Jodi_620

If you have that bloated too full feeling after you eat then of course you ate too much. Are you measuring what you eat? I experimented with different measurements from 1/4 to 1 cup. I need to know beforehand how much it takes to satisfy me...otherwise I don't know I am full until it is too late. At this point, 1 cup fills me up too much, about 3/4 of a cup leaves me satisfied without that bloated too full feeling (1/2 -2/3 of that being protein) so I only put that much on my plate. The amount will be different for everyone. I was told that it should take 20-30 minutes to eat, if I am still eating after 30 minutes then I should stop eating and wait until I am hungry to eat again. I eat 3/4 cup a food 3 or 4 meals a day depending on my hunger.

Basic guidelines for Medicare are : Under age 65, have at least one obesity-related health problem and have been previously unsuccessful with treatment for obesity. Comorbidities that Medicare looks at are: hypertension (high blood pressure), dyslipidemia (unhealthy blood lipid profile), type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, respiratory problems, and endometrial, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.

Yes, if you received any pamphlets that came directlyfrom Allergan (the maker of Lap Band), you should see those statistics in there. I agree with what Amsderb and Northwest Nance said. Those are overall statistics. In just a month or so that I have been a member of this site I have seen several people (too many!) that somehow go into this process completely clueless thinking that the lap band is some sort of magic wand that requires no work on their part to lose weight. Some come to this site months or even years past surgery totally oblivious to how the lap band works. Plus there are those that learn tricks to eat around the band. These people are factored into those statistics. But also in the month that I have been here, I have seen a huge portion of long time bandsters who have been far more sucessful at weight loss and maintenance. And like VegasGrace said, the FDA weight standards are not necessarily the same as our own standards. According to their standards, person who is 5'4" is overweight is she weighs more than 145 lbs. I think that if you go into this with the right attitude and understand how the lap band works and that you have to do you part then you can prove these statistics wrong.

Probably the only one that can tell her for sure is the insurance company. All insurance companies have different policies depending on what type of coverage the individual employer/patient chooses. Have her call and get the particulars. For instance, I have UHC. I was approved in under two weeks with no questions asked and no hoops to jump through. But I have seen on this site people with UHC who had long waits or had to show proof of weight history or go on supervised diets etc.

Did you doctor tell you what kind of diet he/she wants you to follow? As you see from Patchelton's response, some allow carbs and some are very lenient and allow 2 Protein shakes and one meal per day or just require one or two days dieting prior to surgery. You should follow the diet your doctor wants. Mine wanted me on liquid protein-very low carb pre-op. I was allowed Protein Shakes, chicken/beef broth, sugar free Jello, sugar free popsicles, low carb yogurt smoothies, low carb milk, crystal light. I am glad that I followed this diet. Carbs are my enemy and this diet got me off the roller-coaster of carb cravings. Now that I am post-op I don't have to watch my carbs so much but I still have not allowed myself starches or sugars because I don't want to go back to the hell of carb cravings.

You lost 22 pounds is a month or so?...that is fantastic! You don't want to interfere with healing and have slippage by getting a fill too soon. Many people gain weight at this stage so don't get too frustrated, you are doing great. :sad_smile:

I have made it through the liquid pre-op and liquid post-op and only have 2 1/2 more days on the mushies. :w00t: I completely understand your feeling of being overwhelmed and frustrated. The liquid pre-op diet was very hard. I had days where I was just a bear and others where I just wanted to cry. The first 2-3 days are the hardest. Just take it one day at a time, remind yourself that this is just temporary, it will get better and it will be sooo worth it. Take in Protein as soon as you feel hungry and drink plenty of Water. Come here for support when you need it. With the band in, the post-op diet is much easier. And when you finally make it through to solids again you will be so proud of yourself for sticking with it. I must admit though, after nearly six weeks I can't wait until Friday so that I can actually chew on something. :sad_smile:

Hi Patti and welcome from a former PA girl! :biggrin2: This is a great place for information and support. Good luck!

