harlito

I should say that at the seminars they did explain about the port and that it was the way they would tighten the band but the word "fill" was not used. Myself, and many others, thought that it would be done at the time of surgery. We never realized that we would be wide open and need to start an entire post-op process involving these things called fills. I think things could have been explained in more detail as far as the number of fills that would be needed and the fact that there were different size bands that could be used. I could have done more research but mentally the process of getting the surgery cleared thru the insurance was hard enough. I would get so close to getting approved and another obstacle would get in the way.

I went to 2 seminars and spent about 9 months trying to get the surgery all cleared thru the insurance. To get this done I had to be evaluated for the surgery by my primary, the surgeon, a psychiatrist, and a nutritionist. The only research I did was on the gastric bypass and knew that it was not for me due to the number of people who gained the weight back years after surgery - the lapband was the answer. But not at any time did anyone ever mention the word "fill" at all - never. Going thru the motions of getting the surgery cleared I figured I was getting all the information that I needed at that time. The first mention of fills was 2 weeks after surgery when I was referred to this website by an ex co-worker that I happen to find out had the surgery on the same day that I did. If this had not happened I am sure I would not be on my third fill now. I might have been on my first... maybe. And I am sure I would be very frustrated as well. I have met several people that did not have any idea that there was going to be so much involved in post-op care and treatment. All I can say to anyone who has this size band is not to give up. My insurance coverage for any weight loss treatment ended the day I had my first fill so its all out of pocket from here. This is not cheap but in the long run it will be worth it. Again, get angry and pissed off, but do not give up. We all have to remember our main goal.

I am 36 years old and working on getting this weight off and healthy like everybody else seems to be on the boards. A relationship will hopefully come with the good health but one thing at a time... if you know what I mean. I am really hoping that this new healthy life will bring many changes and I will be up for anything. I don't know where I'm going, I just know I am getting away from where I've been.

We're here...

Third times a charm, I guess... I feel some restrictions at times but never have that full sensation. It's been a couple of weeks since the last fill and there doesn't seem to be any restriction now at all. I feel like I am not really doing anything until I get to that point or "sweet spot" so I guess I'll be going in for another fill soon. I am not gaining, I'm staying around 40-44lbs lost so I am not in a serious panic mode but damn... I want some more weight off. It's all compulsive behavior - I see, I want, I eat. Hunger never plays a role. But that painful and loud talking band will help if I can just get it to just wake up! And the holidays! Evil, evil time! Cakes, pies, cookies... UGHHH!!!

Third times a charm, I guess... I feel some restrictions at times but never have that full sensation. It's been a couple of weeks since the last fill and there doesn't seem to be any restriction now at all. I feel like I am not really doing anything until I get to that point or "sweet spot" so I guess I'll be going in for another fill soon. I am not gaining, I'm staying around 40-44lbs lost so I am not in a serious panic mode but damn... I want some more weight off. It's all compulsive behavior - I see, I want, I eat. Hunger never plays a role. But that painful and loud talking band will help if I can just get it to just wake up! And the holidays! Evil, evil time! Cakes, pies, cookies... UGHHH!!!

So what does everybody have for breakfast? I was told to only have a protein drink - no solids. But I am beginning to think that a little something else in the morning would help. Any suggestions? Pros or cons?

Been awhile... I weighed myself a few weeks ago and I had gained 3.5lbs. I was so upset. The realization that I needed a fill took about a week to get thru my thick head since I was so set on not getting one until the new year. So I went in for a fill and really started watching what I ate alot closer than I had been. Yet even with this first fill I was able to eat anything and not feel the band at all. But I did end up losing another 3.8lbs which brought my weight loss down to -.3lbs from where it was before the weight gain. This past Tuesday (11/14) I had another fill and I can definitely feel this one so I think I am back on track. Trying to eat some meat at lunch today and I could feel the band working. The support group I attend every Thursday has been very helpful as well. It seems like everybody is going thru the same issues at the same time and we are all getting fills. I don't know if I would have been so aggressively approaching all these problems without the group. Looks like I'll weigh again this Saturday (11/18) and update my numbers for TickerFActory.com. LATER!!!

