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And that's my point mattie ... you SHOULD have been made aware. But you are definitely right about "making the sale". It is unfortunate, because the truth about the surgery is not so bad, it's just not the "quick fix" that many believe it is. Having the lapband is different for different people ... fluffy, I rarely feel "physical" hunger ... but, I didn't feel "physical" hunger before the band very often either. I was/am an emotional eater. The band helps me to not binge when I feel an uncomfortable emotion. I have learned through therapy that eating doesn't really stifle the emotion, not really. So, now I brave it out and deal with the emotion without food (95%) of the time now that I am banded. Even without enough knowledge about the band, I am very glad that I have it. For me it has been a life saver! ~Fran

LOLLLL!!!! I am 55! I was banded on June 15, 2009, I was 53. I am so tickled with your comment about 50, 60, etc with the lapband. When you have been fighting obesity for years, you don't care if you are 90, if there is a solution, you want to take it! I have never felt better in my life. I went from a size 26 to a size 14/16 and I am still losing! I no longer take diabetes meds, I walk 1 1/2 every morning (had back surgery in 2004), no more problems with asthma, I was on 3 meds for blood pressure - now on only 1. I don't even feel like I am 55 ... I just feel ALIVE!! If you are a young person getting this procedure, I say BRAVO to you! Do it! It can be life changing! But ... be sure to educate yourself about how the band really works. Your doc may not tell you everything so review the post op forum. Knowledge is power when it comes to the band! Good luck! I hope everything goes well for you! ~Fran

If you would like some more information about how to use your "tool" to optimize your success with your lap band you may want to join in our free call tomorrow night, Wednesday January 5 atThe Ten Lessons of Successful Lap Band Patients. By the way, I didn't need a fill for over a year after my surgery so not everyone goes through bandster hell. I am definitely an exception though.... This is such a great idea/service, Sandi! Docs should recommend your site to bandsters BEFORE sugery! And yeah, you were definitely one of the lucky ones not to need a fill for over a year. Whoever coined the phrase "bandster hell" did so before I was banded ... and if it were'nt a relatively common occurrence I don't think the phrase would still be around. All the best to all! ~Fran

I feel it in my stomach, but yes, it is higher up than before ... just not in my chest. After a few bites I should really stop. When I don't ... here it comes ... back up. LOL Yes, after all this time, I sometimes still struggle with stoppping, especially when it tastes REALLY good. LOL! ~Fran

Yes, there are some, but not many, that have restriction from the start that continues. But, check out the post op forum and you will find so many people that, after the swelling goes down, no longer have restriction. It is my understanding (but, trust me I am not an expert on this part), that sometimes when the band is installed it can have an immediate effect on the vagus nerve giving people that much needed feeling of fullness without a fill. Others have surgeons that put in a fill while installing the band. But, the vast majority of us have to get fills before our band is a "working tool". Congratulations and continued success on your journey! ~Fran

I have Empire BCBS. I live in So. California. And yes, I was required to have six months of diet tracking. I read it on the BCBS website. So, since I had been seeing and obesity therapist for almost six months before I started the process, we used my food diaries as the six month tracking. Worked out fine. All the best to you. ~Fran

Good luck to you USMC Wife. I am sure you will do great! And, thank your husband for me ... for serving and protecting this great nation. Hoorah!

Bless your heart, peacequeen. You have been through so much and still going through. I will keep you in my prayers for a speedy recovery. I do have a suggestion ... while you are recovering from this surgery why not seek counseling. Many insurances require a single session of counseling before lapband surgery. Lapband is not an "easy fix" AND it takes a while before you reach proper restriction. You can avoid a lot of frustration by seeing an obesity therapist that will give you tools to deal with each stage of weight loss after surgery. Add to that, you would have a place to vent, someone that will truly listen to you and how you are feeling, and by the time you are ready for lapband you will be relaxed and well informed and ready to succeed. I started counseling 8 months before my lapband surgery and continue to see my obesity therapist even now. It has been a tremedous help in understanding why I desire to eat when I am not hungry. I started out a "slow loser" which, when you spend time on the post-op forum and see how many people lose 100 lbs in 7 months while you struggle, can mess with your head if you let it. I had to learn that this is a very personal journey and not to compare myself to anyone else. I started this journey with surgery on June 15, 2009 at a size 26. Today I wear a size 14/16 and still losing. I believe that I would still be struggling if I did not give myself the gift of therapy ... someone that was there just for me. Just a suggestion. I hope everything works out well for you. Come here to "vent" any time. We are here to support you. ~Fran

