gbakerc

Not sure the best place to place this. I was banded in September of 2009. When I was banded I was around 270 pounds. At my first visit I was 308. due to the lengthy approval process I lost a good bit before. I got down to 215 after surgery and creeped back up over the years to 247. I have been between 245 and 247 since 2010.I know my band works I have just not been working it. Plenty of restriction I just don't seem to lose. I really think I can pinpoint it to Exercise. As i get older my metabolism slowed. I also disconnected from this board and when you do that really take your mind off it. My insurance no longer covers Lap Band and When I called to get an appointment just for follow up they wanted to do the Xray thing which costs about $1500 that insurance will no longer cover. like I said my restriction is fine. I can be satisfied with 4 ounces of food and don't have alot of issues. Just don't know how to get back on track. I set up a new blog today and joined a gym Hopefully that will help. Wish me luck. Greg http://www.mylastfatsummer.tumblr.com

Not sure the best place to place this. I was banded in September of 2009. When I was banded I was around 270 pounds. At my first visit I was 308. due to the lengthy approval process I lost a good bit before. I got down to 215 after surgery and creeped back up over the years to 247. I have been between 245 and 247 since 2010.I know my band works I have just not been working it. Plenty of restriction I just don't seem to lose. I really think I can pinpoint it to Exercise. As i get older my metabolism slowed. I also disconnected from this board and when you do that really take your mind off it. My insurance no longer covers Lap Band and When I called to get an appointment just for follow up they wanted to do the Xray thing which costs about $1500 that insurance will no longer cover. like I said my restriction is fine. I can be satisfied with 4 ounces of food and don't have alot of issues. Just don't know how to get back on track. I set up a new blog today and joined a gym Hopefully that will help. Wish me luck. Greg http://www.mylastfatsummer.tumblr.com

I had quite a journey so far. Was really tight for almost 2 years. Kept me from gaining weight but was miserable. Went back for an unfill in DEC and they took out 2CC. way too much. gained about 20 pounds. Went back recently and they put 2 back in. Couldn't eat anything at all. Went back and they took out .3 cc. I figured it would make little difference but it made all of the difference in the world. I can eat everything now but get full really quick. ex 1 small piece of pizza fills me up. this is the best I have ever felt. Lost a few pounds and hopefully what I gained will come off quick.

He was my Dr. Too. Going to see Dr. Bautisita on the 11th. I heard Schroeder and Brengman are very good as well.

There are a few in the area. Dr. Brengman and Dr Bautista are by St. Mary's.I had Dr. Elliott but his practice is at least temporarily out of service. i have switched to Bautista and I will have an appt on 9-11. Greg

Papaya enzymes will help if what is stuck is Protein. More specifically meat. they will break down the Proteins and help break down the food. to my knowledge they will not help with bread, etc. Greg

I have used the daily plate and like it. I have it on my iphone as well. I think part of my frustration is that for the most part I eat like a bird. My portions are tiny but I just stalled. I would guess I eat about 1400 calories per day. I really feel as though my metabolisim has slowed to match my level of food. I used to be able to eat 2000 calories per day without gaining but I can't do that anymore. I really think I need to hit the gym. Easy to argue that I don't have time. After all I live 3/4 of a mile from my gym that is open 24 hours a day. Just need to get back on the horse. Greg

It has been a long time since my last post and I find myself a bit discouraged. I was so psyched when I first got the band and did everything to a T. Lost about 50 or so pounds in the first 6 months. Well that was 2 years ago this coming September and not much has changed in the last year and a few months. The good news is that I have not gained back the weight. The bad news is that I haven't lost any in over a year. I am certainly in better health. Went from a 46 to 38 waist and feel good but I have really lost my way. I know the culprit is a lack of exercise and not making great food choices. I have plenty of restriction, dont eat bread or many starches but I have found a love of Reese cups and hot fries. Suggestions on how to get back on track?I have about 40 more pounds to go and need to find my mojo. Maybe coming back here is a step in the right direction, Greg

If you don't have restriction then they should give you a fill regardless if you are losing or not. Greg

