OverBeingFat

Has anyone had and done both? The first year of my lapband, I lost 60 lbs. Since then (now 3 years out), nada. During that time, I was drinking an atkins shake for Breakfast, one for lunch and had a salad for dinner. I've kept trying to follow the atkins but now that I'm actual eating food for lunch and dinner, the scale hasn't moved. I've recently started getting extremely light-headed and on one occasion, passed out. My regular doctor completely disagrees with the advice of my lapband doctor and wants me to stop with the very low carbs and suggested I try WW. I know I can't do very bready stuff, but I do miss things like milk, fruit, etc. Has anyone else had good results with a band and WW? Thanks in advance for any replies.

I'm not sure. I can tell you that because of the cost, I'm not joining WW, but I did buy the deluxe points plus package from ebay that comes with the points calculator. The link below tells you how to use the calculator to figure out your points per day. http://www.3fatchick...-daily-pts.html @jennilamb, thanks so much! I'm not big on the Pasta and rice, but I do like thin bread and potatoes. I should have my new packet of stuff within the next day or two and have been using an online points calculator to track my past two days. Well, what I can track. Not sure what lettuce and salads come in at but I've been tracking the smart ones and the stuff that has food labels on it. I've been afraid of WW because all that I've heard is lapbanders must do atkins. It's nice to learn someone with a band has had success on WW! Oh, here is the link of what I bought from ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/260914667538?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_991wt_944

@Bunz, my lapband doctor says it has nothing to do with my band. That it's me being a food addict. He advises things like drinking coffee all day and only eating once a day. My normal doctor just shook his head when I told him that. I've always thought that I'm not tight enough, but my lapband doctor disagrees. I insisted on the barium test last time and he filled me somewhat but I still feel I eat a normal amount of food. I've gone to some of the support groups and there are people who claim they are completely full after only 1/2 cup of chilli, etc. That's definitely not enough for me not to feel like I'm starving all the time. The only reason I could do the 2 shakes and salad was because the lapband doctor had me on phentermine at the same time. As soon as he took me off the pills, I couldn't stick to only 2 shakes and a tiny salad. It's like if I don't eat next to nothing, I can't lose weight. That's why I'm hoping with WW that maybe since you have to eat, it might actually work for me. I'm just very discouraged I paid all this money (I was self-paid), and while I'm no longer a size 22, I can't seem to get below a size 14.

Savvy... I'm in the same boat you are. For six months, I had two shakes a day and a salad. I've recently begun getting very light-headed and have passed out on one occasion. I've also stopped losing weight. Like you, my lapband doctor is very curt and not someone you can talk to. My regular doctor told me that over an extended period of time, high-protein, low-carb diets can affect normal brain function. He thinks I'm not getting enough food and that I'm not learning how to eat correctly (which, duh, is kinda why I'm in this mess to begin with). He recommended WW and says it's important to get a variety of food and actually learn how to eat, not just starve myself and low-carb it to get the pounds off. I have no other advice other than I'm feeling your pain. I'll be watching your thread to see what others advise as well. Good Luck!

it still hasn't hit me that I've lost that much. Its been a LOT or hard work, exercising 3-4x a week, really whatching what I eat, I'm even still on diet pills a few days a month but its all totally worth it. Good luck, I know you'll get there too!

I thought about saving something (still have my ridiculously huge pj bottoms). But aside from those PJs, I donated everything else. I really don't need a reminder of how huge I was. There are plenty of pictures as evidence. Funny story, my niece is about 2 1/2 years old. My brother doesn't have any new pictures of me (I don't want to take any until I hit goal). The other day, my SIL was showing her my picture on the fridge and telling her, "Look, there's Auntie." My niece kept arguing saying, "NO, NO AUNTIE!" My brother & SIL have since requested I take my niece to see Santa and asked to do a new picture with the two of us. They said they don't want to keep arguing with a 2-year-old, LOL! :rolleyes2:

My brain hasn't caught up either. I have people telling me I look fine now and don't need to lose anymore. When I tell them I want to take another 30 off, I get told I'll look like I'm sick or anorexic if I do. I still find myself going for the 2X & XL clothes first. It's only when I try them on and am swimming in them, I'll go grab a large (or lately mediums). I also don't see it in the mirror at all. I have to look at pictures of me from before and compare to now to see a difference. I think for me I've been so focused on being a fatty for so long, it's just going to take a while for my brain to reprogram itself.

Mine actually ran at $15,500, but since my insurance from the job I was laid off from ran until the end of Oct., I went to my dentist and doctor and had a full physical. Part of my physical includes blood work so I was able to take a copy of what my lapband Dr. needed and have my normal doctor run the tests and have insurance pay that way. Taxes: The way mine were explained to me was since I took the money from my 401(k), normally you would have to pay a penalty. However, since it was for medical that was more than 10% of my annual income (I'm in Florida, may be different for you), I didn't have to pay the 20% penalty, just the taxes on the $15,500 as if it was income. If there is anything else you have questions about, please let me know! :thumbup:

Mark me down as another self-pay. In Oct. of last year, I had been laid off from my job. Thankfully even though the economy was in the toilet, I was able to find another job with the same week. Since I now had access to my 401(k) money, I went for it. Went to seminar end of Oct. and had surgery 12/16/08. So yes, I went through holiday sore as all get out and not able to eat anything more than Soup. I am also the one that usually hosts Christmas Eve (for about 25, I have a big Italian family), however, not last year. Did it suck getting through holidays? Yes. However, by the time New Year's rolled around, I was feeling back to my normal self. Head's up on things I wish I knew. I think someone posted that they didn't need to diet before the surgery. Not safe and here's why. If you haven't reduced your carbs to where you are losing weight (doesn't have to be much - only a pound or two), your liver will have the consistency of Jello and it's very easy to tear when they lift to get at your stomach. That's why you see so many people post that their doctors have them start atkins just before their surgery. After Surgery: TMI but head's up because nobody warned me. I didn't get the gas pains after surgery but nobody told me you won't be able to er, um, crapulate for about a week or so. Being pretty regular, that did freak me out a little. :thumbup: Also, I went through MONTHS of bandster hell. It took no less than 5 fills before I started feeling any restriction at all (my fills were every three weeks). So for the first four months, I didn't lose anything. Then in April, I started not only feeling restriction, but I started working out (Zumba) 3x a week. Since April, I've dropped 60lbs and have 20lbs to go. If you have any other questions, let me know.

Hello Luchay! I was totally in your boat. I was banded 12/16/08. Since I was self-pay (took money from my 401k since my insurance wouldn't cover it -- a rant for another thread), I wasn't required to do the pre-op diet, or go through the psych eval. I did have to do the 1 hour diet consulting, but honestly, I just agreed with whatever they said, didn't really listen and just tossed all the papers into a drawer somewhere. 1 month post-op, I hadn't gained any, but I hadn't lost any either. I wasn't feeling any restriction and was pretty much eating whatever I wanted, including sweets. Feb. same deal, more fills, but no weight loss. March's appointment rolled around. Hadn't really lost any weight. My doctor pulled me aside and told me how sad it was that I just blew 15K for nothing, because as long as I refused to change my eating habits, I was going to fail even with the band. That was a wake-up call. He also informed me that there a two types of people. Those who can simply restrict their food intake and others, like me, who had to also restrict the carbs, because my body simply can't process the sugar. He gave me a super tight fill and asked for a commitment for just two weeks, of strictly 30 carbs a day. I WON'T LIE, the first week was horrible. I seriously felt like I was withdrawing from drugs. I was sick, I felt terrible, no energy, I had the shakes, I could only equate it to what I'd seen on drug rehab shows. IT SUCKED!!!! However, the second week was better. I started feeling normal again and was really determined to finish my two week goal. When I went back to the dr., I had dropped 6 pounds. He asked for another two week commitment. The next time I went back, I was down a total of 10 pounds. Two weeks after that, I'm down almost 20 total. The sugar craving is completely gone. Easter came and went, candy everywhere, and for the first time, I could have it in front of me and not need a bite. However, I didn't start out like this. I too thought the band would not let me eat more than I should and help with hunger. It does now, but it took 5 fills (yeppers, 5 since my surgery, approx. every 3 weeks), but it also involves me really making an effort to eat the right things and most importanty, I HAVE TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SUGAR! Another little trick. I'm not going to tell you you can't have a small piece of chocolate or a cookie. But if you let that be the very last thing you eat in the day, and limit it to ONE, you'll do much better. The earlier you start off in the day eating sugar, the more you are going to crave it during that day. However, I'm going to issue to you the same challenge my doctor issued to me. Just for two weeks, really try to stick to the 30 carbs. I promise once you get through the initial first few days, it's going to get much easier. Don't think of it as giving it up for ever, just try to get through that period. Email me anytime. Another thing that has really helped is I've started going to support groups and being more active on the boards. It really has made a difference. Good Luck!!!! :wub:

Yes, definitely go have it filled up. I kept thinking the same thing. Isn't this suppose to cut me off after a certain point? Having this last fill has really made a huge difference (again this was fill 4). Don't get me wrong, I'm still hungry most of the time. I really have to work at just eating twice a day. Another thing the doctor recommended was to quit trying to see how much I could put in before the band cut me off and really start trying to eat to the point where I was no longer hungry (as opposed to eating until I was full). Again, pre-4th fill, I kept thinking, "Well Sherlock, if I could swing that, I wouldn't need a damn band." But again, this last fill has helped. Put your foot down (I had to). Instead of having them fill a little at a time, see if you can get your doctor to fill until you can't swallow, then back a little Fluid out. Good luck!!!!

Until this fill, I was still feeling hungry all the time but that didn't mean things didn't come up. If she takes too big a bite, or doesn't chew well enough, it will get stuck. I heard a theory that the doctors like to fill people very slowly to give them a chance to get use to how you have to chew/eat. Could be she's filled enough to start feeling the effects of not chewing well enough but not restricted yet. Trust me, until this last fill (my fourth), that was me exactly. I was still hungry ALL. THE. TIME. I've never had a fill under floro. However, I did have to get another doctor, who this time purposely filled the band so tight, I couldn't swallow Water, then backed a little out. That was on Friday and so far so good. Hopefully this will work for your daughter as well. Be insistant, it's her band and her/your money.

Hello! I'm in the exact same boat as you. I was banded 12/16/08 and have lost -- wait for it -- 6 whole pounds. I feel like a fat, stupid failure. I also didn't realize it would be several months before I felt restriction. As a 7-year, off-and-on phentermine popper, I know how much weight I can lose when I'm not constantly feeling hungry. I really thought the band would instantly give me that kind of restriction without having to pop pills all the time. Diet-wise: Now I will say I haven't been under the 30 grams of carbs a day, but I'm close to it. Totally cut out sugars, bread, rice and Pasta. I went to my support group last Thursday. Started off like normal, we go around the room introducing ourselves, stating our band date and how much weight we've lost. There were two women who were banded last month (Feb. 09) and had lost 25 and 30 lbs. respectively. When it was my turn, I said my name, band date and my 6 pounds of weight loss and then just started to cry in front of the rest of the group. I felt like an idiot, was totally embarrassed, and yet again, am failing at something so many others have had success with. The nurse that runs the group pulled me aside after the meeting and had me come in the next day to meet with the head doctor. He sat me down and told me again, how important it was to stay under those 30 grams and how the band was only a tool. Even if I found my sweet spot and could only eat a few bites at a time, if I'm over those 30 grams, my body (lucky me), just can't process the carbs. He explained this is why some people drop tremendous amounts of weight when they get the band by just reducing their food intake and others (again lucky me), must still super-restrict their carbs. He did overfill my band this time (this is my fourth fill) and then had me drink Water. Water was definitely stuck, so he pulled a few cc's out. However, he said even now that I shouldn't be able to get much down, if I'm eating to many carbs (even if I'm only eating a few bites of food), I just won't lose any weight. I have to be honest that again, I wasn't at the 30 carb mark. He's asked to me commit two weeks of really staying under that mark and wants to see me back. He's also asked me to commit to one Protein drink for Breakfast and two meals only. No snacking outside those meals. He says to eat as much veggies and protein in those two meals as I want but again, NO SNACKING. He thinks it's realistic that if I do this, I should be down 10 - 15 pounds next time I go see him. I really don't want to fail. I'm not going to think past these two weeks. I'm just going to do my best to really restrict the carbs. Even being this full bandwise, I still fighting the hunger. But I'm trying to get through it by telling myself everytime I'm hungry and don't eat, my body has to eat some of my fat. Good luck and I'm sorry for your struggle (and mine as well).

Hi all. I just had my second fill. I didn't feel anything at all after my first fill and could eat the same amount of food pre-band. After this second fill, I can still eat as much as I want, but can no longer eat/drink at the same time. I have my next fill scheduled for next Thursday. I guess my question is for those that have found their 'sweet spot.' What does restriction feel like? What is the average bites per meal you are eating? Any words of advice?