Yeah that's it! It was worrysome to me too but I had decided to wait until this week when I see my surgeon but it has since gone away..I hope for the same with you!

I was banded May 30th so far I have lost 22 pounds. My period came about a week or two post-op and ovulation signs tell me that I am already back on a 28-day cycle!!

I think it may just be part of the healing process. I am 25 days out now and I experienced what I think you are describing around the same time. It wasn't really a pain but an uncomfortable feeling. I had port pain and incision pain the first couple weeks then this sensation came on suddenly after about two weeks and lasted about a week. The pressure/pulling was sort of in my midsection just below my rib cage, is that where yours is? Give it a little time, this week was the first week that I really felt great.

I was planning to be a self-pay but I lucked out at the last minute when my insurance changed and I received coverage. I guess is depends on your surgeon. Even with self-pay I would have had to have the blood work/EKG/physician release, upper GI, psych evaluation and two nutrionist classes. The sleep study was optional and visit with the personal trainer was optional.

Alcohol has a high number of calories and it breaks down vitamins in your system. An occasional glass of wine or other non-carbonated alcoholic beverage though is not considered harmful to weight loss but drinking more regularly will sabotage your weight loss and could deplete the nutrients in your body. You should be careful when you drink too because now that you have the lap band the alcohol could affect you differently than before. But dispite all of this you really should check with your doctor on how soon you can start drinking.

You should check your BMI, to do so go here: Calculate your BMI - Standard BMI Calculator Yes, if your BMI is a little lower and you are going to pay out of pocket you may not have any problem finding a doctor who is willing to do the surgery but if you are using insurance you will have to be within the guidelines of your particular insurance policy. Typically the guidelines are either 1.) A BMI above 40 OR 2.) A BMI of 35 to 40 with co-morbities (heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea etc.)

Most require it to document your efforts at losing weight and to see that the person is willing and able to make the changes that will help them be successful at losing weight.

prefectforme, The scars are minimal but not non-existant. The smaller inscisions (4 or 5) may be almost invisible. The larger port incision may leave a more noticible scar. To all, Here is a link to a thread on scars with some photos. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f17/scar-stages-share-yours-6117/

Isn't that just the sweetest thing??? My sister gave me a refrigerator magnet with that picuture on it...I just love it. Glad you enjoy it :biggrin2:

OK, that's cool...I'm not a big fan of negativity myself; especially here where everyone is coming for much needed support. :smile:

To those who answered without getting their panties in a bunch...thanks for the explanation. :smile: My post was meant to be more of a lighthearted inquiry about the whole process, nothing more.

Yeah I don't get it either. What, is it a popularity contest or something? Is there some benefit to singling out certain people to be your chosen friend vs accepting everyone equally? Seems to me we should be a community of friends supporting each other... Of course this is coming from another friendless person :smile:

Mine gave me "Ondansetron". Little tiny cherry flavored tablets that you dissolve on your tongue...they were a lifesaver!

That is wonderful GramaLisa! The whole situation sounds better all around...good luck and let us know how the seminar goes!

It fills you up quickly because you have a smaller stomach (pouch). Yes, the food passes through the stoma but slowly and as you get fills the stoma is narrower so it passes through more slowly and you feel full longer eat less and lose more weight.

If you only lost 13lbs in more than a year and a half then there is something wrong...I know that we can't compare weight loss but I lost that much on my pre-op diet before the band was even placed. There is either a problem with your band (have you had it checked for proper placement, leakage or any other problems? have you had proper fills?) Maybe an underlying problem with your metabolism (medications, thyroid etc) or perhaps you are not doing your part to make it work (what and how much are you eating? are you exercising enough?) If you are not receiving enough support from your current doctor try to find another one and try to look at why the band is not working for you. This is a support thread, if you provide the right information we can try to help you. But jumping on here and bashing the band with little information to back it up is not very constructive.

I've lost an automobile tire...still have three more tires and a spare to go :rolleyes2: