Blund

Sharzi, My BMI was just under 37, when I had the surgery. I had co-morbidities too, which was required for insurance approval. I'm surprised your doctor is pushing for the RNY with your low-ish BMI. I have the 10cc Lap Band made by Allergen. I now know there are other new bands out there, but I don't know the difference. I don't live near any large cities, so there is only one surgical center for the procedure in my area. The Lap Band is the one my surgeon uses. Honestly, I didn't even think about other brands, which sounds stupid to say! :smile2: Maybe your surgeon is not familiar with the Lap Band???

Hi Sharzi, I was just banded in April, and just had my 3rd fill. I've done well with the band with no side effects so far. Doctors seem to like the RNY for "morbidly obese" but I think it should be your choice. I had the same feelings about the invasiveness & risks of the RNY. I had my 1st fill 6 weeks post-op, then another month, then another month. My next fill is in 2 months. My doctor thinks I should be set with this fill or the next. I don't think the maintenance is as bad as some make it sound. I suppose if one has complications, its another story! On the other hand, it is a commitment and your doctor should be monitoring you anyway. At my pre-op appointment, the nurse made it clear that I would be continually monitored by them, and I have to be OK with that. Good Luck Barb

I'm beginning to have issues with this now. I'm one of us who rarely feels hungry....its now one of my "goals"....to have hunger pains BEFORE eating! What a concept!! I was just looking for others' experiences with managing this. Thanks, Barb

loracrose, No I haven't gone to a support meeting yet....I either forget, or the topic is not appealing. I SHOULD go so I can see how its done. I don't know if they just have a speaker and/or if there is a chit chat group session. It would be a great excuse to get out of the house and leave hubby with the kids! -Barb

I guess I'm on the sunset side....."Beautiful Leelanau County".... ( Just west of Traverse City) Loracrose, I had Dr. Nizzy too! I go in for my 3rd fill the end of this month. I hope I can get a little more restriction for that "sweet spot" people talk about. Are you in TC? The GTS web site has several people from the UP, but they are mostly RNY patients. I kinda wish they had a monthly group meeting for us bandsters. Teachlady, do you go to TC for fills? Or elsewhere? -Barb

I think this must be Banster Hell!

I agree. Thanks Jack. I think I'll print that post. I sometimes go for food when my kids stress me out, which is often! I'm trying to change that habit. I either resist, or go for a glass of Water or some raw veggies instead of a marshmello or a hunk of sharp cheddar cheese!! I should try jumping on my stair stepper! Its so hard sometimes to stop eating when something tastes so good! I'll get that full feeling from my band and be sad that I shouldn't have more. "Shouldn't" not "can't" because I have gone past that point a few times.....resulting in a run for the toilet! Sometimes, I wish our food DIDN'T taste so good!!! -Barb

:scared2:I'm a low BMI'er, so I'm worried about approval. My papers were fax'd on Monday, March 3rd. Another stage of waiting, over. I hate this!

Lizalee, I think you should get a refund for your scale!!! lol

WOW! Crack whore?!! That would have sent me into orbit! But I haven't lost a "crack whore" amount of weight yet!! LOL Many years ago, I lost like 57 lbs and was in great shape. A male friend commented that I was losing too much of my chest!! Can you believe it?? Like I have control over what part of my body weight comes off?!! (I've never been big busted unless overweight.) We did a shot of tequila, and I made some snappy come back I'm sure....but don't remember! LOL I haven't told anyone except my DH, kids and 1 friend, and they are all sworn to secrecy. I'm like BBK, if I feel comfortable telling someone who asks, I have no problem with it. The LB commercials are all over TV now, so I think people are more aware of them.

My scale is stuck too. Its very discouraging. I don't get my 2nd fill until 7/9, but I'm on a cancellation list. I feel some tightness in the morning, but my 2 cups of coffee & vitamin go down fine. I wait then eat something small. By lunch time I'm hungry though. I FINALLY had a couple of people notice that I've lost, which is nice to hear. I'm expecting to feel real restriction with my 2nd fill.

I had Blue Cross (now BC Anthem) and was approved in 5 days! Yes, I did call them, but wait for your confirmation letter.

Now THATS the deterrent I had before my first fill! PB-ing! Since my fill, I feel less restriction! So strange..........

