butterflyJan08

I am "diabetic" but have been told that I am very resistant to insulin. Everything you said here sounds like me. Before the band the only way to lose weight was to exercise strenuously for like 2 hours a day for at least 5 days a week. I tried it again and again but had lots of setbacks because I was always getting hurt-especially my feet. Now after the band I barely eat but unless I exercise I will not lose weight. The good thing is that I can exercise at a reasonable pace so I don't hurt myself. I still have to exercise about 5 days a week and the weight comes off soooooo slowly but at least it is coming off. Without the band I don't think I could have ever lost weight because I couldn't maintain that level of exercise for a very long period of time. I wonder if I am IR and if I need a different treatment than a diabetic. I am so sick of taking Metformin because it slows down my weightloss. Are many IR's misdiagnosed as diabetic?

I know it is harder for me to lose weight while taking my Metformin. When I was only in Levemir(newer insulin) I was able to lose easier than when was switched to only oral medication(Metformin). Now without strenuous exercise at least 5 times a week the scale will not move. At least with the band it is no longer going up:)

Is anyone else experiencing nausea with their lap band? It started a couple of weeks ago and at first I thought it was some weak stomach bug since I wasn't always sick but it is still happening. I have thrown up a couple of times but usually I just feel icky for 2-4 hours. I still haven't gotten full restriction so I don't know what it feels like but I have heard that sometimes people get sick when something gets stuck. I have gotten something stuck a couple of times but deep breathing helped it pass and I haven't ever thrown up from it. Could my nausea be from the lap band?

maybe it is my medicine, that's a good thing to look into. Thanks!

I thought the same thing! But the test was negative and I don't "fee" prego like I did when I really was so no I am not pregnant:)

Suzanne, When I went in for my first fill they told me I should feel some restriction but I felt none and when I went in for my second fill the nurse told me things should be better since she noticed that the doc had noted that after my first fill I was still wide open. I think they just don't want to tell you that you have no restriction so you will think you have more restriction than you do and try to eat less. Of course you should still try to do what you can to eat less but you shouldn't be starving either. Good luck and hang in there. I go for my 3rd fill in 1.5 weeks and I hope to get restriction then:)

Bandster hell sounds about right. I will be 6 wks post op tomorrow and I am having a tough time. I did ok first few wks but then couldn't have a fill due to redness at port site. Finally last thurs I got my first fill but I don't have any restriction. I have to wait until next week for a fill but in the meantime the monster is back - has been for 3 wks. I can't control it any longer and I find myself eating more and more. I can't wait for next weeks fill, all I can do is be as strong as I can, exercise as much as I can, and pray for time to pass quickly:)

I had great control the first few weeks but have only had one fill and don't have any restirction so my sugars have climbed. I hope to get better control when I get good restriction.

first of all calm down and know this does not mean the end of your weight loss. Congratulations on your baby! You will have to go see your doc asap. You will probably have your band completely unfilled to protect the baby. They want the baby to get all the nutrients he/she needs. But the great thing about the band is you can have it tightened again after you have the baby and resume your weight loss!

That's wonderful! I am so happy for you. Those plateaus can be so scary because of what that has meant in the past but now with our bands we will be sure to be able to break through! Way to go!!!

Yes, I was banded on Jan 16th and I have been lifting weights for almost 2 weeks. I was told I was only restricted by pain. I started out slow of course. I had already been walking on the treadmill-started walking day after surgery (not even half a mile) and am up to 3 miles walk/jog a day. So, it wasn't like my first time exercising at all but still I started with 2 pound weights just doing my arms 3 times a day. After a couple of days I felt safe trying 5 lb weights and did those for a few days then started on the bowflex. I just do as much as I can with light resistance and without hurting myself. If I start to feel pain at the port site I quit and do something else. I am very afraid of the flabby skin so I am trying to do what I can with it. You should probably ask your doc what is best for you. I have heard lots of different guidelines from different docs but my doc seems to encourage me to get out there and start working at it. I am glad too. He made me start walking a little right away and I recovered very quickly. Good luck!

I am 4 wks out and have lost 20 pounds. 1st 14 came off quick because barely eating and when did was liquids. Last 6 pounds took 2 1/2 wks to come off but still doing good. I was supposed to get a fill last week but had some redness so went back this week but he wants to wait one more week. I am ready but don't want to jump the gun so maybe next thursday will be the big day:) It sounds like you are doing great. Losing after your fill is a good sign. I have heard of others who had several fills before they got any kind of restriction. How many cc's did you get? Can you tell the difference?

So after not losing weight for a week and a half I lost another 3 pounds! I was so excited but was extremely hungry. I told myself to just hand on until my first fill on Feb 7th but then when I got to the doc they didn't want to give me a fill because there was some pink around the port site. I totally understand that she didn't want to infect my port and I am truly glad that she is protecting me form getting an infection but I was also very disappointed. I just felt like I couldn't go on like this without some help. I really needed a fill because I have been hungry since a wk and a 1/2 after surgery and I just couldn't keep surviving on liquids. Anyway I told her how I was feeling and she told me to take in more calories just try to stick to liquids and mushies. She even told me to go get a shake so I would feel better. I thought that was awful advice especially in my extremely vulnerable state but she recognized that I was having a breakdown and needed some relief. She also said that weight loss wasn't the goal right now, healing was so just to keep taking care of myself and it would get easier when I got my first fill. She told me she will give me 3cc right off the bat and then make sure I could still take liquids. So for now I am to use a heating pad on the port site daily (she thinks my body still hasn't absorbed the inner scab) and should see the doc again on Valentine's Day. Has anyone else ever had a fill delayed for something like this? Did you turn into a pathetic teary-eyed baby?

