minock

I have been gone from here for a long time. This surgery did not work for me. Why? I've wondered about that for so long. However, I've known for a long time that it was not the quantity nor quality of food that was keeping me from losing. There had to be something else. I've spoken to numerous doctors over the years. No one was really interested. Even the clinic that supported me through the surgery really took me seriously. I felt like I was totally alone. BUT, I finally found a new gynecologist who listened to me. She sat for what seamed like hours listening to me tell her about all my efforts I had made over the years and finally ended with failed surgery. After listening to my symptoms, she said I was not crazy and that there are medical reasons why some people just can not lose weight. Unless you have been in my shoes, you will never understand. I know that there are several of you who are living like me and are hoping for a resolution. As it turns out, she diagnosed me as insulin resistant. It is not diabetes and has nothing to do with blood sugars. Look it up on the internet. It is a real medical problem and can be fixed. I started on a medication called metformin which is used to treat diabetes. It's a hard medicine to take at first but then it becomes easy. Since then, I am losing weight! It's amazing! I eat less and exercise and I lose weight! It has nothing to do with the lap band right now since I need a fill. I was so down on myself... couldn't believe this surgery failed me. But, as it turns out, it wasn't the surgery... it was just that my body couldn't utilize the insulin. I am so excited. It has only been 2 weeks but I have lost over 10 lbs. I couldn't lose 10 lbs at all before the medicine. I'm not selling anything... I just wanted you guys to know that there are other reasons that the surgery doesn't work. It's just not that your impatient or you are weak! Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be glad to help! Cindy

It hasn't been for me. I think I've had to wait a couple of times but each time wasn't too long. However TLC does not do the psych exam or the preop exam. You have to go to one of their suggested drs to have that done. I didn't have to wait at either location, but that just depends on the time you go, I guess. You can get your fills at one of numerous locations around the metroplex. I get my done in Plano and I've only had to wait one time... which was pretty minimal.

I went to TLC Medical Edge. I paid under $10k and I get 6 months of fills free. I've already had 4 fills and my surgery was in February. The $10k included all preops costs as well surgery costs and fills. I highly recommend them. I am losing very slowly BUT I am losing. My 4th fill has been the magic bullet for me. It is the first time that I don't have to worry about eating anymore. Good luck! Private message me if you want details...

I'm slow too... about 22 lbs (and that includes the weight before surgery). Some people just have good metabolisms.. we just have to find a way to stick this thing out until we get good restriction. I lose about 1 lb per week and I don' think I could do any better with my diet. Keep hanging in there. I know that it's depressing to get on the scale and not see a change... just don't let the depression lead you to the fridge. That's my daily battle. I've got to go back to work soon so I'm not always so close to a refrigerator!

I got nausea 2 days after surgery. I ended up back in the hospital because I couldn't control my throwing up. The surgeon removed the initial 2 ccs that were placed in my band and I was fine. I guess I just had a sensitive stomach. If you are throwing up, then get something to stop it now. I took Zofron and it helped a lot. Call your surgeon.

There is a new facility in Plano, TX that is advertising lap band. I am a little disappointed that they are treating it so lightly. The message is that vanity is the biggest reason to get a lap band. However, they state that they will do the surgery if you have only 30-40 lbs to lose. That shocked me... I'm starting to think that most of the population will have some kind of weight control device at some point in the future.

oooh... I hiccup when things get a little stuck. Hadn't heard that from anyone else so it's nice to know it's normal. It does help things get unstuck after a few big hiccups.

I had the shot while I was awake. I was not prepared for it so I didn't have time to be nervous. Now that you know about it, just try and relax your muscles before getting it. It wasn't too big of a deal. Just a little sting and I am apparently a wimp when it comes to pain. Good luck on the surgery... I had Dr. Gonzalez. He was very good. Cindy

Hi Gibson! Have you had your fill? I had my first and didn't feel any differently. There is some controvery on what size of band that I have so they were conversative with my fill. I get another one this Friday. Hopefully that one will work better. I have been doing low carb and I am losing now... just VERY slowly. I had my surgery with TLC Medical Edge in Texas. They sell a "package" deal with the surgery and fills. I get as many fills as I need within a 6 month period. It is included in the price. I had my first fill at 5 weeks. They said they only recommend waiting 6 weeks because most people are still sore around their port and they do a lot of pushing and proding in that area. I am getting my second fill at 7 weeks. I can have them every 2 weeks if necessary. They want me to get to my "sweet spot" during this 6 month period. I am thankful that they are so lenient with us. I don't know why some of the drs. are waiting so long to give fills. Now, our surgeons don't do the fills. The surgeons contract for TLC so TLC handles all the fills as well as the follow up support. That might have something to do with it. Cindy

Hi Guys... Haven't checked in with you guy since before my surgery. I had my first fill with George last Friday. I had all of my fill that comes with surgery removed the day after surgery due to nausea. George decided to go easy on me with only a 3 cc fill since I had so much trouble early on. He was really nice. I saw him in the Irving office. I think I'm going to need more than 3 ccs total to have this band really work for me. Has anyone been to the Irving (Las Colinas) office? I felt like a novelty over there. Lots of people in my room observing and giving input. However, everyone was really nice and encouraging. I get my next fill at Prestonwood in 1 more week. I'm excited. So far, 20 lbs down. It's a slow go for me, however, I now eat low carb and it helps the scale go down for me. Before changing to low carb, I was gaining rapidly. Hopefully, the loss from the low carb will stay off (with the help of another fill). Cindy

