pelhamlisa

Zen, With the band you will lose weight more slowly than with RNY and it will take some tweaking to get to a comfortable fill amount. Unfortunately, restriction is not instantaneous like with the RNY. The working out is wonderful, keep at it. In the long run it WILL pay off. I have 2.5cc in a 4cc band and have some restriction but you have to make smart food choices. Let me tell you, ice cream is no problem what so ever to eat. So I could eat ice cream every day, but that would be defeating the purpose of the band. I do not battle hunger like I use to before the band but I do still get hungry, just not as often and not as ravenous as before! I am 7 months out, as of today, and have lost 50 lbs. When I was three months out I had only lost approx. 25-30 lbs. But please remember, each person is different and you can not compare your journey to someone elses! That is only asking for disappointment. Also, please do not believe that muscle weighs more than fat! 1 lb is 1lb, no matter how you look at it. You need the muscle to burn the calories! Please keep up the great work and work with your doctor on a fill schedule that will work for you and get you the maximum result from this wonderful tool. Good luck!

I am at 2.5cc in a 4 cc band and sometimes can not eat more than 4 or 5 bites of food and other times I can eat more. It seems to change any given day. When I was at 2cc it seems as if I could eat a larger amount of food. I am really concerned about getting another fill but I am stable at the weight I am at and want to lose another 30lbs. It has been 6 weeks since my last fill. I do notice that I seem to tighten up approx. 2 weeks or so after my fills. It is very strange!

Hi Dave, It is really strange how your eating habits change once you are banded. I was a big overeater before I was banded. I did not have quitting sense when it came to eating. I was miserable after eating almost everytime I ate. After being banded I could not eat as much as before. Even with no fill in the band would not allow me to overeat. And I do not get the hunger sensation like before either. Do I still get hungry? Not anything like before. There is a commercial here in the States that says the band tames the hungry lion and it really does. I do not get ravenous like before my surgery. I do still battle eating fast and taking to large of bites. Major no no!!! Before my first fill and could still take large bites but I am now on my second fill and will go on Monday for my third fill. The second fill made a big change. (Each fill was 1cc and I have a 4cc band). So if you do not chew your food enough, eat to fast or take big bites the band will definitely let you know. It is kinda painful and sometimes I "PB" the food back up which is not good either. Now, if you are a junk food junkie then of course the band will not change that habit! But I was self pay and I did not want to put all that money into something and not make some kind of commitment to the band. It is a tool that you have to use wisely. You can still cheat or eat around the band. No bother with any questions. I am by no means an expert though. I am only 3 months banded. So I am still learning as I go. But I have lost 30 pounds so far! It has been great!!!

Hello Everyone, I am a regular "reader" of this site but I do not post very often. Everyone here is so knowledgeable and I thought I could get some info from all of you. Apparently I ate something I shouldn't have eaten Tuesday night. We went to Ruby Tuesday's and I had the mini hamburgers. I didn't eat but half of one and it did not settle well! I woke up that night with major stomach spasms. When I would swallow the pain was excrutiating. So bad it woke me up. I could not even drink water! Major pain. As the day went the spasms became less painful and basically went away. I have been on a "mushies" only since that time. This morning I tried to eat a little something more substantial (eggs) and the pain presented itself again. Now I am battling the spasms again, even when I drink something. My question is this, has anyone else experienced this? I have a doctor's appt Monday. It has been scheduled for 4 weeks. Should I be worried that something has happened to the band like slippage or have I just irritated my stomach? I am starting to freak out!!! I was banded November 13, so almost 3 months. Help!!!!

I am no expert but I would think if she is throwing up and running a fever something is wrong. If the doctor will not see her then she needs to go to the emergency room, NOW!!!! Throwing up is not good when banded. I was warned about throwing up after being banded. It may turn out to be nothing but I would much rather be safe than sorry! I would worry too! I will keep your friend in my thoughts and prayers. Good Luck! Keep us posted.