I had my first fill June 5th, and had the same thing. I feel like I'm more hungry and can eat more than before. I have maintained my weight, but not lost any more. This is upsetting because I was doing so well before the fill. I get another fill on July 3rd. I might call to see if I can get in sooner. Not sure whats up with this. I hope the next fill "fills" me!!

Jerseygirl, you should tell your Dr. That sounds terrible! I have the pain a lot less now, and it can be on either side, but its not unbearable (pull over your car???!!!), its just annoying mostly.

I was just banded April 24th, and everything is great except about a week ago, I started getting pains in my abdomen. You know how when you run, walk, run, walk, etc (when I was able!) you get that pain in your side sometimes? We always called it a "stitch." Anyway, that is what it feels like and it is right by my pelvic bone and switches sides. It happens several times a day, and only when I'm standing upright. I'm wondering if this is maybe just some healing/nerve pain from the surgery, even though it is much lower than my incisions. I have read a lot about strange pains on this forum. Or (note my age) perhaps my ovaries are freaking out?!! I haven't had the pains long enough to notice a cycle or anything. It would suck if being banded got me started with the big "M"!!!! Anyone else had something like this? And yes, I'll ask my Dr. about it.:confused_smile: Thanks, Barb

I just think its weird that I felt more restriction BEFORE my first fill ! Before the fill, I had a couple of things get a little stuck, but it wasn't terribly painful...not that I'd want to do it all the time or anything. I just thought maybe as a test? I'm supposed to get another fill in 3 weeks (1 month between) and I think I'll call in see if I can at least schedule one sooner. Why the heck would I feel less restriction and have hunger pangs AFTER the first fill???!!!

Hooray for us losers! I don't feel any different after getting my first fill! I got it last Thursday (2cc's added to the 1.5cc done at surgery), and have had no problems with food. I'm tempted to "push it" to see if I can get something stuck. What the heck???

After not having the cramp thing in my side for many days, I got my first fill on Thursday, and had one the next day! Only that one time, though, so it MUST be band-related.

My fill went fine yesterday. It hurt a little, even though he numbed it first. (?) He put 2cc into my 10cc band, which already had about 1.5cc in it from surgery. I guess they put a little in at surgery just so it isn't all flat and deflated? They were all impressed as to how well I'm doing. The Dr said that he has noticed that patients who have had a hiatal hernia repaired at banding (like I did), seem to feel more restriction right after surgery. So I can't take all the credit I guess! I go back in a month. Turler, I do the same thing with my protein shakes. They really seem to fill me up when I'm hungry. I've got to start journaling again! Take care all! Barb

OK, I must qualify my 30 lb loss. Some of it was on the pre-op diet. Maybe 10 lbs or so? Its been so long since I've LOST weight, that I'm counting every pound!!!

Hastings, very interesting. Its amazing what's on the web! I'm 6 weeks out now, and was having the "stitch" quite a bit (alternating sides), but haven't had it in a few days now.

I get my first fill tomorrow and am looking forward to it. Not looking forward to being on liquids the day after, but oh well. After all these weeks, today I had bad hunger pangs. I guess I'm lucky to feel some restriction right after surgery. Could be psychological?? Which is fine by me! Also, I think some of us get luckier when they stitch the band to the stomach, and hit that "hunger nerve" and confuse it. Or maybe he stiched it with my hiatal hernia. Who knows, I'm just glad to be losing FINALLY! I'll up-date you on my fill tomorrow.

Beware: rant ahead-- OK, so I tell DH I've lost 30 lbs, and he says "Great! I've lost such-n-such pounds from working outside...blah blah blah...!" So now, we're the same. But wtf?? Get off my cloud! I tell him its easy for him to lose weight, and he's never had a problem with it anyway. Its a struggle for me, and this is supposed to be MY excitement, not his! He isn't un-supportive, but still doesn't totally get it. When my father-in-law found out how much I lost, he calmly said "Thats substantial." Substantial???!!! Is it just me? Or am I on some other planet???!!! All you guys here are my main support, as you can see, and I thank you! -"Substantial" Barb

Carrie C. I'm glad I was sound asleep!!! And I DONT plan to ask my surgeon about it! lol