jtreece

I have the Large AP band and I was wondering if anyone else who has it felt like they were not losing or getting restriction as well as others are that have the smaller band. I'm 5 months out and 3 fills and I've only lost 1 lb in the past 3 months. I have 7cc in the 14cc band. I know I'm not doing all I can but I was just wondering if people who had the large band felt like they were struggling a little more or were taking longer to get to restriction? I'm trying not to fet discourged that it's taking me so long to get to my sweet spot. Thanks-

Oh and I should have mentioned that the one pound is the net weight loss. I lost and gained the same two pounds for a while (no more of that). I have gone down 2 sizes in clothes during this past 3 months from working out so I take the victories where I can.

Yes, I understand the life change. I haven't been perfect and I take full ownership but i continue to try to be better. I am working out an hour at the gym at least 4 times a week now so I expect some better results from myself. The post was more to see if others with larger bands felt like it made a difference. I don't think the band is a magic wand but the idea behind it is it to make it easier to deal with smaller portions and less calories than if you didn't have the band. I just felt like maybe having the bigger band has affected how quickly I reach a point that it becomes a tool that helps. I wanted to see if others with a larger bands had the same issue. I had to get the larger band due to the issues with a hiatal hernia so my stomach wasn't overly large but he wanted to leave extra room for healing. I'm not unhappy with the band. I know my eating has drastically changed from before or I probabably would have gained what I've lost back and then some.

I'm going in for another fill in 2 weeks. My doctor does not like to do big fills. He says he's very conservative. I had to go a long time between fills because the snow storm last month caused my appointment to be canceled. They rescheduled it for almost 3 weeks later and on a Friday. Turns out the Dr. doesn't like to do very big fills on Fridays in case you have problems over the weekend and it's harder to reach him so I was kind of frustrated with my last appointment. I have started to exercise again and put myself back on track. I know everyone is in the same boat until restriction. It just seems it may be a little harder to get there when you have a bigger band :biggrin: I appreciate everyone's support. At least I haven't gained and the gym is toning what I have lost. I know I wouldn't even be to this point without the band.

I used a medical negotiating company to negotiate my bill down from the original fee. They take 35% of the savings but i used it for my anethesia bill and ended up saving $415 after the fee. The bill was originally $2068 and they got it down to $1400. I'm definitely going to have them do my hospital bill. Any savings is better than none and I don't have to try to figure out how much to ask for a discount or why I should get one.

I got my period the day of my surgery (unfortunately after it while I was laying in my hospital bed). It was week early. I have never and I mean never got my period early. I've gone 5 months without my period before. Now I've been on track pretty much ever since the surgery so it must be the change in diet.

Last night I had some green beans and did not chew them enough I assume because I started sliming and was in pain. Eventually the food made its way up but I'm very sore. I'm sticking to liquids and applesauce but I was wondering if others usually feel sore after an episode and how long it lasted?

I was self-pay and had a very large hiatal hernia that caused me many health issues. I'm actually trying to get my insurance company to pay for some of the surgery because I needed the repair. They are still researching it and my surgery was in October. I just made sure going in that my primary condition was hiatal hernia repair. I did get all my pre-testing covered by my insurance because of the hernia repair. I'll let you know what I find out.

Feeling much better today but sticking to soft proteins like scrambled eggs. Warm liquids did seem to help so going to keep drinking them throughout the day. Threw out the sauteed string beans because mentally I don't think I want to face them again for a while.

I'm usually a little sore (from my doctor trying to find the port) but I just do cardio and no weights but I haven't had any problems working out on the same day.

Thanks. I did actually eat cottage cheese as my main thing this morning. I tested the Water with natural applesauce before i attempted the cottage cheese just to make sure since it's less chunky. I brought a Protein drink for lunch so I should be good there. This is a great reminder that I have the band and just because I could eat it before my fill last week doesn't mean I can eat it now.

Hi everyone- I've not really lost in the past 3 months since my initial 21lbs pre-op and right after the surgery and I was hoping for some success stories from people that had the same thing. I've only had 2 fills and no restriction so I'm hoping others had the same thing and can reassure me that they did okay. Thanks-

Hey everyone- I was banded Oct. 8th. and really haven't lost anything in 2 months. I've had one fill (1.5cc) so I don't have much restriction. I've gained and lost the same 2 lbs. so many times it's crazy. I will say my eating is a hundred times better than what I was like this time last year. My biggest problem these past few weeks is stress eating. Lots of issues came up and I just let myself have things I shouldn't. I joined a gym and I'm trying to cut the carbs so I can be back on track. I get my second fill on January 4th and I'm going to be much more aggressive this time. It was nice to read everyone's posts to see I'm not alone in the struggle. I'm ready to lose again. Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!!!

Also consider that you were given medications during the surgery that you might be having an allergic reaction to. I actually broke out with a rash from the pain killers.

I know each doctor is different but 4 weeks liquids seems really long. I only had to do about 7 days clear liquids then 12 days of full liquids (creamy soups stained, pudding, yogurt). I think you are doing great. When I talked to my doctor about being hungry they told me things to add to my diet so maybe they can do the same for you. Good Luck!

I have BCBS but my insurance doesn't cover the band due to my husband's company negotiating it away for a cheaper premium. I have a preliminary cost from the hospital for $3,700 for the actual band.

Hi all- Well I'm almost a week and a half out from surgery. I spent one night in the hospital. It took me until about day 8 to really turn the corner on feeling better. I'm still having quite a bit of pain at the port site. As it turns out, my hiatal hernia was larger than what they expected so there was more to my surgery to repair it. I guess about 20% of my stomach was poked through the hole. I'm still on full liquids, including creamed soup(run through the Magic Bullet). I'm going to be moved to Mushies on Monday (so happy). I'm still not getting enough Water in but I had that problem before. I went through a lot of emotions during the days after my surgery. I definitely wondered if I did they right thing. It seems like it will be forever until I feel like things are normal again but I hope that it will be soon. I've taken 2 weeks off work and I'm expecting to return to work on Thursday after my follow-up on Wednesday. I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to a routine but I know it's going to be a while until I feel like my normal self. It does feel great just getting the weight off that I have. I am proud of all the discipline I have had but I'll admit a lot of it is out of fear so I hope I can keep up the good work when i know what I can safely have. Hope everyone is doing well and for those about to get banded, good luck. Hope you have very little pain.

Funny we were banded on the same day and I put a similar question up. Guess it's normal. Mine feels more like burning and pulling.

I had my surgery last Thursday and I still have quite a bit of pain especially where I assume my port is. Its feels like it's burning and pulling. Did anyone else have this? How long did it take for your incisions to feel just a little sore?

My surgery is tomorrow as well at 11:00 am. I didn't sleep much last night because I was thinking about everything. I had the doubts too but then I realize that I'd be back where I am now in just a few weeks wishing I had done it. Good luck to everyone and best wishes for a safe surgery and a quick recovery.

October 8th for me.

Oh, those sound so good. I'm a sucker for baked goods. I love cream horns. Anything with vanilla frosting. I don't think I enjoyed food more than my last days before my diet cause I didn't feel guilty because I knew the change was coming. I usually eat and feel so guilty and think everyone is looking at me thinking "yeah, she needs that" but I didn't care a bit. Good luck tomorrow!

Hey Danyett- I hope you're enjoying your last weekend before the diet. I do not regret having a few good things before I started. I definitely gets easier after a couple days but I am sick of the protein shakes. I'm not craving anything but I'm definitely not going to put myself into a position right now to be around food I love so no trips to bakeries or the movies. Or they may wonder why that crazy woman is licking the glass and crying....LOL

I have surgery on the same day so I'm wishing you lots of luck. I am on day 3 of the diet. Much easier today than the past two.

Hey Val- Good luck. My surgery is on the 8th so I know what you're going through. I'm doing the pre-op also. Everyone has such a different pre-op one that I hope you're doing well. Good luck.