lapbandade

It's been about 8 months since I was banded, and I have absolutely no regrets. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is SERIOUS about losing weight. I just had my first fill (yes, after 7 1/2 months), and it was a piece of cake. My loss has averaged 10 lbs. a month, thus far. For me, the band is more of a deterrent than anything. It is completely adjustable, removeable, and gives you and your doc total flexibility, things that gastric bypass can't easily offer. Remember though, it is a tool, not a cure all. If you don't play by the rules, you won't lose as planned, plus you'll probably PB, slime, and be miserable. My problem is like many here.......years and years of terrible eating habits and gorging myself. The band, for the most part, will not cure those cravings. They will, however, help you manage them. I still have the cravings, and expect to for a long time to come. Since my surgery I have NEVER felt hunger. The doc says I am lucky in that regard. As a result I could go without eating, but when I start eating, I don't want to quit. That is my biggest problem, and the band does help me manage that desire. Good luck to you, whatever you chose to do.

OK, it's been just over a week since my first fill after sugery 7 1/2 months ago. I think I am settling in at about one cup of food twice a day, with one or two 200 or less calorie snacks. I feel pretty full at a cup, and thinkI'd be pushing it if I went to a cup and a half. I don't even want to go there, so I'll stick with a cup, or a cup and a quarter at the most. I've already lost almost 5 lbs. which should make the doc (and me) happy. I'll post any further observations/progress. Next doc appt. is May 15th., I think.

JoannMarie, I did talk to the doc a little this last time, but not about billing the fill....or is it filling the bill? I thought I was lucky to have Medicare, Blue Cross and Tricare (Military), but he told me (from his point and mine) that it doesn't make much difference. Medicare "allowable" (assignment) is all he can charge in our cases. The other insurances just pick up anything Medicare doesn't pay.....of the "allowable". He said that is why so many docs won't take Medicare. He also talked of formulas docs use to determine what %age of Medicare patients they can have and still make their "target" income. Amazing!! That's probably the reason for 2 year backlogs. That sucks!! Sounds like you've finally got it squared away and will on your way soon. You asked if I have lost any without fills. See below> Sfeiner, it's good to know that Medicare will pick up the tab for fills, as I have another 40-60 lbs. to go and am sure I'll be needing more in the future. I've been on the overweight merry-go-round for at least 35 years. When in the Military I had to tow the mark, with some difficulty I might add. I've been retired for 18 years now, and inactivity, complacency, and apathy have really taken their toll. After getting all the "morbidly obese" medical problems.....high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, etc. Since I was spending more time at the docs. and pharmacies, I finally thought I had to do something to change this. I went to an info. seminar in late July 07, and right then and there signed up. I had to lose 30 lbs. before he would do the surgery, so I did that in one month. Had the surgery on Aug 30, 07. I wanted to to the whole loss program w/o fills, just in case I wanted to "pig out" from time to time, plus I've heard with fills people PB, slime, nausea and vomit. None of those sound very appealing to me, so no fills, no problems, right? I've lost a total of 80 lbs., but the last 3 months have only been 3-5 lbs. per month. This is why doc said it was time. I haven't noticed much difference, but I am being more aware (don't want the PB, etc.), and sticking to 1- 1 1/2 cups, 3-4 times a day. He filled 2 ml., and showed me on an unistalled band how much restriction it would do. Looked like about 8-10%. We'll see if it works. Thanks for both of your inputs. It is appreciated.

Kbinaz, what does a restriction feel like? So far, I don't think I feel anything different, but I am trying to be more aware (which I obviously wasn't before the fill), and am noticing things that may have been going on before without me paying attention to them....i.e. burping a fair amount after meals. Since I am trying to stay at one cup, 4 times a day, I don't think I am overdoing it or pushing the full limit. I think I am starting to feel full, but not really sure. Guess I just go with the flow and wait to see what happens. Neveragain, the doc told me I didn't need to do liquids, but probably should do mushies for a couple days. I did this, and today is the first day I tried solids. I don't think I had a problem, but (again, maybe being overly aware) I noticed I felt very slight nausea about 2 1/2 hours after eating. I can't believe this is a result of the fill, since it was so long after the meal. Wouldn't nausea, PBing, sliming happen soon after the meal if too much was eaten? I also don't think I want to "find out how much fits" as this would cause the above results, wouldn't it? Thanks to both of you for putting me at ease, and helping me understand this unknown territory.

Kbinaz, you are right. I thought that because I am never hungry I could just keep losing without ever having a fill. I think it was more of a challenge than anything, plus I don't like the idea of potentially PBing, and having the golf ball in the throat if I want to pig out on something. Now that I have had a fill I think I see what you mean. Yes, now I feel full quicker, and have been staying at about a cup, 4 times a day. I've already started losing again. Before the fill I was really starting to have trouble losing (only 3 lbs. in the previous 5 weeks), because I was obviously overeating. Now I am afraid to overeat, as I know I won't like the band's response. Thanks for your input and encouragement. Neveragain, how did you like the strawberry vanilla shake? I've almost quit having any other kind....by far my favorite.

Thanks, Miss Molly. I haven't felt hunger since my surgery, so that is not a problem for me. From what I've seen here, I am lucky, in that regard. I am trying to eat less, and am on "soft" foods until tomorrow. Guess I'll see what happens when I get on more solid stuff. Since I am not sure what to expect, I am being cautious so far, as I don't want to get the golf ball in the throat or start PBing. I understand those are possibilites, if I eat too much. Is that correct? I know for sure that I don't even want to go there. Thanks for your help, and I'll post my observations as I get used to this.

I just stumbled across this 60's Section, and think it's great. Thanks to whoever came up with the idea. It's been a while since I've been on the forum, but I hope to hang around a little more now that some of life's challenges and issues have been met and conquered. I was banded on Aug. 30, 2007, and will become Medicare eligible July 1st this year. Someone on one of these threads said that Medicare picks up the cost of fills. Is there anything I need to tell the doc when this time comes? I just had my first fill since surgery (7 1/2 months), and may have to have more in the future, so this may be important to know. Thanks for your help.

I think the doc said my band is a large, a 14 ml band, I think. Does that sound right? Yes, most of my problems have been, and still are, in my head. Most people I've talked to say the same thing. I don't feel like I need or want to eat, but when I start, I don't want to quit. I resort a lot to the 100 calorie "snacks", but really have a problem pushing away once I get started. I am pretty religious about staying around 1000-1200 calories a day, with at least 80 grams of protein. Still usually do a half or full protein shake a day. I usually use light vanilla soy milk, vanilla protein powder, and fresh fruit. Fresh strawberries are the best, IMO.

Now that I've had my first fill (2 ml) on Monday, what am I suppose to do, and what difference(s) should I expect to see/feel? Do I need to do anything different from before fill? So far, I think I burp (not PB) more than before the fill, but I am not sure. Maybe I am looking for changes that aren't really changes....more awareness maybe. Should/will I start losing more now? Any expected problems or side effects?

It's been quite a while since I've been on the forum.....busy with life's ongoing challenges and issues. Anyway, Monday I received my first fill (2 ml) after 7 1/2 months. I was trying to do the whole program without a fill, but have only been losing 3-5 lbs. a month for the last few months. The doc said it was time. So far, since my surgery on Aug. 30, 07, I've lost 80 lbs. and would like to lose at least another 40-60 lbs. Just wondering if anyone else has gone as long, or longer, without needing a fill??? What was your secret? Mine is, since the surgery I have never felt hunger, which has helped me lose fairly easily, so far. My biggest problem is the old, bad eating habits die hard, and I eat for the sake of eating, not because I am hungry. Does anyone else feel no hunger? The doc said he must have got the band in just the right spot.

How long since your surgery? If you've already had a fill, you may be too tight. Too date, fortunately I haven't had a problem with any kind food. If I did, I'd probably react the same way. Have you been OK since? Oh, I was banded almost 8 weeks ago.

Dr. Anderson and St. Al's are great, IMO. I know some have had minor problems with St. Al's, but my experience was great. Dr. A's presentation is enlightening and informative, although due to limited time, it is not all encompassing. Since joining this forum I have "discovered" much more of the minor details about all aspects of the lapband adventure. I wouldn't change anything though, even if I had known about this forum before my surgery. I was referred to Dr. A by my GP, Dr. Larry Brown. I finally told him I was tired of playing the yo yo game, and my weight was starting to really affect my health. Doc B. just kept adding meds. and increasing doses to keep up with my increasing weight. Since beginning this journey three months ago I have already been able to reduce doses of my two diabetes meds. and one high BP med. I've also been able to lower the pressure on my BIPAP machine. All the doc's say that when I am back to a "normal" weight I may be able to get completely off some meds. and greatly reduce doses on others. That, along with the "reduced" tent (clothing) and food budgets ought to be enough savings to buy a new car in a year or so, LOL. A couple years ago my GP also referred me to an ENT doctor, (Dr. Mathew Schwarz) who set me up for a sleep study. The study showed I would stop breathing over 400 times an hour. That got me on the CPAP (and later BIPAP) machine, which made sleeping a pleasure again, not to mention feeling rested when I awake in the morning. I have been to two different dieticians, Jolyn Seibert (independent) and Liz Warhurst (St. Al's). Both are really good, IMO, but Liz at St. Al's. is a little less expensive. I mainly went to Jolyn first because I was able to get an quicker appointment that fit my schedule. Be aware that the dieticians' philosophies and recommendations will differ from the doctors'. I don't know why that is, and don't really care, as I no longer need to go to the dietician at this point. I also am doing what Dr. A wants me to do, as he is the surgeon and, IMO is the director of my weight loss program. The dieticians to have some good ideas and hints though. Good luck on your upcoming journey, and enjoy the seminar. Don't be afraid to ask questions, either, as everyone there is in the same barge (boat) as you. In just three short months, I have already seen so many favorable changes in me (and my body) physically that I can hardly "weight" to see what the future brings. I never thought I would ever be able to lose this ball and chain I've been carrying around for so long, but now I have a new perspective and see there is hope for a better, healthier life. Keep us posted on how things are going, and when you get a banding date.