I had my first fill last Friday. It was pretty easy but it was a weird experience. I had upwards of 6 people at one time in my room "checking me out". I felt like such a novelty. It was more of a production than it had to be. I got 3 ccs in my large band. Can anyone tell me how many ccs that band holds? I had all the original saline removed right after surgery so I truly only have 3 ccs now. Didn't make but maybe a small subtle difference. I go back in one week to get another fill. I have been low carbing for the last 2 weeks just to see if I could get my weight loss jump started. Well, that wasn't a popular thing to say to the 6 people involved in my fill. They weren't happy with the low carb life. Oh well, I'm doing what I have to do to lose any weight. Does anyone know of an easy low carb way to get through the first day of a fill when we are doing liquids? My Optifast had tons of carbs. I'm down 20 lbs total in 2 months. Not too bad... I'm still fighting with gaining and losing the same 2 lbs every few days. Thanks for listening and for a great thread... Cindy

I'm sure she's here watching... as it is what I do sometimes. It's sometimes hard to watch others have so much success on these threads when it's not happening to you. I gained almost 7 lbs in a week eating around 1,000 calories a day. There is obviously other things at play here in our bodies (other than what we eat and how much we work out). The trick here is to not give up. Keep checking in and stay motivated.

You guys are making me feel better. I thought I was the only one. It's hard to pay 10k for a surgery and then start to think that it won't work for you. I was pretty upset about it but now I'm feeling much better. When I'm upset I tend to eat so, again, thank you guys!

can'tweighttogo; hope you get your fill on the 26th. I'm still not losing; actually gaining small amounts. Trying to stay off the scale but it's so hard when you know your doing so good eating; I just keep hoping it will go down. Good luck to all of you!

I don't work... kids are in school... so everyday is a challenge to not eat all day. Although, weekends are harder since we usually go to restaurants.

Same here guys... Banded on the 25th as well. I'm not losing lbs either. I've just got to learn to get away from that scale. Some days I'm up 3 lbs after eating only a small amount of food. It's very discouraging so I understand how you feel. We just have to hang in there. It will happen... it just HAS to. When is your first fill? Just scheduled jine today for April 3rd. I'm excited about that.

I am one of those people who gain very easily... slow metabolism. I've never been able to lose more than 15 lbs from any diet ever. It seems like my body will lose 15 lbs quickly and then just stop. I've only had the band for a couple of weeks so I'm not judging it yet; it's doing it's job. I have some restriction and am watching what I eat and keeping it around 1,000 calories a day. In the past I've tried the gym routine and many different diets. I always get the same results. I'm in the process of gaining right now but it is that TOM so I'm trying to be patient. I've had a few "supporters" that are concerned that I had the surgery because they feel like it might not work for me since the diet and exercise never worked. I'm not too discouraged yet, this is a long battle to fight. However, just wondering if anyone else out there has such trouble losing weight. I'm so happy for you guys that are so successful, however it makes me wonder if I will ever have success.

Well, I'm kinda there. I'm not really hungry. Doing under 1000 calories a day and not losing weight. That's my version of bandster hell. Fortunately, I have restriction still from no fill (I actually had an unfill since the surgery). Got a veggie stuck yesterday and I hated it... So, it seems we're both in our own version of bandster hell. Hang in there. You will get a fill soon enough and things will be much easier. I see my surgeon today to see how long until a fill or me. Good luck!

Thanks for the replies. I'm going back to see my surgeon today to see if he has any ideas on how to continue with weight loss. I had only lost 15 lbs since my preop diet but I've gained back a few of those. Gain could be due to TOM but it so aggravating. Good to see that you guys are losing. I'll let you know if the doc has any new revelations for me...

I had my surgery on a Monday and by Friday I was out of town walking around ALOT at my daughter's cheer competition. The more I walked, the less sore I became.

I'm with ya. I can feel my port right under my incision. That is not where it is supposed to be located. I also did a lot of violent vomiting several days after surgery. I go back to the surgeon next week and I'm sure he'll tell me if something is wrong. I don't think it's a major deal to get it turned right, just more pain and I'm tired of this port pain. Oh well, whatever it takes.. Do you have an appt with your surgeon soon?

I haven't been perfect myself. I ended up being readmitted to the hospital 2 days after my surgery so I went about 5 full days w/o eating or drinking anything because of the nausea. I was starting to get concerned that I would never get my appetite back. However, my DD had a cheer competition out of town the day after I got back out of the hospital. I ended up having mashed potatoes and soup while there. It's really hard to travel when you are on a liquids only diet. I also had 4 shrimps since we all went to a seafood restaurant on day 8. I've been better since I got back home but I definitely started the mushy phase earlier than I should have. I have restriction even though all the saline was removed from my band while I was in the hospital. I think I have a sensitive system so I'm scared that the nausea will return when I get my first fill. Thank for the thread... it makes me feel like I'm not the only one who struggles with being good.

I live in the Dallas area. It's snowing here today! It was 80 earlier this week. Such an entertaining weather area we have here....

Wow, Cindy! I just saw your pics you loaded in another thread. You look fabulous! I like the advice about taking a break from the band. Maybe you needed some time to adjust to your new "look" and "feel". I'm new at the band so don't have any band advice but I do know that in the past; if I force myself to get back into a healthy routine, then it gets much easier after a few days and the cravings start subsiding. It just takes making a strong commitment to get "back on the wagon" GOOD LUCK! Cindy

sorry to hear your story. I too ended up back in the hospital. Actually 2 hospitals and one ambulance transport. I am assuming that insurance will cover the costs. I was told that it would by the hospital. I can't imagine having to pay for the additional costs on top of being a self pay myself. Please keep us informed of how it turns out.