitely looking for a lower calorie choice that doesn't taste horrible.

I have a 10cc band and have had 6fills total. I am currently at 6.5cc. I could tell I had finally stepped in the green zone. Up until a month ago, I was only losing about 4-5pounds a month. I know that is right on track what they want you to lose, but we all know we want to lose more than that. When I weighed in at my last appt I had lost 13 pounds. I am no longer hungry in an hour, now it's about five hours. I plan on sitting at 6.5cc for awhile but will continue with my follow ups. My surgeon told me that over time, a little fluid goes out of the band via osmosis. I have lost 63 pounds so far and have 60 to go. The follow ups are very important. I'm glad my surgeon did the fills gently and told me to be patient and it worked!

Ladies I will tell you what I do when I go in for a fill and I'm a bigtime needle phobe! In my mind I step back and look at the big picture as to WHY I have to go through the needle stick and also it's one more fill getting me closer to my "sweet spot" which I think I just hit this past month. When you go in and lie down, close your eyes and go to your "zen" place...mine is sitting on the beach at night. If I close my eyes and concentrate I can hear the waves of the ocean...actually by the time I close my eyes and start thinking about the ocean, it's over! Try this, it works! I have had six fills and done great each time using this technique....

You are doing great! 20 pounds is alot! Like everyone here says don't compare your weightless to others. Also, don't compare how much fluid you have in your band to others either. A person's metabolism is unique to you and everyone is different . I have found one thing that works for me is severely watching my carbs and increased protein. I feel better without the carbs too. I drink Special K protein water strawberry kiwi when I'm thirsty. You have just begun your journey and everyone's is different in type and length but its YOUR journey. You are doing fabulous...keep it up!

Can anyone share with me the protein shakes you use in the morning prior to workouts? I am unable to eat anything in the morning (too tight-my doctor is aware)so I have been drinking the EAS Advantage shakes in the morning, but they are only 17 grams of protein each. Any better suggestions?

Can anyone tell me how to reset my fitness pal? I started using it then missed some days and want to start it over...help!

I figured out how to start one today and he was right- I got the replies I needed. I'll stick around because this site and the people on it are very friendly and helpful. Thanks!

Just wondering if any of you feel the food passing through your band and any pain associated with it. I try to watch my bites and chew. I don't vomit and only got something stuck once. No heartburn either. My signal that I need to stop is a hiccup. I was sort of confused as to whether food should just be passing through right away and any pain associated with it meaning its too tight? I plan on asking my doctor as well but was just wondering if anyone had experienced this...thx

Thank you Jim for replying to me and giving me helpful information. I've been told I "hacked" in to this thread so I apologize. Won't post anymore on here since I don't know how to use this site. I've seen other replies saying someone "hacked"a thread. Thanks again for your info and someone new to this site. To answer your questions, no food doesn't feel like its getting stuck, and just some foods. The funny thing is the hunger doesn't bother me, I'm just aware of my stomach growling. The band did its other job of controlling my appetite even when I do feel the hunger. They just always ask me when I go to the doctor about feeling hungry. I don't think I need a fill either. Will talk to my doc. Thanks again Jim. :0)

Question- when I eat, the first two bites hurt, like I swallowed a piece of candy whole. I can feel the food passing thru the band. Then I don't feel it anymore. I am taking small bites, chewing a lot. Does anyone else experience this? Should I be able to feel the food passing down into the stomach like this? I have had four fills and am at 5 3/4 cc in the band. Since I'm getting hungry 2-3hrs later I don't know if I am too tight or need a fill. I have drastically cut carbs since getting banded and increased protein. Like some of you, it feels tighter in the morning so I drink a protein shake. I spoke with the bariatric nurse and she suggested drinking something warm before eating. Is this normal? I don't get things stuck and I don't vomit. Just feel sort of confused at this stage.....

I chose the lap band because I especially needed assistance with appetite control, and it has definitely done that. How can cutting half of your stomach off or re-routing body parts work on appetite control? The band sits on the receptors at the top of the stomach therefore decreasing appetite. It decreases your appetite allowing you to think about better choices. Most people with an increased appetite and increased hunger tend to eat too much of the wrong thing. They confuse hunger with appetite. I know I did. The band won't let you overheat (without unpleasant effects) and also decreases your appetite, correcting the hard part of eating right. With this help/assistance, I am able to choose the right items and amount of food to eat.