Been awhile... I weighed myself a few weeks ago and I had gained 3.5lbs. I was so upset. The realization that I needed a fill took about a week to get thru my thick head since I was so set on not getting one until the new year. So I went in for a fill and really started watching what I ate alot closer than I had been. Yet even with this first fill I was able to eat anything and not feel the band at all. But I did end up losing another 3.8lbs which brought my weight loss down to -.3lbs from where it was before the weight gain. This past Tuesday (11/14) I had another fill and I can definitely feel this one so I think I am back on track. Trying to eat some meat at lunch today and I could feel the band working. The support group I attend every Thursday has been very helpful as well. It seems like everybody is going thru the same issues at the same time and we are all getting fills. I don't know if I would have been so aggressively approaching all these problems without the group. Looks like I'll weigh again this Saturday (11/18) and update my numbers for TickerFActory.com. LATER!!!

I feel like I've been given a second chance at life with the band. I am thankful for that.

LOL!!! What a feeling, right? Congrats and best of luck on your new journey.

Cheese... and Little Debbie... somebody get a crucifix!!!

Kristi, I think I know what you are saying. I know that I wanted to lose weight to get my life going as well. Being a man does not change that even without the hormones going amuck. Time doesn't stop ticking for any of us. There are so many things that I want to do in life and having a family is one of them and being in my 30s means that if I want to enjoy what most seem to enjoy I need to get a move on. But I don't know what is going to happen. What happens if I just go ape wild and become as lose as some of the wastebands in my shorts?! All these plans that are running around in my mind are on notice, things could change. I am almost afraid of what I will become! What if what I think I want is not that at all? Maybe going ape wild is what I need. I think it's going to be fun either way... and healthier than the life I've been leading.

Why are you fat? Because toast and apple butter go so well with Saturday morning cartoons...family means fried chicken and mashed potatoes...do you want a small helping or alot? "Alot please."...there's always cookies in the house...An apple or a Star Crunch? "Two Star Crunches, please."...You don't have to be active to enjoy music in your headset...what else do people do at 2AM but eat?...family means fried chicken and corn...sweet cereal every morning is a great way to start the day...Do you want extra butter on your pancakes?"Of course!"...custardy French toast tastes so good when Mrs.Buttworth makes 'em...baked fish?YUCK...an orange or a Ding Dong?"Ding Dong, please."...Land Of The Lost comes on at eleven and its time for lunch...family means fried chicken and apple pie or cheesecake...cheesecake...cheesecake...Blue Bell tastes just like the good ol' days...it's not a salad without ranch dressing...there is still some spaghetti on the stove...A banana or a cupcake?"Cupcake, please."...family means fried chicken and french fries...cornbread dressing on the side...two pans worth...or three...family means fried chicken and cornbread dressing...cheesecake..."Honey, did you get plenty to eat? We got more if you're still hungry"...you can have some Oreo cookies after you mow the lawn...funerals mean banana pudding... Is this enough?

I am thankful that nobody else likes the cranberry sauce in my family since it will be the only thing I will be able to eat.

I am a single bandster living in the Houston area. This topic has actually come up with my friends several times. I once felt that I didn't want to get in a relationship with another person with a weight problem. Why would an ex-junkie want to get involved with a current junkie? I don't know if I feel this way still but regrettably I think I still do. As this lap-band journey gets going I may find myself changing this view but I can't be too sure. I am more than willing to do all I can for my friends or even a perfect stranger that needs to lose weight but I don't know if I could go beyond that into a personal and intimate relationship. Someone mentioned that a person has to love themselves before they can truly love another. I completely agree with this and that is why I do not know for certain if the way I have been thinking will hold true later. I have not been happy with myself for so long. As the weight comes off I am becoming more and more confident and comfortable in my own skin. The things that mattered years ago mean next to nothing to me now. We shall see. I hope all of us find happiness with our new selves and maybe even find another to share this happiness with. Best of luck to all my fellow single bandsters out there.

I tried some recently and didn't have a problem but I try and stay away from coke.