Thanks to everyone that replied. I went to my first support group meeting last night and there were several people there who said it took at least three fills. I just started to think maybe I made a mistake by getting the band instead of the bypass. Also, we went over my food journal. When I've done Atkins in the past, I used to find my net carbs. They told me they think that may be part of my issue, that instead I should be counting total carbs and keep it under 30 a day.

<<I had just a few bites maybe 5 to 6 bites of food and I was no longer hungry.>> I guess this is what is frustrating me most. I keep thinking I'll feel full, or that if I eat more than I should, it would come back up. But none of that is happening. I'm trying to eat in moderation, but that doesn't mean I couldn't eat the same quantity as pre-band. I'm very discouraged right now. :tt2:

I went for my first fill yesterday. I have a 11 cc band and my dr. filled 6.5cc. However, I don't feel any different. In fact, I'm more hungry than ever, if that's possible. I called and asked them to bump up my second fill (three weeks out). When did you start feeling restriction? Is this normal?

HeatherO, trust me, I didn't tell any more people than was necessary. But I started a new job so I had to tell them why I was going to be out and brother had to know so he could drive me out there. Mom had to know because even though I had a cashier's check from where my 401(k) was at, my bank wouldn't release the funds until the day after surgery so I had to borrow 10k from my mom for a day. However, the family has been okay, it's the people at work that are eyeing me like a hawk. :w00t:

I also have the realize band. Mine is 11cc so you may not be as close to full as you think. I go back for my second fill on 1/5 so I'm just waiting it out on this point and trying to diet on my own. Do you have the card that came in the box with your band? It says on mine 11cc so you might be able to find out what your's holds from there.

Hello Heather, nice to meet you! You started where I'm starting (229). Until your second fill, did you lose a lot or did it start coming off after your second? I just feel like I have a lot of pressure right now. Lots of people from work + family are watching me & constantly asking if I've started losing. I wish they didn't know but there was no way to hide it. Now everything I try to eat (esp. at work) I'm questioned about if I should be having it. Yesterday they ordered pizza. I was starving so I figured if I grabbed a slice and just picked off the cheese it would make a good snack and tie me over. OMG, several people were like, "you're getting a slice? Are you sure you can have that?" It's getting very frustrating. :thumbup:

Thanks Jenny. I know I'm not getting enough Water. I am going to try to be better about getting in. Sucks though because I always got my water in when I ate, would drink long drinks inbetween bites. Although no restriction, since my surgury it hurts to eat/drink at same time so my water intake has greatly decreased.

I did see a nutritionist. She said just to do Atkins (no more than 30 carbs). I guess I just thought my band would be like if I was on my pills. I lose weight then because I can follow portion size. When I'm not on my pills, I'm just never seem to get full. Even yesterday, after my fill, I had to make myself stop but I could have just kept on eating. I was so hungry, it was like I hadn't eaten in weeks.

Thanks Jenny. Congrats on the 40 you've already lost. Maybe I wouldn't be so paranoid, but I haven't lost a pound. I'm thinking of going back on my diet pills to control my appetite until them. :thumbup: Let me also say, this is def. not head hunger. My stomach was growling so loud, other people in my meeting yesterday could here it.

Hello all. I had my surgery on 12/16 and would like to get registered on the realize.com site to start tracking my weight loss. I have the card that came in my band box that has my 16 digit ID. However, I need a 12-digit surgeon's practice id to get registered. I've called my drs. office repeatedly trying to get the number but nobody seems to know what it is. I even contacted the realize site. The CSR I spoke with was going to try and call the doctor's office himself but he hasn't gotten anywhere either. Does anyone know what the 12 digit id is for Dr. Cywes in Jacksonville, FL or can someone give me their 12 digit ID so I can please get registered? I'm getting really frustrated with the lack of response from the doctor's office. For the record though, this is the first issue I've had with them. Thanks in advance!!! :wink_smile:

I like to reading/chatting on this forum. I figured though I'd register on the other site just to have my food journal, get some recipes, things like that. I'm not 100% sure if they have a chat or not. I figured I'd keep my chatting here but be registered for those features over there. I thought some of the bandsters might have an account over there as well for the same reason. :wink_smile: