ANTLIZ

I totally sympathize with you and many others on here. I was banded on 6/23 and I do not get my first fill until 8/10. I am going to call tomorrow to see if I can move it up to this week. It was nice in the beginning because I felt a great restriction for the first 2 weeks - then slowly things moved back to normal where I am hungry often. I lost 10 pounds but was expecting to loose more and not stay at the same weight. I am under a lot of stress which does not make it any easier. I can eat anything with no problem. I do get full though. I think the key is to eat frequently like they say. Every 2-3 hours. Take all your Vitamins, exercise often and get your Water in. The water helps make me full and not wanting to eat. If anyone else has any suggestions or has experienced the hunger before the first fill - would love to hear from you. These forums are very helpful. Start Wt/Surgery Wt/Current Wt/Goal Wt 258/227/215/130 Surgery = 6/23/09 First fill = 8/10/09 :scared2:

I just had my surgery on June 23rd and am now getting that "full" feeling. Ugh However, I still have my stomach taking to me. How long does that last? i walk often but still have issues with the "noise". Also, I feel hungry! And I feel like I am drinking protein all the time. Anyone else had this? I am on a liquid diet for 10 days and can not wait to get to the next stage so I can have some yogurt and scrambled egg. I appreciate any advice. Thanks and good luck to all. I have 100 pounds to go. Elizabeth :thumbdown:

I am going through the process now at UofPenn in Philly with Dr. Noel Williams. Was wondering if anyone has gone through the Uof Penn for the Lapband or if anyone is going to. I need some support. Thank you, ELizabeth:tongue2:

How are you doing since you got banded? I get banded by Dr. Williams on 5/12 and I go tomorrow to sign my consent papers. I have about 100 left to loose and am looking forward to a tool helping me on the way. Do you find it helpful thus far? Did Dr. Williams put you on the liquid diet pre-op to reduce liver size? Hope all is well and nice to hear another person who had it done at U-Penn on this site. Elizabeth

I have Aetna and just got approved. They want 90 days of weight management - those appointments you are going to once per month. Just make sure you loose something - and do not gain. They needed clearance and approval from my regular doctor, the approval of the psychologist, and the notes from my weight management appointments. Good luck to you and hope that helps.

I was hoping to hear from some Banders who had their surgery a year or little more ago who are not so tall like me. I am 5' 1" and 236. I am hoping to loose 100 pounds.:biggrin: Some at my doctor's say I should get the gastric and the Psychologist says I am more of a lap bander. I would LOVE to hear someone's story - especially if they were close to my weight. I can use all the encouragement I can get!:cool2: Do you have struggles with any loose skin? Any suggestions would be great. And in advance - CONGRADULATIONS on your awesome accomplishment. I am hopeful I will be joining you soon one day. Thanks, Elizabeth

So it took you about a year to get to goal, right? And you are pregnant! That is great - congrats! How many calories a day did you think you were getting in? And did you start loosing before you had the surgery? Did they want you to do that? Did you eat anywhere like you do now before? Do you get full feeling - that feeling they say is like magic? Right now I am following the diet - eat 5 times a day - 3 small meals and 2 Snacks inbetween. I am loosing like .33 of a pound per week. I will be happy when it is 1 or 2 I am 38 years old and looking forward to being at your goal. I think the key will be to keep up with the exercise. And make sure I get my Protein in. Thanks for talking to me - I appreciate the info and support. Elizabeth

Sounds like a lot of us here on this thread are simliar! I am 5' 1" tall and currently 236 pounds. I have been under weight management since January and have lost 22 pounds. I am leaning towards getting the band - hopefully the end of April or this May. I too am worried about loose skin which is why I am leaning more towards getting the band. I was old by my doctor that if you stick to the exercise with the band then you will have a less chance of the loose skin cause you are exercising and loosing weight at a slower pace. I wonder if there is anyone on this site who is our height & weight and had it done a year ago - would love to hear how they did reaching their goal and their experience with loose skin. Elizabeth