Honk and Hokiemama made some very good points. I would like to add that if you can learn why you (as an individual) eat/overeat, be it constant physical hunger or emotional head hunger, you can figure out how the band can work for your particular situation. Many people on this forum talk about being physically hungry constantly, while others (myself included) do not feel hungry but eat over emotions (any emotion). It is important to know the difference so that you can work your band to your best advantage. Knowledge is truly power with the band. All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

I LOVE Muscle Milk! But, I use the powder because I am lactose intolerant. I mix half soy milk, half Water and the chocolate shake flavor that is 26 grams of Protein per scoop. I drink it every morning for Breakfast and it keeps me full till lunch. As a matter of fact, today I didn't even eat lunch (not really a good thing) because I couldn't think of anything I felt like eating and I wasn't the least bit hungry. Everyone's taste is different, but for me Muscle Milk powder is the best! Good luck. ~Fran

FANTASTIC!!! So happy for you. Keep up the good work! You are truly having a Happy New Year! ~Fran

Don't give up Lacey, you can find support here. Many of us fall off the wagon every now and again -- you can get back up, just as we have. You just need a little support to get rolling ... consider it done! You say you have "rheumatism", we don't use that term "medically" much here in the U.S. anymore, but I read that it is still used in other countries and can sometimes mean "fibromyalgia". Are you on pain meds for it? I have spinal stenosis (which is actually arthritis of the spine) which can be very painful. I had back surgery in 2004 and cannot run anymore, but I walk. I walk 1 1/5 miles 5 days a week. Every week or so I add another 1/4 mile. What I have learned about arthritis is that a body in motion stays in motion. So, if I don't move I will continue to be stiff and in pain. Do I wake up some mornings feeling like "nooooo, I can't do it"? Yes, I do, but I do it anyway because I have found that I am getting stronger. My Ortho told me that while my spinal stenosis will not get better, the weight loss and strengthening of the muscles around the spine from exercising will help make my back stronger. He was RIGHT! Wow! So, if you don't have fibromyalgia, but you do have arthritis, start small and slow (and be sure to take pain meds -- I take Tylenol arthritis because it is time released). I don't know how much you weigh so I don't know if you are morbidly obese or obese or what. But, exercise is a big part of this journey. You may want to start with the food as suggested by hokiemama and move on to the exercise when you have lost a few pounds more. YOU CAN DO THIS Lacey! Just don't be too hard on yourself. You are not in a race with anyone. Doesn't matter how long it takes, just keep trying. It will get better. You are NOT failing. All the best to you on your journey! ~Fran

"I fully understand it all, and it has all been explained to me, plus my own sister went through it all, so Im educated on the process...just saying I feel nothing yet, when my dietician is telling me to eat 1/2 a cup. If I could restrict myself to that for a period of time, I WOULDNT NEED WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY! That is my only point...I need restriction, or something, I can eat everything now...all the warnings, and education leading up...never once was I told, oh and 3 weeks into it you will be hungry and eat anything and everything you want!" Okaaayyy ... so, you know everything there is to know about the band, and you even have your sister to help as a guide to how everything moves along ... here's my question: what's your point? If you are positive that you cannot manage on 1/2 cup of food without restriction (which I TOTALLY understand) why don't you eat more than 1/2 cup of food so that you can stop being miserable and frustrated? It's only for 3 more weeks, right? Your doctor is willing to top you off (and while many doctors will not do this, hey, your doc DID finish med school and has probably done it before so ...), so I don't see the problem. Eat what you want for the next 3 weeks, then get topped off and start from there. You can live with being the weight that you are for 3 measly weeks, right? Since you were not told by your doc that your hunger would return, and apparently your sister's hunger must have abated immediately upon having the band installed (otherwise I am sure she would have mentioned it to you, right?), you have been left in the unfortunate position that so many of us have experienced: being hungry until we have appropriate restriction. Yeah, NOT FUN. There's even a name for it: BANDSTER HELL! So many of us have gone through it that we warn newbies about it on this forum. But hang in there, you are almost out of hell. I don't know ... it just seems as though all the advice people are offering is falling on deaf ears. Do what you need to do for you. This lapband is a personal journey ... do your thing. Please keep us posted on how being topped off so soon into the journey works out ... we will all be soooo jealous when you sail through it without a hitch (after we have all had to wait MONTHS to reach our "sweet spot"), and the pounds drop off like melting butter (bad metaphor, sorry). All the best to you on your journey. Happy New Year!