I am facing a similar situation but it has mainly been at my own hand. I was ultramotivated and lost about 45 pounds and have not lost much of anything since. I knew I needed a fill but waited months. I finally got a fill about 2 weeks ago and it has been bitter sweet. I am losing again but many foods are no longer on the table. Bread for one, and my portions are tiny. My big foe has been exercise. I kid myself into believing that I don't have time and I belong to a stinking 24 hour 7 day a week gym. It is however a 3 minute drive from my house. I just need to pick myself up, dust myself off and get back in the game. Also, I realized long ago that no matter how restricted you are, chocolate and ice cream will go down so I have sworn them off. Best of luck, Greg

Yup. Happens to everyone. I think your body fights back against the food. Try to think long term. You could find your self gaining or not losing until you get restriction. Greg

Well.... I seem to have fallen of course. My last fill was in March and I did get significant restriction. The problem is I stopped going to support group and I have gained around 10 pounds. Not really down about it but I just let it get away from me. Went away from this board which has always helped me. I am going to face the music today and get a fill under flouro. Any tips on how to get back on track would be helpful. I am expecting a stern lecture from my doctor today. GReg

I have a good doc. He will be very matter of fact. Workouts have really been hit and miss this summer. Thanks for the encouragement. Greg

Here is my favorite thing and it has no protein taste. 1 packet of carnation instant Breakfast (sugar Free) and 1 cup of ice and 2 tbsp of Peanut Butter. Add a splash of milk and blend. It tastes great, and is satisfying.. Greg

They rarely withdraw what was put in. I was at 8.5 the pulled it out and about 6.5 came out. He put back in 7 and I have been fine for months. Very common I don't think you are losing fluid.

I took wed,thurs,friday off and the weekend. I could have easily taken off 3 days and would have been fine.

Sounds to me that you have no restriction. I didn't reach any level of restriction until I hit 7+ cc's. What you are going through sounds perfectly normal.

You should be able to eat by now. I think I would have him take .2 to .25 out and see how that goes. Often a tiny bit makes a huge different.

Flinstones chewables. Take 2 of them. Greg

I have spent years avoiding the rides at Kings Dominion because I either could not fit or thought my spleen was going to bust. I went saturday with my son and guess what we rode?? Everything!!!! I fit comfortably on all of the roller coasters and other rides. What a great feeling. Greg

Good luck. Based on the many posts I have read and the experiences I had you may expect some of the following. Post surgery. After the first few days your hunger will probably return. Stick to the post up diet and just prepare to have some hunger. (no one said it would be easy). You may not lose very much weight shortly after your surgery even though you are eating very little. This is very common. Your body will fight the drastic reduction in calories. It will adjust. The first 2 weeks I lost nothing then I lost 8 in the 3rd week. You may not have any restriction after your first fill. Some do but most do not. I had 4 of my 5 fills done under Flouroscope and hit my sweet spot after my 5th. i had no restriction until my 4th. This has caused a drastic change in my intake of calories and I have not lost weight. Why??? Because my body is fighting it. My body will adjust. You will be frustrated at your rate of weight loss. This aint gastric bypass. You will lose weight but maybe not at the rate you would like. It didn't get there overnight and it won't go away overnight. You will be frustrated at times at your progress. Despite your best efforts you will plateau and stick at the same weight for periods of time. I have been hovering around 40 lbs off for 2 months. I joined a gym and have been working out 5 days per week with my weight staying about the same. Am I unhappy about it? A little. It is frustrating to put this much effort into it and see limited results over the last few months. It will happen though. The band is one of the most rewarding, while at the same time being one of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had. It is not easy but once you are at your sweet spot you will understand how it can help. Greg

Felt nothing after my first 3 fills. 4th fill helped some and I feel as though I am at or close to my sweet spot after my 5th. I have heard of few that achieved lasting restriction after 1 fill but I am sure it happens.

Sound's like you are doing great. Don't worry hungry will find you. Funny thing. I just had my 5th fill and have good restriction. One thing I notice is that I am never starving. I still do too much habitual eating but I am never starving. I get hungry at times but usually eat because it has been 4 or more hours. Good luck.

Whenever I make a Protein drink I put ice, powder and milk in the bullet and blend. After it sits for about 2 minutes it has a half inch foam/skin on top. Any idea what causes this and any way to avoid it? Greg

I had my 5th fill yesterday. Hopefully that will do the trick.