How are you doing? I saw you and your wife at the support group in February. I did not go to the one in March. I was so sure I was going to have the gatric until I had my psych done - Now I am going to have the lap band. I look at it totally differnetly now and am excited about it. Have you had your surgery yet or do you have a date? Did your insurance okay everything for you? I guess I may see you at the next support group meeting in April! Let me know how you are doing and I hope all is well. Elizabeth:w00t:

You have a beautiful baby! THat is so wonderful that your wife came and supported you. I am hopeful that my husband will do the same soon. It is such a tough decision isn't it? I thought Philys, the woman who had it 7 years ago was so encouraging also. I wish I could just loose the pounds on my own, but I do need a tool. I hope everything works out for you and keep in touch. We can all use the support no matter what surgery we choose. Elizabeth:tongue2:

I went to the meeting on Saturday too! I thought is was great. Gave me a lot of insight. I don't know - I may be leaning towards the gastric. I go to a lapband support group in my area this Wednesday. I just want to make the right choice. What did you think of the support group? Elizabeth:tongue2:

I need to choose one of the sugeries - Lap Band or Gastric Bipass. I want to get the Lap Band because I feel it is less risky. I am scared to get the other one. However, my surgeon states that the Lap band is for Volume Eaters and they don't classify me as one. Let me explain - in the Am I usually eat either oatmeal or a bagel and coffee or carnation instant Breakfast. For lunch, I sometimes get a happy meal or a sandwich and Snacks to eat. I eat a good dinner. However, I could sit down and eat half a cake, bunches of Cookies, lots of popcorn. And there are times when we go out to eat that I can eat a huge meal no problem. But I do get full after it - very full. So - I don't want to get it and have it not help me. This is my one chance at this decision. Can anyone give me some advice? I would so appreciate hearing from people who are like me or who have had the lap band. From my research, please tell me if I am right or wrong, that the band will only allow me to eat about a fist full of food at every meal. No snacking. And I won't need to because I will be full from the meal before. If this is true, then I feel it will help. Thank you to anyone who responds. I really appreciate it. Researching since Sept. 08 1st consult - 11/13/08 1st Dr. visit - 12/3/08 U of Penn in Philly 2nd Dr. Visit - 1/19/09 Expected Sugery - April of 09 Psych and Nutritionist - TBA Wt 252, Ht 5'1" Insurance - Approved :thumbup:

I wrote Chickadee the same letter but I would love to hear from your point as well. I need all the info I can get in order to make the right choice. Hi! My name is Elizabeth and I am considering surgery with Dr. Williams. I know it has been about a year and a half for you now. I was wondering how it has been going? They are trying to steer me to the gastric bipass because they say the Lapband is for Volume Eaters and they think that is not me. I would love to know what kind of eater you were before and how you have been coping with it. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you:tongue2:

Hi! My name is Elizabeth and I am considering surgery with Dr. Williams. I know it has been about a year and a half for you now. I was wondering how it has been going? They are trying to steer me to the gastric bipass because they say the Lapband is for Volume Eaters and they think that is not me. I would love to know what kind of eater you were before and how you have been coping with it. Thank you and look forward to hearing from you:tongue2:

So, does one piece of candy give you that fill feeling? I tend to eat when stressed and I probably eat the wrong foods. However, I would hope that the band would help me stop at half, if not less of my usual plate - make me feel full. How does that work for you? I could use any help with deciding if this is right for me. I am scared of the bariatric surgery. But I know I have to do something. It is in my genes and I need to really act on it. Thank you. :tongue2:

I am questioning the surgery just like you. I have been told that it is for a volume eater. Which is not me. I eat and can eat all day. I can eat big portions, although sometimes I can't. The surgeons are trying to talk me into the bariatric surgery which scares me. I don't want to eat something and then get sick. I am wondering if the lap band truly gives you that full feeling and you are not hungry between meals. If so, I feel that will help me. My sugery is not until April and I know I need to choose one of them. what has your surgeon told you? Could I be successful if I am not a volume eater? Thank you.:biggrin: