csg

Congratulations on your patience and success. Your story is encouraging. I am still worried about the process. I had the band put in June 16 and am not at the “green zone.” I had 3cc inserted mid July and then 2 cc inserted in August. I got violently ill -- a night of pain-- and had 1 cc removed the next day. I have now been at 4 cc a few weeks and I am hungry a lot. Before you reached the “green zone” were you tempted to overeat? Did you overeat? Did you ever overeat slider foods, like ice cream. I have managed through great effort to maintain a 20 + pound weight loss from the pre and post op diet, but it is a struggle (just like dieting pre band). Some days I eat well, others I can’t resist the temptation to overeat. I can envision gaining weight. I had no idea this was the process. I don’t know if it is process or if I’m failing. Please let me knowhow it went for you. Thanks

B-52’s post was just what I needed/wanted to hear, but I still have many questions and am unsure whether the band isn’t working or whether it is just part of the learning curve. I was banded June 16th and had my first fill 3 cc, about a week ago. I have been losing weight, but only because of strict dieting, something I know only lasts a limited amount of time. I may not be hungry a lot, but I am often looking for food and shoveling anything I can tolerate rapidly into my mouth. Can the band actually lessen this behavior, lessen the cravings and desires for food that are not strictly related to physical hunger? Also, I don’t know if the restriction is working. I don’t know what being “full” is supposed to feel like. When I eat too fast I get terrible pain. Sometimes I don’t think I ate too fast but I get the pain anyway. Does the pain mean I ate past that full feeling. What is that full feeling. I’m concerned because I can get pain after just a few bites. But if that means the restriction is adequate then it means the band won’t help at all with the cravings. I am totally confused. Grateful for any help. Thanks, CSG

Reply and question: I dieted on high Protein, low-carb shakes in the past and found that “it” gets much better about day 5. Initially just try to take it easy, get help with your baby, and drink a lot of Water. You should feel much better soon. I am now pre-op too and will start the two weeks of shakes in about 2 weeks. I’d love to hear taste recommendations. Seems many can only be bought by the case, so I’d like a sense of what other people have liked. Premier Protein? GNC? Slim Fast? Glucerna? These are some of the ones recommended by my surgeon. Thanks

At 66, I am not very good at following blogs and I know I’m pretty old for weight loss surgery. That said, I find that in anticipating surgery and weight loss I am worried that I will look even worse with sagging skin than with the fat. I am also concerned that plastic surgeons will not be willing to do these procedures on someone my age with such poor skin turgor due to aging. Has anyone had weight loss surgery over 65? What has been your experience with the way your skin looks after weight loss? Has anyone had plastic surgery at this age?

AZDEE, Thanks so much. Your reply is encouraging, and I will check out Dr. Fisher. Congratulations on your success!! Candy

Thank you! I will try the plastic surgery web site you recommended. Congratulations on your amazing weight loss. Must be thrilled to have a BMI of 23.2! Hearing about all this success is so encouraging to me. Candy

Hi KATHY, Thanks so much and congratulations to you. I am so encouraged to hear from so many people who have lost weight. Congratulations! Candy

Dear KateP, Wow. Congratulations on your loss and on maintaining it for 8 years! Your response is encouraging. I heard one weight loss surgeon who had the band himself talk about how not being hungry makes a big difference. I’m nervous but hopeful. Thanks, Candy

Dear JustWatchMe, Congratulations on your amazing weight loss and on doing it inspite of binge eating disorder. I have struggled to address the emotional issues you mention for many years, in OA and in cognitive therapy. I am still working on it. Your reply is encouraging as is your wonderful success story. Best, Candy

Binge Eating Disorder and LapBand: I met with a surgeon and am now going through the 6 month period of required by Medicare. Although I prefer the lap band, I am open to what will work best for me. My question is: has anyone had success with the lap band when they have had binge eating disorder? How does eliminating hunger work when so much of my eating is repeated trips to the frig without hunger, an obsessive type of eating? Thanks, Candy

Julie, Forgot to congratulate you on your weight loss. Fantastic! A BMI under 25 is wonderful. Candy

Julie, Thanks very much for the encouragement. I have an appointment with the surgeon next week and I’ll ask her to put me in touch with one of the plastic surgeons. Hearing from you, I realize I’ve been worrying about this but never really looked into it. As of now, looks like I can’t have the surgery until June because I need to document 6 consecutive months of dr visits for Medicare. Amazing, since I can document 33 years of struggle. Thanks again, Candy