You're employer should be obligated to offer you "COBRA". You have to pay for COBRA yourself and it is quite expensive, but if you use your last paycheck to pay for it, perhaps it will cover you through the surgery and maybe you will have an new job by the time you are ready for your first fill. Just a suggestion. I am very sorry to hear that you have been let go. Hang in there ... when a door closes, a window opens. ~Fran

Hi Stacy, I have BC/BS PPO as well, although here in Cal (I live in L.A.) it is called "Empire BC". I don't know, it's all very confusing. The ONLY problem I had (surgery 6-15-09) was I went through 4 docs before I found one that would accept the low payment that BCBS will allot for the surgery. In one case the surgeon was okay with it but the surgery center refused. And yes, the surgery center was contracted with BCBS, but still they refused because they said that BCBS wouldn't pay them enough. I was soooo angry. My surgery was rescheduled for two weeks later with a "general surgeon" not a WLS surgeon. He's a nice man, competent surgeon, but did not have a lot of information or experience in the aftercare. I have done alright (went from size 26 to size 14/16 so far and still losing), but would have been nice to have had a WLA surgeon. You might want to check out the BCBS website, I found all the info about qualifying for the surgery and what they expected there. All the best to you on your journey! ~Fran

@Nate and TDJ, Ditto what the others have said. And let me throw this cliche out there: "Knowledge is power". It is true. When you understand how the band actually works you will be less frustrated. It is a "tool" and you have to work with it. It takes time to get to your "sweet spot" and, depending on your doc, it can take several fills. Some docs are more aggressive, while others seem to want to "torture" their patients -- making them wait for months between fills. That's the kind of thing that will increase your frustration 10 fold. So, Dave's advice is truly on point. You can "get with the program" so that you are ready when restriction comes -- as MollyRN points out, or you can kick and scream and make yourself crazy. Your choice. Read, read, read. Once you understand the band you can relax a bit knowing that this particular surgery is one that you get out of it only what YOU are willing to put into it. The good times are coming. Will you be ready? All the best to you on your journey!

Sounds like you just need a little support right now. No, "it will not be like this after you get your fills". Now that the swelling has gone down, it is as if you do not have the band. As you get fills, ideally, you will feel restriction and you will not be hungry between meals for a longer period of time. Your body is still in the process of healing. Please don't be hard on yourself, you will get there in time. People who modify their diets BEFORE they have restriction seem to be much better off once they are at their "sweet spot". So, if you want to see weight loss BEFORE restriction, you have to ACT like you already have restriction. Modify your diet, exercise and stay hydrated. But DON'T beat yourself up. None of us here are perfect, and many of us find this a challenging road for a while. They don't call it "Bandster Hell" for nothing. LOL! One more thing ... many do not feel any restriction at all after their first fill (or second or third for some), so don't be surprised if you are in that group. Just practice patience because once you get to your sweet spot ... the skies the limit! All the best to you on your journey. ~Fran

