labwalker

It took four months before I saw the weight loss begin. it can take time to get to the proper fill. Many doctors are very cautious, the first month or so is needed for healing. It is frustrating; but once the band starts working it will be worth it.

A lot of the weight lost in the first few weeks of the presurgery diet is Water... so you may gain a few pounds. It can take two or three follow up visits before you start seeing results from the band. It takes time to heal, and it takes time to get the band near the green zone so it can do its job. That's one problem with the band, the results aren't as immediate as the more drastic WLS procedures. But, the band will work!

The question I'd ask is how much Fluid was supposed to be in the band before they removed and verified that there were only 4 cc in the band? You stated you started 4 cc in the band after surgery, and had more injections afterwards. Something is not adding up!

http://www.bariatricpal.com/surgeons/ You can try entering a search for Louisiana surgeons on this site. Good luck! Hope you find a good local doc.

Fat and sugars are useless calories. Even when you start eating regular foods your doctor may advise that you take Calcium and Vitamin supplements. Protein intake is usually the primary concern.

I never said you only need cardio. Please don't put words in my mouth. PF has weight lifting, but it is not free style. A beginner can get a good workout at PF. Not everyone can afford 30 dollars a month for muscle gym membership.

Congratulations on the retirements and for your decision to take charge of a healthy future! I was in the same situation! Shortly after retirement I seriously started looking at WLS options. I wanted to travel, and to enjoy my remaining time doing things, and being active. Dealing with tight plane seats and no leg room, and not being able to fit into booths at restaurants was depressing. I dreaded the thought of flying! I even had to ask the room attendant on a few cruises to find a larger sized chair for my balcony. You are spot on about being able to lose the weight, only to eventually see it all return, and maybe a bit more to add some insult!!! I've tracked my weight for over ten years and I've been able to lose, but I was never able to keep it off. The band has helped when I've been lax--I hold my weight instead of putting the pounds back on. I within several pounds of the lowest weight I've been able to achieve in the past 20 years, thanks to the band. Give your band time to work... there is some time needed for healing, before the fills can start... it may take a few months before you see any results after the surgery. Unlike other procedures, success with the band requires frequent follow visits and a bit of effort to track your food and Fluid intake. Keep up the positive attitude, you will succeed! Congratulations on making a positive life changing decision. And most of all, lose the weight, travel in comfort, and enjoy your retirement!!!!

I've read where others have had a tight band in the morning, but that usually passes by lunch time. I notice my band is a bit tighter at Breakfast. I also notice that at some meals I start off very tight, but several minutes the food seems to pass much quicker through the band. it is almost like the stomach has to wake up before it can start moving food through the banded area. Being tight for a day seems a bit unusual. But if you are losing weight, not slimming, and getting in your fluids, it may be right for you??

The only time I was depressed was when my insurance denied my surgery. I never wanted to go into a hospital and go under a knife in my life--until I decided that I wanted and needed WLS surgery. Yes, I was scared that I may not wake up afterwards, or that something could wrong with band later, but for me it was a positive life changing decision that I desperately wanted. The only time I feel depressed is when I feel the scale isn't moving as fast as i'd like it, but then I only have to look back 24 months to see where I was, and where I am now. I guess everyone is affected differently after and before major surgery.

Some really funny replies!!! LOL! No, I'd never want to be fat again.... I can see that I may have some saggy skin below my belt line, but since I usually wear pants I don't think that will be a problem! It looks my arms, legs and upper body might be spared; so I guess I'll be lucky in that respect! My ass and stomach might become saggy, but no one wants to see that at my age... I scare the dog when I get out of bed in the morning, but it doesn't bother me. I'm kind of hoping I can find some exercises that will help tone me up and do something for that problem should it get to a point where it is worrisome.

I joined PF over a year ago. It is not a gym so much as a health club atmosphere. True blooded gym rats hate the place, since it caters more to beginners. There is no free weight lifting in the gym. Our local franchise has a strict dress code--sports bras are not allowed. You won't see muscle heads wearing wife beaters either. (sleeveless Tee Shirts...) A basic membership is ten bucks a month, with a modest sign up fee and a renewal fee each year. I've seen where they've run 99 dollar membership specials for a year's membership. If you know someone who is a black card member they take you with them as a guest for as many times as you want to go with them. There are tons of cardio machines--treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, etc. I can only speak for the local PF that I go to... it is kept very clean, the staff is very polite, and the members range from young kids to middle aged folks. When I go in the early morning the place is mostly gray hairs... I've seen regulars who need crutches and wheelchairs. Before and after work hours the place is a bit more crowded and there is a younger crowd. Trainers are there for group training sessions. If you come in on an off day you might chance have a private lesson if no one else signs up. There are no personal trainers available except for the one or two trainers that run the scheduled classes. Most of the staff will answer questions and give advice. I've meet a few trainers who were friendly and who walked around between classes and who seemed anxious to answer questions or to give advice. For someone looking for a starting point for exercise for cardio and weight loss, PF is a good starting point. If you want a serious body builder experience you and Arnold S. might be disappointed. I suspect that since these are franchises, the PF experience might be different at other locations. You might ask for a day pass to see if your local PF is to your liking. the black card is good for any PF location, but it costs 19.99 a month compared to the ten dollar basic membership. And they have free pizza and bagels one day each month... rather strange!