Sherilynn, I was banded November 13 so I am not very experienced but I do know what you are talking about with the burping. It was a couple of weeks before I could actually burp. But boy, when I did! It was great. I have noticed that after my fills I could not burp for a few days afterwards. I have not experienced the pins and needles sensation you are describing. So I do not know what to tell you on that one! To this day I do not get "hungry" like I did before being banded. I do experience being hungry but it is not the same as before. I just know I should eat. My stomach will growl, very loudly. It is still hard not to eat like I did before the band, also. I am still battling eating fast. BIG MISTAKE, eating to fast. And not chewing food well enough and taking small bites. The nurse at my doctor's office told me to east like a 3-year-old. It is still extremely hard to do that. Old habits are hard to break. Each day is a new adventure and I would not change having the surgery. I still mourn food. It was like my best friend!!! But hey, I am down 30 pounds and under 200 pounds for the first time in forever!!!! It has been worth my normal being changed! Good luck on your journey!!!

~C~, I know what you mean about the exercising. I have to make myself walk on the treadmill everyday! Once I get on and get going it goes by pretty quickly, but I HATE EVERY MINUTE!!! Good for you for joining a fitness center. Just make a commitment and be there everyday. I have come to realize that only I can make the commitment but it sure would be nice (easier) if someone else could do it for me! But no such luck!! YEAH YOU for quitting smoking!!! What a great thing you have done for yourself! I have never smoked so I do not understand the addiction but it seems that everyone in my family smoked and they have all pretty much quit. I am so glad! You will be amazed at the difference just that will make in your life! My mother smoked for 42 years and quit. She says it made a big difference!!! Good luck in both endeavors! May God bless you and guide you in your success!!! Lisa

Kmarie101, BCBS of Alabama does not pay for this surgery as of yet. I believe MCE is working on getting approval from BCBS. They have to be considered a center of excellance and they are in the process of approval. It may soon be covered under BCBS. As for getting approval from you doctor, I did not go through my primary physician. As a matter of fact, he doesn't even know I have had the surgery. I have not seen him since I have had my surgery so I am not sure what his thoughts are on the lapband. I went to a seminar that Dr. Schmitt was doing at MCE and just started the process on my on. Dr. Miles did my surgery November 13, 2006. And if your BMI is 47 I don't know why your doctor would have a problem with you having the surgery. If she doesn't see you side and can't support your decision, which by the way is your decision in the end, then maybe you should look at finding another doctor. Your doctor should be a team member in YOUR health care. Not someone who is going to fight you on ways to make you healthy.

I was self pay and the cost was $13, 900. This was for the doctor and the hospital, Medical Center East. MCE is a wonderful facility with great people. This was my first experience with the hospital and it was great!

Hello Alabama Bandsters!!! I am from the Birmingham area. Dr. Miles @ Medical Center East did my surgery November 13 and I have lost 19 pounds so far! Starting weight was 227.5. I have not had my first fill as of yet but am scheduled for Jan 2. A little nervouse about it since I do not know what to expect. I am eating most anything just in smaller portions. I am making sure I chew everything extremely well. I do not want to experience the PBing everyone talks about. I have almost walked on the edge with eating to much. I did not pay attention to what I was eating and let me tell you the band screamed at me that I was full and do not eat anymore!!! There was a slight pain in my back and I knew to stop eating! It was great! I was not misarable from overeating! So far I have not had any negative results from being banded. Hope it continues that way!

Hello November Bandsters!!!! Just wanted to update on my progress! I have lost 19 pounds so far. My surgery was November 13. I am back in full swing. I am watching real close what I eat. I have almost overdone it a time or two but the band always lets me know I am fixing to go over the edge!!!! I am battling head hunger. I find it is really bad at night, around 7:30 and after. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, can anyone give me any pointers as to how to get motivated to excersise! It is so hard!!!

Yes, I can tell you I fear this is just another attempt at weight loss. Since it has only been eight days after my surgery I still feel that way. I question everything I put in my mouth, and I am still on liquids and not not seen any weight loss. I guess it will always be a struggle but at least I am very aware of what is going in my mouth and I do question if this food is a healthy choice for me. I have put a lot of money, time and effort in to this process, not to mention the pain of surgery, which is bearable but it is still surgery. It has made me stop and realize what food choices I have to make and make the food I eat count for health and not pleasure. I guess to put it simply, Eat to live not live to eat!!!!! Good Luck!!!! And God Bless!!!!