I have read on this forum that a number of people have gone down in cup size. Here's my experience ... I have gone from a size 26 to a size 14/16. The "girls", while noticeably smaller, are still DDD cup! I am 5'8" with long legs. The FIRST place I lose weight is in my legs and hips. I bought a pair of "jeggings" a few weeks ago that are now just "skinny jeans" because they no longer hug my legs! The upper part of my body is a different story. When I started this journey I was wearing a 46DDD bra. A friend gave me a bunch of bras (prior to surgery) that are size 44DD. I have one of them on today. They are a little big around ... but THE GIRLS ARE STILL FALLING OUT OF THE CUPS!!! LOL! I have been "adjusting" them all day long! I bought a bra on Sunday, size 44DDD. It doesn't fit right (it's the "Butterfly" bra), but the girls don't fall out! I am in a full out battle with the fat on my torso, currently I am winning. YAY! But, the girls, they are holding on for dear life. All the best to you on your journey! ~Fran

You are so right, docs are very different. My doc gave me very little info. I've learned a lot on this forum. When I would go in for a fill (I am at my sweet spot and haven't had a fill in several months), my doc would say "drink liquids for the rest of the day and eat solids starting tomorrow." And that's ALL he would say. LOL! My doc is a general surgeon and I think they are a lot different from docs that specialize in WLS. I am okay though. Slow start, but losing like crazy now. I haven't been on a scale in about 8 months, but I started this journey at a size 26 and I am wearing a pair of size 16 slacks today ... and they are loose. I am going to have them taken in soon ... can't keep buying new clothes every month ... well, I could ... cuz I like to shop ... buttttt ... not so good for my budget, you know? LOL Another thing, I and others I have read on this forum, still drink Protein drinks. I drink them for Breakfast EVERY morning. I would LOVE to have and egg for breakfast, maybe a piece of toast (or even half) or a sausage, but, alas I absolutely cannot get ANYTHING solid down before lunch. I have tried, on the weekend, to have an egg for breakfast, I have tried to have a thin slice of quiche that I made for my family, NO LUCK. My band is very finicky and some days will not allow me to eat at all! To be honest, on the days my band won't let me eat at all, it is because I have not had enough Water. My blood pressure med has a diurectic so, I have to be very careful or I will become dehydrated and that is a big "no, no" with the band. One thing is for certain, we are all individuals and our bodies sometimes react differently to the band. You are very fortunate to have a good and knowledgeable doctor. I am sure you will be very successful following his intructions. I have had to take a different path in learning how to eat with the band since my doc was not very knowledgeable -- a lovely man, a competent surgeon -- but NOT a WLS surgeon. But I think what matters most is that we are all on the path to reaching our weight loss goals. HOORAY FOR US! All the best to you on your journey. Happy New Year! ~Fran

Hi Kourtany I have Empire BC/BS and on their website they list exactly what's needed and that they require 6 months of supervised dieting, etc. After that it's just a matter of getting the paperwork signed by the appropriate people (which was totally out of my control -- but I called them anyway, LOL). Perhaps you can check the website for your insurance and it may have more precise information. Good luck! ~Fran

BetsyB, I hope you don't mind me mentioning you in my post. It's just that you have had amazing success while overcoming past problems of not losing even when you followed Weight Watchers, etc. to a "T". My point was that you were able to work the band YOUR way. If I were to attempt your same regimen, I am certain that I would have fallen off the wagon in about 2 weeks. I am though, continuing to lose and happy with my progress. I do admire your focus. I was hoping to convey to the original poster that we have to do what works for us individually, and your story (as well as Elfipoo's) I thought was a great example of making a commitment to working the band. Happy Holidays. ~Fran

drsmossy, congratulations! I am very happy for your success. I'm not as "focused" as you ... but I continue to lose weight at an acceptable rate for "me". That said ... we have heard the "calories in v. calories out" before and while life seems very black and white when it comes to food and weight, I have learned here on these forums that it's just not so. There are numerous intelligent people on this forum that have had extreme difficulty losing weight no matter what they tried. Some found "their" niche and discovered how to make the band work for them. It was neither simple nor black and white. Your theory is very logical, but if you continue to read these forums you will find that weight loss is complicated and personal. I will direct you to a search the topic " Dr says my calorie count cant be right Grrrrr". You will gain some interesting insight. After you have been on these forums for a while you can tell when a person is lying. The people responding to the topic I suggest are truthful and quite enlightening. All the best to you on your journey.