THIS SUCKS!!! I just had my first fill a couple of days ago and I can not feel one bit of restriction. They only added 2cc and was told that the band already had 2cc, that makes a total of 4cc and no restriction. When can I expect any restriction? Another couple of fills? My insurance doesn't cover any of it so it's $150 a pop - literally! I want this band to work. If I can't count on it then I might as well go back to pulling my hair out and go to Weight Watchers. I've stopped losing and I'm pissed...

Don't worry, my reading was 480 when I was first diagnosed with diabetes. I went into a denial mode for about a week and walked and walked and walked and cut sugar out thinking it was going to make the diabetes go away. But a week later I was only down to 390. I accepted the illness and started taking meds and watching my diet and got it down to 150 to 170 in the mornings and falling to the point of shakes by early evening. Now that I've had the surgery I am off my meds and the highest reading I ever get is still below 120. You are heading in the right direction. I wish you the best of luck, take care. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

If you have the patience to cook duck and do it right then you deserve the right to eat it. I'm hopeless with duck but I think I'll give it a try again because trying to get chicken down isn't working.

I had my surgery on September 6, 2006. I had been working on it since about last October - insurance, doctor visits, psychiatric evaluation, Weight Watchers, etc. You know, the usual stuff. I had it done by Dr.Spiegel after getting a referral to him by a co-worker. It's kind of funny because with all the infomercials and billboards he has out now I think we'll be seeing him on cable with his own show soon. He seems nice and so far I haven't had any problems with him or his staff - they've been very helpful in fact. The hospital stay... ughh! That is another story. I guess hospital stays are not going to be pleasant no matter what the circumstances are. I was so glad to get home the next day. The following morning after surgery the hospital brought me breakfast - an apple-flavored protein drink, coffee, jello, beef broth and apple juice. Quite alot for someone that is only able to eat about 4 to 6 ounces at a time! I've made it thru the liquids and the soft phase and have started on "regular" yet restricted foods. As of Saturday, September 23, I have lost 33.5 lbs. I will weigh again this Saturday. I don't want to end up getting scale-shock from weighing too often!

I am getting alot of double takes from people. The more places I go back to after surgery the more people are doing double takes. I can sense that they see something different about me but they can't quite figure it out. It's hilarious! The other day I walked out of my apartment and ran into my old neighbor who had moved back into the complex. He looked at me and said, "you look like you've... I mean... have you been?" LOL! He couldn't even say it! He couldn't bring up the subject of weight even if it would have been good. Maybe he thought I had an illness? Didn't matter to me. People can tell that the weight is disappearing and that's good. Keep the double takes coming.

I am getting alot of double takes from people. The more places I go back to after surgery the more people are doing double takes. I can sense that they see something different about me but they can't quite figure it out. It's hilarious! The other day I walked out of my apartment and ran into my old neighbor who had moved back into the complex. He looked at me and said, "you look like you've... I mean... have you been?" LOL! He couldn't even say it! He couldn't bring up the subject of weight even if it would have been good. Maybe he thought I had an illness? Didn't matter to me. People can tell that the weight is disappearing and that's good. Keep the double takes coming.

Meetings at the Barnes and Noble off of Beltway 8 near Fairmont. I went last week and it was great meeting other bandsters. I think I learned more that night than I learned all the months before. If anyone is interested in the Clear Lake area the meetings are every Thursday at 6PM. Come one, come all!

Breakfast Protein shake lunch Lean Cuisine - usually an entree w/mashed potatoes dinner Soup - pea, cream of chicken, vegetable - low sodium, if possible Snacks a light yogurt, sugar-free Jello, whole grain crackers w/ Peanut Butter, fat-free cottage cheese, peaches in juice sweetened with Splenda I try and stick to this as much as possible but I don't freak out if I can't. There are somedays where it is just not convenient. But for the most part I stick to it. On the weekends I go out and find myself treating myself to Mexican food or something like that but I still limit what I eat. I never get to the point where I feel pain from the band or Pbs. It's all good! You take care of the band and the band takes care of you.