First, congratulations on what you've lost so far, and for getting so near to your goal weight! I've hit plateaus and pondered the same questions you are asking. I think the clue is that you not losing, yet you are following a diet and exercising. Your band may be due for a small fill. If you are nervous about the fill, I;d suggest doing it early in the week, just in case you need some Fluid removed a day or two later. You don't want to run into problems on a weekend. Good luck, and let us know how it turns out!

Facebook? Naww... what is wrong with social networking on here? Alex, you left out the best resource that is far ahead of Twitter and FB!

It likely varies company to company, depending on the plan they are using. Just keep in touch with your doctor's office, and your insurance representative to make sure everything is on track for your plan. Good luck! It usually goes smooth for most folks, but my health plans were not typical for most industries. Our heathcare costs was paid for by the company (self administered) and overseen by UHC which mostly did the clerical and billing work in their behalf.

United Heathcare has many, many plans. Very few are the same!!! I had UNH, and my doctor's office argued with me about the requirements for weight loss prior to surgery (WE have the policies, WE know what we are doing...) When the dust settled they finally figured out that UHC used Athem for bariatric WLS! That delayed my surgery by two or three months. In the interim, Hartford Hospital and UNC got into a dispute and my surgery could no longer be done at the previously approved facility due to my provider's mistakes... needless to say they denied ever talking to me about supervised weight loss over a six month period and other requirements. In the end, it delayed my surgery by at least two or three months, but finally when the dust settled I was able to have my surgery where I wanted it done. I had to do an appeal, and endless phone calls with the nurse at Anthem to get through the mess. Just make sure you dot your I' s and cross your T's.

I agree, you are answering your own questions... slow down... chew more, smaller bites. If you start feeling restriction stop eating.

The stomach can swell after a fill... but if you can't enough fluids down you can become dehydrated and end up in the emergency room if your doc doesn't have weekend hours! It is always best to do fills on a Monday for that reason. Can you do enough fluids by slowly slipping and allowing time for the fluids to clear the band? You might want to call your doc's office before they close for the weekend!

I've stalled for months... but usually that is due to becoming careless about exercise or food choices. The last instance was an indicator that I needed another fill. Before WLS what are now "stalls" would have been periods major weight gain! I can go on autopilot for several months without gaining a pound, and that is a good feeling! I've actually been able to diet to a slightly lower weight that were I am now at almost 2 years out of surgery, but I was not able to maintain the weight over the winter months and eventually gained and lost on a yo-yo course. The band at worst provides stability and the weight stays off. At best, I see a few pounds being shed every few weeks.

I'm also a dietary creature of habit!! If I find easy and healthy meals that are easy to repeat for days, I'll perfectly happy eating the same items for weeks at a time.

Just tell them you are on a diet, and trying to eat healthier food choices and watching your portion sizes. They should respect you for those decisions. I don't think you need to delve into your personal medical history to justify what you want or are able to eat; nor do they need any further information beyond a polite comment to that effect. Or just say you've lost your appetite as of late, and that you feel better eating lighter meals.

I can only go by what my doctor's tells me... I should be satisfied for at least four hours, and they suggested eating up to four meals a day, while ensuring my protein intake for each meal was adequate for my nutritional needs. I am not a doctor, but I can't grasp how one can feel satisfied eating just one meal a day, and being able to meet the goals for calories and protein. The APRN told me 90 grams protein, and to keep at 1200 calories. That was based on my gender and other things.

I sometimes think the doctors don't fully understand how and why the various WLS work in the manner that they do. I did read up and study before considering surgery and I first decided on the gastric band... after more study I decided that the VSG WLS might give me better results--I had a lot of weight to lose. In the end, the decision was based on my doctor's recommendations. He didn't want to risk my life (considering my age and other issues) and strongly suggested the least invasive procedure would be the wisest choice for me. So far the band is working, and I am in the 50% mid bracket for predicted results. I'm not sure if that is good or bad, but I do feel better and I'm happy for what I've achieved so far. I just wish we were about 25 years ahead of where we are at for understanding the causes for obesity and a cure.

One thing I noticed for past 1.5 years I've going to Planet Fitness is that the clientele changes during the day. I go in between 8am and 9am, and I find an older crowd than what is there during the peak hours before and after work. I've seen other heavy folks, people using walkers, wheelchairs, canes, etc. Some can barely manage several minutes on a treadmill or on the machines. They are there for themselves, and no one judges anyone else. When see someone trying to improve their well being and doing the best they can at a health club, I have to admire their willpower. I was very uncomfortable about joining a gym--all I could think of was the crap I took in High School during the Phys Ed classes, and I didn't want to relieve those terrible years over... but, after one or two visits, the gym became a second home, and I feel very comfortable going everyday for my sixty minutes on the treadmill. Join a gym, go, and hold your head up high.

Best of luck to you!!! Keep us posted on your progress.

Hypoglycemia. http://www.emedicinehealth.com/low_blood_sugar_hypoglycemia/page3_em.htm#hypoglycemia_symptoms Fairly simple lab test to show if it is a problem.