I am lactose intolerant as well. I do use Muscle Milk whey Protein powder and I mix it half and half soymilk/water. Works out ok for me. But, for those that don't want any of that, have you tried: For vegetarians, vegans and anyone looking for a non-animal derived protein, try Swanson 100% Pure Pea Protein: pure, easily digestible, great-tasting, vegan-friendly protein source made with yellow peas (Pisum sativum). It features an amino acid profile very close to ideal for human nutrition, as recommended by health organizations worldwide. Plus, unlike many protein supplements, Pea Protein is easy on the stomach and almost completely digestible, making it the perfect choice for sensitive individuals, children and the elderly. Hope this is helpful. Happy Holidays! ~Fran

Nadine, I can imagine how frustrated you must be. I certainly would be if it were me. I am a slow loser but have not had your issues, nor have I exercised as much as you have. I do, however, have a suggestion. There are a couple of posters on this forum that have not had the "normal" response to the band. They are very literate and articulate about how they have managed to lose weight with the band not working for them the same as it works for most. One of the posters is "Elfiepoo" (not sure if I have spelled it correctly), she explains how she had to do all the work (just like you) to lose 100 lbs because the band was not working for her. Eventually, she decided to have the band removed and have a different WLS. Well, when they took the Fluid out of her band she learned that the band HAD in fact been helping her by keeping her appetite at bay much more than she imagined. Look on this forum for some of her posts. She explains how when the band is properly filled it presses on the vegas nerve which inhibits the ghrelin hormone that stimulates hunger (trust me, I'm no rocket scientist so I don't understand the particulars). She thought that the band wasn't doing anything for her -- that is, until she had the fluid removed from her band. Once the fluid was removed her ravenous hunger came back. My point is, she learned that the band works differently for different people and we have to figure out how to make it works for us. Another wonderful poster is BetsyB. BestyB is a marvel! She learned that she cannot lose weight unless she severely cuts her carbs AND only eats about 800 calories a day. She lost more than 100 lbs in less than a year. What the band did for her was to keep her hunger at bay (if I understand her posts correctly) and enabled her to live comfortably on 800 calories. She has phenomenal self discipline. Check out some of her posts as well. Both these women have worked the band in different ways to suit their needs, and they have both had great success. For me, physical hunger was never my problem, head hunger was, and is, my nemesis. I started therapy with an obesity therapist 8 months before surgery, and I continue to see her to this day. I didn't often get physically hungry BEFORE surgery and even more rarely after surgery. I now know when I need to eat because I begin to lose energy. I almost never (and I mean this) have hunger pangs. This morning when I came back from my walk (can't run, back surgery 2004), a trip to Walmart, and the grocery store I realized that it was time to have Breakfast, so I put away the groceries and went to my room, signed on to my computer and then remember again that I should eat breakfast. So, you see, hunger is not my problem. My problem is totally mental. So, with the help of my therapist AND my band, when I want to eat emotionally I have 1) tools that my therapist gave me tools to combat the need to eat to become calm, happy, comforted, etc.; and 2) because I have the band, even if I cannot find the "strength" to pick up a "tool" to combat the urge, my restriction keeps me from going overboard and having to start from square one again and again. I think that the essence of what I am trying to convey is that perhaps you will have to use your band in a non-traditional manner. One that suits you personally. It really sounds like you have all the tools to get the job done (i.e., exercise, ability to change your diet, perseverance, etc.). All that is left to do is to tailor your life to make the band work for you. One last thing, there are many that will tell you that "the band is not for everyone". I cannot disagree. I am sure this is true. But, before you give up on the band perhaps you can tailor it to "Nadine.Carr.Phd. " All the best to you! Happy Holidays! ~F

Has the burning stopped since the unfill? Are you feeling better? I hope so. I would think that you have time before you make a decision about removing the band. With the unfill you will hopefully get back to normal. That said, if you do not start feeling better I would suggest changing your GI doctor. This could possibly be something serious and you will need a doctor that listens to you. I truly hope that you are on the mend and that you will feel "normal" again soon! Happy Holidays! ~Fran