OMG I have been so worried about this all week! I was banded on Jan 16 and lost 14 pounds in the 1st 10 days. But now I am 17 days out and I am at the same weight as day 10. One week with no weight lost and I am on mostly liquids. How can I be taking in so few calories and walking 2-3 miles a day and not losing any weight? Also, there is a bulge at my port site. Does anyone else have this?

I know 4 weeks on liquids sounds crazy but it isn't as bad as you would think. At first it is just clear liquids like broth and stuff but then they start to add in creamy liquids like cream of chicken soup. Even though the band isn't tightened when it is 1st put in you will find you have a almost no appetite at first. Then as you heal your appetite improves but if you use the liquids they tell you to and keep drinking lots you won't feel much hunger. I experience a little especially when I forget to drink lots between meals. I am also a diabetic and worried so much about my sugars bottoming out because they always did before but I am at 17 days and I haven't had a low blood sugar yet. Of course this is because I was able to stop using insulin right away. I was up to 100 units of Levemir a day but after surgery I wasn't eating just drinking sugar free liquids so I didn't need the insulin. And after about a week I was off the oral medication too. You just have to check your blood sugars religiously and work closely with your endocronologist so you can stay in your target range. Right now my averagae blood sugar is 100. I don't know what will happen once I start eating realy food but hopefullly I will get a fill next week so I hope not to be eating much. I hope the band helps your diabetes as much as it has helped mine. Good luck!

Hi everyone. I was just banded Jan 16th here in San Antonio. It was a long tough road getting here but I finally decided to do a self-pay and I am sure glad I went ahead with it. I am 14 pounds lighter & counting! I am so glad there is a place like this where I can talk to others who understand. I look forward to talking with you all!

That is fabulous! I can't even imagine shopping in the regular section. I am so used to looking for that plus size sign every time I walk into a clothing store. I have only lost 1 size but it feels really great. The last time I fit into a 14 or 15 was about 12 years ago. I agree that the band is the best thing I could have done. I feel so much BETTER!

I use Dr. Duperior here in SA. He is with New Dimensions. They do most of their surgeries at a brand new hosp called Foundation Bariatric Hospital on Heubner. Their staff is specially trained to work with bariatric patients. Look up ND website and attend a seminar. They will check on your insurance for you. Good luck

Thanks for the warm welcome. I am thrilled to have found this site. I have already learned so much and been inspired by so many. It sounds like your band is working beatifully for you. How many sizes have you lost?

My doctor is Dr. Duperior. Dr. Pilcher was the asst surgeon for me. They are both great docs. I really feel like I got the best care. Congrats on you weight loss, that is so awesome. Sometimes I feel like I am kind of in shock that I finally did it, like one day it is going to hit me like a ton of bricks. You ever feel that way? Maybe it takes a while to sink in. So you don't think liquids are too bad huh? I am ok most of the day but in the evening I would like a real meal. How long are you on liquids for, 6 weeks?

Mick, I really enjoyed reading your story, thanks for sharing you are quite an inspiration. I was banded on Jan 16, 2008 and I have lost 14 pounds since. I haven't received my first fill yet but I think I will get it when I go to my post op on Feb 7th. I am can't wait! I am walking 3 miles on the treadmill about 5 days a week and am looking for ways to add activity throughout the day. I am a software engineer so I spend most of the day on my tush. Do you have any suggestions? Also, have you had problems with extra skin? I am already feeling flabby...not that I would trade fat for flab, I'll take flab any day, but I would like to minimize this as much as possible:)

Wow you have lost 26 pounds in 12 days? That is fabulous!!! I was also banded /16/08. I have lost 14 pounds since and I feel great. You mentioned mushy foods. How soon after surgery did your doc start you on mushy foods? I am supposed to be on a liquid diet for 6 WEEKS and I already caved and had some soup cause I just couldn't take it. 6 Weeks seems like forever to live on broth and jello. Do you have any suggestions for how I can change it up a bit? Congratulations on your success so far and good luck with your first fill!!!

Congratulations! I was just banded on Jan 16th and I have already lost 14 pounds. I just can't believe how great I feel! I am a diabetic and I am barely 12 days out and already not taking any insulin or oral meds. I hope things go as well for you! Good luck!

Congratulations and good luck!

I had my lapband surgery Jan 16th. It was done by Dr. Duperior of San Antonio. He is part of the New Dimensions group. They are a group of about 5 or 6 doctors who specialize in weight loss surgery. I am very pleased with the results. Surgery went great and recovery even better than I ever expected. I was pretty sore first few days but started walking on treadmill in 2 days and went back to work in 5. The first day back was a little tough but after that I was good to go. Now I am on day 12 and I am doing everything but lifting weights. I have to wait until my first appt to get clearance but I am walking faster and climbing stairs and I barely notice the incisions most days. They still have scabbing that is starting to peel off but other than that they look great. I did all the resesarch before and found out he was voted the doc that other docs would send their families to for this surgery so that was good. I also talked to other patients of his and they were all so pleased. I don't have one bad thing to say about this doctor. He gave me the best care and I am already down 14 pounds!!!